Empire 8

[ecrugger]

What happened in Elmira tonight? That was unexpected.

[dcahill44]

Nazareth wins against Fisher 66-56 in an unbelievable battle of the beaks and Ithaca gets stunned by elmire 72-66

[Bombers798891]

What happened in Elmira tonight? That was unexpected.

Happened last season too...

Ithaca's two leading scorers went 6-for-21 from the floor, and as a team, the Bombers were 9-of-16 from the FT line when the game was still up for grabs, as opposed to the close to 75% they were shooting heading into the game. Those three points could have changed a lot. 

Still, it's mind-blowing that Ithaca could blow an 11-point second half lead to a team like Elmira. Last season, Ithaca played its best basketball after the Elmira loss. Hopefully that happens again

[Bombers798891]

Bombers pick up a big win, topping Fisher 90-87 to get back on track. Seems like Elmira just presents Ithaca with some matchup problems.

Travis Warech drops 28, and is turning into a real force offensively. That's the 3rd time in 4 games he's scored at least 21 points. His PPG average has gone up from 10.7 to 13.8 in that span. He's now Ithaca's second leading scorer.

[dcahill44]

After this weekend my Top 10 teams in the East Region
1. Rochester 16-0 I hope there in no argument here 
2. Stevens 14-1 many quality wins and 3 players averaging over 14 a game
3. Cortland 12-3 one of many teams that could win the SUNYAC 
4. NYU even though they are 2-3 in the UAA have quality wins including Stevens
5. Oswego State Questionable SOS but Hayden Ward puts them in my top 5
6. Union Very Questionable SOS but a Fabulous record puts them in my top 6
7. Clarkson, 8. Ithaca, 9. Nazareth, 10. Plattsburgh
I think the top 2 teams in the region are Elite. I Still have questions about Union and Clarkson. Ithaca is definetly a Dangerous team watch out for them if they can sneak into the NCAA Tournament 

[dcahill44]

After Stevens beating Nazareth and Houghton this weekend they improve to 14-1. Nazareth really hurt me this weekend after falling to 11-6 after losses to Stevens and Hartwick. Before the weekend i would have predicted Naz to lose to Stevens and win against Hartwick. Nazareth has a favorable schedule in the 2nd half of the Empire 8 season. Coach Mullins and Ithaca must have nightmares about Elmira after they lost to them last year as well   . Ithaca definetly came back strong after a good win At St John Fisher. I really think Ithaca will win the Majority of there final games and get an at large bid if they dont win their conference. Hartwick is starting to play very well after winning 4 of their last 5 and could definetly challenge Fisher for that 4th final spot in the Empire 8 Tournament
Go Naz

[Bombers798891]

Looks increasingly like we have five teams for four spots...Stevens, Ithaca, Fisher, Naz, and the Wick. I'm not grouping Utica in there despite their conference record suggesting otherwise, because a 6-11 overall record makes me wary that they can put it together.

Ithaca's got a rough schedule coming up. They have six games against the Wick, Stevens, and Naz, and a good Scranton team. However, I think their sweep of Fisher makes it unlikely they fall out completely. Fisher better be careful.

[dcahill44]

Alfred beating St John Fisher 35-32 at half

[Bombers798891]

What a mess the E8 is right now...

The second through sixth place teams are all.500, and with three of them at 4-4, it's going to be a real fight to the finish. Only Ithaca and Stevens seem safe to me at this point, but even the Bombers have a lot of tough games left.

[Bombers798891]

To backtrack a bit...

So, this Keuka/Houghton game on 1/9. Can I reiterate how much I hate teams fouling when a game is out of reach and referees either not calling intentional fouls or letting it go? I'm not talking down six with a minute to go, where a game is within reach. I mean, down by 19 with 25 seconds to go, 20 with 13 seconds to go, or, I kid you not, down by 23 with one second to go (all these were situations Houghton fouled in). Especially when the other team is making free throws.

Seriously, let it go (teams and refs). It is not a "never give up attitude." It's not possible to make up a 19 point deficit in 25 seconds unless the other team decided to pick up half a dozen technicals. Literally, the time it would take you to get the ball and make seven baskets is longer than 25 seconds. Officials need to either let it go, or start calling intentional fouls. Teams just turn games into sideshows, all because what, they saw that one Duke/Maryland game?

[Ethelred the Unready]

To backtrack a bit...

So, this Keuka/Houghton game on 1/9. Can I reiterate how much I hate teams fouling when a game is out of reach and referees either not calling intentional fouls or letting it go? I'm not talking down six with a minute to go, where a game is within reach. I mean, down by 19 with 25 seconds to go, 20 with 13 seconds to go, or, I kid you not, down by 23 with one second to go (all these were situations Houghton fouled in). Especially when the other team is making free throws.

Seriously, let it go (teams and refs). It is not a "never give up attitude." It's not possible to make up a 19 point deficit in 25 seconds unless the other team decided to pick up half a dozen technicals. Literally, the time it would take you to get the ball and make seven baskets is longer than 25 seconds. Officials need to either let it go, or start calling intentional fouls. Teams just turn games into sideshows, all because what, they saw that one Duke/Maryland game?

Yeah, that's a little insane

[magicman]

To backtrack a bit...

So, this Keuka/Houghton game on 1/9. Can I reiterate how much I hate teams fouling when a game is out of reach and referees either not calling intentional fouls or letting it go? I'm not talking down six with a minute to go, where a game is within reach. I mean, down by 19 with 25 seconds to go, 20 with 13 seconds to go, or, I kid you not, down by 23 with one second to go (all these were situations Houghton fouled in). Especially when the other team is making free throws.

Seriously, let it go (teams and refs). It is not a "never give up attitude." It's not possible to make up a 19 point deficit in 25 seconds unless the other team decided to pick up half a dozen technicals. Literally, the time it would take you to get the ball and make seven baskets is longer than 25 seconds. Officials need to either let it go, or start calling intentional fouls. Teams just turn games into sideshows, all because what, they saw that one Duke/Maryland game?

I agree completely as we've seen this happen way too many times. And on occasion a key player on the winning team ends up with an injury because of the useless fouls. This situation is on the shoulders of one person, the losing team's coach. All he has to do is say to his players, NO FOULS.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

If anyone interested, Stevens will be featured on Hoopsville tonight. Show starts at 7 PM EST at www.d3hoopsville.com.

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[Bombers798891]

Bombers up on Stevens at the half 41-37. Ithaca closes on a 12-0 run.

Here's all I'm going to say by way of analysis, since I'm not at the game:

Ithaca has shot 20 free throws. Stevens has shot one. Stevens has also picked up a technical foul. Do with that information what you will

[Bombers798891]

Elmira up 40-26 on the Wick at the half? Holy cow

Utica leads Fisher 45-38

Naz only up 4 on Alfred 39-35