PHILADELPHIA – Fresh off a full week of practice, La Salle men's basketball will host Central Connecticut State on Sunday at 2 PM in a non-conference affair.

Central Connecticut State Blue Devils (1-2) vs. La Salle Explorers (1-0)
Sunday, November 18, 2012 | 2PM | Tom Gola Arena
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Game Notes
La Salle | Central Connecticut State

Last Time Out
La Salle knocked off Delaware, 73-66, before a sold-out Homecoming crowd on November 10. Steve Zack paced the Explorers with 19 points and added eight rebounds while Jerrell Wright posted 14 points and a team-high 10 rebounds. The Blue and Gold converted 23 of 25 free throws en route to knocking off the CAA foe.

All-Time Series
La Salle owns a 6-1 advantage over the Blue Devils, including an 85-59 drubbing last season in New Britain. Five Explorers reached double-digits in the contest, including a game-high 21 from Jerrell Wright, who hauled in a game-high nine rebounds as well.

There's no place like home
Tom Gola Arena has been kind to the Blue and Gold of late, winning 17 of its last 20 at the familiar confines dating back to February of 2011.

Coach's Corner
Head Coach Dr. John Giannini on…

Steve Zack's performance against Delaware:
He really did a great job defensively, especially head to head against Hagins. Steve made him earn everything and limited him somewhat and of course made big baskets. Steve was a big rebounder in that game. He just did a lot of things right in a high level game at a very early point in his career.

La Salle's depth:
I still think our depth will improve. It's very hard to sustain the level of pressure on defense and the amount of effort that requires when you're playing major minutes. So, I think as our depth gets better and as we add Tyrone to the mix it will be easier to sustain that super high level of defensive intensity.

What to expect from CCSU:
I think we're going to play a real tough team. Last year and this year are completely different. Coach Dickenman is a good guy and a good coach but he's as touch as they come. They do some old school things and you have to be a tough guy to play for him. They're going to be strong they're going to be athletic. If we win the game, we'll have earned it.

Scouting the Blue Devils
CCSU has dropped its first two games to the 2012-13 campaign, falling 64-63 to Fairfield and 64-61 to Saint Peter's. They bounced back with a 86-71 win over Brown on Thursday evening to improve their record to 1-2. The victory marked the 250th head coach Howie Dickenman's career at CCSU.

CCSU chalked up a 13-16 mark last season, including a 10-8 record in the NEC. The Blue Devils ranked fifth in the conference in points/game (71.0) and posted the NEC's top percentage from the charity stripe (.759).

Sophomore guard Kyle Vinales is the Blue Devil's top returning scorer, averaging 17.9 points/game en route to being named NEC Rookie of the Year. Vinales has dropped a combined 70 points in this year's first three contests.

Up Next
La Salle hits the road for the first time this season for a November 20 matchup (7 PM) at Hartford.