CU Men's Hoops Preview - vs. Skidmore (1/10)

Strong starts in three straight games were only enough to give the Clarkson University Men's Basketball team one win at the beginning of the Liberty League season, but the Golden Knights hope that a return to their home court will be enough to get things back on track when they face Skidmore on Tuesday night.

The Golden Knights are 6-6 overall and with a record of 1-2 in the Liberty League after three games last week, while Skidmore is 8-5 overall and 3-1 in conference games. The Thoroughbreds have won seven straight against the Knights and have taken the lead in the all-time series with 25 wins in 48 meetings.

Senior forward Derek Hart is probably one of the most improved players in the nation, as he is averaging 20.1 points and 8.6 rebounds per game at the midway point of the 2016-17 season. He ranks either first or second in the league in scoring, rebounding, field goal percentage (59.4%) and blocked shots (1.6 bps), while also producing 2.8 assists per game, which is 10th in the league. The Liberty League Performer of the Week averaged 24 points per game last week, including a career-high 35 points against St. Lawrence. Classmate Drew Zlogar is also averaging 15.9 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, while fellow senior Michael Hayduk leads the conference in 3-point field goals made (36) for 10.4 points per game. Sophomore guard Liam Ellis had one of his best games as a collegian on Saturday with 13 points, 14 rebounds and 7 assists, and he is averaging 6.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game thus far.

Skidmore was the conference favorite entering the year and little has changed in the early going with three wins in four contests. Senior guard Aldin Medunjanin is back and healthy for the Thoroughbreds, averaging 15.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game, while sophomore guard Edvinas Rupkus is third in the conference in scoring with 19.8 points per game. The second-year collegian is also averaging 7.4 rebounds per game (fifth in the league) and is among the conference's top players in terms of field goal percentage (53.4%) and free throw percentage (85.0%). Royce Paris, another senior guard, is kicking in 13.9 points per game and is second in the league in field goal percentage (53.4%), just slightly ahead of Rupkus. Jack Byrne and Jack Morrow are the team's top deep threats, combining for 53 3-point field goals.

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Players Mentioned

#3 Liam Ellis: G; 5' 11"; Sophomore

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

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

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

Players Mentioned

#3 Liam Ellis
: 5' 11"; Sophomore
: G

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

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

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