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Messages - VCFan05

#1
Region 3 men's basketball / Re: Liberty League
January 22, 2018, 11:11:19 AM
Another frantic weekend of LL hoops, but nothing really crazy happened in terms of results with the possible exception of the Skidmore-Bard game.

It seems to me at this point of the season that teams are sorting themselves out, and things are getting somewhat predictable. For instance, when Bard shoots well, they normally win. When Vassar gives up less than 68 points, they're 4-1 in conference play. The team I'm continually impressed by is Union, Murphy does a very nice job with that program. As you'd expect from an alum, he takes a lot of pride in what they do there, and they play very tough. 2nd in PPG allowed and 3rd in PPG offensively will definitely get you more wins than not. They continue to surprise everyone, except maybe themselves.

The second half through should have some twists and turns, but looking at the upcoming schedules you have to like Skidmore to get back into the rhythm of things. They don't leave the Capital region for their next seven games, playing at Union and RPI this weekend before five straight home games in Williamson. They could easily win their next seven games and then this little hiccup would be totally forgotten. What's not good for the League is that Hobart is in Bristol for 7 of the final 9 games this year. Hard to imagine them not hosting the tourney this year.

No mid-week action this week, so enjoy another weekend coming up. Game to watch for sure is Ithaca-Hobart Friday night, like to see how Thompson plays against the length on the wings of Hobart. Sneaky game to watch is Union-Skidmore in Viniar, can Weckworth get some help like this weekend when King was great or will he have to take 26 shots like he did in a loss at Bard? VC takes the tough trip to the tundra to battle SLU and CU, and RIT with a tough road swing at RPI and then having to huff it back to Geneva to take on either a confident or pissed off Hobart after Friday's game vs. IC.

Enjoy everyone!
#2
Region 3 men's basketball / Re: Liberty League
January 19, 2018, 10:25:13 AM
Another big weekend of Liberty League hoops is upon us! Wild game at Bard Tuesday, neither team really shot it well but the pace of that game according to the box score looks dizzying!

Looking at the schedule of games, I think Friday night's games to watch are Skidmore at Bard and the tilt in Ithaca. RPI needs the game more than Ithaca, and they match up pretty well with the Bombers and IC is just 3-3 in its last six games. Bard knocked off Skidmore last year at home, so you'd think that the T-Breds would like some revenge. That game is going to be fun to watch I'm sure, who's got the stopwatch on seconds per possession, I'm going under 12 for each team. Rogers is fun to watch, here's wondering if the Raptors' length gives the Rupper some problems. Probably not, he's so good. Vassar and Union could be an exciting one too, Union back at home for the first time since December 11.

Saturday, Ithaca and Skidmore obviously looks like the best game, but I'll be watching Vassar-Bard. Locally rivalry which has meant more to Bard recently, but this game has serious playoff implications on it. Contrasting styles, let's see which one wins out. Tough trip to North Country for Hobart and RIT, splits up North are always welcomed especially with CU starting to put it together.

Enjoy everyone!

#3
Region 3 men's basketball / Re: Liberty League
January 15, 2018, 09:35:51 AM
Great rankings!!

After this weekend, it would appear that Hobart is the best team in the conference right now. Their ability to score in so many different ways, and the length that they have on the wings allow them to pretty much dictate a lot during games.

There are so many teams in this conference that I'm just not sure about. RPI gives up a 15-point lead with seven minutes to go at home to Vassar, and then RIT comes back from down seven with six to play to beat Vassar at home. To be honest, I watched some of that second half, and Vassar looked tired at the end of the game. Having to play at RPI, and then travel to RIT the next day? Yikes.

Ithaca going 1-1 in North Country isn't bad for their first trip there, it's a tough one. Union though, not a problem for them, who continue to fend off the "They lost everyone" argument coming into the year. Clarkson, I'm a big fan of Higgins. He is a very good player, and can score a ton of ways. When they have him and Canary on the floor together, they can be tough to stop.

Big weekend coming up around the middle of the standings, and things are sure to shake up after Friday.
#4
Region 3 men's basketball / Re: Liberty League
January 13, 2018, 11:33:36 AM
Thanks Greek! Kinda missed on the Bard game, huh?

This League never ceases to amaze, just never know what you're going to get. Skidmore and Hobart today in Geneva, where visiting jump shots go to die. We'll see if the T-Breds can pull out of this slump, using their overtime win last night to get them going into today's huge game.

Ithaca just continues to roll on, and Union gutted out a win at Clarkson. Weckworth was always a nice complementary piece for Murphy at Union, but he's showing he can be a serious lead guard. He's fun to watch, and even tougher to play against.

And Vassar...down 15 at RPI with less than 7 to play and pulled it out on a late three from Tebay. Allowed just three points over the last 7 minutes, primarily thanks to head coach BJ Dunne switching to a zone. It totally threw the Engineers out of whack, allowing for a comeback. Freshmen are coming along, and if they win today at RIT you'll be in the top four.

Bard-RPI, who knows at this point, right?

Excited about another day of Liberty League hoops.
#5
Region 3 men's basketball / Re: Liberty League
January 11, 2018, 05:17:11 PM
Hello all, first time poster on this board, been reading for years...

About the Liberty League, I find the parity in the League this year to be quite stunning. Many probably didn't see Ithaca being where they are tied for the conference lead, but here we are. Having seen every team play this season except for RIT, I do think that the overall depth of the conference is the best it's ever been despite the possible absence of a lead dog.

It's pretty obvious also that a team like Vassar is better than their 3-9 record, having played a tough non-league schedule. Their metrics actually have them around a .500 team in expected win percentage, teams just can't continue to shoot the percentages they were against them early in the year. I'd except them to continue to compete for a spot in the conference tournament, especially with three freshmen getting more and more minutes.

The team though I find the most interesting is Bard. Like Vassar, they didn't mess around out of conference play, losing to Trinity big, but losing close games to TCNJ and Hamilton. This team is fast, they play a fun style of basketball and they are very young. If the Raptors can shoot the ball consistently going forward (just .398 right now as a team), they will be tough because they defend the perimeter well and that leads to run outs, and as Sportscenter saw last week, momentum changing dunks.

I still think things will be end up Skid-Hobart at the top, but the next four spots are very much up for grabs. The thing I find weird also, what is with the scheduling? Skidmore is currently on a seven-game conference road trip? What is that about? Guess it evens out with a equally-nice homestand.

Enjoy the weekend of games, looking forward to seeing that Bard-Hobart game, and Ithaca's first trip to North Country.