Empire 8

[pg04]

It isn't a question of being happy...I'm actually trying to look at it Objectively.  Yes, if it wasn't Wooster I agree it should have been Fisher, but Wooster is the only team of the 4 nationally ranked , and they are number 2!!.  They are even number 2 in the Massey (RPI-like) Ratings....  I'd like to know how the Wooster fans think of this. 

[pg04]

I think 'Port would rather play Fisher in Ohio than playing them in that little bandbox of hell. I really hope the whining coming from Pittsford over the last two years had nothing to do with this decision. I'm still going to root for Fisher because they're in Ithaca's conference but I really can't take anymore of FD's irrational posts. I may lose it if I have to read another.

It's OK, I think the chance of homer referees is less likely in the Sweet 16  ... OK I couldn't resist, I'm just kidding...

[keystonelight]

Fisher is playing great basketball right now, they handled plattsburgh tonight.  However plattsburgh is a tough team that would not give up, they will be very tough to beat next year, as the only lose 2 guys. As far as hosting the sweet 16, it should be fisher or wooster, anything else what be a travesty.  size does not matter as fishers 28-0 team had to travel to amherst's small gym.  I really think fisher should get to host as they were the 1 seed in the east, and the 1 seed in the great lakes lost tonight.  If fisher hosts they will have a legit chance to make it to the final 4.  They will have to play a very good bport team, that i think they will win by 4+ then a really talented Wooster team, who knows.   Wooster may be better, but if Fisher gets the home court, its going to be a great game.  If baltz, mueller, and newman continue to play the way they are, fisher will be in the final 4 or atleast lose to a very good wooster team.  Bport is talented but not as good as fisher when they are playing to their potential.

You are the runaway winner for "Irrational Poster of the Year," FD. A "travesty" if Brockport hosts the tournament? Or are you just bitter that you'd have to play them on their home court? What about it would make it a travesty? The fact that they have a bigger gym than Fisher? The fact that they are more used to running huge events than Fisher (always have HS Sectionals there)? The fact that Brockport has a higher QOWI than Fisher? The fact that Brockport has won 16 of their last 17 games?

Yeah, a real travesty that would be if Brockport was allowed to host over Fisher. What a joke you are.

I think 'Port would rather play Fisher in Ohio than playing them in that little bandbox of hell. I really hope the whining coming from Pittsford over the last two years had nothing to do with this decision. I'm still going to root for Fisher because they're in Ithaca's conference but I really can't take anymore of FD's irrational posts. I may lose it if I have to read another.

I agree whole heartedly and its nice to hear of someone who would root for an inner conference team... i hate naz because i'm a fisher fan obviously i have to and my sister went there and hated it but if Naz were in the sweet 16s i'd back them 100%. Empire 8 is a great conference with some top notch teams Fisher, Utica, Ithaca, RIT, Naz and I hope they continue to contribute to the NCAA tourney for years to come.

[keystonelight]

haha i think most fisher fans would welcome new referees

[ksc218]

haha i think most fisher fans would welcome new referees

those referees were honestly horrible last night. they called 2 inbounding violations and somewhere around 30 fouls, including a hacking foul on plattsburgh with 7 seconds to go and the game already decided.

[gobombers15]

haha i think most fisher fans would welcome new referees

Only if those new referees gave them more calls than the old ones. Then again, I have heard statements in a lot of gyms where the home fans have said, "we're the home team, we should be getting those calls!" It's not exclusive to Fisher fans making those comments.

[wooscotsfan]

It isn't a question of being happy...I'm actually trying to look at it Objectively.  Yes, if it wasn't Wooster I agree it should have been Fisher, but Wooster is the only team of the 4 nationally ranked , and they are number 2!!.  They are even number 2 in the Massey (RPI-like) Ratings....  I'd like to know how the Wooster fans think of this. 

pg04 - it is an ugly decision prompted by the NCAA's inferior QoWI methodology.  SJF has a higher QOWI than Wooster and that was probably the key factor in awarding hosting privileges.  Wooster has a lower QoWI simply because there are a number of very bad teams (poor records) at the bottom of their conference.  QoWI is so bad as a rating system that it will replaced next season by a new methodology.  Wooster at 27-3 has the best record of the four teams and did not get to host.  One of the three losses was actually to a nationally ranked NAIA team in California so Wooster only has two D3 losses.

A second issue could be availability of tickets for Wooster fans trying to make the trip to SJF.  The ticket rush posts have already started on the NCAC board because Wooster will probably get only 200 tickets allotted for Friday's games.

All that said, Wooster seems highly motivated at this point with 3 of their top 8 players (Seniors Port, Vandervaart, Van Horn) knowing that this is their last chance to get to the Final Four.

Wooster will not be intimidated by the SJF gym.  Wooster has played in front of nearly 3,000 hostile fans at some road games (Wittenberg being an example) and Wooster picked up the victory.

[pg04]

Good luck Wooscotsfan!!

Don't worry, hopefully Brockport will beat Fisher before you have to play them in their "intimidating" gym! 

(Not trying to incite any Fisher fans, by the way-- just being hopeful).

[sjfcards]

Well hosting the regional is a big deal for Fisher...obviously they are a better team at home. I am starting to think Fisher actually has a chance to make it to the Final Four...two really tough games ahead of them tho.

Wooster is most likely the best team in the regional, and I would have them as the favorite on talent alone. I don't know much about John Carrol. Brockport and Fisher have been two of the top teams in NY all season. Brockport is going to be a real tough game for Fisher...Early predictions I will take Fisher over Brockport by 5 or less, because they are the home team, and are playing very well right now.

I will take Wooster over JCU by a few I guess. I don't know much about JCU like I said, and I know Wooster is the real deal.

On Saturday I will take Wooster over Fisher in a tight one. Maybe by 4 points.

Either way I think it will be three great games this weekend at Fisher...If someone would have told me that Fisher would be hosting a regional a few months ago I would have said they were crazy. Fun how this game works...

[Cadillac]

WOW.

[gobombers15]

I love how the Chase CONSOLATION game is a Sweet 16 matchup.

[bjgiants6]

Well everyone, I'm sooo happy! Its about time. Fishers chances look real good now. Its gonna be crazy Friday night. With spring break almost over, it'll be a nice return for the students. Will tickets be sold in advance? Will it possibly sellout? For me, this is a big deal having it at Fisher. The players and coaches deserve it.

[Cadillac]

Here's what Fisher's players were told:

1) SJF had a tougher out-of-region schedule.

2) SJF did well in the last two tournaments.

3) SJF's trip to the regionals in Amherst with an undefeated record 2 years ago played a role in this year's decision.

[bjgiants6]

Cadillac, from what you wrote, I agree. They deserve it. It'll be packed in a 1200 gym.

[Cadillac]

Hey, bj, do you think the students will be back?

I think most of them will be closer to the Equator than Rochester on Friday.