CU Men's Basketball Preview - at SUNY Potsdam (12/6/2016)

Though the team only ranks fourth in the Liberty League right now, the Clarkson University Men's Basketball team is off to its best scoring start in 15 seasons and looks to take that high-octane offense into Tuesday's game against SUNY Potsdam.

The Golden Knights are 4-3 overall thanks to two straight wins, while Potsdam is 1-4 through five games this year. Clarkson is just 22-52 all-time against Potsdam, but the Green and Gold has won four straight and nine of the last 10 meetings versus the Bears.

Clarkson is averaging 80.0 points per game and has scored less than 70 only once in seven contests. This marks the first time since the 2001-02 season that the Knights are averaging 80 points per game or more through seven games (85.3 ppg in 2001-02). Clarkson has topped 90 twice in the last three games, including 95 against SUNY Canton last Wednesday. Not surprisingly, the scoring has improved as has the success of the Knights from beyond the 3-point line. Clarkson is averaging 15.3 3-pointers per game over the last three contests, shooting 45.1% as a team. Even with a slow start, the Knights lead the Liberty League in 3-point field goals made (11.0 per game) and are second in the conference with a rate of 40.7% from beyond the arc.

A key to Clarkson's success from the 3-point line has been its offensive play in the paint, as senior Derek Hart is often drawing double teams to create space for the shooters. Hart ranks in the top 10 in the Liberty League in scoring (19.1 ppg), rebounding (8.6 rpg), field goal percentage (63.3%) assists (3.1 apg) and blocks (1.0 bpg), figures that lead the Knights. Classmates Drew Zlogar and Michael Hayduk have been the ecstatic recipients of Hart's passes out of double teams as the pair has buried 38 3-pointers thus far. Zlogar is averaging 16 points and 7.1 rebounds per game, while Hayduk is contributing 9.6 ppg thanks to a career-high 23 against Canton. He ranks second in the league in 3-point field goals made per game (2.9) and is seventh in the conference in 3-point field goal percentage at 42.6%.

Potsdam isn't quite up to speed on offense with the Knights, but the Bears are still averaging 73.4 points per game. However, the Bears are also allowing 82.6 ppg through five contests. Nosa Onabor has made the most of his minutes this year, averaging 16.0 points and 4.6 rebounds per game in less than 23 minutes per contest, while Jayquan Thomas (11.2 ppg) and Dante Langley (10.0 ppg) are also averaging double digits.

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Players Mentioned

#42 Derek Hart: F; 6' 7"; Senior

#32 Michael Hayduk: F; 6' 4"; Senior

#21 Drew Zlogar: F; 6' 6"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#42 Derek Hart
: 6' 7"; Senior
: F

#32 Michael Hayduk
: 6' 4"; Senior
: F

#21 Drew Zlogar
: 6' 6"; Senior
: F

Scoreboard

Players Mentioned

#42 Derek Hart

#32 Michael Hayduk

#21 Drew Zlogar

Players Mentioned

#42 Derek Hart

#32 Michael Hayduk

#21 Drew Zlogar