Robert Morris (2-13, 0-2) at Long Island Brooklyn (7-6, 1-1)

7:00 P.M.

Steinberg Wellness Center

The Colonials travel to Brooklyn to face the Blackbirds for their third game in conference play. Robert Morris is coming off of a disappointing loss to Wagner, while LIU defeated CCSU a few days ago for their first NEC win. Junior guard Kavon Stewart has been playing some great basketball, and hopefully he'll keep up his strong play. His quickness on defense will be needed to contain LIU's guards, especially Martin Hermannsson, who is currently averaging 15.5 points per game. Hermannsson had a pair of strong performances against the Colonials last year. I specifically remember him playing strong defense on Marcquise Reed, who as we all know, is no longer here. Hermannsson has made a nice transition from his freshman year to his sophomore year, and has avoided the famous sophomore slump that some college athletes tend to hit.

Junior forward Jerome Frink is LIU's leading scorer, averaging 16.8 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. Frink has nice size (6-7) and can score from inside, but can also spot up from three if he has a good look. He is a big frame (230 lbs) and shown the ability to take over games if necessary. Guard Aakim Saintil has been a pleasant surprise for the Blackbirds this year, averaging over double figures in points (13.6 ppg) and is a pest on the defensive side of the basketball. I'm excited to watch him and Kavon Stewart go at it. They kind of have a similar game, but Saintil is a better scorer and finisher.

I said prior to the season that I wouldn't be shocked one bit if LIU was the team representing the NEC in the big dance this season. They have many guys (three specifically) who have really stepped up. Frink, Hermannsson and Saintil can all put the ball in the basket. However, it is the defense of LIU that is the most impressive. They are probably the best defensive team in the NEC and the numbers prove it. Their one weakness on defense is defending the three, so if the Colonials can make the Blackbirds pay from beyond the arc, they can possibly walk out of New York with a victory. Rodney Pryor and Elijah Minnie have to get on the same page and step up offensively for this team to win. Will tonight be the start of that? Let's hope so.