Men's Basketball 59 Buffalo 68

Ben · November 16, 2011, 07:52:05 PM

29-24 Buffalo at the half. Another sloppy first half of poor shooting, but we've clawed part of the way back from twelve points down after about ten minutes.

Ben · November 16, 2011, 09:03:43 PM

59-68 Final. Bad shooting, too many fouls, out-rebounded. Kinda the same story as last year.

phillysportsfan · November 16, 2011, 11:28:46 PM

yes I agree there was poor 3pt shooting and way too many offensive fouls, Cancer will learn to make better decisions about when to go to the basket and when to pass. However, it wasnt the same story as last year in that despite 25% terrible 3pt shooting we were still in this game with less than 5min to go due to a good inside game from Eitan and some aggressive drives to the basket. With a few more 3's + a more typical good shooting night from Wrobo they could have won this game

mountainred · November 17, 2011, 08:54:00 AM

Seemed like the refs thought they were being paid by the charge call. I'd call the loss frustrating but not crushing as Buffalo is a fringe top 100 team and the BR hung with them. The next four games before exams will be critical -- all are very winnable.

phillysportsfan · November 17, 2011, 09:55:58 PM

They did make a lot of charge calls but I thought a lot of them were accurate, we played out of control. Yes definitely need to get a win on Sunday against BU

mountainred · November 17, 2011, 10:30:33 PM

I was only listening, not watching, so I trust you. 1-2 is where I expected the team to be, though I hoped to steal an extra win. Not sure how accurate KenPom's ratings are this early in the season, but he ranks Cornell's next four opponents at 187 (BU), 210 (Delaware), 261 (American) and 155 (Lehigh).

Any word on Peck? I will be interested in seeing how the rotation changes upon his return. I'd try to keep two of Peck, Tarwater, and Miller on the floor as much as possible with Eitan and Josh splitting time in the post and go to more of a classic two guard look. This three guard attack is really tough on the rebounding.

Ben · November 17, 2011, 10:34:08 PM

Quote from: mountainredAny word on Peck? I will be interested in seeing how the rotation changes upon his return. I'd try to keep two of Peck, Tarwater, and Miller on the floor as much as possible with Eitan and Josh splitting time in the post and go to more of a classic two guard look. This three guard attack is really tough on the rebounding.

Per Brian Delaney:

QuoteNot sure yet. B.C. said he was getting re-evaluated this weekend. They hope soon. But he's been out since July so stamina...

mountainred · November 17, 2011, 10:41:12 PM

Thanks Ben. Good point on the stamina -- it may be hard for him to go more than 10 minutes or so.

phillysportsfan · November 18, 2011, 12:23:24 AM

Quote from: mountainredI was only listening, not watching, so I trust you. 1-2 is where I expected the team to be, though I hoped to steal an extra win. Not sure how accurate KenPom's ratings are this early in the season, but he ranks Cornell's next four opponents at 187 (BU), 210 (Delaware), 261 (American) and 155 (Lehigh).

Any word on Peck? I will be interested in seeing how the rotation changes upon his return. I'd try to keep two of Peck, Tarwater, and Miller on the floor as much as possible with Eitan and Josh splitting time in the post and go to more of a classic two guard look. This three guard attack is really tough on the rebounding.

Kenpom's ratings seem to be a little off right now, I think he had Penn to finish 6th and us in 3rd in the league before the season started but Brian Delaney thinks Cornell should go 5-0, BU, UDel, American, Lehigh, Albany. They are all winnable games but I dont know if we can play consistent enough to win 5 in a row.

I dont think we get Peck back till December, it will be interesting if he can step up his game this year, hopefully he will be fully healthy and have played a few games by the start of conference play. Yes it will be interesting to have Miller and Peck out there at the same time with more time for Eitan. Eitan has played much more aggressive and tough inside this year while Figini seems content to shoot jumpers

mountainred · November 18, 2011, 08:11:22 AM

Eitan's improvement from his freshman year has been nothing short of remarkable. He's a good offensive player now; he positions himself well; has a nice touch around the basket and play the center position aggressively. Despite all of his hard work and effort, I worry that he's still not athletic enough or strong enough to match up with the better centers he'll face (witness his 4 fouls per game compared to just 2.7 rebounds). The forwards can and have helped on the boards, but keeping him on the floor and out of foul trouble is going to be tough. Nonetheless, Eitan deserves all of the praise he is getting for his work in the off-season.

Josh has a skill set, but it's a skill set to be Jon Jaques redux. That's great when you have a seven footer in the post, but this Cornell team needs him down low and for his top post move to be something other than a fadeaway jumper. I will continue to hope one of the youngsters can earn playing time with Eitan down low and free Figini to play his more natural position. But I'm not optimistic I'm going to see it this year. Giddens and Tomic have some potential, but they aren't ready yet. Maybe LaMore when he gets healthy?