Men’s Basketball Closes Out Texas at No. 22 Southern Methodist (Dec. 5; 1:30 p.m. – ESPN3)

DURHAM, N.H. –The University of New Hampshire men's basketball team wraps up the Texas homecoming at No. 22 Southern Methodist University on ESPN3 at Moody Coliseum on Saturday, Dec. 5 (1:30 p.m.).

Cat Facts

- New Hampshire matches its record from a season ago where they began the year 5-2 overall through seven games.
- The Wildcats are the only America East member to accumulate three road wins this season.
- UNH has won three straight road games for the first time since 2005-06 season when they defeated UMBC (72-58) on Jan. 11, Stony Brook (54-50) on Jan. 14) and UAlbany (75-72 OT) on Jan. 22.
- Senior Ronnel Jordan (San Antonio, Texas) is coming off a 16 point, career-high, night at Abilene Christian.
- The 'Cats have scored 80+ points in 3 of 7 games this year, matching last year's total which took 32 games.
The State of New Hampshire
New Hampshire enters the game off an 86-75 victory over Abilene Christian University (Dec. 3) in the opening game of the team's Texas road trip. The Wildcats have six Texas athletes on the trip, who shined at Moody Coliseum. Jordan scored a career-high 16 points on 7 of 10 shooting. Junior Daniel Dion (Cedar Park, Texas) matched Jordan's scoring output on five baskets, two being 3-pointers, and four free throws. Sophomore Tanner Leissner (Converse, Texas) returned after sitting out three consecutive games with an injury and finished with 14 points and seven rebounds. Junior Jaleen Smith (Freeport, Texas) tallied 13 points with seven boards and four assists.

The offense was rolling, scoring its third 80+-point game this season on 53.3 percent shooting from the field. UNH was in control for a majority of the game leading for 32:01 while ACU led for 3:33.

Leissner leads the team in scoring with 17.0 points per game on 47.3 shooting from the field. Sophomore Iba Camara (Dakar, Senegal) handles the glass with 10.9 rebounds per game while scoring 9.7 per contest. Smith does it all for the 'Cats, averaging 13.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game. Junior Jacoby Armstrong (Sachse, Texas) is totaling 13.7 points per game with 4.2 rebounds in six games played.

Scouting The Mustangs
The No. 22 SMU Mustangs begin a four-game homestand with the Wildcats. The Mustangs improved to 5-0 with a 75-70 win at TCU (Dec. 2). SMU is 3-0 at home this season and is 37-3 at home since the start of the 2013-14 season.

SMU averages 78.6 points while shooting 51.4 percent (11th NCAA) with five Mustangs averaging more than 10 points (Nic Moore 15.5, Markus Kennedy 12.2, Keith Frazier 11.2, Ben Moore 10.5, Jordan Tolbert 10.2). Seven different players have scored in double figures with at least four double-digit scorers in four of five games. In the win versus Yale, SMU had five in double figures.

The Mustangs are No. 22 this week in the AP Top 25. SMU was tied for 25th last week after receiving votes in the first two polls. Last season, SMU spent nine weeks in the AP and USA Today Top 25, finishing No. 18 in the AP and receiving votes in the USA Today Coaches Poll.

All-Time Series
This is the first matchup for New Hampshire and Southern Methodist. The most recent game at Abilene Christian was the Wildcats first matchup in the state of Texas. The last time the program played an opponent from Texas was back on Dec. 29, 1995 when they played Texas Christian University in a 93-74 loss at the Meadowlands Tournament in East Rutherford, N.J.

Zeroed In
Smith nearly notched a triple-double (two rebounds shy) in the season opener (Nov. 13) against Lyndon St. The stat line was his second-career double-double and the first where he used the assists column. In the program's first victory over Bryant, Smith scored a career-high 23 points (7 of 13) in 40 minutes of action. He continues to do a little bit of everything, averaging 13.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists through seven games.

