New Orleans is a city that loves a good underdog story, especially when it involves a team that refuses to quit. If you’ve ever walked into the Lakefront Arena on a humid Tuesday night, you know the vibe. It isn't just about the box score. It’s about a program that has survived everything from devastating hurricanes to the constant threat of dropping down a division. Honestly, the New Orleans Privateers men’s basketball team is probably the most resilient group in the Southland Conference, even if the national media doesn't always give them the spotlight.
People think they know UNO basketball. They think of the Bo McCalebb years or maybe Ervin Johnson’s dominance in the early 90s. But there is so much more happening right now. We are currently watching a massive shift in the program's DNA. With a new coaching staff and a roster that looks like a United Nations assembly, the Privateers are trying to reclaim their spot as a "giant killer" in college hoops. It's a bumpy ride, sure. But it’s never boring.
The Stacy Hollowell Era and the Master P Factor
When Stacy Hollowell took the reins last year, it wasn't just another coaching hire. The guy is a local legend. He won a national championship at the NAIA level with Loyola New Orleans, so he knows exactly how to win in the 504. But the real shocker? The addition of Percy "Master P" Miller as the President of Basketball Operations.
Some folks thought it was a publicity stunt. You've heard the whispers: "Is he actually going to do the work?" "Is this just for the Gram?"
Basically, the answer is no. This isn't a gimmick. Miller is deeply involved in the program's infrastructure. He brings a level of brand recognition that a school like UNO—which often struggles for funding compared to the big state schools—desperately needs. It’s about recruiting, sure, but it’s also about changing the mentality of the players. They aren't just student-athletes; they’re being taught how to build a brand and a career beyond the court.
Hollowell is the tactical mind. He’s spent time coaching in places like Qatar, Lithuania, and Bahrain. That international experience shows up in the way he handles the roster. He isn't afraid to look for talent in places other Southland coaches wouldn't even think to check.
Roster Breakdowns: Who’s Carrying the Load?
The 2025-26 season has been a rollercoaster. As of mid-January 2026, the team is sitting at 6-11 overall, but they are 4-4 in conference play. That tells you everything you need to know about this squad. They might take some lumps against the big boys in the non-conference schedule, but they are scrappy as hell when it comes to Southland play.
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Look at Coleton Benson. The senior guard has been a walking bucket. Just recently, he dropped 30 points in a thriller against Southeastern Louisiana, including a game-winning three-pointer with 0.1 seconds left. He’s shooting over 90% from the free-throw line. You can’t leave him open. If you do, it’s over.
Then you have the big man, Churchill Abass. At 6'10" and 260 pounds, he is a problem in the paint. He recently swatted a career-high five blocks in a single game. Between Abass and MJ Thomas—who is averaging nearly a double-double—the Privateers have a frontline that can actually compete with anyone in the region.
Key Contributors Right Now
- Coleton Benson: Leading the charge with high-volume scoring and elite free-throw shooting.
- MJ Thomas: The sophomore forward is the heart of the rebounding effort, often pulling down 10+ boards a game.
- Jakevion Buckley: A senior guard who provides the steady hand and veteran leadership in the backcourt.
- Churchill Abass: The rim protector. If you're coming into the lane, you're going to have to deal with him.
Why the Southland Conference is a Meat Grinder
There’s a misconception that mid-major basketball is "easy." That is a lie. The Southland Conference is a track meet. Teams like Nicholls, Stephen F. Austin, and McNeese play with a chip on their shoulder.
New Orleans is currently fighting to stay in the middle of the pack. They recently had a tough loss to Nicholls where they gave up 90 points. That’s the struggle with this team: they can score with anyone, but the defense is still a work in progress. They’re allowing over 81 points per game on average. You can't win a championship giving up those kinds of numbers.
But there’s a silver lining. The Privateers are actually out-rebounding their opponents. In that Nicholls game, they won the battle on the boards 37-23 despite the loss. If Hollowell can figure out the perimeter defense, this team is going to be a nightmare in the conference tournament.
The Lakefront Arena Experience
Let’s talk about the arena for a second. Lakefront Arena holds about 9,000 people. Does it fill up every night? No. And that’s a shame.
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The atmosphere is "New Orleans" through and through. You’ve got a pep band that actually has soul. You’ve got local food. You’ve even got Abita beer on tap. It feels more like a community gathering than a corporate sporting event.
One of the biggest hurdles the New Orleans Privateers men’s basketball program faces is student engagement. The arena is slightly off-campus, which makes it a bit of a trek for students who don't have cars. But when the "Lakefront Mafia" (the die-hard fans) shows up, the place gets loud. It’s a distinct home-court advantage because the acoustics in that building are designed for concerts—it traps the noise and bounces it right back at the opposing bench.
A Legacy of "What Ifs"
To understand the Privateers, you have to understand where they came from. In the 90s, under Tim Floyd and Tic Price, UNO was a regular in the NCAA Tournament. They were the team nobody wanted to see in their bracket.
Then Hurricane Katrina happened.
The school almost dropped to Division III. They lost their facilities, their recruiting base, and a lot of their funding. Most programs would have folded. UNO didn’t. They clawed their way back to Division I. They won the Southland in 2017 and made it back to the Big Dance.
That history matters. It’s why the fans who do show up are so passionate. They remember when the program was on the brink of extinction. Every win in 2026 feels like a middle finger to the people who said this school couldn't sustain a D1 program.
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Tactical Insights: How They Win (and Why They Lose)
If you're watching a Privateers game, pay attention to the transition play. Hollowell wants them to run. When they get out in the fast break, they are dangerous.
The Good:
They are excellent at drawing fouls. With guys like Benson and Thomas driving to the rim, they get to the charity stripe a lot. And they make them. Shooting 75% as a team from the line is a massive advantage in close games.
The Bad:
Turnovers. Man, the turnovers are a killer. They’re averaging nearly 15 turnovers a game. In the Southland, where teams love to press, that’s like giving away free money. If they can get that number down to 10 or 11, their win percentage will skyrocket.
The Surprising:
The bench depth. Players like TJ Cope and Panagiotis Pagonis are providing real minutes. It’s not just a five-man show. Having a 7'4" center like Mathok Majok available—even if he's a project—gives them a look that most small schools can't match.
What’s Next for the Privateers?
The schedule doesn't get any easier. They have a heavy slate of conference games through February, including rematches against Nicholls and a tough trip to McNeese.
If you want to support the team, the best thing you can do is actually show up to the Lakefront. Tickets are cheap, the food is better than your average stadium hot dog, and you’re watching high-level basketball in your own backyard.
For the players, the goal is simple: get to Katy, Texas for the Southland Tournament. Once you’re in that tournament, anything can happen. A three-day hot streak can land you in the NCAA Tournament. And as we've seen from the Privateers before, they are at their best when their backs are against the wall.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check the Schedule: Head over to the official UNO Athletics website to see when the next home game is. They usually have mid-week games that are perfect for a cheap night out.
- Follow the Stars: Keep an eye on Coleton Benson’s scoring average. If he stays hot, he’s a legitimate contender for Southland Player of the Year.
- Watch the Defense: In the next few games, watch if they switch to more zone looks. Hollowell is experimenting to find a way to stop the high-scoring guards in this league.
- Support Local Media: Listen to the games on 106.7 FM "The Ticket" if you can't make it to the arena. Hearing the local calls gives you a much better sense of the team's pulse than a generic stat sheet.