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Hickson, N.C. State look for more success vs. New Orleans

Nov 18, 2007 - 2:25 PM New Orleans (1-0) at No. 22 Nc State (1-0) 6:30 pm EST

RALEIGH, North Carolina (Ticker) - J.J. Hickson's collegiate career is just one game old, and he is already in rare company in terms of offensive production.

Hickson will be hard-pressed to improve on his sensational debut when 22-ranked North Carolina State hosts New Orleans on Sunday.

The 6-9 freshman hit all 12 of his field goals - half of the Wolfpack's total - and scored 31 points in a season-opening 66-47 win over William & Mary on Thursday.

Hickson is yet another highly touted freshman in a terrific class. The debut's of Southern California's O.J. Mayo, Kansas State's Michael Beasley and Memphis' Derrick Rose may have garnered the most national attention, but Hickson's was arguably the best.

He set the Atlantic Coast Conference record for the most consecutive field goals to start a career, toping the 11 straight former Duke great Cherokee Parks made in his 1992 debut.

In addition to that the former McDonald's All-American scored the most points by an N.C. State freshman since NBA Hall of Famer David Thompson scored 33 against Appalachian State in 1972.

Hickson will look to continue the impressive start to his career against New Orleans, which is coming off a 72-66 win over Northwestern State on Wednesday.

Kyndall Dykes scored 19 points and grabbed eight rebounds for the Privateers, who won their season opener for just the fourth time in 11 years. New Orleans is facing a ranked opponent for the first time since 2003, when it lost to 89-55 to Texas.