Empire 8

[Bombers798891]

In regards to the Stevens-Naz game, I find it hard to believe that Stevens is CLEARLY THE BETTER TEAM.  It is tough to back up that argument.  If they were CLEARLY BETTER, they would have taken care of business on their home court.  You can take about questionable calls all you want, but a superior team doesn't let officiating decide a game, especially not a game at home.  I love how little respect Naz gets on these boards.  After thumping RIT last night, I have to say that they are playing as well as anyone in the Empire 8 right now, but no one seems to mention them when talking about elite teams in the league.  Broderick has made them a very good defensive team, and they have the best player in the league running the show for them.  They play a small athletic lineup and create big time match up problems for other teams.  Right now they have as good a chance to win the league as anyone else if not a better one.  Meanwhile...Naz will just keep basking in the hate down here on East Ave.

I love how you get hyper defensive after one comment. Good for Naz. They've improved from that 27-48 (14-28) record from 2005-2007. Maybe that has something to do with this perceived lack of respect? You've been under .500 for four of the last five seasons. Now we're supposed to bow down to an 8-3 team? And this is coming from the guy who basically gave Naz one of the two top spots in the conference:

"I'd have a hard time picking anyone from the lower ranks to catch SJF and Naz,"

Now, I'm an Ithaca fan, and lord knows, we're not exactly known for basketball prowess, (we are known for not winning in the postseason) but get over the inferiority complex

[the golden flyer]

After seeing Naz play 4 or 5 games this year this is what I have taken in thus far...

Unlike years past, Naz is actually playing team defense this year. The players seem to be buying into Coach Broderick's system, especially defensively. Coming into the year I did not expect them to be doing as well as they have been thus far. Freshman Tyshun Stephens is certainly someone to build around for the next few years. Despite being young, they seem to be playing with poise and lots of confidence. Naz has won many games because of their ability to shoot the 3. Corletta, Stephens, and Scaffidi have helped take the load off for McAdam somewhat. Lotheridge has been too inconsistent inside but because of his size, can block a lot of shots which will boost the defense.

I had a chance to see the RIT Naz game last night and I wasn't impressed with RIT at all. I am a little bit shocked, as RIT seems to be solid year in and year out. I have always had a lot of respect for Coach McVean and in my opinion is probably the best coach in the league. However, the loss of Carson is proving to be too much for the Tigers this year. The one bright spot for the Tigers is sophomore Brendan Harder. 26 and 18, very solid.

I have not had a chance to see Fisher play this year but they seem to be taking care of business as they usually do. I am anxiously awaiting Naz-Fisher as there could be a lot at stake...

One last note for Naz, this weekend will be tough especially playing at Ithaca and Utica. Naz has not had any success against either of these teams on the road in recent years. In fact, Naz hasn't won a regular season game at Ithaca in an awfully long time (10 years maybe?). This will be a litmus test game for them for sure...

[Bombers798891]

After seeing Naz play 4 or 5 games this year this is what I have taken in thus far...

Unlike years past, Naz is actually playing team defense this year. The players seem to be buying into Coach Broderick's system, especially defensively. Coming into the year I did not expect them to be doing as well as they have been thus far. Freshman Tyshun Stephens is certainly someone to build around for the next few years. Despite being young, they seem to be playing with poise and lots of confidence. Naz has won many games because of their ability to shoot the 3. Corletta, Stephens, and Scaffidi have helped take the load off for McAdam somewhat. Lotheridge has been too inconsistent inside but because of his size, can block a lot of shots which will boost the defense.

I had a chance to see the RIT Naz game last night and I wasn't impressed with RIT at all. I am a little bit shocked, as RIT seems to be solid year in and year out. I have always had a lot of respect for Coach McVean and in my opinion is probably the best coach in the league. However, the loss of Carson is proving to be too much for the Tigers this year. The one bright spot for the Tigers is sophomore Brendan Harder. 26 and 18, very solid.

I have not had a chance to see Fisher play this year but they seem to be taking care of business as they usually do. I am anxiously awaiting Naz-Fisher as there could be a lot at stake...

One last note for Naz, this weekend will be tough especially playing at Ithaca and Utica. Naz has not had any success against either of these teams on the road in recent years. In fact, Naz hasn't won a regular season game at Ithaca in an awfully long time (10 years maybe?). This will be a litmus test game for them for sure...

