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Sunday, December 04, 2005
Afternoon delights
Fordham at HOLY CROSS 2 p.m.: Is Boxman just a half-full kind of guy or rowing down a river in Egypt? Too soon to tell.

Look for clues in the 80th meeting between these two rivals who were both founding members of the Patriot League. Fordham bailed out for the supposedly greener pastures of the Atlantic Ten, but the grass on the other side of the fence is not always what it is cranked up to be.

The Crusaders have won the past five meetings, including a 53-39 win in the Bronx last season. Of course by now we know this is a very different Holy Cross team. Fordham's roster is full of familiar names from last year's matchup. The difference being that now, the five freshmen that played a lot of minutes for Fordham last season have a year of experience under their belts. The 1-5 Rams don't have many wins to show for that experience, but given the Crusaders struggles of late, it would be tough to call Fordham the underdog, even with the game being played in Worcester.

For a more complete scouting report on the Rams, we turn to Holy Cross coach Ralph Willard:
Fordham comes to the Hart Sunday at 1pm. They are another young team that has lost some close games, has good talent, and is trying to find itself. They have the best ATHLETIC big man we will face in Dunston, excellent guard play with Anderson and Stout, another good athletic rebounder in Binns at the four and a true point in K. Anderson. They are coming off a 1pt. loss to a good, undefeated Iona team, and Coach W's teams always defend very well. They will also extend the defense full court and have excellent overall team quickness. Trying to contain Dunston in the post while also defending the three (they were 10-22 vs. Iona) will mean we will have to have our young guys execute our game plan, something they have been struggling with. We will once again be without Pat D.(he is out indefinitely) and KHam did not practice so I'm not sure of his status though I do know that if he does play it will be limited minutes in short durations.
How many minutes Hamilton can contribute could be the deciding factor in this matchup of two teams searching to get on track.
HC notes | Fordham notes | USA Today matchup | HC radio

LEHIGH at Cornell 1 p.m.: Cornell (2-5) has lost three straight since beating Colgate back on Nov. 22.

From the Cornell game notes:
Cornell has shot just .323 from the floor and has averaged 44.0 points in losses to Lafayette and Quinnipiac. Cornell's two leading scorers, Adam Gore (13.0 ppg.) and Lenny Collins (12.7 ppg.) have especially struggled in those contests, combining to average just 13.0 points on 22 percent shooting (8-of-37).

While Cornell has struggled offensively, its impressive defensive numbers continue to keep the Big Red in games. Cornell is limiting foes to 61.1 points on 41 percent shooting, including 26 percent from 3-point range. Those numbers are down from 72.3 points and 48 percent shooting a season ago after seven contests.

Lehigh has had the same offensive problems, while also putting up impressive defensive numbers itself en route to its 3-4 start for fourth-year coach Billy Taylor. The Mountain Hawks have averaged just 55.9 points (Jose Olivero at 14.9 ppg. leads the team), but has kept its seven opponents to 40 percent shooting and 63.0 points.
Lehigh has yet to win on the road and hasn't beaten someone on their own floor since a Feb. 11 win at Army. To find a road win over someone with a pulse, go back almost another month to a Jan. 15 win in Annapolis.Lehigh notes | Cornell notes | USA Today matchup | Livestats
Published at 8:41 AM by Hoop Time.
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