Reply To: Tournament

Forum Forum Lehigh Sports Lehigh Men’s Basketball Tournament Reply To: Tournament

#25803

LU65
Participant

As the 10 teams enter the Playoffs, here’s a brief look at their immediate past in terms of their overall record within the PL, their Last 6 Record, and the Winning or Losing Streak they may or may not be on.

BUCKY (14-4, 4-2, 4 Ws)
LU (13-5, 6-0, 9 Ws)
BU (11-7, 4-2, 1 W)
AWP (9-9, 5-1, 1 L)
CU (9-9, 2-4, 2 Ls)
AU (9-9, 4-2, 4 Ws)
NAVY (9-9, 2-4, 4Ls)
LOY (8-10, 1-5, 1 L)
HC (5-13, 1-5, 5 Ls)
LC (3-15, 1-5, 1 W)

Based on the numbers above, it’s hard to argue against “chalk” picks in the early rounds of tournament play this year and concluding with a LU/BUCKY fight for the big prize on Wednesday, March 9th. Actually, it’s quite the norm for the #1 and #2 to square off against each other for the title. Dating back to the 2005-6 season (maybe even further back…just got tired of checking), the top two teams have clashed six out of 10 times. But, you need not go back any further than last year when it came down to a #4 seed (LC) beating a #6 seed (HC) for the grand prize and a trip to the NCAAs. The Leopards did it in style with preliminary wins over #5 BU and #1 Bucknell. Bottom line: don’t count out the gang from Easton and the wisdom of Coach O’Hanlon when it comes to March basketball.

Speaking of Lafayette, they’re getting set to take-on Navy down in Annapolis in Tuesday’s Round One game with the prize being a trip into Stabler on Thursday. The Leopards will have to dig deep as they have but one road win in the PL this year and are 0-2 vs. the Midshipmen. While, on the other hand, Navy is 3 and 5 at home and 2– 0 vs Lafayette this year. They ran over the Leopards by 26 early in the year and came from behind later in the year to win by 6 up in Easton. Navy – while winless over their last four – have gone up against some of the League’s best in Seed #s 1, 2, 4, and 6. The pick here is Navy – a team picked to finish 10th but finished 4th in the League and a team that now boasts the PL’s Defensive Player of the Year, Will Kelly. The League tells us, “Kelly averages 10.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.6 blocks. He leads the Patriot League in both field goal percentage (.620) and blocks per game. Kelly ranks ninth in the NCAA in total blocks (91) and is 14th nationally in blocks per game. Kelly led the Patriot League in blocks per game for the second straight season. Kelly’s 81 blocks this season are the fifth most in a single season.”

Yes, it won’t be easy come Thursday at Stabler

    KenPom’s Early Take

Navy over Lafayette by 12 (75-63)
Loyola over Holy Cross by 6 (70-64)