Skip To Main Content

Scoreboard

Clarkson University Athletics

CU Men's Basketball Preview - at Rick Martin Invitational (11/16-17)

By: November 15, 2018
HornakMatt2018bcd
Connor Koehler

Men's Basketball | 11/15/2018 5:45:00 PM

There will be no dodging of tough opponents at the Rick Martin Invitational for the Clarkson University Men's Basketball team this weekend as the Golden Knights will face teams that averaged 18 victories last year, starting with Westfield State on Friday evening.

Live Stats/Live Video

The Series: The Green and Gold's first round opponent is tournament host Westfield State, a team that Clarkson owns a 2-0 record against with victories coming during the 2010-11 and 2015-16 seasons by an average of 19.5 points per game. Clarkson will face either Gordon College or Ramapo University in the consolation game (1:00 pm) or championship game (3:00 pm) of the tournament. Clarkson has faced Gordon just once, a 78-67 victory two seasons ago at Alumni Gymnasium. The Golden Knights have played Ramapo twice, but none of Clarkson's players were born the last time the team played (a loss in 1991-92) and no one from the coaching staff was alive for the first meeting (a win in 1979-80).

Key Stats for Clarkson: The Golden Knights can take away some positives from their loss to 14th-ranked Plattsburgh State. The Green and Gold recorded 95 points with six players scoring in double figures and a 16-for-40 effort from beyond the 3-point arc. However, the Knights will need to clean up their play (18 turnovers, 56.3% field goal percentage allowed) for prolonged success in 2018-19 season. Senior guard Liam Ellis scored 25 points in the season-opener, shooting 9-for-10 from the floor with six boards and six assists, while classmate Matthew Hornak tossed in 16 points on 5-for-11 shooting from beyond the 3-point arc. Freshman Chris Hulbert showed no nerves in his first collegiate game, scoring 17 points in only 19 minutes coming off the bench.

Key Stats for Westfield State: The Owls poured in 104 points in their season-opening win, shooting 57.9% from the floor and owning a 49-32 advantage on the glass. Westfield State went inside in its win, shooting just 12 3-pointers in the entire contest while watching its opponents make just five on 28 tries from the arc. Marcus Collins was the team's leading scorer a year ago, averaging 15.4 points per contest, and he tossed in 15 in the first game. Christopher Prophet (17 points) and Vawn Lord (12 points, 13 rebounds) also enjoyed solid performances in game one.

Key Stats for Gordon: The Scots won 18 games a year ago and appear to be ready to rely heavily on their starters. Of the 105 points that Gordon scored in its season-opening win against Emerson, 93 came from the starting five. Garrison Duvivier had a double-double with 22 points and 16 rebounds, something he did regularly last year, averaging 17.1 points and 13.1 boards per contest. Eric Demers, the team's leading scorer from a year ago (23.4 ppg), made the most of his 14 minutes, scoring 18 points. Jake Haar shot 5-for-8 from the 3-point arc for 21 points and Parker Omslaer had a double-double on 19 points and 11 rebounds.

Key Stats for Ramapo: The Roadrunners reached the Final Four last year but have a bit of a different look in 2018-19. Ramapo has won both of its games so far this year, but each was a narrow victory (83-80, 72-69). Junior guard Rob McWilliams, listed at 6-2, is playing more like a power forward so far, shooting 59.5% from the floor with a pair of double-doubles, scoring 27 points with 12 rebounds against Western Connecticut State and 26 points along with 15 boards versus Yeshiva. Senior transfer Kashaun Barnes tossed in 17.5 points per game in his first two outings with the Roadrunners and Rob Lewis, who averaged 14.3 minutes per game a year ago, is producing a double-double on 11.5 points and 11.5 rebounds per game.


 



 
Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Liam Ellis

#3 Liam Ellis

G
5' 11"
Senior
Matthew Hornak

#20 Matthew Hornak

F
6' 3"
Senior
Chris Hulbert

#12 Chris Hulbert

G
6' 1"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Liam Ellis

#3 Liam Ellis

5' 11"
Senior
G
Matthew Hornak

#20 Matthew Hornak

6' 3"
Senior
F
Chris Hulbert

#12 Chris Hulbert

6' 1"
Freshman
G