Patriot League 2005-06 Preview
This year promises to be another exciting and intense season of Patriot League basketball. Last season, the Bucknell Bison finally got the Patriot League off the snide by winning the league’s first-ever NCAA Tournament game. The expectations continue to increase for individual schools and the league as a whole.
The 2005-06 season has the potential to see a lot of offense. Amazingly, the top nine scorers from last season, led by Holy Cross’ Kevin Hamilton, all return to their respective teams this season. The league has no shortage of explosive and exciting players, especially from the guard position. Four of the five members of the Preseason All-Patriot League squad reside in the backcourt. But the fifth player, Bucknell’s Chris McNaughton, will seriously vie for the title of league MVP this year after enjoying a breakout campaign in 2004-05.
One major change in the Patriot League this year is yet another change in the schedule. This season, the league will move to a Wednesday/Saturday schedule, as opposed to the Friday/Sunday slate that has been in place for the past two seasons. The move has multiple benefits, including limiting the amount of time in which students miss classes and – theoretically, at least – improving the quality of play over the weekends by playing only one game. The Wednesday trips might be a bit of a hassle for some teams, especially Holy Cross. But the move should bring good results for the Patriot League.
No matter what the schedule is, however, all teams will be gunning to take down the consensus preseason favorite, Bucknell. It will be exciting to see how Bucknell handles its status as the chic pick to win it all this season. The team handled the pressure pretty well last year. But with so much basketball yet to be played, all teams can still hope to take home the league trophy come March.
Preseason Awards
1st Team All-Patriot League:
Kevin Hamilton, Holy Cross
Andre Ingram, American
Charles Lee, Bucknell
Chris McNaughton, Bucknell
Keith Simmons, Holy Cross
League MVP: Chris McNaughton, Bucknell
Defensive Player of the Year: Abe Badmus, Bucknell
Coach of the Year: Emmett Davis, Colgate
Team-by-Team Previews
1. Bucknell Bison (2005-06: 4-0, 2004-05: 23-10, 10-4, 2nd)
Starters:
Senior guard Kevin Bettencourt
Senior guard Charles Lee
Junior guard Abe Badmus
Sophomore forward Darren Mastropaolo
Junior center Chris McNaughton
Schedule Highlights:
Nov. 22: at Syracuse (74-69 win)
Dec. 6: vs. Villanova
Dec. 21: vs. St. Joseph’s
Dec. 28: vs. Boston University in the Cable Car Classic
Jan. 2: at Duke
Last year, the Bucknell Bison stormed finished second in the Patriot League regular season, won the Patriot League Tournament title on Holy Cross’ home court and then topped off the season by defeating Kansas in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, the first Patriot League team ever to win an NCAA Tournament game. And guess what? The Bison lost only one player – a bench player at that – from the 2004-05 team to graduation. Bucknell sure seems like an easy preseason pick to me.
The returning members of the Bucknell team achieved almost every honor last season. McNaughton, a first-team all-Patriot League selection in 2005, averaged 12.6 points per game last year and hit the memorable game-winning shot against the Jayhawks. Lee, the reigning Patriot League Tournament MVP, led the team in rebounds with 6.5 per game. Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year Badmus, who helped lead the Bison’s suffocating defense, which gave up an average of 45 points in three conference tournament games last season, also led the team in assists last year (3.5 assists per game). And oh, the Bison also have second team all-Patriot League member Bettencourt and all-rookie team guard John Griffin coming back, too.
The only question for Bucknell this season is what the team can do for an encore. The Bison will also have to deal with having the target aimed directly on their backs, as they look to repeat as Patriot League champs. And with such an experienced and talented group coming back, it shouldn’t be much of a problem.
