BIG V DIVISION 2 MEN

GRAND FINAL

LA TROBE UNIVERSITY EAGLES v COBURG GIANTS

LTU

Regular season 18-2

Ladder position 2nd

Current Win streak: 13

Last loss: Rd 7 13/5 Coburg 106 d LTU 97 @ Coburg

STATS LEADERS:

Tim Sturrock 21.7ppg 8.5rpg 48%FG

Peter Leimonitis 19.7ppg 6.1rpg 2.1apg 1.8spg 46%FG  45% 3pt

Paul DiMarzio 13.5ppg 5.2rpg 2.0apg 2.0spg

Neville Chivhanganye 13.1ppg 12.1rpg 58%FG

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COBURG GIANTS

Regular Season: 19-1

Ladder Position: 1st

Current win streak: 4

Last loss: Rd 16 22/7 LTU 88 d Coburg 83 @ Darebin

STATS LEADERS

Bryan Colson 21.7ppg 8.0rpg 2.7apg 2.9spg 49% FG

Jonathon Halaliku 14.3ppg 7.3rpg 49% FG

Paul Dameski 13.5ppg 10.2rpg

Ivan Carlos 12.7ppg 5.4rpg 4.0apg 2.9spg

 

SEASON MATCHUPS

Round 5 28/4

Coburg 90 d LTU 70 @ Darebin

A shellshocked LTU were beaten convincingly by a more determined, intense and well drilled team. LTU's woeful 8points in the first quarter put them in a tough position as Coburgs guards continually pressured the ball and caused turnovers. LTU had no outstanding efforts as they were subsequently beaten in all areas. Coburg's Paul Dameski had a big game against his old team with 21 points and Ivan Carlos was the game MVP with 23 points 6 assists and 5 steals.

MATCH STATISTICS

Round 7 13/5

Coburg 106 d LTU 97 @ Coburg

A much closer contest as LTU were ready for the intense first quarter from Coburg. Coburg was able to control most of the game, doing just enough to repel LTU's continual counter attacks. LTU still struggled in transition against Coburg and Brian O'Meara and Ivan Carlos hurt them with penetration. Paul Dameski's continual hard work and second efforts gave Coburg the inside prescene they needed. For the Eagles, Tim Sturrock was a welcome return from overseas with a rusty 26 points. Neville Chivhanagnye also began to find his feet and had a big game inside with 14 points, 12 rebounds and 4 blocks.

MATCH STATISTICS

Round 16 22/7

LTU 88 d Coburg 83 @ Darebin

In a very physical game in which 75 fouls were called, LTU broke the Coburg hoodoo and at the same time halted Coburgs undefeated season. Coburgs determination to shutdown LTU's deadly inside game opened things up for LTU's outside shooters. Peter Leimonitis broke the defensive shackles on the way to a game high 29 points whilst Paul DiMarzio, Davin Sgargetta and Dean Sutton punished the Coburg zone, shooting 10 of 18 3's. Coburg had contributors all over and continued to hustle hard and keep themselves in touch. This time it was to no avail.

MATCH STATISTICS

TEAM COMPARISONS

LTU have what is widely regarded as the best inside game in the competition. Tim Sturrock has a deadly jumpshot combined with supurb agility. Neville Chivhanganye is the most intimidating centre in the league. His soft shooting touch and fierce finishing power are complimented on the defensive end by his ability to change shots. Assisting these bigs are Andrew Oliver and Josh Croall off the bench. Both bring a different look to the lineup adding offensive force and defensive nous.

Teams that put too much effort into containing LTU's bigs are routinely disassembled by LTU's bevy of outside shooters. Led by Peter Leimonitis' 45% season 3 point shooting the Eagles punish teams that double down on the post. It's not just the Leimonitis show as Davin Sgargetta, Paul DiMarzio and Dean Sutton have also stepped up at the right times from long range so far this year.

Coburg are well drilled and full of hustle. Their much vaunted zone defence allows their guards to gamble a little and leads in to a deadly fast break offence. The LTU players will need to be switched on against this. Added to this is the work rate from Coburgs bigs. Although shorter than LTU's bigs, they are wide bodies and what they lack in athleticism they make up for in body position and hustle. LTU's bigs need to stay awake for the full 48 as Coburg will pounce on any opportunity.

Benches

Both teams have players that can come on and change the dynamic of the game. LTU has human dynamo, Paul DiMarzio who brings instant energy and hustle. For Coburg, Brian O'Meara does the same, penetrating and dishing when he needs to. LTU also has the added weapons of Davin Sgargetta and Andrew Oliver. Sgargetta brings awesome outside shooting ability and Oliver brings rebounding and a dynamic inside game.

Coaching

LTU's Andrew Whelan and Coburgs Peter Colson are sure to have a great tactical battle. Both coaches have worked hard to get their teams to this point and will no doubt spend every minute of each game trying to outfox each other.

The "Superstars"

Ok, so we aren't in the NBA, but it's always nice to talk about the cream of the crop. LTU have a few. Tim Sturrock was last seasons MVP and he has been in similar form this year. His jumpshot forces bigs to step out which he subsequently goes around. Put him on a small player and Tim will score over him at will. Peter Leimonitis is a shooting assasin. A glimpse of the ring is all Pete needs to zero in and drop a 3 point bomb on the opposition. Neville Chivhanganye has quietly gone about establishing himself as one of the premier centres in the league. Averaging a double double this year its becoming more and more common to see him throw down a monster dunk or put a shot into the stands.

Coburg have the MVP favourite in Bryan Colson. His inside outside game is tough to stop. He has a long hang time and an uncanny ability to finish well from awkward positions. Along with Colson is Ivan Carlos. Carlos has been one of the top guards in the league this year leading the league in steals and right up there with assists. He is quick - superquick and he is a key to Coburg's fast break game.

The Crowds

LTU historically don't get big crowds. However the word has gone out and there are expected to be a few old heads making the trip out to get behind their Eagles. Coburg on the other hand draw big, vocal crowds.

LTU will need to have a good crowd to keep Coburgs in check.

FINAL WORD

This series is up for grabs. LTU go into the game as underdogs having finished 2nd on the ladder and having lost to Coburg twice this season. All the pressure is on Coburg to win it all after losing only 1 game this season.

Having said that, LTU have worked hard not only this season, but the last 4 to get to this point. They have a belief in themselves that the time is right to cover themselves in glory! Of course the tip is LTU

 

GAME 1

SATURDAY AUGUST 18

7.00PM @ DAREBIN STADIUM

 

 

GAME 2 SATURDAY AUGUST 25

6.00PM @ COBURG

 

GAME 3 SUNDAY AUGUST 26

1.00PM @ COBURG

IF NECESSARY

 

COME AND SUPPORT YOUR LTU EAGLES IN THE BIGGEST MATCH UP OF THE YEAR

BRING THE PAIN!