Monmouth basketball vs. Marist: 3 keys as Hawks look to snap two-game skid Sunday

Asbury Park Press - 1/16/2022

Monmouth's home loss to Hofstra back on Dec. 22 was easy to shrug off as simply the end of a wildly successful non-conference schedule.

And Friday night's MAAC loss at Saint Peter's was, after all, Monmouth's first game in 23 days due to a COVID-19 outbreak.

But three straight losses, with Iona coming to town Tuesday?

That's when the feel-good vibe surrounding a team that raced out to a 10-2 start, including two high-major wins, starts to fade.

And that's why Sunday's game (2 p.m./ESPN+) at Marist is wildly important for the Hawks, as head coach King Rice and his senior-laden rotation seek to steady the ship.

But if Monmouth (10-4, 2-1) can win it's eighth road game of the season in Poughkeepsie, New York, it would put itself in a position to pull even with the Gaels in the loss column at OceanFirst Bank Center two days later.

Marist (7-6, 2-4) is coming off a loss to Siena Friday n which the Red Foxes blew a 17-point second half lead, as Siena closed the game with a 34-10 run over the final 12 minutes.

Freshman guard Jao Ituka scored 20 points in 22 minutes against Siena, and averages 13.6 points. Sophomore guard Ricardo Wright averages 14.3 points and 4.6 rebounds, while senior guard Matt Herasme leads the team in rebounding.

Marist was without senior guard Raheem Sullivan, averaging 9.3 points, against Siena.

Here are three keys for Monmouth against Marist. And check back Sunday afternoon for complete coverage:

It was the only thing Rice was interested in talking about after Friday's loss, continuing to circle back to the lack of intensity his team exhibited its return to the court after a COVID-19 layoff. Monmouth scored the game's first five points before Saint Peter's took control with a 10-0 run and never looked back, opening up a 12-point advantage in each half.

"Teams are going to come after us and if we don't stand up then we're going to lose," Rice said. "That's what we do. Who was the aggressors? We're always the aggressors. Tonight we weren't. We have to be more intense on Sunday or (Marist coach) John (Dunne's) team will do the same thing."

After winning the rebounding battle in each of its first 11 games, Monmouth's been outrebounded in three straight games. In those three games, Monmouth's 1-2, with the win coming in via a second-half surge against Colgate.

And it's at both ends of the court. Saint Peter's got 18 offensive rebounds that resulted in 12 second-chance points.

Monmouth outrebound St. John's on the road last month, getting 15 offensive rebounds that led to 16 points in a Big East building. That's the kind commitment to dominating the glass the Hawks need moving forward.

Monmouth had 19 fast break points against Colgate in its last win. The Hawks have had 14 fast break points combined in their last two games, both losses.

Just look at some of Monmouth's best performances this season. They had 15 fast break points in a win at Towson, now 11-5 and coming off a win over Hofstra. In a win at St. Joseph's they scored 14 points on the break, and 13 in a win at Cincinnati and 15 in a near-miss at St. John's.

Monmouth is at its best when running. When it's forcing turnovers with a pressure defense and upping the tempo. They're 6-1 this season when scoring 75 points or more. The faster they play, the better.

Check back right here later Sunday for complete coverage, as Monmouth looks to snap its two-game skid.