FDU (Game 3)

[LU65Participant]

Game Notes
http://www.lehighsports.com/assets/1/wo … /46201.PDF

Saturday we had to content with an Iowa State team made-up of transfers from Penn State (Chris Babb), Minnesota (Royce White), Marquette (Christoperson), and Michigan State (Allen). And, that’s not the complete list nor is it the reason we lost the game. The Cyclones were just the better team that day and talent clearly won out. Tomorrow, we’ll go up against a squad picked to finish 12th or last in the Northeast Conference, FDU (see poll below). Ten newcomers dot their lineup – nine with previous college experience (some JUCO and even some D-I) and one true freshman. Don’t be fooled by some saying they’re just learning to play together. If that were the case, then following their opening day 61-72 loss to Big East Providence, you’d have to say that they are indeed quick studies. In that game played on the road up in Rhode Island, Junior Lonnie Hayes (6’0" 220lb G out of Missouri State – West Plains and a 1st Team JUCO All-American last year) scored a game-high 26 points and dished out a team-high four assists while Junior Kinu Rochford (6’6" F out of Global Institute of Technology) recorded a double-double with 15 points and a game-high 12 rebounds before fouling out with 4:35 remaining in the game. Other scorers with prior experience included: George Goode (6’9" 230lb F out of Louisville – 3 years), Lonnie Robinson (6’5" G from Western Texas – 2 years), and Brihn Smith (6’4" G with Community College. Link below for a full game recap.

http://espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=313162507

In that game, all 61 of FDU’s points came from their starters. The bench – consisting of three players – recorded 31 minutes of court time and managed just one FGA.

2011-12 Northeast Conference
Men’s Basketball Preseason Poll
1. Long Island
2. Robert Morris
3. Central Connecticut State
4. Wagner
5. Quinnipiac – @ Lehigh, Nov. 28th
6. Mount St. Mary’s
7. Bryant – home to Lehigh, Dec. 31st
8. Sacred Heart
9. Saint Francis (PA) – @ Lehigh, Dec. 7th
10. Monmouth
11. St. Francis (NY)
12. Fairleigh Dickinson – home to Lehigh, Nov. 15th

Get to know the FDU Knights :
http://fduknights.com/index.aspx?path=mbball&

[LUHoops00Participant]

Watched a decent portion of this game, but missed a bunch as well. Could have blown this team out by 20 if we played cleanly, but we had 21 turnovers. Big comeback game from Mackey, just as we had called for, he looked much better tonight on both ends of the floor. We featured Gabe some more tonight, and he got to the charity stripe. CJ, got his points, but had some sloppy turnovers. Greiner, solid as usual. Baltimore, in limited minutes, had a nice stretch with a nice rebound, block shot, and put back on offense. AD had some really bad decisions, he had 5 turnovers and has to value the ball more. All in all, big win, have to hope FDU posts replay so I can watch more of it nad in greater detail, but huge to get the first win out of the way…especially with the big lynchburg va trip upcoming.

LUHoops00

[norcalfanParticipant]

"LUHoops00" wrote: Watched a decent portion of this game, but missed a bunch as well. Could have blown this team out by 20 if we played cleanly, but we had 21 turnovers. Big comeback game from Mackey, just as we had called for, he looked much better tonight on both ends of the floor. We featured Gabe some more tonight, and he got to the charity stripe. CJ, got his points, but had some sloppy turnovers. Greiner, solid as usual. Baltimore, in limited minutes, had a nice stretch with a nice rebound, block shot, and put back on offense. AD had some really bad decisions, he had 5 turnovers and has to value the ball more. All in all, big win, have to hope FDU posts replay so I can watch more of it nad in greater detail, but huge to get the first win out of the way…especially with the big lynchburg va trip upcoming.

LUHoops00

I did not get to watch the game, but saw some video; Baltimore and Adams look tough on the floor together. Lot’s of turnovers tonight, Greiner, CJ, AD, maybe Hamilton. I can’t recall. The team can run the floor. I just hope Reed keeps going to the bench to help prepare for a run in league. As good as the starting 5 are, he needs backup. I hope some parents can make it to VA and other away games. Go LU!

[LU65Participant]

From Row EE, Seat 18, behind the Lehigh Bench

Coming into the contest at 0 and 2, it looked to me like the team was trying to go 2 and 2 in the first 10 minutes of play. Everyone wanted to help and it seemed we only got into each other’s way during the first 20 minutes. Eventually, after a couple of timeouts and line changes, the pace slowed – still upbeat, like many of us like to see – and we won a game we were suppose to win over a team of players still getting to know each other.

FDU linebacker core consisted of: Goode (6’9", 230), Rochford (6’6", 235) and Mouhamed (6’7", 240). The trio were whistled for 10 fouls in route to scoring 32 and pulling down 22 rebounds. The play was bruising. They paid for it, however, at the foul line where Lehigh collected.

