Empire 8

[bomber3]

Actually NAZ's only control is beat Alfred. If Stevens loses to IC and beats RIT, NAZ is 4.  So they need some help to avoid 4..... But again with these 4 teams who knows what is the best spot........ I truly believe each one can beat the other or lose to the other... There are no secrets about what to expect. I will say this, Stevens should travel the day before. Driving up the same day takes a bit of a toll, especially if they get to play 2 games.... Bomber your analysis as to each possible preference.... BUT we all know it all comes down to who's hot and who's not........who makes their shots, who doesn't, who stays out of foul trouble and who stays healthy... and hopefully the ref's come up big and treat the tourney games as a neutral site. I wish all the teams good luck, and stay healthy.   

Ahh you are correct thanks for looking out.  I forgot Naz lost last night -- they controlled their fate until last night that is...

[the golden flyer]

FROMAFAR, I believe RIT isn't leaving the E8 until after next year. According to this article it looks like you will be sticking around for one more year...

http://www.ritathletics.com/news/2009/6/17/GEN_0617092501.aspx

[FROMAFAR]

WOW........... another shot at the E-8 crown........

[FISHERMAN]

Exciting game last night between Fisher and Naz. I'm loving the pace at which the cards play. Still have some turnover issues though. There is no debating the fact that Mcadam is a superstar. I think fisher did a decent job containing him though. Will cornett is a pleasure to watch. Reminds of a mix between Antoine Wright, Eddie Jones and Erick Murdoch.

As for the E8 this year, I agree with some of the rpevious posts. I think the league is doing well.

[bomber3]

http://www.empire8.com/MBasket-Schedule.php

Scroll all the way to the bottom--- looks like the E8 was confident in only one team making the conference tournament when they made the schedule...

[sjfcards]

FROMAFAR, I believe RIT isn't leaving the E8 until after next year. According to this article it looks like you will be sticking around for one more year...

http://www.ritathletics.com/news/2009/6/17/GEN_0617092501.aspx

Interesting. I thought RIT is on their way out after this season, but I am glad they will be around one more year. They are a quality team in most sports, and they obviously bring up the academic standards of the E8.

[magicman]

New NCAA Regional Rankings have been released for games through Feb.14th.
Here is the East Region:


East Region     In-Region Record   Overall Record
1. St. John Fisher 18-4 19-4
2. Medaille 20-2 21-2
3. Oneonta State 17-5 18-5
4. Stevens Institute 17-5 17-5
5. New York University 14-7 15-7
6. Plattsburgh State 13-6 15-7

[FROMAFAR]

Yes glad to have another year inE-8...  As I said, getting over to Stevens to see some games is soooo convenient, since working in City. Although I haven't gotten to many this year......I will be there Sunday, I hope. Would love to go Friday but doesn't look good. On the NAZ- Fisher game... McAdams takes 7 foul shots. That's reasonable........ when he takes 14- 15 or more then they are tough to beat.... you need to keep him off the line.....The Hartwick, Utica game..... something wrong when one player takes 27 shots... Blazek..... that tells me something about the team as a team.... Not blaming Blazek, but tough to be consistent with one option. Anyway... should be some good posts after the smoke clears a bit........ 

[bomber3]

Blazek shooting 27 shots to get 32 points -- thats taking a page out of Iverson's book. 

We've talked the playoff scenarios to death but haven't said a peep about the actual Stevens/IC game.  Last time around IC rallied from a 12 points deficit with 5 to play (still down 9 with 2:30) to win a stunner by 2.  IC got big games from Will Gaskins (13), Oztemel (14+10 rebounds), Marcus, and Rossi.  Stevens really shot themselves in the foot from the line - 9-20 overall (Simon Smith was 4-14 himself). 

I haven't seen Stevens play this year so I'm not very familiar with their style. Hopefully IC can shoot well and come away with a tough road win.  By the way, anyone planning on going to the game it starts at 8 not 6 like the schedule says -- wouldn't want to subject anyone to sitting through the women's game who didn't want to...

[Bombers798891]

Blazek shooting 27 shots to get 32 points -- thats taking a page out of Iverson's book. 

We've talked the playoff scenarios to death but haven't said a peep about the actual Stevens/IC game.  Last time around IC rallied from a 12 points deficit with 5 to play (still down 9 with 2:30) to win a stunner by 2.  IC got big games from Will Gaskins (13), Oztemel (14+10 rebounds), Marcus, and Rossi.  Stevens really shot themselves in the foot from the line - 9-20 overall (Simon Smith was 4-14 himself). 

I haven't seen Stevens play this year so I'm not very familiar with their style. Hopefully IC can shoot well and come away with a tough road win.  By the way, anyone planning on going to the game it starts at 8 not 6 like the schedule says -- wouldn't want to subject anyone to sitting through the women's game who didn't want to...

