Empire 8

[bomber3]

Good stuff Bomber3. I disagree with a few choices but all in all I agree. I would swap Ithaca and RIT. I think RIT will have more talent than IC, but they are probably interchangable like you said. IC was way too good last year to not have something left in the tank. Yes, Burton and Bostic were huge for that team, but you don't win 20+ games without having some depth and some role players stepping up. They will be in the E8 tourny.

I like the Alfred pick, but don't know if they have enough to top Stevens. Nice to have some talk on the board. Tip off is only a few days away.

See I have no clue who stevens has other than higgins and greco (who is on the roster after a year off).  I probably put them too low but too late now.  Realistically they're probably battling alfred for the 6 spot.  I had RIT/Ithaca 2a and 2b but for argument's sake went with Ithaca.  Not much chatter here otherwise.  All the other bomber posters must be too busy with cortaca planning. 

[JQV]

Cortaca sure sucks up a lot of the attention this time of year.

Looks like Coach Mullins brought in another talented freshman class at IC though.  He has really been on a recruiting hot streak.  Don't know much about any of the players but they look big and pretty accomplished.

Any marquee freshmen in the league this year?

[sjfcards]

Is Cortland and Ithaca going to play in basketball again this year on the same day as Cortaca like last year? I didn't go to either school, but my wife went to IC and I live in Cortland, and I know that I am usually way out of it by the time a basketball game rolls around. I guess I understand the the decision to try and take advantage of some of the school spirit the Cortaca game brings out in folks, but I can't say I agree with the decision making.

[fisheralum91]

tip off this wknd
cards- give me the skinny after the game!!

[bomber3]

No, the basketball cortaca matchup will take place in december like in past years.  Last year the basketball game was ehh crowd-wise (game was it was awesome for ic, won by 30 going away for a double header beat down).  It was at 8 o'clock (over four hours after end of the football game) and by then all the IC fans were back in their neck of the woods except for the parents.  If they wanted it to be crowded or draw some of the football crowd they should have set the tip for 4.  Maybe it was intentional however to allow some time for the drunks to pass out? 

And yes I was told IC has a pretty decent recruiting class.  Couple legit guards who will get pt but I don't think any new bigs will, but I could be mistaken.  They could be thin in the post with only brown and barera returning.

[FROMAFAR]

Below my team by team synopsis then my pre-season finish.  Posted earlier, sorry for the repetition. Bomber 3 we actually both pick 3 of the top 4.. Fisher, RIT and IC... You have NAZ and I have Stevens... There are really only two BIG different picks between us.  I have Stevens 3 you have them 8, I have Utica 8 and you have them 5.... 
remember Utica loses Maxwell, Smith and Mclendon, tough to overcome and UC tends to underachieve. They will probably end up somewhere between 3-8

I admittedly have a little prejudice when it comes to Stevens as I see them more than my ALMA MATER RIT. I really believe the loss of Passalaqua and Grey, is over-rated.. They scored, but this group as a whole has the ability to make up for those points, and they now have a point guard, Greco, which is  important.  I understand they beat Mt. St. Vincent in a scrimmage by 35 points. ( not sure how good or bad they are.. anyone from Skyline have a read on them).  Scoring was spread out and Greco was dishing it out..... Word is he can avg. 8-10 assists this year and score 12-15.  Appears Higgans, Smith, and Cutri can score inside and out, and there bigs are markedly improved. Again this is all hearsay at this point BUT I will be there Sunday as they open at NYU.tough beginning for them but I promise to be fair in my analysis. In any event the juices are starting to flow on the sight, lets see what the Fisher boys have to input...and of course PEP our idle..... I haven't seen cyclone lately..... he has always had some good insight as well.......

BELOW IS MY PREVIOUS POST.......

Let me reply to Bomber 3.. and welcome to site....Keep in minde this response does not take any recruits into account since I am not well versed on who each school is getting.

IC... Lost not only too much talent but too many players. Cruz and Marcus have talent but need support.

Fisher.. Korniker will have them ready, and everyone back.. Franklin, Gettings, Cornett, Newman.. all experienced... Tough to knock.

RIT... I am prejudiced, so take that into consideration... Cannot replace Carson, however Kornichak, Lowe, Sweet, have been through the wars...actually Carson only one gone.... I don't think OUR offense will suffer too much, but our rebounding and defense will......... HOPEFULLY enough to make playoffs.

