Empire 8

[Cyclone0205]

I figured we would learn a lot about the Ducks tonight and I think we did.  Impressive 63-52 win over a very athletic, but not very well coached William Paterson team.  I have to amend my earlier comment, after getting a second look at Paterson they are easily the most physically imposing and athletic team Stevens will play, but I think Ithaca and Fisher would both beat W.P. also.

Key to the game was defense for Stevens.  They still rely heavily on help responsibility but held WP under 40% shooting from field and 3-15 or something like that from 3.  Offensively the Ducks were bothered by William Paterson's full court pressure but were solid in the half court.  Sheldon Jones, tournament MVP, is emerging as Stevens go to player.  He is learning how to create his own shot and is a train in the open court. 

Hurley seems to have set the rotation.  Thompson, Cutri, Jones, Smith, and Franklin start, with Sabbatino, McManamy, and Skrelja off the bench.  That means the team is relying on 1 senior, 2 juniors, 2 sophomores, and 3 freshmen off the bench to lead the way.  Very young.

Might just be coincidence but I noticed a good number of alum from the '07 Sweet 16 team on/behind the bench to start the year.  Waleed Farid, Mike Collins, and Floyd Morris were all on the bench or right behind it for the tournament, with Collins being the only one listed as a coach.  Could just be guys making early appearance in the season, but, given the youth of the team, it wouldn't be the worst thing to have some of the alumni guys around to help out, particularly at their positions (Farid for Cutri/Jones, Morris for Thompson/Skrelja). 

Still think the Ducks will surprise some people, really will depend on how the freshman grow up and the continued emergence of Jones as a go to guy for them.

[E8Hoops04]

UC Pioneers had a nice win against SUNY IT Friday night. Tied at the half, UC, lead by James Paterson w/ 21 on 8-15, 5-9 and Kevin Johnson w/ 17 on 6-12,1-4, 4-5 lead all the way after the first minute of the second half and finished with a 12 point win at 75 - 63.  David Golembiowski had 29 (11-25, 4-13, 3-5) and Calvin Logins had 12 w/ 8 FT for IT.

The UC defense played well throughout, particularly in the second half, holding IT to 30/17% for the period, 33/27% overall.  Johnson and Paterson each had 4 steals and Jeff Ward had 14 rebounds for the Pioneers.

SUNY-IT was ranked number 19 nationally going into the game. Impressive victory for the Pioneers who have started 2-0 with both games on the road.

[magicman]

UC Pioneers had a nice win against SUNY IT Friday night. Tied at the half, UC, lead by James Paterson w/ 21 on 8-15, 5-9 and Kevin Johnson w/ 17 on 6-12,1-4, 4-5 lead all the way after the first minute of the second half and finished with a 12 point win at 75 - 63.  David Golembiowski had 29 (11-25, 4-13, 3-5) and Calvin Logins had 12 w/ 8 FT for IT.

The UC defense played well throughout, particularly in the second half, holding IT to 30/17% for the period, 33/27% overall.  Johnson and Paterson each had 4 steals and Jeff Ward had 14 rebounds for the Pioneers.

SUNY-IT was ranked number 19 nationally going into the game. Impressive victory for the Pioneers who have started 2-0 with both games on the road.

Who had SUNYIT at #19 in the nation? The only ranking that matters, D3hoops Top 25 had them getting 7 pts. in the Others Receiving Votes category in the Pre Season Poll. And that was probably based on the success they had last year. It's a good start for Utica, winning their 1st two games on the road, but it's not like they beat a top tier program with either of these victories.

[reelentless]

UC Pioneers had a nice win against SUNY IT Friday night. Tied at the half, UC, lead by James Paterson w/ 21 on 8-15, 5-9 and Kevin Johnson w/ 17 on 6-12,1-4, 4-5 lead all the way after the first minute of the second half and finished with a 12 point win at 75 - 63.  David Golembiowski had 29 (11-25, 4-13, 3-5) and Calvin Logins had 12 w/ 8 FT for IT.

