MIAMI SHORES, Fla. -- Barry will host a desperate Lynn men's basketball team 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in Health & Sports Center.
Both teams are coming off league losses Saturday, fueling the intensity for a game between the two Sunshine State Conference rivals.
"Playing against Lynn is like fighting your brother in the backyard as Coach (Cesar) Odio always says," Buccaneers assistant coach Ryan Saunders said. "You know going in that it’s going to be a war for 40 minutes."
Lynn (7-4, 0-2 SSC) is coming off a 10-point loss at Saint Leo Saturday. Barry (6-4, 1-1) was humbled at Florida Southern. The Fighting Knights lost by five to Florida Southern.
"They have been right there, and are definitely going to be hungry for a win," Saunders said. "Coach (Scott) McMillin gets his guys to play very hard, and they are a very well-balanced team."
Lynn has four players averaging over 10 points per game and three others scoring over nine. Barry has five players averaging in double figures.
But the Buccaneers will need to do a better job defensively after surrendering 96 points to FSC Saturday. The Bucs are allowing teams to score 69.7 points per game, while averaging 71.6 themselves. Lynn is shooting 46.6 percent from the field, while Barry has struggled at 38.5 percent.
"Both teams dig in and look to grind it out defensively," Saunders said. "We must match their intensity, and our defense can’t allow easy baskets like we did against Florida Southern. Getting stops on defense will be key to helping our offense. From there we must be disciplined and execute against their pressure in order to pull out a win."
TIP-INS: Senior G Bryan Van Cott scored his 500th career point Saturday.
GAME NOTES
LAST TIME OUT: Barry lost at No. 27 Florida Southern, 96-70, Saturday.
SERIES RECORD: Barry is 17-22 all-time against the Fighting Knights ... The Bucs lost at Lynn, 69-53, in the last meeting Feb. 8, 2012.
EYES ON OPPONENT: The Fighting Knights are coming off a 69-59 loss at Saint Leo Saturday ... Four players are scoring in double figures: Shamel Akins (10.9), Slobodan Miljanic (10.7), Pavle Raickovic (10.6) and Kaleb Clyburn (10.2) ... Raickovic is averaging 7.4 rebounds per game ... The Knights are holding opponents to 62.1 points per game.
TOO MANY: Barry gave up a season-high 96 points in the loss to the Mocs Saturday ... Barry is allowing 69.7 points per game.
TORIC LEADS SSC: Senior F Filip Toric ranks 68th in the country and first in the SSC in rebounding ... He is averaging 8.2 boards per game ... He has grabbed seven or more rebounds in all but one game ... He’s led the Bucs in rebounding in six games this year.
MAGNUM EFFORT: Sophomore F Magne Fivelstad has grabbed seven rebounds in his past two games ... He also recorded his first 10-point game.
DOUBLING UP: Senior G Justin McCoy has scored in double figures in nine straight games ... McCoy leads the Bucs in scoring at 13.7 ppg.
HIGH FIVE: Five Buccaneers are averaging in double figures ... Sr. G Justin McCoy (13.7), Senior G Bryan Van Cott (12.8), Senior F Aaron Martin (12.2), Senior G Chad Renfro (10.7) and Senior F Filip Toric (10.0).
BALANCE IN BUNCHES: Barry has had three or more players score in double figures in every game but one this season ... In two games, the Bucs have placed five players in double figures.
THAT 70s SHOWING: Six players are shooting better than 70 percent from the free throw line.
DISNEY BOUND: Barry will compete in the Sunshine State Conference tournament in Kissimmee, Fla., Mar. 6-10 at Silver Spurs Arena ... Kissimmee is home to Disney World ... All SSC teams qualify for the tournament.