HARVARDDADGRAD
Postdoc
Posts: 2692
Loc: New Jersey
Reg: 01-21-14
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02-25-24 06:10 PM - Post#363989
The season comes down to Friday night in Providence.
Brown has been inconsistent, but currently riding wins at Columbia and Cornell.
When Brown won 74-72 at Lavietes, Ajogbor was playing his first game back and only played 11 minutes and Tyler Simon wasn’t in the rotation (2 minutes).
Perhaps most importantly, Harvard shot 3-19 from 3 and missed 10 FT’s. The minimal contribution from Ajogbor meant mismatches leading to 8 shots blocked by Brown.
This will be an intense Ivy contest.
Given that both Harvard and Brown finish with Yale & Dartmouth, albeit Brown is at home and Harvard on the road, this game could well be determinative.
With Brown’s frontcourt, getting Batties & Pigge back would be useful.
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HARVARDDADGRAD
Postdoc
Posts: 2692
Loc: New Jersey
Reg: 01-21-14
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Brown 2
03-01-24 03:41 PM - Post#364203
In response to HARVARDDADGRAD
Excited for tonight's game. There will still be two games left for each team following tonight, but the equation is likely relatively simple - win to be in the tournament. Of course, a Harvard loss at Dartmouth on Tuesday (yes, Tuesday!) or a Brown win vs Yale next weekend could still elevate Brown even if Harvard prevails tonight.
I missed the initial contest, in which Brown, after leading 41-24 at the half, was outscored 48-33 in the second half, barely holding on for a two point victory at Lavietes. I've heard others describe that first half as Harvard's worst half of the season, and from looking at our shooting, that could be true:
1-9 on 3's
5-11 FT's
9-25 FG's
Seems Harvard jumped out to a 7-0 lead, only to fall behind 14-31. That's a 31 to 7 run for Brown. Brown outscored Harvard 12-1 that half on points off turnovers, which is remarkable in that Harvard only registered 9 TO's for the game.
It should be noted that this was Ajogbor's first game back, meaning his hand was still wrapped and he was still to be rusty for some time thereafter. He only played 11 minutes,scoring 5 points with two rebounds. Brown's frontcourt of Nana and Anya were very efficient, scoring 27 points on 11 of 16 shooting. Harvard was also outrebounded 38-33, something that was a problem during Ajogbor's absence.
I'm hoping that the frontcourt of Ajogbor and Okpara (20 points in the first game) can turn that frontcourt matchup around, enough so to bring home a victory.
Harvard's bench only scored 6 points the first game - meaning no one but the starters and Ajogbor made shots - but Pigge (5 pts) and Batties (15 pts) each played 30 minutes. Are they ready to go tonight? If not, then a healthy Ajogbor will be offset somewhat by the absence of Batties. Tyler Simon (2 minutes/0 points), would have to replace Pigge (5 points). I guess we won't know until game time what we have.
Of course, Brown heavily relies on leading scorer Kino Lilly who made 4 3's and scored 19 points in the early game. Certainly, Mack will be asked to contain Lilly, as there is no hope to shut him down. I understand that Kimo Ferrari has heated up, especially from long range. He only made a single basket (a trey) in 21 minutes in the opener, but has emerged of late, scoring in double figures in 4 of his last 5 contests based on at least 3 treys in each. If he goes off for the 6 of 9 three's like he did at Columbia last weekend (9 of 14 on the weekend), we're in trouble.
I guess my take is similar to last game against Penn, if Harvard's frontcourt can successfully defend and avoid having to double team Brown's bigs, the defensive minded backcourt (e.g., Simon) can hopefully keep Lilly and Ferrari from enjoying open looks from long range. Also, our limited offense really needs Lesmond to contribute more than the 1-7 he shot the first time around, something that will hopefully happen.
Despite my opposition to the tournament, I guess I'm glad we have a reason to care about tonight's contest between these two inconsitent 5-6 teams. It looks like the final tournament spot will require at least a 7-7 final record.
Edited by HARVARDDADGRAD on 03-01-24 03:45 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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84grad
Junior
Posts: 277
Age: 64
Reg: 11-09-17
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03-01-24 07:21 PM - Post#364214
In response to HARVARDDADGRAD
No Batties. Pigge dressed. Warming up.
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mobrien
Masters Student
Posts: 402
Loc: New York
Reg: 04-18-17
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03-01-24 07:28 PM - Post#364215
In response to 84grad
We need to rebound tonight, and have Mack and Lesmond make their threes.
I’d like to see more Mack-Ajogbor screen rolls with Lesmond and Simon on the weak side; that’s probably the best spacing we could get (maybe enough to get Ajogbor a couple of easy dunks).
Have to match what I imagine will be a lot of energy from Brown the first 5 minutes.
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84grad
Junior
Posts: 277
Age: 64
Reg: 11-09-17
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03-01-24 07:39 PM - Post#364216
In response to mobrien
Brown student section revved up.
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HARVARDDADGRAD
Postdoc
Posts: 2692
Loc: New Jersey
Reg: 01-21-14
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03-01-24 07:57 PM - Post#364218
In response to 84grad
Thanks for the update 84.
