Bryant welcomes LIU for NEC series

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University men's basketball team returns to the Chace Athletic Center this week for a pair of games against Long Island University on Thursday and Friday.  

Thursday's game has been chosen as the NEC Wildcard Game of the Week and will air on ESPN3 and Cox at 7:02 p.m. The two teams will wrap up the set on Friday at 4:00 p.m. on NECFrontRow.com. 

The Particulars
Opponent: Long Island
Location: Chace Athletic Center (Smithfield, R.I.)
Date and Time: Thursday, Feb. 25 – 7 p.m. | Friday, Feb. 26 - 4 p.m. 
Watch: Thursday ESPN3/Yurview New England | Friday
Live Stats: Sidearm
Game Notes: Bryant
Social Media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | #KEB1 | #NECMBB

THE SERIES
LIU owns a 15-6 lead in the all-time series between the two programs, having won each of the last seven meetings. Bryant's last win against the Sharks came in 2016 when they were the Blackbirds. The Bulldogs and Sharks met just once last season, a 74-60 victory for LIU.     

SCOUTING THE SHARKS
LIU will be playing the final two games of its regular season this week. The Sharks are 9-7 in the NEC and would be the No. 4 seed in the conference tournament if it started today. Like Bryant, LIU likes to push the pace, sitting fifth nationally in tempo and 14th nationally in average length of possession. Ty Flowers is the leader of the Sharks, averaging 17.7 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 3.8 apg, 2.0 spg and 1.2 bpg.    

WHAT TO KNOW

• Bryant enters the weekend at 12-5 overall and 8-4 in the NEC. The Bulldogs are currently second in the NEC standings behind Wagner, who is 10-4. 
• Bryant returned from a COVID-19 pause last week to win a pair of games against Merrimack, 60-58 and 76-60. 
• The Bulldogs, one of the nation's most up-tempo teams, was held under 75 possessions in both games. Bryant, however, improved to 7-0 in games where they are held under the 75 possession threshold. 
• Head coach Jared Grasso is in his third season on the Bryant sidelines, having posted a 37-42 record. He's led the Bulldogs to a 27-22 record the last two seasons.
• Peter Kiss leads the Bulldogs in scoring at 16.9 per game and is fourth in the NEC with 17.8 ppg in league games. Kiss has scored 20+ points on nine occasions, including 6-of-12 NEC games. 
• Michael Green III ranks seventh in the NEC in scoring, sixth in assists and sixth in free throw percentage. 
• Charles Pride has been one of the most improved players in the NEC, entering the week averaging 12.5 ppg, 6.9 rpg and 2.9 apg.  
• Chris Childs is one of the nation's top three-point shooters, ranking 11th nationally in 3FG per game. He's made 5+ 3s in game four times.
• Hall Elisias ranks 14th nationally in blocks per game (2.9) and leads the NEC in field goal percentage (.660). 

Follow Bryant University men's basketball on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to get an inside look at the program.