Men's basketball faces tough test in Lehigh
Eric Goldwein
Issue date: 3/12/10 Section: Sports
If the Leopards hope to take down Lehigh in the Patriot League Championship this afternoon, they will need to continue shooting well and taking care of the ball. Lafayette split the season series against Lehigh, as each team won on its respective home court. The Leopards dropped the first game 75-57, despite taking a five point lead into halftime. In that game, Lafayette played without leading scorer Mintz in the final ten minutes after the forward took an elbow to the face.
In the second game, the Leopards exploded offensively and defeated the Mountain Hawks 90-75 on Senior Day. Led by Kari's six three pointers, the team shot 59 percent from beyond the arc.
Willen said the transition game was a difference maker in the two games, and will be important in the championship. "I think the biggest key will be the transition game," he said. "The first game I felt like they beat us in transition and got good looks which gave them the lead. In the second game I thought the role was reversed and we were better in transition and got better shots because of it."
Lehigh Guard C.J. Collum, who became the first player to ever win Patriot Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year, will present problems for the Leopards. The freshman leads Lehigh with 18.9 points a game, and had 51 points in his two meetings against Lafayette.
"McCollum is a great player," Willen said. "He can score in a variety of ways and we will have to know where he is at all times and not give him anything easy."
Zahir Carrington has also given the Leopards trouble. The 6'7" forward combined for 31 points on 80 percent shooting in the two meetings. Three-time All-Patriot League selection Marquis Hall will also play a key role for the Mountain Hawks. The senior averages 11.3 points and 5.6 assists. In Lehigh's victory over the Leopards, Hall was held to three points on 1-10 shooting, but still contributed with ten assists.
The Mountain Hawks defeated Army 64-45 in the quarterfinals. Lehigh trailed by two at halftime against the underdog Black Knights, but outscored Army 46-25 in the second half. The Mountain Hawks advanced to the championship by defeating the American Eagles 79-57.
The Leopards' last Patriot League Championship came in 2000. Lafayette also won the league in 1999. The winner of Friday's game will likely earn a 16th seed in the NCAA March Madness Tournament.
The players said they hope the fans will continue their strong support of the team and help the game at Lehigh feel like a home game. " [The fan support] has been amazing," Mintz said. "The student section has been incredible for us and hopefully there will be a good turnout at Lehigh on Friday."
In the second game, the Leopards exploded offensively and defeated the Mountain Hawks 90-75 on Senior Day. Led by Kari's six three pointers, the team shot 59 percent from beyond the arc.
Willen said the transition game was a difference maker in the two games, and will be important in the championship. "I think the biggest key will be the transition game," he said. "The first game I felt like they beat us in transition and got good looks which gave them the lead. In the second game I thought the role was reversed and we were better in transition and got better shots because of it."
Lehigh Guard C.J. Collum, who became the first player to ever win Patriot Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year, will present problems for the Leopards. The freshman leads Lehigh with 18.9 points a game, and had 51 points in his two meetings against Lafayette.
"McCollum is a great player," Willen said. "He can score in a variety of ways and we will have to know where he is at all times and not give him anything easy."
Zahir Carrington has also given the Leopards trouble. The 6'7" forward combined for 31 points on 80 percent shooting in the two meetings. Three-time All-Patriot League selection Marquis Hall will also play a key role for the Mountain Hawks. The senior averages 11.3 points and 5.6 assists. In Lehigh's victory over the Leopards, Hall was held to three points on 1-10 shooting, but still contributed with ten assists.
The Mountain Hawks defeated Army 64-45 in the quarterfinals. Lehigh trailed by two at halftime against the underdog Black Knights, but outscored Army 46-25 in the second half. The Mountain Hawks advanced to the championship by defeating the American Eagles 79-57.
The Leopards' last Patriot League Championship came in 2000. Lafayette also won the league in 1999. The winner of Friday's game will likely earn a 16th seed in the NCAA March Madness Tournament.
The players said they hope the fans will continue their strong support of the team and help the game at Lehigh feel like a home game. " [The fan support] has been amazing," Mintz said. "The student section has been incredible for us and hopefully there will be a good turnout at Lehigh on Friday."