The College of Staten Island men’s basketball team will host the 16th annual Tournament of Heroes starting tonight at 5:30 pm where SUNY Oneonta will square off against Roanoke. Following that, the Dolphins will take the court under the bright lights to take on Salisbury for the fifth time in school history. The Dolphins will look for their third Tournament of Heroes Championship this season after falling to Middlebury in the championship last season.
CSI vs. SALISBURY UNIVERSITY AT-A-GLANCE
Matchup: CSI (4-4 overall, 3-0 CUNYAC) vs. Salisbury University (5-4 Overall, 3-1 CAC)
Where: Sports & Recreation Center – 2800 Victory Boulevard, Staten Island, NY
Tip-Off: 7:30 pm
Ticket Info: $5 General Admission
All-Time Series: Series tied 2-2
Players To Watch (CSI): The Dolphins are led by sophomore guard Christian Taylor with 14.4 points per game. Taylor has played well under new Head Coach, T.J. Tibbs and has been effective attacking the rim or dishing the ball out to his teammates to average three assists per game. Adeola Latunji brings excitement to the game with his high-flying acrobatic dunks that get the crowd on their feet. Latunji is second on the team with 13 points per game and will likely attempt to put on a show tonight. The duo of Latunji and Jade Spencer give the Dolphins ample second-chance opportunities as they both have 17 offensive rebounds on the year. Edin Bracic will look to get going from the three-point line tonight as he is shooting 43% from behind the arc this season.
Players To Watch (SU): Chad Barcikowski will look to lead the Seagulls past the Dolphins tonight as he is pacing Salisbury with 15.9 points per game. Barcikowski also leads the team in rebounds per game with six. Braedon Dorsey is shooting 41.7% from three-point land this season and the Seagulls will want to get him the ball in open space against the Dolphins tonight.
News & Notes: This will be the fifth meeting in the history of these schools with both owning two wins. It has been Salisbury coming out on top though, as they have won the last two meetings. Salisbury comes into tonight’s game on a two-game losing skid after going on a three-game win streak. The Seagulls are averaging 75 points per game while the Dolphins are averaging 74 points per game. When getting 18+ assists in a game this season the Dolphins are 3-0, however, they are 1-4 when they fail to reach that mark. At home this season, the Dolphins are averaging 75 points per game while holding opponents to 62. In their wins, the Seagulls are holding opponents to 59 points per game while putting up 79 of their own.
