Empire 8

[Bengalsrule]

The Empire 8 looks as wide open as ever going into conference play and the end of 2015. Fisher looks to be the favorite right now based off of last year but if Tyler Hart is not back for them i think Naz and Hartwick can really give them a run for the E8. Naz will return everybody for conference play after some injuries in the non-conference. Hartwick is struggling a bit right now but I think they are way to talented not be a contender for the league. I think Fisher, Naz, Hartwick will be top 3 by the end of the year in no particular order. I think the race for 4th is between Alfred, Stevens and Ithaca. I feel confident about who the top 3 will be.

Taking a look at the standings after just a smattering of games, looks like you're spot on in your assessment of the Empire 8 Conference for 2015-16. Naz and Hartwick opened with wins, Fisher is unbeaten (hasn't played an E8 game yet), AU, Stevens and Ithaca all have an E8 win.

+K for your primo prognostications to date!

On Saxon Warriors!

Pep, you and mr Cahill got get this board going again!!! Too quiet over here!!!

[AUPepBand]

Pep is a bit curious about the Ithaca Bombers (7-3) who scored 120 points in 40 minutes to defeat Stevens, 120-110 and two nights later, score half that amount in a 95-60 loss to Nazareth. Both games played at Ben Light Gym on the campus of Ithaca College. Bombers appear bi-polar....when you're hot, you're hot; when you're not, you're not.

Bombers look to be a contender in the E8; they are the lone team to hand rival Cortland State a defeat on the hardwoods. Will be interesting to see the Bombers play at Galanis Family Arena Saterday afternoon.

[amh63]

AUPepBand.....wrt to the Bombers...maybe they ran out of gas.  Difficult to play back to back games and win unless one has a deep roster.  Also there is the defense factor.  The Nescac plays many back to back games in conference play and it impacts the results.

[dcahill44]

Nazareth played really well Tuesday night and handled the Bombers but i really think Ithaca is still in contention to beat a lot of teams and contend for the Empire 8. Hartwick got a high scoring victory against Houghton 98-85 and Alfred over Utica 80-74. Will be interested to see the Naz/Alfred game on friday. I look for Hartwick and Naz to go on a big run to start conference play along with Fisher. I think those teams will be top 3 teams in the league throughout the year but dont rule out Ithaca and Alfred. I think Ithaca is a top that is hot and cold Pep. When they shoot well and play there game they are as good as anyone. I also think they have 4-5 really good players who will all finish the season in double figures Chasin, Bevan, Flanagan and Peter Ezema a freshman from New York City.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

He's back!

[AUPepBand]

Alfred earns a split at home for the weekend, defeating Ithaca 84-81 after suffering a heart-breaking 72-70 loss to Nazareth last night.

Bombers were in control, taking a 79-74 lead with 4:26 to go but went cold in the final four minutes, hitting only a meaningless two-pointer at the buzzer after AU had taken an 84-79 lead in the last minute. Tyler Seelman led all scorers with 34 points for AU, hitting 8-of-11 from behind the arc.

AU improves to 2-1 in the Empire 8, while Ithaca falls to 2-2.

Hartwick, Naz and Fisher all sitting at 2-0, with Naz playing at Elmira early this evening.

[dcahill44]

Games on tap tonight

Alfred at St John Fisher I have been impressed with Alfred seeing them this weekend but i think Fisher will have to much firepower and win 77-70

Elmira at Ithaca I like Ithaca in this game 90-76

Houghton at Nazareth I like Naz to win 85-66

Hartwick at Utica... I like Hartwick to win 91-74

Huge game Thursday Fisher at Naz which seems to be the best two teams in this league.

[AUPepBand]

Games on tap tonight

Alfred at St John Fisher I have been impressed with Alfred seeing them this weekend but i think Fisher will have to much firepower and win 77-70

Elmira at Ithaca I like Ithaca in this game 90-76

Houghton at Nazareth I like Naz to win 85-66

Hartwick at Utica... I like Hartwick to win 91-74

Huge game Thursday Fisher at Naz which seems to be the best two teams in this league.

Four-for-Four! Good pickin'! Saxons could have buried a cold Cardinals team in the first half but managed only 26 of their own, then the host Cardinals opened the second half with a nice run and took over from there. AU within 52-50 late in the game, but failed to score again in the 60-50 loss.

Saxons now have the dreaded Hartwick-Stevens weekend trip. AU will need at least a split if they want to compete for an E8 Tourney bid this season.

On Saxon Warriors!

[sjfcards]

So I have been away from the boards for a few weeks with work and other obligations. I have been following Fisher from a far, but not nearly to the level I typically do. From what I can tell Fisher looks pretty good so far. They lost the 3 games, but I believe Tyler Hart was out for all three, and since he has been back they are on a bit of a streak. A good start to conference play as well as they are off to a 3-0 start.

I am excited that Fisher seems to be creeping back up to the level of one of the top teams in the league. They were dominant for a stretch in the early 2000's, winning 5 straight conference titles, and have been up and down since. Last year they were solid, and seem to have a solid team again this year.

I am not sure about the level of play in the league overall but I would say it is Fisher's league to lose at this point. Maybe that is me being a homer, and Naz, Hartwick, IC all look solid (And Fisher hasn't played any of them yet) but that is what my head tells me.

