The Oswego State men’s basketball team (11-2, 5-1 SUNYAC) is now winners of seven games in a row. Tuesday, the Lakers face off against SUNY Oneonta (9-4, 5-1 SUNYAC), a team they last met in last year’s SUNYAC Championship Semi-finals, where the Lakers defeated the Red Dragons in double-overtime, 73-69.
The Lakers have also received one vote in the most recent D3hoops.com poll. Although they still have not cracked the top 25 in the rankings, the Lakers are surging as they look for their eighth win in a row.
Last Seasons Matchups
Last season, Oswego State went 1-1 in the regular season vs. SUNY Oneonta and 1-0 in the SUNYAC Championship. In the first matchup, the Lakers defeated the Red Dragons 72-69 on the road. It was the three returning starters on this year’s team that led the way for the Lakers that night in Liam Sanborn, Joe Sullivan and Brandan Gartland. Sanborn finished with 19 points, six rebounds and four assists. Sullivan finished with 16 points and seven rebounds and Gartland finished with 15 points, seven rebounds and five assists. In the next matchup at home, the Red Dragons defeated the Lakers 70-55. Sanborn led the way again for the Lakers with 19 points. It was now-junior Joseph Bull who led the way for the Red Dragons in a big night, scoring 26 points to go with 12 rebounds. In the double-overtime thriller just nine days later, Oswego State won the game 73-69. It was then-senior Tyler Pierre who led the way for the Lakers, with 21 points. Joe Sullivan had a big night as well, adding 18 points and 12 rebounds.
Players to Watch
Oswego State: Jeremiah Sparks
Sparks had his second 30-point game of the season Saturday against SUNY Cortland. The freshman guard has been terrific so far this season, as he leads the team with 16.8 points per game to go along with 7.2 rebounds. He is averaging 22 points per game over the last three games, and he has been a key offensive piece for the Lakers throughout the entire season. In a tough game vs. the Red Dragons, expect Sparks to show off his ability to score.
SUNY Oneonta: Joseph Bull
The Red Dragons are a very balanced scoring team. They have five players who average double figures in scoring, with at least 10 points per game. Bull is currently averaging 12.4 points per game to go with 8.9 rebounds. Bull is a bit of a streaky shooter, but when he is on, he can really score the ball well. He is coming off of a 25-points, eight rebound game vs. SUNY Geneseo. Expect the Lakers to really key in on Bull, especially after that performance and how he played last season against the Lakers. Bull will either have a really good night or a really bad one, which is why he is a player to watch for the Red Dragons.
Prediction
Oswego State wins their eighth in a row, defeating the Red Dragons 71-66.
Photo By Nicole Hube | The Oswegonian
