MBB: Liberty League

[Caz Bombers]

Ithaca stubbed its toe at home against Union, could be costly.

Hobart took care of RIT and Bard blew out Clarkson. I expect RPI will thrash Skidmore tomorrow.

[UfanBill]

A significant weekend for Union proves fruitful as the Garnet get close road wins against Skidmore and Ithaca.Tenacious hustle and good shooting make this Union team a problem for Liberty League opponents. Next up a key home opportunity to knock off league leading RPI.

[LLFan23]

Great win for Vassar. Dan Anderson a college lacrosse player making 6 threes is probably more shocking than Adams a 4 year contributor and league winner for the brewers making 7. Regardless great game, with the Ithaca loss the brewers now control their own destiny to snag a bye.

[stlawus]

Anderson had multiple all state selections in hoops at CBA, but the point remains.  Vassar now will be tested with 4 straight road games.  I would say going at least 2-2 should allow them to hold serve in the top 2 until getting the final 2 games at home.   A lot of this is going to come down to the travel schedule.  Ithaca's last 4 games are on the road which is something to keep an eye on.

[Bartman]

Monty Nedd(First Year) gets the start against RIT and scores a career high 26 to lead the Statesmen over RIT. After the horrendous start against the Bombers on Friday,something needed to change and Monty(fastest player in the LL) provided the spark. While Aiden Rogers(SR) is a great teammate and player, the energy that Monty produces should be featured the rest of the season and could be a factor producing a needed win streak . 

[LLFan23]

Big Friday for the league excited to see what today brings. Hobart takes a rough L not sure benching Rodgers was the right move. RIT and Union pull off big upsets. Vassar survives in OT against bard behind another big performance from three by a senior off the bench.

[Bartman]

Hobart couldn't shoot last night against Clarkson and loses a key game by 4 points , 30% and 10% from 3PT and under 50% from the line. They should have lost by 20 Points . Rogers back in starting lineup, but not his fault, nobody could shoot. A loss to SLU tonight puts them on life support to make the LL tourney.These guys won the LL last year, I'm in disbelief. Beating SLU is a must tonight.

[Bartman]

Hobart pulls one out in Canton as the team goes to 8-6 in the LL tied with Union who swept the weekend with a long range buzzer beater against Vassar . Union is the hottest team at the point in the season, but it looks like RPI and Ithaca have the edge to gain byes for the playoffs, with 4 games left in the regular season. Anyone can win the tournament as no team has really risen above, but those byes followed by home games could be very valuable.

[LLFan23]

Good to see Hobart right the ship, maybe they can get things clicking down the stretch but they have not had consistent production from their core this year. Battle for the byes and to host comes down to Ithaca, RPI, and vassar with Vassar and RPI controlling their own destiny for the one seed and Ithaca requiring someone to steal a game from RPI down the stretch. Union and Hobart look to be in the mix for hosting a first round game. At the bottom Clarkson looks to be in a decent spot to make the tournament up a game on SLU and holding the tie breaker over them. Bard has a tough stretch upcoming facing 3 of the top 4 teams in the league but stranger things have happened. Perplexing season from SLU who returned basically the same group from last year and has more bench contribution than in previous years.

[LLFan23]

Vomit inducing make by Union from a Vassar perspective. Greenberg hits another go ahead three with 4.8 to go after nailing one to win in OT last night. Props to Union they certainly have juice at home and refused to go away after a slow start. Garside hits big shots and was great down the stretch before nailing the prayer at the buzzer.

[stlawus]

Basketball is one of the last things on my mind right now with a death in family, however I did check the scores and was not entirely shocked to see the Statesmen get revenge on SLU.  Well played to Hobart.  SLU has put themselves in the danger zone now, but I have faith in them to dig deep.

I also see SLU is no longer the sole victim of a Garside buzzer beater. Good luck to all the final stretch.

[Jersey42]

Union is the hottest team at the point in the season, but it looks like RPI and Ithaca have the edge to gain byes for the playoffs,

Since losing a close one at then #1 Emory, Union has been playing very well. They have three losses to the top dogs - Ithaca, RPI and Vassar.  But they have beaten each of those teams in their last three games.  Matthew Garside has emerged as the player they thought they were getting out of high school.  He had 21, 21 and 23 points in the last three games.  He has also shot 14/24 from three point range in those games including the long buzzer beater today. 

I still like the position RPI is in with four games remaining.  They control their own destiny with all four games at home where they are undefeated. If they beat Vassar, RPI could lose one of their other three games and still win the league. I believe Vassar also controls their own destiny if they win all of their remaining games including the one at RPI next weekend.  They finish with Ithaca and Hobart at home.

[ucaafan]

to STLAWUS - My condolences on your loss! Really helps keep winning and losing in perspective and realizing what is most important to all of us.

[Oline89]

Basketball is one of the last things on my mind right now with a death in family, however I did check the scores and was not entirely shocked to see the Statesmen get revenge on SLU.  Well played to Hobart.  SLU has put themselves in the danger zone now, but I have faith in them to dig deep.

I also see SLU is no longer the sole victim of a Garside buzzer beater. Good luck to all the final stretch.

So sorry for the death in your family, Stlawus.  I always enjoy your insightful basketball and football posts.  Deepest condolences

[mhm0417]

Sorry to hear about your families' loss, Stlawus.