My picks for the conference are as follows:

1.  SJF
2.  Utica
3.  Hartwick
4.  Toss up between RIT/Elmira/Ithaca

SJF is a well coached team and always seems to end up on top in the conference, with or without experience.  Utica however, not extremely well coached at all, but somehow ends up with athletic players.  Ava will carry this team to the conference tournament.  I feel that people out there are under estimating Hartwick, but if you look at their non conference schedule it was extremely tough.  They are returning everyone, but one player, who was not a huge contributor.  I feel that if the seniors can bring everything together this team could surprise many people in the Empire 8.  As for Ithaca, RIT, and Elmira I feel that they will all be fighting for the last spot and tend to shock a few people with key wins at home. 

I think it's obvious that Fisher and Elmira will definitely be in the tourny, but the other two spots are up in the air.  Utica falling to RIT is huge, not to mention Hartwick winning both games in Rochester this weekend is another factor...I believe Hartwick can run with those two wins, pull themselves together and get themselves in the conference tournament.

Just want to say congratulations to Hartwick for a great win at Nazareth.  Cocozziello played a great game, not to mention they were successful without Anthony Brown (their second leading scorer and leading rebounder) due to illness. 

Injuries may ultimately be the downfall to the Hartwick season.  Anytime you have a short bench and you continue to bang in practice those everyday bumps and bruises can continue to wear on them during the long season. 

How does everyone think the season will pan out?  Who will make the conference tournament?

I hope Hartwick beats Ithaca this weekend so gobombers can get off his high horse and realize that Ithaca just isn't that good.  I don't see where you think it's a bad match up for Hartwick, maybe you can explain it to me?  I've been reading all the posts trying to keep my mouth shut, but I realized that everytime one of you guys is playing Hartwick I know the night before the game you are sitting in your rooms doing a little good luck dance and pray.  I'm waiting for Hartwick to win, not so much because I think they deserve it, but more because I can't wait to read these damn posts!

Correction on Hartwick it's Danee Harrison as the promising freshman.

Bigchief, I was just wondering where you thought the Tichy kid stands, she is the third highest scorer Hartwick, but you did not mention her as an option.  Also I heard she was an all conference pick last year.  True Knight and Adams are options and do add size, but the freshman Harris is quite promising at times, or at least from what I've seen of her.

I have to agree with Madhawk, I think many people right now are under estimating Hartwick.  Once again I will say I am not a huge Hartwick fan, but this year they truly have some talent.  They have a great freshman in Cocozziello who is 6th on the conferences scoring list, they have the second best rebounder in the league with Brown and from watching them play they have a lot of heart.  Maybe there's not a good possibility they will beat Utica on Friday, but I think there's a good possibility they can make a run for the conference tournament if they can close out some games and play more consistent, they're all over the place right now. 

Quote from: gobombers15 on January 08, 2006, 08:47:53 PM
Right now, freshman guard Sean Burton looks like he could make a run at E8 ROY.

Ok I definitely can't agree with you on this one Ithaca fan, even though I am not a big Hartwick fan, I must say that hands down the E8 ROY is going to be Jan Cocozziello.  If you've seen this kid play you would completely understand.  Does anyone disagree with me on this one?

Quote from: patroonbball on January 01, 2006, 06:54:09 PMThey really need a point guard but Wilson and the two big kids give them three options. [/b]

When you say they really need a point guard what do you consider Wilson then, is she not leading the conference in assists by a significant amount?  Also what two big kids are you talking about?  As for Fisher winning the conference I wouldn't hold your breath, they always start out the conference well and then somehow they drop off...so don't get too high on them winning the conference, we'll see how they're playing when the important games come.