Empire 8

[gobombers15]

A good helping of conference games on this weekend's schedule. Here's one man's best guess:

FRIDAY

Hartwick (61) at Fisher (72)
Stevens (76) at Naz (74)
Ithaca (81) at Elmira (64)
Utica (70) at RIT (77)

Hartwick is better this year, but I don't see them knocking off a streaking Fisher team in Pittsford. Stevens was poor on the road last year, but Naz is struggling and I think the Ducks have enough to get by. Ithaca should take care of Elmira. Utica historically struggles at RIT. I like the way the Tigers are playing so far and, at the same time, still think Utica has to improve to get back to where they were at the end of last season.

SATURDAY

Stevens (70) at Fisher (80)
RIT (75) at Elmira (64)
Hartwick (79) at Naz (82)

Stevens at Fisher is the game I'm looking forward to this weekend. The home teams usually have the advantage in the second of a back-to-back. I like Fisher in that one. I have a feeling Hartwick may beat Naz, but I'll still go with the Golden Flyers. RIT wins.

SUNDAY

Ithaca (79) at Alfred (58)
Oneonta (64) at Utica (67)

[TheNextLevel]

Good picks Bomber, but I'll disagree on a couple.  I pick Hartwick to beat Naz and OState to beat Utica.

A good helping of conference games on this weekend's schedule. Here's one man's best guess:

FRIDAY

Hartwick (61) at Fisher (72)
Stevens (76) at Naz (74)
Ithaca (81) at Elmira (64)
Utica (70) at RIT (77)

Hartwick is better this year, but I don't see them knocking off a streaking Fisher team in Pittsford. Stevens was poor on the road last year, but Naz is struggling and I think the Ducks have enough to get by. Ithaca should take care of Elmira. Utica historically struggles at RIT. I like the way the Tigers are playing so far and, at the same time, still think Utica has to improve to get back to where they were at the end of last season.

SATURDAY

Stevens (70) at Fisher (80)
RIT (75) at Elmira (64)
Hartwick (79) at Naz (82)

Stevens at Fisher is the game I'm looking forward to this weekend. The home teams usually have the advantage in the second of a back-to-back. I like Fisher in that one. I have a feeling Hartwick may beat Naz, but I'll still go with the Golden Flyers. RIT wins.

SUNDAY

Ithaca (79) at Alfred (58)
Oneonta (64) at Utica (67)

[FisherDynasty]

Ill keep it the same as next level exept for Stevens beating Fisher on Saturday.  Its going to be the first hint of inconsistency of the young fisher team.  I Also think Utica will beat RIT by 5.

[magicman]

Naz up 47-31 over Stevens at the half. Goes on a 25-8 run in the 1st four min and 20 secs. of the 2nd half to open up a 72-39 lead.

[magicman]

Fisher up 41-37 over Hartwick with 9:40 to go in the game

[magicman]

Fisher defeats Hartwick  63-52

Nazareth downs Stevens 98-75

[Cyclone0205]

Dial up the road woes for Stevens!


98-75 at Naz...game was ugly from the tip.


Not surprised to see that, even when the calendar changes, some things stay the same.

[gobombers15]

In other action, Ithaca mauls Elmira, 112-72. 40 points? Really? Wow. Box score coming later.

RIT whips Utica, 74-59. Final score not indicative of what a blowout this one really was. Tigers take 33-21 halftime lead. RIT lead bloats to 27 pts after 27-12 run makes it 60-33 with 10:29 remaining. Carson leads the way with 21 pts and 17 rebs. Adam Sweet with 16 off the bench. Patrick Goodman paces Utica with 13 pts. Rough night for Doug Herring, scoring only 6 pts on 1-12 from the field.

Fisher over 'Wick, 63-52. Hey, I got the margin right on that one!

Naz wallops Stevens, 98-75. Silly me for trusting Stevens on the road. Naz and Stevens are enigmas.

