The College of Staten Island men’s basketball team opens their season tonight at The Tank against Montclair State University. The Dolphins are coming off of a CUNYAC Championship season, their second in a row, and have added quality pieces to an already loaded unit.
CSI VS. MONTCLAIR STATE AT-A-GLANCE
Matchup: CSI (0-0) vs. Montclair (0-0)
Where: The Tank – 2800 Victory Blvd., Staten Island, NY
All-Time Series: Montclair leads, 14-7
Last Meeting: November 29, 2014 – CSI won, 87-74
Live Stats: https://csidolphins.com/sidearmstats/mbball/summary
Live Video: https://www.csidolphins.com/csisportsnet
Players to Watch (CSI): Adeola Latunji and the CUNYAC Finals MVP, Christian Taylor return this season to continue where they left off last year. Taylor averaged 17 points per game while Latunji added 16 points per game as well as a team-high six rebounds per game. Taylor shot a red-hot 55% from the floor last season as he was able to get in the lane and sink his jumpers. Latunji will be the explosive force for Staten Island and continue his entertaining dunks to electrify the crowd. Rigaud Destime will look to take a step up this season after showing glimpses of what he can offer last year. Destime can create his own space and capitalize when called upon for the Dolphins.
Players to Watch (MSU): Myles Mitchell-White comes into the season off of a promising rookie campaign. Mitchell-White led all Red Hawks last season with 13.8 points per game while grabbing 5.7 rebounds. Mitchell-White is also a force on defense as he had 21 steals just a season ago, good for second on the squad. Joseph Radi is the returning sharpshooter for Montclair as he converted 37% of his chances from range last season. Eddie Emedoh was the rim protector, picking up 12 blocks last season in addition to his 119 rebounds.
News & Notes: This series has been dormant since 2014 where the Dolphins picked up their third straight win over the Red Hawks, 87-74. At The Tank against Montclair, Staten Island is 4-7 overall and 2-3 in their last five. In season openers at The Tank, Staten Island is 4-1 in their last five, averaging 88 points in those games. Montclair’s last five outings last season saw them go 2-3 which included an overtime win against Rowan and an overtime loss to Ramapo in the NJAC Tournament. The Dolphins’ season came to a close last year in the NCAA Tournament, via a buzzer beater against Cabrini College.
