WEEKEND PREDICTIONS

E8 STANDINGS TO DATE

1. UTICA (8-0) (1.00)
2. FISHER (5-2) (.714)
3  ITHACA (4-3) (.571)
    ALFRED (4-3) (.571)
5. RIT        (3-4) (.429)
    NAZ      (3-4) (.429)
7. ELMIRA (1-6) (.143)
8. HARTWICK (1-7) (.125)


TONIGHTS GAMES:

ITHACA @ UTICA (UTICA WIN)
RIT @ ALFRED (ALFRED WIN)
NAZ@ FISHER (FISHER WIN)
ELMIRA @ HARTWICK (HARTWICK WIN)

TOMORROW AFTERNOON

ELMIRA @ UTICA (UTICA WIN)
NAZ @ ALFRED (NAZ WIN)
RIT @ FISHER (FISHER WIN)
ITHACA @ HARTWICK (HARTWICK WIN)

STANDING AFTER WEEKEND ACTION

1. UTICA (10-0) (1.00%)
2. FISHER (7-2) (.778%)
3. ALFRED (5-4) (.556%)
4. ITHACA (4-5) (.444%)
    NAZ      (4-5) (.444%)
6. RIT       (3-6) (.333%)
7. HARTWICK (3-7) (.300%)
8. ELMIRA (1-8) (.111%)

MORE LATER....

Quote from: gobombers15 on January 31, 2007, 12:46:01 AM

Just a reminder...Ithaca took Hartwick behind the woodshed. Any questions, MadHawk?

Yes, Hartwick lost to Ithaca by 17. However, it is debateable whether or not it was woodshed treatment. Hartwick lost to Utica the first time around by 18 and then gave then a run last night. Let me remind you that Ithaca lost to Utica by 22 and it was in the Bulb. Ithaca is good, but is no Utica by any stretch. Hartwick will be no pushover for Ithaca on Saturday. Should be a great game. Make sure to bring your popcorn and diet coke everyone!

After watching Andy Goodemote last night, I think he is the best coach in the league. Followed of course by Mr.Kornaker. More on this later

Just got back from Utica@Hartwick basketball game. The game was by far a blow up, like some people had wished. First half Hartwick played very well and stunning Utica. Second half was all Utica. Experience and talent went farther than inexperience and talent tonight. I am preaching to the Choir, but Ray Bryant is a real stud.

If hartwick finishes the season playing like they played in the first half tonight they will find themselves winning games the second half of the season.

I am officially on the Utica bandwagon for the E8 Title.

What is up with Ithaca falling to Oneonta State 68-62. Just a reminder that Hartwick BEAT Oneonta State.

Tonight, ushers in the start of the 2nd half of the Empire 8 Basketball for many teams. This is the part of the season teams have been training for since the fall. There are 56 regular season games left for the Empire 8 teams. Some of the games will feature upsets, heartbreaks, sell out crowds, technicals, ejections, lead changes, and much more action.

All teams have seen each other at least once this season and scouted them as well.

Injuries have occurred

Suspensions have been handed out

Tears have been shed

However, Now all bets are off.

Anything can happen, as momentum is attained.

After all this is Empire 8 Basketball, a conference for basketball powerhouses.

It is a very cold February Sunday night in Central New York and Mike Fitzgerald is just settling down to work on book report for the book that he read over the weekend, called Michael Jordan Goes Fishing. Mike is just out to apply himself and conquer the book report, when a loud noise came from his Dad's office. The loud noise is replaced with a computer voice stating that the entire Central New York was under a Blizzard Warning and could expect 20 inches of snow starting in the wee hours of the morning. Mike decides to stop working on his report, even though it is due the next morning. Instead, Mike decides to play with his newest Christmas present, the Wii. Mike is so sure he won't have the school the next morning that he neglects to finish his book report.

Mike's alarm goes off promptly at 7am and he is very excited about looking outside and seeing a ranging Blizzard in action. Much to Mike's horror when he opens up the curtains in his room he is blinded by the sun. Mike is very confused and turns on the TV to see if the start of the blizzard has been pushed back.  When he turned on the Weather Channel, his local forecast was on and said that Central New York was being spared the heavy snow and that it would be sunny all day.

