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Clarkson University Athletics

CU Men's Basketball Preview - at Union/Rensselaer (12/6-7)

By: December 5, 2019
GeaheartPot19

Men's Basketball | 12/5/2019 9:00:00 AM

With no games during break, the Clarkson University Men's Basketball team will look to shake off the rust of a 10-day layoff along with its opponents this weekend, as the Golden Knights travel to take on Liberty League foes Rensselaer and Union.

Live Stats/Live Video – at Union
Live Stats/Live Video – at Rensselaer

The Series vs. Union: For the past three seasons, the Dutchmen and Golden Knights have split the season series. Each team won on its home court in 2018-19, with Union winning by double figures in Schenectady and Clarkson coming from behind for a three-point win at home thanks to a solid overall effort from guard Barryn Shark, who produced a line of 15 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists in the victory.

The Series vs. Rensselaer: Last year was the first time since 2014-15 that the two teams did not split, as RPI won by double figures in each contest. The two teams have a rare basketball tie in the column, as Clarkson trails in the all-time series 36-76-1. Chris Hulbert scored a career-high 24 points in the first meeting against the Engineers, but missed the season-finale with an injury.

Key Stats for Clarkson (2-3): Hulbert scored only three points in the season-opener, but has since scored at an impressive pace of 21.0 points per game thanks to a 52.8% success rate (19-for-36) from beyond the 3-point arc in that span. He is tied for the conference lead in 3-point field goals made with 19 and is third in scoring average at 17.4 points per game. Fellow sophomore Reese Swedberg is second in the league in field goal percentage (62.7%), averaging 14.6 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, and senior Matt Higgins is also tossing in 14.0 points per contest. Clarkson has taken nearly twice as many 3-pointers as opponents (134-68), but the team is oddly making only 54.5% of its free throws, with opponents attempting 33 more freebies at a higher percentage (71.1%).

Key Stats for Union (2-0): The Dutchmen had a non-league game postponed due to weather last weekend, making their last competition November 12th. Union sophomore Mike Concannon is leading the team in scoring so far at 17.5 points per game after averaging 10.7 ppg in his first collegiate season, and he also chipping in 4.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game. Jackson Mannix averaged 12.5 points a game a year ago and is at 11.0 ppg in the early going of 2019-20. He was a key part of Union's win against the Knights in the first game last season, scoring 21 points, but he was held to just two points in the loss against Clarkson. Junior Rhona Eseyade is third in the league in rebounds at 9.5 per contest and is the conference leader in blocked shots with eight in two games.

Key Stats for Rensselaer (3-2): Opponents are shooting just 22.5% on long-range shots against the RPI defense so far with only 20 makes in 89 tries from beyond the 3-point arc, helping the Engineers to the best defense in the Liberty League (61.0 ppg). On offense, junior Patrick Mahoney is leading the team in scoring at 17.2 points per game while also adding in 5.2 rebounds per contest, while sophomore Mason Memmelaar is next at 13.6 points per contest despite playing just 19.4 minutes per game. Freshman Jonny Angbazo has yet to make a start for Rensselaer, but he is averaging 8.8 points and 3.4 rebounds per game as a reserve and making 61.3% of his shots from the floor. Angbazo scored in single digits his first three games, but is averaging 15.5 points per game over the last two contests.




 
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Players Mentioned

Matt Higgins

#30 Matt Higgins

G
6' 4"
Senior
Chris Hulbert

#12 Chris Hulbert

G
6' 1"
Sophomore
Barryn Shark

#10 Barryn Shark

G
5' 9"
Senior
Reese Swedberg

#25 Reese Swedberg

F
6' 7"
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Matt Higgins

#30 Matt Higgins

6' 4"
Senior
G
Chris Hulbert

#12 Chris Hulbert

6' 1"
Sophomore
G
Barryn Shark

#10 Barryn Shark

5' 9"
Senior
G
Reese Swedberg

#25 Reese Swedberg

6' 7"
Sophomore
F