Yeah Ithaca's replaced Naz as far as not playing defense. I like them quite a bit actually. McAdam's a stud. I think there's four good teams in the conference with a shot to win it

[e8bballfan]

Go NAZ relax, no hate here for any of these teams..... If you watched the game Stevens was Clearly  the better team.  Every now and then the game is not decided by the players, and that was one... I wish I could say the same for the beating RIT took from your guys last night...but I can't. I give Mc Adams all the credit in the world, he has a great feel for waht the refs will allow and he adjusts appropriately. I wish RIT had someone like that. I want to see NAZ beat Fischer and Ithaca, then they will be Elite. Right now I don't consider any of these Teams to be Elite. The one, if any that sweeps the Top 3 I will then consider Elite.... But what do I know    

I think instead of giving McAdam credit for adjusting to the refs we should think about how stupid it is for these teams to pressure him all game and allow him to shoot 10-15 free throws/game (in the last 3 games he has shot 10,15,10 fts, respectively). A majority of those free throws come off of non-shooting situations when he's getting fouled close to half court. Back off of him and quit giving him free points! The handchecks are fouls, so they will be called and Broderick will let the refs hear it if they don't call em.

Also, defenders keep bailing him out in the lane too often. You rarely see him get in the lane, come to a jump stop, and go right up. He always throws 2-3 fakes in there before going up for a shot and ppl keep fouling him! Yeah, it's partially him being smart and having the best bball IQ in the conference, but part of it also has to deal with the lack of discipline by his defenders.

As for the Stevens-Naz game - I think the last 30 seconds were just plain stupid on Stevens' part. Why didn't they call a timeout to set something up for that last possession? Then, why did they allow McAdam to get the ball on the inbounds, and basically give them a 5 on 3 situation as both defenders on McAdam played terrible defense.

Now Bombers, I don't think that Go Naz was asking you to "bow down" to Naz, I think he was just saying they need to get some credit. Their recent E-8 wins are great wins and they should get some credit. This upcoming weekend will be a tough trip for them and will certainly test their youth and inexperience. We must also remember that this team that has gone under .500 4 of the last 5 seasons has more postseason wins than Ithaca in the last few years, including the Conference Tourney, I believe...correct me if I'm wrong.

One final note before weekend predictions - I was impressed w/Harder from RIT. Kid is a workhorse and will continue to improve as he is only a sophomore. I'm a big fan of him.


Weekend predictions...

Friday
IC over Naz...Naz just can't win there. But it will be a close one.

Utica over Fisher...not so sure about either one of these teams as of now, but I think UC squeezes it out.

Hartwick over Alfred...

Saturday
Fisher over IC...after a tough game friay night, IC has to make the drive to East Ave and play a tough game. I don't see them pulling it out.


Nazareth over Utica...Naz took care of them pretty easily earlier this season, but this one will be closer.

Sunday
Stevens over Hartwick

This post was way too long. Roll Tide!

[FROMAFAR]

Not too long at all E8bball..... a lot of good "stuff", let me first touch upon Mc Adams on last time. Great BBall IQ, but I am not sure MOST dfouls come outside.. I don't see him as much as NAZ fans so this is basically shooting from the hip, but I notice he gets in the paint and at that point you can't play off him, the he leans into the defender and quite often gets soft touch fouls...The bigs are banging one another with less calls in the paint... I am by no means knocking McAdams, he is doing exactly what he should, I just see that pivot foot swithched quite often and no call... I believe this is what gets him to the line.... But this is certainly not that inportant in the whole scheme of things. I certainly agree with you about the last 30 seconds of the Stevens game. A time out should have been called and something set up. Stevens should have had the last shot and either win or go to O.T. In addition, the ball should never have been in McAdams hands. They had the Freshman on him, and that was a mistake.

This weekend......IC NAZ, I cannot call........ this will tell us something about these teams. If Naz wins, they are for real. This will also show how defensive minded Naz really is, since IC can light it up every night. However IC does not play D and I am sure MCAdams will have a field day.  I think Fischer is for real. They have some talented Bigs, and they play smart. I don't see a go to guy, but they are very deep.   I hate  to say this but UC doesn't seem to be an issue.. If they can beat Fisher, then this league truly is wide open............Hey go NAZ, enjoy your team, and continue to support them..... remember, this site has been very congenial through the years and many of us knock our own teams when deserved... 

[Ethelred the Unready]

One final note before weekend predictions - I was impressed w/Harder from RIT. Kid is a workhorse and will continue to improve as he is only a sophomore. I'm a big fan of him.

Does anybody know what happened to Dan O'brien, Harder's HS teammate at Oneonta?  They both went to RIT but I don't see O'brein on the roster this year.  Just curious

[bomber3]

Big weekend upcoming and hopefully the Bombers can get at least one win.  I'm confident with the Naz game although I think it will be a struggle with IC pulling away late.  With the one expception of the E8 tournament game last season, IC has owned Naz over the past several years.  I don't  think Naz has the firepower to stick around with IC all game.  This should be a fun game to watch with the 2 of the nation's leading point guards (Rossi 3rd nationally in apg as  FRESHMAN, McAdam about 17th).

