rbg
Postdoc
Posts: 3049
Reg: 10-20-14
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01-21-19 01:57 PM - Post#273237
Live stats list Aiken in the starting lineup!
Starting 5: Lewis, Aiken, Bassey, Juzang and Baker
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rbg
Postdoc
Posts: 3049
Reg: 10-20-14
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01-21-19 01:57 PM - Post#273238
In response to rbg
https://twitter.com/HarvardMBB/status/108 740824887...
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westcoast
Senior
Posts: 302
Reg: 03-08-16
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01-21-19 02:05 PM - Post#273240
In response to rbg
Aiken with a three pointer and an assist on Juzang's three pointer for Harvard's first six points.
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HARVARDDADGRAD
Postdoc
Posts: 2687
Loc: New Jersey
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Howard
01-21-19 02:08 PM - Post#273241
In response to westcoast
And we know that Seth Towns made the trip.
Bryce is moving well. Not tentative in trying to draw a charge and then disrupting a fast break.
Edited by HARVARDDADGRAD on 01-21-19 02:09 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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HARVARDDADGRAD
Postdoc
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01-21-19 02:17 PM - Post#273242
In response to HARVARDDADGRAD
Aiken is ready.
Plays first 6 minutes, 5 points and an assist.
Ball movement MUCH better with him out there, leading to 3 easy buckets for Chris Lewis.
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rbg
Postdoc
Posts: 3049
Reg: 10-20-14
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01-21-19 03:02 PM - Post#273248
In response to HARVARDDADGRAD
Playing a sub-300 team is a good game for Harvard to get things in order for next Saturday's game at Dartmouth.
Aiken looks good, so far. No hesitation in his movement and is as fast as ever.
11 players got time in the first half, but no Kirkwood. Any problems with him?
Bassey struggled early, going 0-4 with 2 fouls, but then hit three 3's in a row.
Lewis (10 pts), Johnson (7), Aiken (6) and Baker (5) are getting their points.
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HARVARDDADGRAD
Postdoc
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01-21-19 03:13 PM - Post#273250
In response to rbg
Tommy likes to schedule Howard around MLK.
Yes, good game to work Bryce back in while using extended bench.
No news on Noah.
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HARVARDDADGRAD
Postdoc
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01-21-19 03:17 PM - Post#273251
In response to HARVARDDADGRAD
Bryce with 11 points and 4 assists in roughly 13 minutes
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dtannenwald
Freshman
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Age: 38
Reg: 11-24-15
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01-21-19 03:24 PM - Post#273253
In response to HARVARDDADGRAD
Noah is under the weather.
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HARVARDDADGRAD
Postdoc
Posts: 2687
Loc: New Jersey
Reg: 01-21-14
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01-21-19 03:35 PM - Post#273255
In response to dtannenwald
Thanks for that. Too bad as this game is part of an educational road trip to DC as well.
Choppy game. Best look by far is with Lewis-Baker-Bassey-Juzang -Aiken. Interesting that Baker is now partnered with Lewis.
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HARVARDDADGRAD
Postdoc
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Loc: New Jersey
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01-21-19 03:40 PM - Post#273256
In response to HARVARDDADGRAD
By the way, Baker with 9pts/9rbs in 22 minutes. Double-Double coming?
84.6 FT% (11-13). Aiken helps.
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PennFan10
Postdoc
Posts: 3582
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01-21-19 03:51 PM - Post#273257
In response to HARVARDDADGRAD
I thought Aiken looked really good. The big difference I see is he hasn't been a "high volume" shooter that I remember. He is creating within the context of the offense (see his assist totals) and not trying to "take over". He also had a wicked 3 at the end of the shot clock. Pretty impressive return
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mobrien
Senior
Posts: 399
Loc: New York
Reg: 04-18-17
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01-21-19 04:09 PM - Post#273258
In response to PennFan10
Aiken looked great out there. You never would have guessed that he hasn't played in almost a year. Didn't seem to be holding anything back on defense, his ballhandling and passing were badly missed, and it was great to see him making one of his patented stepback threes.
That was about as good a return game as we could have hoped.
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HARVARDDADGRAD
Postdoc
Posts: 2687
Loc: New Jersey
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Howard
01-21-19 07:19 PM - Post#273280
In response to HARVARDDADGRAD
Nice outing against a somewhat unstructured but decent shooting Howard squad. Harvard raced out to leads of 6-0 and 19-7, which allowed the coaches to play a mix of eleven players. Noah Kirkwood missed the game, apparently with an illness.
Bryce's return surpassed expectations and seemed to improve ball movement and distribution. He played within himself and did not seem to force drives or shots, but he played with confidence and appeared healthy and fearless per normal.
Crimson registered 20 assists with 14 TO's. Mason Forbes took a step backwards with 3 early TO's. Justin Bassey benefitted from not having to handle the ball as much, finding himself open to hit 4 three's and a team high 18 points.
Five players scored in double figures, with Baker getting a double-double (11 and 13). Chris Lewis was recipient of some of those passes and scored 16 on 7-9 shooting.