The 2015 All-Championship Team member started in all 32 games for UNH last year and ranked second in both scoring (10.7 ppg) and rebounding (5.2 rpg). He paced the team in assists with 2.8 per game. At the guard position, he ranked third in blocks with 11 and was the only guard with more than two.

Locked In Leissner
Leissner added a fifth career double-double and matched his career-high scoring output with 21 points during the season opener. At No. 19 UConn, Leissner finished with his second consecutive 20-point effort on 20 points and four rebounds. The 2015 America East Rookie of the Year averages 17.0 points, 6.3 rebounds and shoots 47.3 percent from the field per game. He sat out because of injury against Brown, American and Bryant and scored 14 points in his return at Abilene Christian.

Casual Camara
Forward Camara scored career-highs in points and rebounds to open the 2015-16 season against Lyndon St. His 15-point and 20-rebound stat line earned him America East Player of the Week honors on Nov. 16. At UConn, the sophomore scored eight points, grabbed four rebounds, dished out two assists and totaled two steals. The Senegal native tallied a second double-double this season at Holy Cross with 14 points and 18 rebounds and followed that up with a 10 point, 10 rebound effort at Brown.

Camara leads the team with four 10+ rebound games through seven contests and ranks 17^th in the country in rebounds per game (10.9). He is averaging 9.7 points this season

Score, Score Score
UNH is 4-0 when 4+ scorers finish with 10+ points in a game. In the season opener, Leissner, Camara, Smith and freshman Pat McNamara (Arlington Heights, Ill.) eclipsed the 10-point threshold. At Holy Cross, the foursome completed the feat again followed by five 10+ scorers at Brown. In the Wildcats third 80+-point scoring game against Abilene Christian, Leissner, Smith, Dion and Jordan all pitched in double-figures.

Fives Alive
Dion has a knack for scoring (9.8 per game), something he's had since arriving at UNH. He scored a season-high 16 points at Abilene Christian in his first start this season. The 6-foot scorer uses his quickness and creative offense to open space for his quick release (40.0 percent) this year. During his sophomore season, the Texas native tallied 9.2 points per game after a freshman season where he scored 8.2 per contest.

Let's Go Home
The men's basketball team scheduled a trip to Texas this season to tackle Abilene Christian (Dec. 3; 8 p.m.) and Southern Methodist University (Dec. 5; 1:30 p.m.) to give the six Texas natives on the team a chance to play in front of family and friends. The five-day trip gives the 'Cats a look at some new competition with two new teams UNH has never played against.

Strong Play
Armstrong poured in a personal-best 26 points in an 88-77 win at Brown followed by a 22-point outburst against American to lead all scorers. He made his season debut at UConn where he totaled seven points, five rebounds, a steal and an assist off the bench. At Holy Cross, he notched seven points, and four rebounds on 3 of 5 shooting from the field. This season, the 2015 All-Conference Third Team member is scoring 13.7 points and corralling 4.2 rebounds per game.

Flu Game
While battling the flu, Armstrong tallied 14 points and corralled four rebounds to defeat the Bryant Bulldogs (Nov. 30). He shot 6 of 10 from the floor and nailed his single 3-pointer attempt. The tri-captain also played 35 minutes in a starting role, the largest workload for the forward this season.

Let's Hit The Road
UNH has won three-straight road games for the first time since the 2005-06 season with conference wins over UMBC (Jan. 11), Stony Brook (Jan. 14) and UAlbany (Jan. 22). The Wildcats never scored more than 75 in those games. Additionally, New Hampshire is the only America East member to total three road wins heading into this game.

The Lone Star State
UNH has seven individuals from the state of Texas. Armstrong, freshman Andrew Dotson (Arlington, Texas), Dion, Jordan, Leissner, transfer Jordan Reed (Lucas, Texas) and Smith all chose the chilly New England weather over the hot lone star state.

