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Keith Charleston
Barbara Hardesty / Southeastern Louisiana University

Reigning Conference Champion Lions Set for Opener with LSU

SLU Ready to Begin Conference Title Defense

11/5/2018 2:02:00 PM

Southeastern Louisiana vs. No. 23 LSU
Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018 | 7:30 p.m. | Baton, Rouge, La. | Maravich Assembly Center
Series History: LSU 11-1
Last Meeting: LSU 89, Southeastern 66 (Baton Rouge, La. – Nov. 29, 2013)
Television: SEC Network+
Radio: Southeastern Sports Radio Network (KSLU 90.9)
                                                                                                         
HAMMOND, La. – The reigning Southland Conference Champion Southeastern Louisiana men's basketball team opens the season Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. against 23rd-ranked LSU at the Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
 
Southeastern (22-12, 15-3 in the Southland in 2017-18) is 35-35 all-time in season openers after last season's 99-67 win over Centenary. However, Tuesday presents a tall task as LSU is loaded with talented newcomers.
 
LSU (18-15, 8-10 in the SEC) comes into the season with the nation's third-ranked recruiting class under second-year head coach Will Wade. Along with the return of sophomore leading scorer Tremont Waters (15.9 ppg), the Tigers added five of the nation's top 100 recruits including five-star recruits Naz Reed (6-10, 250, Forward, Ashbury Park, New Jersey) and Emmitt Williams (6-6, 215, Forward, Fort Myers, Florida.) The Tigers also inked three four-star recruits including Javonte Smart (6-4, 180, Guard, Baton Rouge), Darius Days (6-7, 220, Forward, Raleigh, Florida) and Aundre Hyatt (6-5, 225, Forward, Bronx, New York).
 
The Lions, under fifth-year head coach Jay Ladner, will be looking for the program's first win over LSU since Dec. 1, 1966. SLU last faced the Tigers Nov. 13, 2013 in Baton Rouge with LSU winning 89-66.
 
While Southeastern may not have the national recognition of LSU, Southeastern will have their share of talent to help counter the Tigers' size and athleticism.
 
The Lions will match-up well with the Tigers in the paint with seniors Keith Charleston (6-7, 220, Forward, Little Rock, Arkansas) and Moses Greenwood (6-6, 225, Forward, Sharon, Mississippi).
 
"Rebounding is the most critical part of it," said Ladner. "LSU has so much size and athleticism that we are going to have to have a gang mentality when it comes to rebounding and loose balls. We can't give them second chances." 
 
Marlain Veal, the Pre-Season First Team All-Conference selection, missed the pre-season finale against Delta State with a knee injury and will be a game-time decision Tuesday.
 
"He is day-to-day," said Ladner. "We are hoping he can go but that's up to the training staff."
 
If Veal is unable to go, junior transfer from Tulane, Von Julien will take over the point guard duties Tuesday night. The Reserve, Louisiana native showed he is capable of filling in after scoring 11 points and dishing out nine assists in the exhibition against Delta State.
 
"This is the beginning of the process for the conference tournament," said Ladner. "Our conference is a one-bid league so win or lose , we will critically evaluate and correct and move forward. We have to keep things in perspective and get better each day."
 
Links for live stats and play-by-play are available for Tuesday's game on the men's basketball schedule page at www.LionSports.net.
 
HARDWOOD CLUB/S CLUB
 
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the basketball program are encouraged to join the Hardwood Club.  Lion alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letterwinners.
 
All membership fees and donations to Hardwood Club are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern basketball program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Southeastern Basketball, follow @SLU_Hoops and @CoachLadner on Twitter, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube channel.
 
- www.LionSports.net -
 
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