Game 4: Mississippi State

[LU65Participant]

Game Notes

Lehigh’s

http://www.lehighsports.com/custompages/Game%20Notes/Men's%20Basketball/2016-17/4%20-%20Lehigh%20at%20Mississippi%20State%20Notes%20112516.pdf

Mississippi State’s

http://static.hailstate.com/custompages/pdf/mbk/mbk_notes_112516.pdf

KenPom Rankings and Prediction
LU (1-2) #110 (up from #126)
@
Mississippi State (3-1) #121 (up from #122)
Mississippi State wins by 4 (75-71)

As discussed under another thread, Mississippi State guard Quinndary Weatherspoon has been sidelined for the season with a wrist injury that includes torn ligaments. The sophomore guard had led the team in scoring (18.8) and was second in rebounding (5.0). It makes you wonder if KenPom took his absence into consideration when awarding MS a 4 point favorite. That said, there’s still plenty to fear when taking on the Bulldogs. Some thoughts that come to mine include:

Home Court Advantage: The Bulldogs opened their season two week ago with a win at home and then went 2 and 1 on the road (neutral site) at the Gilden Charleston Classic. They now return home for what could be viewed as their 2nd season-opener. And “home” is where they play their best, going 10-5 overall and 5-1 in non-conference play last year.

3pt. D: Ranked 46th in the nation allowing just 27.3% to fall from behind the arc.

Player Depth: 9 with double-digit mpg with 8 hitting for double-digit ppg

Tough Brand of Basketball: While their slate of OOC opponents doesn’t necessarily strike fear in you, remember the Bulldogs play the likes of Georgia, Florida, Auburn and Kentucky each year. Yeah, the Southeastern Conference is a peg or two (actually 18 slots) ahead of the PL.

On the other side of the coin, we’ll face a young team whose starting lineup is comprised of: 1 senior, 1 sophomore, and 3 freshmen. Beyond that, there are 4 freshmen who get significant minutes off the bench. The guy to watch may be #15, senior I.J. Ready at the point. He’s their team leader in assists and second in scoring now that Weatherspoon is gone.

While our Game Notes show that KR will start, if wouldn’t surprise me to see him held back until his “homecoming” game on Sunday against Arkansas State.

[Bison137Participant]

[quote quote=29600]As discussed under another thread, Mississippi State guard Quinndary Weatherspoon has been sidelined for the season with a wrist injury that includes torn ligaments. The sophomore guard had led the team in scoring (18.8) and was second in rebounding (5.0). It makes you wonder if KenPom took his absence into consideration when awarding MS a 4 point favorite. That said, there’s still plenty to fear when taking on the Bulldogs.[/quote]

Pomeroy makes no adjustment for injuries. MS State’s ranking isn’t particularly high for a couple of reasons: (1) they lost three senior starters from a team that finished 11th in the SEC last year; and (2) they have had a few very mediocre performances thus far – a 4-point home win over a Norfolk State team that was missing its best player, and a 24-point neutral court loss to UCF.

I think LU has a very good chance to win this one.

• This reply was modified 8 years, 2 months ago by  Bison137.

[toddcuddParticipant]

Thanks, as always, for the preview 65! I always look forward to them, and they’re always really good. Beat the Bulldogs! And Happy Thanksgiving!!

[phillychuckParticipant]

TV tonight?

SECTV+ (whatever that is–does RCN or Service Electric have that?)…

Anywhere else, or online?

[TMHParticipant]

SECTV is Service Electric Cable TV.

I was under the impression that it was being broadcast only on the SEC Network. There appears to be a video link on the Lehigh website as well as audio coverage on 1230/1320. I don’t know whether there is a fee for the video. I hope that helps.

[vanParticipant]

link is for watchESPN, I did not see it on SEC TV

[toddcuddParticipant]

At gametime, link will be here:

http://www.espn.com/watchespn/#sport/basketball/type/livenow/

[LU808Participant]

Outstanding win for Lehigh…Kempton in early foul trouble but KL, MH, KR picked it up big time! God team ball!

[TMHParticipant]

We have been talking about the # of offensive weapons the football team has at its disposal. The basketball team is not to be outdone. Lehigh is the #8 team in the country in 3 pt % and they have Tim Kempton.

[CHIP72Participant]

I attended tonight’s game (my brother is in graduate school at Mississippi State), and Lehigh played a very good game at both ends of the floor. They got a lot of good looks/easy baskets on offense, and frustrated MSU for extended stretches on defense. It is hard to say how good MSU is considering they lost their best player and are so young, but regardless of the Bulldogs’ quality, if the Mountain Hawks play like they did tonight for much of the season, they’ll be tough to beat.

My brother just told me tonight’s win over Mississippi State is Lehigh’s first-ever win over an SEC opponent.

[jimk72Participant]

Agreed this is a very good win. Most encouraging for the future: Holba leading team in rebounds (8) and had first double digit (ll) game, Andree 3 boards w/11 points, Leufroy 8-11 from the field (18). Impressive team basketball w/ 6 in double figures. Mississippi State apparently weakened due to injury to key senior, but it’s still the SEC, power five team.

There’s no chance we’ll sneak up on anybody from here on out. For this reason Arkansas State may well be a tougher opponent than the M.S. Bulldogs.

[travismParticipant]

Yes that is correct. First win vs an sec team. Overall great game. Ross outstanding. Price was dead eye. Kyle played both ends very well. Good team win. You could tell early, miss st said we are going to try and contain Tim, and let other players beat us. Every time Timmy got the Ball two guys were glued to him. I wanted one of these first two on this road swing and we stole Game one. Good win. If tim is his normal 20 points and Ross and price are on like tonight look out. Lol

[ngineerParticipant]

Wow. Great news and observations. Hopefully some “mojo” for tomorrow!

[TMHParticipant]

Doc may be doing his best coaching job this year. He is mixing up the defenses, using a lot of zone and even a press at points. The 2-3 seemed to really have Mississippi St confused. I can’t wait for Arkansas St. on Sunday but I’m told that there is a football game sometime before then. :-).

That football team BTW began the season 0-2, losing 2 close contests, then beat the Ivy league favorite (co-champs) and the offense began clicking on all cylinders….perhaps it is our MO.

Go Lehigh!!!

[jimk72Participant]

Tomorrow appears to be viewable on line on ESPN3 for those who have cable sports tiers. Service Electric provides that for their digital package customers via Watch ESPN.

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