Empire 8

[Bombers798891]

79-77 Bombers...under a minute to go...unbelievable...

[Bombers798891]

21 seconds to go, IC up 2...on the line for two shots. Maravich hits one of two...80-77 Bombers...

[magicman]

Tried to get live stats from the Brockport St. web site for their game against Fredonia tonight. They have a link to click on and when you do they gave you the live stats from the Fisher-Elmira game. I didn't know they had become St. John Brockport.

Ithaca comes all the way back and beats RIT 81-80. WOW!

[bomber3]

RIT has doubled up Ithaca 40-20 with 4:19 to go in the 1st half. Don't think anyone saw that coming.

Bombers put together an out and out embarrassing performance tonight.

I'll renege on my earlier prediction: The Bombers may not make the E8 tournament. Let's be honest, the only reason they beat Stevens was because the Ducks missed 11 free throws. This will drop them to 5-3 in conference. Fisher will kill them again; 5-4. Stevens will beat them up there; 5-5. They'll beat Elmira, Alfred and probably Hartwick; 8-5. They'll lose up at RIT, where they don't tend to play well; 8-6. And they'll probably split the Naz/Utica; 9-7.

Will that be enough? Possibly. I doubt Alfred, Utica and Elmira will do anything. Hartwick would be a long shot to only lose 6. But RIT's even in the loss column with IC and would have the win in Ithaca. They've proven they can beat Naz and hung with Stevens. There's no reason to think they couldn't get hot, beat IC again, and take the 4th seed.

But even if the Bombers make the tournament, they won't do anything there. They've constantly laid eggs in the conference tourney, and if last year's team couldn't do it, this one won't.

I know it's a young team, but it's disheartening. Basketball's never been big here, and now, when they finally seem to have the talent to make things happen, they blow it every chance they get. I guess I'll concentrate on wrestling from here on out

Please do.  RIT is a solid team and won @ the #1 ranked team in the region (UR). They were picked #2 in the league for a reason and have been very streaky.  They can beat anyone and lose to anyone so playing IC well is not a surprise, especially when IC goes cold from the floor (3-15? from 3 point range in the first half).  And don't choke removing the foot from your mouth.

[Bombers798891]

RIT has doubled up Ithaca 40-20 with 4:19 to go in the 1st half. Don't think anyone saw that coming.

Bombers put together an out and out embarrassing performance tonight.

I'll renege on my earlier prediction: The Bombers may not make the E8 tournament. Let's be honest, the only reason they beat Stevens was because the Ducks missed 11 free throws. This will drop them to 5-3 in conference. Fisher will kill them again; 5-4. Stevens will beat them up there; 5-5. They'll beat Elmira, Alfred and probably Hartwick; 8-5. They'll lose up at RIT, where they don't tend to play well; 8-6. And they'll probably split the Naz/Utica; 9-7.

Will that be enough? Possibly. I doubt Alfred, Utica and Elmira will do anything. Hartwick would be a long shot to only lose 6. But RIT's even in the loss column with IC and would have the win in Ithaca. They've proven they can beat Naz and hung with Stevens. There's no reason to think they couldn't get hot, beat IC again, and take the 4th seed.

But even if the Bombers make the tournament, they won't do anything there. They've constantly laid eggs in the conference tourney, and if last year's team couldn't do it, this one won't.

I know it's a young team, but it's disheartening. Basketball's never been big here, and now, when they finally seem to have the talent to make things happen, they blow it every chance they get. I guess I'll concentrate on wrestling from here on out

Please do.  RIT is a solid team and won @ the #1 ranked team in the region (UR). They were picked #2 in the league for a reason and have been very streaky.  They can beat anyone and lose to anyone so playing IC well is not a surprise, especially when IC goes cold from the floor (3-15? from 3 point range in the first half).  And don't choke removing the foot from your mouth.

You know, as great as that comeback was, RIT was still a 4-8 team and the Bombers trailed by 23 with 16 minutes to go on their home court. You can't count on making a comeback like that (or down nine with 2:30 to go in every game). The Bombers are good, but they're making a habit of digging themselves massive holes, and there's going to come a time when you can't rely on teams missing 10 free throws and blowing 23-point leads

Yes, they've made two great comebacks, but they failed when they got down 16 in the second half to Utica and they never made a serious run at Fisher after getting down a ton early. You can't keep getting down like that and expect to come back and win all the time. The Bombers have proven that. What's wrong with being critical of a team when they play poorly? You think the coaches thought "Down 23 with 16 minutes to go, right where we want them"?

