Holy Cross' New "Family Friendly" UniformsAlright, Eagles fans, we're in the home stretch. At 5-6 in the League after 11 games, we're basically just clawing for seeding in the bottom half of the conference Tournament at this point. We've got three games to go, and up next is our inevitable away game against the (politically incorrect) Crusaders of the College of the Holy Cross. The Purple Monsters are, undoubtedly, going to be a real challenge on their home court. Our 3-game flash of brilliance only a few weeks ago was nice, but maintaining that level of play in Worcester is going to be tough. Can we do it? Will we succumb to the Crusades? Will we accomplish the regular-season sweep of Holy Cross that neither of our League Championship teams could over the past two seasons? Find out after the jump!
There are a few words that we will all undoubtedly be uttering during this game. No, I don't mean the four-letter ones your mother always scolded you for. I'm talking about Keister, Meister, Evans, Beinert. These are the names that we, somehow, kept mostly in check when the Crusaders came knocking on the doors of Bender Arena in January to the tune of a 71-64 final score. Evans and Beinert are a damn good backcourt, albeit not quite the Mercer-Carr menace that we fielded last season. Keister and Meister comprise a frontcourt averaging 6'9", and Lumpkins' ability to withstand their drives to the bucket seems to shift from game to game. Evans and Keister were both named to the pre-season All-League team. While the Crusaders' record is almost as ugly as our own, they are not to be underestimated. Worst of all, I fear that they have watched enough tape on us at this point to have figured out how to double and triple-team Vlad into the ground, and if we're not on our 3-point game it could get ugly.
Another reason why I worry is that Holy Cross is making free throws at a respectable 70% rate. After watching Lumpkins throw away more than a handful versus Army, I'm worried that landing poor referees this game could really put us in the doghouse. Fortunately, I'm also unsure whether first-year Holy Cross coach Sean Kearney yet has the chops to out-coach Jeff Jones, and they just may play into our strategies in ways that Ralph Willard never would have.
Point is, this is going to be a nitty, gritty, dirty, and physical game, as it always is versus Holy Cross. We've won five out of the last six, and six of the last eight meetings with the Crusaders, although they remain the only Patriot League team we were not able to sweep in the regular season during our two League Championship runs. Attaining that sweep this year, particularly as they were very strongly favored to win the League this year (and we were, simply put, not), would be incredible.
Of course, I'd like to point out that Holy Cross is taking a page out of our playbook for this one. Sunday marks the second annual Black Out game for Holy Cross, where the student section is encouraged to...wear black. They're selling "special" black versions of their normal "'Sader Nation" shirts for $10.00, which is $10.00 more than the Blue Crew is charged for our quality attire. However, it seems that this is to be Holy Cross' Phil Bender of sorts, and it's good to see that they're recognizing who exactly deserves this dubious honor from them. Last year's inaugural Black Out game was test-driven during out-of-conference play versus Sacred Heart, so clearly Holy Cross has decided to move the event to a game that matters. If they can consistently play their Black Out game versus us, while Phil Bender happens when the Crusaders come to Bender, it could add some good fuel to our budding rivalry.
My prediction: Vlad with 25 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals, a block, and 2 turnovers. Why? Why not? I also predict a third-consecutive double-double for Lumpkins and a career-high for Joe Hill. I'll also predict I expect at least 15 points from Hendra, 9 from Munoz, 8 from Simon, and 12 from Riley. My predictions seems to be bleeding into my fantasies here, but I am not completely remiss. When we last played the Crusaders Vlad did have 20 points, and I'd like to think he will be similarly effective in Worcester.
To finish this preview off, I'd like to quote a joke tweeted by AUHoops reader Marc Tomik: "A tornado blew through Worcester and did $1 million in improvements." While hilarious, it's really too bad that it didn't improve Kearney's coaching. ZING! That was my cheap shot for the night.
Unfortunately the Patriot League has decided to give this week's flex game for CBS College Sports to Lehigh-Lafayette, so you'll have to rely on the internet for coverage of the game. Per usual, I recommend Patriot League All-Access. Additionally Holy Cross will have a stat-tracker running on their page. Of course, make sure not to miss our riveting livelog right here on AUHoops.com, which is sure to be nothing short of a highlight if past liveblogging sessions are any indication. Wherever in the world you might be watching our Eagles from, remember to be LOUD, be PROUD, be BLUE, be AU!
If you think I forgot something, got something outright wrong, provided good analysis, crappy analysis, no analysis at all, if my jokes were bad, great, or you're just a lonely Holy Cross fan with a bone to pick, make sure to let us know in the comments!
