Monday, November 29, 2004
Weekend Wrap Up and AU-St. Francis (PA) Report
I attended the AU (DC)-St. Francis(PA) game tonight, and I came away with a few thoughts:
- Jason Thomas is getting, way, way too many minutes. He played as many minutes as Andre Ingram, yet didn't contribute offensively until late in the second half. I think he's a good defensive player, but I'd like to have someone in there who is an offensive threat for portions of the game. Hopefully the rumors about Sekou Lewis taking some time are true. I don't like saying anything bad about Thomas, by the way, I think he's got a lot of heart out there-- but sometimes that isn't everything.
- Lekavicius is starting to come into his own, and that's a good thing if you're an AU fan. He was much faster and better equipped than the SFPA point guard, who looked strangely like Frodo Baggins.
- Something has to be wrong with Raimondas Petrauskas (i.e. he's hurt), or I'm seeing something Jeff Jones isn't. He had 17 points in 13 minutes and more or less dominated the smaller St. Francis frontline. Yet he had only as many minutes as freshman Brayden Billbe. I think he should be starting over either Cresnik or Oakpwe. He may next game, as Cresnik had a disappointing game.
- Ingram is great. I am excited about watching him for another 70 games.
- This was a very streaky game-- AU looked great at certain times, and terrible at others. When they looked good, AU could have knocked off Wake Forest. When they looked bad, they could have lost to Chaminade.
- St. Francis was really, really bad in the first 8 or 10 minutes of the first half-- it was more of them sucking than AU that gave AU the big lead early in the half. But if this team beat Bucknell, I feel pretty good about my squad's chances four games in.
Line of the week:
David Hooper, Navy vs. VMI
3-14, 24 Min. 0-10 from behind the arch. 1 rb, 1 asst, 3 TO, 2 Stl, 6 TP
If Hooper hits two of those ten, Navy wins the game. Hooper is typically very good, and this is an atypical down night for him.
Holy Cross obliterated lowly Marist. They get their first real test in Princeton Wednesday night is what is clearly the Patriot League Game of the Week (c) TM. Lafayette nearly pulled out a victory against the Tigers this weekend, but 38 points ain't going to get you very many victories. If HC wins against Princeton, they rocket up to PL contention easily, maybe even ending up the favorite going into league play. Don't underestimate the Saders, it's a dumb mistake this writer has made before.
Lehigh has had an unimpressive season thus far. Joe Knight only played 26 minutes in a victory over Dartmouth. Jose Olivero hit 12 of 15 free throws en route to 29 points and a LU victory, but it should have been more convincing than this. Dartmouth is lousy, plain and simple, and LU should have blown them out.
I'm still not sure what to think about Lafayette. One night they beat an A10 team, the next they get beat up by a team that went on to lose to NEC bottom trawler Monmouth. It will be interesting to follow them throughout the whole year-- they have a lot of upside, but man, there is a lot of downside there too.
I wish Army wouldn't blow the amazing performances by Matt Bell this week. If you live in upstate NY, this kid alone is worth the price of admission. He's only a sophomore, and represents the hopes and dreams of the Cadets going into the future. I hope to get up to the AU @ Army game this year to watch this guy go against AI (As Andre Ingram will be referred to from now on) at home.
Next: Previews for this week's games.
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I attended the AU (DC)-St. Francis(PA) game tonight, and I came away with a few thoughts:
- Jason Thomas is getting, way, way too many minutes. He played as many minutes as Andre Ingram, yet didn't contribute offensively until late in the second half. I think he's a good defensive player, but I'd like to have someone in there who is an offensive threat for portions of the game. Hopefully the rumors about Sekou Lewis taking some time are true. I don't like saying anything bad about Thomas, by the way, I think he's got a lot of heart out there-- but sometimes that isn't everything.
- Lekavicius is starting to come into his own, and that's a good thing if you're an AU fan. He was much faster and better equipped than the SFPA point guard, who looked strangely like Frodo Baggins.
- Something has to be wrong with Raimondas Petrauskas (i.e. he's hurt), or I'm seeing something Jeff Jones isn't. He had 17 points in 13 minutes and more or less dominated the smaller St. Francis frontline. Yet he had only as many minutes as freshman Brayden Billbe. I think he should be starting over either Cresnik or Oakpwe. He may next game, as Cresnik had a disappointing game.
- Ingram is great. I am excited about watching him for another 70 games.
- This was a very streaky game-- AU looked great at certain times, and terrible at others. When they looked good, AU could have knocked off Wake Forest. When they looked bad, they could have lost to Chaminade.
- St. Francis was really, really bad in the first 8 or 10 minutes of the first half-- it was more of them sucking than AU that gave AU the big lead early in the half. But if this team beat Bucknell, I feel pretty good about my squad's chances four games in.
Line of the week:
David Hooper, Navy vs. VMI
3-14, 24 Min. 0-10 from behind the arch. 1 rb, 1 asst, 3 TO, 2 Stl, 6 TP
If Hooper hits two of those ten, Navy wins the game. Hooper is typically very good, and this is an atypical down night for him.
Holy Cross obliterated lowly Marist. They get their first real test in Princeton Wednesday night is what is clearly the Patriot League Game of the Week (c) TM. Lafayette nearly pulled out a victory against the Tigers this weekend, but 38 points ain't going to get you very many victories. If HC wins against Princeton, they rocket up to PL contention easily, maybe even ending up the favorite going into league play. Don't underestimate the Saders, it's a dumb mistake this writer has made before.
