Holy Cross game

Lafalum · Joined: 06 Mar 2007 Posts: 843

That was the most disappointing game I have seen in recent years. This game was winnable but we got away fromthe plan. Koltun was playing his heart out that first half and was having a decent game and the coach then moves Willen to the center spot for some of the second half??? We go to our small team with 6 minutes and start weaving at the perimeter and without any inside presense it leaves Willard free to come out and guard our shooters who in 4 trips can't get a shot off!!
This is just getting me started....these kids deserve better!!

BY THE WAY WHERE ARE THE STUDENTS???

RePard · Joined: 10 Feb 2008 Posts: 31

I think the problem is conditioning. He appeared spent after about 7 minutes but during that time he really mixed it up. Even when he didn't get the board the ball was popping loose to someone else. Then in the second half he looked tired after 3 minutes. The lack of an inside game really hurts, as you said HC put the clamps on us for a few minutes and we were finished. Brown looked unstoppable for the first 10 minutes and then never made another shot. Can anyone figure out Benbow's college position? He doesn't do a little of everything.

Lafalum · Joined: 06 Mar 2007 Posts: 843

RePard · Joined: 10 Feb 2008 Posts: 31

I'm not the flack for this team, I was only trying to give you my perspective. Didn't you notice that Fran took him out AFTER he had stopped doing anything. Fran would have loved him to keep going but he couldn't. Then in the 2nd half he was also active for a couple of minutes and then lost his energy and Fran had to take him out again.

I too noticed that HC only started one senior but they had 2 others that played a lot and were former starters. But your point is on target. They started 2 sophs and a freshman and played another freshman a lot. We seem to be getting Colgate/Bucknell level recruits and we need to get some HC or American level kids. Don't judge us on yesterday, HC could give American a game and win the league. I was hoping we could win the 4th spot and get Army or Bucknell in the playoffs but now we'll need some help.

bison137 · Joined: 24 Feb 2007 Posts: 206

Kiltedpard · Joined: 28 Feb 2007 Posts: 293 Location: Bethlehem, PA

I was dissapointed as well as I thought we got handled in the second half. I think the conditioning question is valid. We were noticably gassed and HC could have played another half. I've wondered about this with past teams. Last year we were in the top of the PL in the first half of the season and fizzled down the stretch. Other years have been similar. Do we have a strength and conditioning coach? Do we need a better one?
HCs players were physically bigger. Not taller, physically bigger and stronger. Even the freshman and sophs. HC did what they needed to do. They did thier usual work the clock for 25-30 seconds ( with some offense that Willard looked like he must have picked up from some pee wee league) and then look for a shot. The thing is, they made the shots. Under pressure on the road.
Willen carried us in the first half. The kid is a player and he plays with some spark and enthuesiasm. We could have used Mintz and Visockas. Fran attempted to rotate Mower and Orchoski in, but, it wasn't the same.
What happened to Mintz? I heard Visockas is having another surgery on the same knee. Poor guy. I hope he can recover.

TheTruth · Joined: 26 Feb 2007 Posts: 485

Lafalum · Joined: 06 Mar 2007 Posts: 843

Mintz rolled on his ankle the day before in practice. May miss one more game.

Kiltedpard · Joined: 28 Feb 2007 Posts: 293 Location: Bethlehem, PA

BTW for all you stat nuts. We outrebounded the leagues leading rebounding team (with arguably our best inside guy on the bench) and still lost by 12.

TheTruth · Joined: 26 Feb 2007 Posts: 485

I caught the replay of the game on MASN yesterday. Holy Cross played great defense in the second half. Very athletic team. That 2-3 zone they play is tough to penetrate. Of course the game was very physical, officials missing calls for both teams. Typical Patriot league officiating and league game.