Empire 8

[thebear]

The idea that a ref was "out to get" UC just cracks me up on all levels.  I didn't even know UC had athletics until like January of my freshman year when we had a game against them...and my mom is FROM UTICA.  Who is this ref, Ray Finkel?  What has UC ever done that would lead a ref to dislike them?  It's not like they have won anything...in any sport...ever. 

Actually - In looking at the Naz - UC box, at least one of those refs, has been known (as documented on this site) to alter the outcome of a game.  I don't think he is deliberately out to get a particular team or coach, but he does have a habit of influencing the outcome by how he calls a game.  He is also very much a dominant personality, who will try to overshadow the other officials in his crew.

I am aware of certain players that are always in foul trouble when he's reffing.

If Rumors are accurate, this same ref is being considered for an upgrade to D-I, that's probably why Burr (who I have thought of for years as a GREAT ref) was in the stands, as he's the assigner for the ECAC.

[Razor]

Good points about the SUNYAC PGs FisherDynasty, although I must say that the only one of the 3 (Williams, Harris, Perioli) that I'd take over McCaddam is Williams.  Perioli is very good but not quite the playmaker as Corey, and Sherrod completely dominates the ball and does little to make his cast better--example this year.  Look at how well they were playing prior to break as a TEAM.  Williams and Wylkes were playing out of their mind and the wealth was being spread.  Since Sherod has entered back into the lineup, he's got his points, but the result has been 2 L's.  Anthony Williams is a stud though, and quite honestly, may be more of a D2 or low end D1 caliber player similiar to Devon Downing from back in the day at AU.

[FisherDynasty]

I thought the same thing about harris, however, they made it to the elite 8, and they would have made it no wheres near it without him.  Periolli might not be the playmaker but is more mature, much stronger, and is a little more traditional. could make a case for both.  I agree on williams, he def is lower level D1 caliber, he is very good.  McAdam when he is a senior in my opinion is going to be at the level representing his stats, I just think he does some things very well especially for being a sophmore, but each decision creates a stat.  For example. He's a creating pg versus a solid pg that makes an initial pass to the wing and cuts through, leading to better stats, but does not necessarily mean he is exceptional.  Either way he is one of the best, the pgs being compared are all very good so from there different people will have different opinions.

[dmcclintock]

After a long hiatus, I am back to this board.  I need some filling in as the standings for the E8.  I'm dissapointed in Fisher but I think they can make the turn around...Smalt back will help.  I have not been able to see a lot of games this year so I'm not up to speed as id like to be however I like the fact that the E8 seems to be doing better across the board this year.  Stevens was  #13 and Naz getting some votes.  Also Ithaca seems stronger and Utica is always tough.  Should be a lot more parody this year rather than the usual top two, and everyone else. 

[thebear]

Anthony Williams is a stud though, and quite honestly, may be more of a D2 or low end D1 caliber player similiar to Devon Downing from back in the day at AU.

Lets not get too carried away.  Giving all do props, Williams did play D-I for a year at Morgan State (MEAC - typically one of the bottom two conferences in Sagarin Ratings), but wasn't a major factor as a freshman at that level, on a team that was below 500.  He's probably where he belongs, as a top-notch D-3 player. 

As good as he is, he still doesn't match up to my gold standard in D-III point guards, "Pony" Bullock who led Potsdam to a 60-1 record and a national title in '85-86-87.  A great point guard is like a quarterback AND a middle linebacker, he runs your team on offense, and he destroys the other team's offensive rhythm and makes it hard to score.

The thing that Williams, Harris, and Perioli all can do is create their own opportunities.  That's a huge factor as it allows these teams to stop runs.  I too am surprised that 'port has dropped a couple, and the Plattsburgh loss to Gordon must be attributed to too long a layoff.

[bamm]

Continuing to prove himself into January -- Mark Carson earned his second Empire 8 Player of the Week award on January 6. 

Carson, Virgil Gray (badass name -- someone has to say it), and Coco have all won the award twice this season.


Nate Korinchak joined teammate Shane Foster as Rookie of the Week Award winners.

[gobombers15]

Three games on the schedule tonight:

Staten Island at Stevens
Elmira at Alfred
Utica at Oneonta

I'll take Stevens, Elmira and Utica. This may be one of a small number of chances for Alfred to get a conference win.

[bombersquadron]

Good to be back after a long vacation, looks like i have some catching up to do, mostly in regards to my friend UC Grad.

Three games on the schedule tonight:

Staten Island at Stevens
Elmira at Alfred
Utica at Oneonta

I'll take Stevens, Elmira and Utica. This may be one of a small number of chances for Alfred to get a conference win.

Also on tap tonight, Ithaca heads up to face Hobart.  I am taking Ithaca and agree with GB15 on his picks as well.

[JQV]

Also on tap tonight, Ithaca heads up to face Hobart.  I am taking Ithaca and agree with GB15 on his picks as well.

Maybe my least favorite gym in Central New York.  Terrible mid week trip for IC.

[Caz Bombers]

What, you don't like playing in a gym where the sidelines and end lines are 2 feet from the walls?  You'd think a place as reasonably upscale as HWS would have a suitable facility.

Speaking of horrible gyms, Jose, I attended a game last night at Jacksonville U's on-campus gym.  No wonder you didn't want to play there.  What a gawdawful 70 year old dump.  These days the school moved the men's team to the downtown civic arena with the women playing more than half their games at Swisher.  Last night the whole place smelled like polyurethane and gender discrimination, a powerful scent that stings the nostrils.

[JQV]

Don't know if I ever even made it into the on-campus facility.  When they recruited me JU played in a downtown arena but not the downtown arena where they currently play.  The entire campus was just bad as I remember it.

[labart96]

I have to agree that the HWS gym/basketball court set up is no good.  My high school had a better facility.

[gobombers15]

I have to agree that the HWS gym/basketball court set up is no good.  My high school had a better facility.

The more I think about it, the more I realize that a lot of high schools have better gyms than D3 schools. Pick the high school and they probably have a better gym than Fisher (though, I must admit that Fisher's gym has grown on me...provides a great, unique atmosphere when the crowd is into it).

[Caz Bombers]

A lot of high schools have better facilities than more than a few D1 schools.

[JQV]

That is the difference between public and private funding...right?

I actually wouldn't mind risking life and limb in the Hobart gym if the size of it made the crowd seem bigger and louder.  But for whatever reason, that place was not only small but also real quiet, even when there was a decent crowd in the building (we never played there on a weekend so no good crowds).

Just weird all around.