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Saturday, February 11, 2006
I talked myself out of the 6-hour drive to Worcester, with a return trip likely to be through lots of snow. I thought about riding a BU fan bus, but they leave immediately after the game, so I would miss the press conference and have no way to post the gamer anyhow until I got back.
The appeal of seeing my dauighters' last rec games of a season I have pretty much missed was also a factor.
Actually, despite all the hype, especially in the HC end, Bucknell media are pretty much shunning the trip. Even before the , the general attitude among the beat writers covering the Bison was that it is not a big enough game to be worth a 6-hour drive each way. Last I heard, only one of the papers that cover the Bison were thinking about making the trek. And that guy was said to be wavering due to weather concerns.
would be going, 'cept his paper had a team in the state high school team wrestling championships, so his boss went there, the guy who does prep hoops took the desk, leaving E to cover a key HS game. Life at a small paper.
Even if BU loses, they can win the top seed by beating Lafayette on the road and taking the last two at home over Lehigh and Army.
Even more realistic is that HC will beat Lehigh in Worcester when they play again. Then even if Lehigh would also beat BU, they'd still get the top seed since all three would have two losses, with splits head to head. The tiebreaker would be RPI.
Any how, here's this morning's read (and listen) around, along with our usual preview capsules:
LISTEN UP: Boxman has a link on his to an from Boxman's Show With No Name on WCHC-FM.
Also over at Boxman's blog, a that gives one guys view of the matchups in this afternoon's Bucknell-Holy Cross game. This is a link, not an endorsement. Lots of folks don't agree with his view. Feel free to join in the discussion over on the -- they have a going there.
TOM'S TAKE: Bucknell beat guy Tom Housenick of The Daily Item also in this morning's paper.
TALK ABOUT IT: By the way, folks will be chatting during the Bucknell-HC game in the . Just click on that link, log in and select the Patriot League room (when you enter, you will be in the Ivy Room. Folks who follow other league teams can join the chat and talk Patriot League hoops. Those listening to or tracking the other two games, who would like to keep everyone updated, are particularly encouraged to visit. We'll join the conversation as soon as we get back from the kid's big game.
Patriot League scoreboards
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Bucknell at Holy Cross, 3:30 p.m.: It's a must-win for Holy Cross. A loss would all but end the Crusaders hopes of securing a home court edge in the first two rounds of the league tournament. For Bucknell, it's not as life-and death, but it is still a big game. Bucknell would clinch at least second place and the chance to host the first two rounds in Sjoka Pavilion with a win. A win would also make BU 11-0 in the conference, equalling Fordham's record for the best start in league play. The Rams went 11-0 before finishing 11-1 in 1990-91, the first season of Patriot League hoops.
Bucknell's 10-game win streak is not the only streak on the line. The Bison have won 14 straight in conference play, dating back to last season. Holy Cross has won 15 straight regular season league home games, including 4 this season. Of course the modifer "regular season" is needed becuse Bucknell won at the Hart Center in last year's league final.
Over the last six seasons, HC is 34-4 in the Hart Center. Two of those losses, though, came at the hands of Bucknell, which is 8-8 all-time against HC in Worcester. The Bison have won five of seven overall against Holy Cross over the last three seasons.
There is no end to the analyzing that can be done of the matchups between these two, but if forced to boil it down to three keys, they would probably be:
1. Bucknell's defense vs. Holy Cross' offense. If the Bison hold Holy Cross under 60, it might be tough for the Crusaders to win. HC is 2-6 in games in which it scores less than 60 this season. Bucknell is 16-0 in games where the opponent scored 60 or less.
2. Chris McNaughton vs. Tim Clifford. The two best offensive big men in the league. Establishing McNaughton in the post has been a key for the Bison in its last two wins over HC. The lack of a corresponding post presence for HC was a key shortcoming when Bucknell won 56-42 in Sjoka earlier this season. Clifford has emerged since then, but the lack of quality big men in the rest of the league means he has yet to prove he can produce against legitimate opposition in the post. Watch Clifford's foul situation. He tends to get into foul trouble, and guarding McNaughton could amplify that problem. McNaughton, on the other hand, will get plenty of help on defense from Darren Mastropaolo and Tarik Viaer-McClymont, who gives away a few inches to Clifford, but matches up well in strength.