Bombers are going to have to bounce back quick with perhaps the bigges conference matchup of the year.  Fisher has one of the nation's best defenses (I think 5th in ppg allowed and FG% defense) and Ithaca one of the best offenses (6th in scoring I believe).  IC usually has a tough time shooting @ Fisher but hopefully Marcus/Cruz can get hot.  Look for the game to be in the high-60s/low70s with the game being close. Fisher will try and slow things down to their pace.  IC needs to keep Fisher's bigs off the glass (margin with 5) and knock down 9-10 3's to have a chance. 

Let's goooo Bombers!

[FROMAFAR]

Bomber 3......9-10 3's? I don't think that's happening, AND I do think Fisher can slow IC down a bit.... Fisher cannot out offense IC but they can out Defend them.... This should be an extremely interesting game. Coaching and execution are huge in this one... I give Fisher the advantage since they are home..they will get the calls at home, as usual, so IC will have a bit to overcome. IF IC can win this one they are going to be extremely tough the rest of the way. 

[bomber3]

Bomber 3......9-10 3's? I don't think that's happening, AND I do think Fisher can slow IC down a bit.... Fisher cannot out offense IC but they can out Defend them.... This should be an extremely interesting game. Coaching and execution are huge in this one... I give Fisher the advantage since they are home..they will get the calls at home, as usual, so IC will have a bit to overcome. IF IC can win this one they are going to be extremely tough the rest of the way. 

Why couldn't that happen? IC averages 9.5 3's per game thru 11 games so why couldnt they keep exactly their average? I know Fisher will try and slow them down and they have one of the better defenses in the country but if IC can shoot well and rebound they will win.  IC made 10 3's in the first HALF against Hartwick so they can definitely light it up (disclaimer: yes I know Fisher is a different breed but still). 

[FROMAFAR]

Bomber, that was exactly my point... If they are avg. 9.5 per game, chances of hitting 9.5 against Fisher slim... Fisher will give them less trips, making it difficult.........Hartwick is not a defensive team, tough to make that comparison... I agree IC may very well be the better team, BUT Fisher at home is really tough.....For some reason the refs just become Fisher fans, I don't know why but they do..... I have no problem with home cooking, as a matter of fact, I expect it, but at Fisher it is usually over the top.... Now all you Fisher guys, I am not saying Fisher needs the refs to be good... They are good on their own, just an obervation which I am sure most will agree with....

[bomber3]

Bomber, that was exactly my point... If they are avg. 9.5 per game, chances of hitting 9.5 against Fisher slim... Fisher will give them less trips, making it difficult.........Hartwick is not a defensive team, tough to make that comparison... I agree IC may very well be the better team, BUT Fisher at home is really tough.....For some reason the refs just become Fisher fans, I don't know why but they do..... I have no problem with home cooking, as a matter of fact, I expect it, but at Fisher it is usually over the top.... Now all you Fisher guys, I am not saying Fisher needs the refs to be good... They are good on their own, just an obervation which I am sure most will agree with....

Oh I know there will be fewer possessions and they are a solid defensive team but I said that's what it will probably take to knock them off.  IC will undoubtedly have to shoot the 3 well and if they get off around 22-25 3's (averaging 27.5) then making 9 equates to 36-40% (which is a pretty good shooting day).  Long story short - - if they shoot well they will win.

IC should just have Phil Barera shoot all the 3's -- with a 75% FG percentage he could average about 20 3's a GAME.

[FROMAFAR]

Bomber I gottcha, that makes sense.......  however Barrerra shooting the 3's LOL.. that was good........   That's what I like about this site...It's killing me RIT changing conferences.......I'm going to have to stick around and become a full Ducks fan just so I can remain part of the banter    

[sjfcards]

the Fisher IC game this weekend should be a great one. Fisher's D against Ithaca's high tempo offense. I think this Fisher team is a lot better than last year, but I don't know if they can beat IC. Too many stretches of not scoring for me to be comfortable.
C

[Bombers798891]

the Fisher IC game this weekend should be a great one. Fisher's D against Ithaca's high tempo offense. I think this Fisher team is a lot better than last year, but I don't know if they can beat IC. Too many stretches of not scoring for me to be comfortable.
C

Yeah but not scoring is pretty hard against Ithaca. They're something like 6th-worst in D-III in opponent FG percentage. It's going to be interesting to say the least. Cruz should be available for IC in this game as well, which helps the Bombers

[magicman]

Ithaca doubling up Naz 50-25 with 45 seconds left in the 1st half.