The College of Staten Island men’s basketball team has suffered two losses to open their season, and will now look to get off of the skid when they travel to Roanoke College to take part in the Dick Leftwich Tip-Off Tournament. CSI will play in the second game of the evening at 8pm, tipping off against Emory University, who come in with a record of 1-0 who are ranked No. 18 in the D3hoops.com preseason poll.
CSI VS. NO. 18 EMORY AT-A-GLANCE
Matchup: CSI (0-2) vs. Emory (1-0)
Where: Roanoke College Gym – 221 College Lane, Salem, VA
Live Stats: https://athletics.misericordia.edu/sidearmstats/mbball/summary
Live Video: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6Dv57peRW4bx863ZfYzSYQ
All-Time Series: First Meeting
Players to Watch (CSI): Christian Taylor and Adeola Latunji have had a lion’s share of the offensive output this season for the Dolphins. Taylor is averaging 30.5 points through CSI’s first pair of games, also leading the team with eight assists, four steals, and a 9-13 stroke from the free-throw line. Latunji is just a few steps behind, averaging 22 points in CSI’s first two games, hitting on 51% from the field while pacing CSI with nine rebounds per game. The duo are accounting for nearly 80% of the Dolphins’ scoring, so look for supporting cast members like Chamald Martin (6.0ppg., 6.0 rpg.) to try and assume bigger roles. Back court threats like Austin Mick, Rigaud Destime and Chris Velasquez are getting quality minutes, but have struggled, shooting a collective 3-29 from the floor (10.3%).
Players to Watch (EU): The Eagles have only played one game, but their 98 points scored is indicative of their high-powered offense, so look for them to want to continue that tonight on a neutral floor. Matt Davet poured in 25 points in Emory’s lone game this season, impressive considering he played in only 22 minutes against Piedmont. Lawrence Rowley popped in 16 points with 10 rebounds for his first double-double, while Gebereal Baitey also notched 16 markers. Look for Romin Williams to handle the ball a great deal for the Eagles. he struggled to find his range in Emory’s opener, shooting just 2-15, but did add four assists and four steals in Emory’s win.
News & Notes: This will be the first meeting in history between these two teams tonight, and they will tip-off after host Roanoke takes on Keuka College in their half of the Tournament. The two winner’s will meet in tomorrow’s championship game at 3pm, while the two losing sides will play in consolation play at 1pm tomorrow. Emory finished 23-5 a year ago, going 12-2 in the UAA conference, and they were picked to finish first in the conference yet again this year, much like CSI. They advanced to the Round of 16 in last year’s NCAA Tournament, eventually falling to Augustana College.
