Utica shot 23 - 27 from the line in a second half 86 - 73 win at Potsdam. This Bears group has never committed to learn and play team defense. Who is the defensive floor leader? Each of theses Bears need to look at the statement defining Potsdam basketball on the athletics department home page.

Top 10 reasons for a trip to the Final Four

1.   Salem hospitality: inviting, warm, and southern

2.   The Salem Civic Center: a classic arena, great staff, acres of parking, and fresh popcorn

3.   65 and Sunny

4.   A spacious, hospitality suite at the Roanoke Airport Hampton for $103.50 per night

5.   Brazilian Shrimp, Scallops, and Clams at Montaro's

6.   Visiting Fans – Hope had the most;  Amherst, fun and flamboyant; Ursinius, gracious in defeat; and Washington U. had, by far, both the rowdiest and most creative student section. The atmosphere was loud and electric

7.   Ursinus Bears – a small scholl with a he basketball tradition

8.   Hope Flying Dutchman – for 32 minutes they played the ultimate champion to a standoff in perhaps the most physical collegiate game I've seen

9.   Amherst Lord Jeffs – few teams have ever had the opportunity to defend their title in the championship game. Nice run.

10.   Washington U. in St. Louis Bears – Lock-down defense; lethal in transition; smooth, efficient, unselfish in the half court; poise; and Troy Ruths

Wish you all were here.

1.   Salem hospitality: inviting, warm, and southern

2.   The Salem Civic Center: a classic arena, great staff, acres of parking, and fresh popcorn

3.   65 and Sunny

4.   A spacious, hospitality suite at the Roanoke Airport Hampton for $103.50 per night

5.   Brazilian Shrimp, Scallops, and Clams at Montaro's

6.   Visiting Fans – Hope had the most;  Amherst, fun and flamboyant; Ursinius, gracious in defeat; and       Washington U. had, by far, both the rowdiest and creative student section. The atmosphere was loud and electric

7.   Ursinus Bears – a small scholl with a huge basketball tradition

8.   Hope Flying Dutchman – for 32 minutes they played this year's champion to a standoff in perhaps the most physical collegiate game I've ever seen

9.   Amherst Lord Jeffs – few teams have ever had the opportunity to defend their title in the championship game. Nice run.

10.   Washington U. in St. Louis Bears – Lock-down defense; lethal in transition; smooth, efficient, unselfish in the half court; poise; and Troy Ruths

Congratulations!

2007-08 NCAA III Sweet 16

Plattsburg State Cardinals

A Growing Tradition

People of the world, relax.

The facts:

1. Regardless of the host, somebody travels.
2. Plattsburg went undefeated in their conference.
3. I thought the SUNYAC was the weakest it's been this decade - and I saw every team play multiple times.
4. So what? Who cares?
5. Plattsburg is the No. 1 seed and gets to host.
6. If you can't enjoy a trip to Plattsburg, you do not know how to have fun.
7. Several great B&B's, a couple of terrific restaurants mentioned in previous posts, and if you ask the locals, you can find a fantastic, out of the way breakfast spot with homemade breads and jams. Cardinal's Coach Curle eats there.

While you're there - if the tournament isn't enough...

8. Ski Whiteface
9. Visit Lake Placid.
10. Visit Montreal if you can extend your stay.

11. Both the Amherst and Plattsburg arenas (?), gyms (?) are crap.
12. Again, so what? Again, who cares?
13. It's about the game,  not the building - and fans make the atmosphere.
14. The Cards have two players you will want to see.
15. Amherst goes to Salem

The link below is to an article appearing in the March 10th NY Times:

THE SCHOLARSHIP DIVIDE
Athletic Scholarships: Expectations Lose to Reality

This is a must read for high school athletes and their parents.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/10/sports/10scholarships.html?_r=1&th&emc=th&oref=slogin

The link below is to an article appearing in the March 10th NY Times:

THE SCHOLARSHIP DIVIDE
Athletic Scholarships: Expectations Lose to Reality

This is a must read for high school athletes and their parents.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/10/sports/10scholarships.html?_r=1&th&emc=th&oref=slogin

Magic -

As disappointed as I am that Plattsburg is hosting the league championship in a gym considerably smaller than Central Square High School, I am sure everyone agrees that they deserve to host the games. Sadly, these will be the first finals I've missed in many years given that I'm unwilling to make the 4.5 hour drive without a guarantee of tickets and 'Burgs refusal to take telephone orders. So it goes.

However, your statement that this is one of the strongest SUNY conferences in recent memory tickles my funny bone. Top to bottom, I didn't see much in the league either this year or last and believe that will be born out in the tournament. No one in the SUNYAC has the combination of size, skill, and mental toughness to make a serious run. 

Apologize for miskeying the score on the Cortland-Potsdam game.

