The men’s basketball team will try to maintain momentum and secure their third straight win on Saturday.
The Rattlers, 3-10 overall and 2-2 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference will take on Delaware State University at 4p.m. in Gaither Gymnasium. With consecutive conference victories over Hampton and Norfolk State and with the Hornets coming to town atop the conference at 5-7 and 4-0 in the MEAC, a victory would be ideal for the Rattlers.
“A win on Saturday would be huge,” said Michael Harper, 22, a junior sociology student from Alpharetta, Ga. “For them to come in here and we get a win would be big. We are going to take this as a personal challenge and come out and play hard.”
The men are expecting the Hornets to play a half court style. So dictating the tempo of the game will be vital for the Rattlers, who intend to play more of an up-tempo game.
“They like to slow the game down and we like the up and down pace, so whoever dictates the tempo will have a better chance of winning the game,” said head coach Mike Gillespie.
When it comes to scoring, senior guards Terrence Woods and Demarcus Wilkins lead the Rattlers. Recently named MEAC player of the week, Woods leads the conference in scoring with an average of 21.5 point per game. He also comes into Saturday’s match-up leading the nation in 3-point field goals.
Wilkins is a solid compliment to Woods, averaging 16.5 point a game and 4.5 rebounds per contest.
The Hornets will bring a more balanced attack to town on Saturday. DSU Junior forward Terrance Hunter leads the Hornets in scoring and rebounding with 11.6 and 5.5 respectfully.
Lending a hand in the scoring department for DSU is senior guard Miles Davis who averages 7.8 points and 2.1 rebounds per game.
Fortunately, the Rattlers may be coming together and complimenting each other on the court just in time to face the Hornets.
“I think everybody is starting to recognize their roles and everybody is working for us to get a win,” said Woods, 21, a senior physical education student from Memphis.
After two straight conference wins, the Rattlers are starting to become more confident about their team having success in future games.
“I don’t think that we ever lost our confidence, but when you got such a tough schedule it’s tough to gain confidence,” Gillespie said.
“Our guys have hung in there and played hard and to get these two wins were terrific.”
contact Ryan Boyd at BigRyan96@hotmail.com.