Empire 8

[magicman]

Final NCAA Regional Rankings have been released. St John Fisher is ranked #1 for the 4th straight week. Plattsburgh St. is the biggest mover going from 6th place into 2nd. Ithaca not ranked in the last poll moves into 4th place. Stevens is the big loser as they drop out of the rankings. Medaille goes from 2nd to 5th.

East Region    In-Region Record    Overall Record
1.    St. John Fisher    20-4    21-4
2.    Plattsburgh State    17-6    18-7
3.    Oneonta State    19-5    20-5
4.    Ithaca    15-6    18-7
5.    Medaille    20-4    21-4
6.    New York University    15-8    16-8

[bomber3]

Final NCAA Regional Rankings have been released. St John Fisher is ranked #1 for the 4th straight week. Plattsburgh St. is the biggest mover going from 6th place into 2nd. Ithaca not ranked in the last poll moves into 4th place. Stevens is the big loser as they drop out of the rankings. Medaille goes from 2nd to 5th.

East Region    In-Region Record    Overall Record
1.    St. John Fisher    20-4    21-4
2.    Plattsburgh State    17-6    18-7
3.    Oneonta State    19-5    20-5
4.    Ithaca    15-6    18-7
5.    Medaille    20-4    21-4
6.    New York University    15-8    16-8

Wow did not expect to see Ithaca that high.  Hypothetically speaking....say Fisher wins the E8, Plattsburgh wins the SUNYAC, Oneonta loses early in the SUNYAC tourney, and IC beats Naz and loses close to Fisher -- Fisher + Plattsburgh are the AQ but does Ithaca get an at-large bid? They would be 16-7 in region with 3 losses coming to Fisher and would be the hypothetical top seeded team in the region that didn't earn an AQ.  I know it would be an outside shot but I think its a possibility if there aren't alot of upsets of top seeds in the conference tournaments...

Or am I off the reservation?

[FROMAFAR]

I have a question, RIT NAZ STEVENS and IC..... Let's fo a minute assume form holds and Fisher wins the e-8........ I agree with Bomber, IC should be considered for at large bid...IF FORM HOLDS IN OTHER CONFERENCE PLAYOFFS> BUT lets answer a few other questions. Will Stevens Naz RIT and IC (if they don't get an at- large) get ECAC bids?  Do they all qualify.......I know there is some rule about playing games in December during break ( tournaments etc.) a little fuzzy on that. If so where would Stevens go? They have played in Mid Atlantic area the last two years....... Does RIT qualify or are they done? Just curious.......

What is the deal on the Tourney, is weather going to play a part? Will it go off on time... be delayed.... I have a few friends up their, say it's not good.

Bomber got your question, will respond.......

       

[e8bballfan]

Conference honors are in and McAdam is POY..what a surprise. Rossi as ROY and Kornaker as COY.

First Team
Phil Barera, Ithaca         Junior    Forward
Mark Blazak, Hartwick          Sophomore    Guard
Corey McAdam, Nazareth    Senior    Guard
Matt Newman, St. John Fisher    Senior    Guard
Anthony Terry, RIT    Junior    Guard


Second Team    
Jordan Gettings, St. John Fisher    Sophomore    Guard
Brendan Harder, RIT    Sophomore    Center
Jordan Marcus, Ithaca    Sophomore    Guard
Simon Smith, Stevens    Sophomore    Forward
Mike Wopperer, St. John Fisher    Senior    Center


Honorable Mention
Chris Cruz-Rivas, Ithaca; Mike Cutri, Stevens; Pat Goodman, Utica; George Greco, Stevens; James Patterson, Utica; Kyle Phillips, Hartwick; Sean Rossi, Ithaca


Any surprises?

[bomber3]

I would say Naz, IC, and Stevens are locks for bids if they don't win the E8 tournament. I would even say RIT is close to a lock.  Last year Hartwick won the ECAC tournament and they were 10-15....