[dcahill44]

I think the top 3 has been pretty much known for a while but i think its a race between Stevens, Ithaca, and Alfred for that 4th spot. Watched Hartwick/Naz yesterday and looks like Hartwick is really talented and think they can beat Fisher at home this weekend. Fisher with a tough road trip this weekend at Hartwick and Stevens so we will see what they are made of going on the road against Hartwick and a dangerous Stevens team.

[with age came?]

Now that Magicman has educated me on my "omnipresent" ability to smite or applaud   I owe some Karma to AU Pep and so I have!!

[magicman]

Now that Magicman has educated me on my "omnipresent" ability to smite or applaud   I owe some Karma to AU Pep and so I have!!

I can give it as well as take it....Plus K back at you...now that you've figured it out.

Now you need to ask the Guru to reunite your 2 selves to become one again. (and in harmony with the Universe)

[Bombers798891]

I think Ithaca might pull away for the 4 spot.

5-4 in conference now, two games up in the loss column on everyone but Stevens—who they beat. Stevens also has an extra game left against the big 3. The Bombers also have a more home-heavy 2nd half.

[magicman]

D3hoops column...Around the East has a featured story on the Hartwick Hawks this week that just came out. Here's the link in case anyone is interested:   http://www.d3hoops.com/columns/around-the-region/east/2015-16/hartwick-shooting

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

For the third consecutive year, Hoopsville will air for 12 hours as the regular season enters the final four weeks. Dave McHugh will chat with coaches, administrators, student-athletes, and others involved in Division III basketball from around the country. Other guests will include those who have Division III roots or appreciate the division and the game along with the student-athletes who play the sport.

Hoopsville will air from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (and maybe later) on Thursday, February 4 live from the WBCA/NABC Studio. You can see what guests are scheduled, get more information, and watch the show here: http://www.d3hoops.com/hoopsville/archives/2015-16/feb4

You can also read the press release about the show: http://www.d3hoops.com/hoopsville/hoopsville-marathon-2016

Here is the guest list as we speak. All times are Eastern and subject to change. Additional guests to be added if and when necessary:


   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Time	Guest	School
10:15am	Connie Tilley	St. Norbert (WBB) - WBCA Center Court
10:40am	Jamie Purdy	Peidmont (WBB)
11:00am	Keri Carollo	UW-Whitewater (WBB) - Nat'l Committee Chair
11:20am	Brent Pollari	Saint Mary's (Minn.) (WBB)
11:40am	Kent Madsen	No. 21 Wheaton (Ill.) (WBB)
12:00pm	Russell Loyd	Rose-Hulman (MBB)
12:20pm	Kevin Broderick	Nazareth (MBB)
12:40pm	Justin Scott	Arcadia (MBB)
1:00pm	Sam Hargraves	No. 12 Alma (MBB)
1:20pm	Lenny Reich	Mount Union (SID)
1:40pm	Maureen Webster	Clarkson (WBB)
2:00pm	Betsy Witman	York (Pa.) (WBB)
2:20pm	Sara Lee	Denison (WBB)
2:40pm	Klay Kneuppel	Wisconsin Lutheran (MBB)
3:00pm	Brian Van Haaften	Buena Vista (MBB) - Nat'l Committee Chair
3:30pm	Sydney Moss	No. 1 Thomas More (WBB)
3:45pm	Aaron Rousell	Bucknell (WBB) - former Chicago coach
4:00pm	Tim Shanahan	Staten Island (WBB)
4:20	Pat Cunningham	Trinity (Texas) (MBB) - NABC Coach's Corner
4:50pm	Bubba Smith	Sewanee (MBB)
5:15pm	Ben Strong	Former Guilford All-American
5:30pm	Kevin Connors	ESPN SportsCenter Anchor - Ithaca MBB alumnus
6:00pm	Kristen Dowling	Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (WBB)
6:20pm	Allison Coleman	Sage (WBB)
6:40pm	Landry Kosmalski	Swarthmore (MBB)
7:00pm	Dave Niland	No. 23 Penn State-Behrend (MBB)
7:20pm	Aaron Galletta	Lasell (MBB)
7:40pm	John Baron	Gwynedd-Mercy (MBB)
8:00pm
8:20pm
8:40pm	Melissa Hodgdon	Wheaton (Mass.) (WBB)
9:00pm	G.P. Gromacki	No. 2 Amherst (WBB)
9:20pm	James Wagner
9:40pm	HAPPY HOUR	Free-for-all of calls, tweets, and fun!

We hope to get at least the full show on a podcast, or several podcast, during the on Friday. You can find it here:
SoundCloud: www.soundcloud.com/hoopsville
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/hoopsville/id1059517087

Don't forget you can always interact with us:
Website: www.d3hoopsville.com
Twitter: @d3hoopsville or #Hoopsville
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Hoopsville
Email: hoopsville@d3hoops.com
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/d3hoopsville

And a reminder the Hoopsville Fundraising Project has begun yet again. Please consider helping us cover Division III basketball the way it deserves to be covered. If you can not donate, please don't worry about - we understand. At least share the campaign with anyone you think might be interested: http://igg.me/at/hoopsville-fundraiser/x/6029509

Also, if you know any advertisers interested in promoting their company or products on the show, send them our way: hoopsville@d3hoops.com

Thanks!