As for my comments on the history the Bombers have in the E8 tournament, feel free to direct me to something I said that was factually incorrect. Have the Bombers ever won an E8 tournament game? One and done every year as far as I can recall. They haven't won a NCAA postseason game since 1993. Again, what did I say that was factually incorrect? It's not like I'm not supportive of the team when they win. But why can't people be critical of poor play?

Ok, yes, saying they'll lose in this E8 tournament was unfair, but again, they don't have a great history in these things. Last year's team WAS better, probably the best team in school history, and they were playing at home. Right now, it looks like IC may be playing at Fisher, and considering the Cardinals blew them away up there last time, why wouldn't that be a disquieting sign?

[FROMAFAR]

Hey Bomber, you think you have problems.........how would you like to be on this side of the fence..... basically playing for ahh pride the rest of the way... maybe spoiler....This may be the worst it has ever been for the Tigers.... I speak in disgust..... I am going to sleep, I hope

[Bombers798891]

Hey Bomber, you think you have problems.........how would you like to be on this side of the fence..... basically playing for ahh pride the rest of the way... maybe spoiler....This may be the worst it has ever been for the Tigers.... I speak in disgust..... I am going to sleep, I hope

Yeah, that was a crusher, no doubt. The number of fouls RIT picked up was staggering. The Bombers had a 31-12 edge in free throws. RIT was up 20 and the Bombers hit eight straight free throws in a span of two minutes to cut it to 12. The Bomber were in the bonus with 13 minutes to go and the double bonus with 8:29 to go. I don't know if the Bombers were just too quick or the Tigers undisciplined, but that was just crazy.

[Bombers798891]

Look, my earlier post was probably out of line in parts, but this Bomber team is all over the map. In the same game they can look like world-beaters and then terrible. Part of it is certainly the youth, but it's been a season long trend for them:

1) 10 point lead against a very good Oneonta team with 3:56 to go, and the Bombers can't hang on

2) The next game they trail Cortland-who is currently 7-6-by 10 points with 12 minutes to go before a great comeback

3) Against St. Lawrence--currently 6-8--Ithaca has a 16 point lead at home with 10 minutes to go. 7 minutes later, they're down by one. They hold on for the victory

4) Against Roanoke--currently 6-10--the Bombers are up 17 with 17:38 to go but trail by two with just 5:33 to go before pulling it out

5) Against Case Western, Ithaca is up 15 with 6:37 to go only to see the lead trimmed to one with 11 seconds left but manage to hold on

6) Even against Elmira, not exactly a great team, Ithaca sees a 20-point lead dwindle to five in the second half.

7) There's the 16-point second half deficit to a 6-8 Utica team that they cut to three before the comeback fell just short

8) And the one that was pulled off against a good Stevens team

9) And now this against a 4-9 RIT squad...

It's a wildly inconsistent team. They've had blowouts, and been blown out. They make great comebacks against good teams but they allow them against bad teams. They jump all over good teams, and get pounded early by weak ones. You never know what you're going to see from Ithaca. Are you going to see a team that doesn't play defense? Or doesn't allow a basket for six minutes? Will they shoot the lights out? Will they hit nothing? They're 13-4 and could probably be 15-2. They could also probably be 8-9. They could go to the Sweet 16 or lose in the conference semis.

Yes, the record is very good. But what does it mean? Is there a more Jekyll and Hyde team in the E8?

[bomber3]

Look, my earlier post was probably out of line in parts, but this Bomber team is all over the map. In the same game they can look like world-beaters and then terrible. Part of it is certainly the youth, but it's been a season long trend for them:

1) 10 point lead against a very good Oneonta team with 3:56 to go, and the Bombers can't hang on

2) The next game they trail Cortland-who is currently 7-6-by 10 points with 12 minutes to go before a great comeback

3) Against St. Lawrence--currently 6-8--Ithaca has a 16 point lead at home with 10 minutes to go. 7 minutes later, they're down by one. They hold on for the victory

4) Against Roanoke--currently 6-10--the Bombers are up 17 with 17:38 to go but trail by two with just 5:33 to go before pulling it out

5) Against Case Western, Ithaca is up 15 with 6:37 to go only to see the lead trimmed to one with 11 seconds left but manage to hold on

6) Even against Elmira, not exactly a great team, Ithaca sees a 20-point lead dwindle to five in the second half.

7) There's the 16-point second half deficit to a 6-8 Utica team that they cut to three before the comeback fell just short

8) And the one that was pulled off against a good Stevens team

9) And now this against a 4-9 RIT squad...

