Empire 8

[buck1053]

6-8 is good, obviously, but can he run the court? Otherwise it will limit his effectiveness in the Bombers current frenetic offense. Or perhaps they will change their philosophy, but I think that's a longshot since they've been building their team in the run-and-gun style for a while now.

[bomber3]

6-8 is good, obviously, but can he run the court? Otherwise it will limit his effectiveness in the Bombers current frenetic offense. Or perhaps they will change their philosophy, but I think that's a longshot since they've been building their team in the run-and-gun style for a while now.

As long as he isn't Kenny George-esque (the 7'7" guy from UNC-something who Hansborough dunked on) then they should be ok.  They could probably get away with one slug on the court anyways.  

Edit: And no they will not be changing their tempo.

[Bombers798891]

6-8 is good, obviously, but can he run the court? Otherwise it will limit his effectiveness in the Bombers current frenetic offense. Or perhaps they will change their philosophy, but I think that's a longshot since they've been building their team in the run-and-gun style for a while now.

As long as he isn't Kenny George-esque (the 7'7" guy from UNC-something who Hansborough dunked on) then they should be ok.  They could probably get away with one slug on the court anyways. 

Tom Brown wasn't exactly dashing up the court either...

[bomber3]

6-8 is good, obviously, but can he run the court? Otherwise it will limit his effectiveness in the Bombers current frenetic offense. Or perhaps they will change their philosophy, but I think that's a longshot since they've been building their team in the run-and-gun style for a while now.

As long as he isn't Kenny George-esque (the 7'7" guy from UNC-something who Hansborough dunked on) then they should be ok.  They could probably get away with one slug on the court anyways. 

Tom Brown wasn't exactly dashing up the court either...

Tom Brown certainly wasn't a gazelle on the court but he wasn't a tortoise either.  An accurate comparision would be a big lumbering moose running up and down the court -- once those old knees got moving he was fast.

[bomber3]

Spoke with an inside source at Utica College over the weekend and rumor has it they have quite a recruiting class coming in.  One player in particular, a last minute holdout who had a scholarship renigged or lost at Lemoyne.  I am told he is 6'7" who will instantaneously be first team all conference (drop-step dunks, good touch, etc).  There also were a few other solid recruits coming in but this player was the prize.  

With IC reportedly having a top notch center coming in as well this could make quite a rivalry if they are both as good as advertised.  The league has been missing top-notch centers since the likes of Mark Carson, Jeff Bostic, McSweeney, etc.

[Hugenerd]

Elmira has a pretty good player coming in next year (sorry if this has been posted already, I am new to the board).

Demir Smajovic is a 6'4", 215 pound G/F.  The kid can play, he has deep range and can finish above the rim. He is ranked by NERR as the 3rd best high school player in Vermont for the class of 2010.

http://www.newenglandrecruitingreport.com/rankings/vermont.php

[bomber3]

Elmira has a pretty good player coming in next year (sorry if this has been posted already, I am new to the board).

Demir Smajovic is a 6'4", 215 pound G/F.  The kid can play, he has deep range and can finish above the rim. He is ranked by NERR as the 3rd best high school player in Vermont for the class of 2010.

http://www.newenglandrecruitingreport.com/rankings/vermont.php

How good is Vermont basketball?  I see a few D1 schools on the list -- not sure how Elmira fits into that equation though.

[Hugenerd]

The top few players are usually good.  Smajovic led his team to the Vermont DI state championship, over the #1 ranked team in the state, Burlington.  Burlington also had the #1 ranked player in the state, in Joe Oshea (who is a top 250 national recruit as ranked by espn), who is headed to Holy Cross next year.  Burlington's only 2 losses of the season were to Essex.  He was also a McDonalds All-American nominee.

I dont know how the recruitment went, but he is a legit scholarship level player.  I know there was some buzz about a bunch of high-level D2 schools going after him, but Elmira did a great job in getting him.  He should walk in on day 1 as a starter (he is pretty versatile with his size, athleticism, and shooting ability).

Smajovic recently played for the Vermont All-Stars, as they beat New Hampshire in Twin State Basketball Classic.
Twin State Basketball Classic Recap

Here is a picture of Smajovic from earlier in the year:
Smajovic Dunk

and a video clip:
Samjovic Dunk

[FROMAFAR]

