Empire 8

[magicman]

Ithaca College was the biggest mover in this weeks D3 Hoops Top 25 poll moving from the 17th spot up to #12. The Bombers received 317 points this week gaining 115 more than their 202 pts from the previous poll. I was pretty sure they would climb over Ursinus and Illinois Wesleyan, then when Elms lost yesterday to a so-so Regis team it looked good for a 3 spot move. I didn't expect them to pass Carnegie Mellon and Richard Stockton as neither of those teams suffered a loss since the last poll. Especially Stockton who won the Scranton tournament this past weekend. Nice to see the Bombers getting noticed. Hopefully the top 10 is only a week or 2 away.

Undefeated NYU as I expected finally got some consideration, with 22 points to move into the #32 spot. First time NYU has received any points all year. Only 6 unbeaten D III teams left and 2 of them are in the East region.

And who would have thunk it? St John Fisher, the 3rd team from the East region to merit some love from the Top 25 pollsters. The Cardinals check into the poll with 19 pts. and tie Mary Hardin-Baylor for the #34 spot. That big win over St. Mary's(Md) definitely got them some notice. That and winning 4 games in 6 days to stretch their record to 7-1.

[AUPepBand]

I think Alfred is better than we all think, ( hows that PEP), but I really mean that. They too come to play.

Coach Wellman has done well with what he's had to work with but has been hindered to date with a lack of height and depth. Pep journeyed to Fisher to see AU take on a decent Muskingum squad and the Saxons shot the lights out in the first half, taking a 38-28 lead into intermission. But they ran out of steam...stayed in it but faltered down the stretch, 78-73.

While Pep missed the IC-AU battle at McLane (Pep had Kaz00 at the house to watch the Dolphins...why did IC and AU play on a Sunday afternoon, anyway?) it sounds like it was a similar scenario. So long as the treys are dropping, AU can stay with anybody but the Saxons lack a big dominant man down low. AU-IC were tied at 61-61 before the Bombers pulled away.

Pep believes Wellman has a nice scheme and solid game management. AU may surprise some E8 foes this year. But when  Wellman has had the benefit of recruiting some players, it should turn into more Ws.

[bamm]

Mark Carson wins another RACA award.

http://www.ritathletics.com/news/2009/1/6/MBB_0106094648.aspx?path=mbb

Senior center Mark Carson (Voorheesville, NY/Voorheesville) of the RIT men's basketball team, was named the Rochester Area Colleges Athletics (RACA) Male Athlete of the Week on Monday for the week ending January 4, 2009.   It is his second weekly RACA honor this season and third of his career.

Carson, who leads all NCAA men's basketball players Division I, II and III) in rebounds per game (14.9), led RIT to a pair of Empire 8 win last week. He averaged 24.5 points and 15.0 rebounds per game in two wins and shot 66.6% from the floor.  He had 21 points and 17 rebounds in a 74-59 win over Utica on Friday night. He followed that up with a career-high 28 points and 13 rebounds in an 81-64 win over Elmira on Saturday.

[gobombers15]

Back in The Bulb, Ithaca jets out to a 46-29 halftime lead over Utica. Leahy on fire early, 7-10 FG and 4-5 3-ptrs, finishing the half with 18 pts. Bostic with 5 pts and 10 rebs at half. Burton resting the arms tonight, 8 pts at half.

Get the ball to Bostic!! One FG attempt in the first half. Hey guards, look down low!! He's one of the best players in the conference, use him.

[gobombers15]

Ithaca takes care of Utica, 87-64. Big night for Leahy who goes for 25 pts and 10 rebs. Bostic with 14 and 14, and Burton plays an efficient game racking up 17 pts and 6 assists. Doug Herring leads the way with 15 pts for Utica.

[Bombers798891]

Ithaca takes care of Utica, 87-64. Big night for Leahy who goes for 25 pts and 10 rebs. Bostic with 14 and 14, and Burton plays an efficient game racking up 17 pts and 6 assists. Doug Herring leads the way with 15 pts for Utica.

