Empire 8

[sjfcards]

All in all I think it was an exciting night of E8 basketball. Fisher wins a tight game, IC scores 122, and a modest upset with AU over Hartwick. Should only get better with RIT and IC playing on Sunday.

I think the AU/Utica game may turn out to be a very interesting game, with the outcome having some major implications on who makes the tourny as a 4 seed and who is just left out. I think Utica, AU, Hartwick are all fighting for that last spot in the tourny right now. It is always important to win that first matchup and guarantee yourself at least a split in the regular season.

[AUPepBand]

It looks like Pep will have 1 week to strike up the band when Alfred takes on Stevens next Friday the 16th at McLane. Saxons even their record at 6-6 with an 89-82 win over Hartwick.

Indeed, Pep had told Coach Wellman that he'd get the band to play if the Saxons got five wins this year. Pep was thinking five wins for the season...but now that AU is 2-2 in the E8, it's looking like Coach W has his boys on track for more than five wins in the conference!

On Saxon Warriors!

[AUPepBand]

Incredible how many points IC can score. It blows my mind. Since I have been following Fisher I can remember about 4 times they have topped 100 (2 of them with overtime). IC has scored 118, 112, and now 122 in regulation this season. That is absurd. I am starting to think IC has a chance to go undefeated through the regular season. Still a very tall order to complete, but no one seems to be close this year.
Any thoughts on the comparisons between this IC team, and the Fisher team that went 27-0?

I still think the Fisher team that went 26-4 the year after the 27-0 season was the best team in the region in a long, long time, but this IC team continues to impress.

Fisher struggles to score again, but plays good enough defnese to win on the road.

Pep is tickled to be able to say that his Saxons were even with Ithaca 61-61 (after leading by as many as 9 in the first half) before the Bombers went on a run to pull away 75-64 at McLane on Sunday (which seems like a long time ago).

At the Fisher Tourney, the Saxons played great first halves against Muskingum and St. Mary's before running out of steam late in those games....same happened against the Bombers. Saxons lack the depth to spell the starters much, thanks to various injuries, etc. But it appears AU is developing a second wind (can we attribute this to relentless conditioning?) and now finishing strong.

From what Pep has seen, Coach Wellman's undersized squad plays tough defense and to the Saxons' credit, have to date held Ithaca to its lowest point production during the Bombers' unbeatable start.

[e8bballfan]

Incredible how many points IC can score. It blows my mind. Since I have been following Fisher I can remember about 4 times they have topped 100 (2 of them with overtime). IC has scored 118, 112, and now 122 in regulation this season. That is absurd. I am starting to think IC has a chance to go undefeated through the regular season. Still a very tall order to complete, but no one seems to be close this year.
Any thoughts on the comparisons between this IC team, and the Fisher team that went 27-0?

I still think the Fisher team that went 26-4 the year after the 27-0 season was the best team in the region in a long, long time, but this IC team continues to impress.

Fisher struggles to score again, but plays good enough defnese to win on the road.

Cards--

Talked to an IC coach who thinks 23-2 in the regular season is more likely. He thinks Potsdam may be dangerous because it's a random OOC game that they may have trouble getting up for. He also said SJF may give them some trouble on the road.

Honestly, the 122 is nasty, but it was Naz. This team ranks 388 out of 394 in scoring defense. They're just not good. The Bombers hae weapons, but Elmira, Hobart and Naz aren't benchmarks for offensive success. That being said, it's nice to know the Bombers aren't going to trip up against weaker teams.

IC and Naz shot a lot because the game was high tempo. I don't think the shot clock dropped below 10 all game. IC also hit 28 free throws. It was interesting to watch, I don't know if fun is the word though. Naz really only had two guys with big games.

I don't think we should look at any game Naz plays as a microcosim of D-III.

Based on box score Marcus Jordan looks impressive. I agree with the comments about the IC game w/SUNY Potsdam. That game will be a big test for the Bombers.

Naz is just unbelievable. On paper, one of the most talented teams in the league - but that's why the games aren't played on paper. 388 out of 394 on defense? That's absurd! What is Daly doing over there?!?

Good luck to everyone in the Chase Tourney!

[Caz Bombers]

E8BBallFan - the name is actually Jordan Marcus.  Ithaca didn't suddenly install the Grinnell System over the summer, did they?  Where the heck did all these ridiculous point totals come from?  Not that I'm complaining, mind you 

[NaztyNate]

I think the loss of Rayvon Higdon has become huge for  Nazareth. He was really a guy that took pressure off the Mcadams. Its amazing to me how bad everyone not named Mcadam or Dehimer are on this team. The Major kid is putting up ok numbers but he is a mess defensively and is simply the best of the remaining worst on that roster. Daly had better get these guys to start playing some defense or they might not win 4 more games.

[gobombers15]

I think the loss of Rayvon Higdon has become huge for  Nazareth. He was really a guy that took pressure off the Mcadams. Its amazing to me how bad everyone not named Mcadam or Dehimer are on this team. The Major kid is putting up ok numbers but he is a mess defensively and is simply the best of the remaining worst on that roster. Daly had better get these guys to start playing some defense or they might not win 4 more games.

I was actually just wondering about Higdon this morning. What happened to him?

