The College of Staten Island men’s basketball team has had a frustrating start to the 2018-19 season, slipping to a record of 1-5 overall as it prepares for the bulk of their schedule against CUNYAC opponents. Tonight the Dolphins will wrap up a six-game road swing, as they travel to the upper Manhattan to take on City College of New York in their CUNYAC opener. CCNY, 0-4, will also be looking for their first win.
CSI VS. CCNY AT-A-GLANCE
Matchup: CSI (1-5, 0-0 CUNYAC) vs. City College of New York (0-4, 0-0 CUNYAC)
Where: Nat Holman Gymnasium – 160 Convent Avenue, New York, NY
Live Stats: http://www.statbroadcast.com/events/statbroadcast.php?t=1&gid=sit
All-Time Series: CSI leads, 59-8
Last Meeting: January 22, 2018, CSI won 84-73
Players to Watch (CSI): After a torrid start, Christian Taylor still leads the way for CSI with a 20.5 points per game average, and the last time CSI played on CCNY’s floor, Taylor was named the MVP of the CUNYAC Championship Tournament. Taylor is also second on the team with 4.5 rebounds and is the team leader is assists (21), steals (13), and free-throws (24/38). Adeola Latunji is the other offensive threat for the Dolphins as he averaged 17.3 points per contest with a team-best 6.8 rebounds per. Latunji is also good on the opposite end, where he leads the team in blocks and has collected 10 steals. Andrew Kartalis, Austin Mick, and Rigaud Destime are hoping to get on track in the backcourt. The trio are averaging a total of 19.3 points per game, but are 14-62 from three-point range (22.6%), a number they will look to elevate starting tonight.
Players to Watch (CCNY): CCNY’s offense has been delivering this season, and there are currently five CCNY players averaging in double figures, led by Ty-Ler Banks’ 18.8 points per game on 52.6% shooting from the floor. Banks is also the clear leader on the glass, swiping 11.5 caroms per game. Mike White is posting 13.0 points per game and leads the Beavers with six buckets from downtown. Romello Rashad is next in file with 12.8 points per game while Ian Javier is giving CCNY 11.0 points per game and Isaiah Denard is at 10.8 points per. Romello sis second on the squad with five rebounds per contest and is second with 11 assists. He also leads the team with 12 steals.
News & Notes: The Dolphins have enjoyed a very successful history against CCNY and tonight will be chasing their 60th win all-time against the Beavers. The Dolphins have won the last six meetings dating back to 2016, a run that includes a 77-66 win over CCNY In the CUNYAC Championship game in 2017. CSI is 26-5 all-time at CCNY, and have won 10 in a row against CCNY in their gym. CCNY’s last win at Nat Holman against CSI was back in 2005, a 66-54 win. Tonight should be an intriguing matchup, as CSI has struggled offensively to start the season, shooting just 41% as a team while averaging 66.8 points per game. Meanwhile CCNY has struggled defensively while excelling offensively. CCNY is averaging a healthy 77.5 points per game but are giving up a whopping 96.3 points per game, the 6th-most in NCAA Division III. Opponents are shooting 51% against CCNY and the Beavers are a -9.7 in rebounds per game. That bodes well for the Dolphins who have equally struggled on the glass, and are a -10.2 in rebounds per game. Dating back to last season, CCNY is on a six-game skid. Tonight is their first home game of the season. CCNY was 1-10 at home last season, but did win their final home game a year ago. CSI is currently 1-4 on the road this year.
