LU65
Sophomore
Posts: 133
Reg: 07-30-06
|
01-12-08 11:12 AM - Post#40994
The second season (PL play) gets underway tonight at Stabler when the Eagles of American U. come calling. Fourteen league games will determine seating for the PL Tournament scheduled to be played March 5, 9, and 14. Our 7-7 OOC record is history. Nice, but so what. The next seven weeks is what it is all about. A top half finish in the eight-team league standings (1 thru 4) would secure home court for round one of the PL Tournament. And, with a 6-1 record at home this year (27-9 overall since the start of the 2002-03 season), a winning record (top-half finish) should become our immediate aim. Sure, a trip to the NCAAs later in March is the team's ultimate goal, but first things first, chalk up the W's beginning with one tonight.
AU comes into the game knowing full well the history of this match up. Their starters (1 senior and 4 juniors) have all experienced five straight losses to Lehigh - the last two (home and away) by two points each on Olivero and Anderson heroics. They'll be gunning for us for sure. Leading the way will be their guard duo of Carr and Mercer who never seem to come out of the game, averaging 38 and 33 minutes/night, respectively. Each has hit double digits in 12 of their 15 games and do not fear competition (Carr with 16 vs. Georgetown and 26 vs. Dayton....while Mercer tallied 17 vs. Georgetown and 18 vs. Maryland). Together, they average slightly over 30 points per game, with Carr the three point threat (57-129) shooting a niffy .442 from long range. The other three on the court at any one time (probably Lay, Simon, and Gilmore or Guibunda) are not particularly big (6'5" to 6'9") and chip in 6-7 points and 2-4 rebounds apiece each game.
Lehigh enters the game holding slight advantages over American in each: Points Scored, FG%, 3PtFG%, Assists, Blocked Shots, Rebounds, and Turnovers.
Lehigh is hitting .401 on their 3 point attempts (30th ranked nationally), yet attempting only 14.8 per game. Should Keefer and Buchberge keep up their torrid pace, expect that number to increase - especially in games where we might be "out-manned" beneath the basket. That, however, shouldn't be the case tonight, as I look for Carrington and White to more than hold their own against Lay and Simon.
Lehigh's 12.8 Turnovers a game is tops in the PL and ranked 28th nationally. Another strong showing here and solid defense (59 pts per game at home this year, 39% FG defense, and 35% 3pt FG defense) should secure the win. Lehigh is 4-0 this year when holding the competition to 59 points or less. We're also 5-1 when leading at the half. Let's hope we come out of the blocks as we have in the last few games and jump to an early lead and defend our home court.
After tonight there'll be four way ties for first and last place in the PL. Bucknell got the early start on us all, downing Navy last night 85-77. The more things change the more they stay the same. Congrats to the Bison on a big second half comeback. As you might expect, Lehigh's next opponent is Navy on Wednesday, Jan. 16.
|