Hey gang, good to see we have some summer chatter going on....Great job on some of the recruits coming in..... Any RIT, Fisher, Stevens, Hartwick, Naz or Alfred recruiting info?   Seems Utica, IC, Elmira have some activity....I think the Tigers are ready to compete for the top spot with what they have, any additions will certanly be a plus...Fisher can compete with what they have, but Korny will have some new talent coming for sure. Of course IC will be right there... They have to get rid of that "girl with the curl" stigma. Hartwick could use a big and someone to handle... They have to get away from that one man offense. They could steal the 4th spot... Naz has talent but filling McAdams shoes... impossible... Need a good handle at the point. Could be between them and Hartwick for the 4 spot.... I don't think one recruit can help UC BUT that 4th spot will not be a real strong team. So UC also could be in that picture. Alfred, Stevens, Elmira should bring up the rear. I really believe unless Stevens gets a strong rebounder and someone who can get the ball to Smith down low, they may bring up the rear. Cutri can shoot, as can Thompson... but they can't create shots, and any kind of defense will stop them.  Smith can score but how does he get the ball. Elmira has to show some improvement, and consistancy. Alfred really disappointed last year, as some thought they might push for the 4 spot.. They went to the Hartwick style, of one guy taking all the shots... You can't win that way.....Hey not bad for the summer months..... I will probably have it all different come tip off, because WHAT DO I KNOW        

[AUPepBand]

Pep was delighted to yesterday meet an Alfred recruit from Luxembourg...it was the kid's first day in the States!

FYI: Luxembourg encompasses just under 1000 square miles; Allegany County encompasses a little over 1000 square miles.

[FROMAFAR]

PEP, he should feel right at home...........OK so we are getting there.... I heard froma very UN reliable source RIT picked up another shooter... about 6"6"....... again, unreliable... anyone hear about that one.. What's Fisher and Stevens up to....anyone??

[AUPepBand]

Pep heard at the Eddie Meath football game that Livonia WR Bob Schuster was headed to RIT to play hoops, forsaking the pigskin in favor of roundball. At RIT, football won't even present itself as a temptation!

Pep is a bit disappointed as both of Schuster's uncles(?) starred at Alfred on the gridiron, the older Billy (now an NFL official) as a WR and the younger Bobby as QB.

On Saxon Warriors!

[AUPepBand]

PEP, he should feel right at home...........OK so we are getting there.... I heard froma very UN reliable source RIT picked up another shooter... about 6"6"....... again, unreliable... anyone hear about that one.. What's Fisher and Stevens up to....anyone??

Pep believes Coach Wellman will likely bring in 8 freshmen recruits this season. Not sure what he's getting but hopefully, some kids who are TALL!

On Saxon Warriors!

[bomber3]

The top few players are usually good.  Smajovic led his team to the Vermont DI state championship, over the #1 ranked team in the state, Burlington.  Burlington also had the #1 ranked player in the state, in Joe Oshea (who is a top 250 national recruit as ranked by espn), who is headed to Holy Cross next year.  Burlington's only 2 losses of the season were to Essex.  He was also a McDonalds All-American nominee.

I dont know how the recruitment went, but he is a legit scholarship level player.  I know there was some buzz about a bunch of high-level D2 schools going after him, but Elmira did a great job in getting him.  He should walk in on day 1 as a starter (he is pretty versatile with his size, athleticism, and shooting ability).

Smajovic recently played for the Vermont All-Stars, as they beat New Hampshire in Twin State Basketball Classic.
Twin State Basketball Classic Recap

Here is a picture of Smajovic from earlier in the year:
Smajovic Dunk

and a video clip:
Samjovic Dunk

borderline travel on that dunk -- hopefully he has better luck dunking than his future teammates...not sure who it was but against IC two years ago at Elmira someone tried dunking on a last second play (when elmira was down 40) and got stuffed by the rim -- added insult to injury..

Kid looks decent but I would be surprised if Elmira wins more than 8-9 games this year -- they beat cortland last year but haven't beaten a top 4 E8 team in at least 5 years i dont think

[Hugenerd]

The top few players are usually good.  Smajovic led his team to the Vermont DI state championship, over the #1 ranked team in the state, Burlington.  Burlington also had the #1 ranked player in the state, in Joe Oshea (who is a top 250 national recruit as ranked by espn), who is headed to Holy Cross next year.  Burlington's only 2 losses of the season were to Essex.  He was also a McDonalds All-American nominee.

I dont know how the recruitment went, but he is a legit scholarship level player.  I know there was some buzz about a bunch of high-level D2 schools going after him, but Elmira did a great job in getting him.  He should walk in on day 1 as a starter (he is pretty versatile with his size, athleticism, and shooting ability).

Smajovic recently played for the Vermont All-Stars, as they beat New Hampshire in Twin State Basketball Classic.
Twin State Basketball Classic Recap

Here is a picture of Smajovic from earlier in the year:
Smajovic Dunk

and a video clip:
Samjovic Dunk

borderline travel on that dunk -- hopefully he has better luck dunking than his future teammates...not sure who it was but against IC two years ago at Elmira someone tried dunking on a last second play (when elmira was down 40) and got stuffed by the rim -- added insult to injury..

Kid looks decent but I would be surprised if Elmira wins more than 8-9 games this year -- they beat cortland last year but haven't beaten a top 4 E8 team in at least 5 years i dont think

That would be twice as many as last year!