Linsanity at Levien, Yawn. Zebras Rob Lions Again!

Having over indulged yet again on the eggplant pizza at V & T’s while foretelling our still bright futures, RIcky A and I arrived at Levien to watch the last consequential game of the year.  An overflow crowd was gathering to witness Tommy Amaker’s Cantabs continue their pursuit of a league crown and NCAA bid.  The Lions were playing out the string, reduced to spoilers at best, but at least performing in front of a full house for the fourth time this season

While Ricky fussed with his iPad and recommended that he shoulder all statistical burdens – “Look at this game flow chart!”   Suddenly, I heard another fan remark, “There’s Spike Lee.”  Sure enough, ensconced at the downtown verge of the visitors’ section and sporting a bright tangerine sweater, the great Brooklyn auteur and Knicks’ fan non-pareil awaited tip off with the hoi polloi. Remembering this site’s mission, I averted my eyes.  But who could ignore the hum of recognition that swept the gymnasium at half time as the NBA’s marketing tool of the moment, Jeremy Lin, parted the masses on his way to Mr. Lee’s perch?  The crowd rolled back in JLin’s wake and offered up the hosanna of a standing O for the Ivy’s current avatar in the Bigs.  That’s all the gossip you’ll get.

The Lions broke from the gate in their all too typical late season trance, missed defensive switches and allowed the Cantabs to regularly enter the ball deep to either Keith Wright or KyleCasey for easy deuces.  Falling behind by a quick half dozen, the Blue eventually started to score the ball through young Alex Rosenberg and the occasional jumper from Chris Crockett, Meiko Lyles and even a twelve foot jumper from big Mark Cisco.  Frosh big man Cory Osetkowski got into the mix, as well, eventually cashing 10 points for the second straight contest. Columbia soon managed to grab onto Harvard’s ankles, refused to let the league leaders get away,  and trailed only by four at half time.  Out of the break (and Mr. Lin’s entertaining appearance), the Lions, again typically, roared to life,  eventually seizing a 45-42 lead with thirteen minutes and change to go.  The euphoria was too brief.  The Crimson battled their back and eventually tied it up in regulation. Attentive readers know that back in mid-February an underdog Blue squad had visited Cambridge and fallen by 5 points in a game that featured an impossible to imagine 24 free throw advantage for the hosts.  This time around, the refs wielded a stiletto rather than a broad sword but the 7 extra charity tosses they awarded the Crimson would prove exactly the margin of the visitors 77-70 overtime victory.

Despite the injustice of the officiating, the Lions’ sixth straight loss left this observer, on the whole. sanguine about league combat next year.  As a Syracuse hoops partisan in my civilian life, I am very fond of the 2-3 zone as a difficult to solve defensive puzzler.   A good part of  Columbia’s second half push derived from Coach Smith’s effective switch from man to zone coverage.  The Lions have the defensive length and discipline returning next year to make the 2-3 an ever more effective tool – especially in a league that seldom sees zone.  I very much look forward to watching Messrs Osetkowski,  Cisco and Daniels make life uncomfortable for enemy Ancient Eight front lines next year.  Meiko Lyles will provide additional  length on top to harass three point shooters and Brian Barbour, though shortish will bring a Gerry McNamara like intensity to his defensive portion of the zone.  And let’s not forget that Alex Rosenberg played very effectively along the zone’s baseline on Friday but has the quicks to move up top when needed.  As always for this observer, the future looks bright for our boys.

And, indeed, the immediate future was brighter as the Lions defeated Dartmouth in the season finale on Saturday, giving graduating seniors Chris Crockett, Blaise Staab, Steve Egee and Matt Johnson the best of parting gifts on what has to be an unwelcome evening in any college hoopster’s career.  For your correspondent, the schedule’s conclusion is always bittersweet.  How hard the boys played even in defeat!  How often we despaired even nearing victory!  A long emptiness stretches till next November and the first tip off.  You aren’t quite out of the lion’s den yet, however.  The Blue Report Card has to be issued and the AllGame March Madness picks revealed.

Peace out and D up,

Paulie B