The UC defense played well throughout, particularly in the second half, holding IT to 30/17% for the period, 33/27% overall.  Johnson and Paterson each had 4 steals and Jeff Ward had 14 rebounds for the Pioneers.

SUNY-IT was ranked number 19 nationally going into the game. Impressive victory for the Pioneers who have started 2-0 with both games on the road.

Who had SUNYIT at #19 in the nation? The only ranking that matters, D3hoops Top 25 had them getting 7 pts. in the Others Receiving Votes category in the Pre Season Poll. And that was probably based on the success they had last year. It's a good start for Utica, winning their 1st two games on the road, but it's not like they beat a top tier program with either of these victories.

Agree preseason rankings mean nothing and yes, UC will be facing tougher challenges but the IT website says DIII News had them at 19 preseason?  And they do put a legitimate All American candidate on the floor in Golembiowski. 

Forget the ranking, it was a good win and a confidence builder for the Pioneers.  We'll take it.

[E8Hoops04]

Also, Empire8.com's headline on the story says "Utica Men's Basketball topples 19th-ranked SUNY IT".

[E8Hoops04]

UC Pioneers had a nice win against SUNY IT Friday night. Tied at the half, UC, lead by James Paterson w/ 21 on 8-15, 5-9 and Kevin Johnson w/ 17 on 6-12,1-4, 4-5 lead all the way after the first minute of the second half and finished with a 12 point win at 75 - 63.  David Golembiowski had 29 (11-25, 4-13, 3-5) and Calvin Logins had 12 w/ 8 FT for IT.

The UC defense played well throughout, particularly in the second half, holding IT to 30/17% for the period, 33/27% overall.  Johnson and Paterson each had 4 steals and Jeff Ward had 14 rebounds for the Pioneers.

SUNY-IT was ranked number 19 nationally going into the game. Impressive victory for the Pioneers who have started 2-0 with both games on the road.

Who had SUNYIT at #19 in the nation? The only ranking that matters, D3hoops Top 25 had them getting 7 pts. in the Others Receiving Votes category in the Pre Season Poll. And that was probably based on the success they had last year. It's a good start for Utica, winning their 1st two games on the road, but it's not like they beat a top tier program with either of these victories.

I agree that pre-season rankings don't mean much, but when it comes selection time, if UC surprises and puts together a solid resume, these early season road victories including one over a ranked team are a big help.

[magicman]

Also, Empire8.com's headline on the story says "Utica Men's Basketball topples 19th-ranked SUNY IT".

Wishful thinking.
As I mentioned earlier the only rankings that really matter are the D3hoops rankings.

[bomber3]

Wow, Utica wins two games and already they're an at large contender! Now I don't actually know how good Utica is but unless they resigned..I mean re-enrolled Ray Bryant again then I would think the max number of wins to expect would be 17-18.  They were just not good last year.  And are these the same boards people had Utica listed in LAST place in the E8 this year?!

[E8Hoops04]

Wow, Utica wins two games and already they're an at large contender! Now I don't actually know how good Utica is but unless they resigned..I mean re-enrolled Ray Bryant again then I would think the max number of wins to expect would be 17-18.  They were just not good last year.  And are these the same boards people had Utica listed in LAST place in the E8 this year?!

I wasn't aware that saying "If Utica Surprises and puts together a good resume" was the same as saying that after two games they are an at large contender. Of course, exaggerated hyperbole is what one would expect from someone who is insincere enough to suggest that a Coach with the integrity of Andrew Goodemote would have a paid player in his program, especially since the player in question lived just a few miles from the campus.

Utica is a question mark, no doubt. They struggled mightily last season. However, it was a season filled with uncertainty and extraneous variables. A new system was being learned, a large turnover in the roster, injuries, academic issues etc... were prevalent after a decade of stability for the program. There are still some very talented players on that roster and by the looks of them physically, they put in some hard work in the offseason.

