Lehigh University Athletics
Kempton named preseason All-League as Patriot League holds Media Day
10/23/2014 2:40:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Complete Patriot League Release
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Lehigh men's basketball sophomore Tim Kempton was named to the preseason All-Patriot League team and the Mountain Hawks were predicted to finish seven as the league held its annual Media Day on Thursday at ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks. Predicted ninth in last year's poll, American went on to win the Patriot League Championship and was predicted first this season.
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"This is a great time of the year," said Lehigh head coach Brett Reed. "Everything as far as our season and our potential is on the horizon. We're working, we're growing and we're seeing growth and development of our even relatively young team. Our team has taken on an identity that's become more conducive with what we expect and what we'd anticipate would produce and yield higher-level results on the floor."
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Thursday's event began with introductions and all ten Patriot League head coaches addressing those in attendance. Optimism across the board was a theme as the league returns 75 percent of its minutes - most among all Mid-Majors.
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"It's almost sobering to hear the amount of experience that returns from other teams in the league," said Reed. "Working hard in its own right is not enough. We have to outwork, outperform, outthink and have higher levels of teamwork than even our opponents in order to continue taking steps."
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Last year's league champion American was predicted first, garnering 157 points and 13 first-place votes. Army followed in second with 141 points (five first-place votes) and Holy Cross in third (127 points, two first-place votes). Lafayette was fourth (109 points), Bucknell fifth (96), Boston University sixth (82), Lehigh seventh (74), Colgate eighth (50), Loyola ninth (36) and Navy tenth (28).
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Only a sophomore, Kempton joined a trio of seniors and a junior on the preseason All-League team. Kempton finished second on the Mountain Hawks in scoring last year, averaging 13.0 points to go with a team-leading 7.1 rebounds. He also posted six double-doubles and four 20+ point games. Army junior Kyle Wilson was named Preseason Player of the Year while seniors Darius Gardner (American), Seth Hinrichs (Lafayette) and Malcolm Miller (Holy Cross) also earned preseason All-League honors.
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The Mountain Hawks are deep into preseason practice as they prepare for their season opener against Villanova on Nov. 14 at the PPL Center in Allentown. Reed is pleased with the team's progress through two weeks of practice.
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"I've been pleased with practice thus far, and that's hard for me to say as a coach who is always trying to find areas to improve," he said. "I think we are more consistent, I think we are more focused than we were than this team a year ago and hopefully that will pay dividends as we move forward. We're still dealing with young men who have academic pressures, stresses and outside influences. I've been pleased we've been able to perform at a higher level at a more regular pace."
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Stay updated on the Lehigh men's basketball program by following the Mountain Hawks on Facebook and follow on Twitter for exclusive content, team updates and more.
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2014-15 Patriot League Preseason Poll: Points
1. American (13 first-place votes): 157
2. Army (5): 141
3. Holy Cross (2): 127
4. Lafayette: 109
5. Bucknell: 96
6. Boston University: 82
7. Lehigh: 74
8. Colgate: 50
9. Loyola Maryland: 36
10. Navy:Â 28
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Patriot League Preseason Player of the Year
Army junior guard/forward Kyle Wilson
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Patriot League Preseason All-League Team
American senior guard Darius "Pee Wee" Gardner
Lafayette senior guard Seth Hinrichs
Lehigh sophomore forward/center Tim Kempton
Holy Cross senior forward Malcolm Miller
Army junior guard/forward Kyle Wilson
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Lehigh men's basketball sophomore Tim Kempton was named to the preseason All-Patriot League team and the Mountain Hawks were predicted to finish seven as the league held its annual Media Day on Thursday at ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks. Predicted ninth in last year's poll, American went on to win the Patriot League Championship and was predicted first this season.
Â
"This is a great time of the year," said Lehigh head coach Brett Reed. "Everything as far as our season and our potential is on the horizon. We're working, we're growing and we're seeing growth and development of our even relatively young team. Our team has taken on an identity that's become more conducive with what we expect and what we'd anticipate would produce and yield higher-level results on the floor."
Â
Thursday's event began with introductions and all ten Patriot League head coaches addressing those in attendance. Optimism across the board was a theme as the league returns 75 percent of its minutes - most among all Mid-Majors.
 "It's almost sobering to hear the amount of experience that returns from other teams in the league," said Reed. "Working hard in its own right is not enough. We have to outwork, outperform, outthink and have higher levels of teamwork than even our opponents in order to continue taking steps."
Â
Last year's league champion American was predicted first, garnering 157 points and 13 first-place votes. Army followed in second with 141 points (five first-place votes) and Holy Cross in third (127 points, two first-place votes). Lafayette was fourth (109 points), Bucknell fifth (96), Boston University sixth (82), Lehigh seventh (74), Colgate eighth (50), Loyola ninth (36) and Navy tenth (28).
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Only a sophomore, Kempton joined a trio of seniors and a junior on the preseason All-League team. Kempton finished second on the Mountain Hawks in scoring last year, averaging 13.0 points to go with a team-leading 7.1 rebounds. He also posted six double-doubles and four 20+ point games. Army junior Kyle Wilson was named Preseason Player of the Year while seniors Darius Gardner (American), Seth Hinrichs (Lafayette) and Malcolm Miller (Holy Cross) also earned preseason All-League honors.
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The Mountain Hawks are deep into preseason practice as they prepare for their season opener against Villanova on Nov. 14 at the PPL Center in Allentown. Reed is pleased with the team's progress through two weeks of practice.
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"I've been pleased with practice thus far, and that's hard for me to say as a coach who is always trying to find areas to improve," he said. "I think we are more consistent, I think we are more focused than we were than this team a year ago and hopefully that will pay dividends as we move forward. We're still dealing with young men who have academic pressures, stresses and outside influences. I've been pleased we've been able to perform at a higher level at a more regular pace."
Â
Stay updated on the Lehigh men's basketball program by following the Mountain Hawks on Facebook and follow on Twitter for exclusive content, team updates and more.
Â
2014-15 Patriot League Preseason Poll: Points
1. American (13 first-place votes): 157
2. Army (5): 141
3. Holy Cross (2): 127
4. Lafayette: 109
5. Bucknell: 96
6. Boston University: 82
7. Lehigh: 74
8. Colgate: 50
9. Loyola Maryland: 36
10. Navy:Â 28
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Patriot League Preseason Player of the Year
Army junior guard/forward Kyle Wilson
Â
Patriot League Preseason All-League Team
American senior guard Darius "Pee Wee" Gardner
Lafayette senior guard Seth Hinrichs
Lehigh sophomore forward/center Tim Kempton
Holy Cross senior forward Malcolm Miller
Army junior guard/forward Kyle Wilson
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Players Mentioned
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