The Spectrum

Issue date: 2/15/06 Section: Sports

Media Credit: The Spectrum/ Travis Flynn Lucky Luke lines up another shot vs. MSM. Granato looms large off the bench and gives his team a much needed spark.

Kibwe Trim and Sacred Heart men's basketball will try to bring first place Farleigh Dickinson University's nine game winning streak to a halt in front of the bright lights of MSG network at the Pitt Center tonight.

The Pioneers, who are 7-7 in Northeast Conference play and 10-13 overall, will have their hands full trying to contain the offensive force of the Knights, led by all-conference players Chad Timberlake and Gordon Klaiber. Timberlake's 15.3 points per game and Klaiber's 14.8 have been the main contributors to the Knights' eye opening efforts to put up 75.1 points per contest.

"FDU has a very powerful offense and this is apparent in their game average," SHU guard Tavio Hobson said. "Our approach in every game is to take away the other team's strengths and play to our own strengths.

"Since FDU is more comfortable scoring in the 70's and 80's, we are going to focus on perimeter defense and rebounding, which are also two of our strengths," he said.

Actually executing strong perimeter defense could contain Timberlake, but the Pioneers will need to make sure the paint is constantly clogged, since the six-nine Klaiber will be a powerful force inside.

Sacred Heart will primarily play man to man defense, but plans to switch the assignments of who marks who. Guards Drew Shubik, Jarrid Frye, Hobson and even Luke Granato may all get a crack at slowing Timberlake, and all could do a serviceable job since everyone but Hobson matches Timberlake's 6-4 height.

"The coaches will determine the match ups. [Timberlake] had a great game against us during our first meeting because he [converted] on several tough plays," Hobson said. "Although all of our perimeter players are looking forward to the match up, and will inevitably be on him at one point in the game or another, it's no secret that I want the primary responsibility of guarding him."

In the post, Trim and sophomores Brice Brooks and Ryon Howard will have their hands full, because guarding Klaiber and 7-0 Italian center Andrea Crosariol is a tall order. Not only does Klaiber score, but he helps cleaning the boards by boasting a 5.4 rebound per game average.

Continued...

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