LU65
Sophomore
Posts: 133
Reg: 07-30-06
|
12-08-07 06:16 PM - Post#39798
All signs point to a loss today, or do they? In to town comes the Crimson, fresh off last Saturday's home win over mighty Michigan. On its surface, quite an accomplishment. But, let's remember Michigan holds down the #11 spot in the Big 10 and their prior wins included triumphs over the likes of: Brown, Eastern Washington, and Radford.
Since knocking of the Wolverines, Harvard loss on the "road" to BU and stands 0-4 in non-conference road games and sits half way down the Ivy totem pole at 4-5. Besides the dramatic win over Michigan, they count among their wins: Mercer, Northwestern State and New Hampshire - not the top programs in their respective conferences. Welcome to Lehigh, guys, we think we're capable of matching you shot for shot. And, that's what it may come down to........the last team to score wins. The Crimson opponents are sinking baskets at a .463 clip and running up 77 ppg, while Harvard, themselves is knocking down .463 of their shots but only .368 from long distance. That final figure includes the deadly shooting of one guy, starter Drew Housman, #10, Jr. Guard. He just happens to be the team's leading scorer (14.7 ppg) and three point shooter (.545). Oh yeah, don't let him get to the Free Throw Line either. There he makes 86.8% of his shots. Three other starters average in double figures, as well.
As for team composition, it's interesting to note that they play 2 forwards and 3 wings, starting two sophomores and three juniors - not too dissimilar to the Lehigh starting five in terms of collegiate experience, height, and offensive philosophy. Like Lehigh, they've had their trouble rebounding the ball with any consistency - especially on the offensive glass where over the past four games they have been taken to school each time by their opponent (15 to 12, 20 to 18, 12 to 10, and 14 to 5). That said, they do hold a slight edge of the opposition on the defensive end. All-in-all, they post a negative rebounding margin of -2.9 allowing the foe 36 boards a game. They are not particular careful with the ball, either, turning the ball over an average of 17.1 times a game and post a turnover margin of -1.7.
So, while looking at the teams' respective RPI, Sagarin and Strength of Schedule (SOS) numbers, you'd have to give the edge to Harvard, I wouldn't be so quick to discount Lehigh's chances. Even though we haven't won an afternoon game this year, let's not forget, we are AT HOME and had it not been a double-overtime loss to Quinnipiac, we'd sit pretty at 4-0 on the other side of South Mountain. Also, I would think the players would be charged up to end the OOC pre-Chistmas break at 5-5. Oh yeah, many observers might consider this game to be a measuring stick affair, as well, noting that Holy Cross beat Harvard in Worster by 11 points earlier in the season.
Good luck, guys. See you at Stabler!
|
