Empire 8

[superman57]

What, I think the degragation of Utica and Ithaca is exactly what I like to hear.

But I say that Fisher wins the tourny because Naz is not playing. but if they do lose they will most likely get an atlarge bid because of the expansion in the tourny

[dewcrew88]

I will hope beyond hope that Utica can somehow beat Fisher in Rochester because then two teams from the Empire 8 could get into the NCAA tournament.

[fisheralum91]

Superman-
Me thinks the word is degradation.
Anyway let's poke fun at teams.
I'm a proud Card alum but still the career and the fam are here in Utica.

[gobombers15]

Oh, the classic tactic employed by UCgrad is none other than the famous "when you're wrong, just change and twist the other person's arguments until it makes you right." Good trick, but unfortunately it's not going to work UCgrad. I'm really getting tired of putting you three in the corner for saying stupid things, so hopefully this will the last time:

Clear/UCgrad interpretation of my argument: Utica can't beat Ithaca in Ithaca.
GB15's actual argument: Utica, in the past, has not played well at Ithaca.

Learn the definitions of "have not" and "cannot," guys. There's a pretty implicit difference.

Clear/UC grad interpretation: GB15 thinks Ithaca is great!
GB15's actual argument: Do I even have to say it again or were the previous 50 times enough. Just in case, all I ever said was IC's only goal was to make the E8 tourney and hope to pull an upset or two. Mission accomplished.

GB15 2, Utica kids 0

Clear/UCgrad interpretation: Ray Bryant doesn't show up on the road.
GB15's actual argument: Show me one place where I said that. You'll be looking for awhile. What I did say was that he didn't show up the two times he played Fisher. Truth. Book it.

Clear/UC grad interpretation: GB15 said Utica can't win on the road.
GB15's actual argument: Utica doesn't win big games on the road.

Hmmm, Oswego? Fisher? RIT? Who's right on that one and who's wrong? And does anyone else notice the inherent contradiction in Clear and UCgrad's rationale. First, they say Ithaca sucks or they're mediocre. Then they go on to cite UC's victory at Ithaca as an example of Utica winning a big game on the road. What is it guys? Does Ithaca suck? Are they mediocre? Are they good enough for Utica to call that a "big win" on the road? Pick one and stick with it. You can't just pick the one that's convenient for your argument at the time.

By the way, UCgrad, way to cite suicide of Ivy League students. That's class. I look forward to your next post ripping on cancer patients and people with Alzheimer's.

How is IC going 0-2 in VA an example of faulty logic. Think about this for a second. What, this season, would mean more to an Ithaca? An extra win or two against a cupcake team from the region or going to Virginia to play quality teams with the talent levels of teams they'll have to beat to pull the upsets to get in the NCAA's? In other words, what means more: getting that experience or being 13-11 instead of 12-12? IC isn't getting an at-large anyways so that's the EXACT thing they should have done.

I talked smack about the Ithaca/Utica game?? I posted when Ithaca was up like four points, how is that talking smack? Don't let the facts get in the way of a good story, right Clear?

Regarding the Green Mountain game, if you listened to what both CazBombers and I said, there was no reason Ithaca should have them on the schedule. They're a new program that is doing all it can to get decent-sized programs on it's schedule. They've also played the Plattsburgh's of the world. Also, never did I mention Hobart as one of your "lambs." They're in the top 3 in the LL for god sakes. They're not good, but they're not horrid.

Your comment about Ray Bryant being "by far" the best player on the court the other night is a joke. Two of my buddies said he scored 8 of his points in the last 2 minutes from the line when Ithaca was fouling. Not to be petty, but they said Bellis definitely got the better of him on that night. Surely you two well never admit such blasphemy, but it sounds like it was true. So I'm not sure what game you were watching there.

I will STILL claim Utica can't win on the road in Rochester this weekend (which was my argument the entire year) after they don't win in the E8 tourney. So I was right about that, friend. You guys kept saying "oh, Utica is different this year, they'll get it done in Rochester." Annnnnd you proceeded to lose both games against the two good Rochester teams. Again, who was right about that?

