coreyschucky
11-10-2004, 02:30 PM
From CBSSPORTSLINE.COM
Patriot League preview
By Tony Mejia
SportsLine.com Staff Writer
Stock Chart
Team Stock
1. Lehigh
2. Bucknell
3. Holy Cross
4. American
5. Colgate
6. Lafayette
7. Navy
8. Army
Jeff Jones has brought American to the doorstep of prosperity in three consecutive seasons, but the door to the NCAA Tournament has been slammed in his face in the Patriot League tournament final all three times.
As one of only two teams in the league never to get to the tournament (Army is the other), the monkey on the university's back is not only getting larger, but also picking things out of its hair and yelling obnoxiously. Removing the stigma this year won't be easy, as most teams in the conference have improved, including defending champion Lehigh, which extended the Eagles' misery last year.
Lehigh
Top three: G Jose Olivero, C Jason Mgebroff, PF Earl Nurse.
On the rise: Leading scorer Austen Rowland is gone, so a solid point guard must be found, but the Mountain Hawks look like they're going to be good for a long time. Coach Billy Taylor returns a roster filled with contributors from last season's special team, and the best of them, Oliver and Mgebroff, are just sophomores.
Bucknell
Top three: G Charles Lee, G Kevin Bettencourt, C Chris McNaughton.
On the rise: All five starters return from a team that played its best ball at the end of last season, finishing third in the conference standings. Bettencourt and Lee form the Patriot's top backcourt
Holy Cross
Top three: G Kevin Hamilton, C Nate Lufkin, F John Hurley.
On the rise: Ralph Willard's team fell back to the pack last season, and although four starters return, the one who doesn't is do-everything guard Jave Meade. There's still talent on board and a better year should be in store if the problems that arose last season are addressed.
American
Top three: G Andre Ingram, G Jason Thomas, F Matej Cresnik.
On the decline: The Eagles have to wonder if they've wasted one too many opportunities. Standout point guard Andres Rodriguez is gone, but the team will build around Ingram, last season's top league rookie.
Colgate
Top three: G Alvin Reed, C Andrew Zidar, G Jon Simon.
On the decline: Standouts Howard Blue and Mark Linebaugh graduated, leaving sizeable holes in both the post and on the perimeter. Zidar could address the problem in the paint by increasing his production, while Simon will be counted on for his shooting.
Lafayette
Top three: G Pat Betley, C Sean Knitter, G Marcus Harley.
On the decline: The Leopards are another team who might have seen its window of opportunity closed. Four starters are gone from last season's 18-10 squad, and they must find some pieces to surround Betley, a pass-first point guard who isn't going to beat you with his scoring.
Navy
Top three: F Carlton Baldwin, G David Hooper, F Matt Fannin.
On the rise: 32-year old Billy Lange takes over for longtime coach Don DeVoe, inheriting all five starters from last year's last-place finishers. There's potential, but Lange has a long way to go before this team can even start thinking about contending for their first NCAA bid.
Army
Top three: G Matt Bell, G Marshall Jackson, F Colin Harris.
On the decline: Jim Crews has managed just 11 victories in his two seasons at West Point and opted to rebuild this year by fielding the most freshmen on one roster in the nation. Those who have stuck around will be better, but there is still a sizeable talent gap between the top and bottom of the league.
Accolades
First team
C -- Jason Mgebroff, Lehigh
G -- Kevin Hamilton, Holy Cross
G -- Alvin Reed, Colgate
G -- Andre Ingram, American
G -- Kevin Bettencourt, Bucknell
Second team
F/C -- Sean Knitter, Lafayette
F/C -- Nate Lufkin, Holy Cross
C -- Chris McNaughton, Bucknell
G -- Jose Olivero, Lehigh
G -- Charles Lee, Bucknell
Player of the year
Jason Mgebroff, Lehigh
Newcomer of the year
Pat Doherty, Holy Cross
Breakthrough player
Jason Mgebroff, Lehigh
Patriot League preview
By Tony Mejia
SportsLine.com Staff Writer
Stock Chart
Team Stock
1. Lehigh
2. Bucknell
3. Holy Cross
4. American
5. Colgate
6. Lafayette
7. Navy
8. Army
Jeff Jones has brought American to the doorstep of prosperity in three consecutive seasons, but the door to the NCAA Tournament has been slammed in his face in the Patriot League tournament final all three times.
