HARVARDDADGRAD
Postdoc
Posts: 2701
Loc: New Jersey
Reg: 01-21-14
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08-23-23 10:24 AM - Post#357691
The Crimson apparently kicked off their summer Canadian tour yesterday winning 75-47 at McGill. Based upon last year (9-18) and the highlights we shouldn't read much into the victory, but there can be some observations.
The good:
- 9-23 on 3's for 39.1%, Evan Nelson 4-9.
- Chisom Okpara 19pts (8-14)
- Nelson 17pts, 5 assts
- Justice Ajobgor, 9 rbs
- Matt Filipowski, 11pts, 6rbs in 16 minutes
The concerning:
- Depth?: 9 players were used in a blowout, including Greg Cooper and Christian Rich. Cooper/Rick combined for only 3 pts and 1rb, so contributions came from only 7 bodies. On the other hand, I believe freshmen may not be eligible to play yet.
- Tyler Simon, Josh Hemmings, Okpara, Ajogbor and Pigge started, with Filipowski getting the most minutes off the bench.
- No Bennett Pitcher
- From the highlights, McGill looked small in stature. Thus, Okpara and Filipowski were able to finish at the basket. Why not Ajogbor who shot 1-6?
- Highlights don't show any baskets in transition.
This is a team without a star, unlike past years (Ledlum, Kirkwood, Aiken, Towns, etc.). Okpara is/will be impactful, but if this game is indicative there may be more ball movement and spread contribution - by necessity. That will be awesome, if we make our 3's.
Ok, I've now started 2023-24 shaking off the rust by over-analyzing a meaningless game. Not a good sign. Back to work.
Edited by HARVARDDADGRAD on 08-23-23 10:29 AM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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HARVARDDADGRAD
Postdoc
Posts: 2701
Loc: New Jersey
Reg: 01-21-14
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08-24-23 12:05 AM - Post#357693
In response to HARVARDDADGRAD
Ottawa 65
Harvard 52
Oh well. It could be a long season.
Back to work.
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84grad
Junior
Posts: 277
Age: 64
Reg: 11-09-17
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08-24-23 08:49 AM - Post#357694
In response to HARVARDDADGRAD
And no Lesmond. Why do our injured players take so long to heal?
Shooting remains atrocious. Too many problems to solve.
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HARVARDDADGRAD
Postdoc
Posts: 2701
Loc: New Jersey
Reg: 01-21-14
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McGill
08-25-23 01:46 PM - Post#357721
In response to 84grad
Very good point '84. Lesmond was sorely missed last season and an experienced and talented 6'6" shooting guard would be very important this (or any) season.
Continuing this underwhelming thread, Harvard edged Carleton University 75-72 last night in Ottawa. Really a 6 man rotation with Filipowski off the bench.
AWFUL 3 point shooting: 4-30!!!
Evan Nelson shored 13 points on 5-22 shooting, 1-12 from 3.
Ajogbor was leading scorer with 17 on 7-10 shooting.
Not much comfort in knowing that had we merely shot 33% from long range we win by 20+. Despite all the offensive rebounding opportunities, we were outrebounded.
Hopefully Lesmond is returning this season. He only played in 5 games last year so he retains graduate eligibility after Cambridge.
For what it's worth, Carleton has 27,000 students and has - according to Wikipedia - men's basketball has won 16 of 19 national championships since 2003! I have no how that translates from Canadian to US.
Edited by HARVARDDADGRAD on 08-25-23 01:48 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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HARVARDDADGRAD
Postdoc
Posts: 2701
Loc: New Jersey
Reg: 01-21-14
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08-25-23 03:44 PM - Post#357722
In response to HARVARDDADGRAD
I was intrigued as Carleton was 18-1 last season and an amazing 103-3 over its past five seasons! That's impressive! Apparently, Carleton is the UCLA of Canada. Thus, I believe that Harvard may have already accomplished the best Ivy win of the season (uh, North of the Border). Here's my substantiaion:
"Carleton is recognized for the strength of its men's basketball team, which has accumulated the highest number of national titles of any collegiate basketball team in Canadian history. Between 1999 and 2019, Dave Smart served as the head men's basketball coach at Carleton, and is credited for building the team's capacity to its current reputation of repeated success. Smart resigned from his position in 2019 to serve as Carleton's director of basketball operations.
The Ravens men's basketball team has won the national championship fifteen times, with five consecutive titles between 2002–03 and 2006–07 and seven consecutive titles between 2010-2011 and 2016–2017, surpassing the University of Victoria at the top of the all-time list. The Vikes had seven consecutive wins in the 1980s. With its 12th crown in 2016, the Ravens eclipsed the UCLA Bruins men's basketball team as the college with the most national basketball titles, a feat accomplished in 14 years, compared with UCLA's 11 titles in 32 seasons.
Outside of its typical season games, the men's basketball team plays exhibition games with NCAA teams from the United States during the summer months, billed as the Can-Am Shootout. During these games, Carleton has garnered significant wins over reputable Division I teams such as the University of Mississippi, University of Cincinnati, and South Dakota State University.
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