It's a wildly inconsistent team. They've had blowouts, and been blown out. They make great comebacks against good teams but they allow them against bad teams. They jump all over good teams, and get pounded early by weak ones. You never know what you're going to see from Ithaca. Are you going to see a team that doesn't play defense? Or doesn't allow a basket for six minutes? Will they shoot the lights out? Will they hit nothing? They're 13-4 and could probably be 15-2. They could also probably be 8-9. They could go to the Sweet 16 or lose in the conference semis.

Yes, the record is very good. But what does it mean? Is there a more Jekyll and Hyde team in the E8?

This is a testament to the style they are playing.  Shooting around 25-30 3's  a game will result in some long dry spells and some hot streaks.  Yes they have been inconsistent at times but I will take inconsistency and 13-4 over consistency and 9-8 any day of the week.  Despite the wild swings in games, they have beaten the teams they should beat and lost the games they should lose (with the exception of Utica).  They were the underdogs against Amherst, Oneonta, and Fisher.  Everyone else I would say they have been favored against.  So despite the wild in-game swings I think the team has been fairly consistent.

I forgot who said it but its believed a team has 5 great games 5 below average games and 20 average games.  That being said I would say IC has played great 2-3 times so far (Alfred, Naz) and poorly 2-3 times (Fisher, Utica). All the rest have been average.  I don't count yesterday because RIT is a good team that already has beaten arguably the best team in the region (plus IC won the game).   You're looking too far into things.

[Bombers798891]

Look, my earlier post was probably out of line in parts, but this Bomber team is all over the map. In the same game they can look like world-beaters and then terrible. Part of it is certainly the youth, but it's been a season long trend for them:

1) 10 point lead against a very good Oneonta team with 3:56 to go, and the Bombers can't hang on

2) The next game they trail Cortland-who is currently 7-6-by 10 points with 12 minutes to go before a great comeback

3) Against St. Lawrence--currently 6-8--Ithaca has a 16 point lead at home with 10 minutes to go. 7 minutes later, they're down by one. They hold on for the victory

4) Against Roanoke--currently 6-10--the Bombers are up 17 with 17:38 to go but trail by two with just 5:33 to go before pulling it out

5) Against Case Western, Ithaca is up 15 with 6:37 to go only to see the lead trimmed to one with 11 seconds left but manage to hold on

6) Even against Elmira, not exactly a great team, Ithaca sees a 20-point lead dwindle to five in the second half.

7) There's the 16-point second half deficit to a 6-8 Utica team that they cut to three before the comeback fell just short

8) And the one that was pulled off against a good Stevens team

9) And now this against a 4-9 RIT squad...

It's a wildly inconsistent team. They've had blowouts, and been blown out. They make great comebacks against good teams but they allow them against bad teams. They jump all over good teams, and get pounded early by weak ones. You never know what you're going to see from Ithaca. Are you going to see a team that doesn't play defense? Or doesn't allow a basket for six minutes? Will they shoot the lights out? Will they hit nothing? They're 13-4 and could probably be 15-2. They could also probably be 8-9. They could go to the Sweet 16 or lose in the conference semis.

Yes, the record is very good. But what does it mean? Is there a more Jekyll and Hyde team in the E8?

This is a testament to the style they are playing.  Shooting around 25-30 3's  a game will result in some long dry spells and some hot streaks.  Yes they have been inconsistent at times but I will take inconsistency and 13-4 over consistency and 9-8 any day of the week.  Despite the wild swings in games, they have beaten the teams they should beat and lost the games they should lose (with the exception of Utica).  They were the underdogs against Amherst, Oneonta, and Fisher.  Everyone else I would say they have been favored against.  So despite the wild in-game swings I think the team has been fairly consistent.

I forgot who said it but its believed a team has 5 great games 5 below average games and 20 average games.  That being said I would say IC has played great 2-3 times so far (Alfred, Naz) and poorly 2-3 times (Fisher, Utica). All the rest have been average.  I don't count yesterday because RIT is a good team that already has beaten arguably the best team in the region (plus IC won the game).   You're looking too far into things.

