Empire 8

[bomber3]

As partially reported by Bombers, Ithaca has been hit by injuries already early in the season.  Cruz has yet to practice, Jordan Marcus dislocated a finger and is out 2+ weeks, and Andrei Oztemel is rumored to be out for the entire season.  Also, Eli Maravich decided not to go out for the team this year.  So basically four players that played significant minutes last season are missing time (add Tom Brown to the list and 5 of the top 7 players from last season are not on the court right now).  So the season hasn't started out on the right foot but there is plenty of time to get healthy and turn things around. 

The new roster is up.  Miles Grier and Sweeney are their star recruits.  Sweeney is 6'9, which is already one of the tallest players in the league.  I am told one of their freshman had 20/15 in one of their scrimmages (think it was Grier).

Overall I hope the injuries are a short term speed bump.  They have the depth to rotate 1-2 injuries but any team would struggle to replace more than that.  Hopefully everyone (minus Oztemel) is back by tipoff, which is fast approaching - first game is two weeks from tomorrow.  Predictions to come.

A) What's up with Cruz?

B) Marcus was out for that first game anyway, so is he really going to miss much time if the injury's only two weeks.

C) I wish our roster listed weights...6'9 and what on Sweeney?

Not sure what is wrong with Cruz.  I am told he will be back soon though.

[sjfcards]

I thought this board would be a little more alive these days. Anyone have any thoughts on how the season will pan out? I see the 4 playoff teams as Fisher, IC, Naz, and Stevens. Much like last year. I haven't done enough poking around to have a real good idea of how it will go, or to even attempt a full rundown of the league. Any thoughts?

[FROMAFAR]

SJF CARDS----you just made the board alive..........I usually don't get too excited about predictions....  and I know I'm prejudice....Stevens ahead of RIT.. Naz will struggle to make the top 4... but could be there. I think Stevens will struggle to stay out of the bottom 3....UNLESS someone knows something I don't about Stevens.  Hartwick will also make a case at top 4. As I always say what do I know BUT what do you know about the Ducks. If they are coming back without any big impact freshman, they are in trouble. All of coach Haynes recruits are gone... While they have Cutri, Simon and Thompson returning, the problems they ahve with those 3 are...... Cutri needs someone else to be a threat in order to get open. Last year teams threw triangle and 3's on him and Greco.  Simon can score if he can get the ball in the paint...Thompson didn't show that ability last year. He needs to cut down on dribble and not be afraid to penetrate. I think his problem with penetrating is he couldn't finish, and teams knew that, so made it tough for him tio dish.  He can shoot though, so if they can find a poing guard who could open him up as a small 2---they may be in business. So I basically see a team that can't score much... They do have a history of good defense.......BUT their 3 best defensive players, Higgans, Greco and Masone are gone..... Can be very tough for this group....   The tigers were on the rise late last year and still have their core back. I am nervous about the point in that Korinchak isn't quick enough to guard some opfthe points in the league and finds himself in fould trouble almost every night. He is a senior however and has experience, hopefully he won't hurt us. We have enough scoring but need to rebound better than last year, and not fall asllep during games. We lack that 40 minute intensity last year. I know NAZ is there every year but need to see who they have coming in... lose alot when losing Mc Adamas.... BUT


   

[sjfcards]

you know a lot more about Stevens and RIT than I do. I'll admit I basically went on history as I have no idea who has what coming in. With Stevens it is the defense that I think gets them in. But, truthfully I think it is IC and SJFC and then everyone else.

[bomber3]

This is definitely a 2 horse race.  I can see Fisher/IC both being 14-2/13-3 then everyone else a few games back. Both teams should get to 20 wins.

[FROMAFAR]

In fairness I am flapping away and really do not know anything about the freshman involved, and that could change quite a few issues. I do agree about IC.. and based on past performance Fisher should be right there. I am a little suspect about their guards though... just a little. The rest is wide open, although IF RIT learned anything at the end of the year it was they have to limit their rotation (not use 10-11 players) for continuity. Also they started rebounding in tehir lat 6 games or so... I think. Limit their fouls (hear that Kornichak), they could very well be right on the top two tails. After that, as I have posted, Naz and Wick could battle for 4...  IF Utica has what has been posted coming in ( 12 freshman with height and talent)  I'll put them 6...... PEP says Alfred much improved and PEP tells it like it is.. so put them 7....... I just don't see Stevens having the depth, experience or talent enough to do much better than 7... Hope I am wrong, because I see them more than the Tigers, and seem like a nice bunch.
BUT

[fisheralum91]

I see that Fisher has Ryan Kramer listed as a guard....That to me is a GREAT thing.
Tho he may need a breather to get over the Football season...Im sure he is a bit dinged up

[sjfcards]

I am excited about Kramer as well 91. He is a good athlete, and was a good player in high school. I am also interested in soome of the other freshman. I am fine with Jordan Gettings at Guard, and Ozell Franklin is back in the roster. If Norsen progresses I can see a good season for the boys in Pittsford.

