LIU likes its chances vs. Michigan St.
LIU Brooklyn's Julian Boyd dunks in a game vs. St. Francis at Madison Square Garden. (Feb. 8, 2012) Credit: LIU Brooklyn Athletic Department
Anyone expecting LIU Brooklyn to step onto the court Friday just to be a sacrificial lamb for top-seeded Michigan State might be surprised at what they see.
Just getting into the NCAA Tournament isn't enough for LIU, which is making its second straight appearance.
The Blackbirds plan on winning.
"We've been here before and we know what's coming," LIU junior forward Jamal Olasewere said Tuesday. "We'll be taking more of a businesslike approach."
That approach paid big dividends this season for LIU (25-8), which went 16-2 in Northeast Conference play and won the tournament championship.
LIU has won 52 games the last two seasons and will enter Friday's matchup against Tom Izzo's crew with six of its top eight players from last year's NCAA team.
Olasewere, a first-team All-NEC selection, finished second on the team in scoring (16.8) and rebounding (7.5). Junior forward Julian Boyd, NEC player of the year, led the Blackbirds in scoring (17.4) and rebounding (9.5).
Sophomore point guard Jason Brickman (9.7 ppg, 7.3 assists), junior guard C.J. Garner (12.5 ppg) and senior sharpshooter Michael Culpo (9.6 ppg) were also big factors in LIU's success.
The Blackbirds also have an active bench with juniors Brandon Thompson and Kenny Onyechi and Bay Shore graduate Booker Hucks.
Getting to the tournament a second straight season with much of the same roster has made it easier for both the players and coaches to prepare.
"Obviously, we have the experience, so we understand things better," LIU coach Jim Ferry said. "The approach will be more mature because we know what we're walking into. And we know we're walking into a beehive."
So what do the Blackbirds need to do to get a win against Michigan State (27-7) on Friday in Columbus, Ohio?
"We need to play defense. That was kind of a weakness for us this year," Olasewere said. "We're more of an offensive team, so we need to get more focused on defense."
LIU (81.9) is third in the nation in scoring, and Michigan State (59.1) is 16th in scoring defense. Something has to give, right?
"We have the ultimate respect for Michigan State," Ferry said. "If we can get them to play at our tempo, we have a good chance."