Alright, that's fair enough. Like I said, it's just one of those things where at times, you shake your head with the team because you don't know what you're going to get. Watching the first half, you wonder how IC got to 13-4. Watching the second, you wonder how they ever lost

[FROMAFAR]

Everything you Bomber brothers say makes sense, except RIT is not a good team. While we beat R U... I think that can be attributed to good PLAYERS, but IF you say good TEAM... no....a good TEAM,as you guys profess, and I agree is consistent. RIT is not a good team..... I still think it's the absence of a floor general, as they say. You know I strongly beleive in that, and they remind me of last years Stevens team... Some good players but totaly un-organized on the court. As far as IC goes.... you guys seem to be both right, in away. The are certainly inconsistent during the game but consistently win... which is the important thisng.... However, I have to agree with 798891 being cautious...while they have righted the ship during the games, for the most part, it's like Sweet Pea on the girders, ( remember the baby in Popeye cartoons who was crawling on girders, and wghen just about to fall the next girder comes by.....one of these days the girder may not be there. These next two week obviously will give us a better pictire of how this is all going to work out... As an RIT fan, it will take a miracle for us to get in...I think Naz will slip a little, and it appears UC may have shot themselves in the foot.  Again too early to tell... but those in contention are becoming less...WHAT DO    

[bomber3]

Everything you Bomber brothers say makes sense, except RIT is not a good team. While we beat R U... I think that can be attributed to good PLAYERS, but IF you say good TEAM... no....a good TEAM,as you guys profess, and I agree is consistent. RIT is not a good team..... I still think it's the absence of a floor general, as they say. You know I strongly beleive in that, and they remind me of last years Stevens team... Some good players but totaly un-organized on the court. As far as IC goes.... you guys seem to be both right, in away. The are certainly inconsistent during the game but consistently win... which is the important thisng.... However, I have to agree with 798891 being cautious...while they have righted the ship during the games, for the most part, it's like Sweet Pea on the girders, ( remember the baby in Popeye cartoons who was crawling on girders, and wghen just about to fall the next girder comes by.....one of these days the girder may not be there. These next two week obviously will give us a better pictire of how this is all going to work out... As an RIT fan, it will take a miracle for us to get in...I think Naz will slip a little, and it appears UC may have shot themselves in the foot.  Again too early to tell... but those in contention are becoming less...WHAT DO    

Ok....substitute good with talented + underachieving !

And looking back at the past three years RIT/IC have had some battles...

2 years ago IC trails by 9 (?) with about 1:30 to go before Sean Leahy nails 3 3's in the final minute including the game winning buzzer beater to win by 1 in front of a packed RIT gym.

Last year IC trails by 7 (?) with about a minute ago but ties it up with 2 Burton FT's before Korinchak nails a half courter to win by 3 (despite the shot coming about 0.2 seconds late )

This year IC trails by 25 at home against RIT before storming back  to win by one in the last minute...

It has developed into a pretty good rivalry recently and I hope they can schedule some non-conference games in once RIT bails from the E9.

[FROMAFAR]

If I were an IC fan I would want to play us too.......The only win we have on that list is one that came after the buzzer......good... talented, which ever way you want, but yes underachieving... But how do we know RIT is talented... based on what...last year? We had Carson, more of dominant player than I gave him credit for...yea we can see talented players out their, but if they lose is it because they don't play together or maybe they are not as talented as we think...... I will say this, they look confused on offense, and the bigs do not play as bigs.. they can shoot and like to shoot, but we need some inside presence. We need a couple of wins, some sort of jump start........    

[Bombers798891]

If I were an IC fan I would want to play us too.......The only win we have on that list is one that came after the buzzer......good... talented, which ever way you want, but yes underachieving... But how do we know RIT is talented... based on what...last year? We had Carson, more of dominant player than I gave him credit for...yea we can see talented players out their, but if they lose is it because they don't play together or maybe they are not as talented as we think...... I will say this, they look confused on offense, and the bigs do not play as bigs.. they can shoot and like to shoot, but we need some inside presence. We need a couple of wins, some sort of jump start........    

If you can get out to a 34-9 lead at the 9:28 mark of the first half an the road against a 12-4 team, you've gotta have some talent...

[Ethelred the Unready]

If I were an IC fan I would want to play us too.......The only win we have on that list is one that came after the buzzer......good... talented, which ever way you want, but yes underachieving... But how do we know RIT is talented... based on what...last year? We had Carson, more of dominant player than I gave him credit for...yea we can see talented players out their, but if they lose is it because they don't play together or maybe they are not as talented as we think...... I will say this, they look confused on offense, and the bigs do not play as bigs.. they can shoot and like to shoot, but we need some inside presence. We need a couple of wins, some sort of jump start........    

If you can get out to a 34-9 lead at the 9:28 mark of the first half an the road against a 12-4 team, you've gotta have some talent...

or somebody's not playing defense....