Lehigh has had an unimpressive season thus far. Joe Knight only played 26 minutes in a victory over Dartmouth. Jose Olivero hit 12 of 15 free throws en route to 29 points and a LU victory, but it should have been more convincing than this. Dartmouth is lousy, plain and simple, and LU should have blown them out.
I'm still not sure what to think about Lafayette. One night they beat an A10 team, the next they get beat up by a team that went on to lose to NEC bottom trawler Monmouth. It will be interesting to follow them throughout the whole year-- they have a lot of upside, but man, there is a lot of downside there too.
I wish Army wouldn't blow the amazing performances by Matt Bell this week. If you live in upstate NY, this kid alone is worth the price of admission. He's only a sophomore, and represents the hopes and dreams of the Cadets going into the future. I hope to get up to the AU @ Army game this year to watch this guy go against AI (As Andre Ingram will be referred to from now on) at home.
Next: Previews for this week's games.
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Friday, November 26, 2004
Thanksgiving Weekend Games
Here's what we learned thus far this week:
-As LC went down to St. Peters, it might not be that Lafayette is really good, but that Dookquesne is really bad.
-Andrew Zidar could be the franchise for Colgate. He leads the team in points and is second in rebounds.
-Colgate could be real. Cornell is the 2nd best team in the Ivys, depending on who you ask, and this could end up their best OOC victory, or a sign of things to come.
-Army and Navy are no better than they were the last three seasons. Navy beat a DIII school by 9, and Army lost to a team that's picked to come in 9th in the America East conference.
-If AU gets hot, they can rack up points (see 2nd half with Wagner).
Coming up this weekend:
Saturday
Bucknell takes on Stephen F Austin in Ames, IA. I've been to Ames. It's going to be really, really cold. I hate to keep getting back to mascots, but man, the Lumberjack is a pretty cool one. SFA is the AU of the Southland conference-- they've been to the conference final the last two years and losing. Bucknell ought to win this one, if they want to still be considered the favorite in the league.
Lafayette hosts Princeton-- and they shouldn't play close with them. Judson Wallace is just too damn big.
Colgate takes on DIII Juniata College for the second time in as many years. I'm not impressed.
Lehigh hosts perennial Ivy league suckfest Dartmouth. The same five starters for Dartmouth won three games last year, one in conference play. This one shouldn't be close. Lehigh by 10.
Sunday
Army goes up to New Hampshire, and guess what: I think they're going to lose!
The VMI Keydets (yes, Keydets) go to Navy. This is a game that's winnable for Navy-- VMI is plain old lousy. But I doubt it happens. VMI by 10.
Holy Cross hosts Marist, who has beaten them the last two years. Marist hit bottom last year, putting up a 289 RPI, a disappointment for a program that has historically been competitive in the MAAC. They're not much better this year, however, and the Crusaders should jump to 3-0 with a win here.
Enjoy your leftovers. @ 1:02 PM 0 HC Alums are angry about this post | Bitch about it on the PL hoops messageboard
Here's what we learned thus far this week:
-As LC went down to St. Peters, it might not be that Lafayette is really good, but that Dookquesne is really bad.
-Andrew Zidar could be the franchise for Colgate. He leads the team in points and is second in rebounds.
-Colgate could be real. Cornell is the 2nd best team in the Ivys, depending on who you ask, and this could end up their best OOC victory, or a sign of things to come.
-Army and Navy are no better than they were the last three seasons. Navy beat a DIII school by 9, and Army lost to a team that's picked to come in 9th in the America East conference.
-If AU gets hot, they can rack up points (see 2nd half with Wagner).
Coming up this weekend:
Saturday
Bucknell takes on Stephen F Austin in Ames, IA. I've been to Ames. It's going to be really, really cold. I hate to keep getting back to mascots, but man, the Lumberjack is a pretty cool one. SFA is the AU of the Southland conference-- they've been to the conference final the last two years and losing. Bucknell ought to win this one, if they want to still be considered the favorite in the league.
Lafayette hosts Princeton-- and they shouldn't play close with them. Judson Wallace is just too damn big.
Colgate takes on DIII Juniata College for the second time in as many years. I'm not impressed.
Lehigh hosts perennial Ivy league suckfest Dartmouth. The same five starters for Dartmouth won three games last year, one in conference play. This one shouldn't be close. Lehigh by 10.
Sunday
Army goes up to New Hampshire, and guess what: I think they're going to lose!
The VMI Keydets (yes, Keydets) go to Navy. This is a game that's winnable for Navy-- VMI is plain old lousy. But I doubt it happens. VMI by 10.
Holy Cross hosts Marist, who has beaten them the last two years. Marist hit bottom last year, putting up a 289 RPI, a disappointment for a program that has historically been competitive in the MAAC. They're not much better this year, however, and the Crusaders should jump to 3-0 with a win here.
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Tuesday, November 23, 2004
Patriot League Pains
Okay, I can deal with Lehigh losing to LIU. I can even understand LC beating an A-10 team.
But Bucknell losing to St. Francis PA? That just doesnt make any damn sense. The NEC should not be beating Patriot League teams. Ever.
