Empire 8

[AUPepBand]

AU handles Hartwick 74-58.
Rob McCarter has good weekend, scoring 29 in Oneonta after 19 in Utica the night before in AU's 60-51 loss to the Pioneers. AU now 2-3 in E8.

[sjfcards]

Just got back from the Fisher/Utica game. What a terrible game to watch. It was a close game, and exciting at the end...but wow...neither team could score...Fisher shot 33% for the game...worst percentage since I don't know when. the score with 11 minutes left in the first half was 4-2.

Utica made the plays down the stretch and pulled it out, so they deserve all the credit. They did win...and that is all you can say. The good news for Fisher...Utica is not as good as I thought they were. They executed a game plan very well tonight, running the shot clock down on almost every possession, and finding a way to get rebounds at key moments. More good news...I don't think Fisher will shoot 33% in too many games this year. I would be real suprised if Fisher lost to UC at home. Some of the poor shooting was good defense by the pioneers, but Mueller missed a lot of open shots...and no one else hit a 3 I don't think.

The key this year may be where the E8 tourny is...If it is at Utica it could be either teams to win. If it is at Fisher I think they will win it. but again UC took care of business down the stretch and did what it had to do, win at home. If either team plays like they did today again, they could lose to anybody, and I mean anybody except Elmira, on any night. It was pretty ugly for both teams.

Congrats to UC on a big win...should be a fun ride the rest of the way in the conference.

[gobombers15]

Hey now, Elmira is better than Hartwick. Postup is very conspicuous by his absence following Hartwick's 0-5 start to the conference season. Was mentioning their record a personal attack?

[UCgrad45]

What a great game. Refs were very inconsistent for both teams, allowing total rapings under the basket but calling off the ball touch fouls. It came down to tough Defense. Munch played a lot of minutes and created havoc when fisher had the ball. Contributions all around. Bryant on the boards, Lighthall had a great game all around, Munch tore it up with steals, rebounds, forcing jump balls, taking one for the team, and just putting it all on the line. Herring with another solid game, Collier stepping up with the 3 ball, and McClendon having the best game of his young career. Everybody played tough for Utica tonight.  

Fisher played tough, but in the end, Utica was just too much for them and wanted it more. Great win for UC with many basketball alumni (back to the '50's)in attendance. I love it.

[gobombers15]

I know Fisher is a good team, but I was really expecting a little bit more in the way of a convincing victory today for the Pioneers. Fisher is only going to get better as the new players get accustomed to their various roles. It's still going to go down to the wire to decide where the E8 tourney is held.

[sjfcards]

What a great game. Refs were very inconsistent for both teams, allowing total rapings under the basket but calling off the ball touch fouls. It came down to tough Defense. Munch played a lot of minutes and created havoc when fisher had the ball. Contributions all around. Bryant on the boards, Lighthall had a great game all around, Munch tore it up with steals, rebounds, forcing jump balls, taking one for the team, and just putting it all on the line. Herring with another solid game, Collier stepping up with the 3 ball, and McClendon having the best game of his young career. Everybody played tough for Utica tonight.  

Fisher played tough, but in the end, Utica was just too much for them and wanted it more. Great win for UC with many basketball alumni (back to the '50's)in attendance. I love it.

Munch did play very well for UC...and I think Herring may be the best player for UC (including Ray Bryant). However, I would not say UC was too much for Fisher. If McSweeny boxes out one player at the end of the first overtime fisher wins the game. UC made some plays, but watching the game today was difficult to say the least. It was  a pretty sloppy game with poor shooting and bad offense all around.

[reelentless]

gobombers15

I know Fisher is a good team, but I was really expecting a little bit more in the way of a convincing victory today for the Pioneers. Fisher is only going to get better as the new players get accustomed to their various roles. It's still going to go down to the wire to decide where the E8 tourney is held.

sjfcards

Munch did play very well for UC...and I think Herring may be the best player for UC (including Ray Bryant). However, I would not say UC was too much for Fisher. If McSweeny boxes out one player at the end of the first overtime fisher wins the game. UC made some plays, but watching the game today was difficult to say the least. It was  a pretty sloppy game with poor shooting and bad offense all around.

The story of last nights game was defense and determination for both teams with Dennis Munch being the poster boy for both - plus adding 7 pts.  You couldn't leave the gym without being proud of the effort on both sides.  Pretty, maybe not, but motivating.  No one left the gym until it was over and the game will be remembered, at least for it's significance to Utica. 

It's never easy (or wise) to judge the cause of teams offensive "off night".   Last night Fisher's defense certainly had an effect on Utica's looks and opportunities.  That said, it would dangerous to judge Utica's offensive ability by the one game the Fisher fans saw last night.   They're still inconsistant, but with two guys who can put up  20+ and three others who can do 10+, they're not lacking for firepower and they can be very very good at finding the open man. 

Ithaca saw an "on night" for Utica's offense but we got no love from the Ithaca fans.  School was out so maybe none of the posters saw the game?

Anyway, great game, could have gone either way, glad I got to see it.