Who knows what will happen this season? I know I don't. But I do know that quality wins early on are huge for the individual team and the conference as a whole. For a program that needs to take it one game at a time and keep focused, I'd say Utica has done a good job thus far.

[FROMAFAR]

First off great Job UC..... Last year you would certainly have lost those games. definitley a step in the right direction.....I am not "annointing them" just stating the obvious. Stevens beating Paterson may be telling. I did not see the game , but looking at the box score some concerns. One is what happened to Smith.......I will tell you not getting him the ball down low will hurt this team big time. I don't know if that was the case but Smith didn't do much scoring here. Looks like Thompson and Cutri are not burning up the 3's. Which maybe they don't have to. They look like they are rebounding weel, and shooting well too, except the 3's. So as cyclone says, maybe they will find some way to have a winning record.... OR is Paterson over-rated.....   So the annointed ones ( just kidding) IC and Fisher tough starts......... remember what I said no consistency in this league......But    

[Old Duck]

Hard for Smith to score or get involved when he is playing 15-20 feet from the basket at the top of the key in offense being run.  He was able to get a few assists from there. Also being out of the game for the last 6 or 7 minutes of each halve would cut down on his effectiveness.

[FROMAFAR]

OLD DUCK 100 % right.  For this team to thrive they need Smith on the court for 30+ minutes. He didn't appear to be in foul trouble, not sure of the diminished minutes. He had 7 turnovers, could that should not have layed a part. He's a monster of the boards, especially the offensive boards.  The E-8 will shut down Cutria and Thompson may have ahard time getting off his shot.  Jones may get his 12 a night, but your right Smith needs to play and get the ball down low.... He got it last year despite the "Wisconsin" offense... everyone plays inside and outside, sort of...Hang in there OLD DUCK.... again not sure of the rationale for minuites but they need him in there and he will be....   This team is funny, it has the pieces to be in the mix and maybe upset some of the annointed ones, but it also has the ability to lose to some of the lower teams... UC can be upstart with Hartwick which could puts the Ducks in a bit of mess. But always remember anything can happen in this league. But  

[Old Duck]

Under control Jones could help Stevens a lot. He played well Friday and Saturday. Like Smith he was out of the game at odd times on Saturday, on the bench when Stevens was struggling against the press in the second half. You are right that Stevens has the pieces to be in the mix. What the returning starters do has been talked about already. Franklin looks to be healthy and more mobile his senior year. McManamy had a good game on Saturday.  A good 6'5" outside shooter and he mixed it up inside for the first time Saturday night.   Sabatino and Skrelja will see a good number of minutes and should contribute.  Having Jones, Smith and Sabatino in the lineup at the same time gives Stevens a great offensive opportunity to run the ball if they chose.  Problem is their guards do not look up the floor very often.  All that being said the key to their season is if someone ( Thompson or Skrelja) can step up as the point guard. They need someone to run the offense and distribute the ball.  I am not that impressed with the win over Willaim Paterson. They looked out of sync the entire game. The only offense they generated was off the press in the second half. I thought that Baruch was a better team then WP. Stevens biggest test outside of the E8 will be Kean on 11/29.

[sjfcards]

I am getting on the boards for the first time in a few days, so I am sorry if this has already been covered. I have to say that I did not see Fisher's 0-2 start coming. I have been looking at the teams profiles, and I don't see anything that would make me think that Fisher would struggle the way they did.

Does anyone have any ideas as to why they have started so slow? I did see that Norsen did not play in either game, and that Kramer did not make the trip, but still. Any ideas?

[E8Hoops04]

I am getting on the boards for the first time in a few days, so I am sorry if this has already been covered. I have to say that I did not see Fisher's 0-2 start coming. I have been looking at the teams profiles, and I don't see anything that would make me think that Fisher would struggle the way they did.

Does anyone have any ideas as to why they have started so slow? I did see that Norsen did not play in either game, and that Kramer did not make the trip, but still. Any ideas?

I think it is because the teams they played scored more points than they did...


Seriously though, I am surprised as well.