Not your grandma's FDU: Q&A with Big Apple Buckets on Fairleigh Dickinson University
by TheMidRangeGame on Nov 26, 2011 8:25 PM EST
in Albany Great Danes
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PrintThe world might be lacking an exclusive Fairleigh Dickinson U. blog, but that doesn't mean no one is paying attention. Big Apple Buckets, an excellent hoops blog, relentlessly follows all things in the greater NYC area (you SBU fans should be regulars over there). He has the inside scoop for us on FDU -- which doesn't figure to be the same pushover as last year.
This is a complete overhaul of personnel from last season for the Knights. The names and faces are completely different and hopefully more talented. Fairleigh Dickinson has already played two strong defensive games against Lehigh and St. Peter's. There's some signs for hope here.
Yes, well Lonnie Hayes has worked out quite well for Fairleigh Dickinson thus far. He was a junior college All-American last season and he's come right in and made a big impact. Hayes is getting to the free throw line on a regular basis, shooting six per game, and also averages four assists and 16.3 points per game. He's a real high-volume scorer and is only making 36.8% of his shots from the floor. It'd be nice if he got his more efficient teammates involved more, but it's good that FDU has someone that can make their own shot happen now.
Four guys score in double-figures for the Knights, Melquan Bolding (19.7 PPG), Lonnie Hayes (16.3 PPG), Kinu Rochford (13.0 PPG) and George Goode (10.5 PPG). Since Hayes, Goode and Rochford are in other questions, a quick primer on Bolding. Bolding is a transfer from Duquesne who does a lot of his damage from beyond the arc where he's shooting 38.9% in three games. He also turns the ball over way too much. He scored 33 points in the loss to Lafayette the last time out. Basically if there's an opportunity for him to shoot he'll take it.
The two guys that Albany has to watch out for are 6'6" forward Kinu Rochford and 6'8" forward George Goode. Rochford scored 15 or more points in each of the team's first three games and then took just three shots in the loss to Lafayette. He was also much less active on the glass. Against Providence though he was the best player on the court with 15 points and 12 boards and then he was even better against Lehigh with 18 points and 15 boards. He can make a difference on the interior. Goode had been in double-figures each of the past three games. He had a real strong all-around game with 16 points, five assists and nine rebounds in the win over St. Peter's. Both give FDU some size up front.
Beware of JUCO All-American Lonnie Hayes (Not to be confused with Lenny) via wp.missouristate.edu
It's an interesting team just because of the fact that Greg Vetrone is basically starting over in his second season. The Knights haven't won 20 games since 2006. The NEC is starting to improve as a conference and Vetrone has a lot of work to do to keep up with teams like Robert Morris, Long Island and Wagner.
The Knights are able to keep Albany off the free throw line on defense and control the paint on offense and get some better shots. This team can't shoot very well from beyond the arc, so Rochford and Goode are going to have to control the interior and the guards are going to have to contain Suero, Black and company in order to pull out the win.
I think Albany, playing on its home court, takes home the victory. It will probably be closer than last season's 72-46 shellacking the Great Danes handed out. I see something like 78-68 or so.
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Benchmark
I think this team will serve as good benchmark btw UA, UVM and SBU. I think they have a chance to steal one of those games.
by TheMidRangeGame on Nov 27, 2011 9:00 AM EST via mobile reply actions
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