Empire 8

[maxpower]

SP' 03 - SP '06.

[bomber3]

Bombers opened practice yesterday so their season is officially underway.  This team is loaded and probably has the second most talent of any Bomber team the past 10 years.  I believe Maravich decided not to go out for the team, which is unfortunate for their depth but they should be able to replace him.  Jordan Marcus has slimmed down and as stated previously Barera has beefed up his pencil-thin frame, both of which are great signs.  Cruz has always been in top shape since he arrived back three years ago.  They have at least two solid freshman that should play this year, one a legit center and another that can come in and lock people down.  With Rossi back leading the point this offense could challenge the school record for points per game this year.  IC undoubtedly has the best offense this year in the E9 and their success will probably rest on the defensive end.  With a little more emphasis on that end of the floor this team can be special.

Their non-conference schedule:

Hobart
Grove City
Behrend/Muskingum
Oswego
Cortland
St. Lawrence
Oneonta
Wesley
Franklin & Marshall/Old Westbury

They have a tough schedule but nothing that prevents them from winning 20 games in my opinion.  I am predicting either a 6-3/7-2 non-conference record and 13-3 conference record.  20 regular season wins isn't out of the question.  Fisher is probably the team to beat in the conference but the Bombers are right there with them. Predictions to follow...Go Bombers!

[FROMAFAR]

OK Bomber 3 my turn.... I think I have enough info to be wrong........not sure of s couple of opponents yet so recerve the right to be off by a couple out of Conference.

Tigers.....
Out of Conference...
College of staten Island - away
Wendy's Classic
Oswego Home
Waynesburg- (Brodie Tourney)
D'Youville- Home
Rochester- Away


I am going with----6-3 non conference ( looks like 9 games)...

Conference 12-4--- 18-7 ..........

E-8 standings......................

IC-----------Experience and talent
RIT----------Experience
Fisher------Coaching and reputation
NAZ---------Always there
Hartwick---Upcoming and good coach
Alfred-------PEP says good recruits?
Utica--------Unorganized.. needs new look
Stevens----lost Heart and talent.. starting all over- hayne recruits gone.
Elmira------Needs a lot of help...


You could flip.... NAZ and WICK..... The bottom 4 could flip around in any order BUT will be the botton the 4.   13 wins takes first place. Not many winns in bottom 4.

Not meant to demeanor any teams coaches or players, just a guy giving his opinion.. What do I know

[FROMAFAR]

I also reserve the right for typo's........posting while working

[E8GUY]

OK Bomber 3 my turn.... I think I have enough info to be wrong........not sure of s couple of opponents yet so recerve the right to be off by a couple out of Conference.

Tigers.....
Out of Conference...
College of staten Island - away
Wendy's Classic
Oswego Home
Waynesburg- (Brodie Tourney)
D'Youville- Home
Rochester- Away


I am going with----6-3 non conference ( looks like 9 games)...

Conference 12-4--- 18-7 ..........

E-8 standings......................

IC-----------Experience and talent
RIT----------Experience
Fisher------Coaching and reputation
NAZ---------Always there
Hartwick---Upcoming and good coach
Alfred-------PEP says good recruits?
Utica--------Unorganized.. needs new look
Stevens----lost Heart and talent.. starting all over- hayne recruits gone.
Elmira------Needs a lot of help...


You could flip.... NAZ and WICK..... The bottom 4 could flip around in any order BUT will be the botton the 4.   13 wins takes first place. Not many winns in bottom 4.

Not meant to demeanor any teams coaches or players, just a guy giving his opinion.. What do I know


I would rather not demean any players either, but considering what Connelly left behind at Elmira (which showed pretty brutal recruiting) it's hard to see how things won't just keep going downhill at Utica.  What a strange hire he was.  So I think they head to last.

Otherwise this list makes sense, I do like Hartwick to crack that top four this year.

[bomber3]

I've heard good things about Utica's recruits.  I cannot vouch for them personally but I am told several are legit.  They will not be last I will guarantee it.

[sjfcards]

Any word on what Fisher brought into camp now that practice has started? I am excited for this year, and I think that (Warning: HOMER pick) Fisher will be the team to beat in the conference. From what I have seen on here the conference is improved, but I think Fisher was clearly the best team in the conference last year (only one loss in the regular season) and they have several key players back. Kornaker always does a good job recruiting, and I would not want another coach running my team.

Does anyone know if Ozell Franklin will be back on the team this year?

[Bombers798891]

According to the Ithaca Journal's Brian Delaney, Andrei Oztemel is out 4-6 weeks with a "rare back-related nerve issue." Hate to see that, especially from a guy who's worked as hard as he has to improve. One of my favorite Bombers. Here's hoping he makes a full and timely recovery

[magicman]

Posted this on the SUNYAC board earlier.

