MBB: Liberty League

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Ithaca looks very strong.  They're playing probably better than everyone else right now.  I'd love to see them win just for the drama it will cause in selections.  RPI and Hobart both have resumes to be considered, if not get in.  Three LL teams would make things interesting, for sure.

[footballfan911]

SLU always seems to make it tough for the Bombers with their zone d and deliberate offense. (last game at Ithaca was an anomaly IMO). Almost like a box and 1 at times up top last night. The future looks very bright for SLU with the young talent they have. 

Looking forward to seeing both semifinal games this weekend. These 4 teams are talented and well coached and even if only 1 team gets in, that does not take away from all that they have accomplished this season.

[Bartman]

Survive and advance. The Bombers are in win or go home mood, so there's no points for style. IC got the W, and that's all that matters to me. A 21-5 season thus far, just fantastic, NCAAs or not

Beating the Bombers for a third time will be tough.....I think whichever team wins, beats RPI or Union, IMO.

[D3HoopsStan]

Ithaca looks very strong.  They're playing probably better than everyone else right now.  I'd love to see them win just for the drama it will cause in selections.  RPI and Hobart both have resumes to be considered, if not get in.  Three LL teams would make things interesting, for sure.

Any chance Ithaca gets an at-large if they beat Hobart, but lose in the finals? That would leave them at 22-6 (on a fairly weak strength of schedule though).

[thebear]

Bombers are ranked 8th right now in the East region,

They have one win and five losses against Regionally Ranked Opponents.

If they win Friday and lose Saturday, they will be 2-6 against RRO. 
They could move ahead of the semi losers in the SUNYAC.

At least one of Potsdam, Oneonta, Oswego that are regionally ranked ahead of them will also advance to the SUNYAC conference final. 

The only SUNYAC team that's a for sure bid is Brockport ranked #1 in the region.
 
If one of the three other SUNYAC teams above upsets Brockport, then SUNYAC will absorb a Pool C.  Potsdam has beaten Brockport [by 16 in Potsdam], and led in the last 30 seconds at Brockport, losing by 3.  Oswego took them to overtime last weekend before losing in Oswego. But at Brockport, beating the Eagles is a tall order.

There are four East conferences with autobids - SUNYAC, Liberty League, Empire 8, and NEAC - which may be a Pennsylvania School.

Everything I've seen says that as long as RPI makes it to the Liberty League final, they will probably get a Pool C.

U of R is ranked 4th in the region with a game against Emory left in Rochester.  If Rochester wins that they are probably in via Pool C due to a very strong schedule and being UAA. 

I humbly submit that,  like the non-Brockport SUNYAC schools, the Bombers have to win their conference tournament to get a bid to the NCAA's.
   

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Ithaca looks very strong.  They're playing probably better than everyone else right now.  I'd love to see them win just for the drama it will cause in selections.  RPI and Hobart both have resumes to be considered, if not get in.  Three LL teams would make things interesting, for sure.

Any chance Ithaca gets an at-large if they beat Hobart, but lose in the finals? That would leave them at 22-6 (on a fairly weak strength of schedule though).

No.

[D3HoopsStan]

Bombers are ranked 8th right now in the East region,

They have one win and five losses against Regionally Ranked Opponents.

If they win Friday and lose Saturday, they will be 2-6 against RRO. 
They could move ahead of the semi losers in the SUNYAC.

At least one of Potsdam, Oneonta, Oswego that are regionally ranked ahead of them will also advance to the SUNYAC conference final. 

The only SUNYAC team that's a for sure bid is Brockport ranked #1 in the region.
 
If one of the three other SUNYAC teams above upsets Brockport, then SUNYAC will absorb a Pool C.  Potsdam has beaten Brockport [by 16 in Potsdam], and led in the last 30 seconds at Brockport, losing by 3.  Oswego took them to overtime last weekend before losing in Oswego. But at Brockport, beating the Eagles is a tall order.

There are four East conferences with autobids - SUNYAC, Liberty League, Empire 8, and NEAC - which may be a Pennsylvania School.

Everything I've seen says that as long as RPI makes it to the Liberty League final, they will probably get a Pool C.

U of R is ranked 4th in the region with a game against Emory left in Rochester.  If Rochester wins that they are probably in via Pool C due to a very strong schedule and being UAA. 

I humbly submit that,  like the non-Brockport SUNYAC schools, the Bombers have to win their conference tournament to get a bid to the NCAA's.
   

Makes sense. Thanks!

[footballfan911]

Solid analysis and I'm sure you are spot on. As I have said, all of these teams have talented players and are well coached. These kids are true student athletes. If only one team makes it to the tournament, so be it. Nothing to be ashamed of.  Shout out to all the seniors and their families on great careers. Looking forward to a great weekend.

[Bartman]

Solid analysis and I'm sure you are spot on. As I have said, all of these teams have talented players and are well coached. These kids are true student athletes. If only one team makes it to the tournament, so be it. Nothing to be ashamed of.  Shout out to all the seniors and their families on great careers. Looking forward to a great weekend.

+k, ditto that

[Caz Bombers]

RPI handles Union by 20; Bombs and Barts coming up next in a little bit

[d3d3d3]

Ithaca holds off Hobart second-half charge and gets to the title game, 80-72. Sinon scores 36 for Bombers; Lescoe 2-for-17 from the field, five points for Statesmen.

[UfanBill]

Congrats to RPI for putting it to the Dutchmen in the 2nd half. Union just keeps losing close games in the same manner. When things get tough they try to out gun their opponents rather than defend them. Live by the three, die by the three.

RPI killed them underneath getting 44 points in the paint fueled by 16 offensive rebounds. I don't know what the plus/minus for long armed, quick jumping 6'8" shot blocker Rhona Eseyade was, but I'd bet that Union scored more than they gave up while he was in there. He definitely shows his presence. Sadly that's not the direction Union takes. Eseyade played only 14 minutes. 

The Dutchmen return almost everyone next year, Maybe they can figure out how to finish. 

[magicman]

Nice win by Ithaca to take down RPI 80-69 in overtime.

[Bartman]

Survive and advance. The Bombers are in win or go home mood, so there's no points for style. IC got the W, and that's all that matters to me. A 21-5 season thus far, just fantastic, NCAAs or not

Beating the Bombers for a third time will be tough.....I think whichever team wins, beats RPI or Union, IMO.

Congrats to the Bombers on a well deserved OT win and the LL Championship. Unfortunately, I was right about beating IC for a third time....going 2-1 against the champs doesn't get the Statesmen much unless there is an outside chance of getting 3 LL teams in the tourney....obviously RPI has earned it despite losing today, but thinking the Statesmen just missed way too many shots on Saturday, but you can always hope. Good luck to the Bombers in the NCAA tournament.

[Caz Bombers]

Sebastian Alderete 28-11-4 in the title game, that's kinda good.

Hooray we win hooray...now we wait to see where IC goes and if Hobart and/or RPI join them.

and the IC women won the LL over Vassar on a Grace Cannon bucket with 6 seconds left; truly everything has come up Milhouse on this day