[magicman]

Nazareth and Stevens tied at 18 with 12 min to go in the 1st half. Naz goes on a 12-0 run to take control and never looked back. Up by as many as 37 with 4 min to go.
The Mcadam brothers lead the way. Corey had 22 pts on 9x13 fg, 4x5 ft, 8 rebs, 12 assists. Ryan scored 21 pts on 7x16 fg, 5x6 3's, 2x2 ft, 4 boards, 2 asst. Jeff Dehimer added 16 pts on 7x12 fg, 2x2 ft, 11 reb. Jordan Major chipped in with 16 pts as well on 6x10 fg, 4x5 3's. Naz shot 38x72 fg, 11x16 3's, 11x13 ft's. Impressive!

Stevens was led by Virgil Gray with 19 pts on 7x15 fgs, 1x4 3's, 4x4 ft. Justin Sanchez scored 12 pts on 4x7 fgs, 2x3 3's, 2x2 ft. Mike Cutri added 10 pts on 4x6 fgs, and Simon Smith was also in double figures with 10 pts. Stevens shot 28x71 fg, 7x28 3's, 12x20 ft's.

I guess Naz wanted no repeat of those 2- 3 point  losses to Stevens last year during the regular season.  

[sjfcards]

Not a great win for Fisher tonight, but it wasn't all bad. They definatley did not play their best game, but still found a way to win. These were the games that Fisher found a way to lose last year, and they seem to be winning this year (so far). Good to see if you are a Fisher fan. Hopefully they can come back tomorrow and put together a complete game against a Stevens team that will really want a win to avoid the weekend sweep.

I was suprised at the Stevens Naz score, but I guess Naz still has something in the tank. It just scares me that Stevens will really need this game tomorrow.

[Bombers798891]

Bombers get any injury scare, as Jeff Bostic has to leave the gmae with a cut to the hand, and possibly, a concussion...

Ithaca continues to dominate. Elmira's nothing to write home about, but you have to like that the Bombers came back after a three week layoff and went 100% for the whole 40 minutes. Although Bostic's injury could hurt, the team is deep enough to survive him for a bit. All 5 starters score in double figures, and really, the only irreplaceable player on the team is Burton.

The question now seems to be: How far can this Bomber team go? Can they make a run in the NCAA's? Second question: I know much less about the NCAA at-large selection process for basketball--mostly because it's never come up before for IC. Given Ithaca's struggle last season in the conference tournament, I'm moderately wary. I'd assume that their record/ranking is solid enough, but I always wonder when you see an undefeated squad in the bottom third of the Top 25, because I wonder if voters are saying "Well, they're 9-0 and that has to count for something, right?" Is Ithaca the type of team that could go, say 21-6 and make it as an at large?

[e8bballfan]

Bombers get any injury scare, as Jeff Bostic has to leave the gmae with a cut to the hand, and possibly, a concussion...

Ithaca continues to dominate. Elmira's nothing to write home about, but you have to like that the Bombers came back after a three week layoff and went 100% for the whole 40 minutes. Although Bostic's injury could hurt, the team is deep enough to survive him for a bit. All 5 starters score in double figures, and really, the only irreplaceable player on the team is Burton.

The question now seems to be: How far can this Bomber team go? Can they make a run in the NCAA's? Second question: I know much less about the NCAA at-large selection process for basketball--mostly because it's never come up before for IC. Given Ithaca's struggle last season in the conference tournament, I'm moderately wary. I'd assume that their record/ranking is solid enough, but I always wonder when you see an undefeated squad in the bottom third of the Top 25, because I wonder if voters are saying "Well, they're 9-0 and that has to count for something, right?" Is Ithaca the type of team that could go, say 21-6 and make it as an at large?

Personally, I think a lot of the luck with d-3 at large (known as Pool C) bids has to do with what happens in other conferences and making sure that teams that are supposed to win their conferences take care of business. It really ruins it when teams like Clarkson last year make a run in their conference tourney and take away a Pool C bid from a much more deserving team in a better conference (like UAA, NESCAC).

If I were IC I would worry about taking care of our business and getting that automatic bid and win the E-8 Conference tourney.

[Bombers798891]

Bombers get any injury scare, as Jeff Bostic has to leave the gmae with a cut to the hand, and possibly, a concussion...