3. Bucknell's bench vs. the HC bench. Ralph Willard has been using an eight-man rotation; Pat Flannery generally goes nine deep. But the difference is bigger than those numbers. When Bucknell goes to the bench, it brings in Donald Brown, John Griffin, sharpshooting freshman Jason Vegotzky and Viaer-McClymont. Willard's bench is senior big man Kevin Hyland and a pair of freshmen-- Lawrence Dixon and Colin Cunningham. Look for Bucknell to try to wear the Crusaders down in the second half. This might be the place to mention how important it is for Holy Cross that Keith Simmons avoid cramping up in the second half and be available to play most of the game.
One thing to watch for: In the preseason, Flannery talked about Bucknell pressing and trapping more. In recent games the Bison have shown some of that from time to time. Will Flannery press more here in an effort to wear HC down, especially Torey Thomas, who is the only point guard Willard has available.
On the other side of that coin, Holy Cross has had some success in the past by pressing Bucknell, and the Bison have shown some signs of having trouble handling full court pressure. Will Willard try to press the Bison, or will he stay in halfcourt defensive looks to avoid wearing out his guards, who already log a lot of minutes.
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Lafayette at Navy, 3 p.m.: Alone in fourth place, Lafayette could solidify that spot with a win at Navy. That won't come easy. The Leopards are pretty solid at home, but they have struggled on the road, going 4-8 outside of Kirby. They are 2-3 on teh road in league play, coming off a win at Colgate.
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Lehigh at Army, 1 p.m.: Army's notes mention the fact that Lehigh will be screboard watching late in the afternoon, hoping Holy Cross can knock off Bucknell and help the Hawks even the league race. First they need to beat the Cadets, who have been an enigma all season. Army took Lehigh to the wire in Bethlehem earlier this season, losing by just three. They also played Bucknell tough in West Point, before falling to the Bison. But the Black Knights of the Hudson have yet to defend their home court in league play. Matter of fact, they have not beaten a Division I opponent in Christl all season.
| | |
The appeal of seeing my dauighters' last rec games of a season I have pretty much missed was also a factor.
Actually, despite all the hype, especially in the HC end, Bucknell media are pretty much shunning the trip. Even before the , the general attitude among the beat writers covering the Bison was that it is not a big enough game to be worth a 6-hour drive each way. Last I heard, only one of the papers that cover the Bison were thinking about making the trek. And that guy was said to be wavering due to weather concerns.
would be going, 'cept his paper had a team in the state high school team wrestling championships, so his boss went there, the guy who does prep hoops took the desk, leaving E to cover a key HS game. Life at a small paper.
Even if BU loses, they can win the top seed by beating Lafayette on the road and taking the last two at home over Lehigh and Army.
Even more realistic is that HC will beat Lehigh in Worcester when they play again. Then even if Lehigh would also beat BU, they'd still get the top seed since all three would have two losses, with splits head to head. The tiebreaker would be RPI.
Any how, here's this morning's read (and listen) around, along with our usual preview capsules:
LISTEN UP: Boxman has a link on his to an from Boxman's Show With No Name on WCHC-FM.
Also over at Boxman's blog, a that gives one guys view of the matchups in this afternoon's Bucknell-Holy Cross game. This is a link, not an endorsement. Lots of folks don't agree with his view. Feel free to join in the discussion over on the -- they have a going there.
TOM'S TAKE: Bucknell beat guy Tom Housenick of The Daily Item also in this morning's paper.
