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Clarkson University Athletics

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Men's Basketball February 12, 2015

CU Men's Basketball Preview - vs. Union/RPI (2/13-14)

Charles McAllister had seven assists against RPI in the first meeting this season. - Photo by Sean Shea
Though the Clarkson University Men's Basketball team has already clinched a playoff spot in the Liberty League Tournament for the second straight year, the Golden Knights will be jockeying for position over the next 10 days, beginning with games at Union College and Rensselaer this weekend.

The Golden Knights enter the weekend with a record of 17-4 overall and 10-2 in conference games, tied for first with both Hobart College and Skidmore College, assuring a playoff spot on Tuesday night when St. Lawrence lost to the Thoroughbreds. With 17 victories in the regular-season, Clarkson has tied its single-season record for wins prior to the post-season, matching the 17 wins in both the 2012-13 and 2001-02 seasons. The Knights of 13 years ago finished with 19 victories after winning a pair of post-season games in the ECAC Tournament, posting the most wins in program history.

The Golden Knights have a strong group of upperclassmen that play well together both on offense and defense, producing a margin of victory of 9.6 points per game, the highest figures in the Liberty League. Clarkson also has the best scoring defense (58.7 ppg) in the conference and ranks eighth in that category nationally, holding its opponents to the lowest scoring average since the 1951-52 season (58.5 ppg). Clarkson's offense has also been solid, leading the league in field goal percentage (45.3%), assists per game (17.0, 13th nationally) and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.50, fourth nationally). John Coleman, who set the career scoring mark last weekend, leads the league in scoring (17.4 ppg), field goal percentage (54.8%) and steals per game (2.3 spg). Felix Abongo set a career-high with 15 rebounds last weekend against Bard College and is averaging 13.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. Abongo is one of three players with more than 70 assists this season, along with Dylan Hodownes (87) and Charles McAllister (87), helping the Knights become the first team in more than two decades of the program's history to have three players with at least 70 assists. 

Clarkson defeated Union 77-69 in the first meeting between the two teams, but the Knights still trail 27-37 in the all-time series. Union (9-12 overall, 3-9 Liberty League) leads the conference in offense with 75.2 poinst per game, a 44.3% shooting percentage and a 36.8% from beyond the 3-point line, but the team also allows the most points (74.2 ppg) and the highest field goal percentage (45.4%). The Dutchmen are strong with the ball, ranking 10th in the nation in fewest turnovers per game (10.1) and 12th overall (213). William Hython is nearly averaging a double-double with 16.1 points and 9.7 rebounds per game while Deshon Burgess has produced 15.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.5 steals per game. Terell Winney leads the league in 3-point shooting at 42.9% with 45 makes and is averaging 11.2 points while Ryan Whelpley kicks in 10.2 points and 6.7 rebounds per game.

The Knights soundly beat Rensselaer 69-54 in mid-January, though Chase Almond had a solid game with 14 points and eight boards. Almond ranks second in the conference in field goal percentage (50.4%) and is averaging 13.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game. Rensselaer gets a considerable majority of its points from the starters (82.6%) though that number is diminished by a handful of spot starters. Almond, Josh Dugas (12.4 ppg), Brian Hatcher (11.4) and Tyler Gendron (11.0) lead four players in double figures. Dugas also averages 2.9 assists per game and Hatcher is producing 6.0 rebounds per game. 
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Players Mentioned

Felix Abongo

#33 Felix Abongo

G
6' 4"
Junior
John Coleman

#22 John Coleman

F
6' 4"
Senior
Dylan Hodownes

#12 Dylan Hodownes

G
5' 11"
Senior
Charles McAllister

#24 Charles McAllister

G
6' 0"
Senior

Players Mentioned

Felix Abongo

#33 Felix Abongo

6' 4"
Junior
G
John Coleman

#22 John Coleman

6' 4"
Senior
F
Dylan Hodownes

#12 Dylan Hodownes

5' 11"
Senior
G
Charles McAllister

#24 Charles McAllister

6' 0"
Senior
G