Empire 8

7express · February 20, 2014, 10:53:31 PM

It's highly unlikely to happen, but I noticed there's still a possibility for a 5 way tie for first between SJF, Naz, Wick, Stevens, and Alfred. Which team would host should that tiebreaker occur and which team would be on the outside looking in should that happen??

dcahill44 · February 21, 2014, 11:24:04 AM

Its funny you say that because when I was breaking down everything I discovered that possibility... and I honestly don't know what would happen

NYHOOPS8 · February 21, 2014, 01:39:03 PM

As unpredictable as the E8 has been this year, its hard to see the top tier teams losing today and tomorrow. All but Nazareth are at home and facing bottom feeders. Elmira did beat Hartwick earlier in the year but the game is in Oneonta this time and I can't see Hartwick losing to them again.

magicman · February 21, 2014, 03:49:48 PM

Quote from: NYHOOPS8 on February 21, 2014, 01:39:03 PM
As unpredictable as the E8 has been this year, its hard to see the top tier teams losing today and tomorrow. All but Nazareth are at home and facing bottom feeders. Elmira did beat Hartwick earlier in the year but the game is in Oneonta this time and I can't see Hartwick losing to them again.

I have to agree with that NYHOOPS. I think Hartwick, Stevens and Nazareth all win and finish 10-4. Alfred wins against the Bombers on Saturday to claim the 4th playoff spot. Fisher is the odd man out.

magicman · February 21, 2014, 11:51:41 PM

So we have some finals:

Stevens defeats Elmira 74-68.

Ducks were down by 7 points at 67-60 with 3 minutes to play and they end the game on a 14-1 run to pull out the win. The clinch a playoff spot and will claim the top seed if Hartwick loses to Elmira on Saturday afternoon.

Nazareth downs Utica 98-82.

Naz clinches a playoff spot but the Golden Flyers cannot claim the top seed since Stevens won.

AUPepBand · February 22, 2014, 11:32:28 PM

Saxons earn their first-ever berth in the Empire 8 Conference Tournament with a 104-80 win over Ithaca this afternoon at McLane Center.
Saxons finish 9-5 in conference play, edge St. John Fisher on the tiebreaker to earn the #4 seed and will play #1 seed Hartwick in Oneonta at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28. #2 Stevens faces #3 Nazareth at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28 at Hartwick. Winners meet for the NCAA berth on Saturday, March 1, also at Hartwick.

Congratulations to Coach Dale Wellman and the 21 Saxons for a successful regular season (18-7, 9-5) and a first-ever E8 Tourney berth.

On Saxon Warriors!

magicman · February 23, 2014, 11:09:23 AM

Quote from: AUPepBand on February 22, 2014, 11:32:28 PM
Saxons earn their first-ever berth in the Empire 8 Conference Tournament with a 104-80 win over Ithaca this afternoon at McLane Center.
Saxons finish 9-5 in conference play, edge St. John Fisher on the tiebreaker to earn the #4 seed and will play #1 seed Hartwick in Oneonta at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28. #2 Stevens faces #3 Nazareth at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28 at Hartwick. Winners meet for the NCAA berth on Saturday, March 1, also at Hartwick.

Congratulations to Coach Dale Wellman and the 21 Saxons for a successful regular season (18-7, 9-5) and a first-ever E8 Tourney berth.

On Saxon Warriors!

Congratulations Pep, I'm happy for you. Hope the Saxons can do some further damage. On Saxon Warriors!

AUPepBand · February 23, 2014, 04:55:09 PM

Quote from: magicman on February 23, 2014, 11:09:23 AM
Quote from: AUPepBand on February 22, 2014, 11:32:28 PM
Saxons earn their first-ever berth in the Empire 8 Conference Tournament with a 104-80 win over Ithaca this afternoon at McLane Center.
Saxons finish 9-5 in conference play, edge St. John Fisher on the tiebreaker to earn the #4 seed and will play #1 seed Hartwick in Oneonta at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28. #2 Stevens faces #3 Nazareth at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28 at Hartwick. Winners meet for the NCAA berth on Saturday, March 1, also at Hartwick.

Congratulations to Coach Dale Wellman and the 21 Saxons for a successful regular season (18-7, 9-5) and a first-ever E8 Tourney berth.

On Saxon Warriors!

Congratulations Pep, I'm happy for you. Hope the Saxons can do some further damage. On Saxon Warriors!

...Thanks, magicman...+K...this team brought the old-time AU hoop fans out of the hills, was a fun team to watch this season.

