It's not often that a nationally ranked men's basketball team enters the Hawk Center, yet this Friday night the No. 14 ranked Oswego State Lakers bring their 20-1 (14-0 in SUNYAC) record to SUNY New Paltz. The Lakers, winners of 17 straight games are coming off another perfect weekend, defeating Potsdam, 85-58 and topping the 100-plus point mark for the third time this season, winning 103-60 over Plattsburgh.

Oswego is averaging 80.7 points per game, giving up a paltry 59.4 points against per game, and outrebounding its opponents 44-33.4 a contest. In their first meeting on Jan. 29, the Lakers held the Hawks to just 19 first-half points on the way to an 82-53 victory. Since the series between SUNY New Paltz and Oswego began in 1958, the Lakers hold a 49-17 lead over the Hawks.

Four Lakers average double figures and at least five rebounds per game: senior guard Julien Crittendon (6'2, Melville, NY) at 11.7 points and 5.6 rebounds per game; junior guard Devin green (6'3', Rochester, NY) at 11.6 points and 5.7 rebounds per game; sophomore guard Jeremiah Sparks (6'3, Jordan, NY) and senior forward Christian Simmons (6'5", Rochester, NY) with 10 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. Three other Lakers follow, averaging seven or more points an outing. 

Saturday afternoon, the Hawks entertain the Red Dragons of Cortland. In their first meeting at Cortland on Jan. 28, SUNY New Paltz edged out a 73-71 win over the Red Dragons. In the all-time series between the two teams, Cortland holds an impressive 60-23 lead since play between the sides began in 1962.

At home last weekend, the Red Dragons scored two important wins, defeating Plattsburgh 95-61 on Friday and Potsdam, 83-56 Saturday afternoon to even their overall record to 10-10 and their SUNYAC record to 6-7. Cortland has been averaging 73.6 points per game, while giving up 68.8 points per game. They have been outrebounded 38.1 to 36.9 so far this season.

Cortland has been led this season by junior forward Austin Grunder (6'6, Trumansburg, NY). The SUNYAC Player of the Week for Feb. 6, Grunder is averaging 19.2 points and 11.2 rebounds per game. Against SUNY New Paltz, Grunder dropped in a season high 39 points. Six other Dragons are averaging more than seven points per game. Among them are senior guard AJ Lawton (6' 2, Saratoga Springs, NY), junior guard/forward Kareem Lubin (6'3, South Blooming Grove, NY), sophomore guard Danny Liehan (6'0, Blauvelt, NY) and junior guard Humberto Cabrera (6'2, Millbrook, NY) who leads the Red Dragons with 51 assists.

With just four SUNYAC games left, the Hawks need consistency to stay in the hunt for a home court playoff advantage. SUNY New Paltz is currently 12-8 overall and third in the conference with a 9-5 record. It split last weekend's long road trip, dropping Friday's game to Buffalo State. 81-91, but coming back Saturday to top Fredonia, 89-75.

Leading the Hawks last weekend were two sophomore guards: Rylan Blondo (6'0, Brooklyn, NY) who had 23 points, six rebounds against Buffalo State and 26 points, nine rebounds against Fredonia and Sean St. Lucia (6'2, Niskayuna, NY) with 17 points, seven assists and six rebounds against the Bengals and 12 points, 11 assists and six rebounds versus the Blue Devils.

Sophomore guard/forward Solomon Neuhaus (6'4, Plattsburgh, NY) contributed 22 points against Buffalo State, sophomore forward Lucas Seyoum (6'5, Clifton Park, NY) added 16 points against Fredonia, and sophomore forward Tyreik Frazier (6'6" Westbury, NY) had 14 points, three rebounds and three blocks off the bench in the win over the Blue Devils.

The Hawks are set to tip-off against the Lakers Friday night at 7:30 p.m. before taking on the Red Dragons at 4 p.m Saturday. Prior to their matchup with Cortland, the team will honor its lone senior from its 2021 class, former guard Jake Passaretti.

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