Men's Basketball Renews Rivalry With CCSU On NESN Saturday
1/14/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Central Connecticut State University Blue Devils (10-6, 3-2 NEC)
Saturday, January 15, 2011 - 4 p.m.
TD Bank Sports Center - Hamden, Conn.
QU
Plays CCSU On NESN Saturday
The Quinnipiac University men's basketball team renews its
rivalry with intrastate NEC foe Central Connecticut, Saturday at 4
p.m. The game can be seen live on NESN-TV. The Bobcats are looking
to avenge a 69-61 loss Thursday to Bryant, while extending an
unprecedented run of success against the Blue Devils, having won
four of the last five against CCSU. The Blue Devils have been
playing solid basketball of late, having won six of their last
seven games, including a 92-63 thumping of UMass, Jan. 3, and an
88-75 win against Sacred Heart, Thursday in Fairfield. CCSU has
dominated the all-time series, 50-17. However, Tom Moore leads the
personal series against Howie Dickenman, 4-2.
Rebounding Dominance
The Bobcats lead the nation in both rebounds per game
(44.2) and offensive rebounds per game (17.5), and are seventh
nationally in rebound margin (+9.3). Quinnipiac is one of just four
teams in the nation ranked in the top 10 in all three categories,
joining No. 5 Pittsburgh, No. 21/20 Kansas State, and Drexel, No.
15 in the Mid-Major Top 25.
Scouting the Central Connecticut Blue Devils
The Blue Devils are led by junior forward Ken Horton,
who's second and fourth in the NEC in scoring (17.6 ppg.) and
rebounding (8.0 rpg.), respectively. He's also fourth in blocked
shots (1.38 bpg.). Robby Ptacek has also contributed 16.4 points
per game, while Shemik Thompson has chipped in 12.1 points, 4.8
assists and 4.7 rebounds per game. CCSU is second in the NEC in 7
categories.
Last
Time Out Against Bryant
Ike Azotam compiled his first career double-double with 10
points and 11 rebounds, but the Bobcats were defeated by Bryant,
69-61, Thursday night at the TD Bank Sports Center. Deontay Twyman
had a team-high 14 points and James Johnson added 11 points.
Dominique Langston had seven points and 11 rebounds for QU. Alex
Francis led Bryant with 22 points and eight rebounds.
Last
Time Against Central Connecticut
Justin Rutty had 26 points and 14 rebounds as the Bobcats
defeated Central Connecticut, 75-62, Jan. 24, 2010, at the TD Bank
Sports Center. James Johnson (13) and James Feldeine (12) also
scored in double figures. Markeys Deans and Shemik Thompson had 10
points apiece for CCSU.
Follow the Bobcats
Saturday's game can be seen live on NESN-TV. Bill
Schweizer will have the play-by-play call, while Bill Mecca will
provide color commentary and Jayme Parker will have sideline
reports. The game can also be heard live on AM 1220 WQUN. Bob
Mortali and Bob Tipson will have the radio call. Live Video will be
available on www.quinnipiacbobcats.com, at a cost of $9.99. Live
stats will also be provided free of charge by the QU athletics
website.
Alright On The Road
The Bobcats have won their first five road games this
season, becoming the first team in NEC history to win its first
five road contests. Quinnipiac is one of just 11 teams nationally
still without a road defeat. The accomplishment marks the second
time in three years one of Tom Moore's teams have won its first
four road games, as the 2008-09 team won its first four road games.
Just one other team in QU Division I history (2003-04) won its
first road game.
Doing More With Less
The Bobcats lead the nation in rebounds per game (44.2)
and offensive rebounds per game (17.47) despite having the
13th-least height in the nation. According to kenpom.com, the
Bobcats are 333rd of 345 teams in the nation in average height
(75.0 inches).
Bobcats Helping Bobcats
The Bobcats lead the NEC at 15.93 assists per game, good
for 35th in the nation. Their 1.27 assist-to-turnover ratio is 33rd
in the nation.
Starting Off Strong
At 11-4, the Bobcats have tied the best 15-game start to a
season in program Division I history. The 1999-2000 team also
accomplished an 11-4 record through 15 games.
1-2
Punch
Justin Rutty and James Johnson rank No. 3 and 7 in the
Northeast Conference in scoring at 16.6 and 15.9 points per game,
respectively. Rutty also ranks first in rebounding (9.9), offensive
rebounding (4.08) and defensive rebounding (5.83), while Johnson
ranks first in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.64) and third in
free-throw percentage (.886), steals per game (1.93) and
three-point field goals made per game (2.60).
