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.
@ 11:28 AM
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.
@ 11:28 AM