And yet:
Sacred Heart 67, at Army 52
St. Francis (PA) 70, at Bucknell 65
at Long Island-Brooklyn 66, Lehigh 56
at Central Connecticut State 87, Colgate 70
These aren't even the GOOD teams in the NEC. Hell, St. Francis PA isn't even the best team named St. Francis in their conference!
I guess that's why they play the games. On tonight's docket in league play:
Wagner at American: AU attempts to get its first victory, and score a blow for the PL against the NEC. Okay, really they only care about their first victory, but man, it would be nice to show that there IS a conference below the PL. Wagner is a very young team, with a very balanced attack (this is a nice way of saying no one is spectacular on their team). Hopefully AU can get a W.
Holy Cross at Hahvaad: The Crimson were not very good last year. They might be decent this year, but the Cross have already vanquished a much more impressive local foe in Boston University. They should be able to win this one as well, barring some crazyness or freshman heroics. This is the first PL/Ivy contest, and the PL ought to win the series since all the lousy Ivy schools play PL teams, while Penn and Princeton only play one or two.
The third game involves a rivalry between two teams in an area of the world I would never live in. Upstate NY nerds Colgate and Cornell will battle amidst blistering cold and a crowd of dozens in Hamilton. Cornell is coming off a pair of tough losses, and I think they should be able to regroup and beat a Colgate squad that needs someone, anyone, to step up. Without the Choneses, who knows what they will do.
Lafayette takes on St. Peters. St. Peter's mascot is a peacock. Am I supposed to take that seriously? Nonetheless, they're a decent MAAC squad that should keep Lafayette on their heels. If LC wins this one, we will have to start considering them a real threat to make a run during the tournament. Certain people have shrugged them off as "losers" for not going scholarship, but if they end up decent, those people will look pretty dumb.
Finally, Navy takes on their new head coach's former employer, the Merchant Marine Academy. What is a Merchant Marine, you ask? Frankly, I have no idea. All I know is that my uncle the Marine doesn't have nice words for them when I brought it up. This guy is in charge there. Navy is going to be facing a team smaller than it for once, and will win this battle of the aquatic related education centers.
Tomorrow, Army is going to lose at Stony Brook and Lehigh is going to beat Sacred Heart. Not a lot more to say about those games.
By the way, the Patriot League player of the week (according to the league office) was Kevin Bettencourt but anyone paying attention knows that Andre Ingram was clearly better last week. The problem is that AU apparently doesn't nominate its players for weekly awards. No one probably notices, but I mention it anyway because it bugs me. @ 1:52 PM 0 HC Alums are angry about this post | Bitch about it on the PL hoops messageboard
Okay, I can deal with Lehigh losing to LIU. I can even understand LC beating an A-10 team.
But Bucknell losing to St. Francis PA? That just doesnt make any damn sense. The NEC should not be beating Patriot League teams. Ever.
And yet:
Sacred Heart 67, at Army 52
St. Francis (PA) 70, at Bucknell 65
at Long Island-Brooklyn 66, Lehigh 56
at Central Connecticut State 87, Colgate 70
These aren't even the GOOD teams in the NEC. Hell, St. Francis PA isn't even the best team named St. Francis in their conference!
I guess that's why they play the games. On tonight's docket in league play:
Wagner at American: AU attempts to get its first victory, and score a blow for the PL against the NEC. Okay, really they only care about their first victory, but man, it would be nice to show that there IS a conference below the PL. Wagner is a very young team, with a very balanced attack (this is a nice way of saying no one is spectacular on their team). Hopefully AU can get a W.
Holy Cross at Hahvaad: The Crimson were not very good last year. They might be decent this year, but the Cross have already vanquished a much more impressive local foe in Boston University. They should be able to win this one as well, barring some crazyness or freshman heroics. This is the first PL/Ivy contest, and the PL ought to win the series since all the lousy Ivy schools play PL teams, while Penn and Princeton only play one or two.
The third game involves a rivalry between two teams in an area of the world I would never live in. Upstate NY nerds Colgate and Cornell will battle amidst blistering cold and a crowd of dozens in Hamilton. Cornell is coming off a pair of tough losses, and I think they should be able to regroup and beat a Colgate squad that needs someone, anyone, to step up. Without the Choneses, who knows what they will do.
Lafayette takes on St. Peters. St. Peter's mascot is a peacock. Am I supposed to take that seriously? Nonetheless, they're a decent MAAC squad that should keep Lafayette on their heels. If LC wins this one, we will have to start considering them a real threat to make a run during the tournament. Certain people have shrugged them off as "losers" for not going scholarship, but if they end up decent, those people will look pretty dumb.
Finally, Navy takes on their new head coach's former employer, the Merchant Marine Academy. What is a Merchant Marine, you ask? Frankly, I have no idea. All I know is that my uncle the Marine doesn't have nice words for them when I brought it up. This guy is in charge there. Navy is going to be facing a team smaller than it for once, and will win this battle of the aquatic related education centers.
Tomorrow, Army is going to lose at Stony Brook and Lehigh is going to beat Sacred Heart. Not a lot more to say about those games.
