What to Watch For: QU faces tough road test

What to Watch For: QU faces tough road test

By Matthias Gausz, QBSN Co-Director

The Bobcats men’s basketball team (2-2) heads to Bethlehem, Pa. to take on the Lehigh University Mountain Hawks (4-2) at Stabler Arena on Monday, Nov. 28 at 7:00 p.m.

Courtesy: quinnipiacbobcats.com

Quinnipiac is coming off a close loss last Tuesday at American University, as they fell 74-73. It came down to the last possession when a Dave Johnson (Jackson, N.J.) pass that was intended for Ike Azotam (Boston, Mass) was stolen away in the waning seconds. The game featured 32 fouls called on the Bobcats which turned into the Eagles going 34-48 from the charity stripe.

James Johnson (Queens, N.Y.) fouled out with less than eight seconds remaining in the game Tuesday night. He was the lone Bobcat that did so, but the foul trouble made Coach Tom Moore go to his bench early and often. Azotam led the way for QU, as he had a career high 20 points to go along with 14 rebounds for his fourth consecutive double-double. He has burst out of the gate to start his sophomore campaign. Last year he only averaged five points and five rebounds in his time off the bench. Azotam has hit the boards at a record pace and currently sits first in the nation is rebound average at 14.3 per game.

The Bobcats did shoot 45.6 percent from the field Tuesday night, but the surplus of fouls led to their downfall.  Freshman guard Nate Gause (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) has been the key player off the bench as he has scored double figures in three of his first four games. 

Courtesy: lehighsports.com

Lehigh is a team that has already been on America’s radar as they had a double digit lead at St. John’s in the opening week. They ultimately lost the game 78-73. They have won their last four after dropping the first two to St. Johns’s and Iowa State. The Mountain Hawks are led by C.J. McCollum, a junior guard who is the highest returning scorer in the nation from last year. He is averaging 19 points, five rebounds, and three assists so far this year. McCollum is the go-to man and has been able to score at will and hit the boards with some bigger bodies. Junior forward Gabe Knutson is the inside presence for Lehigh and is averaging 13 points per game this year. Lehigh was picked to finish second in the Patriot League and made the tournament in 2010.   

Key for the Bobcats:

Quinnipiac must be able to stay out of foul trouble and limit McCollum. If they can stay with playing the eight or nine man rotation then they will play at the level they are capable of.  The Bobcats will also have success by giving James Johnson the touches he needs. Azotam needs to continue to play like he has so far and get Jamee Jackson (Newark, N.J.) back to where he has been in the past. The final necessity is to limit McCollum to no more than 15 points and make the rest of the team score.

Key for the Mountain Hawks:

Lehigh needs McCollum to play as well as usual, but another scorer needs to step up as much as McCollum. Holden Greiner and Knutson account for 80 percent of their points. If they can limit Quinnipiac’s ability to win the battle on the boards then they should do well, but that’s easier said than done. Their chemistry is great which has allowed them to excel so far this season.  

Last Meeting: The last time these two teams met was Dec. 7, 2010 at the Bank. Quinnipiac won 84-78. Justin Rutty had 27 points and 11 rebounds, and three other Bobcats were in double figures. McCollum was held to 15 points, and the Mountain Hawks were demolished on the boards 56-28. Quinnipiac leads the all-time series 3-1.