There are a few words that we will all undoubtedly be uttering during this game. No, I don't mean the four-letter ones your mother always scolded you for. I'm talking about Keister, Meister, Evans, Beinert. These are the names that we, somehow, kept mostly in check when the Crusaders came knocking on the doors of Bender Arena in January to the tune of a 71-64 final score. Evans and Beinert are a damn good backcourt, albeit not quite the Mercer-Carr menace that we fielded last season. Keister and Meister comprise a frontcourt averaging 6'9", and Lumpkins' ability to withstand their drives to the bucket seems to shift from game to game. Evans and Keister were both named to the pre-season All-League team. While the Crusaders' record is almost as ugly as our own, they are not to be underestimated. Worst of all, I fear that they have watched enough tape on us at this point to have figured out how to double and triple-team Vlad into the ground, and if we're not on our 3-point game it could get ugly.
Another reason why I worry is that Holy Cross is making free throws at a respectable 70% rate. After watching Lumpkins throw away more than a handful versus Army, I'm worried that landing poor referees this game could really put us in the doghouse. Fortunately, I'm also unsure whether first-year Holy Cross coach Sean Kearney yet has the chops to out-coach Jeff Jones, and they just may play into our strategies in ways that Ralph Willard never would have.
Point is, this is going to be a nitty, gritty, dirty, and physical game, as it always is versus Holy Cross. We've won five out of the last six, and six of the last eight meetings with the Crusaders, although they remain the only Patriot League team we were not able to sweep in the regular season during our two League Championship runs. Attaining that sweep this year, particularly as they were very strongly favored to win the League this year (and we were, simply put, not), would be incredible.
Of course, I'd like to point out that Holy Cross is taking a page out of our playbook for this one. Sunday marks the second annual Black Out game for Holy Cross, where the student section is encouraged to...wear black. They're selling "special" black versions of their normal "'Sader Nation" shirts for $10.00, which is $10.00 more than the Blue Crew is charged for our quality attire. However, it seems that this is to be Holy Cross' Phil Bender of sorts, and it's good to see that they're recognizing who exactly deserves this dubious honor from them. Last year's inaugural Black Out game was test-driven during out-of-conference play versus Sacred Heart, so clearly Holy Cross has decided to move the event to a game that matters. If they can consistently play their Black Out game versus us, while Phil Bender happens when the Crusaders come to Bender, it could add some good fuel to our budding rivalry.
My prediction: Vlad with 25 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals, a block, and 2 turnovers. Why? Why not? I also predict a third-consecutive double-double for Lumpkins and a career-high for Joe Hill. I'll also predict I expect at least 15 points from Hendra, 9 from Munoz, 8 from Simon, and 12 from Riley. My predictions seems to be bleeding into my fantasies here, but I am not completely remiss. When we last played the Crusaders Vlad did have 20 points, and I'd like to think he will be similarly effective in Worcester.
To finish this preview off, I'd like to quote a joke tweeted by AUHoops reader Marc Tomik: "A tornado blew through Worcester and did $1 million in improvements." While hilarious, it's really too bad that it didn't improve Kearney's coaching. ZING! That was my cheap shot for the night.
Unfortunately the Patriot League has decided to give this week's flex game for CBS College Sports to Lehigh-Lafayette, so you'll have to rely on the internet for coverage of the game. Per usual, I recommend Patriot League All-Access. Additionally Holy Cross will have a stat-tracker running on their page. Of course, make sure not to miss our riveting livelog right here on AUHoops.com, which is sure to be nothing short of a highlight if past liveblogging sessions are any indication. Wherever in the world you might be watching our Eagles from, remember to be LOUD, be PROUD, be BLUE, be AU!
If you think I forgot something, got something outright wrong, provided good analysis, crappy analysis, no analysis at all, if my jokes were bad, great, or you're just a lonely Holy Cross fan with a bone to pick, make sure to let us know in the comments!
Josh
NOTE: While the preview went up early on Saturday morning, please be advised that the game is on Sunday, Feb. 21st at 2:00 PM, and not Saturday afternoon.
If you tweet about the game today, do us a solid and include the hashtag #beatholycross. By golly, if that ends up trending I'd be tickled pink!
ReplyDeleteAnyone know of any free feeds for the game (aside from PL All-Access)?
ReplyDeleteBe advised this game is tomorrow (Sunday) not today (Saturday).
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWhoops, sorry for any confusion folks! While the preview did go up early on Saturday morning, the game is not until Sunday afternoon. Tip is at 2:00 PM.
ReplyDelete