Crusaders Conclude Road Trip At Navy
Complete Release in PDF Format
GAME DAY QUICK FACTS:
The Teams: Holy Cross (7-18, 4-6 PL) vs. Navy
(12-13, 6-4 PL)
Date: February 17, 2010
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Place: Alumni Hall (5,710), Annapolis, Md.
Live Video Streaming: Patriot League All-Access
Unofficial Live Statistics: Gametracker
Holy Cross Radio: WWFX 100.1 FM, Worcester; Bob
Fouracre, play-by-play; Click Here for Internet Broadcast
Navy Radio: WNAV 1430 AM, Annapolis, Md.
Series Record: Holy Cross leads, 31-17
Last Meeting: Holy Cross 79, Navy 60 (January 20,
2010; Worcester, Mass.)
PROBABLE HOLY CROSS STARTERS:
Pos., No., Name (Ht., Wt., Cl.)
F, 5, Mike Cavataio (6-4, 190, So.)
F, 34, Andrew Keister (6-9, 235, Jr.)
C, 53, Eric Meister (6-8, 225, Sr.)
G, 10, R.J. Evans (6-3, 200, So.)
G, 22, Andrew Beinert (6-4, 185, Jr.)
THE SERIES WITH NAVY: This will be the 49th
meeting between the Crusaders and the Midshipmen on the hardwood,
with Holy Cross leading the all-time series 31-17. The series has
seen a number of winning streaks, including a current stretch of
two straight victories by the Crusaders, which was preceded by
three straight Navy wins. Holy Cross was previously victorious in
16 straight meetings between the two schools from 2001-2007, while
the Midshipmen won eight straight from 1997-2000. For games played
in Annapolis, Holy Cross holds a 11-10 lead, but Navy has won two
straight. The schools first met on March 20, 1947, with Holy Cross
posting a 55-47 victory at Madison Square Garden in the NCAA
Tournament East Regional Semifinals.
SERIES QUICK FACTS:
Overall: Holy Cross leads, 31-17
In Annapolis: Holy Cross leads, 11-10
At Alumni Hall: Navy leads, 10-8
Sean Kearney vs. Navy: 1-0
Billy Lange vs. Holy Cross: 3-9
Current Win Streak: Holy Cross, two game
In Overtime: Navy leads, 2-1
CRUSADERS WRAP UP ROAD TRIP AT NAVY: Holy Cross
will play the last of three straight games away from the Hart
Center this week, when it travels to Navy on Wednesday, February
17, at 7:00 p.m. The Crusaders have split the first two games on
the road trip, defeating Army 70-56 on February 10, while falling
68-63 at Bucknell on February 14. Following the contest at Navy,
Holy Cross returns to the Hart Center for its final two home games
of the regular season. The Crusaders play host to American on
Sunday, Feb. 21, at 2:00 p.m., then take on Colgate on Wednesday,
Feb. 24, at 7:00 p.m.
BROWN PLAYS KEY MINUTES IN THE BACKCOURT:
Sophomore guard Devin Brown (Baltimore, Md.) has once again been
one of the top players in the Holy Cross backcourt this season. In
25 games played so far this year, he has averaged 12.9 points per
contest, while scoring in double-figures 14 times and hitting 45.6
percent (57 of 125) of his three-point field goal attempts. During
the game at Bucknell, Brown led the team with 19 points and made
all 10 of his free throw attempts. Previously at Colgate, he scored
19 points while hitting five of nine shots from behind the
three-point line. Brown also played well at American, recording 19
points, six rebounds and two assists. Some of his other top
performances this season have come against Bucknell (career-high 29
points), at North Carolina State (21 points, five rebounds, three
assists), against George Washington (20 points, five rebounds),
against Central Connecticut State (19 points, four rebounds, three
assists), against Sacred Heart (19 points), at Lafayette (18
points, three rebounds), at St. Joseph’s (17 points, three
rebounds), against Loyola (16 points, two rebounds, two steals),
against Army (13 points, two steals), against Harvard (12 points,
five rebounds, two assists) and at Rhode Island (12 points, four
assists). Last year, Brown averaged 5.8 points and 1.6 rebounds per
game, while leading the Patriot League by making 88.0 percent of
his free throws (73 of 83). A few of his top games in 2008-2009
came against Fairfield (22 points, five of nine shooting from the
field, 10 of 10 shooting at the foul line) and San Francisco (22
points, five assists, 11 of 12 shooting on free throws). Over the
course of his Holy Cross career, Brown has now totaled 507 points,
109 rebounds and 65 assists, while hitting 39.7 percent (69 of 174)
of his three-point field goal attempts and 81.4 percent of his free
throws (144 of 177).
