NEWARK, NJ– The NJIT men's basketball team returns home on Saturday when it hosts Bucknell at the Wellness and Events Center in Newark.
Game Information
Tip-off is slated for 2pm inside the Wellness and Evetns Center on the campus of NJIT. The game will be streamed on ESPN3 with Matt Provence (play by play) and Dave Calloway (analyst) on the call.
Last Time Out: Cincinnati 86, NJIT 60 | Wed. 11/30 in Cincinnati, OH
The NJIT men's basketball team was defeated 86-60 by host Cincinnati on Wednesday evening in the first-ever matchup between the programs at the Fifth Third Arena on the Bearcats' campus.
Highlander Highlights
* Saturday's game is the eighth of the 2022-23 season -- which marks NJIT's 17th participating in Division I, third as a member of the America East and sixth in the Wellness & Events Center (WEC).
* The game marks the 100th of Souleymane Diakite's career as a Highlander. Through seven games, Diakite is averaging a career-high 9.3 ppg and he has been in double figures four times.
* Adam Hess earned the first start of his NJIT career at Cincinnati and scored a team-high-tying 13 points. The sharpshooter was 3-of-5 from deep.
* Miles Coleman poured in a career-high 33 points in NJIT's win at Sacred Heart. It was Coleman's third-straight game with 23 or more points and the 10th time in 43 career games he has scored at least 20.
* The 85 points at Sacred Heart were the most by an NJIT team in regulation since it scored 90 vs. Wagner on Nov. 16, 2019. The Highlanders scored 90 last season in a 2OT win at Lafayette.
* NJIT returns seven players from its 2021-22 squad and welcomed seven newcomers to this year's team. The Highlanders brought in four graduate transfers and three freshmen.
* Six of NJIT's 14 players have completed their undergraduate degrees and are working towards their Master's. Souleymane Diakite and Kjell de Graaf graduated from NJIT last May, while Justin Anderson (Bloomsburg), Adam Hess (E. New Mexico St.), Kevin Osawe (Arkansas-Little Rock), and Raheim Sullivan (Marist) come to NJIT from other institutions.
* Souleymane Diakite and Kjell de Graaf are both in their fifth seasons with the Highlanders.Da'mir Faison is the next most-tenured Highlander as he is in his fourth season with the program.
NJIT vs...Bucknell
Saturday's game is the first all-time between the Highlanders and Bison.
NJIT vs. the Patriot League
NJIT 16-28 all time vs. Patriot League opponents. The Highlanders will play two Patriot League Squads in a row as they will head to Army West Point on Wednesday evening. Last season, NJIT was 2-1 against Patriot League foes, defeating Lehigh and Lafayetter, while falling to Army West Point.
New Foes
NJIT will play five new opponents this season - California Baptist, San Diego, Cincinnati, Bucknell, and Niagara.
Up Next
The Highlanders will hit the road again on Wednesday when they travel to Army West Point for a 7pm tip-off.
Stay Connected
Stay up to date during the NJIT Men's Basketball season by following @NJITMBB on Twitter and Instagram and liking the NJIT Men's Basketball page on Facebook.