And it all depends on how many weeks a year you practice (if you pracitce one day in a week it counts as a whole week of practice) .  There is a cut-off and if you play more than the # of weeks allowed then you aren't allowed to play in the ECAC tournament.  Also, some schools are NCAA or bust -- Hamilton/UR/Utica when Goodemote was coach all denied bids to play for whatever reason.

Hopefully IC won't be have to choose whether to play or not...

[bomber3]

Conference honors are in and McAdam is POY..what a surprise. Rossi as ROY and Kornaker as COY.

First Team
Phil Barera, Ithaca         Junior    Forward
Mark Blazak, Hartwick          Sophomore    Guard
Corey McAdam, Nazareth    Senior    Guard
Matt Newman, St. John Fisher    Senior    Guard
Anthony Terry, RIT    Junior    Guard


Second Team    
Jordan Gettings, St. John Fisher    Sophomore    Guard
Brendan Harder, RIT    Sophomore    Center
Jordan Marcus, Ithaca    Sophomore    Guard
Simon Smith, Stevens    Sophomore    Forward
Mike Wopperer, St. John Fisher    Senior    Center


Honorable Mention
Chris Cruz-Rivas, Ithaca; Mike Cutri, Stevens; Pat Goodman, Utica; George Greco, Stevens; James Patterson, Utica; Kyle Phillips, Hartwick; Sean Rossi, Ithaca


Any surprises?

I didn't realize there weren't any position restrictions (4 guards, 1 forward on first team). But that list seems pretty fair.  3 Fisher, 2 IC, 2 RIT, 1 Naz, 1 Stevens, 1 Hartwick. No one even mentioned from Elmira/Alfred, which is understandable.  Reward the teams that win. 

Real young team - 4 sophomores, 3 juniors, 3 seniors.  The league should be very good next year in my opinion. 

[magicman]

Final NCAA Regional Rankings have been released. St John Fisher is ranked #1 for the 4th straight week. Plattsburgh St. is the biggest mover going from 6th place into 2nd. Ithaca not ranked in the last poll moves into 4th place. Stevens is the big loser as they drop out of the rankings. Medaille goes from 2nd to 5th.

East Region    In-Region Record    Overall Record
1.    St. John Fisher    20-4    21-4
2.    Plattsburgh State    17-6    18-7
3.    Oneonta State    19-5    20-5
4.    Ithaca    15-6    18-7
5.    Medaille    20-4    21-4
6.    New York University    15-8    16-8

Wow did not expect to see Ithaca that high.  Hypothetically speaking....say Fisher wins the E8, Plattsburgh wins the SUNYAC, Oneonta loses early in the SUNYAC tourney, and IC beats Naz and loses close to Fisher -- Fisher + Plattsburgh are the AQ but does Ithaca get an at-large bid? They would be 16-7 in region with 3 losses coming to Fisher and would be the hypothetical top seeded team in the region that didn't earn an AQ.  I know it would be an outside shot but I think its a possibility if there aren't alot of upsets of top seeds in the conference tournaments...

Or am I off the reservation?

bomber3,

Check out this link from Pat Coleman that was posted today on the front page and is based on the latest regional rankings. Assuming Fisher and Plattsburgh St win the automatic bids he has Oneonta St and Ithaca getting Pool C bids.

http://d3blogs.com/d3hoops/2010/02/25/taking-a-whack-at-pool-c/

[sjfcards]

I think the best bet for a two bid year in the E8 is a Fisher loss next weekend. I just don't see it this year with Naz, Stevens, and IC picking up a few too many losses. The funny thing about the league this year, after all the crazy stuff and ups and downs, the league basically ended up as we thought it would. The issue is that the losses like IC to Utica, and some bad losses by Naz (2 losses to RIT and gets blown out by IC) and Stevens (Hartwick), would normally keep them out.

The good news is that, in my oppinion, the E8 is easily the best conference in the Region this year. SUNYAC and LL teams being down this year, may give Ithaca, NAZ, and Stevens a chance. I would not risk losing in the first round Friday for any of these teams however.  