Was a mess nonetheless.

CP -

Tenn - Memphis was great. Did you notice that the Tenn dude traveled on his game winning field goal? He was pivoting on his left foot, then with his left shoulder to the basket he pulled his left foot back before setting and shooting. But who was watching?

After watching back-to-back Cortland Sate games this weekend, I needed a good one tonight. Cortland lost at home to Plattsburg 56-53, who finished their conference schedule unbeaten. This afternoon, Cortland beat Potsdam 53-50. Both games proved that close games can be poorly played, poorly coached, and poorly officiated. Ugliness - it's everywhere, Chickenman. Turnovers, bricks, lumbering play, whiney coaches, whiney players, holds, grabs, trips, flailing arms and elbows, passes to imaginary teammates, and shots at apparently imaginary rims. And it wasn't defense that held down the scoring in these games.

Did enjoy watching Mike Lewis and Carson Neimoff (sp) both games. If Spanbauer can find someone to feed Lewis in the post and give him the green light to shoot an occasional 3, he'll will be a very difficult match-up in this league. Right now, when he works open down low (frequently), the Dragons rarely display the ability to get him the ball. When he steps outside the arc, also frequently, his defender sags off because he apparently does not have "authorization" to shoot outside 12 ft. Not this weekend.

Maybe next year.

Was looking forward to seeing Plattsburg's Williams, He made a few really fine drives  Friday but was in foul trouble much of the game, shot selection from the field was really pornographic, and he played uninspired defense much of the game. Plattsburg generally played better without him except when Curle asked his troops to run clock with nearly nine minutes remaining in the game with Williams in foul trouble. Here's a surprise. Plattsburg stalled, stopped playing aggressively, turned the ball over, forced poor shots late in the clock and Cortland got back in the game.

The highlight of both games was the half-time show featuring two dance ensembles, one, an amazing high kicking line, and one that I can't describe here. They were followed by a baton twirler who blew everyone's doors off with a fantastic routine. Finally, the Cortland Red Dragon earned raves and is the indisputable Mascot-among-Mascots in the SUNYAC. No tongue in cheek here - half-time was great.

On to the tournament. Even with an undefeated Plattsburg, and a Brockport team that just doesn't consistently maintain focus, I'm pulling for the Golden Eagles. They've got the most talent for some level of tournament success. Now, if the will pay attention for 40 minutes...

Finally, after complaining about the Aud for years, I may have to deal with the finals in the Plattsburg cracker box. Be careful what you wish for. Let's hope they show the game closed circuit on campus or many are likely to get totally shut out.

Good luck to all in the the playoffs. Play with passion.

Thanks to the regulars for informative posts throughout the season.

Go to Salem. You'll have a great time.

Greg Dunn experienced that short trip to an alternate reality today. You know. A game at Oswego impartially administered by a the Boys from Syracuse, IAABO 38. Remember when the Boys from Syracuse was a National Guard squadron? That was a great crew.

Coach Dunn really drew the short straw for his first game in Max Ziel Gymnasium. The Lakers have been 64-9, or so, at home for the last four years and close to that for at least the previous three.  I'm told that the legendary Jerry Welsh, Tom Murphy, and others understood the value of home court advantage and coach Broderick continues that tradition. Today's crew included The Book, The Whistle, and Shemp. Getting one of the first two in Oswego is tough but getting two is just plain unlucky. Disbelief was frequently the order of the day on the Brockport bench and with the Golden Eagles fans. Coach Dunn earns enormous positive karma for only drawing a single technical at exactly the right time.

Brockport opened the game with an up tempo 20 – 5 run and basically held on from there, up 13 at the half and closing up 16. Oswego had a couple of mini-runs but Brockport always responded.

Score aside, the Eagles and Lakers are great to watch. Both have speed, can push the ball, have shooters, and play their individual brands of tough defense. 

Today, Oswego ran a half court weave much of the game and got no scoring from 3. Nine Lakers got more than ten minutes but only four scored more than 3 points. Tommy Downing never got hot today and wasn't alone.

After the opening run, Brockport's Dave Moldanado and Mychal (Mych ?) Wilkes got into early foul trouble (see paragraph 2, above) and had their minutes held in check, 9 and 18 respectively. Brockport opened the game with Wilkes on the Laker's senior point Nick Perioli – a great match up to watch while it lasted. The Eagles pounded the ball inside and their guards dropped some great inside passing on Oswego. Brandon Williams is quick, strong, and fearless - 23 points, 9 boards. Still, the paint was frequently an unpleasant place for anyone trying to enter or anyone already there.

Without a major surprise, Brockport wins out (been wrong many times before) and Plattsburg faces the biggest challenge with a trip into Cortland on Friday the 22nd.