HOLY CROSS FACES TOUGH SLATE: During the
2009-2010 campaign, Holy Cross has faced far and away the toughest
non-conference schedule of any school in the Patriot League.
Through games of Feb. 14, the Crusaders’ non-league schedule
was ranked as the 187th-hardest in the nation by CBSSports.com. The
second-toughest non-conference schedule of any Patriot League
school belongs to Colgate, which played a slate listed at 292nd.
Holy Cross played eight non-conference games against teams ranked
in the top 150 of the RPI, and only faced four schools with RPI
rankings of below 195.
EVANS HAVING ANOTHER STELLAR YEAR: Sophomore
guard R.J. Evans (Salem, Conn.) is enjoying another outstanding
season for the Crusaders, after earning Patriot League Rookie of
the Year honors in 2008-2009. In 24 games played this year, he has
averaged 13.7 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists per contest.
During the game at Bucknell, Evans recorded 13 points, five
rebounds and two assists. Previously in the victory at Army, he had
a solid all-around game with 14 points, four rebounds and four
assists. Evans also played well against Lafayette, totaling 15
points, eight rebounds and a career-high six assists. Some of his
other top performances this season have come at Fairfield (21
points, 10 rebounds), against Sacred Heart (20 points, five
rebounds), against Navy (20 points, four rebounds, four assists),
at Lafayette (19 points, five rebounds, two steals), against UMass
(18 points, four rebounds, three assists), at Brown (17 points, 10
rebounds), against Central Connecticut State (16 points, 10
rebounds), at St. Joseph’s (16 points, nine rebounds, three
assists), against George Washington (16 points, seven rebounds,
four assists), against Bucknell (15 points, four assists), at
American (14 points, five rebounds, three assists, two steals), at
North Carolina State (13 points, seven rebounds), at Nevada-Las
Vegas (13 points, three rebounds, three assists), at Western
Michigan (12 points, seven rebounds, four assists), at Stony Brook
(12 points, three assists), against Harvard (12 points) and against
Loyola (11 points, five rebounds, three assists). A year ago, Evans
averaged a team-best 13.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.7 steals per
contest, while scoring in double-figures in 21 of his last 26
games. He also earned All-Patriot League Tournament honors after
averaging 20.3 points and 6.7 rebounds in three postseason games,
including a career-high 31 points, six rebounds and three steals in
the quarterfinal victory over Bucknell. A few of Evans’ other
top games in 2008-2009 came against San Francisco (26 points, 10
rebounds) and Siena (21 points, six rebounds, five assists, four
steals). Evans’ 429 points scored last season were the
second-most ever by a Holy Cross freshman, behind only Ronnie Perry
with 574 points in 1976-1977. Over the course of his collegiate
career, he has now totaled 758 points, 292 rebounds, 113 assists
and 68 steals.
