light blue heavy
maximus
Posts: 164
Reg: 11-22-04
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11-30-04 06:07 PM - Post#389
Looks like a big challenge for the lions tomorrow. Hofstra has two guards that average better than 18 points per game. They still don't have much of an inside game, as they run a three guard line-up with a PF that plays like a fourth. But Columbia will have to be on its game if they're hoping to get a W in their first road game.
Oh yeah, and Hofstra is 40-17 at home over the last 4 years.
I think this might be a game where Columbia tries to slow it down a little. Though the Lions are deeper (Hofstra barely goes 9 deep), Hofstra wins by running and putting together a few good defensive series. They play a lot like the Lions, which is unsurprising since Jones used to work there with their current coach, who took over in 2000, I think.
I think Columbia can win this game if the following things happen.
1. The Hofstra big men (Kieza, Harris, Uter, Radziejewski) get into foul trouble early. Though the Lions don't really have the front-court to bang inside most of the time, Hofstra is brutal on the interior. If Preston can draw some fouls on Kieza early, the Lions' chances increase dramatically.
2. CU has to get good defensive play out of their guards, and good perimeter D in general. Hofstra is averaging 40% from 3 as a team (granted, only 3 games, and the Lions are better than 38%, but still) and shoots it a lot! I think this means that Land might be getting more time than Nwachukwu, since Land seems a little more comfortable on the perimeter. If Hofstra looks bad from deep in the first half, it should be a good night for the Lions.
3. Guards have to take care of the ball, specifically as they're bringing it up and trying to get the ball down low. Hofstra looks like they are aggressive defensively, and I bet they'll be trying to deny the passes in.
This is a winnable game- CU lost last year on that last second trey. That was pretty lame. I hope the guys shake off the last loss and have some intensity going for this road game. It'll be tough. I think the Lions match up pretty well with these guys, but there is some talent on the Hofstra side.
For the record, Hofstra's stats are inflated because they haven't played top-tier competition (not even close) but this team is going to be really good in a year or two. If they can recruit a decent big guy this summer, they could be a force next year and in 06-07. Of course, there are dozens of teams you can say that about.
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The Lion King
Senior
Posts: 394
Reg: 11-21-04
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Hofstra is favored by 11-1/2 12-01-04 02:56 PM - Post#390
In response to light blue heavy
And that makes sense, because it takes a lot of Lions to equal a Pride.
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columbia92
goober
Posts: 73
Loc: NYC
Reg: 11-22-04
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Re: Hofstra is favored by 11-1/2 12-01-04 04:30 PM - Post#391
In response to The Lion King
I'd take that number.
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light blue heavy
maximus
Posts: 164
Reg: 11-22-04
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Re: Hofstra is favored by 11-1/2 12-01-04 05:41 PM - Post#392
In response to columbia92
I'd take it too. Hofstra has to be the favorite, and they did beat LaSalle (at Hofstra). CU might cath them looking ahead- their first conference game is this weekend.
Is anyone thinking of going to this game? Also, is anyone else freaked out that its already december? Whoa!
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light blue heavy
maximus
Posts: 164
Reg: 11-22-04
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Re: Hofstra is favored by 11-1/2 12-01-04 05:53 PM - Post#393
In response to light blue heavy
Also, just looking at the Hofstra stats- they shoot 58% from the line. Only one player (Aguido) shoots better than 60%, and Stokes (who has taken 1/3 of the FTAs this year) is only shooting 55%. Of course, sample size matters (I doubt Preston is gonna shoot under 75% from the line) but if this game stays close, that could make a huge difference.
And Hofstra has 4 guys 6'8" or taller coming in next year. Yikes! Pecora is putting together quite a program.
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