Nov. 11, 2009
La Salle Explorers vs. Hampton Pirates
Date: Saturday, November 14
Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
Location: Tom Gola Arena
Game: Non-conference
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La Salle Explorers
Conference: Atlantic 10
Saturday’s home game against the Hampton Pirates marks the season opener for the La Salle Explorers. Last season’s 18-win campaign caused the Explorers to fall just short of a postseason tournament after losing in the first round of the Atlantic 10 Championship. With four seniors returning, all of whom averaged in double figures last season, and a solid incoming class, the Explorers enter the 2009-10 season with high expectations.
For the first time in program history, La Salle’s Homecoming is incorporated into the season openers for men’s and women’s basketball. La Salle will have the opportunity to show off its key additions, while refreshing the minds of Explorer fans of how talented their four returning seniors are. With alumni returning to campus this weekend, they will get a small glimpse of La Salle’s potential in Saturday’s matchup with Hampton.
A four-star recruit and First Team Class AAAA All-State selection, freshman Aaric Murray makes his regular season debut for the Explorers on Saturday. In last Saturday’s exhibition game against Holy Family, Murray scored 13 points, on 6-of-7 shooting, while leading the game in rebounds (8) and blocks (4). Murray averaged 17.5 ppg and 12.4 rpg as a senior at Glenn Mills, but will now look to make the college transition.
In addition to senior point guard Rodney Green, senior Ruben Guillandeaux and junior Jerrell Williams give the Explorers some depth around the perimeter and under the glass. After a career-best 17.8 ppg last season, Green enters the season 24th all-time in La Salle history for points scored. Seniors Kimmani Barrett (11.8 ppg) and Yves Mekongo (10.4 ppg) supplement the team with a solid frontcourt.
Hampton Pirates
Conference: Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC)
After a 16-16 finish last season, the Hampton Pirates open their season on the road when they take on the La Salle Explorers. The Pirates have finished in the upper-half of the MEAC since 2000-01 and, with two of last season’s leading scorers returning for their senior year, they should be on their way to another successful year.
In their only meeting with the Explorers, the Pirates were victorious at Tom Gola Arena defeating La Salle, 68-64, back in the 2003-04 campaign. Senior Vincent Simpson, a graduate of Cardinal Dougherty High School, returns to Philadelphia after averaging a team-best 11.7 ppg last year.
With Kevin Nickelberry resigning as head coach following the 2008-09 season, Edward Joyner, Jr. steps in as interim head coach for the upcoming season. Joyner, Jr. takes over the helm after working as Nickelberry’s assistant for the past three years.
Eye on an Explorer: Yves Mekongo
Returning for his senior year, Mekongo is looking to immediately pick up where he left off from last season. Before sustaining a broken hand against Dayton in early February, Mekongo was emerging as an essential offensive contributor as he posted 14.7 ppg in the six contests leading up to the Dayton game. Mekongo went on to finish last season with a team-best six rebounds per game to go along with 10.4 ppg. Look for Mekongo to get many opportunities since Hampton’s defense will be occupied with Rodney Green at the high post and Aaric Murray under the glass.
Key Matchup: Ruben Guillandeaux vs. Vincent Simpson
Much of Saturday’s game may come down to a battle between two senior guards that have a very similar style of play. La Salle guard Ruben Guillandeux appeared in every game for the Explorers a year ago. In the time he was allotted, Guillandeaux managed to score in double figures 19 times while leading the team in three-point field goal percentage (.349). Hampton guard Vincent Simpson’s production was nearly identical to Guillandeaux’s. For the Pirates, Simpson led the team in three-point shooting while playing in all 32 games last year. In addition, Simpson reached double figures 17 times, igniting him to a team-high 11.7 ppg for the season.
