Empire 8

gobombers15 · January 05, 2008, 11:34:12 AM

Sounds like Stevens is going to be a force at home but take their lumps on the road.

gobombers15 · January 05, 2008, 12:39:07 PM

It can't be understated how big of a game today's contest will be for Utica. If they lose, they will be 3 back in the loss column of the four teams that would qualify for the E8 Tourney and they'll have used 4 of their 8 home conference games. If they fall to IC today, they will probably have to go 8-2 down the stretch to make the tourney. Oh by the way, that stretch includes two games each against Fisher, Naz and Stevens, as well as a road game at RIT.

I hope IC can match UC's intensity early.

bball05 · January 05, 2008, 04:51:18 PM

39-28 utica at half

bball05 · January 05, 2008, 05:16:39 PM

utica up 59-46 wit 10 mins to go

gobombers15 · January 05, 2008, 05:24:10 PM

Bombers looking terrible. Bostic is useleless, Leahy's jumpers don't seem to be falling. The only player looking at all interested for IC is Burton. Terrible effort from Ithaca. They'll be fine but I sometimes wonder where this team's head (and heart) is on some nights.

gobombers15 · January 05, 2008, 05:29:19 PM

BTW, I think I see UCgrad in the crowd. There's this meathead looking guy sitting two rows behind the UC bench and protesting every single call against UC and celebrating every UC hoop like someone just got their ankles busted at the Rucker. I know this sounds like profiling, but that has to be him, doesn't it? You will not persuade me to the contrary.

FisherDynasty · January 05, 2008, 05:40:09 PM

I had a feeling Utica was going to out play Ithaca today, they are always tough on their home court. I also think they match up well against Ithaca. Any status on the Stevens Naz game? That road trip is lethal for teams visiting stevens and for stevens rochester other e8 trips.

The one major difference between this year and years past are now that their is an additional strong team plus a few other teams that have gotten better, the back to backs are much tougher. I think we will see some interesting upsets on saturday afternoons.

gobombers15 · January 05, 2008, 05:41:57 PM

Well look who decided to show up. Bombers down 5 with 1:52 left. They don't deserve to win this game.

gobombers15 · January 05, 2008, 05:46:05 PM

Quote from: FisherDynasty on January 05, 2008, 05:40:09 PM
I had a feeling Utica was going to out play Ithaca today, they are always tough on their home court. I also think they match up well against Ithaca. Any status on the Stevens Naz game? That road trip is lethal for teams visiting stevens and for stevens rochester other e8 trips.

The one major difference between this year and years past are now that their is an additional strong team plus a few other teams that have gotten better, the back to backs are much tougher. I think we will see some interesting upsets on saturday afternoons.

Completely disagree with the above bolded statement. Ithaca just looked lethargic today. When they finally got playing their run-n-gun style it was too late. The game was very choppy with whistles every few seconds. I credit Utica for some of that, but the Bombers just weren't making their open looks. Like I said, Utica deserved to win that game, but I don't think Utica is a tough matchup for IC.

Congrats to Utica, needed this one to keep their E8 Tourney hopes off life support. That said, they're still the 6th best team in this league right now.

UCgrad45 · January 05, 2008, 05:54:35 PM

Quote from: gobombers15 on January 05, 2008, 05:29:19 PM
BTW, I think I see UCgrad in the crowd. There's this meathead looking guy sitting two rows behind the UC bench and protesting every single call against UC and celebrating every UC hoop like someone just got their ankles busted at the Rucker. I know this sounds like profiling, but that has to be him, doesn't it? You will not persuade me to the contrary.

You don't ever see me in the crowd. When I am there, you could find me a little closer to the bench, and occasionaly in the locker room at half. Nice try though.

BTW, Bobby Whyte = UC looks like a different team than first semester.

UCgrad45 · January 05, 2008, 05:56:59 PM

Quote from: gobombers15 on January 05, 2008, 05:46:05 PM
Quote from: FisherDynasty on January 05, 2008, 05:40:09 PM
I had a feeling Utica was going to out play Ithaca today, they are always tough on their home court. I also think they match up well against Ithaca. Any status on the Stevens Naz game? That road trip is lethal for teams visiting stevens and for stevens rochester other e8 trips.

The one major difference between this year and years past are now that their is an additional strong team plus a few other teams that have gotten better, the back to backs are much tougher. I think we will see some interesting upsets on saturday afternoons.

Completely disagree with the above bolded statement. Ithaca just looked lethargic today. When they finally got playing their run-n-gun style it was too late. The game was very choppy with whistles every few seconds. I credit Utica for some of that, but the Bombers just weren't making their open looks. Like I said, Utica deserved to win that game, but I don't think Utica is a tough matchup for IC.

Congrats to Utica, needed this one to keep their E8 Tourney hopes off life support. That said, they're still the 6th best team in this league right now.

Um, the 6th best team (that is finally healthy) just smacked Ithaca around like a red headed step child. If not for the raping they took from the ref in the naz platter (I mean "game") they would be sitting pretty right now.

FisherDynasty · January 05, 2008, 05:57:54 PM

Ill take your word over mine, since it seems like you were there. My statement was based on a normally athletic and physical utica team that would do well against burton, leahy, and bostic. Since bostic's best attribute is his athleticism, Utica normally has people to counter that versus a bacon from RIT or the other usual bigs in the e8 for example.

Gobombers, how does UC look and how good is Bobby Whyte?

UCgrad45 · January 05, 2008, 06:00:04 PM

Quote from: FisherDynasty on January 05, 2008, 05:57:54 PM
Ill take your word over mine, since it seems like you were there. My statement was based on a normally athletic and physical utica team that would do well against burton, leahy, and bostic. Since bostic's best attribute is his athleticism, Utica normally has people to counter that versus a bacon from RIT or the other usual bigs in the e8 for example.

Gobombers, how does UC look and how good is Bobby Whyte?

Playing injured today he was 1 rebound shy of a double double while shouldering the load inside as McClendon only played 11 minutes. It was the first time he played more than 12 minutes all season, only the second time he got to 10 since his injury. He will only get better.

UCgrad45 · January 05, 2008, 06:04:58 PM

It isn't so much of how good he is, it is that he makes the team entirely different. He gives UC two legit big guys, boards hard, and plays tough D. When he is not in the lineup, UC has small forwards playing in the 4 and 5 spot at times. He is like Jack Lighthall by comparison.

UCgrad45 · January 05, 2008, 06:08:04 PM

For what it is worth, this live video stream for 2 dollars was awesome. I couldn't go to the game today as I had a family event and I wanted to see my brother in law before he gets deployed. What a cool way to catch the game when not there in person.

Doug with 28 points, 5 assists and 6 boards. Nice game.