BOSTON – The Suffolk men's basketball team opens up 2017 inside the friendly confines of Regan Gymnasium Thursday, Jan. 5 when GNAC and Boston rival stops by Beacon Hill for a 7 p.m. tip-off. 

SOCIALIZE
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LAST TIME OUT
The Suffolk men's basketball team capped off 2016 action Dec. 13 at UMass Boston where the Beacons used a strong second halt to upstage the Rams, 74-60, at the Clark Athletic Center.    

MORE READING: Men's Basketball Falls at UMass Boston, 74-60, to Wrap 2016 Action

RUNDOWN ON THE RAMS
Suffolk looks to open 2017 on a high and end a two-game skid that put the Rams at 2-8 overall and 1-2 against conference competition.  

The Rams are putting up 62.4 points per game thanks to a 40.8 connection rate from the field. Suffolk is potent from the charity stripe, going 76.8 percent and has its moments from behind the arc with a 30.6 percentage. The sophomore class has stepped up for the blue and gold with a threesome of Rams providing double figures. Steven DiPrizio's 12.8 ppg lead the way with Jim Djema and Michael Hagopian closely in second and third on the squad with 11.4 ppg and 10.8 ppg, respectively.   

Suffolk has stepped up its game on the glass as of late to pull down 32.5 rpg. DiPrizio once again is pacing the pack as the 6-foot-6 forward grabs 7.7 boards per outing with Thomas Duffy (5.1 rpg) and Quinn McCartney (4.0 rpg) adding to the effort. 

SAINTS SAYINGS
Emmanuel takes a six-game skid into Thursday night's showdown including two setbacks in the New Year at Mary Washington (76-57) and McDaniel (77-48). The Saints', who's last win came over Curry (74-73) Nov. 22, sits a 1-8 on the season and winless (0-3) in league action. 

The Saints average 62.3 points per game and struggle from the floor. Emmanuel's three-point field goal percentage (31.0) is just 3.3 lower than its connection rate (34.3) from the floor. At the line, the Saints put in 62.1 percentage of their opportunities. Joe Tamburro is the sole Saint recording double digits in points with the sophomore guard totaling 11.9 points per game. Colin Cordero's 9.6 ppg is second on the squad. 

Emmanuel takes down 37.1 caroms per outing, but is outrebounded by its opponents by an 8.2 margin. Aidan Hadley leads the way on the glass with 6.1 rpg. 

INSIDE THE SERIES
Overall, Emmanuel commands the all-time series against Suffolk with the Rams trailing 23-8. The teams split the two meetings last season with the blue and gold winning the first, 79-72, and the Saints taking the second, 68-58. 

EYES ON THE GAME

ROOKIE REMARKS
For back-to-back weeks Dec. 5 and 12, Thomas Duffy earned GNAC Corvias Rookie of the Week honors. 

MORE READING:  Duffy Named GNAC Corvias Rookie of the Week |Duffy Grabs Second Straight GNAC Corvias Rookie of the Week

SUFFOLK FREE RADIO
Suffolk Athletics has teamed up with Suffolk Free Radio to bring Ram Nation live broadcast events this year including multiple home and away women's basketball contests.

The pre-game shows are set to launch 15 minutes prior to tip-off of all contests and fans can follow along at mixlr.com/suffolkfreeradio/.

WHAT'S NEXT?
Suffolk will travel for the first time in 2017 Saturday, Jan. 7 when the Rams pay a visit to the Mustangs of Mount Ida for a 1 p.m. conference contest.