I was at the game. Leahy was unstoppable. Guys were a little soft inside on offense, but 1-5, Ithaca was quicker and more athletic than Utica. First step off the dribble, IC had penetration. Also, Utica is a terrible free throw shooting team.

Bombers had a terrible five minutes to open the 2nd half, missing a lot of shots short, as the lead dropped to 7. Eventually, there was just too much talent for Utica to overcome, and the Bomber express rolls on. 11-0. Simply amazing. Even on a somewhat inconsistent night, they put up 87. Bostic goes over 1,000 points for his career.

[magicman]

RIT beats Fisher 56-36. There goes those top 25 votes. The loss isn't surprising but scoring only 36 pts is.  Looks like 5 games in 9 days was too much.

[magicman]

Alfred 90- Elmira 65

Carl Embury hits a 3 on Alfred's 1st possession to grab a lead they would never relinquish. Saxons, up by as many as 29 in the 2nd half, are led by Embury's 25 pts, 9x16 fg, 5x9 3s, and 8 boards. B. Barry, 23 pts, on 8x13 fg, 4x8 3's +5 asst. M. Stopera added 17 pts, 4 reb and G. Kwiecien chipped in wuth 16 pts, 6 boards and 5 asst.   Elmira's Jon Adamson had a double/double with 25 pts and 10 boards to lead the Soaring Eagles. Also in double figures were B. Dipiazza with 15 and N. Zazulia with 10.

Saxons have already more than doubled their win total of last year. Pep has got to be feeling it

[Bombers798891]

RIT beats Fisher 56-36. There goes those top 25 votes. The loss isn't surprising but scoring only 36 pts is.  Looks like 5 games in 9 days was too much.

Ye Gods...

I can understand being gassed, but man, 36 points? Things that stand out from the boxscore:

1) -21 in rebounds? Man. I know Carson is a beast, but that's just not pretty
2) Only 7 attempts from the line? That's tough
3) 4 points in 11 minutes of the 2nd half with 7 missed layups

I would imagine fatigue played a role. Ithaca just played their third game in five nights and looked tired at times in the 2nd half. Guys were coming up short on shots and weren;t real active on defense. They play four games over the next nine days, so I'd imagine a loss is coming. Wick, RIT and Potsdam will all be tough. I think Naz is winnable. Any team allowing 87 points a game should be eaten alive by IC. Potsdam comes in at the end of a 5 team, 11 day road trip so both teams may be a little tired in that one.

[AUPepBand]

Alfred 90- Elmira 65

Carl Embury hits a 3 on Alfred's 1st possession to grab a lead they would never relinquish. Saxons, up by as many as 29 in the 2nd half, are led by Embury's 25 pts, 9x16 fg, 5x9 3s, and 8 boards. B. Barry, 23 pts, on 8x13 fg, 4x8 3's +5 asst. M. Stopera added 17 pts, 4 reb and G. Kwiecien chipped in wuth 16 pts, 6 boards and 5 asst.   Elmira's Jon Adamson had a double/double with 25 pts and 10 boards to lead the Soaring Eagles. Also in double figures were B. Dipiazza with 15 and N. Zazulia with 10.

Saxons have already more than doubled their win total of last year. Pep has got to be feeling it

Pep promised Coach Wellman that if the Saxons get five wins in his first season at the helm, the band would play at their next game....looks like Pep will need to muster the musicians as AU is now 5-6. Pep is expecting a call from Coach W.

[bamm]

Wow.  Couldn't be more pissed about having to miss that game. 

Carson's line:  20 points, 20 rebounds, 5 blocks, 5 steals.

The Tigers have really done well for themselves in taking care of business at home, getting out to a 5-0 conference record.  Both games against IC remain, @Stevens, @Utica, @Hartwick, and @Fisher.