Need all the healthy bodies we can get.
Including Senior Day at Dartmouth and our possible finale moved to Tuesday so as not to interfere with exams!
Ivy League Basketball!
Hoping for a good win!
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HARVARDDADGRAD
Postdoc
Posts: 2692
Loc: New Jersey
Reg: 01-21-14
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03-01-24 08:08 PM - Post#364220
In response to HARVARDDADGRAD
Announcers say no Pigge
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mobrien
Masters Student
Posts: 402
Loc: New York
Reg: 04-18-17
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03-01-24 08:11 PM - Post#364221
In response to HARVARDDADGRAD
Both teams look a little tight. Sloppy offensive possessions so far.
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HARVARDDADGRAD
Postdoc
Posts: 2692
Loc: New Jersey
Reg: 01-21-14
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03-01-24 08:14 PM - Post#364222
In response to HARVARDDADGRAD
Pigge is in
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HARVARDDADGRAD
Postdoc
Posts: 2692
Loc: New Jersey
Reg: 01-21-14
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03-01-24 08:19 PM - Post#364223
In response to HARVARDDADGRAD
Absolutely no Harvard offense. Brown good on defense and fouls not being called tonight.
Crimson with 7 TO’s in first 8 minutes.
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CrimsonBlood
Freshman
Posts: 46
Age: 33
Reg: 03-15-18
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03-01-24 08:20 PM - Post#364224
In response to HARVARDDADGRAD
Yes- incredibly sloppy play.
Mack has made some really poor decisions so far.
Brown is going to swarm Mack and make other players step up.
Mack is going to have to facilitate and trust his teammates.
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CrimsonBlood
Freshman
Posts: 46
Age: 33
Reg: 03-15-18
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03-01-24 08:33 PM - Post#364227
In response to CrimsonBlood
There are really no positives at this point. The worst I've seen us play in a half thus far.
We have 8 points deep in first half.
Everyone on the Crimson is turning it over.
Okpara missing layups.
Ajogbor getting outrebounded on the defensive glass.
Amaker needs to get into these guys. You can't come out this flat in a must win game.
We need a spark.
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84grad
Junior
Posts: 277
Age: 64
Reg: 11-09-17
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03-01-24 08:56 PM - Post#364228
In response to CrimsonBlood
Rough night for Okpara.
Outrebounded 20-9. 11 Brown offensive rebounds.
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HARVARDDADGRAD
Postdoc
Posts: 2692
Loc: New Jersey
Reg: 01-21-14
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03-01-24 08:57 PM - Post#364229
In response to CrimsonBlood
Mack hits two 3’s, but that can’t be 32% of our offense
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CrimsonBlood
Freshman
Posts: 46
Age: 33
Reg: 03-15-18
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03-01-24 09:27 PM - Post#364231
In response to HARVARDDADGRAD
Our shooting and turnover woes are well known and documented.
But even beyond that, seems like we are missing some senior leadership.
I want to see some greater intensity, hard fouls, some tenacity. If you are going to lose, at least show some intensity.
This is just super sloppy play so far and such a demoralizing effort in a must win game.
Some of this is coaching too. Get in your players' faces and crank up the intensity and focus. This is an embarrassing showing for Harvard thus far.
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CrimsonBlood
Freshman
Posts: 46
Age: 33
Reg: 03-15-18
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03-01-24 09:32 PM - Post#364232
In response to CrimsonBlood
Nesbitt with the three and cuts the deficit to a dozen. It's remarkable the game is still this close.
I like throwing Nesbitt in there though. We need some more spacing and offense and maybe he can give us a spark.
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CrimsonBlood
Freshman
Posts: 46
Age: 33
Reg: 03-15-18
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03-01-24 10:02 PM - Post#364233
In response to CrimsonBlood
WTH was that last play? Why did we not give the ball to Mack running at the rim??
Simon literally calling for a pick taking his time. I don't understand any of that.
Hopefully it doesn't cost us as this has required everything to mount a furious comeback. Overtime here we go.
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whitakk
Masters Student
Posts: 523
Age: 32
Reg: 11-11-14
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03-01-24 10:05 PM - Post#364235
In response to CrimsonBlood
I guess that's why Amaker always lets his players freelance for the last shot instead of calling timeout lol. (Martin called the one that let Harvard "draw up" that play)
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CrimsonBlood
Freshman
Posts: 46
Age: 33
Reg: 03-15-18
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03-01-24 10:18 PM - Post#364236
In response to CrimsonBlood
narrator: and it would cost them.
Such a disappointing loss.
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HARVARDDADGRAD
Postdoc
Posts: 2692
Loc: New Jersey
Reg: 01-21-14
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03-01-24 10:52 PM - Post#364238
In response to CrimsonBlood
Amazing comeback.
Inexplicable late game strategy.
To Amaker’s credit, he must have instructed his guys to foul the Brown player who was 1-7 on the year shooting FT’s. But he sank both.
Why is Agogbor guarding Brown’s 3 point shooters, twice, on crucial possessions?
Nice comeback guys.
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