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Sunday, February 19, 2006
Down in the Valley
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Lafayette at Lehigh, 1:05 p.m.: If Lafayette wants to avoid playing its archrival on its home court in the first round of the league tournament, beating that rival on that floor today would be a big help.

That might not seem likely, but it is not out of the realm of possibility. Lafayette played the Mountain Hawks tough for 30 minutes when the two met in Easton. Andrei Capusan is a tough matchup inside for Lehigh. That can open some things up for the Leopards; driveway shooter guards, who are capable of going wild from the arc if they get their feet set.

It would not be the first time Lafayette spoiled Lehigh's postseason plans. Last season the Leopards upset the Hawks on the final weekend, sending Lehigh north to Worcester instead of the short bus ride to Bucknell. (Remember, HC was the top seed entering the tournament and had swept Lehigh. The Hawks had beaten Bucknell once and lost a close on in the other. Lewisburg was, by far, their preferred destination.)

It goes without saying that this is could easily be a trap game for Lehigh, which closes the season on the road at Bucknell and Holy Cross. A win at Bucknell Wednesday would give the Hawks a chance to claim a share of the regular season title if they win again at HC.

If we understand the new NIT rules correctly, that would guarantee Lehigh of no worse than an NIT bid. Given all the team went through with the Joe Knight situation and the shaky non-conference showing that came with that, any postseason opportunity would offer some redemption.

But before the Hawks can think about Bucknell, or Holy Cross, or any postseason opportunities, they have to win this one. If they remember that, they should. If they don't come in focused on Lafayette, they could be in trouble. After all, Lehigh always seems just a cold Jose Olivero shooting night away from being beaten.

Lafayette notes | Lehigh notes | USA Today matchup
Published at 8:16 AM by Hoop Time.
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