TALK ABOUT IT: By the way, folks will be chatting during the Bucknell-HC game in the . Just click on that link, log in and select the Patriot League room (when you enter, you will be in the Ivy Room. Folks who follow other league teams can join the chat and talk Patriot League hoops. Those listening to or tracking the other two games, who would like to keep everyone updated, are particularly encouraged to visit. We'll join the conversation as soon as we get back from the kid's big game.
| | | |
Bucknell at Holy Cross, 3:30 p.m.: It's a must-win for Holy Cross. A loss would all but end the Crusaders hopes of securing a home court edge in the first two rounds of the league tournament. For Bucknell, it's not as life-and death, but it is still a big game. Bucknell would clinch at least second place and the chance to host the first two rounds in Sjoka Pavilion with a win. A win would also make BU 11-0 in the conference, equalling Fordham's record for the best start in league play. The Rams went 11-0 before finishing 11-1 in 1990-91, the first season of Patriot League hoops.
Bucknell's 10-game win streak is not the only streak on the line. The Bison have won 14 straight in conference play, dating back to last season. Holy Cross has won 15 straight regular season league home games, including 4 this season. Of course the modifer "regular season" is needed becuse Bucknell won at the Hart Center in last year's league final.
Over the last six seasons, HC is 34-4 in the Hart Center. Two of those losses, though, came at the hands of Bucknell, which is 8-8 all-time against HC in Worcester. The Bison have won five of seven overall against Holy Cross over the last three seasons.
There is no end to the analyzing that can be done of the matchups between these two, but if forced to boil it down to three keys, they would probably be:
1. Bucknell's defense vs. Holy Cross' offense. If the Bison hold Holy Cross under 60, it might be tough for the Crusaders to win. HC is 2-6 in games in which it scores less than 60 this season. Bucknell is 16-0 in games where the opponent scored 60 or less.
2. Chris McNaughton vs. Tim Clifford. The two best offensive big men in the league. Establishing McNaughton in the post has been a key for the Bison in its last two wins over HC. The lack of a corresponding post presence for HC was a key shortcoming when Bucknell won 56-42 in Sjoka earlier this season. Clifford has emerged since then, but the lack of quality big men in the rest of the league means he has yet to prove he can produce against legitimate opposition in the post. Watch Clifford's foul situation. He tends to get into foul trouble, and guarding McNaughton could amplify that problem. McNaughton, on the other hand, will get plenty of help on defense from Darren Mastropaolo and Tarik Viaer-McClymont, who gives away a few inches to Clifford, but matches up well in strength.
3. Bucknell's bench vs. the HC bench. Ralph Willard has been using an eight-man rotation; Pat Flannery generally goes nine deep. But the difference is bigger than those numbers. When Bucknell goes to the bench, it brings in Donald Brown, John Griffin, sharpshooting freshman Jason Vegotzky and Viaer-McClymont. Willard's bench is senior big man Kevin Hyland and a pair of freshmen-- Lawrence Dixon and Colin Cunningham. Look for Bucknell to try to wear the Crusaders down in the second half. This might be the place to mention how important it is for Holy Cross that Keith Simmons avoid cramping up in the second half and be available to play most of the game.
One thing to watch for: In the preseason, Flannery talked about Bucknell pressing and trapping more. In recent games the Bison have shown some of that from time to time. Will Flannery press more here in an effort to wear HC down, especially Torey Thomas, who is the only point guard Willard has available.
On the other side of that coin, Holy Cross has had some success in the past by pressing Bucknell, and the Bison have shown some signs of having trouble handling full court pressure. Will Willard try to press the Bison, or will he stay in halfcourt defensive looks to avoid wearing out his guards, who already log a lot of minutes.
| | | |
Lafayette at Navy, 3 p.m.: Alone in fourth place, Lafayette could solidify that spot with a win at Navy. That won't come easy. The Leopards are pretty solid at home, but they have struggled on the road, going 4-8 outside of Kirby. They are 2-3 on teh road in league play, coming off a win at Colgate.
| | | |
Lehigh at Army, 1 p.m.: Army's notes mention the fact that Lehigh will be screboard watching late in the afternoon, hoping Holy Cross can knock off Bucknell and help the Hawks even the league race. First they need to beat the Cadets, who have been an enigma all season. Army took Lehigh to the wire in Bethlehem earlier this season, losing by just three. They also played Bucknell tough in West Point, before falling to the Bison. But the Black Knights of the Hudson have yet to defend their home court in league play. Matter of fact, they have not beaten a Division I opponent in Christl all season.
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