Empire 8

[ricco1]

Wow I like that. The Nicks swuck

[ricco1]

It should say the NY Nicks suck.

[FisherDynasty]

Any early predictions on who should start the season off where in the E8? or any news on local recruits..

[slickyquick]

well as some of us have figured out, fisher brought in 47 freshmen like always. ithaca brought in a pretty good class which includes soph sean leahy, former west genny product. naz has brought in another good class just because of corey mcadam, he might be all league this year. elmira brings in a couple of local recruits who may or may not make a impact, my guess is no. rit brought in a couple of small school all stars who usually have a tough time adjusting to d3 ball. not sure about the rest....

[Caz Bombers]

Well, since IC's playoff hopes in football are down the drain, while my fellow Bomber fans do their Cortaca thing, I figure I'll get a head start on Empire 8 basketball season as our teams try to follow up the great success of SJF and UC last year.  Here's the results of my research...

HARTWICK (10-15, 4-10 Empire 8)

R - Jan Cocozziello - 14.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 3.1 apg, 1.35 spg  * E8 Rookie of the Year, E8 Honorable Mention SOPH
    A.J. Beaulieu - 7.6 ppg, 1.1 spg SOPH
    Albe Hulick - 5.6 ppg, 3.0 rpg SOPH
    Pat Dunnigan - 5.4 ppg, 3.7 rpg SENIOR

L - Tim Kindlon - 10.2 ppg
    Anthony Brown - 8.9 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 1.7 bpg

NEW - Kyle Phillips (6-7 C) Tristan Connolly (6-7 C) Darrell Howard (6-3 F)
      Mike Agostinoni (5-9 G) Cory Carson (6-4 Jr. G - D2 Mercyhurst 1.2 ppg)

ANALYSIS - Hartwick might finally have the foundation for a basketball-like substance in Binder Gymnasium this winter.  Reigning E8 Rookie of the Year Jan Coccoziello (too hard to spell, how bout Jan CooCooForCocoaPuffs?) returns with some other youngsters like A.J. Beaulieu to help out.  The scoring and size of Kindlon and Brown will fall on the shoulders of the two 6'7" freshmen Phillips and Connolly.  Carson probably won't have a big impact.  Watch out in a year or two but 'Wick might make a run at 5th for now.

UTICA (23-7, 11-3 Empire 8, NCAA Sweet 16)

R - Ray Bryant - 18.8 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 1.9 apg, 1.5 spg SENIOR
    *NABC 3rd Team All-America, D3hoops.com All-East 1st Team, Empire 8 1st Team
    Doug Herring - 10.9 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 3.7 apg, 1.6 spg SOPH
    Jack Lighthall - 5.4 ppg, 2.8 rpg SENIOR

L - Justin Cichon - 15.4 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.6 apg, 1.4 spg E8 1st Team
    Willie Lucas - 11.7 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 2.0 apg E8 Honorable Mention
    Shawn Brown - 5.4 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 0.5 bpg

NEW - Kevin Martin (6-0 Jr. G) Andy Jeffries (6-2 So. G) James McClendon (6-6 So. F)
      Dan Zuretti (6-1 G) Shaun Diaz (6-4 G) Patrick Goodman (6-5 F) Robert Whyte (6-7 F) 
     Andrew Preston (6-6 F)
      **Jeffries from Tompkins-Cortland C.C. 14.6 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 3.3 apg 2005-06
      **McClendon transfer from FDU-Florham 4.7 ppg, 3.2 rpg 2005-06

ANALYSIS - With Fisher having to rebuild/reload, Utica has a great shot at the E8 title and they'll rely on the chalk pick for MVP, Ray Bryant, to get them there.  Herring is a good point guard and they seem to have found a solid transfer in Andy Jeffries from TC3.  Coach Goodemote recruits well outside Upstate and makes inroads with Central Square native Jeffries.

ELMIRA (3-22, 0-14 Empire 8)

R - Joe Prunier - 10.4 ppg, 2.4 apg SENIOR
    Matt Keating - 9.4 ppg, 4.0 rpg SENIOR
    Nick Molak - 7.6 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 3.8 apg JUNIOR

L - Micah Owens - 17.7 ppg, 9.1 rpg E8 2nd Team
    James Brown - 5.2 ppg, 6.2 rpg

NEW - NOT AVAILABLE

ANALYSIS - Elmira hasn't posted its 2006-07 roster yet, I'll keep an eye out for newcomers, but given the state of that program I don't know what can help.  They were terrible even with Micah Owens, will EC even win a game without him?  We'll find out.