[magicman]

I think the best bet for a two bid year in the E8 is a Fisher loss next weekend. I just don't see it this year with Naz, Stevens, and IC picking up a few too many losses. The funny thing about the league this year, after all the crazy stuff and ups and downs, the league basically ended up as we thought it would. The issue is that the losses like IC to Utica, and some bad losses by Naz (2 losses to RIT and gets blown out by IC) and Stevens (Hartwick), would normally keep them out.

The good news is that, in my oppinion, the E8 is easily the best conference in the Region this year. SUNYAC and LL teams being down this year, may give Ithaca, NAZ, and Stevens a chance. I would not risk losing in the first round Friday for any of these teams however.  

I agree that the Liberty League was down this year as the usual powers in that league graduated some good players. Several teams like St Lawrence and Skidmore are young improving teams that will do well next year. I disagree that the SUNYAC was down this year. Oneonta beat Ithaca on the Bombers home court as well as 2 other lower division E8 teams. Oneonta also beat Top Ten ranked William Paterson on a neutral court 56-53.
Cortland beat 2 lower division E8 teams and only lost to Ithaca by 1 point on Ithaca's home court. Cortland also barely lost to #2 Williams on the Eph's home court 72-68. That was a 1 point game with 17 seconds left to play. That same Williams team traveled to 8th place in the SUNYAC, New Paltz, and barely escaped with a 70-68 win when a New Paltz 3 pointer rimmed out at the buzzer. Plattsburgh St. after not playing from Dec 5th to Jan 5th traveled to D3Hoops 6th ranked Middlebury and lost to the Panthers 81-75 nearly coming back from a 17 point 2nd half deficit. The SUNYAC leaders may not have as gaudy a record as Fisher's 21-4 log, but Oneonta's 21-5 record is close behind and their win over Willie Pat is better than any win Fisher has this year. Two of Oneonta's 5 losses have been to Plattsburgh St and all 5 of their losses have come in conference play adding further credence that the SUNYAC was no walk in the park.   Fisher may very well be the best team in the region, but I think top to bottom the SUNYAC was every bit as competative as the E8.

[sjfcards]

I think the best bet for a two bid year in the E8 is a Fisher loss next weekend. I just don't see it this year with Naz, Stevens, and IC picking up a few too many losses. The funny thing about the league this year, after all the crazy stuff and ups and downs, the league basically ended up as we thought it would. The issue is that the losses like IC to Utica, and some bad losses by Naz (2 losses to RIT and gets blown out by IC) and Stevens (Hartwick), would normally keep them out.

The good news is that, in my oppinion, the E8 is easily the best conference in the Region this year. SUNYAC and LL teams being down this year, may give Ithaca, NAZ, and Stevens a chance. I would not risk losing in the first round Friday for any of these teams however.  

I agree that the Liberty League was down this year as the usual powers in that league graduated some good players. Several teams like St Lawrence and Skidmore are young improving teams that will do well next year. I disagree that the SUNYAC was down this year. Oneonta beat Ithaca on the Bombers home court as well as 2 other lower division E8 teams. Oneonta also beat Top Ten ranked William Paterson on a neutral court 56-53.
Cortland beat 2 lower division E8 teams and only lost to Ithaca by 1 point on Ithaca's home court. Cortland also barely lost to #2 Williams on the Eph's home court 72-68. That was a 1 point game with 17 seconds left to play. That same Williams team traveled to 8th place in the SUNYAC, New Paltz, and barely escaped with a 70-68 win when a New Paltz 3 pointer rimmed out at the buzzer. Plattsburgh St. after not playing from Dec 5th to Jan 5th traveled to D3Hoops 6th ranked Middlebury and lost to the Panthers 81-75 nearly coming back from a 17 point 2nd half deficit. The SUNYAC leaders may not have as gaudy a record as Fisher's 21-4 log, but Oneonta's 21-5 record is close behind and their win over Willie Pat is better than any win Fisher has this year. Two of Oneonta's 5 losses have been to Plattsburgh St and all 5 of their losses have come in conference play adding further credence that the SUNYAC was no walk in the park.   Fisher may very well be the best team in the region, but I think top to bottom the SUNYAC was every bit as competative as the E8.

