Despite a disappointing 0-2 start on the season for Oswego State men’s basketball, they were able to pick up their first victory of the season in an 82-66 road win over Clarkson University. Now they will have a chance to not only put their record at .500, but try to avenge last season’s home opening loss to Nazareth College with a road matchup against the Golden Flyers tonight at 7 p.m.
POINT GUARD
With Romero Collier currently not active due to undisclosed reasons, according to head coach Jason Leone, the freshman Liam Sanborn has been assigned as the starting point guard for the Lakers.
Sanborn has scored in double-digits in each of the Lakers first three contests, including 17 points in his first collegiate game. He is currently second on the team in minutes played per game (31) and second in shot attempts per game (11.7).
Sanborn’s aggressive play has helped pace the Laker offense and it will be interesting to see how he develops as the team’s starting point guard moving forward pending the status of Collier.
OFFENSE
Jamir Ferebee individually has cruised the first three games of the season, averaging 19 points per game, including a career-high 24 points in their win over Clarkson University.
Fellow senior guard Ian Schupp struggled shooting the ball in the Lakers two losses at the Elmira Tip Off Tournament, but bounced back against Clarkson with 22 points and four 3-pointers.
The Lakers offense will have to keep up with the high-powered offense of Nazareth, which has averaged 86.3 points a game through three contests.
Center Tyler Pierre could use more touches in the post, in their first and third game of the season he only combined for seven shots total. In their loss to Elmira College, he went 6-11 shooting with 23 points and 11 rebounds. In that game, he also went 11-12 from the free throw line, so look for Leone to try to utilize his second-year big man on offense.
NAZARETH
Leone likes this matchup with Nazareth for many reasons, one includes the fact that their head coach Kevin Broderick coached at Oswego State for 13 seasons and considers Broderick a “good friend of mine.”
Leone reminded that he and some of the players from last season do not forget how last year’s loss to Nazareth on their home floor went and they are certainly fueled for revenge going into tonight.
Players to watch out for on the Golden Flyers include Jake Burgio, who is averaging 20.7 points and 9.7 rebounds a game. Cody Green a Fulton, New York, native is averaging 22.7 points per game and has been hot from the 3-point line at 50%.
PREDICTION
Nazareth is coming off a shootout loss to Buffalo State, but will be excited for this game just as much as Oswego State behind their big fan base. Both team’s matchup well with each other in their starting lineups and it might come down to who steps up off the bench for both sides.
A win like this is what Oswego State needs heading into SUNYAC play, already having three road games played, I expect the Lakers to pull this one off 75-70 with big performances from Ferebee and Schupp.
