Gooooood evening AU Hoops fans! Hope you all had a wonderful Monday. If you're still residing in the DC area and work for the federal government, please be advised that you have a 2 hour delay (kind of) tomorrow morning. Since that's the case, please feel free to comment on some of our recent posts!
Before I start tonight's Patriot League Check-in, I want to remind all of you about Alumni Programs' event on Wednesday night that is offering a ticket to the Army game and access to the Eagles Club for only $15! If you're already a season ticket holder, email Heather Buckner and let her know, and you'll be able to get into the Eagles Club for free! There are only a few slots left, so be sure to sign up if you're planning on going to the game. (Those tasty mini potato skin things that Bon Appetit makes are wonderful; take it from someone who has eaten a baker's gross or so in his life).
PSAs aside, let's talk about the Patriot League. Just a short 10 days ago, AU was in striking distance of second (or even, very optimistically) first place. Now, in the midst of a 3 game losing streak after a 3 game winning streak, we're in the basement of the Patriot League. Army, the only team with a worst PL record than us, has the chance to sweep the season series on Wednesday in Bender. Recall that Army handed us our most embarrassing PL loss, 68-48 (and it wasn't as close as the score indicates), and that doesn't bode well. I think we will go 1-3 the rest of the regular season (with the lone win coming against Lafayette in the regular season finale). That would be good enough for somewhere between 6th and 8th place, and a guaranteed road trip anywhere we go in the PL playoffs.
Lehigh, on the other hand, seems to be getting better and better and could easily finish 11-3 in the league. They, with a seemingly resurgent Bucknell will probably comprise the top 2 in the league. Navy could finish 3rd if Chris Harris puts the team on his back, but I don't think they will finish any lower than 4th. Holy Cross seems to have accepted Coach Sean Kearney's system finally, and they are playing much better as of late. I don't look forward to the match-up in Worcester that we have this Sunday.
I think Lafayette will round out the top 4 by the skin of its teeth (I think they will go 1-3 or possibly 0-4) for the rest of the season and will be the reason that the bottom half of the PL standings will claw and bite for the 5th place seed and the right to play Lafayette. The Leopards will need to watch out though because if Holy Cross keeps playing the way they are they could reclaim 4th place (the way HC is playing they should finish at worst 2-2, if not 3-1).
Anyway, that's the PL check-in. I'll stop in tomorrow and give you the breakdown about Rivals' team report for AU. Things aren't looking too great for an AU home game in the playoffs, but if we can pull off the win against Army (who have an atrocious offense but an astounding defense), it will be a positive first step.
Pro deo et patria and GO EAGLES!
Someone besides Vlad needs to provide consistent offense. I think that falls right on Hendra - when he plays within himself he can score. I know last years team was much more talented but if you doubled Garrison, Gilmore picked up his game or Jordan Nichols was effective down low. If this doesn't improve the lumpkins/vlad era will be very forgettable.
ReplyDeleteAgreed, Bobby, Hendra has had a propensity for disappearing in games this year. He needs to realize that he can be one of the best #2 scorers in the league and play like it.
ReplyDeletePlayers have to realize that it is ok to drive into the lane and miss shots, as long as you have drawn the attention of the oppposing center, so your teammates can rebound a miss. It is often college b-ball's best pass. I actually blame McCormack more than Hendra because Hendra is often more heavily guarded.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, this team had tons of TOs when they tried to drive earlier in the season. There are ways that the coaching staff has tried to create some open space (and I commend them on it), but I think we are still not picking our momets at all, much less well. part of that is not rushing the offense and to recognize when you have a half step advantage on your man.
And then there are other strategies that maybe we've not tried.