Yesterday's highlight was the halftime tomfoolery. This year, they've had a couple of students' names drawn from a list of contestant wannabes for a shoot-out for prizes at Fox's Pizza. In a hilarious spin, yesterday they had the AU Conditioning Coach's two young daughters race each other. First, they had to put on AU hoop shirt and shorts and sneakers, dressing at mid court, then attempted to be the first to make a basket, struggling to keep the shorts on as they walked to their respective basket. It became apparent they couldn't throw it up that high so they each had someone assist, meanwhile, trying to keep their uniform together. Finally, one of them got the ball in the basket and the attentive crowd roared its approval.

Best of luck to your Plattsburgh Cardinals in the SUNYAC Tourney at Brockport!

On Saxon Warriors!

magicman · February 24, 2014, 06:38:34 AM

Thanks for the good luck wishes Pep.

Win or lose I think my Cardinals will get into the NCAA's. Getting 21 wins in the regular season is not easy to do (only the 2nd time in our school history that has happened), and should be good enough to merit an at large bid, but it's nice to have that automatic bid, as the tournament champion, in hand. Having that on the resume also helps to get a home game or host a pod of 4 teams. At this time of year, getting to watch your team on their home court just once more, is icing on the cake. I'd like it to be thick, creamy and vanilla.

Plus K back at you and to all on this page

NYHOOPS8 · February 24, 2014, 08:35:23 AM

Congrats to AUPep and the Saxons. It was said before the season started that Alfred would be a scary team to play but I don't think any of us thought Alfred would make their way into the conference tournament. They face Hartwick in the semis but they already have a win over the Hawks so you know they will be a confident bunch going into that game. Alfred is the only team in the conference tourney that hasn't been swept in the season series by any team still left.

The other semifinal is Nazareth and Stevens. Stevens took both games in the regular season but as the saying goes, its hard to beat a team three times in one season. These are both two physical teams so you have to think the third installment is going to be a battle.

dcahill44 · February 24, 2014, 10:50:05 AM

This E8 tourney is wide open. Anybody can win, But I do firmly believe the Golden Flyers will win the E8 Tournament!

NYHOOPS8 · February 24, 2014, 11:00:46 AM

Quote from: dcahill44 on February 24, 2014, 10:50:05 AM
This E8 tourney is wide open. Anybody can win, But I do firmly believe the Golden Flyers will win the E8 Tournament!

My early predictions are if Naz gets by Stevens, they will beat the winner of the other semfinal. If Hartwick and Stevens win, Hartwick will take it home. If Alfred and Stevens win, Stevens will win the championship. Is that clear enough?

dcahill44 · February 24, 2014, 12:39:33 PM

Naz guys are hungry for a championship! 3 starters for Naz have been to E8 championship but lost to Ithaca two years ago. Would hate to see Brad Ford, Scott Hayford, Jack Giles go out without an E8 championship. These guys have been great in Coach Brodericks first years at Naz! Coach B will have the guys ready to play as usual against Stevens. I don't see Naz losing Friday. I would be Surprised if Naz loses Friday! I think Whoever wins the 2,3 game will win the Championship Saturday!

7express · February 24, 2014, 03:17:42 PM

As a neutral observer I'll take Naz over Hartwick in the finals.

Think Naz can get by Stevens, difficult to beat a good team 3 times in 1 season. Alfred's had a great year and I know they just won @ Hartwick, but I think Hartwick gets by close at home. Naz over Wick by 5 in the finals. Really any of these 4 teams can win though.

AUPepBand · February 24, 2014, 07:17:10 PM

Quote from: 7express on February 24, 2014, 03:17:42 PM
As a neutral observer I'll take Naz over Hartwick in the finals.

Think Naz can get by Stevens, difficult to beat a good team 3 times in 1 season. Alfred's had a great year and I know they just won @ Hartwick, but I think Hartwick gets by close at home. Naz over Wick by 5 in the finals. Really any of these 4 teams can win though.

Pep is just happy for the Saxons to be in the mix. Alfred beat Hartwick at McLane Center 105-98 Saturday afternoon, Feb. 8, after beating Stevens the night before, 100-88.

Alfred lost at Hartwick in OT, 131-124 on Jan. 17, and the next day lost at Stevens, 102-85.

As was previously stated, the E8 Tourney is up for grabs with no clear favorite. Pep is liking the fact the Saxons seem to match up well with Hartwick and if AU is hot, the Hawks will have their hands full even at home.

Should the Saxons outshoot the Hawks, Pep likes the fact that AU would then be on a neutral court with the #2 v. #3 winner. AU beat both teams at home, while losing at both Naz and Stevens.

Pep is toying with the idea of making a trip to Oneonta Friday afternoon...

On Saxon Warriors!