Empire 8

[scooterman]

I didnt

[sjfcards]

I love it. Everyone, keep picking against Ithaca.

Well 2 Fisher Fans picked against them...

[reelentless]

I'll bet on Ithaca in the final and to win big over Stevens.  I've seen all but Ithaca play in the last week and even though it's a 3rd game in one season, Stevens should overpower Naz.  The way they're currently playing, Ithaca has too many shooters and too much athleticism for Stevens.

Good luck to all!  In this one, for sure, everybody's got a chance.

[gobombers15]

If Fisher/Ithaca win the E8 Tourney, does Stevens or Naz get an at-large bid? Does it depend on which makes the final? Interesting questions.

[gobombers15]

The season is essentially over (RIT v. Elmira game going on right now), so I figured that I'd be the first (since the conference season has concluded, anyways) to take a stab at the post-season awards. Here goes:

POY: Sean Burton (IC)
ROY: Evan Taylor (EC)
COY: Jim Mullins (IC)

I could see Corey McAdam taking POY, though. I think both are deserving. The question becomes whether Burton gets the boost from being on the regular season conference champs. We'll see. Taylor easily wins ROY, winning Rookie of the Week four times during the season. The COY usually goes to one of the top two teams and IC's strong finish compared to Stevens's poor finish gives it to Mullins.

FIRST TEAM

Bostic (IC)
Farid (SIT)
C. McAdam (Naz)
Herring (UC)
Burton (IC)

This was obviously the toughest team to predict. Honestly, the first team could easily be four guards and one forward. If that's the case, one could easily sub Virgil Gray for Farid. However, I think the E8 tries to make it as much like a real basketball team and puts at least two forwards on the team. I have Gray ranked as the #4 guard, so he takes the bump. Could I easily see him on the first team and Farid on the second? Of course. I just think C. McAdam, Burton and Herring have similar or better numbers and are all more important to their teams. Also, looking at Ryan McAdam's numbers and Kenny Gethers's numbers, they probably warrant first team consideration, too. But this league is too guard-oriented. However, I think both would be taken in the top five or seven if we were playing a pick-up game and were picking teams.

SECOND TEAM

Carson (RIT)
R. McAdam (Naz)
Gethers (RIT)
Gray (SIT)
Cocozziello (Wick)
Canori (Naz)

Carson gets the bump with the way Bostic finished and that fact that IC won the conference and RIT finished sixth. Ryan McAdam, Gethers and Gray, all who barely miss out on the first team, are easy picks for this team. Cocozziello and Canori would be first teamers if we only looked at scoring, but they don't do much else, so they show up here.

HONORABLE MENTION

T. Williams (SIT)
Beigel (SJF)
Leahy (IC)
Baltz (SJF)
Passalacqua (SIT)

Of this group, I can only see Leahy or possibly Baltz (reputation more than anything else) being moved up to second team.

I'm sure this will draw the ire of somebody. Stevens fans will let me have it for putting Gray on the 2nd team, Fisher guys will probably let me have it for having none of their players on the top two teams (even though none of them deserve it), etc. That's fine, I can take it. Sorry for making this so long. Really no way that I can make it shorter if I want to explain myself.

[e8bballfan]

gobombers, you said the other day you would collect your thoughts and then make a post about the IC-Naz game from the other day, I'm looking forward to reading that and seeing what you have to say so get that post up!

If Fisher/Ithaca win the E8 Tourney, does Stevens or Naz get an at-large bid? Does it depend on which makes the final? Interesting questions.

very interesting...say Naz were to beat Stevens, but lose to Fisher/IC in the conference championship game, then who (if anyone) gets the at-large?? hmmm....

[sjfcards]

I think Stevens can get an at large bid with one win in the tournament. It could be intersting tho, with those late losses, and not winning the league, may hurt them for that bid.

[Cyclone0205]

GoBombers -
  We have the exact same predictions for conference at this point.  After the last week Bostic and Carson flipped.  Only switched I had is that I think Gethers will be honorable mention, and even tho I'm the nyc guy in the group, I don't think Passalacqua has had the year to merit honorable mention. 


