PL Quarterfinals at HC

[lfnadminKeymaster]

I’m not the guy that does the analysis.

And I know that this flies in the face of conventional thinking.

But I think, somehow, Lehigh wins this game up in Worcester, with Mackey’s back against the wall.

No analysis, no logic involved. Just a hunch.

[lehigh90Participant]

When was last time we won at Hart? Record up there is less than stellar. I think we “go quietly into the night”, or “we go gentle into that good night”.

[StablerBumParticipant]

Lehigh has certainly struggled in the Hart recently, but I do think there is a good chance they come out with their pants on fire and play a great game. Unfortunately, I think there is an equal chance they fold early and start counting down the minutes till they can get on the bus. Just no idea if they will show up at all.

I would love for this team to beat HC and get their faithful back to blaming the Patriot League for their inability to compete within the Patriot League. So I’m going with the optimistic view that they were embarrassed by Colgate last week, and embarrassed last time they went up to HC and use both as motivation to win this game.

[pafan11Participant]

It is awfully tough to beat a team 3 times in a row. I predict an LU win by 2. MM plays lights out and coaching staff does something to change recent lack of effort and energy.

[RichHParticipant]

Pomeroy has Cross by 7. IMO, 3rd time the charm. We win, cardiac style, of course

[toddcuddParticipant]

Coach Reed sets a new PR for the jacket toss.

[RichHParticipant]

Lmao, like your avatar also.

[toddcuddParticipant]

I still have the sign in my bedroom closet, too! I figure someday it will be worth a fortune!

[LU65Participant]

Game Notes

http://www.lehighsports.com/custompages/Game%20Notes/Men's%20Basketball/2013-14/32%20-%20Holy%20Cross.pdf

http://www.goholycross.com/sports/m-baskbl/2013-14/releases/20140303q28kg4

How Kenneth Pomeroy sees PL Semis

LU (14-17, 6-12) 254th and seeded 6th
@
HC (18-12, 12-6) 150th and seeded 3rd
HC wins 69-60 (82% chance)

Army (14-15, 10-8) 229th and seeded 5th
@
Bucknell (16-13, 11-7) 148th and seeded 4th
Bucknell wins 73-65 (80% chance)

LC ( 11-19, 7-12) 200th
@
BU (22-9, 15-3) 119th
BU wins 80-71 (81% chance)

CU (13-17, 7-12) 183rd
@
AU (17-12, 13-5) 123rd
AU wins 67-60 (77% chance)

HC/LU Series Quick Fact

Overall: Holy Cross leads, 37-17
In Worcester: Holy Cross leads, 24-5
At the Hart Center: Holy Cross leads, 24-5
In the Patriot League Tournament: Holy Cross leads, 5-0
Milan Brown vs. Lehigh: 4-4
Brett Reed vs. Holy Cross: 7-6
Current Win Streak: Holy Cross, two games
In Overtime: Holy Cross leads, 4-1

Lehigh/Holy Cross 2013-14 Season Recaps

Game 19: A 19 point loss @ HC marked by poor team shooting (29.6% overall FG and 23.1% from deep), TK’s limited minutes (17) and point production (2) in his one and only “non-start” of the year, MM’s 1 for 11 shooting with a single assist, and 12 team turnovers highlighted by an uncharacteristic 5 out of Corey Schaefer. In short, it was a game unlike any other this year and one the team needs to learn from and then forget. Apparently, we did back then running off a series of 4 W’s over Navy, Lafayette, Bucknell and league-leading Boston University. It’s now time to do it again.

Game 27: A 5 point loss @ Stabler marked by solid team shooting (44.1% FG and 45.0% 3FG), TK’s 17 points, JC’s board work (7), team’s overall point production in the paint (28) and rebounding effort (36 to HC’s 35). Not enough, however, to overcome HC’s hot 3-point shooting (8 of first 10 attempts) and general point production/distribution (2x figures for each of the five starters).

Keys to Playing Again

While Dudzinski (6’9” senior center and 1st team all-Patriot League) and Burrell (5’9” junior guard) deserve all the attention and praise they get, it’s Malcolm Miller, HC’s 6’7” junior forward (3rd team all-Patriot League) who has been the persistent torn in our side this year going a combined 10 for 19, with 15 boards, and 7 blocks in two games. How we manage to (1) throw out the fact that we are 5 and 24 at the Hart Center, (2) learn from our Game 19 experiences (see above) by writing them off as just one of those days, and (3) limit the effectiveness of #13, Mr. Miller, the team’s second leading scorer/rebounder (10.6ppg / 5.4 rpg) – a job for Jesse, perhaps, who has upped his game of late scoring 35 points and pulling down 19 boards while swatting 4 blocks in the last two games – may well determine if we play again. Those might be the mental and defensive keys to the game. On the offensive side of the ball, let’s (1) imit our turnovers and (2) have Mackey get back to doing what he does best, i.e., dish out assists and realize there are far better scoring options on the team, e.g., TK @ .522 FG% and CS @ .452 FG% with an “adjusted” (accounting for 3-point efficiency) mark of 53.2% (high among guards). Mackey’s 5 for 19 (0 for 6 from deep) shooting performance and turnover spree (8 over the last two games) won’t cut it.

And finally, dream on. With a win over HC and a Colgate win over AU at Bender tomorrow night, Lehigh would host the Raiders of Colgate in a semi-final game at Stabler on Saturday. As unlikely as that may sound, remember Colgate did beat American on AU’s home floor just 3+ weeks ago.

[lfnadminKeymaster]

Not one of the top seeds should rest easy expecting a cakewalk in this wide-open field. Let’s hope they do.

[StablerBumParticipant]

I thought the intensity in the first half was much better than it has been recently, maybe as good as it’s been all year. There does seem to be some drive and fire.

Jesse really struggled offensively. Wouldn’t mind seeing Justin get more of a shot in the 2nd half. It seemed like we got a ton of shots blocked.

[RichHParticipant]

Another cardiac loss. Team played with intensity and grit. 3 or 4 plays were the game. We had chances just didn’t convert enuf of them.

[hawktalkerParticipant]

Well the season’s over. 14-18, worse than I expected. I knew the absence of CJ, Gabe and Holden would be felt, but I thought there was enough talent there to be .500 at least. They lose one player from this team, the school’s all-time assist leader, but better days lie ahead I think

[sundayamqbParticipant]

Odd season.

One playing senior (no AD). Didn’t bode well losing last year’s class. I figured it was going to be a really long year (and it was in a different way).

Lots of hope early, as several first-year players show they definitely have the potential to play at a good D-I level. A couple of big wins, heartbreaking losses, and it’s clear this team can compete with anyone in the PL.

So if you told me 14-18 pre-season, I’m thinking that’s about the best possible.

After watching them play all year, though, I know this team could have done better. Next year looks great! They’ll miss Mackey, but have an army coming back.

Can’t wait!

[StablerBumParticipant]

Another cardiac loss. Team played with intensity and grit. 3 or 4 plays were the game. We had chances just didn’t convert enuf of them.

Agree that 3 or 4 plays COULD have changed the game, but when you shoot 32% overall and 3-21 from three that is a lot more than 3 or 4 plays. Not to mention some brutal turnovers.

[Author]

Posts