Empire 8

[bomber3]

Just over halfway through the year and into the heart of conference play, let's get some debate going. Who do we like for player/rookie/coach of the year in conference at least this far

POY: Corey McAdam

POY has a lot of good candidates: Blazek, McAdam, Marcus seem to top the list. I'd personally go with McAdam because the scoring and assist numbers are a bit better than Blazek, and Marcus is really just a scorer--a good one, but still. McAdam makes Naz's whole team go. No-one on SJF or Stevens seems to be having a standout statistical season individually.

One dark horse, semi-homer pick: Phil Barera. 16-8 right now. If his scoring numbers go up just a little bit, it'd be interesting. Yeah, I know, I was the same guy who didn't think Carson deserved it over Burton last year, but (A) There's no guy like Burton this season and (B) 71% from the floor is kind of mind boggling. (Carson for example, was at 61% last season). I think he's a big time dark-horse, but again, you never know.

ROY: Sean Rossi

I can't imagine this one being terribly close. 11 points a game isn't a lot, but 8.38 assists is astounding and no-one else is even close. The team hasn't really missed a beat offensively despite graduating almost 2/3 of their scoring from last year.

COY: Kornaker

At least for now, Fisher's clearly the top team in the conference. No surprises there.

Thoughts?

I think that looks pretty good. This year seems a little more cut and dry than past years. I think the only rookie that can compete with Rossi for ROY is Norsen from Fisher. He seems to be growing into the position and can be dominant at times. He also has the head to head win on Rossi, but Rossi did outscore him in that game. It is a reach to say he is in the running with Rossi, but you have to reach to find another candidate.

Player of the year is a tough one to call. McAdam is THE guy for Naz, but if Naz loses some games, and does not make the tourny, what then. No one for Fisher is the clear go to guy, because they share the ball fairly well, so that takes out basically takes everyone out of it. You might be able to make a case for Jordan Marcus with all his scoring. If he continues to score in bunches, and IC can finish first or second in the league he would have a strong case.

Coach of the year seems like a run away to me at this point. If Fisher takes a nose dive like last year, and some team comes from behind to win the league, than that would change things of course. However, at this point, Kornaker is pulling away from the pack.

I am excited for Fisher to get back into E8 play. With two games against Elmira, one against AU, and a bunch of the tough road games behind them, they are looking good. But after last years fall from 14-2, to a 17-10 finish, it is a cautious optimisim for me at this point. 

The POY award is up for grabs with no one really separating themselves from the rest of the pack.  Last year was a 2 horse race but this year is up for grabs.  McAdam will most likely win because of his career accomplishments and Fisher's lack of a star player.  Fisher has a bunch of good players but no one star player to run away with the award.  IC has Marcus and Barera but their stats are inflated in that offense. Stevens and Hartwick, eh.  It has to be McAdam.

ROY is Rossi hands down. He is 3rd in the nation in assists....and not just for rookies.

COY could be Kornaker and I think Mullins has to be in the race as well.  With all IC lost the past year he has to be deserving of a mention even though IC stumbled a bit against Fisher/UC.  If they can finish with 3-4 losses I think him and his staff deserve it (and Fisher has at least 2 losses). 

[FROMAFAR]

Remember WHAT DO I KNOW...

I think it is too early to tell on these awards....... Too much can happen between now and the end of the year, and a lot of questions not answered. While I know this means nothing, many fo the stats are watered down... for instance, Marcus hits for 40+ plus twice then has a 4 pt game, or something like that... Mc Adam has a lot of turnovers, but that never seems to matter? He should be judged on this years numbers not what he did over 4 years. While Rossi is having a good year assist wise, he has to be a little more careful with the ball, BUT I don't see too much else rookie wise.. but let's wait a bit here too. Coach of the year.... Kornaker is a good coach, we all agree. He did have eveyone back this year... so does that negate his coaching ability when it comes to COY..., I Don't  know..... If some team like a Hartwick OR Stevens who were picked 6 and 9 I believe pre-season, make the tourney may Hurley and McGuiness deserve some votes. I know right now, NO ONE FROM RIT deserves any wards, so I just want to go on record that I am not politicking for my Tigers. IC coach, Mullins should be considered if they can make some noise in the Tourney... If they make the tourney.. That's not agiven yet either.   So FROMAFAR (hey how's that PEP.. stole your gig) feels it's too early.....

