mobrien
Masters Student
Posts: 403
Loc: New York
Reg: 04-18-17
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07-31-19 05:26 PM - Post#286543
In response to digamma
It's a little disappointing that we weren't able to get a few more Quad 1 OOC opportunities, but I think HarvardDadGrad is right: I imagine very few teams want to play us next year.
Aside from the Orlando tournament, there should still be a couple of pretty tough tests on that West Coast trip, though. UC-Irvine is 84th in Torvik's preseason projections, and San Francisco is 100th. So those will hopefully both be Quad 2 opportunities. Vermont also figures to be good, although it might not even be Quad 2 since it'll be at Lavietes.
We'd have to get *a lot* more consistent to dream of anything like 29-2, but the talent is certainly there.
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HARVARDDADGRAD
Postdoc
Posts: 2698
Loc: New Jersey
Reg: 01-21-14
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07-31-19 05:46 PM - Post#286544
In response to digamma
Not this year digamma.
Time to ride the horses.
Absent injuries, there will be experimenting, but not as much as in the past
Questions are where Ledlum fits and who backs up Lewis. Otherwise:
Aiken
Kirkwood
Bassey
Towns
Lewis
After that:
Juzang
Djuricic
Ledlum
Baker/Forbes/Welsh
Not sure where Haskett, Catchings & Sakota fit if everyone stays healthy
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84grad
Junior
Posts: 277
Age: 64
Reg: 11-09-17
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07-31-19 08:07 PM - Post#286550
In response to HARVARDDADGRAD
Believe I saw a photo of Catchings on a crutch recently. Anyone know if he sustained an injury?
The starting lineup correctly identified by HDG is really impressive. Plenty of offense, a very good rim protector and 2 fantastic defenders in Kirkwood & Bassey. While Lewis is not a prolific rebounder, Towns, Bassey and Kirkwood are excellent in that aspect.
I am looking forward to seeing Kirkwood’s progression as a sophomore. He had 4 or 5 flaws in his game at the start of the year and he eliminated or significantly improved in all of them. By the end of the year, he was easily the second best player. Hope he can post up more (they tried that last year with the play call being “Ottawa†(not all that classified I guess)). That could help with his tendency to pick up offensive fouls. This kid has basketball IQ through the roof and not a lick of trash talk in him. With his work ethic, I fully expect him to come back as a significantly improved ball handler which will make him pretty unstoppable. I also think his passing ability will have a very positive effect on making sure Towns and Aiken function better together.
Let’s hope for a healthy season. Hope they get top 10 Maryland in Orlando and at least give them all they can handle.
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84grad
Junior
Posts: 277
Age: 64
Reg: 11-09-17
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07-31-19 08:09 PM - Post#286551
In response to digamma
Good point. Hoping this team will finally have a clear edge over the faculty, even in November (unlike prior years).
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HARVARDDADGRAD
Postdoc
Posts: 2698
Loc: New Jersey
Reg: 01-21-14
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08-01-19 12:10 PM - Post#286588
In response to 84grad
Personally, a little disappointed as there are no OOC contests convenient to the NYC area.
Also, looks like half the OOC games won’t be televised on ESPN(+). Likely some will be available thru a hosts streaming, but it’s going to take effort to catch this squad in person. Orlando here we come! A trip to DC for games on back to back afternoons vs GW and Howard is easily achievable.
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H78
PhD Student
Posts: 1458
Loc: Los Angeles, CA
Reg: 01-06-11
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10-01-19 10:26 PM - Post#288127
In response to 84grad
Mrs. 84 is all in. She was at the Wooden two years ago. Just hoping the team has hired a food taster after that debacle.
Very well put, '84.
Sorry not to be joining you for this one...
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HARVARDDADGRAD
Postdoc
Posts: 2698
Loc: New Jersey
Reg: 01-21-14
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2020 Schedule 10-03-19 02:37 PM - Post#288249
In response to H78
Busting Brackets provides an in-depth overview of 2019-20 Crimson squad:
https://bustingbrackets.com/2019/09/30/harvard-ba s...
Far more knowledgeable than most pre-season pieces.
In addition to this upcoming season, highlights of Kirkwood, Ledlum and Sakota suggest that expectations of finishing near top of the league should continue after the graduation of the monster class. All 3 are around 6'5"- 6'6" and are versatile. With a center and PG (see Forbes + class of 2020), Amaker appears to have the pieces in place.
Of course, if Seth returns this upcoming season could be one of Harvard's best ever. 96.4% of minutes return + Ledlum/Sakota + Seth (hopefully).
Also, SB Nation is counting down its top 25 midmajors. 25-23 have been disclosed. Expect Penn and Harvard to be on list. Both likely influenced by expectations provided Betley and Towns.
Edited by HARVARDDADGRAD on 10-03-19 02:47 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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HARVARDDADGRAD
Postdoc
Posts: 2698
Loc: New Jersey
Reg: 01-21-14
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10-03-19 02:39 PM - Post#288250
In response to HARVARDDADGRAD
By the way, thinking of visiting Cambridge for weekend at Northeastern (Nov. 8) and hosting Maine (Nov 10). NE lists the Friday tipoff as 8pm but Harvard schedule reads 7pm. Anyone know which it is?
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HARVARDDADGRAD
Postdoc
Posts: 2698
Loc: New Jersey
Reg: 01-21-14
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10-20-19 09:23 PM - Post#288820
In response to HARVARDDADGRAD
KenPom finally out, Crimson at #75. Here what matchups look like and propective spreads assuming 3pt home court advantage:
Nov 5: vs MIT
Nov 8: at NE (#138)
Nov 10: vs Maine (#339)
Nov 14: vs Siena (#245)
Nov 16: NC Buffalo (#93)
Nov 22: at HC (#308)
Nov 28: Advocare vs Texas A&M (#58)
Nov 29: Advocare vs Maryland (#16) or Temple (#94)
Dec 1: Advocare vs one of Marquette (#17), USC (#48), Davidson (#61), or Fairfield (#278)
Dec 7: vs UMASS (#240)
Dec 21: at GW (#211)
Dec 22: at Howard (#341)
Dec 29: at Cal (#178)
Dec 30: at SF (#136)
Jan 4: vs UC Irvine (#111)
KP has Harvard as favorite in all OOC games except for Advocare International Tournament in Orlando over Thanksgiving.
KP also projects Harvard at 11-3 in Ivy regular season play.
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HARVARDDADGRAD
Postdoc
Posts: 2698
Loc: New Jersey
Reg: 01-21-14
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2020 Schedule 10-21-19 11:14 AM - Post#288840
In response to HARVARDDADGRAD
Note: decided to leave out spreads in prior post. Figured someone else must have better KenPom access.
Injuries have forced Amaker to experiment OOC in recent years. This year most seem healthy (thus far), with Seth likely on a gradual rehab and possibly limited minutes.
Of opening 6 games, NE and Buffalo seem like legit tests. If Crimson start strong, could be 6-0 heading into nationally televised Orlando game vs. Texas A&M. If we can win that game, possible matchup with #16 Maryland.
Would really like to see this squad challenge 2011-12 (26-5, 1 NCAA Win) and 2013-14 (27-5, 1 NCAA win) legacies. Would need consistency vs OOC (12-3?) including strong showing in Thanksgiving tournament(2 wins?) and dominating Ivy run (13-1 + Ivy Tournament). Real goal should be to get to Sweet 16!
Assuming Coach Amaker and the players have sights set at least this high!
Edited by HARVARDDADGRAD on 10-21-19 11:30 AM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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