Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajun men’s basketball team returns to the hardwood on Thursday night, when coach Bob Marlin's squad travels to Bowling Green, Kentucky to take on the WKU Hilltoppers in Sun Belt Conference action.

The game opens the final road trip of the season for Louisiana, who closes out their regular season schedule on Saturday, when they take on Arkansas St.

Louisiana, who defeated South Alabama, 102-74, in their home finale on Sunday, has won seven of their last eight games, and currently stand at 19-10, overall, and 10-6 in Sun Belt Conference play.

That 10-6 league mark puts the Cajuns in third place in the conference standings, one game behind second place WKU.

WKU, who is 19-10, overall, and 11-5 in league play, has won nine of their last 12 games, and are one game behind Georgia St. in the conference standings.

For Louisiana to secure the second-seed in the postseason Sun Belt Conference Tournament, they need to win their last two, and for WKU to lose to Georgia St. on Saturday.

To clinch the number three seed in the tournament, the Cajuns need only win one of their last two

Offensively, UL currently leads the conference, scoring 81.9 points-per-game, while WKU ranks sixth, averaging 67.0 points a contest.

Defensively, the Cajuns rank ninth in the league, allowing 74.7 points-per-game, while the Hilltoppers are giving up 63.7 points a tilt, which is second in the conference.

Louisiana is led by sophomore forward Shawn Long, who is averaging 19.5 points-per-game, along with 10.4 rebounds-per-game, which rank second and first in the league, respectively, while WKU is paced by junior guard T.J. Price, who is averaging 15.5 points-per-game.

The Hilltopers won the earlier match-up this season, defeating the Cajuns, 79-70, back on January 25 at the Cajundome, and lead the all-time series, 25-16.

Tip-off time is scheduled for 7 o’clock.

You can hear all the play-by-play action on Hot 107.9 & 1079ishot.com, beginning with the pre-game show at 6:30 pm.

More From News Talk 96.5 KPEL