While eating his breakfast all Mike was thinking was, what happened to the snow, how was he going to explain his tardiness of his book report. Mike had a 20 minute public school bus ride to further think of his strategy. When Mike walked into his homeroom he was greeted by a substitute teacher, who was collecting the book reports at the door. When asked where his book report was Mike responded "Sorry Ms. Woods I was too cocky last night and didn't expect to be busted this morning with no snow and a regular school day. Mike was then taken off the roster for the band trip to Salem, Virginia. To do this day Mike doesn't trust weather forecasters.

The moral of this story is cockiness only enhances the chances for busts. One  modern day example is predicting an undefeated season, a guaranteed victory, and other  similar events.

Quote from: rjcarter8 on January 30, 2007, 12:07:26 PM

Here's a message to postup — No matter what you post on here ever again, your past dialogue means you will never — unlike Hartwick, which will turn things around the second time through the E8 — WIN.

I am glad someone supports me in my desire to see Hartwick Win. Thank you, my brother rjcarter8, for your support and alliance.

What is Hartwick College?

Hartwick College is one of the United States oldest and most prestigious liberal arts colleges. Hartwick is strategically located in Central New York in a town called Oneonta. Not only is Hartwick known for its strong academics, it is also know for its strong athletic tradition.

Who is Postup101?

Postup is an articulate, compassionate, and enthusiastic graduate of Hartwick College. Postup loves Empire 8 basketball, particularly rooting for Hartwick. When not working or watching the Hawks in action Postup enjoys skiing, fishing, golfing, posting on D3hoops.com and long walks on the beach.

How can a person in there own mind vilify, haze, harass Hartwick and their fans?

I just got back from having a delicious bowl of Chili at my local Quiznos, complete with a homemade bread bowl. While eating lunch I thought about my future involvement here on the Empire 8 message board.

It is quite evident to me that the social acceptance on this board is predicated on the particularly institution that one supports. If one associates them self with a bottom feeding institution, the chances of acceptance is low no matter what is said. Where as if one associates them self with a more successful institution, the chances of acceptance is higher no matter what is said. This practice I am calling "team profiling".

This phenomenon is currently a national epidemic plaguing many successful message boards, like D3hoops.com. Many message boards have reported a decrease in new posters sign ups and participation. This poses a huge problem as many message boards rely on the internet traffic to keep there advertisers happy. D3hoops is no different.

In an effort to be a pioneer and combat this national epidemic, I am officially announcing my new role on D3hoops as internal lobbyist. Over the next couple of days I will be laying out my agenda and goals. I am expecting a significant amount of push back, but that is too be expected

Stay tuned...

The reality is that this board is divided into two societies:

"In Cast" --> (People who associate with Fisher, Utica, Ithaca, RIT, Naz, Alfred)

"Out Cast" --> (People who associate with Hartwick, Elmira)

Whatever I post, no matter what I say, is met with instantaneous rejection, disrespect, and a condescending tone. I don't appreciate this vicious, borderline hazing, and disrespectful treatment

I respect everyone on this board and what they have to say. However,  I am not getting this same respect in return. I may not agree with everything that is said here, but I am HIGHLY respectful. Most of you may not agree with I have to say, but at least respect my opinion. If you oppose my post, please gladly offer your detailed justification.

I DEMAND to be treated the SAME WAY whether Hartwick is in first place or last place. Please NO "Team" Profiling. All of you respect each other, please respect me the same way.

This weekend featured two solid performances by the Hartwick Hawks, one resulting in a victory and the other a close lose. Yesterday's win marks the first win of the new year. The Hawks are now officially halfway through the E8 regular season. Unfortunately, their current record is NOT a good indication of just how potent the team can be. While I think the E8 tourney is a long shot for the Hawks, I do think they will make a late season charge (complete with some key upsets).

