Pilchard
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Tomorrow afternoon, our Deacs clash with the Explorers in beautiful Montego Bay, Jamaica as part of the Jersey Mike's Jamaica Classic. Here is the rundown on the Deacs adversary:
The Coach - Fran Dunphy: Philadelphia Basketball. That is Fran Dunphy. the 74 year-old Dunphy was born in a Philly suburb, attended Malvern Prep a prominent Philly-area Catholic prep school (btw, recent hammer attack victim Paul Pelosi also is a Malvern Prep alum). Dunphy starred as a player at LaSalle, playing under legend Tom Gola. After graduating from LaSalle, Dunphy earned his master's degree from Villanova. Over his 40 year coaching career, Dunphy has coached three of the Philly "Big Five":
This season: LaSalle is 2-1 with a 13 point loss to #19 Nova (LaSalle never threatened Nova) and wins over #260 Wagner by 8 and over #231 D-1 newbie Queens by 12 (Queens is a solid first year D-1 team). So far, LaSalle is averaging +6 in TO differential as the Explorers are #85 in TO rate and #71 in forcing TOs. Protecting the ball is a Dunphy trait as all, but two of his 30 teams, finished in the top 50 in TO Rate. Last time out, LaSalle forced 24 TOs while only giving up 9. LaSalle struggles on the glass as they are a -20 on the season in rebound margin on the season. In LaSalle's last game, Queens out-boarded the Explorers 43-31. On offense, LaSalle eats from the FT line as they are #45 in FT rate and #41 in % of offense that comes from the line. Defensively, LaSalle gets back on D and jams the paint. Opponents have hurt the Explorers from deep #302 in defensive 3 PT FG%. Dunphy typically prefers a slow tempo as the vast majority of his team rank #200 or below in tempo. Through 3 games, LaSalle ranks #185 tempo (70 possessions a game).
The roster:
When the transfer portal opened after last season and with LaSalle in the midst of a coaching change, LaSalle's prospects looked grim as their top two scorers Jack Clark (NC State), Sherif Kenney (Bryant) and their leading rebounder Clifton Moore (Providence) all headed elsewhere. With essentially the entire roster in the portal, Dunphy convinced 7 players to stay and then, landed two key pieces from the portal.
Against Queens on Tuesday, the Explorer's started:
G 6-1 So. Khalil Brantley: leads team in scoring (17 ppg), minutes (35 pg) and assists (5 ppg); takes it hard to the rack (22 FTs in 3 games); 1 for 8 from three
G 6-4 Sr. Josh Nickelberry: started at L'ville; led team in scoring against Nova (22 points; 5 for 9 from 3); 38% from deep
G/F 6-5 Fr. Andres Marrero: red-shirted last year; started last two, but limited total minutes; 8 points on the season
F 6-7 Sr. Hassan Drame: he and his twin played a big role in St. Peter's Final 8 run last year; 17 points and 6 boards against Nova; 42% from 3; leads team in rebounding
C 6-9 Sr. Mama Doucoure: part of LaSalle's Mali front-line; 6th year in college; started at Rutgers; limited minutes; no threat from three; as good a matchup for WF's bigs as we will find
The Bench:
F 6-7 Sr. Fousseyni Drame: joined his twin in transferring from St. Peter's; didn't start last game, but scored 22 points and grabbed 8 boards; the Drame twins are known for their intensity and defense; had 12 and 7 against UNC last year in the Final 8; plays more minutes than most starters
G 5-11 Jr. Jhamir Brickus: started last year; 5 points and 10 assists on the season; entered the portal, but returned when Dunphy was hired
G/F 6-4 Jr. Anwar Gill; 5 ppg; 5 rpg; career 32% from 3; entered the portal, but returned to LaSalle
Score Projection: KP has WF winning 76-68 in 71 possessions; Torvik projects a 74-69 Deacon win. Unlike LaSalle's prior coach, Ashley Howard, Dunphy's teams don't beat themselves. The Explorers now limit turnovers, don't give up easy baskets and reduce possessions. Already can see Dunphy's imprint on this team. Also, adding the Drame twins was huge as they bring competitiveness and intensity to every possession. This won't be an easy game. While the Deacs are the bigger and more talented team, WF is going to have hit shots and attack the boards to pull away. Feel like a broken record, but this would seem like a good spot for Damari to bust out as LaSalle will offer open looks behind the arc as the Explorer defensive philosophy is to force teams to shoot over their D. Also, when Doucoure is in the game, Bradford and Marsh should have a favorable matchup as they are bigger, and Doucoure is not a threat to score. When Dunphy plays the Drame twins inside, would expect Klinsman and Keller to get the 5 spot minutes. Think the Deacs win in a struggle. Might lean to the under if the total is 143 or above. Fully expect the total to drop after it opens.