Questions to you guys.... Was losing Carson really that big a deal?

Stevens losing Grey and Pasalaqua seem to be an addition rather than subtraction... What has made this team better and so dangerous this year.....

Naz is a real mystery to me... hard to figure, up and down, even ina game let alone season.

Alfred has fell to the Coco syndrome, one guy taking all the shots, I could avg. 21 pts a game shooting as much as Stoperra.

RIT has to make noise immediately, and beat the Hartwicks, UC, IC's and Stevens to get back in... I really don't think they or anyone except MAYBE Fisher can do that... I beileve the 4th place team will be 8-8 and second place team will have at least 4 loses.   This ought to stir the juices a bit

 


 

[Bombers798891]

Just over halfway through the year and into the heart of conference play, let's get some debate going. Who do we like for player/rookie/coach of the year in conference at least this far

POY: Corey McAdam

POY has a lot of good candidates: Blazek, McAdam, Marcus seem to top the list. I'd personally go with McAdam because the scoring and assist numbers are a bit better than Blazek, and Marcus is really just a scorer--a good one, but still. McAdam makes Naz's whole team go. No-one on SJF or Stevens seems to be having a standout statistical season individually.

One dark horse, semi-homer pick: Phil Barera. 16-8 right now. If his scoring numbers go up just a little bit, it'd be interesting. Yeah, I know, I was the same guy who didn't think Carson deserved it over Burton last year, but (A) There's no guy like Burton this season and (B) 71% from the floor is kind of mind boggling. (Carson for example, was at 61% last season). I think he's a big time dark-horse, but again, you never know.

ROY: Sean Rossi

I can't imagine this one being terribly close. 11 points a game isn't a lot, but 8.38 assists is astounding and no-one else is even close. The team hasn't really missed a beat offensively despite graduating almost 2/3 of their scoring from last year.

COY: Kornaker

At least for now, Fisher's clearly the top team in the conference. No surprises there.

Thoughts?

I think that looks pretty good. This year seems a little more cut and dry than past years. I think the only rookie that can compete with Rossi for ROY is Norsen from Fisher. He seems to be growing into the position and can be dominant at times. He also has the head to head win on Rossi, but Rossi did outscore him in that game. It is a reach to say he is in the running with Rossi, but you have to reach to find another candidate.

Player of the year is a tough one to call. McAdam is THE guy for Naz, but if Naz loses some games, and does not make the tourny, what then. No one for Fisher is the clear go to guy, because they share the ball fairly well, so that takes out basically takes everyone out of it. You might be able to make a case for Jordan Marcus with all his scoring. If he continues to score in bunches, and IC can finish first or second in the league he would have a strong case.

Coach of the year seems like a run away to me at this point. If Fisher takes a nose dive like last year, and some team comes from behind to win the league, than that would change things of course. However, at this point, Kornaker is pulling away from the pack.

I am excited for Fisher to get back into E8 play. With two games against Elmira, one against AU, and a bunch of the tough road games behind them, they are looking good. But after last years fall from 14-2, to a 17-10 finish, it is a cautious optimisim for me at this point. 

The POY award is up for grabs with no one really separating themselves from the rest of the pack.  Last year was a 2 horse race but this year is up for grabs.  McAdam will most likely win because of his career accomplishments and Fisher's lack of a star player.  Fisher has a bunch of good players but no one star player to run away with the award.  IC has Marcus and Barera but their stats are inflated in that offense. Stevens and Hartwick, eh.  It has to be McAdam.

ROY is Rossi hands down. He is 3rd in the nation in assists....and not just for rookies.

COY could be Kornaker and I think Mullins has to be in the race as well.  With all IC lost the past year he has to be deserving of a mention even though IC stumbled a bit against Fisher/UC.  If they can finish with 3-4 losses I think him and his staff deserve it (and Fisher has at least 2 losses). 

Eh, the "stats are inflated" argument is weak, especially for Barera. When you're shooting 71% from the floor, you're going to score a lot of points, regardless of pace.

Yes, the Bombers play at a fast pace, but it's not like they're Grinnell, which just fires up shots for 40 minutes and scores 96 points per game on 38% shooting. Ithaca is shooting 49% from the floor, which is 31st out of 398 teams in the NCAA. They also rank 21st in turnovers. It's actually a very efficient offense. The fast pace helps, as do the three-pointers, but the Bombers make their shots and hang on to the ball.

