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Bucknell at American, 7:30 p.m.: American has lost two in a row at home and the prospects for closing a three-game homestand with a win against the Bison don't seem bright. The last time these two met, Bucknell held American to 35 points (53-35). Granted that was in Lewisburg, and the Eagles did upset Bucknell in the regular season game at Bender. Matter of fact, Bucknell is 0-4 in Bender since AU joined the league. But those AU teams were all much better than the one Jeff Jones puts on the floor right now.

Freshman point guard Derrick Mercer will have his hands full against Abe Badmus and AU's big men have been not been productive. On top of that, Bucknell has owned Andre Ingram since he came into the league. Ingram is 15-68 (22 percent) all-time against the Bison. Last season, in three games against the Bison, Ingram, who was the league's leading scorer in the regular season, shot a combined 5-for-37 (13.5 percent).

Bucknell will need Chris McNaughton to stay out of foul trouble. With AU's 6-10, 6-11 twin towers front line, the Bison could be in trouble if they are forced to go with a small lineup for extended periods of time.
Bucknell notes | AU notes | Daily Item preview | USA Today matchup | AU radio | Bucknell Radio

Navy at Lehigh, 7 p.m.: Navy has been horrible on the road in league play the last several seasons. Since the 2001-2002 campaign, the Mids are 6-22 on the road in league play, including a 1-6 mark last season.

That one win did come at Lehigh, though (76-75).

But with Matt Fannin out of action, Navy's inside game on both ends of the floor has been anemic. Against Bucknell they were outscored 30-16 in the paint and outrebounded 47-30.

Taking a page out of his mentor, Jay Wright's book, Navy coach Billy Lange, a former Villanova assistant, has gone to a four-guard lineup. Bucknell countered by going to a smaller, quicker lineup much of the game.

Lehigh does not have the depth that Bucknell does, but they certainly have enough athletes to matchup well with Navy. Especially if Joe Knight plays anywhere close to his usual self in what should be his first game back from an NCAA-imposed suspension that cost him the first 16 games of the season.

Knight averaged 19 points 7 assists and 8 rebounds per game in two games against Navy last season. Jose Olivero, who has been leading the Mountain Hawks in scoring )(17.7 ppg) in Knight's stead, has averaged 14 ppg in 5 career games against the Mids.

Between the two of them, and 6-5 swingman Kyle Neptune, who is averaging 12.3 ppg this season, it should be all the offense Lehigh needs, given the way Lehigh plays defense. The Hawks opponents are shooting 38.9 percent from the field on the season.

Navy notes | Lehigh notes | USA Today matchup | Navy radio

Holy Cross at Army, 7 p.m.: It has been 8 games and almost 4 years since Army has even managed to score over 50 points against Holy Cross. With Army's Matt Bell (14.3 ppg) hobbled, it would be little surprise if that streak extends another game Wed, night.

Jarrell Brown returned to the Army lineup against Colgate, after missing five games with a stress fracture and scored 18 points. He is averaging 14.4 per game. With Brown and Bell healthy, Army did upset Columbia earlier in the season. Since then, though, they have lost their last six in a row against Division I teams.

Holy Cross has won three in a row, a streak that coincides with what appears to be a solution to Keith Simmons' cramping problems. Simmons has been getting IV fluids before games and has led HC in scoring in two of the last three games. After dropping 26 Saturday on Lafayette, he is averaging 13 ppg, second on the team to Kevin Hamilton's 16.4. Torey Thomas, the Crusaders ironman point guard, is playing 36.5 minutes per game, averaging 11.5 points and nearly 5 assists per game.
HC notes | Army notes | USA Today matchup | Gametracker | HC radio

Colgate at Lafayette, 7 p.m.: Colgate has won the last four meetings between these two, but seven of the last nine have been decided by a single digit margin, including Colgate's 62-61 win in Easton last season.

On paper, the matchups would seem to indicate another Colgate win. But the Raiders have struggled on the road, winning only once in seven games on opponents floors. That win was a come-from-behind effort Saturday at Army. Lafayette is 4-2 at home, but two of those came against Division 3 teams. The Leopards live and die by the three-point shot. They have been shooting almost almost 24 per game. If the treys are falling for the Leopards, they might well surprise folks.
Colgate notes | Lafayette notes | USA Today matchup | Live Stats | 'Gate radio