Empire 8

[FisherDynasty]

I agree, its going to be pretty close.  I just thought UofR is behind wash U, Chicago, and NYU.  (i dont know if NYU lost this wkend or not).  I wouldnt think that the UAA would get 2 at large bids in the East Region.  However, i think both have the best chance to advance the farthest in the tourny. 

[bamm]

It's a strange year.  A strong case can be made for any of Brockport, Fisher, SLU, Hamilton, Rochester, and NYU.  Rochester and NYU are strictly Pool C contenders, as the UAA does not have a conference tournament.  Either SLU or Hamilton are going to be Pool C contenders because they can't both win the LL crown. 

Utica is going to be left out unless they win the E8 tournament -- what a difference two bad weekends makes. 

[FisherDynasty]

I think hamilton is done too unless they win their tourny.  I also think Fisher will get in over UofR (they will have atleast 1 less loss and out out of their losses they would have beaten everyteam atleast once that beat them this year.  UofR, Bport, Utica, Alfred, RIT (twice).  Bport i think has the edge over fisher in that they have less losses.

[superman57]

ok so here it goes

Brockport-21-4 key wins Fisher
Fisher-21-5 key wins Utica, Brockport, UofR
SLU 20-5 no overly impressive wins
Hamilton 18-6 win over utica but loss to skidmore is embarassing

[bamm]

Well, this is the problem with those thoughts -  the NCAA considers the best teams in the region (before last weekend's games) to be as follows:

1. Brockport State 18-4 17-4, 10.286
2. St. Lawrence 18-5 17-5, 10.364
3. Rochester 16-6 16-5, 10.286
4 Hamilton 16-5 13-5, 10.000
5. Utica 18-4 17-4, 9.857

Port, SLU, and Hamilton did nothing to hurt themselves.  Rochester may fall slightly, but a loss to 20-4 Chicago isn't going to hurt them too much, especially when it was paired with a victory over 19-4 WashU.

Utica is out, probably replaced by Fisher.

My guess for this week's rankings are as follows:

1. Port
2. SLU
3. Hamilton
4. Rochester
5. Fisher

Again, how the NCAA ranks these teams is all that matters.  We'll have to wait and see who falls in the conference tourneys.

[fisheralum91]

the RIT game makes my nose twitch.
Any time you play a team that many times anything can happen.
If Fisher bows to RIT- chances of NCAA's look tough!

[FisherDynasty]

Bamm, Agreed with everything below, except hamilton lost to a bad hobart team after those rankings were posted, so they are out now too in my opinion. so we have:

Bport State
St lawrence
Fisher
Rochester
NYU

[superman57]

Bport state
NYU
SLU
Rochester
Fisher

[bamm]

Bamm, Agreed with everything below, except hamilton lost to a bad hobart team after those rankings were posted, so they are out now too in my opinion. so we have:

Bport State
St lawrence
Fisher
Rochester
NYU

Ah, forgot that Hamilton/Hobart game was on a Tuesday.  Then they are probably out as well, to the benefit of NYU.  It would surprise me to see anyone other than the five teams you listed in there, although Fisher/Rochester could be swapped. 

Brockport and SLU are probably the only two teams that, at least statistically, look safe at this point. 

[FisherDynasty]

I still dont know how St. lawrence would be higher then fisher. I know they have a higher QWI, but Fisher has beaten teams I dont think St. lawrence could (bport and UofR) and has also split with every team that has beaten them. If the NCAA doesnt go by the QWI i think Fisher gets in over SLU and should get in over them.

[gobombers15]

After pouring over stats and taking into account other relevant considerations (that's for you, Fisher fans), here is my best guess as to how the all-conference teams will come out. Disclaimer: These are not MY personal thoughts, just the way I think things will shake out. There was a big logjam of players after the 1st team was decided, which makes it very difficult. I will have some explanations at the end. I'm sure this will draw the ire of many fans, especially the Fisher fans when I don't have their entire starting five on the first team, but without further ado:

COY: Rob Kornaker (Fisher)
ROY: Corey McAdam (Naz)
POY: Jan Cocozziello (Hartwick)

FIRST TEAM

Dan McSweeney (Fisher)
Ray Bryant (Utica)
Jan Cocozziello (Hartwick)
Joe Canori (Naz)
Doug Herring (Utica)

SECOND TEAM

Jeff Bostic (Ithaca)
Corey McAdam (Naz)
Justin Beigel (Fisher)
Sean Burton (Ithaca)
Dan Mueller (Fisher)

HONORABLE MENTION

Tim Bacon (RIT)
Kenny Gethers (RIT)
Rob McCarter (Alfred)
Sean Leahy (Ithaca)
Dillon Stein (Alfred)
Tyler Smith (Naz)

Also in the running for HM: Barrett Zeinfeld (RIT),  Brian Collier (UC), Jack Lighthall (UC), Cory Carson (HC), Chris Baltz (Fisher)

Ok, time for explanations:

1) I do not believe that Herring warrants being on the first team. If you look at the across-the-board numbers, Burton is better in more statistical categories. Their teams had the same record, essentially, so it'd be stupid to say that Herring deserves it more because Ithaca lost a meaningless game on the last day of the season. However, I think everyone viewed Herring as a potential POY candidate until his fade over the last three weeks and his reputation will help him get this honor.

2) I initially had Bostic on the first team. However, I can't see zero players from Fisher, the league champ, being on the first team. I think McSweeney will get this as a type of career achievement award, rather than earning it on the court. I could definitely still see Bostic being on the first team but, when it comes down to it, I'm sure the voters will do the whole "he has the next two years to be on first team" things, and end up giving it to McSweeney.

3) I think Burton, Mueller, other of McSweeney/Bostic will be locks for second team. However, it was tough to pick the other two slots. I went with McAdam because of the fact he excels in every facet of the game and Beigel (who was slipping) because he is a good player who had his best game of the year when it mattered most on Friday night. I could see Bacon or Naz's Tyler Smith getting on that team over either Beigel or McAdam (under the logic that he's only a freshman).

There it is, start trashing me now...

[bamm]

The NCAA goes by their regional rankings.  Apparently they consider SLU more deserving than Fisher.  The rankings are all that matter.

Plattsburgh, RIT, Ithaca, and Vassar are their best wins.  But they only have one bad loss in terms of QOWI.  The other four losses are to Brockport, Vassar, and Hamilton (twice).

[sjfcards]

Bport state
NYU
SLU
Rochester
Fisher

I agree with this regional rankings...looks pretty solid to me. I can't imagine Fisher jumping ahead of U of R after the woodsheding that they put on Fisher last time they played.

As far as the NCAA's go I would say:

Teams that are in despite what happens to them in the conference tourny:
Brockport
St. Lawerence
Fisher

Teams that should be in if they take care of business the rest of the way
U of R
NYU

After that I think it gets pretty tough for teams. Fisher may even have to win a game in the tourny, but at 20-5 with some good wins they should be in.

U of R, do they have a tourny? I am not sure. If they do they may need to make a bit of a run. Despite their record they are still probably the most talented team in the region.

[superman57]

gb15, no bashing here that is good...while I have stated time and time again I am completly against giving coco poy, I just don't see any one else to give it too...


although I'm going to start the Campaign give it to Fenyn...because he was so "good"

[bamm]

GB15 - Don't underestimate the role seniority seems to play in these awards.  Last season 8 of the 10 players on 1st and 2nd team were seniors.  When a voter could go either way, they tend to go for the seniors, which is why guys like Stein and Bacon will probably end up further up your chart.