MBB: Liberty League

Bartman · January 15, 2020, 08:49:34 AM

Quote from: UfanBill on January 14, 2020, 05:29:17 PM
Hobart has shown to be the class of the league so far but has a tough road game at Union tonight. The 11-1, 5-0 Statesmen took a hard fought 76-74 victory over the Dutchmen 6-4, 3-2 when they last met in Schenectady. Union will have to shoot lights out to have a chance this time around.

Congrats to the Dutchmen, very timely buckets every time Hobart charged back. Hobart has had problems with self inflicted turnovers all year, but their tenacious defense , streak shooting and game focus have kept them in the win column except for the 2 losses this year. A nice balance of experience and first years giving a nice look into potential success in the future. First year HC and ex Statesmen star Steph Thompson has them excited to play for the program and the word is recruits love Steph, so we might stain the success. So hat tip to Union for last nights win, but I am excited for Hobart basketball for this year and the future. +k to UFAN Bill for linking the LL Football board( and the recent odd discussions) to LL Bball .

UfanBill · January 15, 2020, 02:04:11 PM

Great, gutsy win by the Union Dutchmen last night. After losing by 22 to Hobart in Geneva on Dec. 10th where they shot a dismal 15/55, 29.3% from the field and 3/19, 15.8% from behind the arc the Dutchmen were much better on the home floor. They battled through the Statesmen's tenacious defense and hit 13 of 32 from three, 40.6%. They also played tough D of their own forcing 17 Hobart turnovers.

A key contributor to the Union effort was a new name in the rotation. Sophomore big man 6'9" 225# Chris Loviscolo. Loviscolo is a DI transfer from Holy Cross who just became eligible in January. Loviscolo spent a year at Holy Cross playing for Union Hall of Famer, coach Bill Carmody, after playing at Don Bosco Prep in NJ with Union Guard Mike Concannon. The addition of Loviscolo and their big win over Hobart makes the Dutchmen a definite threat in the Liberty League.

Oline89 · January 15, 2020, 02:25:53 PM

Quote from: UfanBill on January 15, 2020, 02:04:11 PM
Great, gutsy win by the Union Dutchmen last night. After losing by 22 to Hobart in Geneva on Dec. 10th where they shot a dismal 15/55, 29.3% from the field and 3/19, 15.8% from behind the arc the Dutchmen were much better on the home floor. They battled through the Statesmen's tenacious defense and hit 13 of 32 from three, 40.6%. They also played tough D of their own forcing 17 Hobart turnovers.

A key contributor to the Union effort was a new name in the rotation. Sophomore big man 6'9" 225# Chris Loviscolo. Loviscolo is a DI transfer from Holy Cross who just became eligible in January. Loviscolo spent a year at Holy Cross playing for Union Hall of Famer, coach Bill Carmody, after playing at Don Bosco Prep in NJ with Union Guard Mike Concannon. The addition of Loviscolo and their big win over Hobart makes the Dutchmen a definite threat in the Liberty League.

Wow, a 6'9" transfer is huge (pun intended). Did he have to sit out a season, similar to football, when dropping from D1 to D3?

Pat Coleman · January 15, 2020, 02:32:12 PM

You do not have to sit out a season when moving from D-I to D-III, regardless of sport. If you were eligible at your previous school, you are eligible immediately at the D-III school.

UfanBill · January 15, 2020, 02:37:50 PM

Quote from: Pat Coleman on January 15, 2020, 02:32:12 PM
You do not have to sit out a season when moving from D-I to D-III, regardless of sport. If you were eligible at your previous school, you are eligible immediately at the D-III school.

Understood...Loviscolo was on the Holy Cross roster at the beginning of this season. He played 1 minute in their opener at Maryland 11/5.

Oline89 · January 15, 2020, 03:18:27 PM

Quote from: Pat Coleman on January 15, 2020, 02:32:12 PM
You do not have to sit out a season when moving from D-I to D-III, regardless of sport. If you were eligible at your previous school, you are eligible immediately at the D-III school.

That's right, its the other way. Can't go from D3 to D1

Pat Coleman · January 15, 2020, 03:26:53 PM

Right. It's so someone can't so easily be enticed away by a scholarship offer and we don't end up with D-III being a developmental squad for D-I.

Bartman · January 16, 2020, 11:09:28 AM

League leading RPI at Hobart on saturday. Should be a great game as teams jockey for first place and Home Court in the LL tournament. Hobart has 8 of their remaining LL games at home, hopefully they will use the advantage down the stretch. Early results indicate a tight race with no team clearly separating themselves quite yet ( Union and Ithaca are also strong contenders ). If RPI beats Hobart on saturday we could see some separation, so this January game is key for both teams. However, it looks like RPI, Hobart, Ithaca and Union could all gain momentum and have enough talent to win the LL tournament.

stlawus · January 17, 2020, 09:23:01 PM

SLU blows another game late because no one can take care of the ball at the top of the key. Ithaca shoots 10% from three, SLU turns it over 8 more times than Ithaca. That's your game and the story of the season.

hopefan · January 17, 2020, 09:44:43 PM

Quote from: Bartman on January 16, 2020, 11:09:28 AM
League leading RPI at Hobart on saturday. Should be a great game as teams jockey for first place and Home Court in the LL tournament. Hobart has 8 of their remaining LL games at home, hopefully they will use the advantage down the stretch. Early results indicate a tight race with no team clearly separating themselves quite yet ( Union and Ithaca are also strong contenders ). If RPI beats Hobart on saturday we could see some separation, so this January game is key for both teams. However, it looks like RPI, Hobart, Ithaca and Union could all gain momentum and have enough talent to win the LL tournament.

RPI comes back from a horrendous 1st half at RIT, down double digits... to win by double digits...

Bartman, I'll be surprised if Hobart doesn't win pretty easily tomorrow...

Caz Bombers · January 18, 2020, 05:14:26 PM

RPI has Hobart on the ropes, up 8 with 5:30 to go, would be 12 in a row for the Engineers if they hang on.

hopefan · January 18, 2020, 06:01:51 PM

Wow, I apologize... RPI with the win... a very good win... curious what RPI record for wins in a row is.... I really didn't see this coming...

UfanBill · January 18, 2020, 06:04:54 PM

The Union Dutchmen showed their depth this weekend in completely dominating Bard and Vassar for their fourth straight win in a week.. All 16 suited up roster players saw action with 15/16 scoring in each game. One could only say that the Dutchmen are feeding their confidence for the remainder of the LL season. They've got a tough one next.. at Ithaca on Friday..

stlawus · January 18, 2020, 06:05:36 PM

Props to RPI. Lost a lot of firepower from last year. Hobart hitting a bit of a wall with poor shooting, but their defense will keep them in games. Union having a quietly strong season. They looked good when I saw them last year so I'm not surprised they're 6-2. 4 teams at 2-5 battling for the 6th spot. SLU beats Skidmore today for the first time in 4 years. Going to be an interesting final 5 weeks.

Bartman · January 19, 2020, 08:22:56 AM

Congrats to RPI for remaining undefeated in the LL . Hobart v. RPI first half was pretty sloppy with defensive focus by both teams. Second half was similar to Union game for Hobart where shooters go cold and RPI surges when necessary. Hat tip to RPI for coming into Bristol Gym and leaving with first place.....Statesmen will look to return the favor in Troy and in the tourney.