By the way, the Patriot League player of the week (according to the league office) was Kevin Bettencourt but anyone paying attention knows that Andre Ingram was clearly better last week. The problem is that AU apparently doesn't nominate its players for weekly awards. No one probably notices, but I mention it anyway because it bugs me. @ 1:52 PM 0 HC Alums are angry about this post | Bitch about it on the PL hoops messageboard
More news for basketball nerds
I've been checking out The Mid-Majority lately, and it's really, really good. You should check it out too. @ 10:07 AM 0 HC Alums are angry about this post | Bitch about it on the PL hoops messageboard
I've been checking out The Mid-Majority lately, and it's really, really good. You should check it out too. @ 10:07 AM 0 HC Alums are angry about this post | Bitch about it on the PL hoops messageboard
Monday, November 22, 2004
Early Upsets in First Weekend
Well, your PL blogger went about even when it came to weekend predictions. The two shockers are Lehigh losing to a team that plays in a renovated movie theater and Lafayette beating A10 Duquensquequee. Whether either outcome means anything for the rest of the season is unclear, but it is certainly impressive that the Leopards put up 85 on the road.
Leave Kermit Alone
With the recent flareup of NBA stupidity, AU's most famous athlete alum is getting in the news again. Which is bad news, because people still can't get over something that happened 30 years ago under a completely different context.
Let's be clear here: Kermit Washington and Ron Artest are in two wholly different categories, and for the two incidents to be compared is ludicrous. Artest went into a crowd and started punching people. Kermit was in the middle of what was in those days a relatively common fight and punched someone else trying to get involved. Both incidents were abhorrent, but they're completely different.
Tonight's action
There are two games tonight on the PL slate -- both of which our guys should win. Bucknell takes on St Francis of PA, which Army will host Sacred Heart. Bucknell should win easy, but who knows with Army. If they have some young guys (like 15 year old Steve Stoll) step up, they may be able to take a 6th place this year, keeping Jim Crews employed.
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Well, your PL blogger went about even when it came to weekend predictions. The two shockers are Lehigh losing to a team that plays in a renovated movie theater and Lafayette beating A10 Duquensquequee. Whether either outcome means anything for the rest of the season is unclear, but it is certainly impressive that the Leopards put up 85 on the road.
Leave Kermit Alone
With the recent flareup of NBA stupidity, AU's most famous athlete alum is getting in the news again. Which is bad news, because people still can't get over something that happened 30 years ago under a completely different context.
Let's be clear here: Kermit Washington and Ron Artest are in two wholly different categories, and for the two incidents to be compared is ludicrous. Artest went into a crowd and started punching people. Kermit was in the middle of what was in those days a relatively common fight and punched someone else trying to get involved. Both incidents were abhorrent, but they're completely different.
Tonight's action
There are two games tonight on the PL slate -- both of which our guys should win. Bucknell takes on St Francis of PA, which Army will host Sacred Heart. Bucknell should win easy, but who knows with Army. If they have some young guys (like 15 year old Steve Stoll) step up, they may be able to take a 6th place this year, keeping Jim Crews employed.
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Friday, November 19, 2004
Boston Globe PL/HC Preview
The Boston Globe
November 18, 2004, Thursday THIRD EDITION
SPORTS; Pg. C12
FIREPOWER RESTS WITH BUCKNELL
By Sean Smith, Globe Staff
Holy Cross coach Ralph Willard had his eye on Kevin Bettencourt three years ago, but the former Peabody High star opted for Bucknell. Now Bettencourt figures as a prominent road block for the Crusaders to return to the pinnacle of the Patriot League.
"I had watched him play and liked what I saw, but we had committed to Kevin Hamilton and didn't have another scholarship," Willard said. "[Bettencourt's] a heck of a player. We'd love to have him on the team right now."
Bettencourt has emerged as the junior centerpiece for a Bison team poised to make its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1989. Entering his 10th season on the Bucknell bench, coach Pat Flannery has his deepest squad ever, returning all five starters and nine regular contributors. Bettencourt, a 6-foot-2-inch guard, is the conference's top returning scorer at 14.9 points per game. He'll have plenty of help, too, with center Chris McNaughton coming off a strong freshman season and junior swingman Charles Lee emerging as a viable scoring threat.
Willard has his share of weapons as well, starting with Hamilton, a junior wingman who is the Crusaders' top returning scorer at 11 points per game. He'll be the linchpin in Willard's three-guard offense, along with senior Greg Kinsey, but there are concerns at the point. Sophomore Torey Thomas dished out five assists per game last season playing behind the school's all-time assist leader, Jave Meade. Now Thomas is entrusted with running the offense. And although running is Thomas's specialty, it is not the Crusaders', who have traditionally used a halfcourt attack.
"It's tough to lose someone of Jave's caliber, but Torey absorbed a lot," said Willard. "He's a great kid, a great leader, a jet in transition. He'll just have to learn the subtleties in the halfcourt offense."
Thomas will take on a mentoring role as well with promising freshman Pat Doherty, a 5-10 waterbug from Scranton, Pa., being eased into the rotation.
"The two of them are very complementary to one another. They could play together in pressing situations," said Willard.
Since claiming conference rookie of the year honors in 2001, Nate Lufkin has been "off course," according to Willard. The senior pivot showed improvement last season, rising to 8.8 points and nearly five rebounds per game. The statistical upswing should continue with Lufkin adding 25 pounds this offseason to his 6-11 frame. However, it's the cerebral aspect that Willard hopes reaches its potential.