BUCKNELL RECAP: Devin Brown scored a team-high 19
points, but the Holy Cross men’s basketball team was defeated
by Bucknell 68-63 at Sojka Pavilion on Feb. 14, 2010. The Crusaders
rallied from 20 points down in the second half, but were unable to
complete the comeback as the Bison held on for a five-point
victory. Mike Cavataio finished with 17 points, four rebounds and
two blocked shots for the Crusaders, while R.J. Evans added 13
points, five rebounds and two assists. Darryl Shazier led the Bison
with 27 points, four rebounds and three steals. The Crusaders
jumped out to a lead early in the game, going in front 13-9 with
12:27 remaining in the first half as Cavataio scored 11 of the
team’s first 13 points. Bucknell then responded with a 15-3
run over the next six minutes to claim the lead. The Bison
eventually went in front by nine points late in the half, and led
36-27 heading into the locker room. Bucknell held a 10-point lead
(45-35) with 14:35 left to play, when it went on a 12-2 spurt to
increase its lead to 20 points (57-37) with 8:22 remaining. Holy
Cross responded with a 17-5 run over the next six minutes to make
the score 62-54, with Brown scoring 11 of his points during that
spurt. The Crusaders eventually closed the gap to 68-63, and had
possession of the ball with 14 seconds left after forcing a
turnover. But Holy Cross could not get another shot to fall,
allowing the Bison to escape with a 68-63 win.
CAVATAIO SHINES AT HOLY CROSS: Sophomore guard
Mike Cavataio (Forest Hills, N.Y.) has been one of the top players
on the team during his first season in a Holy Cross uniform. In the
Bucknell game, he recorded 17 points, four rebounds and two blocked
shots. Previously in the victory at Army, Cavataio led the team
with 15 points, nine rebounds and four assists. He also played well
at Colgate, totaling 12 points, a career-high nine assists and
seven rebounds. Some of Cavataio’s other top performances so
far this season have come at Brown (21 points, six rebounds),
against Marist (19 points, eight rebounds), at Western Michigan (15
points, 12 rebounds), at Lafayette (15 points, eight rebounds, two
blocked shots), against Navy (15 points), against Loyola (14
points, four assists, three rebounds), against Central Connecticut
State (13 points, six rebounds), at North Carolina State (11
points, nine rebounds and three assists), against Harvard (11
points, five assists, three rebounds, two assists), against Army
(11 points, five rebounds, three assists), at Nevada-Las Vegas
(nine points, career-high 13 rebounds), at St. Joseph’s (nine
points, eight rebounds, four assists), against Lafayette (eight
points, five rebounds, two assists), at Rhode Island (eight points,
two rebounds) and against George Washington (seven points, eight
rebounds). Through 25 games played, he has averaged 10.5 points,
5.7 rebounds and 2.2 assists per contest. Cavataio sat out the
2008-2009 season, after transferring to Holy Cross from St.
John’s University, where totaled 23 points and 20 rebounds
during his only year with the Red Storm. As a senior at St. Francis
Prep, Cavataio averaged 25.0 points per game.
CRUSADERS HEAT UP ON OFFENSE: Holy Cross has
turned in some outstanding shooting performances so far this
season. The Crusaders have hit at least 50 percent of their field
goal attempts six times this year, including the games against
Lafayette on Feb. 6 (31 of 60, 51.7 percent) and at Army on Feb. 10
(26 of 47, 55.3 percent). Earlier in the season against Navy on
Jan. 20, Holy Cross hit 61.7 percent (29 of 47) of its shots from
the field. That marked the first time the Crusaders hit at least 60
percent of their shots in a game since Jan. 23, 2004, when they
shot 60.8 percent (31 of 51) against Navy. On the year, Holy Cross
has a perfect 6-0 record when shooting at least 50 percent from the
floor, while winning those game by an average of 17.0 points. In
fact, the Crusaders have now won 58 of their last 59 games when
they hits at least half their shots from the field, with the only
loss during that time being a 61-58 setback at Sacred Heart on Dec.
30, 2007.
THE LAST MEETING WITH NAVY: R.J. Evans scored 20
points on eight of 12 shooting from the field, to lead Holy Cross
to a 79-60 victory over Navy at the Hart Center on Jan. 20, 2010.
