Empire 8

[sjfcards]

So, I am having a hard time placing this Fisher team against the quality teams we have seen in this league in the past. I don't think they are anywhere near as good as the Sean O'Brien teams or even the Dan Mueller/Beigle team that went to the Sweet 16, but I can not remember any of those teams going 10-0 in the league.

Is the league down this year, compared to those years? Or is the FIsher team better than I am giving them credit for. I don't remember any teams in the league back a few years ago, apart from Utica, that would have been a way better team than Ithaca or Naz.

I am just having a little trouble finding what my expectations are.

[thebear]

The O'Brien led Sweet Sixteen team in 04-05 was undefeated until the NCAA's. 

they must have been undefeated in the league for the entire season.

[sjfcards]

The O'Brien led Sweet Sixteen team in 04-05 was undefeated until the NCAA's.  

they must have been undefeated in the league for the entire season.

I am ashamed. I forgot all about the undefeated team from 04-05. Yes that team was undefeated in the league. Compared to the other Fisher teams of the past few years, where does this one rank? I still think that the 26-4 team the following year was better than the undefeated team, but they were both better than this team in my opinion. How far can a team like this Fisher team go? Sweet 16?

[magicman]

The O'Brien led Sweet Sixteen team in 04-05 was undefeated until the NCAA's.  

they must have been undefeated in the league for the entire season.

I am ashamed. I forgot all about the undefeated team from 04-05. Yes that team was undefeated in the league. Compared to the other Fisher teams of the past few years, where does this one rank? I still think that the 26-4 team the following year was better than the undefeated team, but they were both better than this team in my opinion. How far can a team like this Fisher team go? Sweet 16?

Sweet 16 is a possibility, but where the 1st and 2nd round games are played will have a lot of bearing on the outcome. Fisher needs to finish with a flourish and there's a reasonable chance they may host. If Medaille grabs a Pool A bid, that along with their outstanding  record and win percentage, might give them the edge. Plus the fact that Medaille was dancing last year and got sent down to John Carroll may have the committee favoring them this year for a home game. 

[the golden flyer]

So, I am having a hard time placing this Fisher team against the quality teams we have seen in this league in the past. I don't think they are anywhere near as good as the Sean O'Brien teams or even the Dan Mueller/Beigle team that went to the Sweet 16, but I can not remember any of those teams going 10-0 in the league.

Is the league down this year, compared to those years? Or is the FIsher team better than I am giving them credit for. I don't remember any teams in the league back a few years ago, apart from Utica, that would have been a way better team than Ithaca or Naz.

I am just having a little trouble finding what my expectations are.

Watching the E8 over the last few years, I feel this Fisher team is very solid, very well could be best team in region (sorry Medaille, but their schedule is very weak) with maybe U of R being the only team better. After seeing them play a few games this year I think the biggest difference between this year's team and the past few years is that they lack a true post presence(i.e. McSweeney, Sidney, beigel, etc.) I think this year's Fisher team is very good but if I were to compare them to the past Fisher teams that went to NCAAs in recent years, I am not sure if they are quite as good for that reason. However, defensively you could make a case that is better than any Fisher team in year past. I would agree that Fisher could win a couple games in NCAAs, especially if they do host a first/second round games....With that being said, I also believe that the E8 doesn't have a lot of parity this year. Last year the E8 was dominated by Ithaca for the most part but after that, was very balanced with a lot of teams jockeying for position down the stretch for the conference tournament. This year I think there are 4 teams fighting for the remaining 3 spots.....

As for tonights slate of E8 games...

Stevens @  Fisher - Big game between #1 and #3, this game is bigger for Stevens especially if they want to stay on pace with the other top teams for post season play. Stevens hasn't faired to well with these long road trips since joining the E8. Tough place to play at Fisher, with one of nations best defenses....Fisher 65 Stevens 56

Alfred @ Naz- Naz coming off a tough loss in the Battle of the Beaks...can't have a let down. Alfred not a pushover by any means...Naz 81 Alfred 65

RIT @ Utica- A must win game for RIT if they want to make a run ( which i think they still can FROMAFAR). In a similar position to Naz last year when they were 2-5 and they made conference tourney. RIT grinds out this road game 63 to 57

Elmira @ Hartwick- I think this game will be a lot closer than expected. Elmira can shoot the ball well from beyond the arc and I think they can hang around for most of the game. I think their defense will give way to defeat in the end however...  Hartwick 78 Elmira 68

[AUSaxons33344]

So, I am having a hard time placing this Fisher team against the quality teams we have seen in this league in the past. I don't think they are anywhere near as good as the Sean O'Brien teams or even the Dan Mueller/Beigle team that went to the Sweet 16, but I can not remember any of those teams going 10-0 in the league.

