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Clarkson University Athletics

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Men's Basketball February 8, 2017

CU Men's Basketball Preview - vs. Bard/Vassar (2/10-11)

No more hiccups can be tolerated by the Clarkson University Men's Basketball team if they hope to squeak into the Liberty League playoffs this year. Fortunately for the Golden Knights, three of their final four games occur in the friendly confines of Alumni Gymnasium, including a pair versus Bard and Vassar this weekend when the program celebrates its Senior Day and Alumni Weekend.

The Golden Knights enter the weekend with a record of 11-10 overall and 6-6 in the Liberty League, but that is a full two games behind the third and fourth place teams. Clarkson will need to sweep this weekend before it faces conference leaders St. Lawrence and Skidmore, and then the Knights will likely need a little help from some other teams stuck playing spoiler for the remainder of the campaign.

Senior forward Derek Hart has enjoyed one of the better individual efforts in the program's recent history, as he is averaging 20.9 points and 8.4 rebounds per game, with the former figure leading the conference. Hart also ranks sixth nationally in field goals made with 177, 36 more than any other player in the Liberty League, and his 63.2% field goal percentage is not only the best in the conference, but it ranks 14th nationally. Hart has been even better in league games, where he is averaging 22.5 points per game with a success rate of 65.7% on his shots from the floor. Classmate Drew Zlogar has pitched in 15.6 points and 7.5 rebounds per game, and the guard averaged 17.5 points in the first weekend against Vassar and Bard. Sophomore guard Liam Ellis is averaging 7.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.3 steals per game in a solid all-around effort, while Michael Hayduk ranks fourth in the conference in 3-pointers with 50 made.

Bard has suffered through a tough season after making strides in the Liberty League, having won six games in conference play the last two years. The Raptors are just 3-18 overall and 1-11 in the Liberty League, though that win speaks volumes as to how close Bard is to challenging in some of these games. Last weekend the Raptors knocked off conference leader Skidmore by nine points. However, the Raptors need to count upon their defense in most cases to win, as the team ranks last in the conference in scoring (59.0 ppg), field goal percentage (37.1%), 3-point field goal percentage (28.7%), free throw percentage (57.5%) and turnovers (17.0 tpg). Harry Johnson leads the team on offense with 10.1 points per game, including 44 3-pointers. Chris Lockwood tosses in 9.8 points per game while David Runcie (8.6 ppg, 6.3 rpg) and Armando Dunn (8.3 ppg, 6.4 rpg) also make solid contributions.

Like Bard, Vassar is also looking forward to next year with a record of 5-16 overall and 1-11 in the conference, its lone league win coming against the Raptors in early January.  The Brewers started strong with wins in their first three games of the year, but the team has lost eight straight in conference. There have been close games, however, as Vassar was within four points in two of its last three games. Alex Seff leads the team offensively with 15.6 points per game and a 44.8% field goal percentage. Jesse Browne, who was held scoreless in the first meeting against Clarkson, is averaging 13.9 points per contest. Mason Dyslin is also chipping in 10.9 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. Vassar's defense has been the culprit for its lack of success in 2016-17. The Brewers are last in the Liberty League in points allowed (78.0 ppg), field goal percentage (46.9%) and 3-point field goal percentage (39.2%).
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Players Mentioned

Liam Ellis

#3 Liam Ellis

G
5' 11"
Sophomore
Derek Hart

#42 Derek Hart

F
6' 7"
Senior
Michael Hayduk

#32 Michael Hayduk

F
6' 4"
Senior
Drew Zlogar

#21 Drew Zlogar

F
6' 6"
Senior

Players Mentioned

Liam Ellis

#3 Liam Ellis

5' 11"
Sophomore
G
Derek Hart

#42 Derek Hart

6' 7"
Senior
F
Michael Hayduk

#32 Michael Hayduk

6' 4"
Senior
F
Drew Zlogar

#21 Drew Zlogar

6' 6"
Senior
F