Andrew Keister also had a strong night, posting a double-double
with 13 points and 11 rebounds. The Crusaders started the game with
an 8-2 run, but the score remained close throughout a first half
which featured four ties and three lead changes. The Midshipmen
tied the score at 15-15, before Holy Cross responded with a 17-7
run that would put them ahead by 10 points. Navy did not go away,
tying the game once again at 34-34 and hitting a three-point shot
that would give them their first lead of the game (37-36). Holy
Cross scored the last point of the half and the two teams went into
the locker room tied at 37-37. Holy Cross pulled back in front by
four (47-43) with 15 minutes left in regulation, and the Midshipmen
would not regain the lead for the rest of the night. A three-point
shot by Devin Brown would put Holy Cross up by 11 (71-60) and a
strong defensive stand held Navy scoreless for the final 4:49 of
play, as the Crusaders pulled away for a 19-point victory. Mike
Cavataio scored 15 points for Holy Cross, while Eric Meister
contributed seven points and eight rebounds. The Midshipmen were
led by Chris Harris, Jeremy Wilson and Jordan Sugars with 13 points
each.
BEINERT LEADS HOLY CROSS FROM THE POINT: Junior
guard Andrew Beinert (Floral Park, N.Y.) has been one of the
Crusaders’ top players in the backcourt over the last three
seasons. In 25 games played so far this year, Beinert has averaged
9.8 points, 3.1 assists, 2.2 rebounds and 1.0 steals per contest,
while hitting 46 of 111 (41.4 percent) three-point field goal
attempts. During the victory at Army, he recorded 13 points, four
rebounds and three assists. Previously against Lafayette, Beinert
posted 10 points, five assists, two rebounds and two steals. He
also played well at American, totaling 15 points and three assists.
Some of Beinert’s other top games his year have come against
Loyola (17 points, six rebounds, six assists, three steals), at
Stony Brook (16 points), at Brown (15 points, four rebounds, two
assists, two steals), at Rhode Island (14 points, three assists),
against George Washington (13 points, three assists, two rebounds),
against Central Connecticut State (12 points, six rebounds, three
assists), against UMass (12 points, three steals), at North
Carolina State (11 points, three assists, two rebounds), against
Army (10 points, three assists), against Bucknell (10 points, two
assists), against Navy (nine points, five assists, four rebounds),
at Lafayette (nine points, three assists, two rebounds), at Colgate
(eight points, six assists, two rebounds, two steals), against
Marist (eight points, five assists, four rebounds) and against
Harvard (seven points, four rebounds, four assists). Last year, he
averaged 8.5 points, 2.1 assists, 2.0 rebounds and 1.1 steals per
game, while leading the Patriot League by hitting 45.4 percent (49
of 108) of his three-point field goal attempts. Three of
Beinert’s top games in 2008-2009 came at American, against
Bucknell and at Boston University, as he totaled 18 points and
three assists in each of those contests. Overall last season,
Beinert scored in double-figures 12 times, while leading the team
in scoring four times. During his career as a Crusader, Beinert has
now totaled 629 points, 186 assists, 169 rebounds and 69 steals,
while hitting 41.0 percent (114 of 278) of his three-point field
goal attempts.
MEISTER CLEANS THE GLASS FOR THE CRUSADERS:
Senior center Eric Meister (Boalsburg, Pa.) is once again a key
player for Holy Cross in the low post this season. Through 25 games
played, he has averaged 5.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 0.8 blocked
shots, while making 50.4 percent (59 of 117) of his shots from the
floor. In the victory at Army, Meister recorded 10 points, nine
rebounds and a school single-game record nine blocked shots.