Is the league down this year, compared to those years? Or is the FIsher team better than I am giving them credit for. I don't remember any teams in the league back a few years ago, apart from Utica, that would have been a way better team than Ithaca or Naz.

I am just having a little trouble finding what my expectations are.

Watching the E8 over the last few years, I feel this Fisher team is very solid, very well could be best team in region (sorry Medaille, but their schedule is very weak) with maybe U of R being the only team better. After seeing them play a few games this year I think the biggest difference between this year's team and the past few years is that they lack a true post presence(i.e. McSweeney, Sidney, beigel, etc.) I think this year's Fisher team is very good but if I were to compare them to the past Fisher teams that went to NCAAs in recent years, I am not sure if they are quite as good for that reason. However, defensively you could make a case that is better than any Fisher team in year past. I would agree that Fisher could win a couple games in NCAAs, especially if they do host a first/second round games....With that being said, I also believe that the E8 doesn't have a lot of parity this year. Last year the E8 was dominated by Ithaca for the most part but after that, was very balanced with a lot of teams jockeying for position down the stretch for the conference tournament. This year I think there are 4 teams fighting for the remaining 3 spots.....

As for tonights slate of E8 games...

Stevens @  Fisher - Big game between #1 and #3, this game is bigger for Stevens especially if they want to stay on pace with the other top teams for post season play. Stevens hasn't faired to well with these long road trips since joining the E8. Tough place to play at Fisher, with one of nations best defenses....Fisher 65 Stevens 56

Alfred @ Naz- Naz coming off a tough loss in the Battle of the Beaks...can't have a let down. Alfred not a pushover by any means...Naz 81 Alfred 65

RIT @ Utica- A must win game for RIT if they want to make a run ( which i think they still can FROMAFAR). In a similar position to Naz last year when they were 2-5 and they made conference tourney. RIT grinds out this road game 63 to 57

Elmira @ Hartwick- I think this game will be a lot closer than expected. Elmira can shoot the ball well from beyond the arc and I think they can hang around for most of the game. I think their defense will give way to defeat in the end however...  Hartwick 78 Elmira 68

There are a lot of "beaks" in the Empire 8 -- Ducks, Soaring Eagles, Golden Flyers, Cardinals....just throwing it out there, making an observation.

But Naz took care of my Saxons 72-62....close at half and tied late.. Naz made their free throws and hit a couple clutch shots.  McAdam looks strong as always and that 6'11" kid had 2 or 3 dunks. (6'11" at D3 level??? did he transfer fom a bigger program or something)...Corletta played well for Naz as well.

Had a few freshman play well for Alfred -- Curran, Costello, Bobo and Mormon all looked good and made some plays.  Bright future for that group.  Kwiecien had 15 or 17...Patt and Stopera played well also.

On to the next one...Need a W!!!!!

[thebear]

Alas - Naz's 6-11 kid played at Potsdam last year and didn't play much.  He was very wiry coming out of high school and put on a lot of strength & muscle the last two years (He was a medical RS in '07-08).

He decided to leave for greener pastures and followed Broderick when he left Oswego for Nazareth.

Lots of Ability and glad to see he's coming into his own this year.

[AUSaxons33344]

Alas - Naz's 6-11 kid played at Potsdam last year and didn't play much.  He was very wiry coming out of high school and put on a lot of strength & muscle the last two years (He was a medical RS in '07-08).

He decided to leave for greener pastures and followed Broderick when he left Oswego for Nazareth.

Lots of Ability and glad to see he's coming into his own this year.