NAZ.... Corey Mc Adam may be exposed this year. New Coach, MAY teach defense.. If Mc Adam plays defense he may actually get into foul trouble, which will hurt Naz big time..... I don't see any supporting cast, and if Mc Adam try's to do it all on offense, look for whoever he is guarding to light it up....  Thye could be under .500 this year.

Utica... They not only lose Herring, they lose Maxwell, Smith and McClendon.. They return Patterson Trahams Whyte and Preston... I look for these guys to be about.500 on the league.

Hartwick... They did learn how to win, but now a new coach, new system, maybe a coulpe of years away... They lose COCO and Bealieu, but I agree, Coco took away from team concept. The return Blazek, good freshman, and should build around him. decent role players.. Kyle, Phillips and Doyley.... another.500 team

Stevens.... My adopted team since I see them the most and some alumni are friends of mine...This team will be very interesting this year. They lose Virgil Grey, who was a good talent, but unfortunate for him, he didn't have that point guard who could create for him... The loss of Greco last year was devistating for Grey. The loss of Passalaqua is not really a big deal either in that while he could shoot, he necver went to the basket, and like Mc Adams he avoided defense because he wanted to stay in game..  I am told the person he guarded had career games quite often. His steals came away from the ball.  Baker leaving means nothing, just less turn-overs. So overall this is addition through subtraction. The rumor about Greco being back turns out true. He will be playing again, and that may save the Ducks. The 3 point shooting they lose from Passalaqua will be picked up by Greco, Cutri, and some benck players... Higgans and Smith will be tough off boards, as long as they stay out of fould trouble..... If this team looks to run they could be a tough out. They will have some court IQ and toughness back with Greco, and could surprise a bit.  I look for 9-7......

Alfred... Greatt coaching job last year from Wellman, they will certainly inprove... need some height but could win 6- 7 games.

Elmira.. Tough to chart..,  everyone back except O'Brien. I think Torgalksi has the ability to coach, needs to recruit... This would be his first recruiting class....wait and see here.





Fisher
RIT
Stevens
IC
Naz
Alfred
Hartwick
Utica
Elmira


Apologies for mispelling, forgetting someone, or even putting someone on wrong team, because remember What do I know


TALK ABOUT GETTING NOVEL...........sorry.

   
     

[sjfcards]

tip off this wknd
cards- give me the skinny after the game!!

I am still working on the boys to see if they can stick around and let me go to the game, but I will let you know what I see if I go. I have a new internet phone, so I am hoping to update from the game if I can get it figured out. I starting to get really excited now about the season for Fisher. Everything I am hearing and seeing is that the incoming class is a talented bunch, and that they may finally have the quality big man they have been lacking in years past. I think they can have a big year in the league. I will take making the tournament after last years showing. Adding a little depth, and hopefully a lot of talent looks good for them.
We will know early on if they have what it takes. They play Carnegie Mellon (lost a lot to graduation from last year, but still a UAA team, and was in the Sweet 16 last year), Desales (Sweet 16 team last year, including the win over IC), and Brockport (I believe a sweet 16 team last year). Should be a fun start to the season.


I read in the Ithaca paper today that they have the nephew(?) of Pete Maravich? I don't care if he sits all season that is cool.

[bmull]

FYI  Sheldon Jones was a very productive PSAL  player at Townsend Harris in Queens, a rigorous academic HS that had big hoops success his jr and sr years - he could be an impact frosh.

[FROMAFAR]

Empire 8  Coaches pre-season picks are in...

Fisher
RIT
IC
Naz
Alfred
Stevens
UC
Elmira
Hartwick


Our (RIT) first 3 conference games...Fisher (away) Stevens (Home) and Naz (away)...
Should tell a lot...  Fisher away is going to be tough, because their good and home. Stevens will be interesting game... we'll see what they have. We should have the advantage being home, even if they are better than projected. Naz away.... If there is such a thing as an early MUST win, this might be it. We can't give the teams fighting for the top 4 an advantage. We do not play Fisher, IC or NAZ in our last 5 Conference games. The 3 games prior are all at Clark.. IC, Fisher, and NAZ...We have a great schedule Conference wise. No excuses. What do think TIGERFAN........