[e8bballfan]

Higdon is a big loss on the defensive end especially. Not sure what happened with him but the turnover at Naz has been ridiculous...Higdon, Gephardt, Bozelli, and I know I'm missing another 1 or 2 from the past few years.

[gobombers15]

Higdon is a big loss on the defensive end especially. Not sure what happened with him but the turnover at Naz has been ridiculous...Higdon, Gephardt, Bozelli, and I know I'm missing another 1 or 2 from the past few years.

I really wonder if it's Daley that's the problem. A few years back they got a really good player from Rush-Henrietta in Rochester (I think his name was Alex Davis). He spent his entire freshman year sitting behind players he was better than and the next year he was gone. I remember Shipley quit mid-season during his senior year, too. Then there was the Maroney debacle, as well. Almost seems like they need to turn the page on the Daley era, and I say that fully aware that Naz made the NCAA Tourney last season.

[magicman]

Alfred loses a close one at Utica 69-65. Saxons down by 13 with 12 1/2 to play close to within 1 at 56-55 at the 4:47 mark. Utica hits the free throws at the end and hangs on to get their first win in conference play. Pioneers led by P. Goodman with 15, J. Maxwell with 11 and J. McClendon with a double-double of 10 pts. and 12 boards. Saxons paced by G. Kwiecien with 20, B. Barry with 18, and C. Embury with 13. Utica goes to 4-6(1-3 E8). Alfred drops to 6-7(2-3 E8).

[gobombers15]

One man's guess at this weekend's results:

FRIDAY

Alfred (63) at Hartwick (73)
Fisher (61) at Utica (66)
Nazareth (82) at Ithaca (101)

I'm intrigued by the Hartwick-Alfred game. Both teams are improved. I'll give the edge to the homestanding Hawks. I think tonight's game is a must-win for Utica. They can't afford to go 0-3 and take a home loss to a team with whom they'll be competing for an E8 Tourney berth. I think Utica survives, for now, against a youthful Fisher club. This is a tough matchup for Naz. They want to run, but I'm not sure they want to get into a high-tempo game against Ithaca. The Bombers have too much firepower for the Golden Flyers.

SATURDAY

Alfred (65) at Utica (69)

Tough place to play for the Saxons. I think Utica takes a close one.

SUNDAY

Fisher (77) at Elmira (65)
Ithaca (83) at RIT (81)

Fisher should win fairly easily. That brings us to the game of the weekend: Ithaca at RIT. Ithaca seems to win at Clark and RIT seems to play Ithaca better at The Bulb. I think Ithaca will step up their game in front of a full house in a game for early conference supremacy. I'm guessing Burton gets to the line late in the game and IC makes just enough defensive stops. It should be a great game.

I have finally fulfilled my lifelong goal of hitting an E8 score right on the head. This calls for a celebration. +K for all.

[magicman]

One man's guess at this weekend's results:

FRIDAY

Alfred (63) at Hartwick (73)
Fisher (61) at Utica (66)
Nazareth (82) at Ithaca (101)

I'm intrigued by the Hartwick-Alfred game. Both teams are improved. I'll give the edge to the homestanding Hawks. I think tonight's game is a must-win for Utica. They can't afford to go 0-3 and take a home loss to a team with whom they'll be competing for an E8 Tourney berth. I think Utica survives, for now, against a youthful Fisher club. This is a tough matchup for Naz. They want to run, but I'm not sure they want to get into a high-tempo game against Ithaca. The Bombers have too much firepower for the Golden Flyers.

SATURDAY

Alfred (65) at Utica (69)

Tough place to play for the Saxons. I think Utica takes a close one.

SUNDAY

Fisher (77) at Elmira (65)
Ithaca (83) at RIT (81)

Fisher should win fairly easily. That brings us to the game of the weekend: Ithaca at RIT. Ithaca seems to win at Clark and RIT seems to play Ithaca better at The Bulb. I think Ithaca will step up their game in front of a full house in a game for early conference supremacy. I'm guessing Burton gets to the line late in the game and IC makes just enough defensive stops. It should be a great game.

I have finally fulfilled my lifelong goal of hitting an E8 score right on the head. This calls for a celebration. +K for all.

Good job gb15. Plus k to you for your lifelong achievement.

[Nosyor]

Anyone going to the RIT vs Ithaca game today?  If you have a chance I recommend it.  Should be a great experience for a D3 game...now if they only scheduled it when the GIANTS weren't playing I'd be a much happier man.

[jdex]

RIT at the buzzer ......three ......good by N. Korinchak......87-84. IC's S. Burton 2 ft at 0:04 tied it. RIT 43-39 at the half

[bombersquadron]

I couldn't agree more with Nosyor. Watching both games was very tough as this is another thriller much like last years game. Very back and fourth and very tigh game for the last three minutes. With 9 seconds left RIT calls time out, while Ithaca had known and lets Ithaca set-up a play. Burton gets the inbounds and drives the entire court, goes in for a lay-up and is fouled by Carson with 3.9 left.

Burton hits both and then a poor inbounds pass almost stolen then recovered by RIT. Sweet pass it to Korinchak. Who hits a 3 from inside of half court. I don't know how all of that happened in 3.9 seconds. RIT returns the favor from last year on the same floor but I wish there was instant replay for that. RIT also hit a buzzer beater three to end the first half, so that is a six point swing right there Burton has a triple double with 25, 10 and 10 Carson had 16, and 21. I am still in shock.