He looked awful coordinated and had some good big man moves.  Didn't even have to jump to dunk, really.  Glad the game was at least a tight one.  Hoping that same Alfred Team comes to play next time.  Need to close a game instead of working so hard to tie it then letting it slip away...

[sjfcards]

Did anyone watch the Fisher game last night that could tell me what happened? I did not have a chance to watch the game, but I was a little suprised by the outcoe. I thought Fisher would have a struggle to go undefeated in the league, but I did not think they would lose last night. I suppose it was going to happen sooner or later.

[Bombers798891]

Stevens over Naz makes things real interesting in the E8. Now, the 2-4 teams all have 3 losses. I kind of like Stevens in the 2 spot. I figure they'll finish, at worst, 12-4 in conference, but 13-3 seems pretty realistic.

Naz I see going 11-5. I think 12-4 is possible, but it would require a win over SJF or IC.

Ithaca could go either way. On the surface, they've beaten every team ahead of them except for Utica, who they are clearly better than. But they've also had to make miraculous comebacks against Stevens and RIT who they now have to play on the road. And can Naz really be that bad again?

I think the Bombers lose to Stevens, win the rest of the ones against the struggling teams and the Naz game could go either way. And yes, I know IC ran them off the court earlier. They ran Naz off the court twice last year. Things can happen. I'd give the Bombers the edge and the three seed, which means Stevens in the opening round of the tourney.

But who knows with IC? They've been all over map this season. They could finish 13-3. They could finish 10-6...who knows?

Also, in the bizzare weekend department:

On Friday, Utica allows 110 points. The next day: 32.

I know Elmira kind of sort of stinks, but EIGHT points in the first half? Ye Gods. Against a pretty non-descript Utica team? RIT put up 18 points in overtime on them.

Elmira went scoreless for the first 8:23 and missed their first 14 shots (and that includes free throws)

I wonder if that's some kind of record for fewest points in a half?

[magicman]

Also, in the bizzare weekend department:

On Friday, Utica allows 110 points. The next day: 32.

I know Elmira kind of sort of stinks, but EIGHT points in the first half? Ye Gods. Against a pretty non-descript Utica team? RIT put up 18 points in overtime on them.

Elmira went scoreless for the first 8:23 and missed their first 14 shots (and that includes free throws)

I wonder if that's some kind of record for fewest points in a half?

Bombers,
Last week on Jan.23rd, Chapman University, #13 in D3Hoops Top 25 poll played the University of Dallas and beat them 61-29. U-Dallas, like Elmira, is not a great team, their current record is 9-10. Chapman had a slight lead at halftime. The score was 38-3. Now that may be a record since the advent of the shot clock.

[sjfcards]

3 points at halftime? Ouch. What did they shoot from the field? You think they could hit a couple of shots from halfcourt if they shot enough. They should have just heaved them from halfcourt.

[FROMAFAR]

I am trying to stay LOW KEY AND NOT TALK ABOUT MY TIGERS.... it has been working.........  all I can say about the Ithaca game is  , Now we have Fischer and NAZ, this should unmurkey the aters one way or another.

By the way anyone see either or both of those Stevens games this weekend?   I could use feedback, I know nothing about either game.

[Bombers798891]

Bombers continue to look for ways to blow the 4th spot for the E8 tournament.

Another big second half hole, and this time, no miracle. Down 16 with 5:25 to go, Ithaca cuts it to two, but still falls 77-73.

Bombers go 10-42 from three point range, Rivas goes 1-16 from the floor and the Bombers now fall to 6-4 in the conference, and, all of a sudden it's wide open. There are very few teams I would say the Bombers could definitely beat. Alfred and Elmira, yeah. Beyond that? Who knows?

I said it last week: You can't keep getting into big holes and try to dig your way out. The Bombers play with fire a lot, and, as happened against Utica, they got burned. Trials of a young team, yes. But still disappointing

[AUSaxons33344]

Saxons by 2 over the visiting Hartwick Hawks 69-67.  25 from Stopera, 12 from Patt, 11 from Johnson (freshman).  Hartwick gets 19 from Ryder, 16 from Blazek and 11 from Phillips.....

Alfred will be a headache for some of the teams on top...beating fisher last year to knock them out of the E8 tourney is a good example...  Anything can happen.  It just depends on what team shows up to play...