The Coach - Fran Dunphy: Philadelphia Basketball. That is Fran Dunphy. the 74 year-old Dunphy was born in a Philly suburb, attended Malvern Prep a prominent Philly-area Catholic prep school (btw, recent hammer attack victim Paul Pelosi also is a Malvern Prep alum). Dunphy starred as a player at LaSalle, playing under legend Tom Gola. After graduating from LaSalle, Dunphy earned his master's degree from Villanova. Over his 40 year coaching career, Dunphy has coached three of the Philly "Big Five":
- Penn: 17 seasons; 310-163; 9 Ivy titles; 9 NCAAT appearances; 2nd to the great Pete Carril in Ivy League coaching wins
- Temple: 13 seasons; 270-162; 8 NCAA bids; replaced legend John Chaney at Temple
- LaSalle: first season; became the first to coach three of the Big Five
This season: LaSalle is 2-1 with a 13 point loss to #19 Nova (LaSalle never threatened Nova) and wins over #260 Wagner by 8 and over #231 D-1 newbie Queens by 12 (Queens is a solid first year D-1 team). So far, LaSalle is averaging +6 in TO differential as the Explorers are #85 in TO rate and #71 in forcing TOs. Protecting the ball is a Dunphy trait as all, but two of his 30 teams, finished in the top 50 in TO Rate. Last time out, LaSalle forced 24 TOs while only giving up 9. LaSalle struggles on the glass as they are a -20 on the season in rebound margin on the season. In LaSalle's last game, Queens out-boarded the Explorers 43-31. On offense, LaSalle eats from the FT line as they are #45 in FT rate and #41 in % of offense that comes from the line. Defensively, LaSalle gets back on D and jams the paint. Opponents have hurt the Explorers from deep #302 in defensive 3 PT FG%. Dunphy typically prefers a slow tempo as the vast majority of his team rank #200 or below in tempo. Through 3 games, LaSalle ranks #185 tempo (70 possessions a game).
The roster:
When the transfer portal opened after last season and with LaSalle in the midst of a coaching change, LaSalle's prospects looked grim as their top two scorers Jack Clark (NC State), Sherif Kenney (Bryant) and their leading rebounder Clifton Moore (Providence) all headed elsewhere. With essentially the entire roster in the portal, Dunphy convinced 7 players to stay and then, landed two key pieces from the portal.
Against Queens on Tuesday, the Explorer's started:
G 6-1 So. Khalil Brantley: leads team in scoring (17 ppg), minutes (35 pg) and assists (5 ppg); takes it hard to the rack (22 FTs in 3 games); 1 for 8 from three
G 6-4 Sr. Josh Nickelberry: started at L'ville; led team in scoring against Nova (22 points; 5 for 9 from 3); 38% from deep
G/F 6-5 Fr. Andres Marrero: red-shirted last year; started last two, but limited total minutes; 8 points on the season
F 6-7 Sr. Hassan Drame: he and his twin played a big role in St. Peter's Final 8 run last year; 17 points and 6 boards against Nova; 42% from 3; leads team in rebounding
C 6-9 Sr. Mama Doucoure: part of LaSalle's Mali front-line; 6th year in college; started at Rutgers; limited minutes; no threat from three; as good a matchup for WF's bigs as we will find
The Bench:
F 6-7 Sr. Fousseyni Drame: joined his twin in transferring from St. Peter's; didn't start last game, but scored 22 points and grabbed 8 boards; the Drame twins are known for their intensity and defense; had 12 and 7 against UNC last year in the Final 8; plays more minutes than most starters
G 5-11 Jr. Jhamir Brickus: started last year; 5 points and 10 assists on the season; entered the portal, but returned when Dunphy was hired
G/F 6-4 Jr. Anwar Gill; 5 ppg; 5 rpg; career 32% from 3; entered the portal, but returned to LaSalle
Score Projection: KP has WF winning 76-68 in 71 possessions; Torvik projects a 74-69 Deacon win. Unlike LaSalle's prior coach, Ashley Howard, Dunphy's teams don't beat themselves. The Explorers now limit turnovers, don't give up easy baskets and reduce possessions. Already can see Dunphy's imprint on this team. Also, adding the Drame twins was huge as they bring competitiveness and intensity to every possession. This won't be an easy game. While the Deacs are the bigger and more talented team, WF is going to have hit shots and attack the boards to pull away. Feel like a broken record, but this would seem like a good spot for Damari to bust out as LaSalle will offer open looks behind the arc as the Explorer defensive philosophy is to force teams to shoot over their D. Also, when Doucoure is in the game, Bradford and Marsh should have a favorable matchup as they are bigger, and Doucoure is not a threat to score. When Dunphy plays the Drame twins inside, would expect Klinsman and Keller to get the 5 spot minutes. Think the Deacs win in a struggle. Might lean to the under if the total is 143 or above. Fully expect the total to drop after it opens.
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