[fisheralum91]

Cards,
Its been a while since i followed Fisher bball other than catching an occasional box score, and that miracle undefeatd season...minus that loss in the playoffs.
What can I expect this year....

[sjfcards]

91, I have always been more of a Fisher hoops guy than a Football guy. Here is how I see it.

I am cautiously optimistic about this years Fisher team. They were 23-6 last year, and 15-1 in the conference, hosted and won a game in the first round of the NCAA tourny before being bounced by a Brandeis team that was pretty good. They bring back a lot of talent from that team including Jordan Koch (a lanky forward that can jump through the roof), Jordan Gettings ( A solid point who can get in the paint and score), Brandon Witte (Tall and Lanky, especially if he plays as a power forward), Jason Norsen (A Freshman last year who showed some promise as a big man), Connor Henderson should be back (A solid 3 point shooter that really played well last year) but I don't see him on the roster or the team pic,  and Will Cornett is back for what feels like his 10th season. Cornett is a good defender.
I expect Justin Plata and Kevin Francis to see more time this year than they did last year.

As far as newcomers I am excited about Ryan Kramer. I saw him play once in high school for Oneida against Cortland and he was the best player on the court as a sophomore (I think, he may have been a freshman). That Cortland team he played was the #2 seed in Section III that year, and had Joel White on it. White, who chose to play lacrosse at SU, saw some interest from high level DII and some lower level DI teams for basketball.
Zachary Messenger is intriguing to me as well. From what I can find online he seemed to be a quality high school player in Conn. He played for one of the better private schools (Trinity Catholic) in the state for a few years as well. I am basing all of this on what I can find online, but I think he could be good. Especially at 6'4. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbS3HsiUijg

Michael Moyer is another incoming player I am excited about. Here is a video I found of him:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJ5WxY-5sqs

All in all I think this Fisher team can be pretty good. They will probably go 6'6, 6'6, 6'6 across the back line (Witte, NOrsen and Koch), and can bring in a Freshman at 6'8 if they need to. With some solid guard play, I think they can be one o fthe better teams in the State. Franklin is an athlete, and if he plays within himself and the system he can be all conference ( I think he has been in the past). Gettings was second team all E8 last year, and I htink he will have a good season as well. I am excited to see what they put on the court, but IMHO they will not lack for talent against many teams, and we know what Kornaker can do.

GO CARDS!!

[fisheralum91]

Cards
thank you very much!
Here is hoping you are right and that they make a better run in the ncaas!

[fisheralum91]

Coaches pick Fisher to win the E8!

http://athletics.sjfc.edu/news/2010/11/10/MBK_1110103655.aspx?path=mbball

[Bombers798891]

Coaches pick Fisher to win the E8!

http://athletics.sjfc.edu/news/2010/11/10/MBK_1110103655.aspx?path=mbball

Looks like we've got a three-tiered league: IC/RIT/Fisher, Hartwick/Naz/Stevens and Alfred/Elmira/Utica

At least that's the coaches' take on it

[magicman]

D3hoops released their preseason All-American teams today. Only East region player to get mentioned is Dave Golembiowski from SUNYIT who was named to the 4th team.

Here's the link to the complete list:  http://d3hoops.com/awards/all-americans/men/preseason-2011

[sjfcards]

Coaches pick Fisher to win the E8!

http://athletics.sjfc.edu/news/2010/11/10/MBK_1110103655.aspx?path=mbball

Looks like we've got a three-tiered league: IC/RIT/Fisher, Hartwick/Naz/Stevens and Alfred/Elmira/Utica

At least that's the coaches' take on it

I am excited to see what RIT has to offer when the season starts. There were times last year where I thought they were on the brink of being at the top of the league. This year I think they can do some damage. IF they can steal a game or two from IC and Fisher, it may be interesting. Does anyone know what they have coming in this year?