Bo
Knows (Insert Statistical Category Here)
James Johnson's name is listed among the statistical
leaders in the Northeast Conference in nine of 13 categories kept
by the league. He leads the league in assist-to-turnover ratio
(2.64) and ranks third in free-throw percentage (.886), steals per
game (1.93) and three-point field goals made per game (2.60). He's
seventh in scoring (15.9), eighth in assists (3.87), tied for 10th
in minutes per game (32.93), 13th in three-point field-goal
percentage (.371) and 15th in defensive rebounds per game
(3.53).
Lookin' Up At QU
The Bobcats are in the top four in 13 of 19 statistical
categories kept by the NEC, including the top spot in five. They're
first in rebounding offense (44.2), rebounding margin (+9.3),
assists (15.93), assist-to-turnover ratio (1.27) and offensive
rebounds (17.47). QU ranks second in scoring offense (73.6),
scoring margin (+4.7) and defensive rebounding (26.73). They rank
third in field-goal percentage defense (.415), three-point
field-goal percentage defense (.311), rebounding defense (34.9)
and turnover margin (+1.47), and fourth in blocked shots
(3.40).
Shoot Better And Win
The Bobcats are 9-0 this season when outshooting their
opponent. By contrast, they're 2-4 when being outshot. The lone
wins when being outshot came Dec. 4 against Mount St. Mary's and
Jan. 6 at Monmouth. The Mountaineers shot 54.4 percent to the
Bobcats' 47.6 percent, while the Hawks took a 56.8 percent to 40.0
percent edge.
Eighty Up
The Bobcats have won their last 18 games when scoring 80
points or more, including four wins this season. The last time QU
scored 80 points and lost was Dec. 31, 2007, when they fell, 86-84,
in overtime to Cornell.
Chairman of the Boards
Ike Azotam had his first double-double with 10 points and
11 rebounds against Bryant, Jan. 13.
Jamee Jamee Jamee
Jamee Jackson has blocked three shots on four different
occasions this season, including twice in two games against
Fairleigh Dickinson and Bryant, Jan. 8 and 13, respectively.
Bo's
Countdown To 1,000
James Johnson stands just 59 points shy of 1,000 for his
career. He'd become the 35th player in Quinnipiac history and the
ninth at Division I to reach the 1,000-point plateau.
Rutty Eyes Exclusive 1,000-1,000 Club
Justin Rutty stands at 1,357 points and 917 rebounds in
his career. Just two QU players have reached both 1,000 points and
rebounds.
Movin' On Up
With 917 rebounds, Justin Rutty ranks fifth all-time at QU
and ninth all-time in the NEC. Rutty passed Al Carfora '80 (846)
for fifth on the QU list with eight rebounds against Maine, while
moving past FDU's Greg Foster (916) on the NEC list with 11
rebounds against Wagner on Jan. 3. Marist's Ted Taylor (923) and
FDU's Rahshon Turner (927) are next on Rutty's climb up the NEC
list, while Ed Skwara '69 (933) is next on the QU list.
Three Streak Extended
With six threes against Bryant, QU extended its streak of
making at least one three-pointer in each of the last 299 contests.
The last time QU didn't knock down a three was Dec. 19, 2000, at
Dartmouth (0-11).
Rutty Moves Up QU Career Scoring List
With 1,357 career points, Rutty now ranks 13th on the
Quinnipiac career scoring list and third on the Quinnipiac Division
I scoring list. With 26 points at Boston University, Dec. 29, Rutty
moved past former teammate James Feldeine '10 (1,320), as well as
Kason Mims '04 (1,335), on both the all-time and Division I
lists.
More
Exclusive Company For Rutty
Justin Rutty connected on his 500th career field goal
against Yale, Nov. 13, becoming one of just three Quinnipiac
players at the Division I level to achieve the feat. With 10 made
field goals, Dec. 1 against UMass, Rutty (572) jumped ahead of Rob
Monroe '05 (523), and now trails only at Bill Romano '02 (599).
Another Impressive QU Rebounding Stat
The Bobcats have grabbed at least 50 rebounds in four
games this season, including a program Division I record 60 against
Lehigh on Dec. 7. Most recently, the Bobcats grabbed 50 boards
against Bryant, Jan. 13. Quinnipiac had three 50-rebound games in
all of 2009-10, and never had three 50-rebound games in 11 prior
years at Division I. Quinnipiac has corralled 50 rebounds in a game
10 times in Tom Moore's four years at QU. In nine prior years at
Division I, QU had just five 50-rebound games, with only two coming
against teams classified at Division I at the time of
competition.