2. Holy Cross Crusaders (2005-06: 2-4, 2004-05: 25-7, 13-1, 1st)
Starters:
Junior guard Keith Simmons
Senior guard Kevin Hamilton
Junior guard Torey Thomas
Senior forward Kevin Hyland
Sophomore center Tim Clifford
Schedule Highlights:
Nov. 18: vs. High Point in the William & Mary Tip-Off Classic (85-73 win)
Nov. 25: at Cincinnati (77-55 loss)
Nov. 28: at Vermont (68-64 loss)
Dec. 19: vs. Tennessee-Chattanooga in the San Juan Shootout
Jan. 17: vs. Boston College
Last year, the Crusaders surprised some Patriot League experts by cruising through the regular season before falling just short in the championship game. This year, however, Holy Cross will not be able to sneak up on any members of the Patriot League.
The Crusaders’ strength is obviously in the backcourt, where they return their top four players from last year. The leader of that pack is Hamilton, last year’s Patriot League Player of the Year and one of the most explosive players in the league. Hamilton ranked in the top 10 in the league in six different categories, including leading the Patriot League in scoring (15.7 points per game), steals (2.9 per game), defensive rebounds (4.9 per game) and three-pointers made (2.6 per game). Joining Hamilton is fellow all-Patriot League first teamer Simmons, who last year was the best bench player in the Patriot League, averaging more than 12.0 points per game as a reserve. The battle for the third starting guard spot will be between junior Thomas, who led the team in assists last season, and sophomore Pat Doherty, last season’s Patriot League Rookie of the Year. Either way, Holy Cross will be in good hands.
The one question mark for Holy Cross will be the frontcourt, as the team graduated both Nate Lufkin and John Hurley, the team’s two biggest defensive players. Hyland and Clifford are the only two big men with any collegiate experience, so the Crusaders will count on them to provide some offense in the paint. Because of the frontcourt’s inexperience, expect the Crusaders to be a guard-orientated team this season. With so many good outside shooters and clutch performers, however, that shouldn’t be too much of a problem.
3. Colgate Raiders (2005-06: 3-3, 2004-05: 12-16, 7-7, tied 4th)
Starters:
Senior guard Alvin Reed
Junior guard Jon Simon
Sophomore guard Kyle Roemer
Sophomore forward Kendall Chones
Senior center Marc Daniels
Schedule Highlights:
Nov. 14: vs. Utah Valley State in the Guardians Classic (55-42 win)
Nov. 15: vs. Iowa in the Guardians Classic (73-51 loss)
Dec. 10: at Syracuse
Dec. 27 vs. Georgetown in the Sun Bowl Tournament
In 2004-2005, Colgate surprised many people, including myself, by finishing in a tie for fourth place in the Patriot League, despite a rash of injuries and missing players. This year, however, the Raiders return all but one player from last season and bring back some other familiar faces, too.
Arguably, the team’s biggest loss last season was the injury to senior center Daniels, who was lost in the beginning of the season and never returned. The team also felt the sting of losing Kendall and Kyle Chones, both of whom were academically ineligible last season. Daniels will be the team’s starting center this season with the graduation of Andrew Zidar, while Kendall Chones, who averaged 7.4 points per game as a freshman two seasons ago, will likely start at one forward position.
The silver lining to all the injuries was that the team got to see some of its underclassmen in action. Roemer, who led the league in three-point field goal percentage at 45.3 percent, and Alex Woodhouse, who provided a spark after receiving playing time in Daniels’ absence, both look to play increased roles this season.
The Raiders are still a relatively young team this season, but with one more year of experience under their belts and a lot of returning faces, head coach Emmett Davis could guide his team back to the upper half of the Patriot League.
4. Lehigh Mountain Hawks (2005-06: 3-4, 2004-05: 14-15, 7-7, tied 4th)
Starters:
Junior guard Jose Olivero
Senior guard Joe Knight
Junior guard Kyle Neptune
Senior forward Mike Fischman
Junior center Jason Mgebroff
Schedule Highlights:
Nov. 13: vs. Northwestern in the BCA Invitational (61-59 loss)
Nov. 27: at Villanova (84-47 loss)
Dec. 23: at Washington
Coming off a Patriot League championship two years ago, there was a little bit of a letdown in Bethlehem last season, as the Mountain Hawks finished the season with a sub-.500 record for the first time in head coach Billy Taylor’s tenure. This year, the team will try to keep itself in the top half of the league standings.
