Empire 8

[bombersquadron]

Very excited to see the Bombers in action tomorrow.  I have seen a handful of games over the internet but have not been to a live game since the Cortland game to start the season. I hope Ithaca is not as rusty and or sloppy as it seems RIT was after the long lay-off.

[sjfcards]

Eh, I think IC will roll em. It looks like Stevens put up a real tough fight last night, RIT played real sloppy, and Stevens still lost. I think IC wins going away tomorrow.

[magicman]

St. John Fisher's pair of wins this weekend has them primed to move into the Top 25. Every team ranked from #30 down to #20  with the exception of Fisher at #28 and Middlebury at #25 has lost in the past 5 days. Kind of like the perfect storm for Fisher. Would think Middlebury would move up possibly to #20 and Fisher would check in at #24 or #25, but #22 or #23 isn't out of the question.  Ithaca might move up 1 spot if they beat Stevens but it depends on how far the voters drop Amherst. Having only 1 game this week didn't help the Bombers. Will be nice to see 2 teams from the E8 make the Top 25. 

[sjfcards]

I think Fisher will be in the top 25 this week as well. 21 or 22 may be a bit out reach but 24 or 25 looks pretty good.

Honestly, it is nice to see Fisher ranked again, but I would give up being ranked for 2 wins against Ithaca. It is always nice to be recognized for winning, but it does not earn you any wins. I am more excited to see that Fisher appears to really be back, after a down year last year. Just watching the games this year, the difference between this team, and last years is night and day.
I don't know what has changed to make the team so much better? Going into the season, not having Beigle and Smalt, Fisher would have another down year. When they lost Chris Baltz, I thought the good start was over. When they lost Hall and Wescott, I thought it would at least be a bump in the road. But the team keeps winning. I know they have not played IC yet, and RIT beat up on them pretty good, but why is this years team so much more effective in the offense than last year? Beats me. Good coaching I guess.

[e8bballfan]

Fisher is a well coached team. Not just Kornaker, but his assistants are great too (they better be good if you got 7 of em). I agree with sjfcards, I thought Fisher was going to have a down year too - especialy after that season opening loss- then throw in the casualties (Baltz, Hall, Evans, Wescott) and I thought they were doomed. However, they've proved me wrong. Everyone has stepped up and Kornaker has coached thhat team to its strengths and look at where they are...about to crack the top 25. Hope they can keep it up and perhaps we'll see the e-8 as a 2 bid conference for the tourney this year.

And once again I agree with you, cards - Naz has the talent and scorers to be a very good team, but they stink! Whats going on at that end of east ave!?

[gobombers15]

Stevens and Ithaca tied at 41 after one half. Burton and Jordan Marcus raining 3's for Ithaca. Stevens making their shots, too. Far too many defensive breakdowns by the Bombers. Lack of awareness in finding shooters has left Passalacqua open on several occasions from deep, as well as a defensive miscommunication late in the half leaves a Stevens player wide open for 3 with :01 second left on the shot clock.

Bostic looks lost on the offensive end. He has this "I know the ball isn't coming to me" look about him. For example, on one play, Leahy caught the ball in the right corner and Bostic was standing on the right elbow. One would think that Bostic would work to get position down low for an easy entry pass from Leahy. But no, he stood at the elbow and let Leahy go one-on-one. I've said it before and it remains true, they are WASTING Bostic's talent right now.

[gobombers15]

Ithaca down 5 with under 10 mins remaining, 60-55. Stevens currently on a 9-0 with Gray going to the line. Bombers had momentum after taking a 55-51 lead, but Mullins mysteriously switches to a zone defense right after Passalacqua re-enters the game and, naturally, he hits a 3-ptr to stem the tide.

[gobombers15]

Stevens takes 68-58 lead only to watch Ithaca respond with a 14-4 run to tie things at 72 with under 4 mins remaining. Bostic just took over on that run. Amazing what he can do when, you know, you get him the ball in scoring position. He's too athletic for the bigs in this league when he goes at his defender off the dribble and elevates.

[gobombers15]

Bombers escape the Dirty Jerz with an 84-80 win over Stevens. They probably didn't deserve this one, but a win is a win.

[Bombers798891]

Bombers escape the Dirty Jerz with an 84-80 win over Stevens. They probably didn't deserve this one, but a win is a win.

