Explorers Look to Rebound vs. Central Connecticut State
By Matt Leon
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- After falling last time out at Delaware, 70-66, a loss that snapped a five-game winning streak, the La Salle Explorers are on the road again tonight, visiting Central Connecticut State.
While La Salle is 7-4 heading into this one, the Blue Devils sit at 5-5, but Explorers' head coach Dr. John Giannini says they present a difficult challenge.
"They're .500, but some of their losses are to Michigan State and at Northwestern, who is tough in the Big Ten this year. They are unusual in that they have three players averaging around twenty points a game," Giannini tells KYW Newsradio. "Most teams don't have one player like that -- they have three."
Hear Matt Leon's full interview with Coach John Giannini in this CBS Philly SportsPod...
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Those three players for the Blue Devils are senior forward Ken Horton (22.5 ppg), freshman guard Kyle Vinales (20.6 ppg), and senior guard Robby Ptacek (19.1 ppg). Horton is third in the nation in scoring.
How do you try to defend a team with three prolific scorers like that?
"It's a tough challenge, and guys have to step up," Giannini admits. "But I think most importantly, you have to follow your principles and do what you are taught. Every coach has certain defensive fundamentals that they want to see executed every time down the floor. Hopefully we do those things, move our feet, and make it tough on those guys."
The Explorers' defense has been good this season. They are holding opponents to 63.1 points per game and 38 percent shooting from the field.
La Salle and Central Connecticut State tip off at 7:00pm tonight in New Britain, Conn. Listen to KYW's Matt Leon and the radio voice of the Explorers, Kale Beers, break down the matchup in this CBS Philly SportsPod...
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