Johnson Dishes Out Number 300
James Johnson dished out his 300th career assist, Dec. 22
at Niagara. He now stands at 3167career assists, good for fourth on
the Quinnipiac Division I list.
Johnson's Elite Company
With the 72nd consecutive start to begin his collegiate
career Dec. 7, James Johnson broke Jared Grasso's '02 Quinnipiac
record for consecutive starts (71) from the outset of his Bobcats'
career at Division I. The streak has now reached 79 games, second
among all QU D-I starts streaks, behind only Kason Mims' '04 record
88-game consecutive starts streak. Johnson became just the eighth
freshman in QU Division I history to start his collegiate debut,
and started all 31 of Quinnipiac's games in 2008-09, joining just
19 other freshmen in the nation to start every game their team
played. Each player to start his first game and complete four years
at QU has scored over 1,000 points. Rob Monroe, Bill Romano, Justin
Rutty and Grasso started their first games and rank first, second,
third and seventh, on the QU scoring list.
Johnson Steals Milestone
With five steals Nov. 20 against Vermont, James Johnson
became the 13th Quinnipiac player all-time and fifth at Division I
to compile 100 career steals. Ironically, the five steals tied
Johnson's career-high, originally set Dec. 21, 2008, against the
same Vermont team on the same Lender Court before a regional
television audience on NESN. Johnson now stands at 124 career
steals, good a tie for ninth all-time and a tie for third at
Division I at QU with former teammate James Feldeine '10.
Jackson's Potential Pours Out At Monmouth
Playing without Justin Rutty on the opposite block due to
injury, Jamee Jackson stepped up in a big way with a career-high 20
points on 8-for-12 shooting, Jan. 6 at Monmouth. He also made what
proved to be the game-winning free throw with 14.3 seconds
left.
Dom's Timely Tip-In
Dominique Langston tipped in the game-winner with 3.8
seconds left in regulation as QU defeated Boston University, 82-81,
Dec. 29.
Johnson Feelin' It From Long Range
James Johnson extended a red-hot three-point shooting
streak with a 7-for-11 performance from beyond the arc at Niagara.
The seven three-pointers, most by a Bobcat since Van Crafton '07
knocked down seven, Dec. 7, 2006 at Mount St. Mary's, pushed
Johnson's percentage to 56.7 percent (17-30) over the four-game
stretch.
QU
Can Knock Down the Three, Too
Led by James Johnson's seven trifectas, QU hit 12
three-pointers, Dec. 22 at Niagara, the most by a Quinnipiac team
since the Bobcats knocked down 12 in Tom Moore's debut in Hamden,
Nov. 11, 2007, a double-overtime thriller that QU won against
Hartford, 85-79.
Have
A Day, Tay
Deontay Twyman established new career highs with 19
points, seven rebounds and seven assists, while adding a
highlight-reel block at Niagara, sprinting back on defense to
prevent a fast-break bucket.
Dom's Double-Double
Dominique Langston had produced double-figure points and
rebounds previously in his nine games as a Bobcat, but gave
Quinnipiac both in the same game with 10 points and 12 rebounds for
his first career double-double at Niagara.
Free
'N' Easy
Justin Rutty, a career 48.8 percent free-throw shooter
entering the Dec. 7 game against Lehigh, went 11-for-11 from the
charity stripe against the Mountain Hawks. The streak reached 14
consecutive against URI, before he missed his first free throw at
Niagara on Dec. 22.
Rutty, Langston Earn NEC Recognition
Justin Rutty and Dominique Langston earned NEC Player and
Rookie of the Week, respectively, on Dec. 13, after leading the
Bobcats to a 2-0 week against Lehigh and Rhode Island. Rutty
averaged 20.0 points and 9.0 rebounds, while Langston added 7.5
points, 10.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game.
Quinnipiac Picks Up Signature Victory
The Bobcats picked up perhaps the most impressive win in
program history when they defeated Rhode Island, 73-66, Dec. 11 at
the TD Bank Sports Center. The win is the first in program history
over an Atlantic-10 school.
Welcome to the Fold, T-Bask
Highly-touted recruit Tevin Baskin became eligible for
play following the last day of final exams at Quinnipiac, and saw
his first game action Dec. 22 at Niagara.
