Game 2: Yale

[LU65Participant]

Game Notes

Lehigh’s

Expect Wednesday

Yale’s

Expect Wednesday

Ken Pom Rankings and Predcition
Lehigh (0-1) #124 (up from #141)
@
Yale (1-0) #130 (up from #148)
Yale wins by 3 (74-71)

Surprise, surprise
I’m not sure which was bigger…….our 3 point loss to Xavier on Friday or Yale’s 8 point win over the home-standing Washington Huskies on Sunday. And, the gang from New Haven did it without the services of two first team All-Ivy selections from a year ago and the Ivy League Player of the Year candidate Makai Mason who is likely out for the season with an injury. Instead, it was done by committee with 6’6” Freshman Guard Miye Oni leading the way with 24 points and 6 rebounds. He had plenty of help with Downey, Reynolds, Copeland and Dalliler all hitting in double-figures and, with the exception of Copeland, all standing 6’6’’or taller. That might lead you to believe the Bulldogs had a good day on the boards. They did, out-rebounding the Huskies 42-29. And, they played team-ball to boot, registering 20 assists on 33 made field goals. Much of that credit goes to Dallier and Copeland who took over the point duties from Mason and combined to turn it over just twice in 40 minutes. Oh, one more thing….every Bulldog that played – all eight of them – registered at least 2 rebounds. Yeah, no wonder Coach Jones had this to say following the win, “”I feel as good about this win as I did the Baylor win.” He speaks, of course, of the team’s stunning win in the first round of NCAAs just 8 months ago.

Let’s hope the extra two days of rest (Sat and Sun) and practice prepare us well for what will no doubt be a difficult game up in New Haven on Thursday night. I can’t see either team running away from the other in this one. And, here’s hoping that the team has returned to earth after their stunning effort out in Cincinnati. They’ll need to be well-grounded.

P.S. Yale was picked to finish 3rd in the Ivy pre-season media poll. Princeton, our home-opener on Sunday, topped the survey. Not a bad test to start the season.

Odds and Ends

For those who thought the HC Crusaders defeated the South Carolina Gamecocks yesterday (as shown on some PL links), they didn’t. The Gamecocks won 81-49.

To date, Bucknell is the only PL team to record a win over a D-1 opponent. They took down Manhattan before dropping their second game to Wake Forest.

Is anyone heading up, down or over to New Haven on Thursday night for the Yale contest? If so, would appreciate you report and observations. Or, I’m told those at home can watch the game on Thursday night via Ivy League School Day Pass for $9.95
http://www.ivyleaguedigitalnetwork.com/packages

[StablerBumParticipant]

I expected Yale to be pretty good, even after losing Mason, but winning at UW was a surprise. Agree that Lehigh having two extra days to prepare – and not having to travel from the opposite side of the country could play a factor.

Not much more you could ask for after dropping a close one to a great team to come right back with another opportunity to prove yourself and make people start paying attention.

[toddcuddParticipant]

This feels like a surprisingly big game, for only being game 2 in OOC. It’s possible that my view is distorted – I watch and follow a lot of mid-major focused people – but both Lehigh and Yale seem to have turned a lot of heads this weekend. Feels like a good opportunity to take advantage of that attention! The difference at KenPom is entirely home-court, so this feels like a “pick ’em”, on paper.
One other point on Yale – as I understand it, they were also playing without a highly regarded (4* maybe?) frosh against Washington. I don’t know who that is, or why he was out, but I’ll do some homework today.

[toddcuddParticipant]

OK, got an update on the missing frosh. Jordan Bruner, 6’9″ 3 or 4* forward. Sprained ACL, out estimated 2-3 weeks. Sounds like we won’t see him either.

Also saw that one of Yale’s keys over Washington was –gulp– offensive rebounds.

[travismParticipant]

What about streaming on campus insiders. Anyone know where this game can be seen

[LU65Participant]

Trav, see initial post. We may have no other option than Ivy League School Day Pass. Will keep looking.

[StablerBumParticipant]

[quote quote=29356]This feels like a surprisingly big game, for only being game 2 in OOC. It’s possible that my view is distorted – I watch and follow a lot of mid-major focused people – but both Lehigh and Yale seem to have turned a lot of heads this weekend. Feels like a good opportunity to take advantage of that attention!
[/quote]

I think it’s a big game from the “big opportunity” perspective, and also since they won at Stabler last year, but I don’t see it as a high pressure game since a win isn’t expected. The really nice part about this schedule is that there are a number of opportunities to build a resume by beating good teams.

[travismParticipant]

I can’t wait till the home opener. How many of you guys are going ? LU65- my memory is horrible. What’s your first name again? My season tix are on the other side this across from Lehigh bench. My step dad wanted a view from that side. Should be a good time

[LU65Participant]

Trav, you’re to young to be losing your memory. Me…that’s another matter. Looking forward to Princeton next weekend. Stop by Section 4/Row EE to say hello. Bill

[toddcuddParticipant]

Our game notes are up:

LU at Yale

[LU65Participant]

AP Top 25

http://collegebasketball.ap.org/poll

Others receiving votes included Lehigh Opponents to be: Mississippi State*, Yale, and Princeton

• Say what?! After a 4 point win over Norfolk State, they captured some AP votes. Go Figure. It sounds like a lot of emphasis was placed on the fact that they brought in the nation’s No. 9 recruiting class in 2016 with people forgetting their 4-star Freshman Nigerian Abdul Ado has been ruled ineligible for the 2016-17 season.

Final Thought

Albeit a small sample size, one game, you had to walk away impressed following Yale’s win over Washington by their approach to:
Rebounding …..all eight that played had at least two. The team recorded 42 which turned out to be not that unusual. They averaged 40.3/game. Last year Sagarin tells us they snagged 39.3% of the offensive rebound opportunities. That was good enough for 5th best in the nation.

Assists……all eight that played had a least one helper. The team picked-up where they left-off last year in putting the ball in the hands of shooters with 20 assists on 33 made field goals against Washington. In fact, their PGs racked-up 11 while turning the ball over just once.

Scoring………all eight that played scored with five hitting for double-digits

All signs of a well-coached team. Throw in their overall height (4 starters 6’6” or taller; the other at 6’2” while the 3-man bench included players at 6’8” and 6’7”) and there’s no doubt about it, this game tomorrow night will test us.

[toddcuddParticipant]

Unless I’m misinterpreting, it looks like KenPom now has our SoS as #6 in the country. Wow.
Beat Yale!!

[jimk72Participant]

If you go to youtube, and search for lehigh-yale basketball, I believe you can get this game for free. Will advise…

[travismParticipant]

Bad news coming. Tom Fallon said Brett will address soon

[jimk72Participant]

Apparently no go on the You Tube feed……so far.

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