Empire 8

[UCgrad45]

Utica missed several easy uncontested shots. Inside, there was a LOT of contact. They easily could have called about 40 fouls on both teams in the second half alone. The problem was, UC didn't make the free throws that they did get to shoot.

[fisheralum03]

Fisher begins the Empire 8 season with an impressive win at HARTWICK 90-64 3 players in double figures led by Mike Mcgee with 20 and 19 from Dan McSweeney and 12 from Pete Gillette

[Caz Bombers]

nothing out of the ordinary on Day 2 of the league schedule, Fisher smashes Hartwick, RIT does likewise to Elmira, Ithaca and Utica pick up solid home wins over Naz and Alfred, respectively.

4 straight wins for the Bombers, 2-0 E8 and tied for first with SJF, I guess that makes Ithaca Basketball the "Roman Empire", right Mad Hawks?

[clearconceit]

but you better pray that you don't lose to Hartwick when you do play.  By the way they only trailed Fisher 38-36 at the half according to the article. 

Utica played ok today.  If Alfred is the 3rd best team, then I am not sure we lose to anyone else.  Significant differance between Fisher and Alfred.  It should be interesting.  I have to admit I am a little concerned about Friday night.  I realize we have Hamilton next and I want to kill them, but the league is the real focus.

Hey Mad Hawk, what's up?  Aren't you going to tell me you had a moral victory today?

You are 0-2 brother!

Peace.

[hawks1323]

Despite a 0-2 weekend, the Hawks get a boost!

Obviously, I am not happy that the Hawks lost. However the Hawks were hands down much more competitive than the previous two years. On Friday night the Hawks gave Alfred a run for their money. Yesterday, the Hawks hung with 20th ranked Fisher for 20 minutes before they took it to the next level. What is impressive is the Hawks were able to compete with 9 freshmen, 1 sophmore, 3 juniors, and 2 seniors on the roster. Of the 15 roster players only 3 had any E8 playing experience prior to the Weekend. Senior John Montana is the only player who has more than a year's experience in the E8. When the Hawks starters walked to center court on Friday night against Alfred NONE of them had any E8 playing experience.

Folks, this weekend was a perfect example how playing experience is so so so important in college athletics.

If Alfred is really the 3rd best team in the conference like many of the experts are predicting, then the Hawks have an increasing chance at making the E8 tournament as a fourth seed. The Hawks have to whether the storm against Utica next Friday and then they will look to make some up some headway against Ithaca, Elmira, RIT, and Naz.

Finally, the ship is starting to move in the right direction!

[clearconceit]

You are 0-2
0-16 over 2 years
1-29 over the last 3 years!

I don't think you can make it my man.  Why don't you just hope you beat Elmira at home and hope to stay within 20 pts of anybody on the road.

Cmon man - we are gonna hammer you on friday (we just have to get through Tueday w/out injury)

Peace

[notjoshreed]

Hey Hawk,
Your lot is improving, your team was more competitive vs Fisher than previous years.  You were only down by 2 at half time due to 3 to 4 buzzer time clock beating threes and some over all hot shooting.  I thought the key to the game was when Bennet and Gillette zoned in on your quick guard as well as two consequetive fast breaks resulting in a slam and a lay up by McSweeney.

On to the Chase

[bamm]

Chase Seedings yet?? 

Predictions:

1 - Fisher
2 - UR (after loss at NYU this weekend)
3 - Roberts?
4 - RIT
5 - Bport?
6 - Naz
7 - Geneseo
8 - Keuka

Truly, I have no idea how 3-5 will go. 

[gobombers15]

Two big wins for the Bombers this weekend. To be truthful, I was pretty sure they'd go 2-0 this weekend, especially after RIT got whipped as bad as they did at UR. Ithaca is for real. The newcomers are really stepping up big. Right now, freshman guard Sean Burton looks like he could make a run at E8 ROY. Dominic Scanlan is a quality big off the bench--something you don't find everyday in the E8. The role players are also playing very well; Brian Joe is hitting 3's and Sean Stahn brings energy and athleticism off the bench.

Hopefully Brian Andruskiewicz isn't seriously hurt. He didn't play against Naz on Saturday and played only 18 minutes, before fouling out, in the win against RIT. His skill and leadership is very important to this Bombers team. Clear and all the other UC fans, considering your showings in The Bulb over the past three years, I wouldn't count that game as a win quite yet.

Bamm, here's my best shot at the seeds. I do know, however, that the Quarterfinal games will be played at Brockport and Nazareth, the Semifinals at UofR and the finals are TBA. My guess:

1-Fisher
2-UR
3-Brockport
4-RIT
5-Roberts Wesleyan
6-Keuka
7-Naz
8-Geneseo

I think Naz would ordinarily be the #6 seed but since they are one of the first-round hosts, they're dropped to 7th. Also, the committee will reward Keuka's 5-2 start regardless of the fact they've played nobody. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if they switch Keuka to #5 and drop Roberts to #6. That's just my guess.

[gobombers15]

Well, Brockport has on its site that they play RIT in the 1st round so that must be the #4 vs #5 game. Also, the semis are at UR and the finals are at RIT.

[the bird man]

Where are the chase games being played?
1st, 2nd, and 3rd rounds?

[the bird man]

nevermind I guess I just need to read a little more...

[clearconceit]

I admit SJF is still better as of today but I am going to tell you right now that the Cocoziello kid from Hartwick is a lock to win the rookie of the year.
I saw him in the scrimmage versus IT and I saw him against Fitchburgh State and now I see that he had 25 against Fisher.  Forget about it.  He is a very good freshman.

And Bulb - we are going to take you this year!

[bamm]

Chase Seedings from the Democrat and Chronicle:

1 - Fisher
2 - UR
3 - Roberts
4 - RIT
5 - Brockport
6 - Keuka
7 - Naz
8 - Geneseo

Naz on Wednesday:
6:15   Geneseo vs Fisher
8:15   Naz vs UR

Bport on Wednesday
6:15   Keuka vs Roberts
8:15   Bport vs RIT

[fisheralum91]

Here is the link to the D&C article
http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060109/SPORTS09/601090308/1007/SPORTS