New
(Le)High Rebounding Mark
The Bobcats established a new program D-I record with 60
rebounds, Dec. 7 against Lehigh. The prior record of 58 rebounds
came twice in recent years - a double-overtime game against
Hartford, Nov. 11, 2007, and a Jan. 2, 2005 overtime contest
against Division II Longwood.
What
Can Brown Do For Q?
Lance Brown was granted a waiver by the NCAA, Nov. 23, to
become immediately eligible for play after transferring from
Fordham this past Spring. Brown scored seven points and added four
rebounds in 13 minutes in his Bobcats debut at Dartmouth, but
missed the next four games due to injury. He returned, Dec. 11
against Rhode Island.
Dom-inating the Boards
Dominique Langston grabbed 14 rebounds against Lehigh,
Dec. 7, the most by a Quinnipiac player so far this season.
Jump
and Run
The Bobcats began five of their first six games on a run.
They scored the first nine points against Yale, before scoring
seven straight against Hartford. QU scored five straight to open
against Vermont, before scoring the first four and 15 of the first
17 at Dartmouth. The Bobcats also scored six of the first eight
points against Maine, and five straight against Mount St.
Mary's.
Block Party
Six different Bobcats accounted for eight blocks against
Lehigh, Dec. 7. The eight-block performance was only the fourth of
its kind for Quinnipiac at Division I, and the first since the
1999-2000 season. The Braves blocked a program Division I record
nine shots against Yale, Dec. 3, 1999, while registering eight
blocks at Fordham and Long Island, Dec. 21 and Jan. 17,
respectively, in the same season.
Will-ing His Way Into The Line-up
After seeing just 11 minutes in four games to begin the
year, William Harrison made the most of his 13 minutes, Dec. 7
against Lehigh. Harrison scored four points, grabbed nine rebounds
and dished out two assists, including a nifty dime ahead of the
pack to Deontay Twyman to create separation in crunch time.
Super Bo
James Johnson scored eight points in the final 57 seconds
to propel the Bobcats to victory against Mount St. Mary's, Dec. 4.
Trailing by four in the final minute, Johnson nailed two
three-pointers, stripped the Mount's Julian Norfleet with five
seconds left, and made the game-winning runner just prior to the
final buzzer.
Dom
Stealin' and Stuffin'
Dominique Langston established an early career high of
four steals, including the theft and breakaway dunk that completed
the Bobcats' comeback from down 19 against UMass, Dec. 1.
Owning the Offensive Boards Against UMass
A year after grabbing a program Division I-record 28
offensive rebounds at UMass, Dec. 2, 2009, the Bobcats tied their
second-greatest total on the offensive glass with 24 against UMass,
Dec. 1, 2010. Quinnipiac also took 24 offensive caroms against
Yale, Nov. 16, 2009. Justin Rutty led the way with seven offensive
boards in the latest installment against UMass.
Defense Offensive...Then Gets Defensive
After a first half against Maine in which the Bobcats
allowed the Black Bears to shoot 52.2 percent (12-23), the Bobcats
buckled down in the second half, holding Maine to 25.9 percent
(7-27) from the floor.
Langston Huge
Dominique Langston emerged as a solid contributor off the
bench, averaging 13.0 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game
over two games against Hartford and Vermont.
Not
Up In Here!
Jamee Jackson had three second-half blocks against Maine,
each leading to Bobcats offensive production. After his first block
just less than two minutes in, James Johnson hit a three on the
ensuing possession. Immediately following his block at the 11:53
mark, Dave Johnson nailed one from long range. Finally, following
his rejection at the 5:08 mark, James Johnson hit a jumper on the
next time down on offense.
A
Lot To Like With Ike
Ike Azotam went 7-for-7 from the floor for 15 points to go
along with seven rebounds, Nov. 23, at Dartmouth. The 100 percent
performance was the first of five or more attempts for the Bobcats
since Karl Anderson went 5-for-5 at Monmouth on Feb. 21, 2008. For
his effort, Azotam was named the NEC Co-Rookie of the Week on Nov.
29.
Bo
Knows Scoring
James Johnson scored a game-high 23 points Nov. 16 against
Hartford. He also grabbed seven rebounds and dished out three
assists.
Sweet 16's
Deontay Twyman tied his then-career-high with 16 points
against Yale at the Connecticut 6 Classic, Nov. 13. James Johnson
matched Twyman's 16 points on 5-for-10 shooting and 4-for-4 from
the line.
Dom
From Trey
Dominique Langston made both of his three-point attempts
in his collegiate debut against Yale, Nov. 13, to account for his
six points.
Bonding Overseas
The Bobcats took a 10-day trip to The Netherlands, Belgium
and France this past August. In four games, Quinnipiac went
3-1.