Frantic, bordering on undisciplined, play resulted in a combined 43 turnovers and 22 steals. Each side equally to blame.

Apparently, FDU didn’t get the word: Don’t send CJ, Mackey or Schaefer (it turns out) to the line. The three guards went 16 for 17 (.941) bringing their 3-games total to 28 for 32 (.875).

Frequent line-up changes, looking to match height, speed, and power. Had to love it when we "went small" with: CJ, MM, CS, GK, and HG. Extremely effective.

CJ’s best game to date. 3 for 8 on his 2’s and 3 for 6 on his 3’s. Near automatic (8 for 9) from line. When not involved in pg duties (official scorer missed at least 1 assist and maybe another), he would often lurk in the corners and let the play come to him. Conserving energy, I guess, but a bit out of character. It’s as if he’s letting his teammates find their game and will come alive only when necessary.

LU right at home with <1,000 in attendance. Probably 100 in the home-side chair-back seats and 400-500 in the bleacher seats behind the benches. Spacious tent-like arena with deep sight lines behind the baskets. Not conducive to scoring, I would think. Official crowd (don’t bet on): 998.

11 players saw action, 7 got 2x minutes.

Stefan missed his only 3 but showed nice touch on a floater in the lane.

AD was not dialed-in (1 for 5) from behind the line. Did hit his only interior shot. Was not comfortable handling the ball, losing it 5 times.

Conroy showed quick reflexes and a soft touch in rebounding three and putting back one.

Knutson was stellar with 16 points in 28 minutes. Like CJ, MC, and CS, near perfect from line. Somehow was only hit with 2 PFs in a bruising battle with Goode and Rochford.

Greiner continues to show mid-season form and stoic, unflappable play. Three game totals: 35 points (.464 shooting) and 23 boards.

JH’s slow start continued last night. Season totals: 5 for 20 shooting and 12 boards. The latter remain important, however, as was the case last night when good positioning resulting in 2 key offensive boards and 4 on the defensive end.

Next up: 3 games in 48 hours this weekend in Lynchburg, VA —-William and Mary (Friday), Liberty (Saturday), and Eastern Kentucky (Sunday). All winnable. Expect Stefan and Conroy to see greater minutes and given opportunity to impress.

[LUHoops00Participant]

Nicely done LU65, great recap. One thing you mentioned that I totally agree with waas stefan missed badly on the 3 ball, but next touch he had absolutely no hesitation on that floater and went straight up and knocked it down, showed really good touch. He definitely brings an offensive game to the table.

Question for you, from what I have read, looked like BJ suited up, can you confirm that? If so, might three games in 48 hours be the perfect time to get him some action and start working him in, I say yes!

[norcalfanParticipant]

What’s the word on Staggers, Adams, BJ, Baltimore, Corey and Maneri? Baltimore had the freshman aggressiveness. Minutes are low for Maneri, Baltimore and Adams. All need to be involved early in the season to contribute down the stretch. Don’t let them ride the bench and then expect contributions during the season. This is a running team. If they don’t play, they cannot contribute or improve. Come on Reed. Tough coach, tough team!

[LU65Participant]

00, failed to mention that BJ was dressed but never shed his warmup suit. Also, in the recap you sometimes fail to mention the obvious. I did. It was Mackey’s play against FDU. Simply, he came to play and wasn’t going to be deterred. Doubt there’s a faster more fearless guard in the PL. Give me two or three more games like that one this weekend down in Virginia and we can all rest comfortably knowing we’re set – not only this season but for the two seasons that follow – at the PG position with Corey in ready reserve.

norcal, again I trust Coach Reed on the matter of minutes and use of the bench. There’s plenty of time remaining in the preseason (OOC) to make adjustments to player rotations. It’s still very early. From my perch, I see JA having the inside track in a move to garner more minutes. I sense, too, a bit of uneasiness about the amount of time going to JH, but every time you think he should sit, he comes through with a solid rebounding performance as was the case agasint FDU (2 on offense and 4 on defense). Setting aside the obvious (GK and HG), here’s your 3-game look at the other ‘bigs:’

Player – MPG – PPG – RPG

JH – 21.3 – 3.7 – 4.0

JA – 10.0 – 2.7 – 3.0

JM – 7.0 – 1.7 – 0.7

CB – 4.7 – 1.3 – 1.0

[LUHoops00Participant]

65, Your recap was great, truly appreciated it. I will be upset if BJ doesn’t make debut this weekend.

