Thursday, November 5
Ruston, La.
6:30 p.m. CT
Louisiana Tech University
vs
Arkansas-Monticello
Photo by: Jayde Billiot
11/4/2026 7:23:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Bulldogs take on Boll Weevils for the first time since 2001.
RUSTON – The Louisiana Tech men's basketball team will return to the TAC Thursday evening to face Arkansas-Monticello, with tip off set for 6:30 p.m.Â
Game Information
Date/Time: Thursday, Nov. 5 | 6:30 p.m. CT
Location: Thomas Assembly Center (Ruston, LA)
Watch:Â Â ESPN+
Listen:Â LA Tech Sports Network | LA Tech Athletics app
Live Stats: LATechSports.com/StatsÂ
About Louisiana Tech
LA Tech enters Thursday's contest against Ark-Monticello after winning the season opener 85-75 against Kent State Monday evening. With the win, LA Tech now has won 20 straight home openers.Â
Two of the 'Dogs transfers had electric games against the Golden Flashes. Third year Braylon Winger scored 28 points, shooting 8-12 and 4-8 from beyond the arc. The last time a Bulldog scored 25 or more points in a season opener was Daquan Bracey in 2017, who had exactly 25 in a 112-71 victory against UT-Tyler in Ruston. Similarly, Ethan Blackmon did something that had not been done in six years. Blackmon had a double-double, with 13 points and 10 rebounds. The last time a LA Tech player had a double-double in the season opener was Jacolby Pemberton in a 76-71 victory against UT-Arlington in 2020. Pemberton had 19 points and 13 rebounds.Â
Head Coach Talvin Hester has prioritized defense in his time in Ruston, and the 'Dogs proved that again Monday night. The Golden Flashes were able to connect on only 24 of the 74 shots they took. Beyond the arc, Kent State shot 7-28, while Preseason All-MAC First Team Chansey Willis Jr. was held to 0-6 and no points. Starter Dhani Miller shot an inefficient 4-19.Â
About Arkansas-Monticello
Division-II Arkansas-Monticello comes to Ruston for their first test of the season, even if it is just an exhibition. Last season, the Weevils had a 10-18 record. In the Great American Conference coach's preseason poll, Ark-Monticello was voted to finish in 12th place. They are led by head coach Chad Tapp, who is entering his sixth year with the team. He has a 48-92 record at the school. Previously, he spent time at Lyon and Indiana-South Bend. With the Scots, he had a record of 118-113 over the course of eight seasons. Tapp was voted American Midwest Conference Coach of the Year twice during that span, which also included a conference championship.Â
The Series
The Bulldogs and Boll Weevils have faced off three times before, with LA Tech winning each game. The most recent match was an 83-66 victory in Ruston on November 27, 2001. The two previous games were held nearly 100 years ago, during the 1927-28 season. The scores were 64-34 and 66-21 in favor of LA Tech. It is unknown as to where the games were held.Â
SUPPORT LA TECH ATHLETICS
Championships require championship resources. Â Fans can make a direct impact on the success of LA Tech Athletics through LTAC, Aillet Society, T-Club, and Young Alumni program as well as the CHAMP fund, a revenue-sharing initiative designed to directly support LA Tech Athletics through NIL and marketing opportunities for Bulldog and Lady Techster student-athletes. Â Visit BuildTheLegacy.com today. Â Â
BARK LOUDER
Our mission is to engage, develop, and advance the Louisiana Tech Athletics brand. Â You can do that by spending time consuming our content and by investing your talents. Â By barking louder with your time and talent, you can affect progress and brand advancement in a meaningful way. Â Visit LATechSports.com/BarkLouder today. Â You bark. Â We bark. Â Louder together.
SOCIAL MEDIA
For all the latest in Bulldog Basketball, follow us on X (@LATechHoops), Instagram (@LATechHoops), and Facebook (LATechMBB).Â
Â
Game Information
Date/Time: Thursday, Nov. 5 | 6:30 p.m. CT
Location: Thomas Assembly Center (Ruston, LA)
Watch:Â Â ESPN+
Listen:Â LA Tech Sports Network | LA Tech Athletics app
Live Stats: LATechSports.com/StatsÂ
About Louisiana Tech
LA Tech enters Thursday's contest against Ark-Monticello after winning the season opener 85-75 against Kent State Monday evening. With the win, LA Tech now has won 20 straight home openers.Â
Two of the 'Dogs transfers had electric games against the Golden Flashes. Third year Braylon Winger scored 28 points, shooting 8-12 and 4-8 from beyond the arc. The last time a Bulldog scored 25 or more points in a season opener was Daquan Bracey in 2017, who had exactly 25 in a 112-71 victory against UT-Tyler in Ruston. Similarly, Ethan Blackmon did something that had not been done in six years. Blackmon had a double-double, with 13 points and 10 rebounds. The last time a LA Tech player had a double-double in the season opener was Jacolby Pemberton in a 76-71 victory against UT-Arlington in 2020. Pemberton had 19 points and 13 rebounds.Â
Head Coach Talvin Hester has prioritized defense in his time in Ruston, and the 'Dogs proved that again Monday night. The Golden Flashes were able to connect on only 24 of the 74 shots they took. Beyond the arc, Kent State shot 7-28, while Preseason All-MAC First Team Chansey Willis Jr. was held to 0-6 and no points. Starter Dhani Miller shot an inefficient 4-19.Â
About Arkansas-Monticello
Division-II Arkansas-Monticello comes to Ruston for their first test of the season, even if it is just an exhibition. Last season, the Weevils had a 10-18 record. In the Great American Conference coach's preseason poll, Ark-Monticello was voted to finish in 12th place. They are led by head coach Chad Tapp, who is entering his sixth year with the team. He has a 48-92 record at the school. Previously, he spent time at Lyon and Indiana-South Bend. With the Scots, he had a record of 118-113 over the course of eight seasons. Tapp was voted American Midwest Conference Coach of the Year twice during that span, which also included a conference championship.Â
The Series
The Bulldogs and Boll Weevils have faced off three times before, with LA Tech winning each game. The most recent match was an 83-66 victory in Ruston on November 27, 2001. The two previous games were held nearly 100 years ago, during the 1927-28 season. The scores were 64-34 and 66-21 in favor of LA Tech. It is unknown as to where the games were held.Â
SUPPORT LA TECH ATHLETICS
Championships require championship resources. Â Fans can make a direct impact on the success of LA Tech Athletics through LTAC, Aillet Society, T-Club, and Young Alumni program as well as the CHAMP fund, a revenue-sharing initiative designed to directly support LA Tech Athletics through NIL and marketing opportunities for Bulldog and Lady Techster student-athletes. Â Visit BuildTheLegacy.com today. Â Â
BARK LOUDER
Our mission is to engage, develop, and advance the Louisiana Tech Athletics brand. Â You can do that by spending time consuming our content and by investing your talents. Â By barking louder with your time and talent, you can affect progress and brand advancement in a meaningful way. Â Visit LATechSports.com/BarkLouder today. Â You bark. Â We bark. Â Louder together.
SOCIAL MEDIA
For all the latest in Bulldog Basketball, follow us on X (@LATechHoops), Instagram (@LATechHoops), and Facebook (LATechMBB).Â
Â
Players Mentioned
Forward
/ Men's BasketballMonday, September 21
Saturday, March 14
Friday, March 13
Friday, March 13