Old Man On The Mountain
As the lone senior this season, Jordan leads by example on the court. At Abilene Christian, the guard scored a career-high 16 points on 7 of 10 shooting in his sixth start this season. Jordan averages 9.0 points and 4.0 rebounds per game.

Double-Double Dose
UNH student-athletes have tallied five double-doubles through seven games, led by Camara who has three. Just a year ago, the Wildcats had five double-double stat lines in 32 games played. Leissner led UNH with four during 2014-15. Camara ranks 29^th in the nation with three double-doubles.

3-Point D
Against Bryant, UNH held the Bulldogs to 17.6 percent shooting from beyond the arc, tying the season low set in the home opener against Division III Lyndon St. (Nov. 13). This was the lowest percentage an opponent was held to since Jan. 22, 2015 when the University of Vermont was held to 16.7 percent (3 of 18) from beyond the arc. Bryant shot 2 of 11 in the first half and 1 of 6 in the final frame.

Mac Truck
Freshman McNamara is shooting 50.0 percent from beyond the arc this season, and went a season-high 6-for-9 on 3-pointers at Holy Cross with five in the second half. The Illinois native scored 11 points on 4 of 10 shooting, including three treys, in the season opener against Lyndon State College. Last season, the Wildcats topped the league in 3-point field-goal percentage with a 37.4 percent mark. UNH looks to continue that trend, shooting 35.9 percent so far through seven games.

Wildcat Captains
Smith, Armstrong and junior Joe Bramanti (Andover, Mass.) bring leadership to the Wildcats this season. Bramanti returns to captaincy after last year's role produced a balanced team. Smith and Armstrong join Bramanti in their junior seasons, all with UNH, with a combined 3,000+ minutes of game time.

Scoring Jump
Leissner and Smith averaged 10 + points a game a year ago, improving the Wildcat offense from last place in the conference in 2013-14 (57.8 ppg) to first in the conference in 2014-15 (67.1 ppg). The +9.3 scoring increase is first among the most improved Division I teams from a season ago, where the 'Cats finished tied for sixth for most improved team with +13 wins.

Herrion Wins Again
Head coach Bill Herrion has won 122 games while a head coach at UNH and now ranks second all-time on the coaching wins' list. He overtook William Cowell (1916-28), who won 119 games throughout his 12-year coaching career, in a 73-69 win over Holy Cross (Nov. 19). Next on the list is Gerry Friel (1969-89), who tallied 185 wins in 20 years of leadership.

Look Ma, I'm On TV
The Wildcats are set to play five ESPN3 games, two at home, and three television games in 2015-16. Additionally, New Hampshire played on SportsNet New York (SNY) when they took on the University of Connecticut (Nov. 17; 7 p.m.), will be broadcasted on WBIN Classics and Fox College Sports on Dec. 19 (1 p.m.) against Dartmouth College in Lundholm and lastly Fox College Sports on Jan. 16 (1 p.m.) against Stony Brook University in Durham. The ESPN3 contests will be at Southern Methodist University (Dec. 5; 1:30 p.m.), at Boston College (Dec. 30; 2 p.m.), at UMass Lowell (Jan. 21; 7 p.m.), against the University of Vermont (Jan. 27; 7 p.m.) and against the University of Albany (Feb. 11; 7 p.m.).

New 'Cats in Town
New Hampshire welcomes four newcomers to the roster this season. Dotson was the 2014-15 District Offensive MVP in his area during his senior year, averaging 20.3 points per game. McNamara averaged 18 points per game in his senior season and was a regional champion, and All-Conference and All-Area selection. Forward David Watkins (Dorchester, Mass.) who was a top-30 player in New England last year. He received the most valuable player award in both junior and senior season at Brimmer and May School. Reed is a transfer from Rice University and played in 12 games but will have to sit out this season.

Graduation Success Rate
The Wildcats received a perfect GSR of 100 percent in the NCAA report released on Nov. 4. Men's basketball was one of four New Hampshire programs that had the unblemished rating. The team was tied for first in the America East conference against other basketball squads in the conference. All 20 athletic programs as a whole recorded a GSR of 90 percent.