What is key is the chemistry issues that has plague the Hawks, is finally behind them. Perhaps, what is the most encouraging part of the Hawk renaissance this past weekend is the performance of Jan. It looks like the shooting slump of Mr. Coco is just about over. I think Jan's latest performance has breathed life back into his fellow teamates.

Here are remaining games for the Hawks and their chances of victory:

UTICA (H)....40%
ELMIRA (H)....75%
ITHACA (H)....55%
RIT (H).......... 60%
NAZ (H).........58%
ALFRED (A)... 50%
FISHER (A)... 45%

Quote from: Caz Bombers on January 24, 2007, 12:37:11 PM
Postup101--

When you've been doing nothing but sucking relentlessly for the past 9 years, or since the members of Hartwick's senior class were in junior high, you lose the right to bore the rest of us with your claims of "tradition."

The past 9 seasons account for 12% of the overall history of Hartwick Basketball program. What about the remaining 88% or 66 seasons? Hartwick has every right to call its basketball program a rich tradition. Oh and by the way the program winning percentage before our 9 skid was .624. Talk about a Tradition!

If you log onto http://www.hartwick.edu/x2742.xml you find the history of Hartwick Hawks.

Here are some highlights:

-Out of 75 season, Hartwick has had 50 win seasons (.67%)
-From 1946-47 to 1996-1997 (50 Seasons), Hartwick only had 5 losing seasons
-Between Nick Lambros (353-191) and Roy Chipman (167-52) the Hawks went on a 21 year role going 544-243 (.691%).

-The 75 year combined winning percentage is .580

Within the Empire 8, Hartwick is the oldest and most decorated basketball institution (based on program history).

--------------------
I think Coach Culpo has done a great job with recruiting, all things considering. Before coming to Hartwick Coach Culpo gained recruiting experience at UMASS and also overseas. Since coming to Hartwick, Coach Culpo has dealt with numerous issues beyond his control when it comes to rebuilding the program. If money wasn't an issue Coach Culpo would probably be competing with a championship caliber team. With Culpo's recruiting skills and the rich basketball tradition at Hartwick he is the right man for the job, providing he is given the right resources.

Alfred 51, St. John Fisher 50

Fantastic inspiration for the Hartwick Hawks. Great job Alfred! The Hartwick Hawks have too much history in their program to fold like a cheap suit. I have no doubt they will win again, particulary against Elmira and Alfred (Game 1 was a fluke). This is not to say that something could fall their way at Naz and RIT this weekend.

In order to be successful in the Empire 8 teams must have some personnel who can consistently hit the outside shot. Hartwick's recent struggles is largely due to their lack of someone who can hit the outside shot. Jan Cocozziello and Cory Carson has been the major point producers for Hartwick. Both Jan and Cory are tremendously athletic and dominate when they drive to the basket. However, when they drive and kick out the ball there really isn't anyone who can consistently knock down the three or long range two. This has been very problematic. I fully expect the recruiting class for next season to feature a high profile sharp shooting guard.

While the 0-5 start in the conference is a huge hole to dig out of. This means that the E8 tourney is just about a no go for the Hawks. However, I wouldn't be overly surprised if they make the ECAC tourney.

More later.... 

I have to hand it to Elmira. They played like pitballs last evening against a stunned Hartwick squad. I was impressed to see just how much energy they brought to the court. The crowd and atmosphere definately helped. Elmira might not be the most talented team, but they without a doubt have a tremednous amout of heart, and more importantly they seem to have bought into Chris Connolly's system of play. Last night's win is a huge win for Elmira and the basketball team.

As for Hartwick, they continue to struggle. I don't think it is because of lack talent, but rather an internal chemistry issue. I must admit I am a little concerned and worried, but I have not lost faith. While the Hawks have dug themselves a hole, I am still holding hope that they will make a run at the E8 Tourney.

Next Weekend, the Hawks will be under dogs against Fisher and Naz. They will need to snap out of the funk they are in and dig deep. If they play like they did before the holiday break, they will have a fighting chance. If not, they will burried again.

This week is essentially the Hawks season and last chance to start climbing out the hole they are in. Fortunately, they are home!