The Big Question?

Forum Forum Lehigh Sports Lehigh Men’s Basketball The Big Question?

This topic contains 18 replies, has 11 voices, and was last updated by  CHIP72 8 years, 12 months ago.

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  • #25425

    lehigh90
    Participant

    Team playing best basketball of the season, and look like a real threat in the PL Tournament.

    Big question:

    Can Lehigh continue to play basically 5 players and win a PL Title?

    Commentators were all over it last night on the broadcast. They harped on how Lehigh would be worn down. What they failed to realize was the schedule. Color guy said very difficult to win a title with 5 guys playing 3 games in 3 days. In reality, Lehigh would likely play at home on March 3. Rest 3 days, and play a semi on March 6. Decent chance that the semi also at home. Then, 3 more days of rest and likely play a final at Bucknell on March 9. If Bucknell gets upset, also a chance the final could be at home.

    I think with that schedule, Reed can get away with playing 5, and 3 more very little. I have no problem with JG on the floor. For me, it gets dicey when you go to DC, TJ, and JRG.

    Thoughts?

    #25426
    van
    van
    Participant

    TJ, JG and JRG can hold their own for stretches, DC not so much, when he is on the floor the O just slows to a crawl

    #25427
    RichH
    RichH
    Participant

    Agree with van, we now have depth good for 10-15 mins a game w/o slowing or disrupting the team’s flow.
    The real issue is whether our 5 can maintain the energy and more importantly their focus. Days off are great for the body, will it lessen their focus?

    #25431

    toddcudd
    Participant

    Interesting that the PLN guys weren’t up to speed on PL tourney. I have the good fortune of a local ASN affiliate on TV, and their guys knew the PL tourney format and made a point of how that benefits LU with the short bench.
    It doesn’t feel like conditioning is a problem, so far. Energy has looked good to me. My biggest concern with the short bench is foul trouble. If a couple starters pick up too many fouls early, that will hurt. If we avoid that, and continue our recent hot shooting, anything is possible, imo. 57.5% from 2 and 41.2% from 3 last night. Awesome.

    #25436
    van
    van
    Participant

    I also was able to watch the ASN broadcast, quite well done I might add

    Doc is doing a great job of getting the starters relief without too much disruption of flow

    #25439

    lfnadmin
    Keymaster

    Along with the torrid pace of shooting, TK keeping himself out of foul trouble has been one of the drivers of Lehigh’s success the past few weeks. TK has really upped his game and it shows, even in little things like how he paces his way through the game.

    When we shoot like we do vs. Bucknell we can take down almost anyone. The trick is keeping up that shooting percentage – not easy to do.

    #25444

    TMH
    Participant

    To me, the biggest factor so far is that we have really begun neutralizing the best player on the opposite team.
    Consider this. In the last 3 games
    American Jesse Reed 7 points
    Lafayette Nick Lindner 3 points, 3 assists, 3 turnovers
    Bucknell Chris Haas 10 points, 2 assists, 2 rebounds

    #25447

    lehigh90
    Participant

    I’m not sure which video feed I’m watching. I just go to Lehigh Basketball and hit video for each game, and it is something called Campus Insiders. Is that PL Network or ASN or something else? Haven’t had any connectivity issues, whatever it is.

    #25448

    toddcudd
    Participant

    That’s PLN – which is through Campus Insiders. ASN is on actual TV, through a network of affiliates. Limited markets, but they seem to be growing pretty quickly.

    #25450
    travism
    travism
    Participant

    Tmh u said. We have done a great job on the opposing team best player

    #25470
    Bison137
    Bison137
    Participant

    [quote=25444]To me, the biggest factor so far is that we have really begun neutralizing the best player on the opposite team.
    Consider this. In the last 3 games
    American Jesse Reed 7 points
    Lafayette Nick Lindner 3 points, 3 assists, 3 turnovers
    Bucknell Chris Haas 10 points, 2 assists, 2 rebounds

    [/quote]

    Unfortunately, right now Hass isn’t Bucknell’s best player. Since he missed time with a foot injury, he has shot 4-20 on threes and 17-55 overall. Averaging 11 ppg and having trouble finishing. Don’t know if it’s the foot or something else, but he’s clearly not the same player who scored 26 points against Wake, 29 against NC State, etc. Without a return to form by him, the chance of BU winning the PL is not good.

    #25471

    toddcudd
    Participant

    I was wondering what was going on with Hass. He definitely does not look like his normal self. I saw a brief shot of him in a boot shortly after he missed a game, which is never good. But then he was back in the lineup very quickly. Do you know anything about the nature of the injury, 137?

    #25473

    lehigh90
    Participant

    An interesting stat:

    Even though we think Lehigh starting 5 playing very heavy minutes, in PL, only KR and AP in the top 10 in minutes at 4th and 5th (789 and 797 minutes). John Papale (Boston U) leading at 935.

    Other stats of note:

    TK – FG % leader, most FT’s made and attempted, and 9th in FT %. He is 1 rebound off of leading defensive rebounder. Also leads in PER (player efficiency rating).

    KR – assist leader
    AP – steal leader

    Both TK and AP, top 10 in win shares.

    #25474
    jimk72
    jimk72
    Participant

    My big question is can we embarrass the NCAA by getting in the dance with a ho hum record from the Patriot League and scare some big name #1 seed…? I know, I know…..getting a bit ahead of things….But its a nice dream after the way the season started.

    #25475

    toddcudd
    Participant

    IF (the big IF) we pull this out, there’s a good chance we’re in the PIG. Gonna have to deal with that first…

    Unless Bucky falls apart – which could happen if Hass isn’t right – we still need to win the PL tourney. If we win regular and tourney… maybe we do avoid the PIG. Yes, we’re totally getting ahead of ourselves – but I’m cool with that!

    I expect a totally crazy tourney selection this year. There aren’t great teams, and lots of good bubble teams. If Monmouth were to fail to win their conference tourney, there’s a chance they’d get passed-over. Which is nuts. Valpo in similar situation.

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