Tulane University
University of Central Florida
Men's Basketball Hosts UCF in Final Home Game of the Season
Mar 2, 2022 | Men's Basketball
NEW ORLEANS - The Tulane University men's basketball team returns to action on Thursday as it hosts UCF in the final home game of the season. The contest will mark the teams' second meeting this year. The game will tip-off at 7 p.m. CT and will be aired live on ESPN+.
Â
Fans can also listen to the game live on the radio by tuning into 104.1 The Spot or by CLICKING HERE. Tulane's "Voice of the Green Wave" Corey Gloor will call the action live.
Â
STARTING FIVE
1. The Tulane University men's basketball team will honor its seniors Scott Spencer, Quentin Scott and Sandy Ryan prior to the start of the game on Thursday.
2. The Green Wave looks to pick up a win after dropping two straight to Houston (67-81) and Temple (70-75). Tulane is looking for their tenth conference win of the season, which is more than the last three seasons combined.
3. With a win, Tulane would have 13 wins on the year, their most wins since the 2017-18 season (14).
4. This season, head coach Ron Hunter's staff welcomes back six letter winners, six newcomers and three starters, including preseason All-American Athletic Conference honoree Jaylen Forbes. Forbes is one of three players on the team, averaging 10-or-more points per game. Freshman Jalen Cook leads the team with 18.0 points per game - a figure that ranks second in the American Athletic Conference. As a team, Tulane is averaging 73.4 points per game and connecting at a 43.8 percent clip.
5. The Green Wave have won the turnover battle in 21 of their 25 games this season. During the 2020-21 campaign, Tulane won the turnover battle in 19 of its 23 contests last season while also forcing opponents into at least 15 mishaps on 11 occasions. During the 2019-20 campaign, the Green Wave committed equal or fewer turnovers than its opponents in 28 of 30 contests while ranking in the top 20 nationally in turnover margin (+4.2).
THE SERIES
• Tulane's matchup with UCF will mark the 23rd all-time meeting between the two teams.
• The Green Wave has not beaten the Knights since Feb, 14, 2007.
• The last time Tulane faced UCF they dropped the game by a bucket, 66-68.
ÂTULANE BY THE NUMBERS
251 -Â Tulane has made at least one 3-point field goal in 251 consecutive games. The last time the Green Wave failed to do so came on Jan. 16, 2014 at home against Louisiana Tech when they went 0-for-14 from outside.
51.4 - Forward Kevin Cross is first in the American Athletic Conference in field goal percentage connecting at a 51.4 percent rate from the floor.
36.1 - Jaylen Forbes'Â 36.1Â minutes per game lead the AAC.
18.0 - Jalen Cook is averaging 18.0 points per game, a figure that ranks second in the AAC.
18 - Tulane has faced 18 opponents this season which came into their meeting with the Green Wave with a record of .500 or better.
9 - The Green Wave picked up their ninth league win of the year on Feb. 15 vs. USF which is more than its conference wins total from a year ago.
4 – Tulane ranks fourth in the nation in the fewest turnovers.
2 - Tulane ranks second in the American in the assist-turnover ratio.
Â
WITH A WIN OVER UCF…
• Tulane would have ten conference wins for the first time ever in American Athletic Conference play.
• Tulane would collect their first home win versus the Knights since Feb. 14, 2007.
• Head coach Ron Hunter would collect his second win versus UCF.
THE OPPONENT - UCF
• These teams have met 22 times with UCF holding the series lead at 19-3.
• UCF ranks second in the conference in fewest fouls and third in the conference in fewest fouls per game.
• Darin Green Jr. ranks second in the conference in both three-point field goals per game and three-point field goal percentage.
• Green Jr. also leads the Knights in scoring averaging 13.4 points per game.
• UCF comes to New Orleans on a two-game win streak.
• UCF currently sits above the Green Wave at fifth in the conference standings.
Â
2021-22 aac STATISTICAL LEADERS (TOP 10)
SCORING AVG.
2. Jalen Cook 18.0
4. Jaylen Forbes 16.6
10. Kevin Cross 14.1
REBOUNDS AVG.
5. Kevin Cross 6.6
FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGE PCT.
1. Kevin Cross .514
5. Jaylen Forbes .432
6. Jalen Cook .429
ASSISTS AVG.
8. Jalen Cook 3.5
9. Kevin Cross 3.3
10. Sion James
3.2
FREE THROW PERCENTAGE PCT.
7. Kevin Cross .798
8. Jalen Cook .795
STEALS AVG.
7. Sion James 1.60
8. Jalen Cook 1.58
3-POINT FG MADE AVG.
3. Jaylen Forbes .393
ASSIST/TURNOVER RATIO AVG.
3. Sion James 2.00
8. Jalen Cook 1.71
DEFENSIVE REBOUNDS AVG.
1. Kevin Cross 5.79
6. Jaylen Forbes 4.48
MINUTES PLAYED AVG.
1. Jaylen Forbes 36.1
2. Sion James 34.6
6. Jalen Cook 33.5
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL TULANE ATHLETICS APP
Download the official mobile app of Tulane Athletics. Now, you can stay in touch with the Green Wave anytime and anywhere on your Android or iOS mobile device.
TICKETS
Tickets for the 2021-22 season can be purchased by calling 504-861-WAVE (9283), logging on to TulaneTix.com or visiting the ticket office at the James W. Wilson Jr. Center.
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA
For behind-the-scenes coverage, follow Tulane men's basketball (@GreenWaveMBB) on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Â
WE ARE NOLA BUILT
Tulane University is located in the city of New Orleans. It is a city built on tradition and resiliency. The lessons Green Wave student-athletes have learned through their connection with this university and city have BUILT doctors, lawyers, business leaders, conference champions, all-conference players, All-Americans, professional athletes and NCAA tournament teams. The city of New Orleans has shaped us into who we are today. We are One City. We are Tulane. We are NOLA BUILT. Check out at NolaBuilt.com.
