Bearcats Key May Come From Freshmen Backcourt Duo

When the sixth-seed Binghamton Bearcats men's basketball team meets the number three -seed Hartford Hawks on Saturday night at 8:30 in Albany the outcome may be determined by BU's freshmen duo of Yosef Yacob and Marlon Beck.  Beck has been selected as the America East Rookie of the Week three times and Yacob has garnered those honors twice.

Heading into the post-season Yacob is averaging 11.6 points per game with Beck right behind at a 10.8 points per game clip. Beck is expected to return to the Bearcats' lineup after missing the regular season finale versus Vermont on Sunday with a lower leg injury.  Both have steadily improved over the course of the season.  They have shared the point guard duties for much of the season and often are paired together to add speed and quickness to the lineup.

Both have been cool under pressure with both making key pressure shots including Beck's three consecutive free throws in New Hampshire to send the Bearcats to overtime and subsequently a road victory.  Not only can they add an offensive spark but they have been able to force the opposition into numerous turnovers with steals and pass interceptions.  Look for one of them to "steal" the show Saturday night.

If the Bearcats can defeat Hartford they would then play the winner of the Albany-Stony Brook game on Sunday night at 7 PM.  Follow all the action of Bearcats basketball this weekend on News Radio 1290 WNBF.