Empire 8

[Hoaf]

What are your thoughts about more interconference games between the Liberty League and the Empire 8?

As it is I know a bunch of teams play against each other but I'd really like to see St. John Fisher and Utica play some of the better Liberty League teams. Such as St. Lawrence, Hamilton, and Vassar.

[Caz Bombers]

What are your thoughts about more interconference games between the Liberty League and the Empire 8?

As it is I know a bunch of teams play against each other but I'd really like to see St. John Fisher and Utica play some of the better Liberty League teams. Such as St. Lawrence, Hamilton, and Vassar.

Vassar wasn't one of the better LL teams before this season, so there was certainly no reason to schedule them before.  As it is, Vassar generally plays its OOC games against teams to the south and the east to limit travel.  From the E8, only Hartwick plays them regularly.

As for Ithaca, we play St. Lawrence and Hobart every year; I'd certainly like to see an annual series with Hamilton, they're nearby.  Union and/or RPI would be good too.

[Hoaf]

Indeed... I feel that the Empire 8 and LL have a lot of good basketball to play against one another. It's about time they start scheduling some more games.

Eventually, I'd also like to see some regular season games against some of the better NESCAC schools as well.

[rjcarter8]

I thought Hamilton already played Utica?

According to Utica's Web site, the Pioneers lost to Hamilton 68-64 this season. Also, Utica played Skidmore -- which is in the Liberty League -- this season, and won 69-55. I know Skidmore has just two wins this year, and one in its conference, but that win was against Hamilton this past weekend.

[b4the3isme]

Utica also played Clarkson on the road and lost to them but Ray Bryant did not make the trip.

[tigerfan2]

What are your thoughts about more interconference games between the Liberty League and the Empire 8?

As it is I know a bunch of teams play against each other but I'd really like to see St. John Fisher and Utica play some of the better Liberty League teams. Such as St. Lawrence, Hamilton, and Vassar.

RIT also plays Hobart every year and seems to play Clarkson & St. Lawrence most years as well.

[Hoaf]

Who cares about Utica. I'm talking about St. John Fisher. Not some local Empire 8 team.

[postup101]

In order to be successful in the Empire 8 teams must have some personnel who can consistently hit the outside shot. Hartwick's recent struggles is largely due to their lack of someone who can hit the outside shot. Jan Cocozziello and Cory Carson has been the major point producers for Hartwick. Both Jan and Cory are tremendously athletic and dominate when they drive to the basket. However, when they drive and kick out the ball there really isn't anyone who can consistently knock down the three or long range two. This has been very problematic. I fully expect the recruiting class for next season to feature a high profile sharp shooting guard.

While the 0-5 start in the conference is a huge hole to dig out of. This means that the E8 tourney is just about a no go for the Hawks. However, I wouldn't be overly surprised if they make the ECAC tourney.

More later.... 

[superman57]

have you seen fisher's schedule...I think the chase schedule makes them think twice about adding more games against top teams...

[AUPepBand]

While the 0-5 start in the conference is a huge hole to dig out of. This means that the E8 tourney is just about a no go for the Hawks. However, I wouldn't be overly surprised if they make the ECAC tourney.

More later.... 

Can you please clue everyone in as to how this Hartwick team that is currently 7-9 and must face five of the teams that have already beaten them (including 2-14 Elmira) and that you rightly suspect will miss the E8 Tourney (top four E8 teams), still has a shot at the ECAC Tourney?

[FisherDynasty]

Hoaf, I agree I think it'd be great to be able to play a few LL teams per year.  However, with the Chase tourny taking up 3 local games, trying to extend outside of the region for preseason tournaments to finally get some national recognition it is tough.  They usually schedule Hobart every year (although not a top LL team but usually descent).  I know  a few years back they went down to Skidmore for a tourny, and then the following year up to St. Lawrence.  Its just tough with 16 league games, squeeze in a few sunyacs, maybe a NEAC, out of region tournys, the chase, then a liberty league or two.  Fisher always seems to meet hamilton in the early rounds of the NCAA, itd be nice for them to be able to set up a regular game each year since they both seem to be the more promising best year in and year out of their respective conferences.

[superman57]

they are also starting to schedule UofR and they try to satisfy local rivalry's with geneseo and brockport

[Hoaf]

FisherDynasty... Thanks for the support and I get what you're saying.

It's understandable that they don't play some of the better teams in the other leagues. St. Lawrence is a good team but they aren't Hamilton. I'd just like to see St. John Fisher play Hamilton before I graduate. Maybe it could happen in the NCAA tourney. If they both make it.

Also, what's with the SUNYAC? Is it me or did they start to get really good teams in just the last few years?

[sjfcards]

As much as I would love to see Fisher, and other E8 teams for that matter, play a few more of the top LL teams, I almost think it is more important to go to the tournaments that they have gone to the past few years. This year they went to York College's tourny. Although York is a little bit down this year, they are not too far removed from a final four appearance. It is wins like the one against York, a team most fans recognize as a good team, that can make up for shakey losses (like lets say 29 points to U of R) Hamilton is obviously a quality program and has that type of recognition. I would love to see that matchup more often in the early season.

Last year Fisher used the success of the undefeated season to play such teams as Baldwin Wallace, Randolph Macon, and Lake Erie. Those types of games look real good if you can find a way to win.
I know for a while some people in the Fisher program were not huge fans of Hamilton due to certain instances in tournament games from previous years. Not to say that Fisher would refuse to play Hamilton or the other way around, I just don't think they were actively looking for a change to play them.

It would be fun to see, but it may take some doing to get it done.

[AUPepBand]

Fisher scores its first point of the game with 11:35 to go in first half as AU leads, 9-1 at McLane Center.

Pep "fixed" the Fisher rim before the game...but will need to make some adjustments at halftime.