Empire 8

[FROMAFAR]

I was at the Stevens tournament. Greco is not on the team. My friend who is a Stevens Grad, spoke to someone in the Athletic Department about Greco. He is not injured and he's on the Deans list, so those are not issues. It appears the coach was looking for him to ignite off the bench. The coach is going with Baker at the point and starting Higgans at the 4.  He was at the games and noticeably pulling for his team, so, doesn't look like any issues there.   The freshman you guys are mentioning (Sanchez) is not an issue. Very raw and had "happy feet". Nervous... too many turn overs when he was in.. Stevens crushed two teams they should have crushed... I really think when the competition gets tough they are shallow at the point without Greco. This could be devastating in league play. Gives my guys another chance at tournament......Word is he could be back.  RIT's tourney games at Drew, are important as they should win that Tourney or we are in for a long season as well.

It appears Ithaca looked real good out of the gate. I didn't see the game, but looking at the box and at Cortland, against a highly regarded team, tells us something.       

[fisheralum91]

sjfcards- fisher lost to desales u at home.

[e8bballfan]

Cyclone - thanks for the explanation but looks like that doesn't matter anymore...wow, no more Greco, interesting...

Off day for Baltz and fisher, Baltz 0-8 from the floor, not a good start.

Meanwhile, sounds like it was a great day to be a Bomber. I remember hearing about how Cruz would help them out last year, if he can keep it up that is a great addition for IC and a bit of pressure off Burton, Rogers, Leahy, Bostic...well, typing that sentence I just realized they are loaded. They have 4, now 5, kids that can put up 20 any night.

I'm so glad the season has started. Best of luck and health to everyone!

[FROMAFAR]

Baller, good hearing from you........ Your right IC has it all, and no excuses. I hope they get their due at some point. Top 25, The E8 gets overlooked quite often there, and IF they do what they are supposed to, they should be recognized... Yep it's on....... this should be a fun year.  

[Ethelred the Unready]

Baller, good hearing from you........ Your right IC has it all, and no excuses. I hope they get their due at some point. Top 25, The E8 gets overlooked quite often there, and IF they do what they are supposed to, they should be recognized... Yep it's on....... this should be a fun year.  

Looking forward to seeing IC this weekend at the Resler Tournament at UR.  They play Trinity on Friday and then either UR or Pitt-Bradford Saturday.  Have heard Trinity is pretty tough but don't really know if you can trust a fans perspective.   

[buck1053]

Excellent news, GB15, elsewhere around E8 Opening Day/Night:

Utica rips Cazenovia 91-68 as UCGrad45 said, Doug Herring with 16 points and 7 assists to lead 5 in double figures.

Elmira loses 76-53 to Geneseo - Bobby DiPiazza with 15 for EC.  Elmira was eaten alive by Jeff Howe (27 and 15) and Scott Morton (22 and 9), Geneseo may be a team to look out for in the 'YAC.

Alfred beats Wells in Dale Wellman debut 71-64 - Pat Smithgall 13 and 13 double-double.

A bad day all around to be a Fisher fan, Cards lose 56-50 at home to DeSales.  Ozell Franklin leads with 11 points.

Stevens smashes pitiful Polytechnic 91-54 - Passalacqua (22), Gray (21) and Higgins (11/13) tied Poly by themselves.  Ducks will play Manhattanville to try to win their own tip off tournament tomorrow.

Doesn't seem like too many surprises this weekend, although the Alfred win was surprising until I realized they beat Wells, in its first year with a men's basketball team. Winning by 7 over a new program, looks like the bottom of the league is shaking out with Elmira and Alfred bringing up the rear. We'll see how Hartwick is this week to see if they'll be joining in that group at the bottom. My guess is yes.

[AUPepBand]

Excellent news, GB15, elsewhere around E8 Opening Day/Night:

Utica rips Cazenovia 91-68 as UCGrad45 said, Doug Herring with 16 points and 7 assists to lead 5 in double figures.

Elmira loses 76-53 to Geneseo - Bobby DiPiazza with 15 for EC.  Elmira was eaten alive by Jeff Howe (27 and 15) and Scott Morton (22 and 9), Geneseo may be a team to look out for in the 'YAC.

Alfred beats Wells in Dale Wellman debut 71-64 - Pat Smithgall 13 and 13 double-double.

A bad day all around to be a Fisher fan, Cards lose 56-50 at home to DeSales.  Ozell Franklin leads with 11 points.

Stevens smashes pitiful Polytechnic 91-54 - Passalacqua (22), Gray (21) and Higgins (11/13) tied Poly by themselves.  Ducks will play Manhattanville to try to win their own tip off tournament tomorrow.

Doesn't seem like too many surprises this weekend, although the Alfred win was surprising until I realized they beat Wells, in its first year with a men's basketball team. Winning by 7 over a new program, looks like the bottom of the league is shaking out with Elmira and Alfred bringing up the rear. We'll see how Hartwick is this week to see if they'll be joining in that group at the bottom. My guess is yes.

Certainly time will tell, but Coach Wellman has been promised an appearance by the AU Pep Band at McLane Center Gym upon his Saxons winning FIVE games. But seriously, opening the season with a win at Ben Light? Can it get any better?

[buck1053]

Certainly time will tell, but Coach Wellman has been promised an appearance by the AU Pep Band at McLane Center Gym upon his Saxons winning FIVE games. But seriously, opening the season with a win at Ben Light? Can it get any better?

Ben Light filled with the Wells Express, not the Ithaca Bombers, it's important to note. Based on IC's dominance of CState, I'm guessing AU will not be successful during their next trip there.