Every season has a few games where you need to get a break or two. Bombers get one tonight. Ithaca avoids a second conference loss and keeps the pressure on RIT, who has another one-point win. Both teams looking tough. Huge loss for Stevens as they fall two games behind Utica for the final conference spot. Pioneers have won 6 straight, but are hosting RIT and Ithaca in their next two conference games.

Bombers look a little road weary to me. Amazingly, the team still only has one loss despite having only four games at home to this point. Hopefully, the game Friday at home against Elmira provides the team with a bit of a break and a chance to reset.

Very quiet 20 point night for Sean Burton. Only 4 assists and three turnovers. But can you get more clutch? Two free throws with 42 seconds to get in the lead.

Must say, this is looking like a special team for Ithaca. Teams are really throwing everything at them, including home court, and IC is still standing. How great would it be if RIT is say, 20-4 and IC is 23-1 and they play for the conference regular season title?

Here's a question, if IC and RIT both wind up 15-1 in conference, how do they determine the champ? Best overall record? Highest ranking? Best attendance?

Fisher will be there too, it's just hard to get the best idea on them as far as conference play goes since they've only played one game against RIT and IC and lost by 20. But it looks like a three horse race right now.

Both POY candidates have quiet games for them. Burton with 20 and 4, and Carson with 14 and 10. Carson averages 14.5/13 for the weekend,

What a season

[FROMAFAR]

Bomber I was at the game as well, breaking it down to the smallest point, Stevens shot aover 50% I think, haven't seen the stats BUT, IC played mostly man as did RIT. This gives Grey an opportunity to light it up and attract double teams. It neutralizes Passalaqua, all thout he got off a couple because IC fell asleep. This enabled Stevens to score more than they usually do. They had a nice crowd as well...........Baker hit some 3's an I believe he shoots about 20% from there.  Also Leahy played horrible I thought.  How 'bout you bomber?  What do I know?

[Bombers798891]

Bomber I was at the game as well, breaking it down to the smallest point, Stevens shot aover 50% I think, haven't seen the stats BUT, IC played mostly man as did RIT. This gives Grey an opportunity to light it up and attract double teams. It neutralizes Passalaqua, all thout he got off a couple because IC fell asleep. This enabled Stevens to score more than they usually do. They had a nice crowd as well...........Baker hit some 3's an I believe he shoots about 20% from there.  Also Leahy played horrible I thought.  How 'bout you bomber?  What do I know?

Leahy struggled, but when you can bring a freshman off the bench to hit five three pointers, it's really tough to match that depth. Leahy is probably the streakiest guy on the roster, just as likely to throw up 26 as he did against Utica as he did the 6 tonight.

[bombersquadron]

Just got back from two very exciting games in Hoboken. The girls game came down to the wire as well as Stevens missed a lay-up at the buzzer to force overtime. I think Stevens gave Ithaca their best shot. As some people have said kids who normally shoot 20% we knocking down shots, they were pumped to play Ithaca and fight for their season. Stevens only has 3 maybe 4 players, the rest can't cut it for them. I agree with GoBombers, Bostic could score at will on their post defense and did for short stretchs in the game. A very balanced attack for the Bombers points were spread around very evenly and a great game off teh bench for Jordan Marcus once again. Jeff Bostic also set the all-time school record for blocks in the game and had a couple of real nice blocks. A lot of other Ithaca Alumni at the game too. I won't be at another game until Fisher travels to Ithaca in Mid-February.

[Bombers798891]

Just got back from two very exciting games in Hoboken. The girls game came down to the wire as well as Stevens missed a lay-up at the buzzer to force overtime. I think Stevens gave Ithaca their best shot. As some people have said kids who normally shoot 20% we knocking down shots, they were pumped to play Ithaca and fight for their season. Stevens only has 3 maybe 4 players, the rest can't cut it for them. I agree with GoBombers, Bostic could score at will on their post defense and did for short stretchs in the game. A very balanced attack for the Bombers points were spread around very evenly and a great game off teh bench for Jordan Marcus once again. Jeff Bostic also set the all-time school record for blocks in the game and had a couple of real nice blocks. A lot of other Ithaca Alumni at the game too. I won't be at another game until Fisher travels to Ithaca in Mid-February.

Figured I'd say this here so people actually read it. Bomber women continue to impress, getting the inside track for a #1 seed in the conference

[Bombers798891]

I wonder where the Bombers will be this week. They pick up a road win and teams ahead of them dropped some games

#7 Whitewater 1-1
#9 Amherst 1-1

Any idea if they can pass any of these teams?