MBB: Liberty League

[Caz Bombers]

Vassar won by 17, the Brewers will host my Ithaca Bombers in the semis on Friday, which is freakin sweet cuz I definitely didn't think I'd get a chance to see IC play in person this season.  Should be a really good game, anxious to see the Lawrence Avitabile vs. Jeff Bostic matchup.

[Hoaf]

I'm disappointed that Hamilton doesn't play in the ECAC. I think they could run through the early rounds easily and make a run for the title.

What's the reason they don't?

[John McGraw]

Could be any number of reasons as per usual.

Prior to being eligible for NCAA tournament play, Hamilton went to ECACs for almost 20 years, from 1974-75 through 1993-94. Since the first NCAA tournament appearance in 1994-95, they've only gone to ECACs once, and that was in 2000-2001.

This year is only the fourth time that Hamilton hasn't qualified for NCAA tournament play since the mid-90s. 2000-01, 2001-02 and 2004-05 are the other three years that they didn't make it.

I don't see anything wrong with it.

[Hoaf]

I'm not saying there's anything wrong with it. I would just enjoy watching them play in the tournament.

Glad to hear Vassar won their game. They're a good team when their role players begin to play well. If they don't, they're a two man team with Avitabile and Brazzel.

[lileyes]

Hamilton can't be in the ECAC tourny because they are part of the NESCAC

[b4the3isme]

I think that U of R has similiar reasons for not playing in the ECAC's if they don't qualify for the NCAA's.  What I was wondering if anyone knows why Geneseo didn't go to the ECAC's?  Certainly they were more deserving than Hilbert and probably a couple of the other teams also?! 

[diehardfan]

Hello LLPU peoples, we're collecting previews for each team in the tourney on one of the multiregional boards. If I get them by Friday I may even be able to stick them in one document for people to peruse. A fun little tourney resource of sorts. Would someone here be willing to do one for St. Lawrence for me? Thanks much!

http://www.d3sports.com/post/index.php?topic=5147.0

[b4the3isme]

Diehard- this may sound strange but I think if you need an unbiased objective opinion on SLU ask The Bear over on the SUNYAC board.  He's about 10 miles down the road in Potsdam and his analysis is usually deed spot on.

[thebear]

SLU is a suprising team.  They are deep, physically strong, and tough minded.

They have athletes:

Williams - 6-5PF/ Sharlow 5-9 PG

They have basketball players:

Wopperer - SF 6-4, SG Blue 5-7, SG Shaver 6-3, PF Augliano 6-6

They have a big physical wide body in Bela Vonnak who will become another Seth Hauben, 6-6, can shoot, big physical presence in the lane and on the low blocks.

They can score inside or out.  They have the size and quickness to get out on shooters, or challenge shots inside.

They are well-coached, Downs is a Paulsen protege. 

The school has invested in the program.  Indiana (NBA) coach Rick Carlisle's dad, a SLU grad, led a fund-raising drive that significantly enhanced the SLU Gym last year into a very nice state of the art 1500 seat facility.

In the first round, Elms plays in a weak league, but has some talent, I just think the step up in class will be too much for Elms, particularly this far from home.

Second round

I think SLU can handle Williams.  Looking at the who played who, Williams is a similar team in terms of the type of player, and won't scare SLU with their athleticism.  Since their coaches are mentor/master, I suspect they run the same stuff, so there won't be a lot of surprises.

BROCKPORT (See my analysis on the SUNYAC board shortly) beat SLU by 30 earlier in the season.  I think a street-ball athletic team that's very deep like Brockport will give SLU fits, especially if they get an early lead & take the crowd out of the game.  I don't think SLU can run & gun with the likes of Brockport.  If they can get & keep a lead and run a patient half-court game, that's their only chance.

Be back after dinner with a long-delayed preview of Plattsburgh & Brockport on the SUNYAC board.

[woot returns]

Hamilton Girls advance to teh second round of NCAA tournament with 58-55 win over mount st. mary. They play 3rd seeded scranton in the second round.

[b4the3isme]

Bear there's a link to Diehards I'd try to copy and forward to her but I'm computer challenged. The link is at the bottom of her post a few b4 yours. My apologies if you've already accomplised this but since I volunteered your sevices in the first place I want to make sure it gets into the compiled pdf that Diehard may create.

[magicman]

What's happening in the SLU game against Elms.

[b4the3isme]

SLU won by about 6 I think after having a lead as large as 18.

[magicman]

b4the3isme   

Thank you. Figured they would win but thought it would be by more. Must have gotten sloppy after having the big lead.

[bucketsallday]

vassar advances to the finals of the ecacs with an 84-76 win over ithaca.

avitables lines in the first two games:
23pts, 10rbs, 7asts, blk, 3stls
20pts, 13rbs, ast, 4blks, 5stls

this kid is unbelievable. tk is a great player, but he cant do what avitable does on any given night.