As I had hoped, FT shooting improved dramatically with Bryce running the show: 22 for 24 = 91.7% Not only is Bryce a great FT shooter, but players like Justin and Christian were better rested throughout.
Still, not an overwhelming performance and certain players (Djuricic, Forbes, Freedman, Johnson) did not have particularly good outings.
With Baker in the starting lineup, the squad is still much less potent than if it were Towns at the 4. Seth made the trip but did not dress.
Let's hope that Bryce suffers no ill effects from his first game appearance (29 minutes). Dartmouth at home is a big game and the following Yale/Brown weekend at Lavietes will be tough.
Edited by HARVARDDADGRAD on 01-21-19 07:22 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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AntiUngvar
Masters Student
Posts: 530
Age: 69
Loc: New York City
Reg: 07-23-18
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Re: Howard
01-22-19 01:27 AM - Post#273317
In response to HARVARDDADGRAD
HDG: Did Freedman make any contribution in your estimation?
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HARVARDDADGRAD
Postdoc
Posts: 2687
Loc: New Jersey
Reg: 01-21-14
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Re: Howard
01-22-19 11:45 AM - Post#273335
In response to AntiUngvar
This was a tough matchup for Spencer. Howard has strong, long and active guards. Harvard started Bryce and Christian as guards, and with Noah Kirkwood unavailable, Coach used Rio Haskett and then Spencer to spell Bryce and Christian.
In five minutes of court time - all in the first half - Spencer handled the point, and missed the only shot he took (0 assists, 0 rebounds, 0 steals). His contribution was not to turn the ball over and get some rest for Bryce and Christian. During that time Harvard's 10 point lead shrunk to 7.
I expect that we would have seen Noah before Rio and Spencer, had Noah been available.
Spencer has talent, is smart and plays under control, especially for a freshman. In some games, Tommy paired Spencer with Noah as second team guards, but the return of Bryce changes things. Also, Spencer played ahead of Corey yesterday in the first half, but not in the second half.
Spencer should not be overlooked though. He is probably the best FT shooter on the team (likely >90% territory) and he has shown that he can shoot from long range. He also penetrates well, and is always looking to pass. With the return of Bryce and possibly Seth, Spencer is not needed to be looking to shoot.
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HARVARDDADGRAD
Postdoc
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01-22-19 12:16 PM - Post#273339
In response to HARVARDDADGRAD
I know I've mentioned it, but with the return of Bryce and the improvement of Chris Lewis, FT shooting could become a distinct competitive advantage for the Crimson.
Although shooting only 66.1% this season, last year's squad shot 77% and 2016-17 was at 74.4%. Aiken, Bassey, Juzang, Towns, Johnson and Baker each shot at least 80% last season. Chris Lewis is up to 73.3%. Hopefully, Justin Bassey can return to form as he has only shot 52.6% this season after shooting 81.6% and 79.4% the past seasons.
As currently constituted, this team could shoot over 80% for the rest of the season. They hit 22 of 24 FT's vs Howard. Oh, and if Seth Towns returns then that helps further as Seth shot over 80% each of his first two seasons.
This is quite a turnaround from 2015-16 when Harvard finished second to last in the nation at 59.6% (remember hack a Zena?).
In close games, Harvard can still insert possibly the best FT shooters on the squad - Spencer Freedman and Corey Johnson - both of whom are perfect from the line this season (on limited attempts).
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AntiUngvar
Masters Student
Posts: 530
Age: 69
Loc: New York City
Reg: 07-23-18
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01-22-19 12:45 PM - Post#273342
In response to HARVARDDADGRAD
Appreciate the detailed information- thanks!
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bradley
PhD Student
Posts: 1842
Age: 74
Reg: 01-15-16
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Re: Howard
01-22-19 02:01 PM - Post#273345
In response to HARVARDDADGRAD
Good to see Bryce back on the floor with Towns hopefully to follow. Harvard is a very different team with the two of them on the floor.
I followed the discussion and prediction that Bryce and Seth would not return this season. How these predictions can be made without inside information, I simply do not understand -- wishful thinking??? Hope for the worst for the other guy??
Old coach always professed that you want to beat the other team when they are at their best -- greater satisfaction.
This season is taking a lot of twists and turns with maybe more on their way.
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HARVARDDADGRAD
Postdoc
Posts: 2687
Loc: New Jersey
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01-22-19 03:12 PM - Post#273346
In response to bradley
Yup. Didn’t make sense to me either. Glad it is worked out.
My ‘barometer’ points to a return by Seth sometime in February, but I don’t have precise info.
Bryce and Harvard waited until Bryce was clearly ready to play. Best interests of the student athlete. Well done Crimson.
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Mike Porter
Postdoc
Posts: 3617
Loc: Los Angeles, CA
Reg: 11-21-04
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Howard
01-22-19 04:37 PM - Post#273351
In response to HARVARDDADGRAD
Always good to see kids get back to healthy and hate to see some of these ongoings injuries that really set kids back. Congrats to getting Aiken back, and while I didn't get to watch the game, stats show a great return, and not seemingly forcing things. Good for him and Harvard.
