DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. (Feb. 3, 2021) – The Mercy College men's basketball team will see their first action in 343 days as they open up their 2021 season with a pair of games at No. 14/19 St. Thomas Aquinas in ECC action on Saturday, February 6th and Monday, February 8th at 7 p.m.
Who, When and Where
Date/Time: Saturday, February 6th 2 p.m.
Records: Mercy (5-21, 2019-20 Record), No. 14/19 St. Thomas Aquinas (1-0)
Location: Sparkill, N.Y.
No spectators permitted due to COVID-19
Date/Time: Monday, February 8th 7 p.m.
Records: Mercy (5-21, 2019-20 Record), No. 14/19 St. Thomas Aquinas (1-0)
Location: Sparkill, N.Y.
No spectators permitted due to COVID-19
Season Preview Interview with Head Coach Michael Maczko
Season Preview Interview with junior Korey Lee
Scouting the Mavericks
· A span of 343 days between games will come to an end on Saturday as the Mavericks open their 2021 season with a road series at St. Thomas Aquinas this week. Mercy last played on Saturday, February 29, 2020 when they dropped a 100-85 decision at Bridgeport.
· Mercy was picked fifth in the ECC Preseason Coaches Poll in January.
· Mercy loses 2020 graduate and All-ECC performer Bryan Griffin who is now playing at Division I Xavier in a postgraduate year.
· Leading the returners are sophomores Garrett Kirkland and Brandon Wilson who were each named ECC Rookie of the Week once last year and averaged 7.8 and 7.3 points, respectively.
· Senior Dayvon Cuffey and junior Korey Lee return in the frontcourt for the Mavericks after both appeared in 24 games last year.
· This weekend's games are the first of nine games on the schedule for Mercy during this shortened season. All games are subject to change based upon COVID-19 testing.
· Mercy will look to pick up their first win over the Spartans since February 13, 2013.
· The Mavericks look to pick up their first season-opening win since defeating St. Michael's to open the 2017-18 season.
Scouting the Spartans
· St. Thomas Aquinas is ranked No. 14 in the D2SIDA Media Poll and No. 19 in the NABC Coaches Poll. The Spartans are also ranked No. 1 in the latest D2SIDA East Region Media Poll.
· The Spartans were picked first in the ECC Preseason Coaches Poll.
· St. Thomas Aquinas looks to win their fifth ECC Championship in six seasons and have made five straight NCAA Tournament appearances.
· The Spartans opened their 2021 season on Wednesday with a 92-76 win at Molloy. Grant Singleton led the way with a game-high 27 points.
· Demetre Roberts added 15 points in the victory over Molloy and Kevin Lynch and Jamal Barnes chipped in 11 points apiece.
· St. Thomas Aquinas made 10 three-pointers in the win and shot 45.9 percent from the floor, while holding a 25-8 edge in fastbreak points and 26-13 advantage in points off turnovers.
Next Game
The Mavericks next game is on Saturday, February 13th when they host Molloy in an ECC matchup at 1 p.m.
