Colgate: Playing Basketball Feebly Since 1819Well AUHoops fans, it's about time that we gave you some opposition research for the other teams in the Patriot League for the upcoming season. This is the first in a series where we will do a brief analysis of each team, its returning players, its new players, its non-conference schedule, and how we think AU will fare against them during the upcoming season.
School: Colgate University
Last year's record: 10-19 (6-8 Patriot League) - Lost in the quarterfinals to Lafayette in the Patriot League tournament
Last year's record against AU: 1-1 - In the matchup between these two teams in Bender Arena last year, Steve Luptak played absolutely out of his mind and went off for 22 points against the Raiders. The Eagles ended up picking up a 73-63 victory against the Toothpaste Eaters from New York. In the matchup up in Hamilton, the Eagles lost 75-74 after missing myriad chances to put the game away. Vlad the Impaler put up 30 points but it just wasn't good enough as the Raiders prevailed on their home court.
Key losses - The Raiders lost the injury-plagued but incredibly talented Kyle Roemer and big man Ben Jonson to graduation. These were their #1 and #3 scorers respectively. Roemer, a 2010 First Team All-PL selection, was a prolific scorer and a clutch player for the Raiders. He'll be incredibly difficult to replace. They also lose Jonson, who was good for 10 points and 5 rebounds a game. He'll be less difficult to replace as we'll get to in a minute.
Key additions - The Raiders will look to replace their center with one of two sophomores, either Lazar Bogdanovic (6'9") or John Brandenburg (6'11"). Sophomore Yaw Gyawu will have to step up to try and replace Roemer. Gyawu is certainly talented and put up 33 points over two games against the Eagles last year.
Non-conference - For some bizarre reason, Colgate has a home and home with Dartmouth this season. I think it may be an error on their schedule, but it looks like they're scheduled to play Dartmouth in Hanover early in the season and then Dartmouth again in Hamilton after their PL opener. They will also have tough match-ups against Syracuse, Maryland, and Duke. Aside from those three powerhouses, they have a pretty soft non-conference schedule. Feast or famine for Emmett Davis's club.
Outlook against the Eagles - Gyawu, along with guard Mitch Rolls and forward Nick Pascale, will try to lead the Raiders against the Eagles. Unfortunately for them, Nick Pascale isn't going to be enough to counter the Lump, Vlad, and Riley in the paint. With Charles Hinkle shadowing (and locking down) Gyawu, the Eagles should have more than enough to take two from the Raiders this year.
Keep checking back for other Patriot League previews!
1. You forgot to mention talented 2G Mike Venezia, who led Colgate in scoring two years ago before breaking a foot in an early game last year.
ReplyDelete2. There is no battle for center - unless Brandenburg gets arrested again. He was a top recruit to ACC Virginia a few years ago and was one of the highest rated H.S. centers in the country. I doubt he's quite that good, but he is likely to be the best transfer in the PL this year.
3. If Brandenburg becomes a very good PL center - and that is definitely possible - Colgate could be a first division team.