Previously against Lafayette, he posted eight points, 10 rebounds
and four assists. Meister also played well against Navy, totaling
seven points, eight rebounds, two assists and two steals. Some of
his other top games this season have come against Sacred Heart (14
points, career-high 16 rebounds), against Loyola (nine points,
eight rebounds), against UMass (nine points, seven rebounds),
against Bucknell (eight points, 11 rebounds), at Western Michigan
(eight points, seven rebounds), at St. Joseph’s (six points,
nine rebounds), against Lehigh (six points, seven rebounds), at
Colgate (six points, five rebounds) and against Harvard (six
points, four assists, three rebounds). Last year, Meister earned
All-Patriot League Tournament honors, after averaging 12.7 points
and 9.0 rebounds in three postseason games, while hitting 15 of 26
field goal attempts (57.7 percent). During the Patriot League
semifinal victory over Colgate, he scored a career-high 19 points
on nine of 10 shooting from the field, in addition to grabbing nine
rebounds. A few of Meister’s other top performances during
the 2008-2009 season came at Lehigh (15 points, four rebounds) and
at American in the Patriot League championship game (12 points, 12
rebounds). Overall last year, he averaged 6.7 points, 4.9 rebounds
and 0.9 blocked shots per game. Over the course of his Holy Cross
career, Meister has now totaled 525 points, 492 rebounds and 77
blocked shots, while making 50.8 percent (224 of 441) of his field
goal attempts.
TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE: This year marks the 91st
season of Holy Cross men’s basketball. The Crusaders own an
overall record of 1289-845 (.604), while making 24 postseason
tournament appearances — 12 trips to the NCAA Tournament and
12 to the National Invitation Tournament. In the history of
collegiate basketball, Holy Cross is one of only 16 schools to have
won the NCAA Tournament (1946-1947) as well as the National
Invitational Tournament (1953-1954). Throughout its history, Holy
Cross has had six first team All-America selections, sent 10
players to the National Basketball Association, had four players
inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, had 23
players drafted by professional teams, had three players go on to
coach professionally, and had 15 players who have coached in
college.
KEISTER DOMINATES DOWN LOW: Junior forward Andrew
Keister (Galloway, N.J.) has been one of the top low post players
in the Patriot League over the last two years. In 25 games played
this season, Keister has averaged 9.4 points and 8.9 rebounds per
contest, while hitting 50.3 percent (98 of 195) of his shots from
the floor and posting nine double-doubles. During the Lafayette
game, he recorded 14 points and 10 rebounds, while hitting seven of
nine shots from the field. Previously against Lehigh, Keister
posted 12 points, 14 rebounds and three assists. He also played
well against Navy, totaling 13 points and 11 rebounds. Some of
Keister’s other top games this season have come against
Harvard (22 points, eight rebounds), at Rhode Island (21 points, 11
rebounds, nine of 14 shooting from the field), against Army (17
points, 18 rebounds), at Stony Brook (13 points, 18 rebounds),
against Marist (13 points, 10 rebounds), against UMass (12 points,
four rebounds), at Brown (10 points, 11 rebounds), at St.
Joseph’s (10 points, 11 rebounds) and at Western Michigan (10
points, four rebounds, two steals). Last year, he earned first team
All-Patriot League honors after averaging 12.5 points and 8.8
rebounds in conference regular season play, and hitting 67.3
percent (72 of 107) of his field goal attempts. He led the team
with seven double-doubles in 2008-2009, including a 27-point,
14-rebound performance at Navy. A few of Keister’s other top
games last season came against Army at home (21 points, 12
rebounds), at Bucknell (18 points, 10 rebounds) and at Central
Florida (18 points, five rebounds). Overall last year, Keister
averaged 8.5 points and 6.3 rebounds per game, while leading the
Patriot League by hitting 58.8 percent (104 of 177) of his shots
from the field. Over the course of his collegiate career, Keister
has now totaled 528 points and 440 rebounds, while making 51.7
percent (217 of 420) of his field goal attempts.