I'm so pumped for next Monday when your season is over and you guys have to eat Crow for what you've been saying all year.

[fisheralum91]

Whew,
GB- point, counterpoint.
I felt like I was watching a boxing match, and the other guy had his arms tied behind his back!

[bamm]

Fisher guys -- No need to sweat, the Cardinals are one of the virtual locks for a Pool C bid if they don't win the tourney this weekend.

[the bird man]

Not sure if Utica making the tourny and getting beat in the first round is a great thing for the conference.

I would love to see the Empire 8 send 2 teams, and become a well established power conference, but for now, it is what it is.

[fisheralum91]

In all honesty-
I don't see UC losing in the 1st round.
That being said- if UC dosn't win the tourney- hello ECAC's

[gobombers15]

Back to basketball. One of the things that excites me most is Utica is riding a nice little four game winning streak, which surely means Clear is patting himself on the back more than usual. Here's how I'd break down the two games this weekend.

RIT at Fisher

The Tigers would be much better off playing Utica or Ithaca, and not solely for the obvious reason that those teams aren't Fisher. Unfortunately, as has been mentioned, Fisher loves to play RIT's style of the game and does so better than the Tigers. RIT literally has two choices: play their own style and get beat by a team who plays that same style almost perfectly or do something they're not accustomed to doing, which is always a bad idea at this point in the season.

It's like when I see the Nuggets playing the Suns in the NBA. Denver's style is run-and-gun, but unfortunately for them, that's exactly how Phoenix plays. Also, the Suns do it better than the Nuggets. You can win A LOT of money betting on Phoenix each time those two teams play. Not that I've ever done that or anything.

The way to beat Fisher this year seems to be turning the game into an ugly, knockdown dragout type of game. The first Naz game sounded it like it was sloppy and the Flyers won. Ditto for the second game but there was a different result (it sounded due to the fact that Naz players were missing chippies, but I'm just basing that on what other posters have said). The Fisher/R-MC game also sounded very tight, physical and "ugly" sort of game. RIT will want to use their finesse and outside shooting to win; that's what they excel at. However, if they want to win this one they're going to have to be unconscious from the outside, get good production from Bacon and hope Fisher is off from the perimeter.

My initial line: Fisher -15.5

Ithaca v Utica

Let's just negate the whole Bellis vs Bryant thing for now because those two are likely going to negate each other. The question will be can Ithaca avoid the long draughts that plagued them in the first two meeting between the teams. If they can, they have a good chance at pulling the upset. If not, it will likely be the end of their season.

Bryant will get his, but the key for Ithaca is to contain Lucas and Cichon. Those were the two players that seemed to do them in last Friday night. Basically, I think the game comes down to which trio wins the matchup: Bryant/Cichon/Lucas vs Bellis/Andruskiewicz/whoever is that day's 3rd option.

Early line: Utica -4.5.

Prop Bets

Assuming a Utica/Fisher final, Utica fans wet themselves prior to the game: 6-1

Utica fans make an excuse after losing to Fisher: 7-6

The excuse involves a referee: 1-5

Prior to the game, Utica fans say such obviously made-up things like "I have a friend on Fisher and they fear us the most despite the fact they have beaten us 11 out of the last 12.": 1-100 (not smart to bet against that happening)

Clear and UCgrad dressing like Batman and Robin that just got beat up in the bathroom and were given swirlies: 2-1

[fisheralum91]

GB-
You have me literally laughing in my office!

[UCgrad45]

"Oh, the classic tactic employed by UCgrad is none other than the famous "when you're wrong, just change and twist the other person's arguments until it makes you right." "

Hilarious considering your entire post is nothing but your interpretation of what others said, or in other words, doing exactly what you are complaining about.



"Clear/UC grad interpretation: GB15 thinks Ithaca is great!"

To qoute you: Show me where I said that. Dont you ever get sick of being a hypocrite?


