LIU Brooklyn Blackbirds
Northeast Conference (25-8, 16-2)
The expectations were a little lower for LIU Brooklyn heading into the 2011-2012 campaign. A year ago they reached the NCAA Tournament and won the NEC regular season title. After a slow start this season, the Blackbirds once again proved to be a very good team in the NEC and took home another conference crown. Coach Jim Ferry has a nice group of experienced players who have been through some tough games before.
Big Wins: 11/20 vs Vermont (80-75), 12/1 Wagner (78-73), 1/21 at Wagner (73-66)
Bad Losses: 11/11 at Hofstra (71-89), 12/10 at Columbia (53-63), 12/14 at Norfolk State (62-73)
Coach: Jim Ferry (10 seasons at LIU Brooklyn)
Why They Can Surprise:
The Blackbirds have a great starting five that incorporates everything a team needs to pull off an upset. Point guard Jason Brickman is just a sophomore, but he has a lot of experience running the show on Long Island. Brickman has picked up his offense too and is always a threat to knock down the long range shot. Brickman’s ability to shoot forces the opposition to defend him on the perimeter and that has really opened up space for the other four scorers in the starting lineup. Michael Culpo is basically just an outside shooter, but he is very consistent and will even help out on the glass. C.J. Garner is a good secondary ball handler, who ran the show last year, and a great scorer around the basket. But it is in the frontcourt where LIU Brooklyn really shines. Julian Boyd and Jamal Olasewere are both double-double threats every night. Either could go for 20 and ten too. Those two can both knock down the occasional three-pointer and battle in the paint. Olasewere is a little more active on the defensive end and can block a shot or two, but Boyd has developed into a leader of the Blackbirds and is a little better on the glass.
Why They Can Disappoint:
Coach Ferry’s squad cannot win games against better competition if Boyd and Olasewere are not on the floor. Both will get into some foul trouble every once in a while and if that happens in March, this is a team that could struggle offensively. Kenny Onyechi is a decent frontcourt option off of the bench, but he is not anywhere near the quality of Boyd and Olasewere. Onyechi, a 6-7 junior, is a decent shot blocker and defender and he can fill in defensively without much of a drop in production, but on the other end of the floor, the Blackbirds miss Boyd and Olasewere when they are not on the floor. The big guys need their rest, but LIU Brooklyn will be in trouble if either Boyd or Olasewere get into early foul trouble.
Probable Starters:
Jason Brickman, Sophomore, Guard, 9.7 ppg, 7.3 apg
C.J. Garner, Junior, Guard, 12.5 ppg, 3.4 apg
Michael Culpo, Senior, Guard, 9.6 ppg, 1.1 apg
Jamal Olasewere, Junior, Forward, 16.8 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 1.1 bpg
Julian Boyd, Junior, Forward, 17.4 ppg, 9.5 rpg
Key Roleplayers:
Arnold Mayorga, Senior, Forward, 2.8 ppg, 1.9 rpg
Kenny Onyechi, Junior, Forward, 5.4 ppg, 3.3 rpg
Brandon Thompson, Junior, Guard, 4.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 81.6 (3rd in nation, 1st in conference)
Scoring Defense: 77.5 (331, 11)
Field-Goal Percentage: 47.4 (30, 1)
Field-Goal Defense: 44.8 (249, 8)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 6.6 (115, 2)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 36.9 (60, 2)
Free-Throw Percentage: 72.9 (54, 4)
Rebound Margin: 2.5 (94, 3)
Assists Per Game: 14.8 (40, 1)
Turnovers Per Game: 16.3 (324, 10)
Last Five Postseason Appearances:
LIU Brooklyn 2011 NCAA Round of 64 loss to North Carolina
LIU Brooklyn 1998 NIT First round loss to Dayton
LIU Brooklyn 1997 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Villanova
LIU Brooklyn 1984 NCAA Opening Round loss to Northeastern
LIU Brooklyn 1982 NIT First round loss to Illinois
*all team stats through 3/4
See All Men’s Basketball Postseason Capsules
