BisonRoadWarrior
Professor
Posts: 5203
Loc: Where the Bison Roam
Reg: 08-16-06
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01-23-21 12:01 AM - Post#319664
Both games at 1ET on ESPN+. There's a great staggering in the tip times of all the league games on Saturday: None tip simultaneously.
As a bonus, the Bucknell women tip at 4ET on both days as they host 1-5 Colgate.
https://bucknellbison.com/news/2021/1/21/mens-b ask...
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Bison137
Professor
Posts: 16147
Reg: 01-23-06
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01-23-21 12:49 AM - Post#319665
In response to BisonRoadWarrior
Although Colgate was upset once by Army, they look like the league's top team, maybe by a wide margin. In their first six games, their wins include:
- Beat Army by 44 points.
- Beat Boston U by 44 points.
- Beat Holy Cross by 40 points.
Not surprising that the betting line favors Colgate by 13 points.
They have great stats in most areas:
1. 2nd in the nation in effective FG pct.
2. 2nd in the nation in 3-pt FG pct.
3. 16th in the nation in 2-pt FG pct.
4. 3rd in the nation in fewest turnovers.
5. 52nd in the nation in FT pct.
6. 3rd in the nation in defense against the three.
7. 64th in the nation in defensive rebounding.
8. Of their top eight players, seven are hitting over 55% on their two-point attempts. And overall they are hitting 43% of their threes.
About their only statistical weaknesses are that they don't block a lot of shots or force a lot of turnovers.
And don't forget they have the league's top coach. He badly outcoached ND in the PL championship game two years ago- when Langel took full advantage of the BU automatic switches to force Mackenzie or Sotos to guard Ivanauskas/Rayman in the post, while Sestina had to try to guard Burns on the perimeter. Fortunately we haven't seen as many of the automatic switches this year - and Colgate doesn't have the type of personnel to have their center continually set ball screens.
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Steve
Freshman
Posts: 69
Age: 65
Reg: 08-12-09
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01-23-21 05:32 AM - Post#319666
In response to Bison137
Hi again,
Steve, the Bucknell Basketball U's unofficial Colgate correspondent, is here to give some insight if it's worth anything to anyone here in advance of Gate-Bucknell.
Glimmer of hope for all PL opponents: Gate is hitting 43 percent of its 3's as Bison137 said, and I think that's likely unsustainable. Sure, it's possible Gate lands there when the year ends, but my guess is they fall back to Earth a little. 43 percent is right around the mark for the top 3-point shooting team in the land every year.
Of note, Jack Ferguson is 15-of-28 to start the year, for example. Ferguson is one of my favorite players -- and he was frankly the best Raider player on the floor in the 2020 PL title game -- but making over half your 3's is borderline impossible over a season.
On the flip side, opponents are only making 24 percent of 3's against Gate. It is hard to believe that number stays that low all year.
What's more sustainable -- and what I think is going to be a big problem for teams in the PL over the next few years -- has been the excellent development of sophomore Keegan Records (averages close to a double double) and the emergence of frosh big man Jeff Woodward, who looks like he will be an All-PL player before he leaves school at this rate. Woodward is averaging 7 and 5 in 16 minutes per game and frankly doesn't play like a first-year player, if that makes sense. Only 4 TO in 6 games with 13 AST and 9 STL/BLK.
As for Records, he's shooting 73.5 percent from the field. It helps that he's surrounded by shooters at all times and that he has a lot of open area to operate because Gate spaces the floor so well, but hey, he's getting the job done.
I was really worried about rebounding without Rayman (last year's team MVP, hands down) and Rap, but I think we're good. Tremendous work from Keegan and Jeff.
The team's weakness is on defense, ranked 174th in efficiency per Pomeroy. Each of their two-game series thus far has featured one below average or poor defensive game, and if that pattern continues, I can certainly see Bucknell taking a game.
Been an odd pattern for Gate: Each series has featured one blowout and one closer game. The Army L was a tough 1 - Burns (who will be PL Player of the Year, IMHO) went 5-of-16, and Army blew the doors off Gate in the first half. Gate had to play catchup and nearly got it done but did not.
I am not going to say this is the best team of the Langel era -- their peak was at the end of the 2018-19 season -- but this is definitely the best offensive team. They are just so well-coached and find themselves wide open for 3s at times. Langel plays grandmaster-level chess, frankly.
In closing, definitely would not be surprised if Bucknell takes one. I would be shocked if Gate drops both. My pick is one big Gate W and one close game that goes either way. I do think Gate is the best team in the PL, but anything can happen in March, and I am in no way, shape or form cocky enough to believe my team is destined for the tournament, even if I like their chances.
We'll see how it goes, and good luck to the Bison (when you're not playing Gate) and good health to you all, always.
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bison63
Postdoc
Posts: 3857
Reg: 01-23-06
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01-23-21 01:02 PM - Post#319667
In response to Steve
Thank, Steve. Here is a quick look back to happier days for we Bucknellians.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=q2cAcpnUqhw&a mp;featur...