The Mountain Hawks look fine in the backcourt, as the team returns Olivero and Knight. Knight, a senior tri-captain and a member of the All-Tournament team after his 45-point outburst against Colgate in the quarterfinals, averaged 13.6 points per game in his first season in the Patriot League. Olivero struggled at times with his shooting last year, a common problem for the entire Lehigh team, which shot less than 39 percent from the field last season. The backcourt duo must take better shots and give the Mountain Hawks some offensive leadership this season.
The frontcourt is somewhat of a question mark for the Mountain Hawks. Last season, the team primarily used Nick Monserez and Earl Nurse in the forward positions, and they have both graduated. Therefore, it will be up to some players that don’t have a ton of experience to step up. Neptune and Fischman, who combined to average 4.8 points per game last season, will likely begin the year as the two starting forwards. They must improve on last year’s statistics. Mgebroff, the team’s fourth-leading scorer from last season, returns as the team’s starting center.
Lehigh will be competitive this season, but it needs to find a fix to the shooting woes that plagued the squad last season. If the Mountain Hawks cannot find an answer, Knight and Olivero may finish the season with more individual accomplishments than team wins.
5. American Eagles (2005-06: 0-4, 2004-05: 16-12, 8-6, 3rd)
Starters:
Junior guard Andre Ingram
Junior guard Linas Lekavicius
Junior forward Sekou Lewis
Sophomore forward Travis Lay
Junior center Brayden Billbe
Schedule Highlights:
Nov. 19: at Washington (99-82 loss)
Dec. 23: at Maryland
American fell short of the Patriot League title game for the first time in four seasons last year, and that streak should reach two this year. The Eagles lose three starters and 60 percent of last year’s offense with the graduation of Jason Thomas, Raimondas Petrauskas and Patrick Okpwae, in addition to swingman Matej Cresnik. The team will need to replenish its arsenal, and fast, if it hopes to stay in the upper echelon of the Patriot League this season.
This year, the offense will revolve entirely around the league’s second leading scorer from last season, Ingram. However, he will not be able to do everything alone. Lekavicius will hold down the other guard spot, giving American some semblance of normalcy in the backcourt.
The Eagles’ frontline is small with 6-10 center Billbe being the tallest member of the squad. The team, however, will receive some help in the second semester when Paulius Joneliunas is eligible to play. A Georgetown transfer, Joneliunas should give American some experience and height in the middle, something the team desperately needs.
American’s statistics from last season can be thrown out the window. This season will not see American lead the Patriot League in shooting or place second in scoring with so many key departures. This season will likely be the toughest for head coach Jeff Jones at American, but don’t underestimate the team’s desire to continue its success in the league.
6. Navy Midshipmen (2005-06: 0-4, 2004-05: 9-19, 5-9, 6th)
Starters:
Sophomore guard Corey Johnson
Sophomore guard Greg Sprink
Senior guard David Hooper
Junior forward Carlton Baldwin
Senior forward Matt Fannin
Schedule Highlights:
Nov. 18: vs. Georgetown (72-49 loss)
Nov. 27: at Air Force (64-55 loss)
Feb. 5: vs. Army in the Star Game
It took Navy head coach Billy Lange all of one season to show marked improvement in the team that he took over before the beginning of last season. With a fast-paced and aggressive style of play, the Midshipmen managed to lead the Patriot League in scoring at 69.7 points per game and rebounding at 41.1 rebounds per game, proving to be a team that few league squads wanted to play down the stretch. This season, Lange and the Middies hope to continue riding that momentum.
