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Clarkson University Athletics

2019-20 Clarkson Men's Basketball Preview

By: November 9, 2019
SharkBarryn2019act456
Connor Koehler

Men's Basketball | 11/9/2019 8:00:00 AM

Little went right for the Clarkson University Men's Basketball team a year ago, despite having the same cast of veterans from the previous year. Sixth-year head coach Jeff Gorski and assistant Jack Dignan expect the team's talent to rally in 2019-20 as the squad's top scorers return and are bolstered by a strong freshman class.

The Golden Knights open the 2019-20 season at SUNY Canton on Tuesday evening and then hit the road for a tournament at Alfred on November 15-16.

The Veterans: In 2017-18, the Golden Knights utilized the 3-point line better than virtually anyone else in the country, hitting 267 3-pointers at a .382 success rate. However, the Green and Gold were unable to repeat that success in 2018-19 as the team's 3-point field goal percentage slumped to .314, a significant swing that saw Clarkson take 117 more 3-pointers without quite matching the number of makes. Looking to lead the break out in 2019-20 is senior Matt Higgins. Two years ago, Higgins was a conference all-star thanks to 13 20-point games that saw him hit 76 3-pointers, but last year teams keyed in on Higgins and suppressed his scoring average to 13.6 points per game. Still capable of 30 points on any given night, Higgins will be joined by a trio of shooters from the junior class that also cannot be left alone near the 3-point line. Healthy after a difficult freshman season, junior Jason Phelps was one of the team's best all-around players a year ago, averaging 7.5 points per game off the bench and stealing the ball 28 times against just 25 turnovers. Classmates Robert Welch (6.8 ppg) and Joe Lucas (2.6 ppg) also had their moments and can toss up big numbers in any game. Sophomore Chris Hulbert saw his season end early with an injury, but the shooting guard can produce in bunches as well, the fact underlined by back-to-back 20-point games early in the 2018-19 season. Classmate Reese Swedberg provides the team with a much-needed inside presence, and the sophomore will look to build upon his 5.2 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. Senior Barryn Shark will rack up assists as the team's starting point guard and fellow senior Jake Purdy should be a key contributor inside off the bench. Sophomores Marques Bouyer and Andrew Kelly will look to gain more playing time as well.

The Newcomers: The Knights added six freshmen to the fold for 2019-20 and several could make an immediate impact. Dante Joefield will likely serve as the team's back-up point guard and Ryan Miles-Ferguson does everything well, including serving as a lock-down defender. Fellow guards Blake Gearhart, Nick Budesheim, and Aaron Clendenin will vie for time, with Gearhart providing some instant impact as a scorer off the bench like Hulbert did a year ago. Big man Teddy Fravel will provide depth at forward and could make a considerable jump as the season goes on and he gets acclimated to the college game.




 
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Players Mentioned

Marques Bouyer

#15 Marques Bouyer

F
6' 5"
Sophomore
Matt Higgins

#30 Matt Higgins

G
6' 4"
Senior
Chris Hulbert

#12 Chris Hulbert

G
6' 1"
Sophomore
Andrew Kelly

#11 Andrew Kelly

G/F
6' 4"
Sophomore
Joe Lucas

#0 Joe Lucas

F
6' 5"
Junior
Jason Phelps

#24 Jason Phelps

G
6' 2"
Junior
Jake Purdy

#14 Jake Purdy

F
6' 5"
Senior
Barryn Shark

#10 Barryn Shark

G
5' 9"
Senior
Reese Swedberg

#25 Reese Swedberg

F
6' 7"
Sophomore
Dante Joefield

#1 Dante Joefield

G
5' 9"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Marques Bouyer

#15 Marques Bouyer

6' 5"
Sophomore
F
Matt Higgins

#30 Matt Higgins

6' 4"
Senior
G
Chris Hulbert

#12 Chris Hulbert

6' 1"
Sophomore
G
Andrew Kelly

#11 Andrew Kelly

6' 4"
Sophomore
G/F
Joe Lucas

#0 Joe Lucas

6' 5"
Junior
F
Jason Phelps

#24 Jason Phelps

6' 2"
Junior
G
Jake Purdy

#14 Jake Purdy

6' 5"
Senior
F
Barryn Shark

#10 Barryn Shark

5' 9"
Senior
G
Reese Swedberg

#25 Reese Swedberg

6' 7"
Sophomore
F
Dante Joefield

#1 Dante Joefield

5' 9"
Freshman
G