Lehigh Team Report

GETTING INSIDE

Last season was a tale of two halves for Lehigh.

Following 10 wins in the non-conference portion of their schedule, the Mountain Hawks fell apart against their Patriot League foes, going just 5-9 and finishing the season 15-14. Part of the problem was a lack of experience. Only one senior filled out the rotation.

This season, the Mountain Hawks are a bit more balanced, led by a pair of seniors—forward Zahir Carrington and point guard Marquis Hall. Hall, who averaged 13.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists last season, is an All-Patriot selection in each of the past two years.

The 6-7 Carrington (14.0 ppg, 8.6 rpg) is a beast in the post and led the Mountain Hawks in scoring and rebounding,

After Carrington and Hall, it gets a bit iffy for Brett Reed’s team. Junior guard Rob Keefer has had shooting issues and junior guard Michael Ojo is recovering from a concussion. The Mountain Hawks have a gaping hole in their frontcourt.

For Lehigh, a Patriot League title is probably unlikely, despite what should be another solid non-conference showing. To compete in the conference, the Mountain Hawks need to be stronger and deeper.

NOTES, QUOTES

• Senior PG Marquis Hall has started 88 of Lehigh’s 89 games since he arrived on campus.

• Senior F Zahir Carrington posted 10 double-doubles last season, most on the team.

• Lehigh led the league in offensive rebounding last season, hauling in 39.6 boards per game.

Last Year:   15-14 overall, 5-9 in the Patriot League, tied for fifth

Head Coach:   Brett Reed (career 29-29); third year at Lehigh (29-29)

Quote To Note:   “During the early stages we will attempt to implement our defensive strategies and our foundational philosophies for guarding our opponents. We also hope to continue to layer the complexities of our offense upon one another to create a slightly more dynamic attack for this season.”—Coach Brett Reed, on LehighSports.com, discussing his strategy for the season.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

Scouting The Newcomers:   Freshman G C.J. McCollum, last season’s Gatorade Player of the Year in Ohio, is the first-year player most likely to grab minutes for coach Brett Reed. McCollum averaged 29.3 points and nearly eight rebounds a game as a senior. Freshman F Gabe Knutson is also a dynamic talent, a two-time class 4A all-state selection from Iowa, where he was also chosen the state’s 19-U AAU MVP.

Key Early Season Games:   The nonconference schedule won’t pose much of a challenge for Lehigh, with not one game scheduled against a BCS opponent. The Mountain Hawks won’t do much traveling either, with not one road game taking place outside the Eastern Time Zone.

Program Direction:   Lehigh is a work-in-progress. The Zahir Carrington-Marquis Hall combo makes the Mountain Hawks tough to beat, but a thin frontcourt and a ton of inexperience could mean another season in which the team struggles down the stretch.

Probable Starting Lineup:   G Dave Buchberger, G Rob Keefer, G Marquis Hall, F Zahir Carrington, F John Adams

Roster Report:  

• Sophomore F Justin Maneri saw limited action as a freshman after undergoing reconstructive ankle surgery before the season. The 6-8 Maneri is expected to be healthy for the Nov. 13 opener.

• The Mountain Hawks added 7-foot junior walk-on David Safstrom in the offseason. Safstrom is expected to be a bench player this season.