"He's a talented young man. The problem has been consistency," said Willard. "He plays great for segments, then disappears. For us to do well, he has to have an inside presence. We had none last year."
Perhaps the work ethic of senior banger John Hurley (South Boston) will rub off on Lufkin and 6-10 freshman Tim Clifford. The Walpole High product has the size and skills to be an impact player in Worcester for years to come. All he's missing is the experience.
"When Tim leaves here he'll be a heck of player," said Willard.
The time is now for Lehigh and American, who round out the upper echelon of a top-heavy conference. The teams split the Patriot League regular-season crown, with Lehigh getting the NCAA bid. Transfer Joe Knight will provide an immediate impact for the Mountain Hawks, supplying offense to an already talented backcourt. If American is to break through after three straight losses in the conference championship game, the Eagles will need a repeat performance from guard Andre Ingram, who was named the conference freshman of the year.
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The Boston Globe
November 18, 2004, Thursday THIRD EDITION
SPORTS; Pg. C12
FIREPOWER RESTS WITH BUCKNELL
By Sean Smith, Globe Staff
Holy Cross coach Ralph Willard had his eye on Kevin Bettencourt three years ago, but the former Peabody High star opted for Bucknell. Now Bettencourt figures as a prominent road block for the Crusaders to return to the pinnacle of the Patriot League.
"I had watched him play and liked what I saw, but we had committed to Kevin Hamilton and didn't have another scholarship," Willard said. "[Bettencourt's] a heck of a player. We'd love to have him on the team right now."
Bettencourt has emerged as the junior centerpiece for a Bison team poised to make its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1989. Entering his 10th season on the Bucknell bench, coach Pat Flannery has his deepest squad ever, returning all five starters and nine regular contributors. Bettencourt, a 6-foot-2-inch guard, is the conference's top returning scorer at 14.9 points per game. He'll have plenty of help, too, with center Chris McNaughton coming off a strong freshman season and junior swingman Charles Lee emerging as a viable scoring threat.
Willard has his share of weapons as well, starting with Hamilton, a junior wingman who is the Crusaders' top returning scorer at 11 points per game. He'll be the linchpin in Willard's three-guard offense, along with senior Greg Kinsey, but there are concerns at the point. Sophomore Torey Thomas dished out five assists per game last season playing behind the school's all-time assist leader, Jave Meade. Now Thomas is entrusted with running the offense. And although running is Thomas's specialty, it is not the Crusaders', who have traditionally used a halfcourt attack.
"It's tough to lose someone of Jave's caliber, but Torey absorbed a lot," said Willard. "He's a great kid, a great leader, a jet in transition. He'll just have to learn the subtleties in the halfcourt offense."
Thomas will take on a mentoring role as well with promising freshman Pat Doherty, a 5-10 waterbug from Scranton, Pa., being eased into the rotation.
"The two of them are very complementary to one another. They could play together in pressing situations," said Willard.
Since claiming conference rookie of the year honors in 2001, Nate Lufkin has been "off course," according to Willard. The senior pivot showed improvement last season, rising to 8.8 points and nearly five rebounds per game. The statistical upswing should continue with Lufkin adding 25 pounds this offseason to his 6-11 frame. However, it's the cerebral aspect that Willard hopes reaches its potential.
"He's a talented young man. The problem has been consistency," said Willard. "He plays great for segments, then disappears. For us to do well, he has to have an inside presence. We had none last year."
Perhaps the work ethic of senior banger John Hurley (South Boston) will rub off on Lufkin and 6-10 freshman Tim Clifford. The Walpole High product has the size and skills to be an impact player in Worcester for years to come. All he's missing is the experience.
"When Tim leaves here he'll be a heck of player," said Willard.
The time is now for Lehigh and American, who round out the upper echelon of a top-heavy conference. The teams split the Patriot League regular-season crown, with Lehigh getting the NCAA bid. Transfer Joe Knight will provide an immediate impact for the Mountain Hawks, supplying offense to an already talented backcourt. If American is to break through after three straight losses in the conference championship game, the Eagles will need a repeat performance from guard Andre Ingram, who was named the conference freshman of the year.
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Thursday, November 18, 2004
PL Opening Weekend Preview
Get excited boys and girls, basketball season is here again. Time to get out the puffy coats, the wool hats, and your mapquest.com directions to Hamilton, NY, because another fun season of PL basketball is upon us. There are a lot of questions going in to the season. Among them:
- Is Linas Lekavicius ready to be a full time PG for the AU Eagles? Can Andre Ingram challenge Rob Feaster's all time PL best 28 ppg?
- If Jim Crews doesn't win 10 games this year, is he gone?
- Will Bucknell live up to the hype, or was Kevin Bettencourt's relatively disappointing season last year a sign of things to come? They had potential last year, but will it manifest itself? They didn't look good against Princeton.
- Will Colgate win more than 6 games in league play? Who the hell is going to score points on that team? Will the Chonesesess ever return? Were they kicked out for doing that stupid Darius Miles/Quentin Richardson forehead banging thing?
- Will Senior Nate Lufkin develop into the player that HC fans thought he would be when he was voted Rookie of the Year three years ago?
- Can Lafayette compete in a league with scholarships? Will the scholarship issue be a distraction for the team?
- Who is Joe Knight, and will he lead the Lehigh MountainEagleEngineers to another title? Is he Austen Rowland part II?