As one of only two teams in the league never to get to the tournament (Army is the other), the monkey on the university's back is not only getting larger, but also picking things out of its hair and yelling obnoxiously. Removing the stigma this year won't be easy, as most teams in the conference have improved, including defending champion Lehigh, which extended the Eagles' misery last year.
Lehigh
Top three: G Jose Olivero, C Jason Mgebroff, PF Earl Nurse.
On the rise: Leading scorer Austen Rowland is gone, so a solid point guard must be found, but the Mountain Hawks look like they're going to be good for a long time. Coach Billy Taylor returns a roster filled with contributors from last season's special team, and the best of them, Oliver and Mgebroff, are just sophomores.
Bucknell
Top three: G Charles Lee, G Kevin Bettencourt, C Chris McNaughton.
On the rise: All five starters return from a team that played its best ball at the end of last season, finishing third in the conference standings. Bettencourt and Lee form the Patriot's top backcourt
Holy Cross
Top three: G Kevin Hamilton, C Nate Lufkin, F John Hurley.
On the rise: Ralph Willard's team fell back to the pack last season, and although four starters return, the one who doesn't is do-everything guard Jave Meade. There's still talent on board and a better year should be in store if the problems that arose last season are addressed.
American
Top three: G Andre Ingram, G Jason Thomas, F Matej Cresnik.
On the decline: The Eagles have to wonder if they've wasted one too many opportunities. Standout point guard Andres Rodriguez is gone, but the team will build around Ingram, last season's top league rookie.
Colgate
Top three: G Alvin Reed, C Andrew Zidar, G Jon Simon.
On the decline: Standouts Howard Blue and Mark Linebaugh graduated, leaving sizeable holes in both the post and on the perimeter. Zidar could address the problem in the paint by increasing his production, while Simon will be counted on for his shooting.
Lafayette
Top three: G Pat Betley, C Sean Knitter, G Marcus Harley.
On the decline: The Leopards are another team who might have seen its window of opportunity closed. Four starters are gone from last season's 18-10 squad, and they must find some pieces to surround Betley, a pass-first point guard who isn't going to beat you with his scoring.
Navy
Top three: F Carlton Baldwin, G David Hooper, F Matt Fannin.
On the rise: 32-year old Billy Lange takes over for longtime coach Don DeVoe, inheriting all five starters from last year's last-place finishers. There's potential, but Lange has a long way to go before this team can even start thinking about contending for their first NCAA bid.
Army
Top three: G Matt Bell, G Marshall Jackson, F Colin Harris.
On the decline: Jim Crews has managed just 11 victories in his two seasons at West Point and opted to rebuild this year by fielding the most freshmen on one roster in the nation. Those who have stuck around will be better, but there is still a sizeable talent gap between the top and bottom of the league.
Accolades
First team
C -- Jason Mgebroff, Lehigh
G -- Kevin Hamilton, Holy Cross
G -- Alvin Reed, Colgate
G -- Andre Ingram, American
G -- Kevin Bettencourt, Bucknell
Second team
F/C -- Sean Knitter, Lafayette
F/C -- Nate Lufkin, Holy Cross
C -- Chris McNaughton, Bucknell
G -- Jose Olivero, Lehigh
G -- Charles Lee, Bucknell
Player of the year
Jason Mgebroff, Lehigh
Newcomer of the year
Pat Doherty, Holy Cross
Breakthrough player
Jason Mgebroff, Lehigh