MBB: Liberty League

[with age came?]

Liberty League is a one bid League. Unfortunately Hobart will not go.  At this point I am rooting for Skidmore only because years ago I said that they had the best recruiting class and now it is showing.  Probably though Hamilton will ride the wave and win.  If they do win they might as well savor it because it will be their last for quite some time (in my opinion) as they move up to a much tougher and demanding league. In the meantime the Liberty League gets a new "doormat" in Bard. Heck Vassar will definitely be picked next year ahead of Bard and that is scary coming off the season that Vassar has had.

[thebear]

Skidmore beats Hamilton to go dancing 68-52.  Great effort by first year coach Joe Burke.  Knowing the devious ways the tournament committee works, wouldn't be a bit surprised to see them draw Rochester & their former coach Luke Flockerzi in the first round...Payback is a b***ch

Sorry for Hobart...good team, but too many upsets, and they didn't have the resume out of the league to recover from a first round loss.

[magicman]

Liberty League is a one bid League. Unfortunately Hobart will not go.  At this point I am rooting for Skidmore only because years ago I said that they had the best recruiting class and now it is showing.  Probably though Hamilton will ride the wave and win.  If they do win they might as well savor it because it will be their last for quite some time (in my opinion) as they move up to a much tougher and demanding league. In the meantime the Liberty League gets a new "doormat" in Bard. Heck Vassar will definitely be picked next year ahead of Bard and that is scary coming off the season that Vassar has had.

Isn't it nice to know you were right. I remember when you were touting that bunch of freshmen. Plus k for being so astute. Skidmore dancing for the first time ever. Glad Hamilton didn't win. Hated to see them leave the league with a championship. Good luck to them in the NESCAC, they're going to need it. Hope to see the Thoroughbreds do well in the NCAA's. Wouldn't surprise me if they got sent over to Middlebury. Maybe to Oswego if the Lakers get to host. Now that's a game you'd just have to go see. Your new old coach vs the team you picked years ago.

[labart96]

Sorry for Hobart...good team, but too many upsets, and they didn't have the resume out of the league to recover from a first round loss.

Yeah, rough end to an otherwise excellent season.  Sure to be a lot of disappointed hoopsters in Geneva.

[magicman]

Sorry for Hobart...good team, but too many upsets, and they didn't have the resume out of the league to recover from a first round loss.

Yeah, rough end to an otherwise excellent season.  Sure to be a lot of disappointed hoopsters in Geneva.

I feel your disappointment, as my Plattsburgh St. Cardinals aren't dancing either. Thanks for stopping by the LL hoops board from time to time. Plus K Hope to see you next year as well.

Plus K to you as well Bear.

[with age came?]

I, too, feel bad for Hobart.  They were the best team in the league this year and just faltered down the stretch a little. Glad to see Skidmore win and Hamilton go out with a loss. It wouldn't feel right to me to have a team "bolt" while on top.  If Skidmore does go to Oswego that would be a trip I'd almost have to make as Magic points out!!

[buck1053]

Glad to see Skidmore win and Hamilton go out with a loss. It wouldn't feel right to me to have a team "bolt" while on top.

I agree. Especially Hamilton and Tobin Anderson. Haven't been a fan of his since he was with Clarkson and his time at Hamilton hasn't changed that.

[magicman]

Skidmore will have their work cut out for them in the NCAA's as they draw the Amherst Lord Jeffs for their 1st round game. At least they don't have tp play Amherst on the Lord Jeff's home court. WPI, who plays Bridgewater State in the other game of the pod, is the host for all four teams. Taking down Amherst will be a tall order and would rank as a major upset in the D3 tourney. I fear it won't happen, but I'll be rooting for the Thoroughbreds to win by a nose.   

[with age came?]

Skidmore is facing an uphill battle (mentioned over on the SUNYAC board that I thought they might have to face an "Amherst or the like."  Think Amherst is the clear favorite of that pod BUT you have to play the games!

[labart96]

Read that Hobart is hosting the Upstate ECACs....

Statesmen (19-7) vs. Sage (13-12) in the first semifinal - 5 PM ET on 3/5.

Medaille (20-7) vs. Brockport (15-13) in the second semifinal at 7 p.m.

The winners will meet in the championship game at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 6.

[buck1053]

Read that Hobart is hosting the Upstate ECACs....

Statesmen (19-7) vs. Sage (13-12) in the first semifinal - 5 PM ET on 3/5.

Medaille (20-7) vs. Brockport (15-13) in the second semifinal at 7 p.m.

The winners will meet in the championship game at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 6.

Is this the first year there have only been four teams in the ECACs? I admit to not having paid much attention to them over the past few years. I remember when there were eight teams in it.

Of course, many schools are not taking part in them anymore, as institutions cut funding to athletic programs. I know of at least a few that will only pay for their squad to take part in one postseason tournament (except for the NCAAs) and they consider the conference tournament to be postseason, meaning they won't let them compete in the ECACs after they've played their conference tournament. Personally, I think it's a terrible thing -- to take that approach -- but then again I'm not handling their budgets.

[with age came?]

Hi Buck- know that the ECAC has an Upstate and a downstate tournament each with 4 teams so that could be what happened. It is a shame about budgets. I know that a couple of years ago Clarkson lost in the the semi's of the league tournament but was told that the ECAC was not an option.  It was NCAA or nothing.  They  had won the league the year before as the 4th seed for the first Clarkson trip to the dance amd had played in the ECAC the year before that when they did not make the league playoffs but sported a "winning record".  So it seems likely that budget concerns could be the problem.  I've heard tell that sometimes there are limits to the number of games a team can play outside of the NCAA's but it is only something that I have heard on this board a few years ago.    AS FOR THE ECAC games:  think Statesmen win vs Sage and Brockport wins in "a thriller" over Medaille and Hobart wins the tournament in a very competitive game on Sunday. GO LIBERTY LEAGUE!!

[buck1053]

Hi Buck- know that the ECAC has an Upstate and a downstate tournament each with 4 teams so that could be what happened.

There were upstate and downstate ECACs before with eight teams in, but it has now been a few years.

By the way, Hobart should absolutely blow by Sage to get to the title game. As for Brockport-Medaille, I don't think it matters; I think the Statesmen will take it home.

[magicman]

Skidmore getting pounded by Amherst 55-29 with 12:30 left in the game.

[magicman]

It's a final as Skidmore's season comes to an end as they lose to #9 Amherst 79-39.