A fair point. +k.

I still think the E8 is a stronger conference. Yes Cortland and Oneonta have had some good games, and a good season, but I think Fisher, Naz, Stevens, and IC would all be in the running for a regular season SUNYAC title.
You can make an argument using games that go the other way as well. Elmira, a cellar dwellar in the E8 beat a middle of the pack Fredonia team. Fisher and NAZ beat Brockport, etc. After reading your post and looking at it more closely, the conferences are fairly close, and the bottom of the SUNYAC may be better than the E8.
In the context of an at large bid to the NCAA's 2-4 in the E8 all have better records than 2-4 in the SUNYAC.

It is an interesting debate. What is more important. The top teams in the league argument, or the top to bottom argument. Much like the annual big east vs ACC debate. Any thoughts?

[FROMAFAR]

Good morning a little slow at work.......... I may as well be in Rochester..... I looked at some stats in regard to ALL Conference players etc. No statement just some interesting numbers, NL= Not Listed in league leaders..


Name     Team     PPG     Assist      FT%     Steals/gm     3 pt%    3pt/gm    Assist/To Ratio                 PICK

Newman  SJF       11.1    2.5          76       1.3                43          NL           NL                                   1 st team

Blazek     Hart       20.3   2.9          81       NL                 35           2.3         NL                                    1 st team

Gettings   SJF        9.6     3.5         NL        NL                 NL          NL           NL                                    2 nd Team

Greco      SIT        12.2    4.1         81        1.6               38           1.7         1.6                                   HM

Marcus    IC          18.7    NL           78       1.2                36           2.8        NL                                      2nd Team


Cutri       SIT          12.0   2.4          NL       1.2                48           1.7        NL                                     HM

Rivas     RIT            13.3  NL           74        1.6               NL            1.7        NL                                    HM


Terry     RIT            16.2   2.6         74        1.6               42           1.8        NL                                     1 st Team



You could debate some of the picks..... I left out the BIGS  Just some facts we can chew on...   Good luck to all four teams.....  
           

[bomber3]

Final NCAA Regional Rankings have been released. St John Fisher is ranked #1 for the 4th straight week. Plattsburgh St. is the biggest mover going from 6th place into 2nd. Ithaca not ranked in the last poll moves into 4th place. Stevens is the big loser as they drop out of the rankings. Medaille goes from 2nd to 5th.

East Region    In-Region Record    Overall Record
1.    St. John Fisher    20-4    21-4
2.    Plattsburgh State    17-6    18-7
3.    Oneonta State    19-5    20-5
4.    Ithaca    15-6    18-7
5.    Medaille    20-4    21-4
6.    New York University    15-8    16-8

Wow did not expect to see Ithaca that high.  Hypothetically speaking....say Fisher wins the E8, Plattsburgh wins the SUNYAC, Oneonta loses early in the SUNYAC tourney, and IC beats Naz and loses close to Fisher -- Fisher + Plattsburgh are the AQ but does Ithaca get an at-large bid? They would be 16-7 in region with 3 losses coming to Fisher and would be the hypothetical top seeded team in the region that didn't earn an AQ.  I know it would be an outside shot but I think its a possibility if there aren't alot of upsets of top seeds in the conference tournaments...

