Empire 8

[maxpower]

Anyone play any games this week?

Any good non-conference games before we get rolling with E8 weekends?

IC is at the Rochester tourney, they play UR, Geneseo, and Erie. Think I might hit up the UR game.

[FisherDynasty]

I predict UofR to beat ithaca by 20+, the game will be over a little after the 2nd half starts if not after the 15 minute mark.

[sjfcards]

I think IC can hang with them for a while but UR will pull away and win by about 20.

[maxpower]

Thank you, thank you for saying what we already know. I'll bet Fisher would be Utica in football, too!

[pg04]

Basketball? hmmm.. Interesting....Oh Wait I actually have a SUNYAC Board and don't need to hang around the E8 like in football.   

[superman57]

ya but brockport still sucks

[pg04]

ya but brockport still sucks

Hey now that isn't very nice....I'll be sure to stay away!

[gobombers15]

Ok, officially in basketball mode which is more up my alley. A few quick hits to catch up.

Mcsweeney in my opinion is the best big man in the East region besided Jason Boone from NYU. 

Interesting argument. A tough one to make, too, considering McSweeney was outplayed by RIT's Tim Bacon in two of their three matchups. Also, what about Dillon Stein who was somewhat disappointing last year but has still been a rock in all three of his years with the Saxons? I'd say calling McSweeney the second best big man in the E8 may be a little bit ambitious (don't forget about how strong IC's Jeff Bostic came on at the end of last season), but to assert McSweeney is the second best big man in the whole Eastern Region is ludicrous. I'd be surprised if he was top ten, really.

I predict UofR to beat ithaca by 20+, the game will be over a little after the 2nd half starts if not after the 15 minute mark.

Step further out on that limb.

As far as Naz goes, I'll believe it when I see it. Player for player, probably the most talent in the entire conference. I'm not hesitant one bit when I say that. With that said, poor coaching and an unwitting refusal to play anything that resembles defense has been their undoing in their last two seasons. It doesn't much matter if you're scoring 75+/game when you're giving up about the same amount each night. The big question is can Naz be consistent this year and realize their season doesn't revolve around two or three games against Fisher? I think they make the E8 tourney but I guarantee we will be disappointed with that team.

I also wouldn't be surprised if both IC and RIT beat Naz out for the last spots in the E8 tourney. With all due respect, losing Whetstone could be considered an addition by subtraction. He had his moments but he made too many poor decisions with the basketball. It hurts to lose Andruskiewicz but he really disappointed me last year. I don't know what the deal was with him last year (heard he was never 100%) but he definitely didn't meet expectations, leading to him losing his starting job to Bostic in the postseason. I think Ithaca, much like RIT, will live and die by the outside shot. I think Burton and Joe will be putting up a lot of 3's this year. Hopefully, however, Ithaca will pound it inside with Bostic and Stahn as I do think that's the strength of this year's team.

That's enough for one post.

[FisherDynasty]

We'll have to wait and see to know exactly who the best big man is, and may not even know I'm sure u will be able to make arguments about a number of big men in the area.  However, I feel the past 2 season Mcsweeney has underachieved.  When you have so many other good players on one team, it is much harder to stand out.  (RIT Tim bacon was their best player, besides an overrated Fran snyder, and same with Alred and dillan stein being the go to go if you will.  This year, Mcsweeney is Fisher's go to guy and we will see how much he has improved.  I know over the summer he played on the Open Empire team and started along side with Terrance Roberts, again doesnt mean hes the best in the area, but I know he is much improved and being a 5th year senior is old and mature enough to dominate.   Athletically, him and Onyrikeka are the 2 most athletic big man in the area for sure.  We'll see if he puts it together. 

On another note, I def agree with you on Naz, who the hell knows how their gonna play, I have a feeling they will be some very good teams then lose to some not so good, just like last year.  However, the jump from soph. to Junior year is huge, so maybe they will finally put it together. As for Ithaca, I just think they will be left outta the loop on the E8 tourny this year, they lost the only 2 basketball players in bellis and Andruskiewicz.  I know bostic came on at the end, but hes not there yet and stahn isnt really a player just a big body.  I have IC finishing 5 or 6th

[slickyquick]

You must remember that UofR has a bunch of bigs that are very good. I saw McSweeney play a little a couple of years ago when they were routed by Potsdam, I wasn't impressed. Given that was two full years ago and I'm sure he has improved but not enough to be given the best in the east region moniker.  Let's just say that he is one of the better bigs in the Rochester college area not the East region.

[fisheralum91]

nice to see that this board hasnt changed!

[FisherDynasty]

Mcsweeney dropped 20 on U of R last year and dunked on Onyrika twice.  However, you are right, he def should not be included with the best big men in the area until proven, and although he had a few good games last year, he shouldnt be included yet. I was just stating my opinion. 

[bamm]

It's hard to disagree with the E8 Coachs' prediction for Conference Champ (UC), but beyond that I think everyone is guessing. 

Naz third?  What exactly has that team done to make anyone think they're capable of that?  They're no longer the "up and coming" bunch of underclassmen everyone expects to be great some day -- this is the season they need to prove it to people.  I'm skeptical.

I think Fisher could finish anywhere in the top four.  The freshman mentioned from Campbell-Savona was a nice highschool player, but I don't he'll be running the show for them this year.  Their guard play has been rock solid for the last four years and now it's a question mark. 

RIT and Utica both brought in juniors from CC's who look like they could have an impact on teams that already have talent. 

Ithaca always left me thinking "how the hell did that team just win?" after their games.  They put together a nice run at the end of last season, but the three lost seniors were a big part of their program the last four years.  I think they'll struggle to make the tourney.

Hartwick could build on last season's promise and move up a spot or two, but they certainly aren't championship contenders yet. 

EU and AU are going to be near the bottom of the standings again.

[maxpower]

With all due respect, losing Whetstone could be considered an addition by subtraction.

Not completely... signed on as an assistant coach! Maybe his bad decisions won't trickle down.....

[maxpower]

D & C has an article on Fisher:

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061115/SPORTS09/611150359/1007/SPORTS

And a complete preview (although again, no Ithaca):

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061115/SPORTS09/611150361/1007/SPORTS