LU65
Sophomore
Posts: 133
Reg: 07-30-06
|
01-09-09 06:32 PM - Post#56248
Game Notes are up!
http://www.lehighsports.com/sports/mbball/gamenot e...
The season finally gets underway tomorrow at Bender Arena in the nation's capital as our Mountain Hawks (10-4) take on the Eagles of American University (8-6). Don't be too quick to judge the OOC records. The Eagles played a far tougher schedule of games (SOS 160 vs. LU's 340) and are on a three game roll, whereas Lehigh dropped it's last game in disappointing fashion to a 3-8 Princeton Tiger team. Want more to worry about? How about.....(1) comparing results vs. common opponents (AU defeated St. Francis {PA} by 21, we barely managed a 5 point win; AU beat Columbia by 12, we did nearly the same winning by 14; and AU got by Stony Brook by 3 - a team we loss to by 21); (2) the fact that AU is the defending league champs; (3) starts five seniors; (4) will be well-rested (last game on Monday); (5) boasts the league's #2 scorer in Garrison Carr (18.5ppg); and (5) will be looking to defend its home court at any cost.
What can we do to walk away with a win? Four things come to mind.
One, stop Carr. The guy is a .383 shooter (51 for 133) from long range and can be counted on to takes 1/2 of the teams' attempts from beyond the arc (to date, AU has hoisted up 266 bombs). But, here's the catch. In AU's six losses, Garrison Carr is a combined 6-50 (.120) from long range; in his team's wins, he's a "lights-out" 45-83 (.542). Or as they say, "As Carr goes, so goes AU."
Two, maintain rebounding superiority. We are, after all #1 in that category in the PL @ 41.4 rpg and actually doing better in the last five contests @ 45.0 rpg. Our starting five out-rebound AU's starting five by 6.0 rpg.
Three, be quick to realize if Marcus Hall is "having one of those days." That can go either way. When he's "on,"
get him the ball. When he's not, make him the natural assist leader he is and put the ball in the hands of our top three 3-point shooters: Phil Anderson (.553), Michael Ojo (.486), and Rob Keefer (.367).
Four, feed Zahir Carrington and hope he gets on an early roll. When he does, LU normally comes away with a win. Too often, however, it's been a waiting game with Zahir with mixed w/l results.
PL All-Access has the game.
Good luck, guys!
|