Basketball 2014-15

[mountainred]

The good news is Shonn Miller is back and looks healthy.  Shonn is a defensive force (rebounding, protecting the rim) who can single-handedly move the Big Red from horrific on defense (#350 of 351 last season if you believe Ken Pomeroy) to merely bad.  At bad you have a chance of staying in games you just didn't have when the other team was scoring 1.2 points per possession.

Ivy hoops online did a pretty good player-by-player breakdown:  http://ivyhoopsonline.com/2014/10/27/cornell-roster-preview-2014-15-edition/.  There is some talent on this team, but not enough unless this freshman class is truly special or the sophomores make significant jumps.

KenPom starts the Big Red out at #318 in the nation, which is last in the Ivys by a fairly wide margin.  His computer is projecting 8 wins and a 3-11 league record.  That's probably about right.  10/11 wins and 5-9 in the league is probably the best case scenario; worst case is around 5 wins and 2-12.  (It is hard not to win five games in a full d1 season).

[CAS]

Maybe hard not to win 5 games, but we managed to last year.  Interesting we had players transfer from last year's 1 D-1 win team, who now are playing at Vandy and Cal.

[mountainred]

Maybe hard not to win 5 games, but we managed to last year.  Interesting we had players transfer from last year's 1 D-1 win team, who now are playing at Vandy and Cal.

Even really bad teams should be able to luck into 5 wins.  Only 3 D1 squads failed to reach that standard last season.  Last year's team was just flat out brutal on the defensive end; Shonn's return should help a lot.

For those who don't know, Nolan Cressler transferred to Vandy.  He was the best offensive weapon on last year's team and earned honorable mention all-Ivy.  He'll be missed, but I have a feeling the returning guards are more than willing to increase their shot totals (that's not a compliment).

Dwight Tarwater graduated and is on Cal's roster this season.  Dwight gave full effort for the Big Red and seems like a good guy, but in reality he was never more than "generic Ivy League forward."  He would have been behind Miller at strong forward this season, so why not graduate and let Cal pay for the first year of grad school?  I'd be surprised if he gets much playing time, though I wish him nothing but the best, and I imagine he's a great locker room presence.

[Ken711]

FWIW - Harvard is ranked in the nations top 25.

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2014/11/04/harvard-welcomes-scrutiny-that-comes-with-top-ranking/D9xVMsfZRjYH0ToYF0YlVO/story.html

[billhoward]

Interesting we had players transfer from last year's one D-1 win team, who now are playing at Vandy and Cal.

It's the system?

[Ken711]

Interesting we had players transfer from last year's one D-1 win team, who now are playing at Vandy and Cal.

It's the system?

They didn't like the system/coach at Cornell?

[mountainred]

As down as I was on these guys, I need to step up and say that's a nice win to start the season.  68-60 over George Mason.  Beating an A-10 team, even a bad one, hasn't happened since December 2009.  {Edit:  Temple is A-10, so March 2010 in the NCAA Tournament.}  Miller makes a huge difference and he and David Onuorah down low take away many of easy shots we gave up last season.  When Hatter is on, he's a difference-maker, but the question is going to be how often is he on.

In candor, I have to say George Mason looked awful and not ready to play.  But after last season, a win is a win.

[ugarte]

I can't believe it. Amaaaaaazing.

[mountainred]

I can't believe it.

Neither could the George Mason announcers.  They weren't insulting or obnoxious -- they remember Courtney fondly from his time down there -- but over and over they would say "I can't believe that shot didn't fall."

[phillysportsfan]

In candor, I have to say George Mason looked awful and not ready to play.  But after last season, a win is a win.

And a road win. Miller was 4-6 from 3, hopefully he doesnt get to comfortable taking those 3's. Mason just beat Princeton so maybe we will be somewhat competitive during league play. They will probably be just good enough for Courtney not to get fired which after last season isnt a good thing

[phillysportsfan]

Free Feed for Loyola game: http://www.loyolagreyhounds.com/multimedia/patriot-league-network-m-basketball.html

[Al DeFlorio]

Free Feed for Loyola game: http://www.loyolagreyhounds.com/multimedia/patriot-league-network-m-basketball.html

"Free."  What a novel idea!

[Al DeFlorio]

3 for 19 from behind the line was the killer

[scoop85]

3 for 19 from behind the line was the killer

Yeah, I thought on more than one occasion what a difference Cressler would have made today

[phillysportsfan]

OVERRATED! SUCKS lose 58-57 to Holy Cross, so much for being in the top 25