Men’s Basketball Travels to WNE in CNE Title Rematch Saturday

SUFFOLK vs. WESTERN NEW ENGLAND
Date Time Venue Video Stats Notes Series Last Meeting Last Suffolk Win Streak	Saturday, Jan. 31 3:00 PM Alumni Healthful Living Center Springfield, Mass. CNE Network WNEGoldenBears.com GoSuffolkRams.com 12-20 March 1, 2025, L, 75-74 Feb. 11, 2025, W, 65-64 Lost 1

BOSTON – Suffolk men's basketball remains on the road for a Conference of New England (CNE) matchup against Western New England on Saturday, Jan. 31, in a rematch of last season's CNE Championship. The battle is set for a 3:00 p.m. start. 

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LAST TIME OUT
In a game that featured 22 lead changes and 15 ties, Suffolk men's basketball came out on the wrong side of a 69-65 overtime decision to Johnson & Wales Wednesday night in Conference of New England Play at the Wildcat Center. 

MORE READING: Men's Basketball Falls in Overtime to Johnson & Wales, 69-65

RAMS RUNDOWN

• Suffolk enters Saturday at 11-8 overall and 7-3 in CNE play, sitting third in the conference standings.
• The Rams rely heavily on their defensive unit as they sit ninth in Division III in points allowed per game (62.9).
• Behind that effort is Greg Keane, who ranks sixth nationally in blocks per game (3.1), while contributing 8.0 ppg on a 59.8 shooting percentage. 
• Nick Verdile is the engine for the Rams offense as he averages 13.9 ppg on a 37 shooting clip from the perimeter.
• James Jones adds 10.6 ppg and a team-leading 7.7 rpg.
• Harrison Neil contributes 10.9 ppg, 5.4 rpg, and 2.2 apg and stretches opposing frontcourts, shooting 34.3 percent from beyond-the-arc.

GOLDEN BEARS GLANCE

• Western New England enters the matchup at 13-5 overall and 7-2 in CNE play to sit above Suffolk in the conference standings.
• Luka Vlajkovic averages a double-double a night (14.1 ppg, 10.3 rpg), and adds 3.8 apg.
• Cody Palazzesi (11.3 ppg) and Matt Houde (10.9 ppg) provide solid secondary scoring options for the Golden Bears.
• Avery Mickens is WNE's top three-point threat, connecting on 36.4 percent from the three-point line to contribute 8.8 ppg.
• Eddie McCoy adds defensive pressure in the backcourt with 1.6 spg, along with 8.1 ppg and 5.3 rpg.

INSIDE THE SERIES

• Suffolk and WNE will meet for the 33rd time in program history.
• The Rams trail the all-time series 12-20.
• The last meeting came on March 1, 2025, in the CNE Championship, where WNE edged Suffolk 75-74.
• The blue-and-gold's last win over Western New England came via a 65-64 decision Feb. 11, 2025.  
• Suffolk is 6-9 all-time at home against the Golden Bears.
• In Springfield, the Rams are 6-11 versus WNE.
• Under head coach Jeff Juron, Suffolk is 5-6 against WNE.
• The two programs have needed overtime three times, with Suffolk holding a 1-2 record in OT games.

MORE INFO: Suffolk vs. Western New England – All Time Series

STATS SHOWDOWN

SUFFOLK'S SCHEDULE
Suffolk returns home for a midweek CNE matchup Tuesday, Feb. 3 when Hartford stops by Smith Court at 7:30 p.m.