POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (December 31, 2015) - The Vassar men's basketball team (3-5, 0-0 Liberty League) will begin Liberty League competition on Friday, January 2 with a road contest versus Union College. The Brewers will then travel to Saratoga Springs on Saturday to face Skidmore College at 4:00 pm.

Game Details
Opponent: Union College (6-3, 0-0 LL)
Links: (Union Men's Basketball Homepage) (Roster)(Stats)(Schedule)
Site: Schenectady, NY
Facility: Viniar Athletic Center
Date: January 2, 2014
Time: 8:00 pm
Game Coverage: (Live Stats) (Live Video)

Opponent: Skidmore College (3-5, 0-0 LL)
Links: (Skidmore Men's Basketball Homepage) (Roster)(Stats)(Schedule)
Site: Saratoga Springs, NY
Facility: Williamson Sports Center
Date: January 3, 2014
Time: 4:00 pm
Game Coverage: (Live Stats) (Live Video)


What to Look For:
Vassar will return to game action for the first time since December 10 on Friday, carrying a 3-5 non-conference record into its first Liberty League weekend. The Brewers have not played back-to-back games since opening the season 1-1 at the Vassar Tip-Off Tournament, and will face two of the conference's toughest opponents in less than 24 hours.

Last Time Out:
Southern Vermont junior Deshawn Hamlet scored 23 points, while four other Mountaineers finished in double figures as SVT knocked off Vassar 83-72 on December 10. Senior Curtis Smith (Mastic, NY/Eastport South Manor) scored a game-high and career-best 24 points on 7-for-12 shooting, but the Brewers could not mount a comeback and dropped to 3-5 on the season.

A Look at the Dutchmen (6-3, 0-0 Liberty League):
Union College wrapped up its non-conference slate on December 30, falling to Emory University 67-83 in the title game of the Emory Holiday Tournament. The loss moved the Dutchmen to 6-3 on the year, and was the team's first defeat since falling to Williams College 77-83 a month earlier on November 30. Union is currently one of two teams with six wins and the Liberty League, and has been highly successful in taking care of the ball so far this season. The Dutchmen currently rank in the top 20 in the nation and first in the Liberty League in fewest turnovers per game (10.9).

Union's ball security success is thanks in part to the play of sophomore guard Deshon Burgess, who currently ranks eighth in the country in assist to turnover ratio (3.57). Burgess leads the Dutchmen in scoring with 15.4 points per game, while chipping in 6.6 rebounds per contest. Junior forward William Hython has also be a factor for Union this season, averaging 15.2 points along with 8.6 boards in nine games. Junior Ryan Whelpley and senior Terell Winney will also be a threat to score, as the duo is currently averaging 10.8 and 10.7 points per game (respectively) so far in 2014-15.

Against Union All-Time:
Vassar comes into Friday's contest 7-32 all-time against Union and have dropped five straight to the Dutchmen dating back to 2012. Last season, Union swept the season series by a combined seven points, starting with a slim 74-79 victory on January 11, 2014. The Dutchmen then held off a charging Brewers team down the stretch when the teams met again at the AFC on February 15, holding on for a 73-70 victory.

A Look at the Thoroughbreds (3-5, 0-0 Liberty League)
Skidmore enters its first Liberty League weekend 3-5 on the year in non-conference action, and will first matchup with RIT Friday evening before facing the Brewers Saturday. Despite opening the season 2-0 with wins over Ithaca and Castleton State, the Thoroughbreds have dropped five out of their last six contests with their most recent loss coming to Concordia University on December 29. Skidmore finished 10-6 overall in the Liberty League last season, and locked up the No. 3 overall seed in the conference playoffs.

Senior forward Connor Merrill has led the way for the Thoroughbreds this season, as he ranks first on the team in points per game (16.4), rebounds per game (7.1) and blocks (11). Junior guard Aldin Medujanin has also been productive for Skidmore, averaging 15.0 points while ranking fourth in the Liberty League in assists per game with 4.4. Junior Erik Sanders will also be a major factor for the
Thoroughbreds, as the forward is currently averaging 15.3 points and 4.8 rebounds through eight games.

Against Skidmore All-Time:
Vassar is 18-23 all-time against the Thoroughbreds, dating back to the start of the series in 1989. VC got the best of Skidmore last season, winning all three of the meetings between the two sides, including a 66-62 victory in the semifinals of the Liberty League Championship. Before the 2013-14 season, Skidmore came out ahead in eight straight games between 2010 and 2013.

New Year's Resolution?:
Vassar is 5-5 over the past 10 seasons in its first game played in the New Year, and the Brewers will again look to win its first game back after earning a 69-60 victory over St. Joseph's College on January 7 of last season.

Putting in Time:
Junior Erikson Wasyl (Duram, CT/Coginchaug) is currently one of the most active players in Division III basketball, as he ranks 14^th in the country and first in the liberty League in minutes per game (37:15). Wasyl is currently averaging 11.8 points per game to go along with 2.4 rebounds and 3.0 assists.

Block Party:
Senior Alex Snyder (Rutland, VT/Rutland) is currently tied for first in the Liberty League in total blocks with 13 in eight games. Snyder ranks second on the team in points and rebounds averaging 12.1 and 7.8 per game (respectively). He leads the team in offensive boards with 20 this season.

Up Next:
Vassar will return to the court at the Athletic & Fitness Center on January 6 for a mid-week bout with Hudson Valley rival Bard College. Tip-off is slated for 8 pm.