Moore of the Same
Head Coach Tom Moore has won the season opener in each of
his four years at QU, the first three coming against Hartford,
while the most recent came this season against Yale. Prior to
Moore's arrival to Hamden, no Quinnipiac team had won its first
game of the season during the school's Division I era. Teams that
have had Moore serving on the coaching staff have won 11
consecutive season openers. The last time one of Moore's teams
didn't win its first game was Nov. 11, 1999, when defending
National Champion and top-ranked UConn was upset by Iowa in the
Coaches vs. Cancer IKON Classic. None of Quinnipiac's other five
coaches all-time won their first three season openers, and only
Burt Kahn won as many as four straight at any point. Kahn won six
straight from 1967-68 through 1972-73.
C-T
State of Mind
Quinnipiac was 18-1 in games played in Connecticut,
including a 14-1 mark at home in 2009-10. In starting 14-0 at home,
the Bobcats established the best start at home in program
history.
Everybody's Favorite
The Northeast Conference's coaches selected the Bobcats as
the league's first unanimous favorite since 1997-98 (Long Island).
In addition, The Sporting News, Athlon, Lindy's and the Blue Ribbon
College Basketball Report also picked the Bobcats as the NEC
favorite.
Eight Is Enough
Quinnipiac returns eight players from the 2009-10 squad,
and also welcomes eight new players in 2010-11. Six of the eight
new players are currently available for play (Azotam, Baskin,
Brown, Gabriel, Harrison, Langston), while Austin Alecxih and
Garvey Young must sit the year out due to NCAA transfer rules.
Moore Wins
With 23 wins in 2009-10, including 15 NEC victories, the
Bobcats set a new program record. The marks edge the 1999-2000 QU
team (18-10, 12-6 NEC) for the most wins at D-I, and passed the
1972-73 and 1979-80 teams for the all-time program record.
Quinnipiac, Rutty Grab Top Rankings
The Bobcats ranked 14th in the nation in offensive
rebounds per game (14.6) in 2009-10. Individually, Justin Rutty
ranked second nationally at 4.9 offensive boards per game, a year
after finishing second in the nation behind only Pittsburgh's
DeJuan Blair (5.6 oreb/game) with 4.6 offensive caroms per
game.
Keeping Good Company
Quinnipiac was one of just four teams in the NCAA ranked
in the top 10 nationally in both rebound margin and rebounds per
game in 2009-10. The Bobcats ranked second in rebound margin and
10th in rebounds per game. Quinnipiac joined nationally-ranked
Kentucky (4th - rebound margin, 5th - rebounds per game) and Kansas
(9th - rebound margin, 7th - rebounds per game), as well as Radford
(7th - rebound margin, 1st - rebounds per game) in the exclusive
club. Quinnipiac also ranked 14th in offensive rebounds
(14.61).
Twelve In Fourteen
Justin Rutty compiled his Quinnipiac Division I record
24th, 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th, 29th and 30th career double-doubles
in seven consecutive games, Feb. 18-Mar. 10, 2010, and had 12
double-doubles in his last 15 games of the season. Rutty began the
streak with five straight double-doubles, Jan. 24-Feb. 6. After a
two-game stretch when he missed a double-double by two rebounds
against St. Francis (N.Y.) and two points against LIU, Rutty reeled
off seven more consecutive double-doubles.
Rutty's Keeping Good Company
At 15.3 points and 10.9 rebounds per game, Justin Rutty
was one of just 20 players nationally to average a double-double in
2009-10.
Bobcats Experience Historic 2009-10 Season
The Quinnipiac University men's basketball team
experienced a historic season of firsts in 2009-10. Jim Phelan NEC
Coach of the Year Tom Moore led the Bobcats to a program-record 23
wins, the first Northeast Conference Regular Season Championship in
team history, and a berth into the National Invitation Tournament,
the first national postseason tournament appearance in program
Division I history. Junior forward Justin Rutty was named the NEC
Player of the Year, becoming the first player in program history
earn the award. Both Rutty and senior wing James Feldeine were
named to the All-NEC First Team Moore's recognition as Coach of the
Year was also a first in program history.
On
the Rebound
Quinnipiac was outrebounded just three times in 2009-10,
and owned a +8.5 rebounding margin, second-best in the
nation.
On
Deck
The Bobcats begin a three-game road stretch with a
non-conference match-up at Brown Monday. Opening tip from the
Pizzitola Sports Center is scheduled for 1 p.m.