JH, minutes is going to be interesting to follow for the following reason. In PL play especially, we can get away with 3 guard lineup due to our speed, opponents lack of size, and fact that CJ is such a good rebounder. So where the question lies for JH is as follows: if you go small with 3 guard lineup, is he a good enough rebounder at the 4 to pair with gabe? If he is in with gabe in frontcourt, it is pure defense and rebounding role, as he would be 5th option on offense. So, if that is the case, is he better defending bigs and rebounding vs bigs then JA…I say no. Better then maneri at that? Baltimore? Now, if we go teo guard lineup with mackey and cj or corey and cj, with HG and GK at bigs, he is still 5th option on offense.

Norcal – I am with you on bench development, think this weekend will be mass substitutions and everyone is getting in these games.

[norcalfanParticipant]

"LUHoops00" wrote: 65, Your recap was great, truly appreciated it. I will be upset if BJ doesn’t make debut this weekend.

JH, minutes is going to be interesting to follow for the following reason. In PL play especially, we can get away with 3 guard lineup due to our speed, opponents lack of size, and fact that CJ is such a good rebounder. So where the question lies for JH is as follows: if you go small with 3 guard lineup, is he a good enough rebounder at the 4 to pair with gabe? If he is in with gabe in frontcourt, it is pure defense and rebounding role, as he would be 5th option on offense. So, if that is the case, is he better defending bigs and rebounding vs bigs then JA…I say no. Better then maneri at that? Baltimore? Now, if we go teo guard lineup with mackey and cj or corey and cj, with HG and GK at bigs, he is still 5th option on offense.

Norcal – I am with you on bench development, think this weekend will be mass substitutions and everyone is getting in these games.

Well LU65 we are disagreeing about Reed as usual. I don’t trust his bench time. He failed to develop the bench over the past two years and when they were in a pinch, he threw them in and expected them to play like his junior stars. All I am saying is this appears to be a good group overall and he would benefit from letting them see the floor early. It’s clear you are pretty close to Reed from the way you defend him, so I expect you to agree with him ,even if he is wrong. No problem, let’s focus on the team, not the coach.

[norcalfanParticipant]

"LUHoops00" wrote: 65, Your recap was great, truly appreciated it. I will be upset if BJ doesn’t make debut this weekend.

JH, minutes is going to be interesting to follow for the following reason. In PL play especially, we can get away with 3 guard lineup due to our speed, opponents lack of size, and fact that CJ is such a good rebounder. So where the question lies for JH is as follows: if you go small with 3 guard lineup, is he a good enough rebounder at the 4 to pair with gabe? If he is in with gabe in frontcourt, it is pure defense and rebounding role, as he would be 5th option on offense. So, if that is the case, is he better defending bigs and rebounding vs bigs then JA…I say no. Better then maneri at that? Baltimore? Now, if we go teo guard lineup with mackey and cj or corey and cj, with HG and GK at bigs, he is still 5th option on offense.

Norcal – I am with you on bench development, think this weekend will be mass substitutions and everyone is getting in these games.

LUhoops00,

Sorry I meant to respond to LU65 in the last one. I am not sure who needs to play where. I appreciate your analysis, but I must admit I know little about where players should fit on the floor. I like the game and only want to see this team go all the way. The players need to build confidence in order to help the team. Playing only 7-8 players most of the season will not get us there. What happens if God forbide, someone is injured. We are in big trouble. I am not a coach, never played the game, only watch and enjoy seeing players do well.

[norcalfanParticipant]

"norcalfan" wrote: [quote="LUHoops00"]65, Your recap was great, truly appreciated it. I will be upset if BJ doesn’t make debut this weekend.

JH, minutes is going to be interesting to follow for the following reason. In PL play especially, we can get away with 3 guard lineup due to our speed, opponents lack of size, and fact that CJ is such a good rebounder. So where the question lies for JH is as follows: if you go small with 3 guard lineup, is he a good enough rebounder at the 4 to pair with gabe? If he is in with gabe in frontcourt, it is pure defense and rebounding role, as he would be 5th option on offense. So, if that is the case, is he better defending bigs and rebounding vs bigs then JA…I say no. Better then maneri at that? Baltimore? Now, if we go teo guard lineup with mackey and cj or corey and cj, with HG and GK at bigs, he is still 5th option on offense.

Norcal – I am with you on bench development, think this weekend will be mass substitutions and everyone is getting in these games.

LUhoops00,

Sorry I meant to respond to LU65 in the last one. I am not sure who needs to play where. I appreciate your analysis, but I must admit I know little about where players should fit on the floor. I like the game and only want to see this team go all the way. The players need to build confidence in order to help the team. Playing only 7-8 players most of the season will not get us there. What happens if God forbide, someone is injured. We are in big trouble. I am not a coach, never played the game, only watch and enjoy seeing players do well.[/quote]

LuHoops00,

I am glad to see my boy BJ getting warmed up:).

[Author]

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