Ivy League Hoops preview

[ugarte]

Interesting league preview here: http://ivybasketball.blogspot.com/2011/11/2011-2012-season-preview-uber-post.html?spref=tw

The pull quote, for me:

Cornell is expected to lead the league in variance, which is why it covers so much ground in terms of potential finishes.

Their projections give Cornell a 2.3% chance of finishing in first (including ties) and a 0.9% chance of finishing in eighth. Overall the computer puts them in 5th with a .500 record but within 2 games of second place Yale.

One ominous quote:

Thus, if every Ivy team has a laundry list of injuries akin to those announced by Cornell and Penn...

Harvard is an overwhelming favorite to win but, if history is a guide, will not pull it off.

[Jordan 04]

Harvard had a couple of "other" votes in the AP poll. http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/rankings/_/poll/1

[Ben]

The full KenPom rankings look a bit better for us. He's predicting 9-5 in league play and 16-12 record overall. I'd be over the moon with that after losing most of the frontcourt.

[phillysportsfan]

We are going to need to get a lot healthier to have a chance at 9-5, Peck is still out.

I would be happy with a top 4 finish this year

First game against the Bonnies Friday with Nicholson will probably be a blowout

Hopefully Harvard doesnt get it done this year but hard to see any of the other teams beating them out, maybe Yale but I doubt it. We should have beat Yale twice last year

[phillysportsfan]

watch game tonight 7pm against the Bonnies for free http://www.fansonly.com/schools/stbo/allaccess/ with free audio and pregame show at 6:30pm hits1033.com

[mountainred]

Thanks Philly.  Not sure how I will juggle Bball and Hockey, but I am interested in seeing if my home computer can handle it.

Looking forward to seeing Coach C's rotation and seeing which newbies (including Scelfo and Tarwater) get quality minutes.

[phillysportsfan]

it doesnt sound like the game audio is available on that website, I am currently getting it on redcast

nevermind getting it now online on hits 1033 website

[Ken711]

We are going to need to get a lot healthier to have a chance at 9-5, Peck is still out.

I would be happy with a top 4 finish this year

First game against the Bonnies Friday with Nicholson will probably be a blowout

Hopefully Harvard doesnt get it done this year but hard to see any of the other teams beating them out, maybe Yale but I doubt it. We should have beat Yale twice last year

Cornell shot a torrid first half but they weren't able to contain Nicholson.

[phillysportsfan]

We are going to need to get a lot healthier to have a chance at 9-5, Peck is still out.

I would be happy with a top 4 finish this year

First game against the Bonnies Friday with Nicholson will probably be a blowout

Hopefully Harvard doesnt get it done this year but hard to see any of the other teams beating them out, maybe Yale but I doubt it. We should have beat Yale twice last year

Cornell shot a torrid first half but they weren't able to contain Nicholson.

yeah that about sums it up

For positives freshman Miller and Cancer showed some promise, Cancer had some nice drives to the basket to get fouled but then was probably too aggressive at times, forced a couple of shots and got blocked by a guy's face

[mountainred]

One minor correction-- Cornell shot a torrid first 15 minutes -- I'm not sure they hit a three after that and were outscored by 25 or so the rest of the way.

Cancer made more than his share of freshman mistakes, but I loved how he attacked the basket aggressively.  If he can learn to kick it out to Ski and Ferry, and I think he will, he will be a weapon.

Tarwater and Miller both looked solid on the wing -- they can be quality regulars.

I am amazed at Eitan's growth as a player, he impressed me with his offensive play down low.  Unfortunately, he was physically no match for Nicholson on defense.