[JQV]

Anyone else watching the webcast of the IC-Hobart game tonight?  It will never cease to amaze me that I get to watch my alma mater from my living room that is a mere 2,000 miles from the South Hill.

Burton is really a joy to watch.  It really doesn't matter who you root for, if you like basketball, you have to like watching this kid.

Two other thoughts:

1) IC's interior defense appears to be a work in progress at this point.  Bostic really isn't running the floor on D and no one else is protecting the rim.  Hard to defend in transition if no one is there to erase easy layups.

2) The ICTV broadcast crew is really doing a great job BUT, the color guy insists on calling rebounds "bounds."  It's like nails on a chalkboard for some reason.

EDIT: Did Coach Mullins add a wireless hot spot to the home lockerroom?  Bostic opens the second half with a MONSTER block.

[bombersquadron]

The massacre is over, 118-81. Ithaca puts a hurting on Hobart. I was at last year's game and I am sure that this was some revenge for the stinging loss Ithaca suffered last year at their place. As Jose said it is really nice to watch the game at home, even though I am only 225 miles from Ithaca. Burton (25 first half points) and the Bombers were great throughout and it is good to see they had the killer instinct. In years past they may have let the opponent hang around but they crushed Hobart. I agree with one point from the ICTV broadcast crew, which is the fact that the Bombers have a tough starting line-up and a very formidable bench this year. I hope they are ready for this weekend and can continue to play at a high level when they face adversity. I believe they can and will do so in this weekend's tournament iup in Rochester. I hope if they do win and the team finally gets some attention and respect in the polls. 

[Cyclone0205]

Stevens is back to their usual trend of stomping on Former Atlantic Region foes.  Went over to the College of Staten Island and won 90-48.


This one was never close.  Passalacqua, a Staten Island native, went home and nailed three pointer and three pointer.  Also got a look at the freshman point guard Sanchez.  A little out of control (it's what you expect from a freshman), but with Baker playing a very good point guard so far   (something like 18 assists to 6 turnovers before tonight..somewhere around there..all they are looking for from Sanchez is a spark and some offense.  He contributed double digits tonight off the bench.


Virgil Gray is going to battle Burton and Herrig all year for E8 player of the year.  He gets to the basket whenever he wants against whoever he wants.



Red Flag:  STEVENS INSIDE GAME IS NON-EXISTENT!  Graduation really hit the Ducks hard down low, and any teams with formidable big men who can slow the game against the Ducks down will be able to present trouble.  However, I don't think running with Stevens this year is a good idea.  Then again, it wasn't a good idea last year either.

[sjfcards]

Fisher wins tonight in unimpressive fashion, by 3 over Dyouville. Just looking at the box score, I don't see Baltz anywhere in it. What is the starting 5 for Fisher? I see Quinn Smith is getting the playing time we were promised last year, and a few freshman are getting good minutes. Interesting.

[FROMAFAR]

Cyclone, great read on Stevens. I saw their Tourney games. Grey is very athletic and I agree could get POY, but they need to overachieve as a team in the E-8 for that to hapen. I'm not sure that can happen. Hey they crushed 3 teams so far, however 3 teams they should crush... I hate when people say "yea but they didn't play anybody good". If they convincingly handle the so called "not good team', then don't knock them, they beat them. That being said they have a few achilles heels. Inside strength is not there, young and inexperienced. While Passalaqua is deadly,  look at the Manhattanville game. They played in his face and he only took 2 or 3 shots. He does not drive the basket, he plays "horse". Notice how few foul shots he gets. No other 3 point shooter. The E-8 will figure that out. While Baker is strong he is a little slow for the point, and when he gets into foul trouble they are in trouble. The freshman looks very shakey. He couldn't handle Manhattanville's pressure,  he turned it over about 4 times. We will find out how good they are when they open against Nazareth.

Ithaca is better than than I thought. again, competition weak, but sounds like they were just running drills all night. I truly believe this team should be and will be in top 25 before long...... Of course RIT will spoil the perfect season for them    but what do I know

[AUPepBand]

Anyone else watching the webcast of the IC-Hobart game tonight?  It will never cease to amaze me that I get to watch my alma mater from my living room that is a mere 2,000 miles from the South Hill.

Burton is really a joy to watch.  It really doesn't matter who you root for, if you like basketball, you have to like watching this kid.

Two other thoughts:

1) IC's interior defense appears to be a work in progress at this point.  Bostic really isn't running the floor on D and no one else is protecting the rim.  Hard to defend in transition if no one is there to erase easy layups.

2) The ICTV broadcast crew is really doing a great job BUT, the color guy insists on calling rebounds "bounds."  It's like nails on a chalkboard for some reason.

EDIT: Did Coach Mullins add a wireless hot spot to the home lockerroom?  Bostic opens the second half with a MONSTER block.

Pep is pleased to report that AU took care of PSU-Wilkes-Barre 80-49 Monday night to start the season at 2-0! Pep was told the competition was pitiful, but hey, the AU men's basketball team at 2-0? Pep will take it. Perhaps time to revive the Saxon Sillies as AUKaz00 had plenty of experience with that group. Coach Dale Wellman off to a positive start.

Incidentally, AU is working on equipping the Merrill Field press box to allow for webcasting of games. (Technology may take a bit longer to get out here in Mayberry, but eventually we get it.) Perhaps McLane Center will also be wired...

[fisheralum91]

yikes a 3 point win over dyouville?
eek- down year for fisher for sure!