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MrPhillie
Postdoc
Posts: 2757
Loc: NE PA
Reg: 07-14-08
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01-23-21 01:16 PM - Post#319668
In response to bison63
Even with Meeks, it’s hard to see Bucknell winning a game unless Colgate has a really poor shooting game.
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Bison89
Professor
Posts: 5370
Loc: Philadelphia
Reg: 11-14-07
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01-23-21 01:27 PM - Post#319669
In response to MrPhillie
Even with Meeks, it’s hard to see Bucknell winning a game unless Colgate has a really poor shooting game.
I agree, but on any given . . . . Saturday and Sunday!
| New season, new team, new dream . . . |
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Paulie777
PhD Student
Posts: 1767
Reg: 11-11-07
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01-23-21 01:43 PM - Post#319672
In response to Bison89
I'm cautiously optimistic- If a couple of Bucknell players come to play we could pull it off. Colgate is a great team and are coming in with a load of confidence, but as 89 said this could be the day they lay an egg. Either Bucknell 82-79, or the equally possible Colgate 89-64.
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BisonRoadWarrior
Professor
Posts: 5203
Loc: Where the Bison Roam
Reg: 08-16-06
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01-23-21 01:46 PM - Post#319673
In response to Bison89
Thanks, Steve, I enjoyed your breakdown.
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BisonRoadWarrior
Professor
Posts: 5203
Loc: Where the Bison Roam
Reg: 08-16-06
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01-23-21 01:51 PM - Post#319674
In response to BisonRoadWarrior
No pregame show on Eagle 107? Just one Billy Joel song after another.
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Bison89
Professor
Posts: 5370
Loc: Philadelphia
Reg: 11-14-07
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01-23-21 01:56 PM - Post#319675
In response to BisonRoadWarrior
I just received a notice that both men's and women's games are postponed today and tomorrow due to COVID-19.
| New season, new team, new dream . . . |
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BisonRoadWarrior
Professor
Posts: 5203
Loc: Where the Bison Roam
Reg: 08-16-06
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01-23-21 02:00 PM - Post#319676
In response to Bison89
And next weekend:
https://bucknellbison.com/news/2021/1/23/mens-a nd-...
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bison63
Postdoc
Posts: 3857
Reg: 01-23-06
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01-23-21 02:08 PM - Post#319677
In response to BisonRoadWarrior
One has to wonder why no prior announcement. Obviously they did not just make this decision now.
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MrPhillie
Postdoc
Posts: 2757
Loc: NE PA
Reg: 07-14-08
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01-23-21 02:12 PM - Post#319678
In response to bison63
Well that explains why there is no game to be found in ESPN+.
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jkrun80
Postdoc
Posts: 3305
Age: 65
Reg: 05-07-12
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01-23-21 02:15 PM - Post#319679
In response to bison63
I was remarking a little while ago about how fortunate we were not to have any games postponed. Guess I jinxed them.
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MrPhillie
Postdoc
Posts: 2757
Loc: NE PA
Reg: 07-14-08
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01-23-21 02:16 PM - Post#319680
In response to MrPhillie
So much for Bucknell being the envy of the league with their Covid precautions. It is out there and does not discriminate.
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Paulie777
PhD Student
Posts: 1767
Reg: 11-11-07
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01-23-21 02:26 PM - Post#319681
In response to MrPhillie
Someone must have been feverish before the game. Could have been from either team.
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Bison137
Professor
Posts: 16147
Reg: 01-23-06
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01-23-21 02:35 PM - Post#319682
In response to Paulie777
Bucknell manager tested positive.
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MrPhillie
Postdoc
Posts: 2757
Loc: NE PA
Reg: 07-14-08
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01-23-21 04:16 PM - Post#319686
In response to Bison137
Yes, the announcement clearly said it was the Bucknell program. One positive person shuts down both the men and the women for two weeks. Men and women use different lockers rooms and different staff for most part, have different schedules with constant cleaning I would think...amazing that anybody is playing, when you think of it.
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Bison137
Professor
Posts: 16147
Reg: 01-23-06
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01-23-21 05:39 PM - Post#319688
In response to MrPhillie
A positive test for the men's manager wouldn't automatically shut down the women. As you say, they are normally very much separated. There probably was some sort of contact between the manager and someone on the women's side.
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nh2032
Sophomore
Posts: 185
Reg: 02-28-06
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Colgate Games Jan 23 & 24
01-23-21 07:19 PM - Post#319689
In response to Bison137
A positive test for the men's manager wouldn't automatically shut down the women. As you say, they are normally very much separated. There probably was some sort of contact between the manager and someone on the women's side.
Well when a men's player is dating a women's player you don't need to go many layers deep in the contact tracing to shut everything down.
Edited by nh2032 on 01-23-21 07:20 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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