CRUSADERS REMAIN SOLID AT THE HART CENTER: Holy
Cross currently owns an all-time record of 315-119 at the Hart
Center, including a 4-6 mark so far in 2009-2010. The Crusaders
posted their 300th win in the building against Sacred Heart on Nov.
14, 2008. Holy Cross had a 23-game winning streak at the Hart
Center from Feb. 15, 2006-Jan. 2, 2008, which was the longest
streak in the history of the building and the sixth-longest home
court winning streak in the nation at the time. In 2006-2007 the
Crusaders posted a perfect 14-0 mark at the Hart Center, setting a
school record for the most home victories since they moved into the
building. During the Hart Center’s history, Holy Cross has
posted a winning record at home in 30 out of 34 seasons, while
recording double-figure home victories 16 times. The Crusaders
stand 102-27 at home since the beginning of the 2000-2001 season,
including a 65-13 record against Patriot League foes and a 12-4
mark in 2008-2009.
BLOCK PARTY: Senior center Eric Meister broke the
Holy Cross single-game record for blocked shots during the victory
at Army on Feb. 10, when he swatted away nine of the Black
Knights’ shot attempts. The previous record of seven blocked
shots had been shared by Josh Sankes (against Colgate on Feb. 5,
2000) and Tim Clifford (against Lehigh on Feb. 2, 2008).
Meister’s nine blocks against Army nearly matched his total
from the first 23 games of the season, as he entered the contest
with 10 blocked shots. As a team, Holy Cross totaled a season-best
11 blocks against the Black Knights. That marked the
Crusaders’ most blocked shots in a single game since they
totaled 11 blocks at Navy on Feb. 22, 2004.
HOLY CROSS HAS GOOD SUCCESS ON THE BOARDS: The Crusaders
are once again a strong rebounding team this year, averaging 37.6
boards per contest and outrebounding their opponents by an average
margin of 4.6 rebounds per game so far in 2009-2010. Holy Cross has
been even more impressive on the boards since the start of
conference play, posting a +6.4 rebound margin against Patriot
League foes. The Crusaders’ top game overall on the boards
this year came at St. Joseph’s, when they pulled down a
season-best 50 rebounds. Junior forward Andrew Keister leads the
team with an average of 8.9 rebounds per game, while sophomore
guard Mike Cavataio stands second with 5.7 boards per contest.
Senior center Eric Meister has pulled down 5.7 rebounds per contest
and sophomore guard R.J. Evans has chipped in with 5.2 boards per
game. Last season, the Crusaders averaged 36.0 rebounds per game
and outrebounded the opposition by 6.7 rebounds per contest.
Entering 2009-2010, the Crusaders had posted a positive rebounding
margin in 10 straight seasons, including eight years in which they
outrebounded the opposition by at least four boards per game.
KEARNEY LEADS CRUSADERS FROM THE BENCH: Sean
Kearney is in his first season as the head men’s basketball
coach at Holy Cross in 2009-2010, with an overall record of 7-18.
He earned his first career victory with the 68-56 win over Marist
on Nov. 30. This is the first collegiate head coaching position in
the career of Kearney, who is the 15th head coach in the history of
the program. Kearney came to Holy Cross from the University of
Notre Dame, where he served as associate head coach for nine years
under Mike Brey, helping the Irish to an overall record of 188-101
and five trips to the NCAA Tournament. Prior to his time at Notre
Dame, Kearney was an assistant coach at Delaware, Northwestern,
Philadelphia University and Providence. A 1981 graduate of the
University of Scranton, Kearney’s teams have advanced to the
NCAA Tournament 10 times and the National Invitation Tournament
five times during his 23 seasons as a collegiate assistant
coach.
CRUSADERS PICKED FIRST IN PRESEASON POLL: In the
2009-2010 Patriot League preseason poll, Holy Cross was picked to
finish in first place in voting by the conference’s head
coaches and sports information directors. The Crusaders received 95
total points in the poll, including 13 first place votes. Lehigh
placed second in the poll with 78 points and three first place
votes, while Bucknell was third with 63 points. Rounding out the
poll were Army (fourth, 59 points), Colgate (fifth, 51 points),
American (sixth, 45 points), Navy (seventh, 43 points) and
Lafayette (eighth, 14 points).