"GB15's actual argument: Utica doesn't win big games on the road.

Hmmm, Oswego? Fisher? RIT? Who's right on that one and who's wrong? And does anyone else notice the inherent contradiction in Clear and UCgrad's rationale. First, they say Ithaca sucks or they're mediocre. Then they go on to cite UC's victory at Ithaca as an example of Utica winning a big game on the road. "

Clinching the 2 or 3 seed on the road is a big game, no matter how bad the team you beat really is.

"Are they mediocre? "

Perhaps you missed where I told you they were a decent team.

"By the way, UCgrad, way to cite suicide of Ivy League students. That's class. I look forward to your next post ripping on cancer patients and people with Alzheimer's. "

Must be the "Ghetto" in me. There is a huge difference between saying that you dont see Utica fans saying things like that, which you dont, and actually picking on those who do. Seeing that my life has been affected more than you could ever imagine because of the Suicide of a former Utica College basketball center, I'd say that its safe to say that I most certainly did not poke fun at it. Talk about twisting words.

I also find it funny that you took shots at Utica fans and citizens without even being at the game. You talked garbage about them, when many of the people you talked about are about to be Ithaca college football players.


"How is IC going 0-2 in VA an example of faulty logic. Think about this for a second. What, this season, would mean more to an Ithaca? An extra win or two against a cupcake team from the region or going to Virginia to play quality teams with the talent levels of teams they'll have to beat to pull the upsets to get in the NCAA's? In other words, what means more: getting that experience or being 13-11 instead of 12-12? IC isn't getting an at-large anyways so that's the EXACT thing they should have done. "

Never said they shouldnt. This post had nothing to do with the point I made, and in no way contradicted it. Not really sure why you even included this paragraph.

"Also, never did I mention Hobart as one of your "lambs." "

It was someone else, I apologize.

"Your comment about Ray Bryant being "by far" the best player on the court the other night is a joke. Two of my buddies said he scored 8 of his points in the last 2 minutes from the line when Ithaca was fouling. Not to be petty, but they said Bellis definitely got the better of him on that night. Surely you two well never admit such blasphemy, but it sounds like it was true. So I'm not sure what game you were watching there."


Yeah, scoring less points and not winning was getting the best. Never mind that he was superior in nearly every other category as well. And he did get 8 points from the line there, and went 12 for 12 from the line, but they werent intentional fouls. They fouled him when he burnt them for an easy lay up. I see it is very hard for you to admit that he is the best player in the conference, but heh as been player of the week more than anybody.

"I will STILL claim Utica can't win on the road in Rochester this weekend (which was my argument the entire year) after they don't win in the E8 tourney. "

They just made the team that beat Fisher and nearly did again look like a junior high team. They are playing good ball right now, and Fisher will not have an easy night against RIT like they did against Ithaca in years past. Like the year that Utica was nowhere near as good as they are now and only lost by 3 in the final game. Say what you want, but Fisher players know that Utica can beat them.



Overall, you seem level headed. Until, of course, things dont go your way. Then you talk smack to everyone and try to play the victim while being extremely hypocritical.

[fisheralum91]

Fisher remains at 16th going into the E8 tourney.
Not too bad, just want them to put the hammer down come crunch time!

[col]

Go Ray!

[tigerfan2]

I don't think beating Naz and making them look like a junior high team is something to hang your hat on UC Grad. Everyone but Fisher beats up on them.

Seems like Naz can give Fisher a great game but they just can't bring anything close to that intensity vs. any other team.

I'll still be interested to see how this weekend plays out.

[UCgrad45]

"Clear and UCgrad dressing like Batman and Robin that just got beat up in the bathroom and were given swirlies: 2-1 "

What's funny is that the guy with the cape has been gone for 2 years, but the guy dressed in the team australia rugby outfit, with speedo's and foam finger, along with the guy dressed as Al Capone are still in the Ithaca stands. Although they are there for attention and know little about basketball, I guess that means Ithaca fans are "ghetto".