Empire 8

[gobombers15]

I, like most who view the objective evidence thus far, am lukewarm on Fisher. I think they have a very good shot at the 4-seed, an outside shot at the 3-seed, may even sneak into the 2-seed if things go almost entirely their way, but think their chances of hosting are slim-to-none. Too many things that concern me about that team. I mean, losing by 15 in the 2nd half to Keuka?? I don't even care if they came back to win that game, it's Keuka for god sakes. The fact that they could play poorly enough to allow Keuka to get out to that type of lead should be of concern by itself. UR beat Keuka by almost 50! Fisher is a very good home team but they still have to play several strong teams on the road. I think expecting some magical turnaround from a team that is 2-5 in road/neutral games (with the two wins coming against Keuka and Alfred), as Fisher is, is being a bit ambitious. Is there a good chance that Fisher can beat Utica, Naz, and Ithaca on their home floor? Sure. But is there also a pretty good chance that Fisher could get swept at RIT, at Utica, and at Ithaca? Yep. As I've mentioned, Fisher is five back in the win column from Stevens and four back from Ithaca after the Bombers knock off Elmira tonight. That's a tall hill to climb. Hosting should be the least of Fisher's worries, that's all I'm saying.

[bamm]

I'm going to hold ya to that quote.  I dont know if they will win or not, but they have as good of a chance as anyone else in the conference.

No, they don't.  They are 3-2 in conference.  Stevens is 8-2, Ithaca is 6-2, and Naz is 4-2. 

Did you forget the spanking Naz put on them recently?  What about the losses to every decent team in the region they've played -- Geneseo, UR (blowout), Brockport (at home), Naz (blowout), RIT (neutral). 

They're not winning the regular season this year.  They're just not good enough.

[FisherDynasty]

you can have your opinion.  Bport loss was very close and there top 25 team, naz was a blow out but the games are very emotional anything cna happen, and rit, consolation game they didnt get up for.  not makin excuses just saying.  geneseo lost by 4 without smalt, uofR is #1 and kills everybody and they didnt have smalt and it was at UorR.   either way they only have 2 conf losses just like everybody else.  freeze the records you just stated 2 weeks from now and Fisher will be right there after they get 4-5 conf wins in the next week and a half.    Anyways heres my prediction for E8 records for top 4 teams i think will get in the tourny and there seeds.

#1 Stevens - Hosting 13-3 conf. record (with a loss at Utica)
#2 Nazareth - 12-4 (2 more losses one at Stevens and one at Ithaca)
#3 Fisher - 12-4 (2 more losses one to Naz at Fisher and another at Utica)
#4 Ithaca - 11-5 (3 more losses 2 to Fisher, one to Stevens)


I think Fisher will be able to match up well with ithaca thats why i have them winning twice the win at ithaca being considered an upset.  I think Ithaca can get Stevens this time but i think they will drop one to RIT, Stevens, or Naz) and will either way end with 3 more losses.  I think Fisher will lose at Utica and at home to Naz.  Also if you review the above RIT has now wins in any of the columns, i think we can all agree RIT is going to knock one or two of the teams listed above down just could not pin point which teams. 

[bamm]

Important game tonight for RIT and Naz.

Naz is coming off a disappointing home loss to Ithaca.  If they want to catch Stevens and Ithaca they really need to avoid losing consecutive home games.

RIT has won four of six.  The wins include Stevens and Fisher, and the two losses are both in the final seconds to Naz and Ithaca.  So they are playing pretty well.

If either of these teams finds consistent success on the DEFENSIVE end tonight it could be the difference. 

[FisherDynasty]

Pat, What about the Fisher/Naz Rivalry, i think that should be on the poll without a doubt.  The gyms no matter what time a year if students are on campus or not are sold out before the girls game, there was even a bench clearing brawl a few years back. 

[Caz Bombers]

Pat, What about the Fisher/Naz Rivalry, i think that should be on the poll without a doubt.  The gyms no matter what time a year if students are on campus or not are sold out before the girls game, there was even a bench clearing brawl a few years back. 

Yeah, but it wasn't even competitive prior to this year as Fisher had won 8 of the last 9 and only three of the eight wins were even by single digits.  The last half-decade, Naz has been what, Fisher's fourth or fifth toughest league opponent?  The rivalries in Pat's poll are all between teams who are both always strong.

[sjfcards]

I agree that things will really, really, have to go Fisher's way  for them to win the league. Yes, they are tied in the loss column with Stevens, Naz, and IC. And yes, the win against Stevens was a huge boost to their chances. But, this team is just a little too streaky for me. If they shoot the ball well, and stay out of foul trouble, then they can beat good teams (stevens), if they don't they struggle to score on anybody, and are very beatable (Naz/Hobart/the first game against Stevens).
Ithaca seems to be playin well. Naz is just better this year. And Stevens, is probably the best team in the league, and will not lose many more league games (maybe 1). Fisher still has to play IC twice, Naz once, RIT once, Utica twice...I think it is just too steep of a hill to climb this year.
Fisher seems to have a way of bouncing back, getting better in the 2nd half of seasons, but I don't think it is going to happen this year. 

[gobombers15]

Bombers by 17 at the half. IC leads by the awkward score of 29-12.

[gobombers15]

Ithaca slaps around Elmira, 64-36. Bombers up 56-20 with 8 mins remaining. The 36 points allowed was the lowest output against Ithaca in 53 years. If IC keeps this up, they're not losing five conference games, sorry.

Naz drops RIT, 86-79. Corey McAdam with an absurd 18pts, 7rebs, 10assts, and 6 steals. Unfortunately for RIT, Ryan McAdam makes his return for Naz and puts up 13 and 10. Canori leads Naz with 22 while Kenny Gethers also puts in 22 for the Tigers. Another solid night for Mark Carson who puts up 20 and 16. No Barrett Zeinfeld for RIT tonight. Any info, Bamm? Tough loss for RIT. They need to play near-perfect ball down the stretch to make the E8 Tourney.

[e8bballfan]

Unfortunately, Mr. Zeinfeld will no longer be on RIT. Why? I haven't heard, all I was told is he is no longer on the team.

[magicman]

Oswego St. 66 Utica 60

[e8bballfan]

refs screwed utica...i mean, UC outrebounded oswego by 11! and still lost! that screams officials...not to mention the free throw differential. wow, oswego got this one handed to them on a silver platter! and an oswego fan admitted they got it handed to them too!

[magicman]

[quote author=e8bballfan
refs screwed utica...i mean, UC outrebounded oswego by 11! and still lost! that screams officials...not to mention the free throw differential. wow, oswego got this one handed to them on a silver platter! and an oswego fan admitted they got it handed to them too!

Not sure if this was posted by e8bbfan or ucgrad incognito

[fisheralum91]

ive been lurking on this thread for while as footbal is mainly my thing---but i have to say that the ref screwing thing is getting old

[bamm]

Unfortunately, Mr. Zeinfeld will no longer be on RIT. Why? I haven't heard, all I was told is he is no longer on the team.

Without knowing exactly what happened or the reason, I'm not going to comment beyond just saying I'm not all that surprised given a few conversations I've had.  His name is already removed from the roster on the website.

As to the game -- huge win for Naz, damaging loss for the Tigers' E8 tourney hopes. 

RIT got out to an early 18-9 lead, which they more or less held onto until about the 8 minute mark of the second half.  The game really turned when RIT got sloppy with the ball and committed four consecutive turnovers on the offensive end.