ITHACA (16-13, 9-5 Empire 8, ECAC Upstate Champions)

R - Sean Burton - 9.0 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 2.7 apg SOPH
    Brian Joe - 8.3 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 1.4 spg JUNIOR
    Dominic Scanlon - 6.3 ppg, 2.5 rpg JUNIOR
    Sean Stahn - 5.6 ppg, 4.3 rpg SENIOR
    Jeff Bostic - 4.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg SOPH, ECAC Tournament MVP
   
L - Jim Bellis - 18.1 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 1.9 apg, 1.8 spg E8 1st Team, d3hoops.com All-East 2nd team
    Brian Andruskiewicz - 9.9 ppg, 5.3 rpg
    Jonathan Whetstone - 6.7 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 5.7 apg, 1.8 spg

NEW - Tom Brown (6-5 C) Will Gaskins (6-2 G) Sean Leahy (6-7 So. F) Steve Pruzinsky (6-3 Jr. G)   
           Scott Ruffrage (6-0 Jr. G)

ANALYSIS - Looks dicey on paper but you know A)death B)taxes C)Ithaca winning 8 or 9 games in the E8.  Seems like a good corps of athletes returning to South Hill that'll be around beyond this season.  Long way to go to be in UC or Fisher's neighborhood.  Sean Leahy was listed on UAlbany's roster last year but must have redshirted or something.



Preview of western half of Empire 8 after the jump...

[Caz Bombers]

NAZARETH (8-17, 5-9 Empire 8)

R - Joe Canori - 20.6 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.4 spg JUNIOR E8 2nd Team
    Ryan McAdam - 12.9 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 2.2 apg JUNIOR E8 Honorable Mention
    Kyle Nelson - 9.6 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 3.5 apg, 1.4 spg JUNIOR
    Tyler Smith - 7.1 ppg, 6.6 rpg JUNIOR
    Jeff DeHimer - 5.4 ppg, 3.1 rpg SOPH

L - Matt Groot - 7.5 ppg, 4.2 rpg

NEW - NOT AVAILABLE

ANALYSIS - Naz's updated roster not posted online yet either, but the addition of Cory McAdam only makes the Golden Flyers that much more dangerous, seems like they have great returning scoring and rebounding and none of it graduates this spring either.  Naz should probably win the league next year or the year after with this kind of talent but for now can they turn the potential into wins?

RIT (14-13, 8-6 Empire 8)

R - Barrett Zeinfeld - 13.1 ppg JUNIOR
    Tim Bacon - 10.2 ppg, 7.0 rpg SENIOR

L - Fran Snyder - 13.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.9 apg E8 1st Team
    Tyler Springer - 6.7 ppg, 2.8 apg
    Kris Kowalczyk - 6.2 ppg
    Brian Hill - 5.0 ppg, 2.4 rpg

NEW - Jim Torto (5-11 G) Aaron Marcotte (5-10 G) Obinna Ukachukwu (6-1 F) Adam Sweet (6-3 G)
      Scott Young (6-6 F) Ryan Rovito (6-6 C/F) Randy Muldrow (6-2 G) Kenny Gethers (6-3 Jr. G/F)
      Phil Leslie (6-6 Jr. C)
      **Gethers - NAIA Houghton College 2004-05; Onondaga CC 3rd team All-Region 2005-06
      **Leslie - Monroe C.C. served 5 years in the Army and fought in Iraq

ANALYSIS - RIT brings in a bunch of new guys including 26 year-old JUCO transfer and Iraq war veteran junior Phil Leslie.  Zeinfeld, Bacon and Gethers must overcome the loss of do-everything Fran Snyder.  Tigers are always well-coached, but will find themselves dueling with IC and Naz for a spot in the E8 tourney.

ALFRED (12-13, 6-8 Empire 8)

R - Dillon Stein - 13.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg SENIOR E8 Honorable Mention
    Rob McCarter - 9.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.0 apg SENIOR
    Ryan Clemenson - 6.2 ppg, 5.3 rpg JUNIOR

L - Quentin Bryant - 14.1 ppg, 3.5 rpg E8 2nd Team
    Ryan Hallett - 11.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg
    Todd Dersham - 11.2 ppg, 3.2 rpg
    Chris LeMasters - 8.2 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 3.2 apg

NEW - Chaz Best (5-11 G) Matt Johnson (6-0 G) James Simermeyer (6-2 F) Jon Maroney (6-0 G)
      Pat Smithgall (6-6 F) Josh Infante (5-11 G) Jared Patt (6-2 G) Jamie Waite (6-6 Jr. F)
      **Waite - 6.5 ppg, 7.2 rpg at Corning C.C. 2005-06

ANALYSIS - Stein can play some ball but he needs more out of Rob McCarter and his teammates if the Saxons are to do anything this season.  Losing Bryant hurts big time and they won't have Hallett or Dersham around either to pick up any slack.  Look for AU to slide behind Hartwick into 7th.