Plattsburgh State tops the East Region teams in the D3hoops Top 25 Preseason men's poll, that was released earlier today. The Cardinals receive 126 points and check in at #22. No other East region team cracked the top 25. The other Cardinals, St John Fisher, was the next East region team mentioned as they received 9 points in the others receiving votes category. SUNYIT also received 7 points and NYU got 2 points.

Here's the link to the complete poll: http://d3hoops.com/top25/

[bomber3]

As partially reported by Bombers, Ithaca has been hit by injuries already early in the season.  Cruz has yet to practice, Jordan Marcus dislocated a finger and is out 2+ weeks, and Andrei Oztemel is rumored to be out for the entire season.  Also, Eli Maravich decided not to go out for the team this year.  So basically four players that played significant minutes last season are missing time (add Tom Brown to the list and 5 of the top 7 players from last season are not on the court right now).  So the season hasn't started out on the right foot but there is plenty of time to get healthy and turn things around. 

The new roster is up.  Miles Grier and Sweeney are their star recruits.  Sweeney is 6'9, which is already one of the tallest players in the league.  I am told one of their freshman had 20/15 in one of their scrimmages (think it was Grier).

Overall I hope the injuries are a short term speed bump.  They have the depth to rotate 1-2 injuries but any team would struggle to replace more than that.  Hopefully everyone (minus Oztemel) is back by tipoff, which is fast approaching - first game is two weeks from tomorrow.  Predictions to come.

[sjfcards]

Is there any word out of Fisher camp? Someone had mentioned earlier that Fisher had a few recruits from way out of state, so if anyone knows anything about them, please let me know.

[Bengalsrule]

Is there any word out of Fisher camp? Someone had mentioned earlier that Fisher had a few recruits from way out of state, so if anyone knows anything about them, please let me know.

I was at a the scrimmage that took place between the Buffalo State Bengals and the St John Fisher this past Saturday! (my name should tell you which team I LOVE).
Didnt know too much about Fisher other than they went to the dance last year.
We don't keep stats of the other team in a scrimmage and didn't really know/care about who's name is what.
I did notice that..
A - Thier bigman, especially their 4 were quick. That was suprising especially considering that the BENGALS bigmen are damn good.
B- Thier guards were decent!
C -They, Fisher, liked to run! 
Fisher won the first period (20 min blocks) by 6. Bengals and Fisher tied the 2nd period and Bengals won the third period by 8

Hope that helps!!!

[Bombers798891]

As partially reported by Bombers, Ithaca has been hit by injuries already early in the season.  Cruz has yet to practice, Jordan Marcus dislocated a finger and is out 2+ weeks, and Andrei Oztemel is rumored to be out for the entire season.  Also, Eli Maravich decided not to go out for the team this year.  So basically four players that played significant minutes last season are missing time (add Tom Brown to the list and 5 of the top 7 players from last season are not on the court right now).  So the season hasn't started out on the right foot but there is plenty of time to get healthy and turn things around. 

The new roster is up.  Miles Grier and Sweeney are their star recruits.  Sweeney is 6'9, which is already one of the tallest players in the league.  I am told one of their freshman had 20/15 in one of their scrimmages (think it was Grier).

Overall I hope the injuries are a short term speed bump.  They have the depth to rotate 1-2 injuries but any team would struggle to replace more than that.  Hopefully everyone (minus Oztemel) is back by tipoff, which is fast approaching - first game is two weeks from tomorrow.  Predictions to come.

A) What's up with Cruz?

B) Marcus was out for that first game anyway, so is he really going to miss much time if the injury's only two weeks.

C) I wish our roster listed weights...6'9 and what on Sweeney?

[Ethelred the Unready]

As partially reported by Bombers, Ithaca has been hit by injuries already early in the season.  Cruz has yet to practice, Jordan Marcus dislocated a finger and is out 2+ weeks, and Andrei Oztemel is rumored to be out for the entire season.  Also, Eli Maravich decided not to go out for the team this year.  So basically four players that played significant minutes last season are missing time (add Tom Brown to the list and 5 of the top 7 players from last season are not on the court right now).  So the season hasn't started out on the right foot but there is plenty of time to get healthy and turn things around. 

The new roster is up.  Miles Grier and Sweeney are their star recruits.  Sweeney is 6'9, which is already one of the tallest players in the league.  I am told one of their freshman had 20/15 in one of their scrimmages (think it was Grier).

Overall I hope the injuries are a short term speed bump.  They have the depth to rotate 1-2 injuries but any team would struggle to replace more than that.  Hopefully everyone (minus Oztemel) is back by tipoff, which is fast approaching - first game is two weeks from tomorrow.  Predictions to come.

A) What's up with Cruz?

B) Marcus was out for that first game anyway, so is he really going to miss much time if the injury's only two weeks.

C) I wish our roster listed weights...6'9 and what on Sweeney?

235 according to his profile

[sjfcards]

Thanks Bengals. I appreciate it. I checked out some. Of Fisher's recruits on youtube now that the roster is up and some look pretty decent. I don't know much about comparing high school talent to college, but they looked good to me.