- On that note, is this Billy Taylor's last year at Lehigh if they go back to the Dance?
- Can a guy from the Merchant Marine Academy turn the Navy program around? Or at least beat Army?
- Am I really going to make the trip up to Hamilton again? I can't be serious, can I?
All of these storylines are going to play out, and it should make for a very interesting season. Try not to explode with anticipation.
It all starts this weekend with the following matchups:
Rider vs. Bucknell - Look at the Rider Athletics website and try to tell me with a straight face that they're a real DI program. This is a team that had to eek out a victory against Loyola MD last year. Bucknell by 15.
Navy at UMBC - At least Billy Lange is going to the right places to get wins. This one ought to be close, but I think the kids at U Must Be Crazy will win.
Lehigh at Penn St. - Unless Penn State puts the football team on the court, they will probably get this one. Big Ten guys are just too damn big, and State has a new coach that seems to be getting the house into order. Jason Mbegroff gets muscled around in this one by Aaron Johnson.
Colgate is in the Mohegan Sun Tourney against Central Connecticut East Technical State University - This should be a barn burner, with a final score of about 52-48. Not sure who is worse here. Maybe one team will have a freshman that is really good. Who knows.
SATURDAY
Holy Cross @ Boston University - These games have been close in the past, with HC knocking off their crosstown rivals last year. I think it will take some time for the Cross to gel as a team, so I think a rusty HC will be beaten by the more experienced Terriers.
Lafayette @ Duqunsenseque - A10 Duquense (however they spell it) will beat up on the smaller Leopards. Get used to it, LC fans. It's going to be a long season.
American @ Niagara - The Eagles blew a victory last year in the last minute against the Purple Eagles. I mentioned it then, but I'll say it again: what an embarassing mascot. Anyway, Juan Mendez is a big big man, with a big big plan. He was nearly shut out from the floor against AU last year, but went 15-15 from the line. Stopping him will be key to whatever AU does. I'm not sure they can, and the continuing development (and injury) of PG Linas Lekavicius makes me think the team with the wussier mascot is going to win this one.
The Citadel He-man Womanhaters @ Army - God, I hate the Citadel. I hope Army wins just to make them shut up. Neither team is very good, but at least the USMA isn't full of annoying pricks. Army by 5.
SUNDAY
Lehigh @ LIU - I encourage any Lehigh fans to go to this game, because LIU has the weirdest damn arena in college basketball. It's a renovated movie theater or something. I think it seats about 3 dozen. Also, it's not on Long Island. Don't ask me. LIU has a kid named James Williams who is pretty nasty, and is a very young team that is going to be good in a year or two. Unfortunately for them, they're not good now, and LU should beat them handily by 10 or 12.
Navy @ Loyola (Md.) - A rematch of the Battle of the Mediocrities from last year, the only winners from this game are going to be the people that stay home. This is the second leg of Navy's weekend "tour of crappy basketball schools in Maryland". For some reason they couldn't make it to Towson.
That's it! Be sure to get out and watch your team if they're at home this weekend. Unless you're a Loyola fan.
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Get excited boys and girls, basketball season is here again. Time to get out the puffy coats, the wool hats, and your mapquest.com directions to Hamilton, NY, because another fun season of PL basketball is upon us. There are a lot of questions going in to the season. Among them:
- Is Linas Lekavicius ready to be a full time PG for the AU Eagles? Can Andre Ingram challenge Rob Feaster's all time PL best 28 ppg?
- If Jim Crews doesn't win 10 games this year, is he gone?
- Will Bucknell live up to the hype, or was Kevin Bettencourt's relatively disappointing season last year a sign of things to come? They had potential last year, but will it manifest itself? They didn't look good against Princeton.
- Will Colgate win more than 6 games in league play? Who the hell is going to score points on that team? Will the Chonesesess ever return? Were they kicked out for doing that stupid Darius Miles/Quentin Richardson forehead banging thing?
- Will Senior Nate Lufkin develop into the player that HC fans thought he would be when he was voted Rookie of the Year three years ago?
- Can Lafayette compete in a league with scholarships? Will the scholarship issue be a distraction for the team?
- Who is Joe Knight, and will he lead the Lehigh MountainEagleEngineers to another title? Is he Austen Rowland part II?
- On that note, is this Billy Taylor's last year at Lehigh if they go back to the Dance?
- Can a guy from the Merchant Marine Academy turn the Navy program around? Or at least beat Army?
- Am I really going to make the trip up to Hamilton again? I can't be serious, can I?
All of these storylines are going to play out, and it should make for a very interesting season. Try not to explode with anticipation.
It all starts this weekend with the following matchups:
Rider vs. Bucknell - Look at the Rider Athletics website and try to tell me with a straight face that they're a real DI program. This is a team that had to eek out a victory against Loyola MD last year. Bucknell by 15.
Navy at UMBC - At least Billy Lange is going to the right places to get wins. This one ought to be close, but I think the kids at U Must Be Crazy will win.
Lehigh at Penn St. - Unless Penn State puts the football team on the court, they will probably get this one. Big Ten guys are just too damn big, and State has a new coach that seems to be getting the house into order. Jason Mbegroff gets muscled around in this one by Aaron Johnson.
