MBB: Liberty League

[rjcarter8]

Schneider also could benefit in LL Player of the Year voting by Union having two strong contenders.

Schneider leads the league in scoring and rebounding with 20.8 points and 10.9 rebounds in LL games.

Meanwhile, Union's John Caginello and Brian Scordato are second and third in scoring in league games with 17.2 and 17.1 points per game, respectively. Scordato could be a strong contender due to the fact he also is averaging 7.8 rebounds and 4.3 assists in LL games. Rensselaer's next best player is Zepernick with 10.6 points and 5.1 rebounds per game in LL contests.

As for Union playing a weak non-conference schedule, I'm not sure about that. While Union is just 6-5 in LL play, and RPI is 7-3, the Dutchmen have better regional and overall records than the Engineers. U is 10-7 in the region and 13-9 overall, while RPI is 8-10 in the region and 9-11 overall.

It will be interesting to see how it shakes out, and POY voting could come down to the last few games for each of the teams.

[unionalum]

Scordato is also first in the conf in 3pt fg made, percentage, 2nd in the conf in assists, 2nd in assist to turnover ratio... and for a guard to be shooting 57% from the field is remarkable... including .569 from 3.

[bed]

Cagianello is my player of the year right now.  I put Schneider #2.

There are 3 or 4 players on the Hamilton roster better than Schneider, but they just don't get the minutes to put up the points/rebounds that he does b/c RPI's roster has much less talent than Hamilton's roster.

I think John has had a great career at Union and I think he's the Player of the Year as of early February.

[unionalum]

Union sweeps the weekend!

You Hamilton guys starting to feel a little less confident over there?  Im just kidding, still one more huge weekend ahead. 

New for me, is these audio broadcasts online for Union, just got to hear the game.

Cagianello scored around his average of 22, a kid on Clarkson hit like 6 3's in the final 6 minutes to keep the game close.

RPI and Vassar next weekend, can't wait

[thumbsup]

Hamilton just keeps rolling.  At this point they are going to have to have an awful night, be way off their game for anyone in this league to have a chance.  Just curious, where are the R.P.I. posts now??  Just bustin, but serioulsy, it looks like a race for second place.  Hope the games will be competitive, but right now I just don't see it.

[blockparty]

The RPI / Hamilton game was a great game for 30 minutes, but RPI fell apart late in the second half.  Hopefully the two teams will meet up again in the playoffs...

[UCAAHoops21]

made a point to be at RPI and Hamilton and was impressed by both teams.  I sat not too far away from a nice older guy who was writing stats for both teams in a notebook...rpi leading 31-28 at half despite Scheinder having only 2 points.  Left impressed by both teams, and I could see both playing again in play-offs.  I thought RPI had them figured out with the zone defense, it seemed to be working throughtout the first 30 minutes or so, as another post has already said. 
It looked like Hamilton just wore them out, they look to me as though they don't lose as much when they go to the bench as most liberty league teams do. 
Having looked at the schedule prior to the game, both teams came in playing well and on winning streaks. 

[radiomike]

Things get interesting this weekend for the # 4 spot. RPI should be 8-4 after tomorrow night, unless Vassar pulls the upset of the year. If they split this weekend, they will still lock up 3rd spot. Should upsets happen, they could be in 4th place. Union must win out in order to insure that they finish 9-5. This will cement their place and a share of 3/4th place.  If they finish 8-6, they have to wait on Hobart, who plays St. Lawrence on Saturday. If Hobart splits this weekend, and Union also splits with RPI, Union loses out of the playoffs, due to Hobart holding the head to head advantage.

So, the games this week are Key for the 3 teams still in the hunt for a playoff spot. Hobart really kept Union alive,  by not beating RPI this weekend. The Statesmen could be 8-4, putting RPI in the tough spot. Oh what could have been! This makes the games up north huge, with Saturday's test a big one for the Statesmen. A Union loss will give Hobart the # 4 spot, unless Hobart drops both games this weekend.

[hopefan]

Vassar beating RPI tonite would hardly be "the upset of the year".  It took RPI 2 ots to beat Vassar at home in January - Rpi lost at Vassar last year.  The Vassar game is huge for RPI - a win virtually clinches a conference tourney berth - They don't want to go into that Saturday game with Union with a spot on the line.

[UCAAHoops21]

Yeah, RPI at Vassar tonight is a huge game, a win and RPI is most likely in as the 3 seed.  Not an easy task for RPI, as they always seem to struggle vs Vassar.  Union has to win both this weekend, and Hobart still hasn't convinced me that they are "in" and have to go up north for the final weekend.

Thoughts on postseason awards???
Coach of the Year?
Player of the Year?
Rookie of the Year?
LL Tourney winner?

[radiomike]

Union has to win both this weekend, and Hobart still hasn't convinced me that they are "in" and have to go up north for the final weekend.

Hobart or Union are not "in" at the moment. Union MUST win both games to cement their position. Assuming RPI wins tonight, the scenario is this:

Union & Hobart win both or lose both > Tie records at 9-5 or 7-7 and Hobart is the # 4
                                                               seed due to head to head
Union and Hobart both split> Tie records at 8-6 and Hobart is the # 4 seed due
                                               to head to head.

Union wins both, Hobart loses both or splits
or Union splits, Hobart loses both> Union is # 4 due to a better record.

Union winning both pressures Hobart into winning. Both Union and Hobart play a "weaker" team on Friday, before having challenges on Saturday. A loss on Friday by either team puts more pressure on both for Saturdays contest.

[blockparty]

RPI pulls out an ugly one against Vassar, 67-63.  A win against Skidmore or Union clinches a playoff berth.

SLU fans better be sweating now, the Red Hawks are rolling.

[radiomike]

RPI pulls out an ugly one against Vassar, 67-63.  A win against Skidmore or Union clinches a playoff berth.
SLU fans better be sweating now, the Red Hawks are rolling.

SLU is a much better team than the Brewers. RPI needs to take care of business first. They need to get it done with Union, which they didn't do earlier.

[radiomike]

Updated:
Union has to win both this weekend, and Hobart still hasn't convinced me that they are "in" and have to go up north for the final weekend.

Hobart or Union are not "in" at the moment. Union MUST win both games to cement their position.

RPI needs to win at least one game to be in this weekend, and they will likely keep the #3 seed.

Union & Hobart win both or lose both > Tie records at 9-5 or 7-7 and Hobart is the # 4
                                                               seed due to head to head
Union and Hobart both split> Tie records at 8-6 and Hobart is the # 4 seed due
                                               to head to head.

Union wins both, Hobart loses both or splits;
or Union splits, Hobart loses both> Union is # 4 due to a better record.

Union winning both pressures Hobart into winning. Both Union and Hobart play a "weaker" team on Friday, before having challenges on Saturday. A loss on Friday by either team puts more pressure on both for Saturdays contest. The Union - RPI contest looks like a great finale to the regular season.

[UCAAHoops21]

Had a chacne to see rpi early in the season and last weekend and just by looking at their results they are clearly the most improved team.  Have to wonder what happened there?
If my math is right, which is questionable at times, is it possible that SLU, RPI, Union, & Hobart all end up at 9-5?  Anyone know the tie-breaking process? 

How about this: 
Player of the Year:  Tom Schneider RPI
Rookie of the Year:  Bella Vonnack SLU
Tourney Champs:  Hamilton
Coach of the Year: Mike Griffin