Game Details: Wednesday, November 20 | 7:00 p.m.
Location: Schwartz Center | Chester, Pa.
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Scouting Report
Sitting at 1-2 on the early season, Catholic University visits the Schwartz Center for the first time since 2007. The Pride downed the Cardinals 72-62 in Head Coach Chris Cardieo's second season. Most recently, CU faced Gallaudet, defeating the Bison by 20 points in the Battle of D.C. and Maryland Tournament. 6'8" senior Riley Hayes led the way with 19 points, 10 rebounds and five assists.
Hayes is putting 16.3 points per game on 41.9 percent shooting. There are three seniors in the Cardinals' starting five, with Collin Hartmann controlling the tempo. He is the team's leading assist man, dishing out 3.7 per game. He owns the highest shooting percentage on the team, hitting his shots at a 44.8 percent clip and averaging 14.3 ppg. Catholic's most consistent three-point shooting starter is Thomas Huerter. He adds length at 6'7" and can stretch the floor. He attempts 5.3 shots from deep per game, sinking it 37.5 percent of the time.
Off the bench, Jack Kouba serves as the three-and-D specialist. He leads the team in steals, grabbing 1.7 in 18.3 minutes per game. Two other reserves, Will Mulquin and Zach Spooner, are contributing more than five points per contest.
There are six members on the team over 6'5" but even with the size, the Cardinals have allowed over 60 points to every opponent they have faced. Opponents are shooting 42.4 percent from the field and 32.1 percetn from deep.
Team have been willing to let Catholic shoot from deep. In a 65-49 loss to St. Mary's, the Cardinals were just 18.8 percent from three. Against Messiah, CU was outscored 34-32 in the paint, falling to the Falcons 78-75 on November 12.
Aaaron Kelly was introduced as the 21st head men's basketball coach at Catholic and first since 1992 on April 13, 2019. A 2006 graduate with 13 seasons of experience as an assistant coach, including 11 at Division I, Kelly spent the previous four seasons at nearby George Mason under head coach Dave Paulsen. He has been instrumental in the resurgence of the Patriots' program, working closely with the entire roster, contributing to in-game management and overseeing all recruiting efforts.
Run It Back
Widener made it to the Middle Atlantic Conference Championship in 2018-19, being led primarily by seniors
Tyler Drews and
Ryan McMahon. The two have since moved on but the Pride is returning three of its four top-scorers in
Connor Laverty,
Elijah Boyd, and
Jared Peters. Peters and Laverty both shot above 36 percent from three and Boyd was second on the team in assists. Look for him to improve on his passing this year as WU looks to replace McMahon's facilitating abilities.
New Faces
There are eight new members on the Widener men's basketball team in 2019-20. Six of whom are freshman, one who is a sophomore and one senior.
Deshawn Jones,
Steven Matlack, and
Drew Hickson look to bolster a front court that lost 7.2 points and 4.3 rebounds in
Jalen Howard.
Bo Furey-Bastian,
Will Long,
Nkem Ota,
Anthony Alston Jr., and
James Gillespie aim to provide shooting and front court defense in conference full of excellent guard play.
200 Watch!
With a record of 197-149,
Chris Carideo looks to eclipse to the 200 win mark at Widener. In his 14th season, the Pride is off to a 4-0 start. Carideo has had only two losing seasons since arriving in 2006.
Steady Shooter Badge
Pat Holden has been on fire to start 2019 while displaying excellent efficiency from the field. The sophomore guard has hit 10 of his 15 three pointers and is shooting 65.2 percent overall. At the line, he is 14-16 for an 87.5 percent rate.
Next Man Up
Kolbey Woodard and
AJ Sawyers have seen their roles increase in 2019 and have risen to the occasion. Woodard nabbed his first career start against Bryn Athyn, filling in for the injured
Kenny Lewis, and put up 10 points on 5-6 shooting.
AJ Sawyers has been crucial off the bench so far. The sophomore is the leading reserve scorer and has recorded three steals in four games.