Ithaca continues to dominate. Elmira's nothing to write home about, but you have to like that the Bombers came back after a three week layoff and went 100% for the whole 40 minutes. Although Bostic's injury could hurt, the team is deep enough to survive him for a bit. All 5 starters score in double figures, and really, the only irreplaceable player on the team is Burton.

The question now seems to be: How far can this Bomber team go? Can they make a run in the NCAA's? Second question: I know much less about the NCAA at-large selection process for basketball--mostly because it's never come up before for IC. Given Ithaca's struggle last season in the conference tournament, I'm moderately wary. I'd assume that their record/ranking is solid enough, but I always wonder when you see an undefeated squad in the bottom third of the Top 25, because I wonder if voters are saying "Well, they're 9-0 and that has to count for something, right?" Is Ithaca the type of team that could go, say 21-6 and make it as an at large?

Personally, I think a lot of the luck with d-3 at large (known as Pool C) bids has to do with what happens in other conferences and making sure that teams that are supposed to win their conferences take care of business. It really ruins it when teams like Clarkson last year make a run in their conference tourney and take away a Pool C bid from a much more deserving team in a better conference (like UAA, NESCAC).

If I were IC I would worry about taking care of our business and getting that automatic bid and win the E-8 Conference tourney.

I kind of get that...I mean, it's the same thing with football. My question more was, nationally speaking, how does the E8, and East region get perceived and how does this affect IC? The Bombers don't have the initial high standing the football team uses to get their Pool C bids, so what kind of regular season do they need to attain that respect?

Also, anyone else not like conference tournaments? I feel like these teams get 14 games to make a case for being the confrence's best team. To then host a single elimination tournament where one fluky game can prevent inclusion in the NCAA's, i don't know. It puts too much emphasis on one weekend rather than a full season of 25 games.

[Ethelred the Unready]

Bombers get any injury scare, as Jeff Bostic has to leave the gmae with a cut to the hand, and possibly, a concussion...

Ithaca continues to dominate. Elmira's nothing to write home about, but you have to like that the Bombers came back after a three week layoff and went 100% for the whole 40 minutes. Although Bostic's injury could hurt, the team is deep enough to survive him for a bit. All 5 starters score in double figures, and really, the only irreplaceable player on the team is Burton.

The question now seems to be: How far can this Bomber team go? Can they make a run in the NCAA's? Second question: I know much less about the NCAA at-large selection process for basketball--mostly because it's never come up before for IC. Given Ithaca's struggle last season in the conference tournament, I'm moderately wary. I'd assume that their record/ranking is solid enough, but I always wonder when you see an undefeated squad in the bottom third of the Top 25, because I wonder if voters are saying "Well, they're 9-0 and that has to count for something, right?" Is Ithaca the type of team that could go, say 21-6 and make it as an at large?

Personally, I think a lot of the luck with d-3 at large (known as Pool C) bids has to do with what happens in other conferences and making sure that teams that are supposed to win their conferences take care of business. It really ruins it when teams like Clarkson last year make a run in their conference tourney and take away a Pool C bid from a much more deserving team in a better conference (like UAA, NESCAC).

If I were IC I would worry about taking care of our business and getting that automatic bid and win the E-8 Conference tourney.

I kind of get that...I mean, it's the same thing with football. My question more was, nationally speaking, how does the E8, and East region get perceived and how does this affect IC? The Bombers don't have the initial high standing the football team uses to get their Pool C bids, so what kind of regular season do they need to attain that respect?

Also, anyone else not like conference tournaments? I feel like these teams get 14 games to make a case for being the confrence's best team. To then host a single elimination tournament where one fluky game can prevent inclusion in the NCAA's, i don't know. It puts too much emphasis on one weekend rather than a full season of 25 games.

My impression is that the rest of the world views the E8 as a solid middle of the pack conference, with their best able to compete with other conferences most years, but pretty weak at the lower end.  And the East Region may not be the worst region, but it ain't the best either. 

As for conference tournaments, I tend to agree with you.  I don't think they are big money generaters for the conference so I am not really sure what the purpose is.  I know the UAA dosen't have one, mostly because of logistics, but are there any others that don't?

[sjfcards]

What the hell is going on with Naz...another loss to Hartwick?