BMULL, thanks for the info on Sheldon Jones.. Stevens could use some help from the incoming freshman. I heard he is athletic, 6' 1",  a little out of control (not sure how disciplined his HS program was and he is a freshman.).... Small forward type slasher does that sound right   Stevens opens against NYU away... Tough, but should prepare them for Conference play. The Ducks open Conference play on the road AT Alfred, and AT RIT.... Another early Must win for the Ducks, at Alfred. If in fact Alfred is going to be an issue this year, and IF Ducks expect to make a run at top 4, they need that win...BUT what do I know    

[FreddyState]

What league do you think is better this year E8 or SUNYAC??

[fisheralum91]

nice win by the alma mater today.
lets hope that it is a sign of things to come!

[sjfcards]

What league do you think is better this year E8 or SUNYAC??

Tough call this year. I don't know if there is a real dominant team in either league. I will give the edge to the E8 this year, because I am assuming Ithaca and Naz will be quality teams this year. If their seasons go the wrong way this year, then the power can swing towards the SUNYAC conference.

Quality win for Fisher today, on the road against a sweet 16 team a year ago. I know Carnegie Mellon lost a lot to graduation from last year, but they are still a tough UAA team on the road. Could be a fun year if Fisher can play like this every game.

[bomber3]

What league do you think is better this year E8 or SUNYAC??

Well judging by the sunyac-killers (elmira!?) the early signs point to the e8:

Elmira 83 Fredonia 77
Utica 84.  Potsdam 84

This is the second year in a row elmira knocks off a respectable sunyac team (beat cortland last year).  Already have 25% of their win total from last year. 

In other news.....stevens gets routed by 24 @ NYU, hartwick wins against wells, and alfred falls to psu dubois by 3.

[FROMAFAR]

Nice job by Fisher.. Gettings a good game and it's good to win close early...
I went to NYU yesterday and I clearly don't know anything about basketball. NYU is missing Gavan, who was on crutches.. I am not sure if that season ending or not... someone, student,  in stands said it was, but what does he know?   Stevens starts out with the obvious starting 5...Greco, Higgans, Cutri, Masone, and Smith....  2 minutes in, Greco comes out.   Was playing fine, actually had a good match-up with Derek Becker and was handling the offense like old times. Freshman Russ Thompson comes in... Plays about 5 minutes. This kid has a nice shot, but made some freshman mistakes ( no penetration as a point guard and afraid to pass to the interior.)  Evidenced by no assists for the game. Also lacks the defense on quicker guards. By the time Greco came back in, the Ducks were down by a dozen. Higgans got off to a bad start shooting wise and he sat most of the game.  It almost appeared that the Ducks conceded the game and decided to use the freshman and sophomores for the bulk of the game.  They have some talent but I think the Ducks can't sacrifice wins. Cutri couldn't hit a shot, which also hurt. They looked confused on offense without Higgans and Greco in....NYU hit almost 50% from the field and missed only one foul shot which was tough to overcome.  They actually looked pretty good when they had Greco at the point and used Thompson at the 2. Greco hit a driving lay-up to open the second half, and cut the lead to 6 and then again came out? Then NYU went on another tear.  This team did not run, and the bigs didn't post up much. very confused on offense. They need to run on offense and take the open shot when it arises. too much dribbling ( Thompason).  Sheldon jones another freshman had 17 points.. Good news is he is not intimidated, bad news is once he gets the ball he is shooting, "black hole" scenario. If the coaches tone him back a bit and is more selective he can be a help.  
I guess my assessment is they aren't set on who is going to lead this team... Last year they lost a lot of close games because they didn't have a floor general. Someone who knows how to lead the offense. They can't make that mistake again.   They have the perfect guy, just need to let him make the  decisions. I may have been missing something and NYU was clearly the better team. But what do I know      

[bomber3]

Fromafar - nice analysis - seems like stevens is still trying to work things out and I had a feeling they would struggle early.  I don't know how strong nyu is but I still don't see stevens being all that good.  Hurley is a good coach but I don't think there is a whole lot of talent this year. 

Ithaca opens tonight against an experienced hobart team that returns pretty much everyone.  After the drubbing IC put on them last year (scored 118 and won by 37 or so), look for hobart to have a chip on their shoulders.  Look forward to seeing how this bomber team responds after a few up and down scrimmages against wells, pitt bradford, and an ic alumni team.