Men's Basketball Takes On Sacred Heart Thursday

Central Connecticut men's basketball returns to action on Thursday night against Sacred Heart at Detrick Gymnasium.  The Northeast Conference matchup will tip off at 7:00 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased at CCSUTickets.com or at the box office upon entry. Admission for all CCSU students, faculty and staff is free of charge with a valid Blue Chip card. All of the action can also be seen live, for free, on NECFrontRow.com.

Rules Refresher • The NCAA has put out videos to give fans and media clarification and examples of some of the rules to be aware of during the season. With conference play underway take the time to watch the NCAA rules review Video #1 and Video #2.

NEC Feature • Senior Brandon Peel was the subject of a halftime feature during the CCSU-LIU Brooklyn game on Jan. 4. His community service work, specifically with the Interval House, was highlighted. Watch the feature HERE.

Series Notes: • CCSU leads, 37-19
•  First Meeting: Jan. 21, 1971 (CCSU, 99-87)
•  Last Meeting: Feb. 21, 2015 (CCSU, 76-73 ot)
•  Last CCSU Win: Feb. 21, 2015 (76-73)

Last Time Out • Five players scored in double-figures for Central Connecticut, but the Blue Devils fell at Fairleigh Dickinson, 92-73. Austin Nehls led the way with 16 points and Malik Toppin and Jahlil Nails added career-high outings with 14 and 13 points, respectively.  CCSU hit 5-of-7 shots to open the game and led 11-4 before FDU came back with 14 unanswered points to take the lead for good.  The Knights outscored the Blue Devils, 26-4, over a nearly eight-minute span to build a 30-15 lead.  FDU shot 55.6 percent for the game, while CCSU finished the day shooting 41.1 percent from the field. Earl Potts, Jr. led all players with 22 points for Fairleigh Dickinson.

Scouting Sacred Heart • The Pioneers have dropped three straight after suffering a 76-59 loss to Wagner at home last weekend.  Sophomore Cane Broome leads the team in scoring at 21.1 points per game, which also tops the Northeast Conference.  Quincy McKnight (11.5 ppg) and Jordan Allen (11.2 ppg) also average double-figures.  Tevin Falzon is the team's top rebounder at 6.5 per game.  Sacred Heart ranks second in the conference in field goal percentage, shooting .427 as a team, while ranking third in scoring at 70.6 points per game.

Next Up • Central Connecticut travels to Wagner on Saturday, Jan. 16, for a 4:00 p.m. contest before beginning a stretch of four straight home games against Robert Morris on Jan. 21.