MBB: Liberty League

[Bartman]

Hobart plays their way into the LL tournament. With a win tonight over Union they can earn a home game but the Hobart defense  will have to defend the 3-point line as evidenced by the crazy three point shoot-out by Union and RIT. RIT had a chance to tie or win with 10 seconds left but couldn't get a shot off. My money is on SLU beating RPI tonight but the score could be like 52-50 with those defenses. I believe any of the six teams can win the Championship, it should be fun.

[Jersey42]

The playoff field is set with Bard and Clarkson getting eliminated.  Seedings are still very fluid.  After losing at home to Hobart Vassar needs to win tomorrow AND have RPI lose to SLU to finish in first place. There are so many seeding implications tomorrow it's not even worth typing it all out. Union having the season sweep of RPI gets them the tie breaker in a lot of these scenarios.  Union winning tomorrow gets them a home game regardless.  SLU will need multiple combinations of results to get into 5th place which could see Hobart dropping to 6th.  I believe that hinges upon Clarkson losing to Skidmore/Bard beating RIT as crazy as that sounds. 

Also, if Ithaca beats Vassar and RPI loses to SLU RPI will get the 1st seed by virtue of sweeping Ithaca.

I had a lot of time on my hands this morning and I tried to wade through the seedings and expand on what you have already posted. In a few hours, all of this will be decided.  But I believe these are the possibilities.  It reminds me of a logic puzzle without enough information to completely solve.

RPI, Vassar and Ithaca get the top three seeds in some order.
·        RPI can finish 1 or 2.
·        Vassar can finish 1, 2 or 3.
·        Ithaca can finish 2 or 3.

Hobart, Union and SLU get the last three seeds in some order.
·        Hobart can finish 4, 5 or 6.
·        Union can finish 4, 5 or 6.
·        SLU can finish 5 or 6.

Head to head sweeps that could affect seeding
·        Vassar over RPI
·        RPI over Ithaca
·        SLU over Bard
·        Clarkson over SLU
·        (Union and RPI split)

Today's games with first game results
·        SLU @ RPI – RPI won first
·        Hobart @ Union – Hobart won first
·        Ithaca @ Vassar – Ithaca won first

RPI – 1 with a Win or a Vassar Loss.  Otherwise 2.
Vassar – 1 with a Win and an RPI L. 2 with a Win and an RPI Win. 3 with a Loss.
Ithaca – 2 with a Win. 3 with a Loss.
Hobart – 4 with a Win. 5 with a Loss and an SLU Loss.  **
Union – 4 with a Win. 5 with a Loss and an SLU Loss. **
SLU – 6 with a Loss. **

** If SLU wins today, they are in a tiebreaker for 5 with the loser of the Hobart/Union game.  As you have said, it gets crazy but I believe you got it correct.  If Bard finishes ahead of Clarkson in the standings, SLU gets 5.  Otherwise they get 6.

I probably have missed something.  But by 6:00 this evening it will all be decided.

[stlawus]

Downs basically conceding the game against RPI by playing 3rd unit players, seemingly to keep the team fresh for playoffs on Tuesday.   I don't think I've ever seen Downs do this before.  I guess it makes sense since there's not much to play for, but odd seeing it for the first time.

[stlawus]

First minute of the game against Ithaca Shea Fitzgerald with a nasty ankle roll on the landing from a shot contest.  Something to keep an eye on.

[stlawus]

The field is set.  RPI and Ithaca with first round byes.  Vassar will host SLU and Union will host Hobart.  RPI gets the winner of Hobart/Union and Ithaca gets SLU/Vassar.

[LLFan23]

One of the worst reffed games I've seen in awhile between Vassar and Ithaca. 2 starters likely lost for the season due to injury another key bench player also likely out for the year. 2 other starters were fouled out and the final starter Lee missed time after getting knocked out of the air yet didn't even receive a call. Sad that the refs can't even protect the players on one end while calling ticky tack fouls on the other. Going to be an uphill battle for a battered Vassar squad vs a well rested SLU team.

[UfanBill]

It was senior day for Union at the Viniar Center today. Well at least for the four graduating seniors in the Garnet Chargers women's program. They celebrated with a resounding 77-44 victory over William Smith. The men took to the court later and orchestrated yet another close game victory over Hobart, 76-69, to wrap up 4th place in the LL and a home game Tuesday...against Hobart. The Statesmen opened the game strong and built a 7 point halftime lead while Union struggled with their shooting hitting only 33.3% and even missing 3 of 6 free throws. 

The second half was another story as Union caught fire shooting 58.6%, 5 of 9 from the arc and all 9 of their free throws. Hobart kept up and had their last lead 53-51 with 8:32 left before the Garnet slowly forged ahead. It was still a 3 point game at the 23 second mark until a spectacular putback tip in and four of those FTs sealed the deal.  No senior celebration ensued...because this sophomore dominated Union squad that's so fun to watch, has NO seniors.     

