The College of Staten Island men’s basketball team will be looking to post back-to-back wins for the first time this season tonight, as they take their 3-6 overall record into Union, NJ, to take on non-conference rivals Kean University at 7pm. The Cougars, meanwhile, have dropped six games in a row, and are looking to get right for the first time at home this season against the Dolphins.
CSI VS. KEAN COLLEGE AT-A-GLANCE
Matchup: CSI (3-6) vs. Kean (1-8)
Where: Kean University – 1000 Morris Ave, Union, NJ
Live Video: http://kean.sidearmsports.com/watch/?Live=765&type=Live
Live Stats: https://kean.sidearmstreaming.com/sidearmstats/mbball/summary
All-Time Series: CSI leads, 12-10
Last Meeting: January 15, 2018 – CSI won, 89-77
Players to Watch (CSI): The Dolphins are starting to gather some form offensively. They continue to be led by the hot hand of Christian Taylor, who is averaging an even 22 points per game on 51.6% shooting from the floor. Taylor also leads the way with 32 free throws, 32 assists, and 19 steals. Fellow junior Adeola Latunji put up a career-high 30 points in CSI’s last effort against Medgar Evers, and he is now averaging 19.3 points per game to go with a team-best 74 rebounds, good for 8.2 per clip. Freshman Chamald Martin earned CUNYAC Rookie of the Week honors thanks to a career day as well and he is now up to five points per game and 4.7 rebounds per in 18 minutes per contest. Senior Stephen Flagg debuted for the Dolphins last week and in the lone effort against MEC made a difference with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Look for him to continue to be a big factor as CSI heads down the mid-point of the season.
Players to Watch (KU): Through nine games, Kean is being steadied offensively by both Micah Kerr and Jared Latane. Kerr is averaging 12.3 per game, and has been excellent at the free-throw line, hitting on 82.5% from the stripe (33-40). Latane is averaging 11.3 points per contest and has been a threat from beyond the arc with 15 three-pointers so far this season. Jailen Jamison is right behind the pack at 9.4 points per contest and he is the team leader with 6.1 rebounds per game, 32 assists and 21 steals. Look for Justin Watson to be an X-factor tonight as he is second on the squad with 10 three-pointers and could be a danger if left open on the perimeter.
News & Notes: CSI and Kean have enjoyed a great rivalry through the years and this season marks the 15th-straight year that the teams are meeting. As of late, CSI has had the better of it, winning the last eight meetings dating back to 2012. Three of those wins in the streak have come at Kean, where CSI has taken three wins by an average of 14.3 points per. Kean’s last win at home against CSI came back in 2011, a 95-85 win. The 95 points scored by the Cougars in that game were the most scored by them against the Dolphins in their 22-game history. Meanwhile the 89 points scored by the Dolphins last year in CSI’s 89-77 win against the Cougars were the most they’ve ever scored in the series. Although CSI has an overall edge in the series, 12-10, Kean does own the edge in Union, NJ, 6-4. The Cougars are 0-3 on their home court this season, and have lost four-straight at home dating back to last season. CSI is 3-2 on the road this season, meaning they are 0-4 on their home court and neutral site courts. The two teams share one common opponent this season so far. CSI lost to Montclair State on opening night at home, 84-70, and Kean fell to the Hawks on December 1 at home, 79-59.