The team has a solid core returning from last season, including all-Rookie team Corey Johnson and Sprink in the backcourt. The duo combined to score 16.3 points and dish out 4.7 assists per contest, and should reach, if not exceed, that level again this season. The team has some experience in the frontcourt, led by seniors Hooper and Fannin. Fannin is the team’s leading scorer, averaging 10.9 points per game. He combines with Hooper, who averaged 9.8 points per game, to make up for the loss of Laramie Mergerson, the team’s second-leading scorer last season. Baldwin, who missed several games last season for various reasons, will also return and hopefully make a positive impact for the Midshipmen.
Lange did an excellent job with this Navy program in his first season, and it looks as if he has the team heading in the right direction once again this year. If the team can carry its momentum from last season into 2005-06, Navy could quickly become a dangerous team.
7. Lafayette Leopards (2005-06: 3-3, 2004-05: 9-19, 5-9, 7th)
Starters:
Junior guard Marcus Harley
Junior guard Jamaal Hilliard
Sophomore guard Bilal Abdullah
Senior forward Andrei Capusan
Sophomore forward Ted Detmer
Schedule Highlights:
Nov. 18: at St. Joseph’s (70-47 loss)
Nov. 20: at Notre Dame (84-66 loss)
Last year was tough for coach Fran O’Hanlon and the Lafayette Leopards, and things might not be much better this season. The team brings back all but three players from last year’s squad, but two of those players were critical.
The Leopards knew that super-sub Sean Knitter, who came off the bench to lead the team in scoring at 10.9 points per game, would be graduating in May. But the team received a huge blow when junior Jamaal Douglas, the Patriot League’s leading rebounder last season at seven rebounds per game, transferred to Eastern Kentucky. Without Knitter, Douglas and Jamie Hughes in the middle, the Leopards’ frontcourt is inexperienced and not particularly good. Capusan, who averaged seven points per game last season, is the only returning forward with significant experience, and he will need help from a score of freshmen and sophomores.
The Leopards do have some strength in the backcourt. Harley started every game last season for Lafayette, while classmate Hilliard started 20 of 28 contests and will challenge Pat Betley, who missed some of last season to injury, for a starting guard position this season. Abdullah also played well during his freshman campaign and will look to improve on his 8.7 points per game average, which ranked second among returning players.
Ultimately, the success of Lafayette this season will hinge on whether the team can get any production out of its frontcourt. With a talented group of guards who can score, the men up front will decide whether the Leopards get themselves out of the bowels of the Patriot League standings. And while the Leopards might not win a ton of league games this season, you can at least expect them to be competitive.
8. Army Black Knights (2005-06: 3-3, 2004-05: 3-24, 1-13, 8th)
Starters:
Junior guard Matt Bell
Sophomore guard Grant Carter
Junior guard Cory Sinning
Junior forward Colin Harris
Junior center Jimmy Sewell
Schedule Highlights:
Nov. 15: vs. Temple in the NIT Season Tip-Off (69-37 loss)
Nov. 29: at Connecticut (68-54 loss)
Feb. 5: vs. Navy in the Star Game
It was another year of rebuilding for coach Jim Crews and Army last season, and unfortunately, there was not much for the team to be too excited about. The Black Knights return every important player from last season’s team, and for that reason alone, they should be somewhat better than last season. How much better, however, will depend on the success of the team’s younger players.
The one bright spot on last year’s team was Bell, who finished third in the league in scoring, averaging 14.3 points per game. He proved to be a premier player in the Patriot League. Harris and Sinning, the team’s second- and third-leading scorers from last season, must also carry some of the offensive load for the Black Knights.
Last season, that offensive load was light because the team ranked last in the Patriot League in scoring with 55.9 points per game. As a result, the team was outscored by an average of 11.9 points per game last season. If Army wants to see any success this year, the Black Knights will have to find a way to consistently put the ball in the net. They must also find a way to stop opponents from doing likewise.