As for Stevens, at large chances...slim to done.  Right now at best they are going to be 5th in the East.  Here is the only scenario in which Stevens will get an at large:


1)  Plattsburgh MUST hold serve and win the SUNYAC.
Reason:  Both of these teams are ranked ahead of Stevens in the region, and thus one of them has to get an automatic qualifier or else they'll both be in that Pool C category and you aren't getting 4 Pool C's from the East Region.

2)  Brockport has to lose BEFORE the championship game. 
Reason:  A strong showing by Brockport in the SUNYAC will look better than what Stevens does in the e8 tourney (barring winning it obviously) and will keep Bport ranked ahead of Stevens.

3)  Stevens MUST reach the finals.
Reason:  3 game skid to end your season (2 regular season and 1 tourney) puts you directly in the ECAC.


With Plattsburgh an AQ and Rochester coming off the line relatively quick in the selection process (one of the top 8 pool C bids will be Rochester)..that leaves Stevens at #1 or #2 in the East Region for 9 rounds of Pool C selection.  At that point I'd feel comfortable about them getting in. 

[superman57]

I don't think Fisher will win this year...but you have to take into account that Fisher and Stevens both have the experiance of last year...So while I think Ithaca will probably win...You have to take into account the fact that Fisher has won for so long....

[JQV]

On a side note, I doubt UC will accept an ECAC bid if offered. It is usually NCAA or bust.

Quote of the century. 

A friend of mine who lurks on these boards (and is also a UC graduate) emailed this to me with the attached comment:

"I can honestly say that no one has EVER used the phrase "NCAA or bust" when describing Utica sports."

Maybe the slogan would be better like this: Utica Athletics NCAA or Bust.

[reelentless]

On a side note, I doubt UC will accept an ECAC bid if offered. It is usually NCAA or bust.

Quote of the century. 

A friend of mine who lurks on these boards (and is also a UC graduate) emailed this to me with the attached comment:

"I can honestly say that no one has EVER used the phrase "NCAA or bust" when describing Utica sports."

Maybe the slogan would be better like this: Utica Athletics NCAA or Bust.

The phase isn't important; and I may have entirely wrong information, but I was told that eligibility for the ECAC requires practice to start a week later than otherwise permitted?  (the Utica womens team starts practice a week later than the men) In which case the decision not to go to the ECAC tournament was made before the season?  Is this true?

The same choice was made last year; Utica's season ended at the E-8 final.  Has you're lurking friend talked to Coach Goodemote lately?

[JQV]

The phase isn't important; and I may have entirely wrong information, but I was told that eligibility for the ECAC requires practice to start a week later than otherwise permitted?  (the Utica womens team starts practice a week later than the men) In which case the decision not to go to the ECAC tournament was made before the season?  Is this true?

This is correct. However, that doesn't make "NCAA or Bust" any less funny for a program with all of 3 NCAA appearances in men's sports (in all athletic programs)(1 in MBB, 2 in XC).

[superman57]

Jose let's remember who we are dealing with....this is utica....they hire old men to play basketball... they can't be reasonable at all...now Fisher on the other hand should win the NCAA's this year hands down... I say they win the championship game by 30+

[Caz Bombers]

This E8 tournament bracket worked out great for everybody, didn't it?  Fisher fans are perfectly happy with their matchup (beat IC at the Bulb already) and so are us Bomber fans (SJF backing in, Ithaca thumped them in Pittsford).  If you show up for the early game you get to watch Stevens and Naz probably play a third epic high-scoring battle that leaves the winner drained when facing the IC-Fisher surivor for the title.  And of course we all get to point and laugh at Utica for having their late hot streak come to mean jack squat.  Win-win all the way around.

[mid-range j]

Don't know too much about the E8 or the teams in it but just wanted to stop by and visit and see your opinions on the conference tourney.  From what I have heard it could be anyones game...Ithaca really went on a run the end of the season and its even better for them that they get to host the tournament.  I'm personally rooting for them! 

Is Stevens still a top 25 team? I don't even know if they are top 50.  Hey I could be wrong though, but with a strength of schedule ranking of 326th in all of division 3? OUCH!  .. Looks like Loeffler will have to get back on d3hoops.com radio for selection sunday on the live broadcasting to wiggle his way back in the tourney, for some more words of encouragment to help his team get in, (thats if they don't win the conference tournament). 

I wouldnt count out St John Fisher either.  This could be the season of the underdogs!