Odds against 7th-seeded Navy
No. 2 Lehigh is riding 9-game winning streak, coming off 4 days of rest
It would seem the odds are against the Navy men’s basketball team heading into tonight’s Patriot League tournament quarterfinals.
Second-seeded Lehigh had an opening-round bye and thus has gotten four full days of rest. The Mountain Hawks closed the regular season on a nine-game winning streak.
Meanwhile, seventh-seeded Navy must turn play again with just one day off after Tuesday night’s gritty, 78-70 victory over 10th-seeded Lafayette. The Midshipmen conducted a light practice Wednesday before boarding a bus for the three-hour ride to Bethlehem, Pa.
However, neither coach is willing to concede the circumstances give host Lehigh an advantage.
“Our guys are excited to go play. Winning energizes you, so we’re eager to get back on the court,” Navy coach Ed DeChellis said. “Anytime you’re still playing in March it’s a great thing.”
Lehigh coach Brett Reed conceded he’d rather be playing at home on four days’ rest than on the road off a one-day turnaround, but fully expects to get Navy’s best effort.
“I really don’t think that’s a major factor,” Reed said when asked about the disparity in time off. “These are young guys whoare in great shape and accustomed to going hard every day, whether it’s a practice or a game. I know Navy will be ready and we’ll have our hands full.”
DeChellis was careful with his players Wednesday, holding a short practice that was nothing more than a walk-through. Normally, the Midshipmen would have at least one grueling practice before a game with the scout squad giving the rotation players a good look at the upcoming opponent.
“We’re coming off a hard-fought game and we need to preserve our legs,” DeChellis said Wednesday before practice. “We watched tape of Lehigh and went through the scouting report. We’re about to start practice, but we won’t be out on the court very long.”
The teams split during the regular season with Navy winning 69-64 at Lehigh on Jan. 20, then losing, 77-74, at home Saturday. Free-throw shooting by the Mids and 3-point shooting by the Mountain Hawks were the difference in the two games.
Navy made 12 of 17 free throws in the first meeting. The Mountain Hawks went 14-for-23 from beyond the arc in the rematch.
Looking ahead to the rubber match, Reed said the keys for Lehigh are rebounding and interior defense. Navy scored 84 points in the paint during the two regular-season games, with 26 of those coming off secondchance opportunities.
“We cannot give up offensive rebounds and we have to do a better job of protecting our own basket,” he said. “We also need to withstand their defensive pressure. Navy will get after you on the defensive end and we can’t allow ourselves to get turned over.”
Lehigh is led by junior center Tim Kempton, the two-time Patriot League Player of the Year. The rugged 6-foot-10, 225-pound player averages 15.3 points and 8.7 rebounds per game.
“Tim really sets the tone for our team with his energy and toughness,” Reed said.
Navy has the Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year in senior center Will Kelly. The 6-foot-9 Kelly, who ranks ninth in Division I with 82 blocked shots, played Kempton to a virtual draw statistically in the two regular-season meetings.
“That is certainly an important matchup because Kempton is a real tough kid who is a handful inside,” DeChellis said.
Added Reed: “Will Kelly is the consummate rim protector. He does not make things easy with his ability to challenge shots inside.”
Kempton was joined on the AllPatriot League first team by teammate Kahron Ross, a dynamic sophomore point guard. Ross leads the conference with six assists per game and is also averaging 11.4 points.
The Mountain Hawks surround Kempton and Ross with three perimeter shooters in Austin Price, Kyle Leufroy and Jesse Chuku, all of whom are shooting 42 percent or better on 3-pointers.
“Lehigh is very athletic and can really score the ball,” DeChellis said. “They have a strong post presence in Kempton, a dynamic point guard in Ross and four guys that can really shoot the three.”
Navy held second place in the Patriot League at one point in the season but lost eight of 11 to close the regular season. Meanwhile, Lehigh is the hottest team in the conference.
Navy senior point guard Tilman Dunbar had a big game in the first-round win over Lafayette, scoring 22 points and making eight assists. Navy will need Dunbar to again be a factor on the offensive end while staying in front of Ross on the defensive end.
Sophomore swingman Shawn Anderson has led the Mids in scoring all season and is coming off a 21-point outing. DeChellis said it will be important for Navy to get more production and energy from the bench if it hopes to make a postseason run.
History is against Navy as the first or second seed has captured the championship every year but one since the Patriot League tournament’s inception in 1991. The Midshipmen are seeking to win in the quarterfinal round for the first time since 2001.