The men’s basketball team will face Bethune-Cookman Wildcats Saturday. The team is coming off a 93-70 win over Webber International on Monday, and the game against the Wildcats will be the first game conference game of the season.
Senior guard Chris Walker has played significant minutes this year and senior forward Larry Jackson provides leadership for the frontcourt.
The team also has more experience up front coming from junior forward Yannick Crowder. He has been one of the mainstays for the team over the last two seasons and an over-tough post player. He provides stability as well as production.
“I expect to bring leadership and as much positivity to the team as possible,” said Walker. “I think we will come out (Saturday) and handle business.”
Another player who the team will look to for point production will be sophomore forward Amin Stevens. He had a big game in the home opener against Southeastern University and has not slowed down since.
Stevens had 25 points and six rebounds in the 88-61 victory over Southeastern and he said the team anticipating a strong conference outing this season.
“We have a lighter game schedule game than last year so the out of conference games aren’t as tough,” said Stevens. “I think we are playing good, but we will get better.”
The Rattlers’ recent win over Webber International should help the team turn its season around and get back on the winning track.
The team has played good offense throughout most of the season but had struggled on defense.
They have been solid in the post for the most part. The team needs to improve their defense and also pick up their perimeter game if they want to beat Bethune on Saturday. The team is at the middle of the pack in the MEAC after playing several out of conference games.
The Rattlers are 3-4 this season. Stevens leads the team in scoring with 11.6 points per contest, and Crowder is averaging a team-high 6.6 rebounds per game.
The Wilcats are also 3-4 and junior guard C.J. Reed is averaging 21.4 points through seven game this season. Bethune-Cookman’s junior forward Garrius Holloman is the team’s leading rebounder with 6.4 rebounds a game.
The men’s team will take on the Wildcats at 6 p.m. and its game will follow the women’s game at 4 p.m. in a double-header at the Al Lawson Center.