Or am I off the reservation?

bomber3,

Check out this link from Pat Coleman that was posted today on the front page and is based on the latest regional rankings. Assuming Fisher and Plattsburgh St win the automatic bids he has Oneonta St and Ithaca getting Pool C bids.

http://d3blogs.com/d3hoops/2010/02/25/taking-a-whack-at-pool-c/

Thanks Magic.  By the looks of it Ithaca is 16th of 19 Pool C bids and Oneonta is 14th.  That means there needs to be only THREE (5 for Oneonta) upsets of projected tournament winners for Ithaca to be on the outside looking in.  Ithaca is in a must-win tonight if they want any chance of a pool C bid in my opinion because there will be at least three upsets in conference tournaments (out of 40 Pool A bids).  My guess is there will be about 7-10 upsets of projected Pool A winners by lower seeds.  Now pool C bubble teams need to hope the upsets come from teams ahead of them in the pool C picture (so the projected pool A winner would simply replace the team that actually won and Ithaca/Onenota don't get bumped down the list).

[magicman]

Thanks Magic.  By the looks of it Ithaca is 16th of 19 Pool C bids and Oneonta is 14th.  That means there needs to be only THREE (5 for Oneonta) upsets of projected tournament winners for Ithaca to be on the outside looking in.  Ithaca is in a must-win tonight if they want any chance of a pool C bid in my opinion because there will be at least three upsets in conference tournaments (out of 40 Pool A bids).  My guess is there will be about 7-10 upsets of projected Pool A winners by lower seeds.  Now pool C bubble teams need to hope the upsets come from teams ahead of them in the pool C picture (so the projected pool A winner would simply replace the team that actually won and Ithaca/Onenota don't get bumped down the list).

bomber3,
I agree with that. You have to hope that any upsets are not by the 3rd seed or lower in conference tournaments. One upset that will affect the Pool C bids has already occured last night when the #3 ranked team in the country, St. Thomas lost in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference to the 4th seeded team Carleton. Carleton wasn't even on the West Regional Ranking list and had no chance of getting a Pool C bid. The other semifinal in that conference had Augsburg the #2 seed losing to the #3 seed Gustavus Adolphus who also wasn't regionally ranked and wasn't about to dance. So now the Pool A bid is going to one of those 2 teams and St. Thomas is a lock for a Pool C that will hurt some teams on the bubble like Ithaca or the Plattsburgh/Oneonta loser.
We have to keep our fingers crossed . The best scenario in the E8 is for Ithaca(if you're a Bomber's fan, Naz or Steven's if you're a fan of those teams) to win the Pool A and Fisher will almost certainly get a Pool C bid. The SUNYAC teams will have to sweat it out, but I think that both Oneonta and Plattsburgh have to win tonight and get to the SUNYAC finals or that open door will get slammed shut rather abruptly. I remember last year when Hamilton was projected as a Pool C bid winner and they lost to RPI in the semifinals of the Liberty League tournament and it cost them a chance to go dancing.
Well I'm off to see the 2 semifinal games in the SUNYAC tonight. I expect both games to be tight contests with a winning margin to be 5 pts or less in each one.   

[the golden flyer]

I would say Naz, IC, and Stevens are locks for bids if they don't win the E8 tournament. I would even say RIT is close to a lock.  Last year Hartwick won the ECAC tournament and they were 10-15....

And it all depends on how many weeks a year you practice (if you pracitce one day in a week it counts as a whole week of practice) .  There is a cut-off and if you play more than the # of weeks allowed then you aren't allowed to play in the ECAC tournament.  Also, some schools are NCAA or bust -- Hamilton/UR/Utica when Goodemote was coach all denied bids to play for whatever reason.

Hopefully IC won't be have to choose whether to play or not...

Hartwick was actually 15-12 last year after winning the ECACs (13-12 after the regular season). In order to qualify for the ECACs you must have a winning record. I am not sure on the exact # of weeks of practice you can have to qualify for the ECACs but there definitely is a limit. Does anyone know if they are having the ECAC tourney this year? I have heard that they might not be due to financial constrictions...

[sjfcards]

Fisher had enough in the tank to maintain a double digit lead, and win tonight. can't stick around for the second game tonight, but I think it will be a real good one. At this point I am pulling for 9 overtimes.