Sept. 24, 2010
2010-11 Schedule
EASTON, Pa - Head coach Fran O'Hanlon has announced the Lafayette men's basketball schedule for the 2010-11 season. Matchups with Villanova, Gonzaga and Rhode Island highlight the slate, while the Leopards will also face three Ivy League teams and four teams from the NEC.
"We put together a very challenging schedule," said the three-time Patriot League coach of the year. "It pits us against a couple of preseason top 10 teams and is a slate that will prepare us for the Patriot League season."
Following two scrimmages, Lafayette will open 2010-11 the way it has the past four seasons, against Wagner. The Leopards will take the short trip to Staten Island, N.Y. on Nov. 12, holding a 4-1 series edge over the Seahawks who are under new head coach Dan Hurley.
Two days later Lafayette will play in Rider's home opener, a return game from the 2008-09 season. The Broncs were 17-16 in 2009-10. The Leopards play their home opener on Nov. 17 when Lafayette welcomes St. Francis (Pa.) at 7 p.m.
On Nov. 20 the Leopards face O'Hanlon's alma mater, Villanova, for the first time since 1999 in a game played at the Pavilion at 7 p.m.. The Wildcats made the NCAA Tournament last season before losing to St. Mary's in the second round.
Lafayette closes out the initial month of the season with a three-game week. The Leopards travel to the Palestra to face Penn on Nov. 23 and then host Delaware on Nov. 27 and Princeton on Nov. 30. Princeton is one of five Lafayette opponents who made a 2010 postseason appearance.
The five-game homestand continues as December opens with Susquehanna on Dec. 1, Sacred Heart on Dec. 6 and NJIT on Dec. 8.
The Leopards head to Long Island on Dec. 11 for the last game before finals. The late addition of a road game at Rhode Island on Dec. 22 gives the Leopards a significant upgrade to the 2010-11 schedule. The Atlantic 10's Rams were 26-10 in 2009-10 and advanced to the NIT Semifinals before losing to North Carolina.
After a holiday break, Lafayette heads west to take on Gonzaga for the teams' first-ever meeting. The Bulldogs, who were ranked as high as No. 13 in 2009-10, advanced to the NCAA second round in 2010.
Lafayette opens the New Year with the final NEC opponent on its slate in Fairleigh Dickinson on Jan. 2. The Leopards are looking to even the series record. The Maroon and White play their final non-conference game against Ivy League opponent Columbia on Jan. 5. Last season the Leopards posted a 91-74 win over the Lions.
Patriot League play gets underway on Jan. 8 when the Leopards travel to Holy Cross and face a new head coach (Milan Brown) for the second-straight season. The Leopards return home for a two-game swing against Colgate on Jan. 12 and Navy on Jan. 15. Lafayette knocked off the Raiders in the Patriot League Quarterfinals and swept the Mids last season.
Lafayette hosts archrival Lehigh on Jan. 22 at Kirby Sports Center in a re-match of the Patriot League Tournament championship game. Lafayette and Lehigh have met 213 times with the Leopards holding a 138-75 advantage.
The Leopards hit the road for games against Army on Jan. 26 and American three days later. The second round of Patriot play commences in Easton on Feb. 5 against Holy Cross and culminates on Feb. 26 against American.
The Patriot League Tournament will be held March 2 (quarterfinals at top four seeds), 6 (semifinals at top two seeds) and 11 (final at highest remaining seed). The Leopards are coming off a 19-13 campaign during which they advanced to the Patriot League Tournament title game, one win away from the NCAA Tournament.
Lafayette returns its top three scorers and rebounders and four of five starters including All-Patriot League selections Jared Mintz (Sr., C) and Ryan Willen (Jr., F).