Colgate is in the Mohegan Sun Tourney against Central Connecticut East Technical State University - This should be a barn burner, with a final score of about 52-48. Not sure who is worse here. Maybe one team will have a freshman that is really good. Who knows.
SATURDAY
Holy Cross @ Boston University - These games have been close in the past, with HC knocking off their crosstown rivals last year. I think it will take some time for the Cross to gel as a team, so I think a rusty HC will be beaten by the more experienced Terriers.
Lafayette @ Duqunsenseque - A10 Duquense (however they spell it) will beat up on the smaller Leopards. Get used to it, LC fans. It's going to be a long season.
American @ Niagara - The Eagles blew a victory last year in the last minute against the Purple Eagles. I mentioned it then, but I'll say it again: what an embarassing mascot. Anyway, Juan Mendez is a big big man, with a big big plan. He was nearly shut out from the floor against AU last year, but went 15-15 from the line. Stopping him will be key to whatever AU does. I'm not sure they can, and the continuing development (and injury) of PG Linas Lekavicius makes me think the team with the wussier mascot is going to win this one.
The Citadel He-man Womanhaters @ Army - God, I hate the Citadel. I hope Army wins just to make them shut up. Neither team is very good, but at least the USMA isn't full of annoying pricks. Army by 5.
SUNDAY
Lehigh @ LIU - I encourage any Lehigh fans to go to this game, because LIU has the weirdest damn arena in college basketball. It's a renovated movie theater or something. I think it seats about 3 dozen. Also, it's not on Long Island. Don't ask me. LIU has a kid named James Williams who is pretty nasty, and is a very young team that is going to be good in a year or two. Unfortunately for them, they're not good now, and LU should beat them handily by 10 or 12.
Navy @ Loyola (Md.) - A rematch of the Battle of the Mediocrities from last year, the only winners from this game are going to be the people that stay home. This is the second leg of Navy's weekend "tour of crappy basketball schools in Maryland". For some reason they couldn't make it to Towson.
That's it! Be sure to get out and watch your team if they're at home this weekend. Unless you're a Loyola fan.
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Sunday, November 14, 2004
A Fine Gift for the Holidays
eBay item 5138085207 (Ends Nov-16-04 12:52:43 PST) - Kermit Washington Signed AU American University Jersey @ 6:34 PM 0 HC Alums are angry about this post | Bitch about it on the PL hoops messageboard
eBay item 5138085207 (Ends Nov-16-04 12:52:43 PST) - Kermit Washington Signed AU American University Jersey @ 6:34 PM 0 HC Alums are angry about this post | Bitch about it on the PL hoops messageboard
Friday, November 12, 2004
Bucknell Falls, Flannery Nearly Drops Imaginary Box
Bucknell should beat Northern Colorado by a dozen. Also, John-Ford Griffin has settled the questions about whether he can hit a jumpshot, but what Blue Jays fans really want to know is when he'll start hitting for power. @ 1:52 PM 0 HC Alums are angry about this post | Bitch about it on the PL hoops messageboard
Bucknell should beat Northern Colorado by a dozen. Also, John-Ford Griffin has settled the questions about whether he can hit a jumpshot, but what Blue Jays fans really want to know is when he'll start hitting for power. @ 1:52 PM 0 HC Alums are angry about this post | Bitch about it on the PL hoops messageboard
Thursday, November 04, 2004
Navy Preseason Article
HometownAnnapolis.com, Navy Sports - Mens basketball: Learning curve begins for Lange @ 11:21 AM 0 HC Alums are angry about this post | Bitch about it on the PL hoops messageboard
HometownAnnapolis.com, Navy Sports - Mens basketball: Learning curve begins for Lange @ 11:21 AM 0 HC Alums are angry about this post | Bitch about it on the PL hoops messageboard
Hopelessly Devoeted to You
Here's an
update on our old pal Don Devoe.
If it's right job, DeVoe may be back
But ex-UT basketball coach likes retirement
By DAVE LINK, Special to the News Sentinel
November 1, 2004
Don DeVoe is a happily retired basketball coach - at least for now.
DeVoe, who coached at Tennessee from 1978-1989 and Navy from 1992-2004, does not rule out the possibility of a return to coaching.
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"Right now I'm 62 and just enjoying life," said DeVoe, a guest speaker at the Tennessee Basketball Coaches Clinic over the weekend. "I might look for some coaching opportunities if they came available.
"I can be very honest and say my wife Anna, likes me not coaching. But I feel like I'm young enough that if someone wanted to give me an opportunity again I probably would try it."
DeVoe says there is a good chance he will move to Knoxville next year.
His son, Elliott, is a 6-foot-5 freshman walk-on at Tennessee.
Don DeVoe, his wife and their daughter, AnaLise, still live in Annapolis, Md., where the U.S. Naval Academy is located.
Last February, DeVoe announced he would retire from Navy when his 12th season as its coach was completed.
"I think (the chances of moving to Knoxville) are better than 50-50 right now," DeVoe said. "As much as we enjoy living in the metropolitan area of Baltimore and Washington, D.C., we've always enjoyed Tennessee. Again, we want to try to make the move as soon as my daughter graduates from high school."
When DeVoe announced his retirement last winter, there was speculation he might join Tennessee's coaching staff.
DeVoe is known as a defensive specialist and a strict, no-nonsense coach.