Personally, I wouldn't mind seeing the women play. They've got a shot to be the first E8 team (for women) to go 16-0 in conference play

[FROMAFAR]

I don't much about the women either BUT looking at the two teams schedules, and results, looks like Stevens women have the best chance of spoiling that 16-0....... BUT what do I know   As far as the men's.. style I have seen few games this year. They are disciplined and organized on the court. They shoot well, and rebound OK... Play hard defense. I did not see the first meeting but appears the foul shooting did them in and I would guess many of those foul shots came late.  They have 3 legitimate scoring threats Smith-Greco- and Cutri. Smith may be the most under-rated player in the league. His shooting % is very good, I believe, and he may be the quickest Center in the league. Probably should a 4 but plays well with back to the basket. Cutri can shoot lights out from 3 and quick to the hole, and of course Greco, who I believe put the fire and confidence back into this team. Higgans and Masone it appears are real tough and strong and can hurt you on both ends. They can combine for 15 points or more.. IC has plenty of talent and when they are on, they can beat anyone. It should actually be a very interesting game. I don't think I can make it.... trying but going to be tough.     

[sjfcards]

I love that seedings will come down to the final weekend. The four teams that will make it into the tournament have been decided for some time, but it will be interesting to see how the matchups work out. I think any team can win next weekend.

Personally, I am a little concerned about Fisher tomorrow. I know Utica is not a huge threat, but after clinching the #1 seed, and beating Naz on the road this week, I can see Fisher not playing well. One slip up could be the difference between an at large bid and a disapointing end to the season. Could also be the difference between a home game in the tournament and a long road trip.

Great Hockey game tonight between Canada and Switzerland by the way.

[bomber3]

I love that seedings will come down to the final weekend. The four teams that will make it into the tournament have been decided for some time, but it will be interesting to see how the matchups work out. I think any team can win next weekend.

Personally, I am a little concerned about Fisher tomorrow. I know Utica is not a huge threat, but after clinching the #1 seed, and beating Naz on the road this week, I can see Fisher not playing well. One slip up could be the difference between an at large bid and a disapointing end to the season. Could also be the difference between a home game in the tournament and a long road trip.

Great Hockey game tonight between Canada and Switzerland by the way.

I wouldn't worry much about Utica.  They seemingly have packed it in since beating Ithaca and have lost 9 of 10 overall.  their only win in that span is a win against Elmira where they scored 46 points!  Plus there is no way Fisher would even come close to losing to a team 2-12 in the E8..... oh wait 

And yes, great hockey game.  Too bad the Swiss couldn't finish it off.  I don't like the format of the hockey olympics. The round robin format doesn't reward teams for big upsets/poor play since all 12 teams qualify for the medal rounds. Even if Switzerland won, the absolute worst Canada would do is have to play an extra round in the medal rounds.  I hope the USA gets spanked Sunday so they don't waste their one monumental upset on a game that doesn't really mean all that much.  Yes, the winner gets one of the four byes but I hope they save their magic for the medal rounds.

[FROMAFAR]

Any thoughts on RIT Hartwick tonight......... We can't afford to look ahead, obviously, but the temptation is there.....They beat us in their Gym, now we playu them there. Thank goodness they got rid of that senior game already........ Any thought on the IC-Stevens game, not discussed already. Hard to believe the E-8 Torney is a weeka way.

[Bombers798891]

I love that seedings will come down to the final weekend. The four teams that will make it into the tournament have been decided for some time, but it will be interesting to see how the matchups work out. I think any team can win next weekend.

Personally, I am a little concerned about Fisher tomorrow. I know Utica is not a huge threat, but after clinching the #1 seed, and beating Naz on the road this week, I can see Fisher not playing well. One slip up could be the difference between an at large bid and a disapointing end to the season. Could also be the difference between a home game in the tournament and a long road trip.

Great Hockey game tonight between Canada and Switzerland by the way.

I wouldn't worry much about Utica.  They seemingly have packed it in since beating Ithaca and have lost 9 of 10 overall.  their only win in that span is a win against Elmira where they scored 46 points!  Plus there is no way Fisher would even come close to losing to a team 2-12 in the E8..... oh wait 

And yes, great hockey game.  Too bad the Swiss couldn't finish it off.  I don't like the format of the hockey olympics. The round robin format doesn't reward teams for big upsets/poor play since all 12 teams qualify for the medal rounds. Even if Switzerland won, the absolute worst Canada would do is have to play an extra round in the medal rounds.  I hope the USA gets spanked Sunday so they don't waste their one monumental upset on a game that doesn't really mean all that much.  Yes, the winner gets one of the four byes but I hope they save their magic for the medal rounds.

The weird thing about the hockey is having to root against players you normally root for in the NHL. I'm a Rangers fan, and honestly would rather Sweden wins gold than the USA.

As far as Fisher goes, I wouldn't be worried. I think the Elmira game may actually help refocus them because now they know they can be beaten by anyone if they don't bring their A game and that they can't slack off.