I for example certainly wish Penn could have all its kids healthy to battle a healthy Harvard squad - Jelani Williams has missed two season due to tearing ACL in both knees, which is really tragic for an active young kid and who knows truly if he will ever get back to where he was before the injuries (our best recruit in soph class).
Remind me - did Aiken miss enough of last year to retain eligibility for the season if he chooses?
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HARVARDDADGRAD
Postdoc
Posts: 2687
Loc: New Jersey
Reg: 01-21-14
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Re: Howard
01-22-19 05:24 PM - Post#273356
In response to Mike Porter
I have not previously heard of Bryce redshirting or applying for any sort of hardship.
Bryce played in 14 games last season. To redshirt due to a medical hardship, my research suggests you cannot play in more than 20% of your team's contests. By that metric Bryce would not have been eligible.
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Mike Porter
Postdoc
Posts: 3617
Loc: Los Angeles, CA
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01-22-19 05:28 PM - Post#273358
In response to HARVARDDADGRAD
Got it - yeah 14 games would be too many games unfortunately.
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SomeGuy
Professor
Posts: 6400
Reg: 11-22-04
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01-23-19 12:21 AM - Post#273381
In response to Mike Porter
Pretty sure that when the games are played matters too — you have to get hurt early and not come back. So I think Makai Mason burned a year of eligibility by playing one game last year, and he is not eligible for an additional medical redshirt.
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palestra38
Professor
Posts: 32779
Reg: 11-21-04
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01-24-19 08:42 AM - Post#273446
In response to SomeGuy
That certainly is not the rule at Penn
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QHoops
Senior
Posts: 368
Reg: 12-16-04
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01-24-19 08:53 AM - Post#273447
In response to palestra38
I believe the NCAA rule is that it has to be a season-ending injury in the first half of the season. And that is in addition to the limitation on the number of games played.
So if you were hurt in the first half of the season, tried to come back and play a game in the second half, you would be ineligible for a red-shirt even if you only played that one game.
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mrjames
Professor
Posts: 6062
Loc: Montclair, NJ
Reg: 11-21-04
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Re: Howard
01-24-19 09:12 AM - Post#273448
In response to bradley
It was a natural assumption to make that those two wouldn't be back when you see them missing all of those games. Or to think that if players can play, that they will play. It's just not how Tommy runs his program.
Once you understand how little Tommy cares about the non-conference, you see that they really have only missed one game thus far and still had almost all of what Tommy considers the "real" season ahead of them. No one was getting rushed back or pushed to play at 90%, even in a game against a high-profile opponent like UNC. They're all exhibitions to Tommy.
That being said, can we reflect on that non-conference run for a moment? They went 6-6 against the 44th toughest schedule in the nation with narrow losses to USF, URI and Vermont. That's roughly equivalent to going .500 in the American Conference (with its unbalanced schedules tilting slightly to the light side).
But all of that is meaningless now. Harvard has its three easiest games in its next five (though with no teams in the bottom 100, we can finally say that no game is a gimme in this league and actually mean it). If it can't go 4-1 in those five, it's probably looking at a less than 50/50 chance to make the tournament. Those are the breaks in a tough league with only a 14-game sample - something Princeton found out the hard way last year.
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SomeGuy
Professor
Posts: 6400
Reg: 11-22-04
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01-24-19 10:15 AM - Post#273450
In response to palestra38
As QHoops says, it’s an NCAA rule, not a Penn rule. Do you have an example of a Penn player who appeared in a game later in a season and then preserved the year of eligibility?
The trickier question is always what it means to come back and practice — technically you shouldn’t be doing that either. I was worried years ago when Penn was at the NCAAs and got on the cover of the USA Today’s sports section practicing at the arena — with a supposedly injury redshirting Brian Grandieri clearly in the picture practicing with the team. Grandieri decided to forego that 5th year of college anyway, but I always wondered whether he would receive the year if requested.
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palestra38
Professor
Posts: 32779
Reg: 11-21-04
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01-24-19 10:18 AM - Post#273451
In response to SomeGuy
I didn't read your statement as coming back late in the season...sorry.
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PennFan10
Postdoc
Posts: 3582
Reg: 02-15-15
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Re: Howard
01-24-19 11:16 AM - Post#273456
In response to mrjames
All Hail Tommy A!
Good thing the choices of the players don’t have a role in any of this.
If playing Yale and Brown as part of the 5 game (Home) swing for H is “the easiest†part of the schedule then God help us all.
H does play 6 of its last 8 on the road
Edited by PennFan10 on 01-24-19 11:17 AM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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HARVARDDADGRAD
Postdoc
Posts: 2687
Loc: New Jersey
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Howard
01-24-19 03:43 PM - Post#273472
In response to PennFan10
I think you misread Mike's email.
He said "Harvard has its three easiest games in its next five." He never suggested Yale or Brown were going to be easy games.
Also, my reading of what Mike said is that the players (and their personal advisors) have the say in when the players are ready. This is because Tommy doesn't rush them back, certainly not for OOC.
Edited by HARVARDDADGRAD on 01-24-19 03:55 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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