Auburn beat McNeese State, 91-76. It was a very sloppy game, though, with Auburn committing 20 turnovers and 21 fouls. Still, Auburn shot exceptionally well — over 50% for the game (29-53). Take out the hideous 3-point shooting (6-21), and Auburn was shooting very well inside the arc.
Auburn is a very young team, and 10 players saw double digit minutes in the game.
Superficially, this team has similarities to Pitt in that they are led by a senior guard with a lot of young players that Coach Jeff Lebo is trying to figure the best combinations and rotations.
Pretty much the same situation Coach Dixon is in at that moment.
“We’ve got a little bit of a feel, but we’re still three days away,” Dixon said Thursday during the Big East Conference’s first media teleconference.
Four games into the season, Dixon is learning the strengths and weaknesses of his team.
“The guard play has been good,” he said. “We haven’t shot it great, but I do think we have good shooters and they will shoot it well over the long haul.”
The Pitt News, has a quick breakdown of the two teams worth looking over.
Auburn Coach Jeff Lebo and his assistant (and father) Dave Lebo will be coming up to Pennsylvania today ahead of the team. They will be in Carlisle for the dedication of “Coach Lebo Court” at Carlisle High.
Lebo coached at Carlisle High for 19 years, peaking in the mid- to late-80s. Helped, of course, by the talent.
Lebo’s presence in the Carlisle community hit its zenith during the run at four state titles from 1985 through 1988. In those days, it was standing room only in the gym as just about everyone in the community came to catch a glimpse of the powerhouse teams led by Jeff Lebo and Billy Owens.
Not just their gym. Any high school gymnasium in Central PA where they played filled up to see them pound the crap out of your team. Everyone was aware of the team in the area. Even those who were in the midst of their own little high school world at the time. It was also astounding, just how many people named Lebo were claiming familial connections to Jeff and Dave at that time.