[UCgrad45]

gobombers15

I know Fisher is a good team, but I was really expecting a little bit more in the way of a convincing victory today for the Pioneers. Fisher is only going to get better as the new players get accustomed to their various roles. It's still going to go down to the wire to decide where the E8 tourney is held.

sjfcards

Munch did play very well for UC...and I think Herring may be the best player for UC (including Ray Bryant). However, I would not say UC was too much for Fisher. If McSweeny boxes out one player at the end of the first overtime fisher wins the game. UC made some plays, but watching the game today was difficult to say the least. It was  a pretty sloppy game with poor shooting and bad offense all around.

The story of last nights game was defense and determination for both teams with Dennis Munch being the poster boy for both - plus adding 7 pts.  You couldn't leave the gym without being proud of the effort on both sides.  Pretty, maybe not, but motivating.  No one left the gym until it was over and the game will be remembered, at least for it's significance to Utica. 

It's never easy (or wise) to judge the cause of teams offensive "off night".   Last night Fisher's defense certainly had an effect on Utica's looks and opportunities.  That said, it would dangerous to judge Utica's offensive ability by the one game the Fisher fans saw last night.   They're still inconsistant, but with two guys who can put up  20+ and three others who can do 10+, they're not lacking for firepower and they can be very very good at finding the open man. 

Ithaca saw an "on night" for Utica's offense but we got no love from the Ithaca fans.  School was out so maybe none of the posters saw the game?

Anyway, great game, could have gone either way, glad I got to see it.

Exactly. Neither team shot anywhere near where they usually do because of how tough the defense was for both teams. When these teams meet, they have the potential for a game in the 40's, or a game in the 90's.

I noticed someone saying that they doubt fisher will shoot that low of a percentage against them next time. I doubt Utica will shoot that low of a percentage as well (theirs was slightly lower than fishers last night).

That game was all about who wanted it more and two quality teams slugging it out. Blocks, jump balls, steals, tips, taking charges.... it featured it all. A lot of guys were bloody and there are a lot of guys on both teams who are going to feel it today.

[bamm]

Full Conference Schedule this weekend, as the Rochester schools go on the road.  These games, especially the Saturday afternooner, are tough (unless it's Elmira).

Friday:
RIT over Elmira
Utica over Alfred
Ithaca over Naz
Fisher over Hartwick

Saturday:
Naz over Elmira
Utica over Fisher
RIT over Ithaca
Hartwick over Alfred

7-1 isn't bad, especially when the one I missed was the Alfred/Hartwick brawl.  Huge wins for Utica and RIT on Saturday.  Utica, because of their tendency to drop a game or two in Rochester.  RIT because of the terrible loss to Alfred at home (finally got a good shooting performance from Zeinfeld, off the bench).  Ithaca is still in decent shape, and Naz really needs to defend homecourt against RIT tomorrow.  I don't think they will.

[FisherDynasty]

8 for 8 in week one of E8 play, not too shabby.  Another Early prediction of final standings:

1) Fisher (hosts: will beat Utica more convincingly that Utica did at home)
2) Utica
3) RIT
4) Ithaca
5) Naz
6) Alfred
7) Elmira
8) Hartwick

[bamm]

As I stated earlier, Zeinfeld had a very good game against Ithaca.  I should have elaborated, as it was pretty impressive (it earned him E8 player of the week honors). 

He came off the bench and scored 26 in just 14 minutes of playing time.  He was 12-14 from the line and 6-8 from the field. 

[sjfcards]

Tomorrow is a huge day in the E8 in my opinion. Fisher has been known to struggle with AU in the past, and Tuesday night games are a bit of a down time for the Fisher fans that makes Varsity Gym a tough place to play. It will be real tough for Fisher if they lose another game or two in conference. puts a lot of pressure on the next Utica game.

For Naz and RIT play tomorrow. Two teams that will need all the wins they can get in the conference to make the tourny. Especially for RIT after a bad loss to AU at home.

Utica also plays a good Oswego team. Important for them not to let down after a big win against a big conference foe. Wins like the ones they can get tomorrow are huge at tourny time, if they are beaten in the E8 tournament.

I love important games during the week. I know the tradition of the friday/saturday games, but I hate waiting all week for the games.

[AUPepBand]

Last year at McLane, AU blew at least a six-point lead in the final two minutes as Fisher was lucky to get out of Alfred with a win. Saxons held Utica to 60, Hartwich to 58 over the weekend, playing solid defense, led by Ryan Clemenson. If Rob McCarter continues with a hot hand and some other Saxons start making some noise at the offensive end, perhaps AU can make a statement and move to 3-2 in the E8.

On Saxon Warriors!

Note to Self: Did you really call Hartwick "Hartwich"....reminds Pep of the time Mom Pep made a sandwich out of beef tongue and packed in Pep's lunch in 8th grade. That was a tonguewich, similar to a hartwich.

[Hoaf]

Although Utica is out to a 5-0 start I am curious about who the board thinks the best team is in the conference. Especially with St. John Fisher being a perennial powerhouse.

[Hoaf]

I created a poll to see what team you guys think is the best in the conference this year. Follow the link and vote!!

http://www.d3sports.com/post/index.php?topic=5067.0