THE HOLY CROSS CAPTAINS: Junior guard Andrew
Beinert, junior forward Andrew Keister and senior center Eric
Meister are the Crusaders’ captains for the 2009-2010 season.
These three players took over the leadership role from Colin
Cunningham, Pat Doherty and Alex Vander Baan, who served as the
Crusaders’ senior captains during the 2008-2009 season.
CRUSADERS KNOCK DOWN FREE THROWS: Holy Cross has
been a good free throw shooting team during the 2009-2010 season,
making 70.3 percent (389 of 553) of its foul shots this year.
Junior guard Andrew Beinert leads the team by hitting 83.1 percent
(54 of 65) of his free throws, while sophomore guard Mike Cavataio
has made 79.7 percent (59 of 74) of his attempts at the charity
stripe and sophomore guard Devin Brown has knocked down 75.5
percent (71 of 94) of his foul shots. Even though they have fewer
attempts, freshman guard Dee Goens (Alpharetta, Ga.) and freshmen
forward Phil Beans (Toledo, Ohio) have also been excellent free
throw shooters early in their careers. Goens has hit 33 of 39 foul
shots (84.6 percent) and Beans has made all 10 of his attempts at
the charity stripe (100.0 percent).
CRUSADERS LOOKING FOR SIXTH PATRIOT LEAGUE REGULAR SEASON
TITLE: During the 2009-2010 campaign, Holy Cross will
attempt to win the Patriot League regular season title for the
sixth time in school history. The last championship for the
Crusaders came in 2006-2007, when they tied for first place in the
conference with Bucknell, as both teams posted 13-1 records in
league play. Prior to that, Holy Cross won outright Patriot League
regular season titles in 2001, 2003 and 2005, while sharing the
regular season championship in 1994. The Crusaders are the only
team in league history to win more than two outright titles, while
their five total championships are tied for the most in conference
history with Navy (one outright, four shared) and Bucknell (two
outright, three shared).
HOLY CROSS A FIXTURE IN CONFERENCE TITLE GAME: When the
Crusaders faced American in the Patriot League championship game
last season, it marked the seventh time Holy Cross appeared in the
conference title game in the last nine years. The Crusaders have
gone 4-3 in their seven championship game appearances during that
time, winning the title in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2007. Only five
other teams in the nation have played in their conference
championship game as many times as Holy Cross has over the last
nine years.
EVANS & KEISTER NAMED PRESEASON ALL-PATRIOT
LEAGUE: Sophomore guard R.J. Evans and junior forward
Andrew Keister were selected to the preseason All-Patriot League
team, in voting by the conference’s head coaches and sports
information directors. Evans and Keister were joined on the
preseason all-conference team by Lehigh senior forward Zahir
Carrington, Lehigh senior guard Marquis Hall and Army senior guard
Cleveland Richard. In addition, Hall was selected as the preseason
Patriot League Player of the Year. Keister and Hall both earned
first team All-Patriot League honors at the conclusion of the
2008-2009 season, while Carrington and Richards were second team
all-conference selections, and Evans was the Patriot League Rookie
of the Year.
HOLY CROSS ON THE RADIO: Most of the Crusaders' basketball contests during the 2009-2010 season will be carried by The Pike, WWFX 100.1 FM in Worcester. Holy Cross Hall of Famer Bob Fouracre will be in his 23rd season calling the play-by-play for Crusader basketball on the radio. In addition, Jeremy Lechan and Dick Lutsk are in their sixth year on the Holy Cross broadcast crew, and will handle either play-by-play or color commentary for selected games. The Pike is currently scheduled to air 24 of the Crusaders' 29 regular season games. All games aired on The Pike can also be heard live over the internet through the Worcester Pike website. The five games not carried on The Pike will be broadcast exclusively over the internet through SportsJuice. In addition, the Holy Cross student station, WCHC 88.1 FM, will carry a number of games this year.
