The Holy
Cross Crusaders lose three starters, but
have a returning trio of backcourt mates that are proven
players. The question lies with the frontcourt. Senior Pat
Doherty and center Tim Clifford were roleplayers last year and
they will need to step up and handle their increase in playing
time if Holy Cross plans on returning to the post season.
Who’s Out:
John Hurley and Nate Lufkin were the starters in the frontcourt.
Hurley averaged 7.9 points and a team high 6.0 rebounds. Lufkin
added 7.1 points and 4.9 boards per game. Their presence under
the Holy Cross basket will be greatly missed. Guard Greg Kinsey
started all 32 games for HC, averaging 5.3 points. Seldom used
roleplayers Michael Smiley and Dan Brault have also run out of
eligibility.
Who’s In: It
will be very important for the frontcourt newcomers to step in
immediately off the bench and be able to fill some minutes. The
most pressure will be on forward Alex Vander Baan. The 6-8, 195
pound Whitinsville, MA product isn’t flashy, but he’ll fight
down low and get the job done consistently. Center Greg McCarthy
will also see plenty of minutes. He has decent athletic ability
and is a solid rebounder and shot blocker, which is exactly what
the Crusaders need in the post. McCarthy is bulking up and needs
to be ready to see action very soon. Wing players Colin
Cunningham and Lawrence Dixon will provide depth off the bench.
Cunningham is a solid shooter and passer, who at 6-7, will
create some match-up problems in the Patriot League.
Who to Watch:
Kevin Hamilton, Keith Simmons and Torey
Thomas are a formidable backcourt. To see if the Crusaders will
be successful this year, just watch the frontcourt. Senior Kevin
Hyland is solid, but sophomore Tim Clifford has more room to
improve. The 6-10, 265 pound center averaged just 2.7 points and
2.3 rebounds per game as a freshman. He only played in nine
minutes a game though. This season he’ll ideally play closer to
30 minutes per contest. If Clifford can step up, stay on the
floor and put up some decent numbers, Holy Cross will have
another successful campaign under head coach Ralph Willard.
Projected Conference Rank:
There are lots of questions and the answer
could be a four guard line-up if the Crusaders can remain
competitive on the defensive end with such a formation.
Otherwise, a few big guys have to surprise and surpass
expectations. The frontcourt keeps the Crusaders in 2nd
place in the Patriot League, which is still not a bad season at
all with stiff competition from American, Bucknell and Lehigh.
Projected Post-season Tournament:
none
Projected Starting Five:
Torey Thomas, Junior, Guard, 7.7 points
per game
Kevin Hamilton, Senior, Guard, 15.7 points
per game
Keith Simmons, Junior, Guard, 12.1 points
per game
Kevin Hyland, Senior, Forward, 4.1 points
per game
Tim Clifford, Sophomore, Center, 2.7
points per game
