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Clarkson University Athletics

Men's Basketball 11/14/2016 2:43:00 PM November 14, 2016

CU Men's Basketball Preview - 2016-17

With a group of four seniors, including three starters, the Clarkson University Men's Basketball team hopes that missing last year's Liberty League Tournament was just a blip on the radar and a return to the post-season is imminent in 2016-17.

The Golden Knights, led by third-year head coach Jeff Gorski, went 9-16 last season after losing three starters to graduation. Inexperience won't be a problem in 2016-17, however, as three senior starters return as well as a back court that now has a full year of collegiate action under its belt.

Clarkson did a solid job on defense overall last year, ranking second in the Liberty League in scoring defense (66.2 ppg). The Knights were able to limit the oppositions' chances all around by being careful defenders, allowing teams to shoot just 389 total free throws, the second-lowest figure in the league.

The focal point of the Clarkson offense will be its center Derek Hart. Having put on an extra 15 pounds of muscle in the off-season, Hart is no longer a lanky forward but a seasoned big man with the strength to dunk over players and the finesse to use his feet to make solid post moves. Hart averaged 12.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.1 blocks last season, leading the conference in blocked shots and field goal percentage (57.1%).

When the double teams inevitably come to cover Hart, Clarkson hopes to be flush with shooters on the perimeter to make the opposition pay. Senior Conrad Zampier averaged 10.4 points per game, making 40 3-pointers on the season, while classmate Drew Zlogar also buried 35 3-pointers enroute to 8.5 points per contest. Additionally, senior Mike Hayduk and junior Tom Nuttle combined to make 33 more 3-pointers to spread the defense.

Teaming up in the backcourt are sophomores Liam Ellis and Malaquias Canery. Ellis has a strong nose for the ball, averaging 3.9 points, 2.8 rebounds and 0.9 steals per game, while Canery tossed in five points per game while earning 19 starts. Classmates Aidan Frank, Keenan Gayle, Matthew Hornak, and Cormac Bettinger all had their standout moments as first-year collegians and are now ready for extended looks on the court.

For a second straight year, coach Gorski brought in a good-sized class to add to the Golden Knights depth. Matt Higgins, Barryn Shark, and Fobai Mbamuku are first-year guards, while Jake Purdy and Jeff Comer are a pair of front court players that will certainly learn from the progress that Derek Hart has made in his Clarkson career.

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Players Mentioned

#40 Cormac Bettinger: F; 6' 8"; Sophomore

#13 Malaquias Canery: G; 5' 10"; Sophomore

#3 Liam Ellis: G; 5' 11"; Sophomore

#4 Aidan Frank: G; 5' 10"; Sophomore

#12 Keenan Gayle: G; 6' 2"; Sophomore

#42 Derek Hart: F; 6' 7"; Senior

#20 Matthew Hornak: F; 6' 3"; Sophomore

#15 Tom Nuttle: G; 6' 2"; Junior

#23 Conrad Zampier: G; 6' 1"; Senior

#21 Drew Zlogar: F; 6' 6"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#40 Cormac Bettinger
: 6' 8"; Sophomore
: F

#13 Malaquias Canery
: 5' 10"; Sophomore
: G

#3 Liam Ellis
: 5' 11"; Sophomore
: G

#4 Aidan Frank
: 5' 10"; Sophomore
: G

#12 Keenan Gayle
: 6' 2"; Sophomore
: G

#42 Derek Hart
: 6' 7"; Senior
: F

#20 Matthew Hornak
: 6' 3"; Sophomore
: F

#15 Tom Nuttle
: 6' 2"; Junior
: G

#23 Conrad Zampier
: 6' 1"; Senior
: G

#21 Drew Zlogar
: 6' 6"; Senior
: F