CRUSADERS ON TELEVISION: Holy Cross will have at least seven games shown on live television during the 2009-2010 season. The Crusaders had 10 television appearances last year, while appearing on television eight times in 2007-2008, 13 times in 2006-2007, 10 times in 2005-2006 and 10 times in 2004-2005. Here is a look at Holy Cross' television schedule for the 2009-2010 season:
Dec. 28 vs. George Washington: WCTR-TV3
Jan. 9 at Lafayette: Lafayette Sports Network / MASN
Jan. 13 vs. Army: WCTR-TV3
Jan. 23 at American: RCN Cable
Jan. 31 vs. Lehigh: CBS College Sports
Feb. 14 at Bucknell: CBS College Sports
Feb. 27 at Lehigh: Service Electric Cable
CRUSADER VISION: Live video streaming of two non-conference home games during the 2009-2010 season will be available over the internet through Crusader Vision. The contests against Loyola (Ill.) and George Washington will be shown. The package, done in association with Stretch Internet, is available through individual game pay-per-view, or through an annual subscription. For details on how to view games through Crusader Vision, click here.
PATRIOT LEAGUE ALL-ACCESS: Live video streaming
of all Patriot League regular season games during the 2009-2010
season will be available over the internet through Patriot League
All-Access. The package, done in association with CBS College
Sports Online, is available for a monthly subscription. For details
on how to sign up for Patriot League All-Access, visit www.patriotleague.org.
SCOUTING THE MIDSHIPMEN: Navy has an overall
record of 12-13 on the season, including a 6-4 mark in the Patriot
League. The Midshipmen had won four out of five games, before
suffering an 83-77 loss at Lafayette on Saturday. The leading
scorer for the Midshipmen is senior guard Chris Harris, who has
averaged 21.6 points and 2.5 rebounds per game this year. Sophomore
guard Jordan Sugars is also enjoying a fine season, averaging 15.3
points and 8.2 rebounds per contest, while hitting 41.7 percent (63
of 151) of his three-point field goal attempts. Navy is led by head
coach Billy Lange, who has a 81-90 mark in his six seasons with the
Midshipmen. Lange’s career record stands at 120-109,
including two seasons at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.
DRIBBLES: The Crusaders’ 27-point margin of
victory over Lafayette on Feb. 6 was its largest since defeating
Lafayette 83-53 in the quarterfinals of the Patriot League
Tournament on Feb. 28, 2007 ... Holy Cross’ 82 points against
Bucknell on Jan. 16 were its most in a non-overtime game since a
97-88 victory over San Francisco on Dec. 27, 2008 ... Freshman
guard Dee Goens scored a career-high 13 points in the Lehigh game,
and also had 10 points against Sacred Heart. He is now averaging
3.7 points per contest while making 33 of 39 free throw attempts
this season ... Freshman forward Phil Beans matched his
career-highs with six points and four rebounds in the victory over
Bucknell. He has now totaled 30 points and 22 rebounds in 22 games
off the bench this year ... The Crusaders set season-highs by
hitting 61.7 percent of their field goal attempts in the victory
over Navy on Jan. 20, 58.8 percent of their three-pointers at North
Carolina State on Jan. 6, and 88.9 percent of their free throws in
the Dec. 9 game at Fairfield ... Holy Cross’ 0-6 start this
season was its worst since the 1940-1941 season, when it began the
year 0-7 ... The Crusaders stand 4-7 so far this season when
wearing their white uniforms, while going 2-8 in their purple
uniforms and 1-3 in their black uniforms ... Following the victory
over Brown, Holy Cross now has a 13-3 record in overtime contests
since the beginning of the 1999-2000 season.
