PHILADELPHIA – Riding a five-game winning streak, La Salle men's basketball continues its non-conference slate on Saturday at Bucknell.
La Salle Explorers (6-1) vs. Bucknell Bison (8-1)
Saturday, December 15, 2012 | 7 PM | Sojka Pavilion
Radio: WNTP 990 AM
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Game Notes
La Salle |
Bucknell
Coach Giannini on Comcast Sports Net's Big Men on Campus
Listen to Coach Giannini's podcast with Kale Beers and Tyreek Duren
Last Time Out
Tyreek Duren hit a fadeaway jumper with 1.2 seconds on the clock to seal a 66-64 victory for the Explorers on Saturday at Northeastern.
Ramon Galloway compiled a game-high 24 points (9-18 FG, 4-9 3PT, 2-2 FT) and added two steals. He was joined in double figures by Duren (12 pts) and
Jerrell Wright (13 pts).
Steve Zack paced the Blue and Gold with six rebounds and added two blocks.
All-Time Series
La Salle has controlled the series historically, holding an 18-5 all-time advantage. The Explorers have clashed with the Patriot League foe in each of the past seasons, renewing an in-state rivalry that thrived in the late '70s and early '80s. Last season, La Salle cruised to a 78-52 victory over the Bison at Tom Gola Arena behind a staunch defensive effort. The Bison managed to shoot only 33 percent (20-61) from the field in that contest while the Explores converted at a 49 percent (29-59) clip.
Coach's Corner
Head Coach
Dr. John Giannini on…
His team's 6-1 start:
6-1 is a pretty good place to be. Of course you'd like to be 7-0 but winning is awfully hard in college basketball. Everyone has good teams. We've played close games which is not surprising. We've shown good character, making the plays in those games to come out on the winning side.
The continued emergence of
Tyreek Duren:
He's a wonderful player and we knew he was going to be. He's always been good and we expect him to be good so it's no surprise to us when he plays great. We believe that's the kind of players he is. He's very poised and uses that to his strength. I think his defense has really stepped up and I'm really proud of that.
Tyrone Garland's role:
We have a lot of confidence in him and I really like our guards not to have to play close to 40 minutes. I think we can play harder and play more focused basketball if we give guys a little bit of a break. I'm also intrigued with playing a real quick lineup which we can do now with Tyrone out there.
What to expect from Bucknell:
They have their leading scorers back from a 25-win team and they're 26th nationally in the RPI. Muscala's projected by just about every mock draft as an NBA draft choice. This may be the best team on our non-conference schedule.
This is a big deal, an in regards to postseason resume, we're playing a top-50 team. To get into the NCAA Tournament, you need top-100 wins, you need top-50 wins and those are hard to come by. I think if we win this game, you could see our RPI skyrocket so it's a big one and a great challenge.
Scouting the Explorers
Duren's profile continues to rise behind his standout play recently. He was recognized as Atlantic 10 Men's Basketball Player of the Week for December 10 and was named Big 5 Player of the Week on consecutive occasions. The junior scored 12 second-half points (including the game winner) at Northeastern and poured in a career-high 29 against Penn State at the Palestra. Duren ranks second in the A-10 in scoring at 17.6 ppg. He holds down the team lead in assists as well with 25.
Galloway ranks third in the A-10 in steals/game and three point field goals/game, averaging 2.6 and 3.0, respectively. The senior sharpshooter's 16.6 ppg is good for fourth in the conference. La Salle is the A-10's only school with two scorers in the top five.
Senior
Sam Mills continues to be sturdy as a rock for the Blue and Gold, averaging an A-10 best 38.6 minutes/game to go along with 9.0 ppg and 3.9 rpg. The guard's defensive presence has played a major role in the Explorer's +2.29 turnover margin, third best in the A-10.
Scouting the Bison
Bucknell enters the weekend winners of three straight (Kent State, Columbia, Dartmouth) after suffering a 60-57 loss at Penn State on November 23. As a team, the Bison sit atop the Patriot League rankings in field goal percentage defense (.363), rebounding margin (+5.0), and blocks/game (4.2).
Senior big man Mike Muscala anchors a stout Bucknell frontcourt, leading the Bison in points/game (18.8), rebounds/game (11.4), blocks/game (2.2), and assists/game (2.1). Muscala's rebound total ranks sixth in the nation and is one of only two players in the country (Duke's Mason Plumlee) to average 18 ppg/11 rpg.
Senior guard Bryson Johnson is Bucknell's second leading scorer at 12.9 ppg while converting 23-54 (43 percent) from behind the arc. Junior guard Cameron Ayers is averaging 11.1 ppg while adding 5.1 rpg. He shares the team lead in steals with seven.
Up Next
The Explorers return to Tom Gola Arena on Thursday, December 20 to take on the Iona Gaels at 7 PM.