"I think what happened there was a lot of interest more than anything about my retiring from the Naval Academy," DeVoe said of speculation he would assist UT coach Buzz Peterson this season.
"In talking with a lot of the sports talk people you have here in Knoxville, we started talking about my son, Elliott, coming to the University of Tennessee and trying out for the basketball team, so the story kind of took a life of its own, so to speak, and everybody started assuming coach DeVoe was going to come here.
"The truth is, that's how they learned of Elliott coming to Tennessee is when I retired, there was some interest in just talking to me about my career, and then they learned Elliott was going to come to school here and some people started assuming you were going to do other things."
DeVoe was 204-137 in 11 seasons at Tennessee and led the Vols to seven NCAA Tournaments and two NITs. The Vols reached the NCAA Tournament's second round in each of his first five seasons (1978-83) and the third round in 1983-84.
"I still think I'm the only coach in the SEC that's ever had the good fortune to win three games in one season against Kentucky (in 1978-89, his first season)," DeVoe said.
His last team at UT (1988-89) was eliminated in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
DeVoe said he would consider any level of coaching except the NBA.
"That's one level I've never had an interest in," he said. "I've never felt like I'd be as effective coaching in the NBA."
DeVoe posted eight consecutive winning seasons at Navy and won or shared five Patriot League regular-season titles and won three league tournament titles.
However, his last three Navy teams had losing records, and the 5-23 record in 2003-04 was the worst of DeVoe's career.
"We didn't do well the last three years," DeVoe said. "The league changed. It was a non-athletic scholarship league when I arrived and then it became an athletic scholarship league and that really makes it tough for the academies.
"Academy recruiting is extremely difficult because you have to have kids that are basically A or B students with high SATs and a military commitment. It became a real big challenge when the Patriot League went to athletic scholarships."
@ 10:51 AM 0 HC Alums are angry about this post | Bitch about it on the PL hoops messageboard
Here's an
update on our old pal Don Devoe.
If it's right job, DeVoe may be back
But ex-UT basketball coach likes retirement
By DAVE LINK, Special to the News Sentinel
November 1, 2004
Don DeVoe is a happily retired basketball coach - at least for now.
DeVoe, who coached at Tennessee from 1978-1989 and Navy from 1992-2004, does not rule out the possibility of a return to coaching.
Advertisement
"Right now I'm 62 and just enjoying life," said DeVoe, a guest speaker at the Tennessee Basketball Coaches Clinic over the weekend. "I might look for some coaching opportunities if they came available.
"I can be very honest and say my wife Anna, likes me not coaching. But I feel like I'm young enough that if someone wanted to give me an opportunity again I probably would try it."
DeVoe says there is a good chance he will move to Knoxville next year.
His son, Elliott, is a 6-foot-5 freshman walk-on at Tennessee.
Don DeVoe, his wife and their daughter, AnaLise, still live in Annapolis, Md., where the U.S. Naval Academy is located.
Last February, DeVoe announced he would retire from Navy when his 12th season as its coach was completed.
"I think (the chances of moving to Knoxville) are better than 50-50 right now," DeVoe said. "As much as we enjoy living in the metropolitan area of Baltimore and Washington, D.C., we've always enjoyed Tennessee. Again, we want to try to make the move as soon as my daughter graduates from high school."
When DeVoe announced his retirement last winter, there was speculation he might join Tennessee's coaching staff.
DeVoe is known as a defensive specialist and a strict, no-nonsense coach.
"I think what happened there was a lot of interest more than anything about my retiring from the Naval Academy," DeVoe said of speculation he would assist UT coach Buzz Peterson this season.
"In talking with a lot of the sports talk people you have here in Knoxville, we started talking about my son, Elliott, coming to the University of Tennessee and trying out for the basketball team, so the story kind of took a life of its own, so to speak, and everybody started assuming coach DeVoe was going to come here.
"The truth is, that's how they learned of Elliott coming to Tennessee is when I retired, there was some interest in just talking to me about my career, and then they learned Elliott was going to come to school here and some people started assuming you were going to do other things."
DeVoe was 204-137 in 11 seasons at Tennessee and led the Vols to seven NCAA Tournaments and two NITs. The Vols reached the NCAA Tournament's second round in each of his first five seasons (1978-83) and the third round in 1983-84.
"I still think I'm the only coach in the SEC that's ever had the good fortune to win three games in one season against Kentucky (in 1978-89, his first season)," DeVoe said.
His last team at UT (1988-89) was eliminated in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
DeVoe said he would consider any level of coaching except the NBA.
"That's one level I've never had an interest in," he said. "I've never felt like I'd be as effective coaching in the NBA."
DeVoe posted eight consecutive winning seasons at Navy and won or shared five Patriot League regular-season titles and won three league tournament titles.
However, his last three Navy teams had losing records, and the 5-23 record in 2003-04 was the worst of DeVoe's career.
"We didn't do well the last three years," DeVoe said. "The league changed. It was a non-athletic scholarship league when I arrived and then it became an athletic scholarship league and that really makes it tough for the academies.
"Academy recruiting is extremely difficult because you have to have kids that are basically A or B students with high SATs and a military commitment. It became a real big challenge when the Patriot League went to athletic scholarships."
@ 10:51 AM 0 HC Alums are angry about this post | Bitch about it on the PL hoops messageboard