[FROMAFAR]

Hey PEP, I couldn't be more impressed. I know it was Elmira, but as I always say don't knock a team for beating someone they should beat. Your guys did it in great fashion... There could be a big turn around in the final standings this year. Alfred and Hartwick can create some significant havoc. Fisher, although I picked them 2 the other day, looked horrible against RIT ( fatigue and a GOOD RIT team  , contibuting), but they didn't really play well against Stevens in their win Saturday. ( 18 turnovers, Stevens shoots 27% and they only win by 8).  They have to show they can bounce back. Utica Friday will tell something about both teams. if Utica can't hold home court advantage, they truly are in trouble. Then they go to Alfred, that should make things a little clearer as well. IC is in another galaxy and I don't see that changing. Too much fire power. It only gets worse for Naz, they play them Friday at IC.  Stevens next two are at Utica and Alfred... Oh boy!!! If those two games may be very definitive on what these 3 teams are made of.  I know Stevens has a tough time on the road, but I think this year, the home games may be tough as well. In fairness they lost their (Center Williams, point guard Greco, and Farid's experience). None of those replaced adequately. Although everyone else has issues as well. By next weekend this could all change. But what do I know    

[tigerfan2]

Wow, only giving up 36 pts to Fisher is great for RIT. After so many frustrating losses against Fisher the last 5-6 years its great to see the Tigers get a win like that.

I don't wish I was back in Rochester too often but it would have been great to be at Clark Gym last night.

Looking at the RIT schedule this year its interesting that they basically play the first half of the conference season at home and then have to go on the road for the second half. I don't recall seeing a schedule like that before and hopefully the Tigers can keep the early season form going on the road.

[Nosyor]

I'm new to the boards and figured I'd start to chime in.  I was at the RIT vs Fisher game last night and Carson was as impressive as his number show.  At this point he has to be the MVP of the league.  If you take him off the court this RIT team is very young and unproven (nicely put).  Watch how the team plays when Carson is resting on the bench.  Both their scoring and defense get much much worse.  With Carson in the game the rest of the players can ease into their roles.  Young, Sweet, and Roe are always a threat from the outside.  This makes it difficult for teams to double down on Carson, there is always a shooter waiting.  Korinchak reminds me of Rajon Rondo.  He scores points, gets rebounds, assists, and lots of steals.

I'm looking forward to the game this Sunday vs Ithaca.  The President of RIT has made a proposition to dye his hair orange if both sides of the bleachers are full for the boys and girls games.  I remember this one last year and the place was packed and very loud.  It was a great atmosphere for a D3 game.  RIT has played Ithaca tough the past few years and I'd expect this one to follow suit.

[gobombers15]

I'm new to the boards and figured I'd start to chime in.  I was at the RIT vs Fisher game last night and Carson was as impressive as his number show.  At this point he has to be the MVP of the league.  If you take him off the court this RIT team is very young and unproven (nicely put).  Watch how the team plays when Carson is resting on the bench.  Both their scoring and defense get much much worse.  With Carson in the game the rest of the players can ease into their roles.  Young, Sweet, and Roe are always a threat from the outside.  This makes it difficult for teams to double down on Carson, there is always a shooter waiting.  Korinchak reminds me of Rajon Rondo.  He scores points, gets rebounds, assists, and lots of steals.

I'm looking forward to the game this Sunday vs Ithaca.  The President of RIT has made a proposition to dye his hair orange if both sides of the bleachers are full for the boys and girls games.  I remember this one last year and the place was packed and very loud.  It was a great atmosphere for a D3 game.  RIT has played Ithaca tough the past few years and I'd expect this one to follow suit.

Not surprisingly, I'm going to have to respectfully disagree that Carson would or should be E8 POY at this point. Again, not surprisingly, I'd have to give the nod to Sean Burton. He's the best player on the #12 team in the nation. He leads the conference in scoring, 2nd in assists and generally dominates the game in a way that not a lot of 5'9'' players can. Without him, Ithaca couldn't run the high octane offense that they do, at least not nearly as efficiently. He gets open shots for his teammates and makes each of them SIGNIFICANTLY better players, the true mark of a "superstar." Burton also gets it done when the chips are down. For example, he scored 11 of the last 13 Ithaca points in a big road victory at St. Lawrence.

Carson is a very good player and will more likely than not be a 1st team player (I think you'll see both Carson and Bostic on 1st team). He has improved immensely over his career and is now receiving due recognition. But I just don't think his accomplishments eclipse what Burton has done and where Burton has taken the Ithaca program.