The tournament is shaping up to be a classic.  Spread the word and get your campuses and communities behind their teams. And if you're a hockey school, you might be surprised that you'll see the same game played – on the hardwood and, most of the time, without sticks.

Come out to watch and make noise.

A very rough night. Drove to Potsdam (130 miles) rather than Oswego (25 miles) just to keep the family peace. My wife is a loyal Bears fan although I can't quite figure out why just lately - or for the last 2 years. But I did want to see Mike Lewis, a local kid now at Cortland play - so I gave up on what was likely to be the better game 'port v. Lakers.

No surprises. Potsdam again failed to play in the first half trailing by 11. Worked hard to cut the lead to 1 with 5 min. remaining. Span called a TO. Dragons answer with a 9-1 run. Game over. Bears consistently fail to protect the ball, play inconsistent defense...you get the picture. Cortland currently undefeated in league play but remain a 2nd tier team behind Brockport and Plattsburg.

Did enjoy seeing Mike Lewis. Unselfish, rebounder, always hustles, able to play physical game. He'll just get better.

Can't  remember seeing a worst crew in the last 5 years. The weakest whistle in 38, you know who, was the best of this 3 man fiasco.  Hey, but it's D3 and we know the vast majority of our beloved officials have reached their terminal velocity. Still, it can be very painful to watch.

Will be interesting to see how the Dragons fare at Plattsburg tomorrow. I expect the Cards to win big even though Cortland was able to cruise for most of the game tonight.  Big game Saturday for the Knghts and Lakers. Both need this one. And  dinner at the Conesus Inn makes for a great day.

Sitting in Myrtle Beach after 3 great days of basketball in Salem. Both semis were well played nail-biters. Amherst held off a solid Wooster rally and VWC squeeked by WU StL when the Bears last shoot got off just after the horn. Great performances out of Tom Port (Wooster), Sean Wallis (Wash), Brandon Adair (VWC), and Olsen (Amherst) as per MVP.

Finals a total snooze. VWC played poorly. Too much pointless dribbling leading to unforced turnovers, mindless shot selection, and Adair dropped a bomb. 3-11 from the line included many front end of 1 and 1 misses. Amherst was too deep and balanced, protected the ball. Never in doubt.

Overall...

1. Brockport, SJF, can compete with any of this year's final 4.
2.  Wooster brought the whole town. Great support.
3. Amherst fans the loudest and crudest.
4. Salem knows how to throw a party (move this up to 1.)
5. Montano's - fabulous restaurant. Superb filet, scallops, shrimp, live acoustic music. Should not be missed.
6. Burgland Ford - Got us out of major car trouble with incredible service, care, and attention (they really are #1). Thanks again.
7. And as, we have grown to expect from our D3 zebras, they were, of course, inconsistent, often confused, villified by coaches, fans, next of kin...but they're our zebras. In fact, one of our little favorites from Utica worked a semi along with a western NY lad that we love in the greater Roch area. Just like home.

Appreciate all the time that several have contributed to the board throughout the season.

Looking forward to golf, riding the Triumph,  and next October 15th.

One last nod to the 04-05 Bears out there.

Just back from Rochester, and not surprised to see the officials are a large part of the conversation here.

First - Rochester is a fabulous venue for any tournament weekend any time of the year. I've been to Wooster and never wish to return. Let's call the Fisher facility "cozy", and in a D3 kind of way, an exciting, location for a regional finals.

Re: the officials. The officials consistently get a pass and have their designated apologists on this board and in other venues. The Pope is subject to more direct criticism than the beloved Zebras. I've been ripped here for actually mentioning officials by name. Now, thanks to the Bush administration, that is prohibited by the Patriot Act.

As to the circumstances of the error of the free throw administration, incorrect free throw administration is one of only several correctable errors by rule. Given that the rules recognize that free throw administration provides significant opportunity for error, it is reasonable to expect a crew to take the time necessary to guarantee the correct administration of free throws, particularly when both personal and technical free throws are concurrently awarded, prior to their administration. This crew did not.

While we won't find their names here, I'm sure their names appear on their game checks.

Looking forward to Salem. Brockport will be missed.

The court, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be...a difference maker.

Old Guy History...As It Was In The Beginning

Remember when 1) only the "big venues had "glass" backboards and how difficult it was to make the transition from the solid boards at our small school gyms, 2) knowing the exact location of the infamous dead spots on the parquet floor in Boston Garden provided the Celtics with years of a "built-in" home court advantage 3) how difficult it was for visiting players new to the unusual sight lines in the cavernous Carrier Dome...ad infinitum.

...Is Now and Ever Shall Be

Shooters have their spots. At home, that translates into shooting from exact spots, from the same board(s) on the floor, seeing the same
sight line(s) and visual field(s)...repetition, repetition, repetition...the rest is as obvious as the preceeding.