Game Notes

CONWAY, S.C. – The Coastal Carolina men's basketball team will be home for its next three contests beginning with Little Rock on Thursday, January 16 at 7 p.m.
 
The Trojans may be the most improved team in the conference midway through the season as LR has already surpassed last season's total win total of 10 entering Thursday's game with an 11-7 overall record. They are tied at the top of the Sun Belt with a 5-2 conference record with the five wins matching their win total in conference action all of last season.
 
There are two big reasons for Little Rock's improvement in Markquis Nowell and Ruot Monyyong. Nowell is currently second in the conference in scoring averaging at almost 19 points per game. He is second in three-point percentage (.409) trailing only CCU's Tyrell Gumbs-Frater (.479). His 47 made three-pointers are second in the league, again only trailing another CCU player, Keishawn Brewton who has 53. He also leads the conference in steals (2.5) and is third in assists per game (4.5).
 
Ruot Monyyong leads the league in rebounding averaging 10.2 per game. The 6'10" junior college transfer is also tied for the conference lead in blocked shots averaging almost two per game. He has already recorded a league-high 10 double-doubles while also averaging 12.1 points per game.
 
Other double-digit scorers for LR are Ben Coupet (12.1) and Kamani Johnson (10.3).
 
Even with four players averaging in double figures, the Trojans are only averaging 68.9 points per game, but their defense is the key. They are only giving up 66.9 points per game which stands fourth in the Sun Belt.
 
The Chants (11-7 overall) are only one game back of the league leaders in conference action at 4-3. The Chants have won three-of-four and eight of their last 11 games.
 
DeVante' Jones, who was just named to the Lou Henson Award mid-season watch list, leads CCU in scoring (15.9) which is sixth in the conference. He is the league-leader in assists (99) and in assists per game (5.8). He is also fourth in free throw percentage (.843) and seventh in steals (1.6). His six double-doubles has him tied for second in the Sun Belt.
 
He has plenty of scoring help as CCU leads the Sun Belt in scoring averaging 80.4 points per game. Brewton averages 14.6 points per game followed by Gumbs-Frater (12.3) and Tommy Burton (11.1).
 
While Burton has been overshadowed this season, he is quietly having a banner year. He leads CCU and is sixth in the conference in rebounding (6.7) and has a team-high 16 blocked shots. He is second on the team in steals (23) and is also second on the team in assists (24). For good measure he has, also registered three double-doubles.
 
Links for the live video and live stats for Saturday's matinee can be found at GoCCUsports.com.
 
For complete coverage of CCU men's basketball, follow the Chants on social media @CoastalMBB (Twitter), facebook.com/CCUChanticleers (Facebook), @GoCCUSports (Instagram) or visit the official home of Coastal Carolina Athletics at goccusports.com.