I still think McAdam is the POY because he's more than just a straight shooter for Naz.

Marcus' shooting percentage is right in line with McAdam's (46.7% to 45.5%)

[bomber3]

Just over halfway through the year and into the heart of conference play, let's get some debate going. Who do we like for player/rookie/coach of the year in conference at least this far

POY: Corey McAdam

POY has a lot of good candidates: Blazek, McAdam, Marcus seem to top the list. I'd personally go with McAdam because the scoring and assist numbers are a bit better than Blazek, and Marcus is really just a scorer--a good one, but still. McAdam makes Naz's whole team go. No-one on SJF or Stevens seems to be having a standout statistical season individually.

One dark horse, semi-homer pick: Phil Barera. 16-8 right now. If his scoring numbers go up just a little bit, it'd be interesting. Yeah, I know, I was the same guy who didn't think Carson deserved it over Burton last year, but (A) There's no guy like Burton this season and (B) 71% from the floor is kind of mind boggling. (Carson for example, was at 61% last season). I think he's a big time dark-horse, but again, you never know.

ROY: Sean Rossi

I can't imagine this one being terribly close. 11 points a game isn't a lot, but 8.38 assists is astounding and no-one else is even close. The team hasn't really missed a beat offensively despite graduating almost 2/3 of their scoring from last year.

COY: Kornaker

At least for now, Fisher's clearly the top team in the conference. No surprises there.

Thoughts?

I think that looks pretty good. This year seems a little more cut and dry than past years. I think the only rookie that can compete with Rossi for ROY is Norsen from Fisher. He seems to be growing into the position and can be dominant at times. He also has the head to head win on Rossi, but Rossi did outscore him in that game. It is a reach to say he is in the running with Rossi, but you have to reach to find another candidate.

Player of the year is a tough one to call. McAdam is THE guy for Naz, but if Naz loses some games, and does not make the tourny, what then. No one for Fisher is the clear go to guy, because they share the ball fairly well, so that takes out basically takes everyone out of it. You might be able to make a case for Jordan Marcus with all his scoring. If he continues to score in bunches, and IC can finish first or second in the league he would have a strong case.

Coach of the year seems like a run away to me at this point. If Fisher takes a nose dive like last year, and some team comes from behind to win the league, than that would change things of course. However, at this point, Kornaker is pulling away from the pack.

I am excited for Fisher to get back into E8 play. With two games against Elmira, one against AU, and a bunch of the tough road games behind them, they are looking good. But after last years fall from 14-2, to a 17-10 finish, it is a cautious optimisim for me at this point. 

The POY award is up for grabs with no one really separating themselves from the rest of the pack.  Last year was a 2 horse race but this year is up for grabs.  McAdam will most likely win because of his career accomplishments and Fisher's lack of a star player.  Fisher has a bunch of good players but no one star player to run away with the award.  IC has Marcus and Barera but their stats are inflated in that offense. Stevens and Hartwick, eh.  It has to be McAdam.

ROY is Rossi hands down. He is 3rd in the nation in assists....and not just for rookies.

COY could be Kornaker and I think Mullins has to be in the race as well.  With all IC lost the past year he has to be deserving of a mention even though IC stumbled a bit against Fisher/UC.  If they can finish with 3-4 losses I think him and his staff deserve it (and Fisher has at least 2 losses). 

Eh, the "stats are inflated" argument is weak, especially for Barera. When you're shooting 71% from the floor, you're going to score a lot of points, regardless of pace.

Yes, the Bombers play at a fast pace, but it's not like they're Grinnell, which just fires up shots for 40 minutes and scores 96 points per game on 38% shooting. Ithaca is shooting 49% from the floor, which is 31st out of 398 teams in the NCAA. They also rank 21st in turnovers. It's actually a very efficient offense. The fast pace helps, as do the three-pointers, but the Bombers make their shots and hang on to the ball.

I still think McAdam is the POY because he's more than just a straight shooter for Naz.

Marcus' shooting percentage is right in line with McAdam's (46.7% to 45.5%)

IC has taken 1,039 shots over 16 games = 65 shots per game
Naz has taken 950 shots over 16 games = 59 shots per game
Fisher has taken 808 shots over 15 games = 54 shots per game

So IC takes about 10% more shots than Naz and 20% more than Fisher.  More shots = more points/rebounds. 