2014-15 America East Award Winners
Joining Leissner, Armstrong was an America East All-Conference Third Team member with Matt Miller who joined the coaching staff after graduation. Bramanti was an All-Defensive Team selection and Smith was named to the All-Championship Team for his play during the tournament.

2015-16 America East Weekly Award Winners
Iba Camara – Player of the Week (Nov. 16)

Miller Moves On
After Miller was denied a sixth season as a Wildcat, the team decided to add him to the coaching staff to help build the team for a title run. Miller was a key cog to the success last season, leading the America East in 3-point field goal percentage (48.1 percent) and ranking second in threes made (63). He finished his UNH career ranked 10th in threes made in a season and fifth in 3-point field goal percentage in a season. Additionally, Miller's shooting finishes second in the UNH record books for career 3-point field goal percentage.

Wildcats on the Air
The Wildcat Sports Radio Network will broadcast a total of 15 UNH men's basketball regular-season games during the 2015-16 season and will air the games for the America East Championships. Jim Jeannotte, 23-time New Hampshire Sportscaster of the Year handles the play-by-play. Mike Murphy, a five-time winner of the New Hampshire Sportscaster of the Year award, does the color commentating.

The Wildcat Sports Radio Network affiliates include (times/dates subject to change):

WPKX-AM - 930 - Rochester

WGIR-AM - 610 - Manchester

Live Stream - Stretch Internet - UNHWildcats.com

Here is the complete radio schedule:
Nov. 13 vs. Lyndon St. (7:30 p.m.)
Nov. 19 at Holy Cross (7 p.m.)
Nov. 28 vs. American (12 p.m.)
Nov. 30 vs. Bryant (7 p.m.)
Dec. 19 vs. Dartmouth (1 p.m.)
Dec. 21 at Boston U. (7 p.m.)
Dec. 30 at Boston College (2 p.m.)
Jan. 9 vs. Binghamton (1 p.m.)
Jan. 16 vs. Stony Brook (1 p.m.)
Jan. 24 vs. Hartford (1 p.m.)
Jan. 27 vs. Vermont (7 p.m.)
Feb. 8 vs. Maine (7 p.m.)
Feb. vs. 11 UAlbany (7 p.m.)
Feb. 17 vs. UMass Lowell (7 p.m.)
Feb. 27 vs. UMBC (12 p.m.)

Preseason Predictions
New Hampshire was selected to finish fourth in the conference this season with 47 points. Leissner was named to the Preseason All-Conference Team as well, the only non-senior selected to the team.

Men's Hoops Media Center
To check out career numbers, year-by-year results, alumni roster and much more, head over to the men's basketball page at UNHWildcats.com and look under the additional links tab to find the media center link.

Looking Ahead
New Hampshire returns home Tuesday, Dec. 8 to tackle Worcester State University at 7 p.m. Limited tickets are available so be sure to call the box office at 603-862-4000.

For the most up-to-date information on the men's basketball program, visit the new UNHWildcats.com. Text UNH to 90561 to sign up for Sports alerts. Message & Data Rates May Apply. 1 message/text. Consent to receive a text message is not a condition of purchasing goods or services. Text HELP to 90561 for info. STOP to cancel. T&Cs & Privacy Policy is available HERE.

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Men’s Basketball Closes Out Texas at No. 22 Southern Methodist (Dec. 5; 1:30 p.m. – ESPN3)

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University of New Hampshire Athletics

Men’s Basketball Closes Out Texas at No. 22 Southern Methodist (Dec. 5; 1:30 p.m. – ESPN3)

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Players Mentioned

Jacoby Armstrong

Joe Bramanti

Iba Camara

Daniel Dion

Andrew Dotson

Ronnel Jordan

Tanner Leissner

Pat McNamara

Matt Miller

Jordan Reed

Jaleen Smith

David Watkins

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