Empire 8

[DirkDiggler]

New to the board.  Know a lot about Fisher basketball from this years team to a couple years ago.

[sjfcards]

Utica and Hartwick make trips to RIT and Naz.
Elmira and Ithaca go to Fisher and Alfred.

If Utica sweeps this weekend (I don't think they will), get ready for the first E8 tourney outside of Rochester.

If Utica wins both games this weekend, I would see no reason to believe that the tourny would not be at UC. They will only have to make one more trip to Rochester, and I just don't see them having too many more losses this year. Even if they lose to Fisher in Rochester, they would still have a huge advantage. one, they would still be in first by a game. and if they do lose another game besides Fisher, I think it would be to a team that will be in top half of the league. With that rediculous tiebreaker in the E8, where it takes your record against the worst team in the league and up...

AU may finish in the top 4 of the league, but I don't see UC slipping up against a team below them. Maybe RIT or Naz can step up and do something this weekend. Either way if Fisher wants a chance to win the league they need to get some help from somebody.

I couldn't be too upset if the tourny was in Utica, they would have earned it the way Fisher has in the past. They are a pretty good team, not as good as they were last year, but they are good enough to win the league. The league is a lot more balanced this year than in years past. Which actually makes for a better season I think. The E8 may not have a team go to the Sweet 16 or Elite 8 this year, but the battle for the league should be a good one.

[FisherDynasty]

couldnt agree with you more sjfcards,  looks like this year without tremendous help from other lower tier teams in the E8, the tourny is going to be in Utica (not at fisher for the first time since the tourny existed).  What would be interesting tho, is if fisher ended up having to travel and coming out on top.  We'll see, any of the 4 teams that make the tourny will have a legit shot to win it.

[DirkDiggler]

I think Fisher will continue to struggle in league play if Beigel doesn't pick up the scoring.  I'm not saying he has to drop in 20 a night but last game I think he had 3 and the game before that 5.  I don't think you can win many games with an all conference player not scoring very much.  Yes he rebounds very well and plays hard but I think he has to score it too.  I know he is one of the main focuses for opposing team defenses but he should be able to overcome that.

Moving on, Fisher is finally back at home, hopefully that will get them back on the winning track.  Personally, I think the two league losses comes from believing that other teams won't show up to play because they're St. John Fisher.  Hopefully, they prove me wrong this weekend.

Predictions... Fisher over Elmira by 17 but they will be up big at one point then they will allow Elmira back in the game causing Kornker to whine and complain but eventually Fisher will pull away again.
And on Saturday, I say Fisher over Ithaca by 8

Good Luck

[John McGraw]

I'd say IC's 2001-02 team was talented with Fischer, Riggins, Miller, Schultz, Wallen, Clifford, et al. That team won the E8 and went toe-to-toe with a very good Alvernia team that was playing in front of a packed gym. I think McGraw called that game (I could be wrong) with Seth Cantor and I remember how bad the officiating was. When I say bad, I mean atrocious. To the point where I think Mullins got ran. You don't see that too often in D3.

That was quite the team for Ithaca that year. They definitely got hosed in the NCAA selections and should have been playing at home, as opposed to going to Alvernia in the opening round. The moment I remember most from that season is an Ithaca-St. John Fisher doubleheader at Ben Light (and not broadcasting from an office phone at Nazareth). Fisher and Ithaca were neck and neck on the women's side and probably were going to play for the regular season title that day. But, Fisher had to lose the night before and Ithaca bounced them in a close game in front of a great crowd. Men were in the thick of the Empire 8 race at the time and somehow, the play-by-play guy for WICB, who shall remain nameless, never showed up and I ended up doing the men's game with eight minutes prep. While it ended up being a pretty awful broadcast, Ithaca won and Dane Fischer hit a huge three late to put Ithaca up for good. That was on my basketball demo for the longest time - just the three-pointer. This is right before Fisher's run of super teams as well, so we're not talking about an upset.