But this shouldn't take anything away from either of them I'm just pointing it out for comparison.  Barera is having an excellent year and if there was a breakout player of the year he would get it hands down. He battled against Bostic for 2 years in practice and its paying dividends. 71% is flat out ridiculous.  Marcus is probably having the best sophomore year in IC history and I think he should be pre-season All-America next year. But I don't think you can argue the stats are inflated some.

[FROMAFAR]

You know, just for fun I looked at the overall stats for the e-8.... You guys know, I think Greco makes that Stevens team go, and Cyclone udeersatnds moer than anyone since he see's Stevens a lot and saw this kid before College./.. I think, while he doesn't get mentioned too much with the big number guys, here's what I see

Assists... 4 th
Frre throws.. 1st
Steals... 3rd
3 pt %..  13
3 pt made 10
Scoring 13
aasist/To ratio 5

Pretty good year, after a year off.......

Again.... not bad, and probably giving Stevens a chance...What do I know

[bomber3]

RIT/IC tonight at Ben Light.

IC is on a 2 game win streak (Alfred, Stevens) after losing two in a row on the road (Fisher,Utica).

RIT is as streaky as ever - beat Naz by 20 then lost to Fisher and Roberts by 20 in the Wendy's Classic.  If they're going to make any sort of run at the #4 spot this is almost a must win.  A loss puts them 5 games back in the win column to Stevens and 4 back overall. 

Hopefully the RIT team that lost to Roberts/Fisher by 20 shows up instead of the one that won at U of R and beat Naz by 20.  This team is dangerous so hopefully IC doesn't see their record and take them lightly.

[sjfcards]

Hopefully Fisher is ready to go tonight against Elmira. Fisher is more talented, but EC has shown the ability to shoot the ball. You never know after the Chase/Wendy's tourny. Teams are tired, and there is a let down at times after a run at a championship.

[magicman]

RIT has doubled up Ithaca 40-20 with 4:19 to go in the 1st half. Don't think anyone saw that coming.

[Bombers798891]

RIT has doubled up Ithaca 40-20 with 4:19 to go in the 1st half. Don't think anyone saw that coming.

Bombers put together an out and out embarrassing performance tonight.

I'll renege on my earlier prediction: The Bombers may not make the E8 tournament. Let's be honest, the only reason they beat Stevens was because the Ducks missed 11 free throws. This will drop them to 5-3 in conference. Fisher will kill them again; 5-4. Stevens will beat them up there; 5-5. They'll beat Elmira, Alfred and probably Hartwick; 8-5. They'll lose up at RIT, where they don't tend to play well; 8-6. And they'll probably split the Naz/Utica; 9-7.

Will that be enough? Possibly. I doubt Alfred, Utica and Elmira will do anything. Hartwick would be a long shot to only lose 6. But RIT's even in the loss column with IC and would have the win in Ithaca. They've proven they can beat Naz and hung with Stevens. There's no reason to think they couldn't get hot, beat IC again, and take the 4th seed.

But even if the Bombers make the tournament, they won't do anything there. They've constantly laid eggs in the conference tourney, and if last year's team couldn't do it, this one won't.

I know it's a young team, but it's disheartening. Basketball's never been big here, and now, when they finally seem to have the talent to make things happen, they blow it every chance they get. I guess I'll concentrate on wrestling from here on out

[magicman]

Ithaca down 23 at 58-35 has gone on a 25-6 run and now trail 64-60 with 6:25 left to play.

[Bombers798891]

Tied at 68...3:12 to go

[Bombers798891]

Unreal, Bombers up 70-68...2:49 to go

[Bombers798891]

74-74, 1:46 to go. Bombers on the line...

[sjfcards]

Fisher didn't play a complete game, but they did more than enough to beat Elmira. Fisher opened the game on a 21-4 run. They let Utica cut it down to 12 on a few occasions in the first half, but had a few spurts in the 2nd half, and ended up winning 75-47.

Keep me posted on that Ithaca score. I can not believe that game is even close.

[Bombers798891]

75-74 IC...Korinchak fouls out, Bombers shooting two with 1:38 to go. Cruz Rivas is a man possessed...33 points, 10 rebounds