[Bartman]

It was senior day for Union at the Viniar Center today. Well at least for the four graduating seniors in the Garnet Chargers women's program. They celebrated with a resounding 77-44 victory over William Smith. The men took to the court later and orchestrated yet another close game victory over Hobart, 76-69, to wrap up 4th place in the LL and a home game Tuesday...against Hobart. The Statesmen opened the game strong and built a 7 point halftime lead while Union struggled with their shooting hitting only 33.3% and even missing 3 of 6 free throws. 

The second half was another story as Union caught fire shooting 58.6%, 5 of 9 from the arc and all 9 of their free throws. Hobart kept up and had their last lead 53-51 with 8:32 left before the Garnet slowly forged ahead. It was still a 3 point game at the 23 second mark until a spectacular putback tip in and four of those FTs sealed the deal.  No senior celebration ensued...because this sophomore dominated Union squad that's so fun to watch, has NO seniors.     

UFAN, congrats on the win and earning the home court for the playoff game. At least Union doesn't shoot that damn cannon/or indoor equivalent after every basket. I think the reigning Champions, with their backs against the wall,  will be a tough out Tuesday for the Kiddie Chargers. Good luck. 

[Jersey42]

First minute of the game against Ithaca Shea Fitzgerald with a nasty ankle roll on the landing from a shot contest.  Something to keep an eye on.

Big loss for Vassar if he can't play next week.  When he is on, defenses need to guard him closely well beyond the NBA three point line. He single handedly was responsible for Vassar's first victory over RPI.  While Vassar's swarming defense had a lot to do with their second defeat of RPI, it seemed like any time RPI tried to come back, Fitzgerald would hit a long range three.  I did not see the injury, but I wish him well. Excellent player and only a sophomore.

[stlawus]

Defense, experience and the return of the brown uniform delivers SLU a tough road playoff victory at a venue that's usually a house of horrors for them.  The Fitzgerald injury certainly played a factor for Vassar, but they started the first 10 minutes strong getting some good home court bounces and forcing SLU to a horrid 1-10 start from the field. You could see the disparity in experience after that, as Vassar was then forced into low percentage shots along with way too many threes. That was the lowest field goal percentage from a SLU opponent since December 6th. The Saints also wisely exploited the size mismatch with Dudzinski who delivered critical baskets in the 2nd half to keep Vassar at an arm's length. Downs's decision to punt Saturday's game proved to be a sage coaching move.  The good news for Vassar is that the whole team returns along with a year of playoff experience.  They're not going anywhere.

[stlawus]

Matthew Garside must have a horseshoe forged by leprechauns in his locker.  That is unbelievable.  3 times in one season.  Union with what seems like their 200th one score victory at home against the defending champs.  One would think this is all unsustainable but so far that has yet to come to fruition, and no team can count on it happening.  Union just has the magic touch at home.

[UfanBill]

Yet another incredibly close, exciting game for the Garnet Chargers. It was remarkably similarly to Saturday's game. Hobart got off to a strong start while Union struggled with it's shooting.The Statesmen were up 35=30 at the half. Quickly after halftime the Garnet took the lead but from there it was lead change after lead change to the end of regulation.Fittingly the game went into overtime tied at 72. Again each team had the lead in OT right to the last seconds when the impossible happened as Union's Matthew Garside hit a buzzer beating 3 for the win! The third time he's done that this season.

Bartman your Statesmen played great but this seems like destiny.

[hopefan]

Old old RPI guy here.... Went to internet and turned on Hobart at Union last night..... GREAT GAME...
It doesn't get any better!!! And the Tanner Tedesco name... yes, I remember trying to keep up with Jim Tedesco...

[Bartman]

Yet another incredibly close, exciting game for the Garnet Chargers. It was remarkably similarly to Saturday's game. Hobart got off to a strong start while Union struggled with it's shooting.The Statesmen were up 35=30 at the half. Quickly after halftime the Garnet took the lead but from there it was lead change after lead change to the end of regulation.Fittingly the game went into overtime tied at 72. Again each team had the lead in OT right to the last seconds when the impossible happened as Union's Matthew Garside hit a buzzer beating 3 for the win! The third time he's done that this season.

Bartman your Statesmen played great but this seems like destiny.

Destiny for the Kiddie Chargers, for sure. A great game played well by both teams. If you told me Hobart would have a higher FG percentage than Union, with almost equal stats in Rebounds and turnovers, I would have bet anything that Hobart would win. But those threes and Icewater Garside were the difference. A very tough loss for the four Senior starters led by Aidan Rodgers, The Meshanic brothers and Pat Healy. Thanks to the Meshanic family that gave us three great Statesman basketball players (older brother Jackson was special) , and were key to two NCAA appearances and a Liberty League title. The Hobart future is bright because Coach Thompson wisely developed the underclassmen this season that will help Hobart contend again in 2025-26.
    Good luck to the remaining LL teams. I think RPI will have their hands full with SLU's Seniors and Union might have another miracle finish in Ithaca.
   

[Caz Bombers]

Good luck to the remaining LL teams. I think RPI will have their hands full with SLU's Seniors and Union might have another miracle finish in Ithaca.
 

Bracket doesn't reseed so it's Union at RPI and SLU at IC.