ST. JOHN FISHER (26-4, 13-1 Empire 8, NCAA Quarterfinals)

R - Justin Beigel - 9.5 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 1.7 apg JUNIOR E8 Honorable Mention
    Dan McSweeney - 9.3 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 1.1 bpg SENIOR E8 Honorable Mention
    Isaiah Smalt - 5.0 ppg, 3.6 rpg JUNIOR

L - Mike McGee - 13.1 ppg, 2.8 rpg E8 2nd Team
    Sean O'Brien - 12.7 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 6.4 apg, 1.7 spg
    **Empire 8 Player of the Year; d3hoops.com All-East Region 2nd Team
    Raymie Auman - 7.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg
    Nick Bennett - 7.5 ppg, 5.4 rpg E8 2nd Team
    Pete Gillett - 5.1 ppg

NEW - Mike Seiberg (6-7 F) Shannon Strange (6-3 G/F) Nick Lein (6-0 G) Chris O'Connell (6-0 G)
      Anders Alknes (6-3 G) Bill Lidell (6-0 G) Brandon Rosenthal (5-9 G) Matt Newman (6-1 G)
      Chris Baltz (6-3 G/F) Kyle Stevens (6-6 G/F) Dan Evans (6-8 F/C) Michael Wopperer (6-7 F)
      Matt Haley (6-6 F) Brandon Beigel (6-4 Jr. F)
      **Beigel - SJF baseball player first two years

ANALYSIS - Rob Kornaker obviously believes in strength in numbers with a large quantity recruiting class that hopes to somehow adequately replace E8 MVP Sean O'Brien and fellow stalwarts McGee and Bennett.  Beigel and McSweeney return to give the Cards a frontcourt advantage over most opponents but the questions seem to be on the guard play and the defense.  It's Fisher's league until someone proves otherwise...is that someone (Utica?) out there?


*****Why does the number "eight" randomly come out as a smiley face?*****

[sjfcards]

anybody know anything about the new Fisher recruits. Two guys from AZ, one from MD, and one from Norway?

looks like Kornaker hit the recruiting trail pretty hard.

any info is appreciated.

[FisherDynasty]

Caz Bombers:  Great analysis of the E8 this year from the information available.  From the looks of it Utica should be back fighting for the top spot again this year. 

sjfcards:  I have some information on the recruits for SJFC.  From the looks of their roster there are 12 freshmen listed on the Varsity squad this year, with the loss of only 5 seniors, makes for a relatively large team.  However to the point.   Kornacker brought in a good mix of big guys (5-6 solid players 6'6 or bigger) and a very good pg in Matt Neuman from Campbell-Savona and the section 4 player of the year in Chris Baltz (SG).  Fisher has expanded its recruiting regions with 2 players from arizona, 1 norway, 2 cincinatti, 1 maryland.  Fisher lost 3 starting guards and their first 2 guard reserves from last years team,  look for Dan Mueller (only guard contributor from last years team) to start at the 2 spot.  Sophs bobby keirnan, mike mckeever, and Frosh. Matt Neuman to fight for the starting Point position and Jr. Mark Beardon, Adrien Fenyn, and Frosh. 6'6 Kyle Stevens to play the 3.  With that being said Fisher will have a lot of inexperience in the back court, but should be able to make up for it with their talent in the East region.  From talking with one of the coaches and a player, this freshman class maybe be one of the best the school has had.  The big guys brought in our big, descently strong for freshman and have excellent potential.  However, with beigal, mcsweeney, and smalt back from last year, there will be limit time and roles for the young forwards and centers brought in. 

Predictions for the E8 this year:

1. Fisher (won the league the last 4 years, may struggle in 1st half of year but will get better as the season goes on and players get experience.  However, much more vulnerable then last year)
2. Naz (Most talent but can they put it together? Young Mcadam should help lots)
3. Utica (depends on if theres any help from transfers or fresh)
4. RIT
5. Ithaca
6. Hartwick
7. Alfred
8. Elmira (Horrid)

[hooplafan]

Baltz (Vestal/Vestal, NY) is going to be an unbelievable fit for St. John Fisher.  He graduated as the school's all-time leading scorer and gave a much more athletic, and talented Newburgh team a thriller in the state playoffs.  Their coach told me they thought he could've gone to a D-I school like Iona, Canisius, etc. 

[sjfcards]

Many thanks FisherDynasty and Hooplafan...

Nice to see that Fisher is in more of a reloading phase than a rebuilding one.

Hope some young guys can step in and contribute some quality guard play

[sjfcards]

Another quick note...I am not going to be able to make the trip up to Rochester for the Fisher scrimmage against Israel at Heart.
If anyone happens to check it out I would love to get a report. Anyone know anything about the Israel  at heart team?

[FisherDynasty]

Fisher beats Israel at Heart 70-63.  Looks like it was a tough game.   The box score showed Dan Mcsweeney scoring a game high 21 pts and FRESHMEN Chris Baltz following with 12pts in 18 minutes.  The rest of the scoring was distributed throughout pretty evenly.  Mcsweeney in my opinion is the best big man in the East region besided Jason Boone from NYU.  Also from the looks of the box score, there doesnt seem to be a set line-up yet, my guess the final starting line-up will not be concrete until 2nd semester, as coach kornacker finds out who plays well in actual games. 

[slickyquick]

There is absolutely no possible way that Baltz could have played at a place Iona or Canisius. Don't get me wrong he can play. He is the type of player that just gets it done but he isn't nearly athletic enough to play that level. I do think he will be a good player as Fisher but to say that D1s would've offered him a scholarship you would be drinking a little bit too much of that Fisherjuice.

[FisherDynasty]

Agreed..

[FisherDynasty]

Althought Iona did just get beat by a D3 team that fisher could probably beat, but i get point taken, he is not nearly athletic enough.