skiba34
Masters Student
Posts: 952
Reg: 03-11-06
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03-09-09 10:29 PM - Post#60743
In response to Howard Gensler
Here's the problem with the Columbia rising to the top argument:
1. The Lions are currently 288 in the RPI. Assuming Cornell just stays where it is, the Lions would have to rise 170 or so spots to be in their league.
2. They compiled their 12-16, 7-7 record against the 319th toughest schedule in D1. In order to be considered in the same breath as the team at the top of the League, the Lions probably would have had to have gone 24-4 against that schedule.
3. They lose their top inside player and top 3-point shooter.
4. While they have potential quality players in a healthy Grimes, transfer Craig and a healthier Ampim and Foley, none of them is projected to be first team all-Ivy next year.
5. The Lions finished the season losing to a down Penn team - at home - after Penn got crushed at Cornell the night before - on a night in which two of Penn's top three scorers (Bernardini hurt, and Gaines missing shots) combined for one point.
Of course starnger things have happened - Harvard beat Boston College - but a Lion title next year seems highly unlikely.
A few replies:
1- Matsui was not the best shooter, Scott was. Matsui wasn't even a starter and certainly not one of the tougher players Columbia has.
2- Losing Miller may not be a loss if reports are accurate on Craig who is substantial bigger than Miller. he is being reported as having strong hands and deceptive athletic ability.
3 - I still say like I did in my other posts, that the injuries suffered by Columbia's key or best players are greater then the others. Combine a hopefully injury free team with transfer Craig gives Columbia the most room for improvement..
4 - You are absolutely right however that Columbia should have in no way lost to Penn and yet it happened.
5 - By no means will I say Columbia will win it all, because they are truly unpredictable. But I agree with the above statements by CU.LIONS that Columbia has some of the toughest guards in Scott, Bulger and Agho defensively. If that guard tandem can get better help upfront (Grimes, Ampim, Craig) they may very well surprise. The toughness and chemistry displayed this season is reason to be hopeful more than any year in recent memory.
When it is all said and done, Cornell should be the team again, but stranger things have happened.
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