GENEVA, N.Y.—The Hobart College basketball team will host Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in a bid to keep pace in the Liberty League Saturday, Dec. 9. The Statesmen and Engineers are set to tip off at 4 p.m. in Bristol Gymnasium.
 
At 6-0, Hobart has matched the program record for wins to start a season. The Statesmen are one of 19 undefeated teams in Division III men's basketball heading into the weekend. At 2-0, Hobart is a half game behind Liberty League leader Bard (3-0).
 
RPI is off to a 3-4 start, splitting a pair of league home games last weekend. The Engineers are looking to rebound from a 64-60 loss to Clarkson on Saturday.
 
The game will be broadcast live on WHWS-FM (105.7). Fans can also follow the action online with HWS All-Access Video and Live Stats.
 
SERIES SNAPSHOT

• Saturday's game will be the 125th meeting between Hobart and Rensselaer. The Engineers lead the series 73-51.
• Hobart ended a five-game slide against RPI with a 72-67 win in Troy on Feb. 18, 2023. Junior forward Carter Meshanic was one of four Statesmen in double figures in that game, posting 10 points.

 
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE STATESMEN

1. Meshanic shot .731 from the floor and averaged 23.5 points and 6.5 rebounds last weekend. That effort earned him the Liberty League Performer of the Week Award and a spot on the D3hoops.com National Team of the Week.
2. Hobart is doing an exceptional job of getting to the free throw line. The Statesmen have made more free throws than their opponent in five of their six games this season. Last Friday's Union game is the lone exception. Hobart made eight at the line, while Union attempted 10.
3. The Statesmen are one of only three teams in the Liberty League with a positive turnover margin (1.33). They have forced more turnovers than they've committed in their four games against private schools. Hobart had a negative margin against SUNY Morrisville (-2) and SUNY Brockport (-6).
4. Junior point guard Aidan Rodgers leads the team in assists (29) and steals (14) while contributing 15.8 ppg and 3.5 rpg. He's atop the conference in assists per game and assist-to-turnover (2.9) and second in steals per game.
5. Hobart is second in the conference in blocked shots per game (4.33). Nine of the 11 Statesmen to play in a game this season have at least one rejection to their credit. Meshanic sports a team-high six.

 
SCOUTING THE ENGINEERS

• RPI is last in the Liberty League in scoring offense (61.3 ppg), relying heavily on its defense which paces the conference allowing just 61.0 ppg.
• The Engineers are second in the league in rebounding margin at plus-4.4.
• Graduate student guard Jonny Angbazo leads the team averaging 19.0 ppg.
• First-year PJ Scalisi paced RPI on the glass, pulling down 6.1 rpg.