Unfortunately, I was not at the Ithaca-Alvernia game. I hedged my bet, because of missed class time, and chose not to drive down to Alvernia on a Thursday night. I hoped the women would beat Ohio Wesleyan, at home, in the second round, and I could go broadcast the sweet 16 game with Seth the following weekend. We all know how that game worked out for Ithaca in the second round. Ironically enough, St. Lawrence, whom Ithaca upset in December, went on to the national championship game that year and I think went through Ohio Wesleyan. The broadcasters for the Ithaca-Alvernia game were John Langeler and the man, the myth, the legend, Jesse Goldberg-Strassler.

[rjcarter8]

Predictions for tonight's games?

Mine are Fisher over Elmira, Utica over RIT, Ithaca over Alfred and Naz over Hartwick.

[AUPepBand]

Predictions for tonight's games?

Mine are Fisher over Elmira, Utica over RIT, Ithaca over Alfred and Naz over Hartwick.

Pep would probably agree with those picks. However, Pep will take in the IC-AU contest to see whether the Saxons' having won 3-of-their-last-4 is a trend or a fluke. IC will be a good test of AU's mettle as the Saxons further meddle in the E8 muddled mess behind Utica.

[gobombers15]

John, that Ohio Wesleyan/IC women's second round game is easily one of the top five Ithaca (men or women) games I have ever seen. Even though IC came up short in the end, it was nice to see the gym rocking and there was a tremendous amount of drama in that game. I remember when Alex Ivansheck hit a three to tie the game, that was the loudest I ever heard the Bulb.

Anyways, predictions for this weekend's games:

FRIDAY

Ithaca over Alfred, 62-59 (this is more wishful thinking than anything)
Fisher over Elmira, 78-56
Utica over RIT, 71-64
Naz over Hartwick, 77-72

SATURDAY

Fisher over Ithaca, 70-65
Alfred over Elmira, 69-53
RIT over Hartwick, 76-63
Utica over Naz, 79-71

I feel like I'm gonna nail a score this weekend. I've been very close a couple of times. We will see.

[gobombers15]

E8 Center Comparison (averages)

Jeff Bostic-Ithaca

Points=15.0
Rebs=6.8
Blks=1.53
Steals=1.53
FG%=54.2%
FT%=64.6%

Dan McSweeney-Fisher

Points=13.5
Rebs=7.0
Blks=1.44
Steals=1.56
FG%=58.2%
FT%=67.9%

Tim Bacon-RIT

Points=14.9
Rebs=7.0
Blks=0.38
Steals=1.06
FG%=54.9%
FT%=44.7%


IN-CONFERENCE STATISTICS

Points
1) Jeff Bostic (18.4 ppg)
2) Tim Bacon (15.2 ppg)
3) Dan McSweeney (13.0 ppg)

Rebounds
1) Dan McSweeney (9.0 rpg)
2) Tim Bacon (7.4 ppg)
3) Jeff Bostic (5.8 ppg)

FG%
1) Jeff Bostic (63.8%)
2) Tim Bacon (52.6%)
3) Dan McSweeney (49.1%)

Steals
1) Jeff Bostic (1.4 spg)
1) Dan McSweeney (1.4 spg)
3) Tim Bacon (not listed among leaders)

Blocked Shots
1) Jeff Bostic (2.0 bpg)
2) Dan McSweeney (1.2 bpg)
3) Tim Bacon (not listed among the leaders)

From the looks of it, while close, it looks like Bostic should be the early favorite to be the first team center. A long way to go yet, but that's what the numbers indicate right now.

[FisherDynasty]

I like the comparisons pretty interesting, look like bostic has come a long way especially as of late.  Im hopin to catch the game tomorrow at Fisher.  However, on a side not, first team isnt based on stats alone, just because someone has more stats than another isn't that big of a deal.  Minutes played should be considered as well.  If the stats are close as they are, the Center on the best team should get the nod.  Look at the past 4 year fisher teams, no one averaged more then 12 ppg.  yet they usually get 1-2 players on 1st team with another 2 on 2nd or honerable mention. 

[gobombers15]

I like the comparisons pretty interesting, look like bostic has come a long way especially as of late.  Im hopin to catch the game tomorrow at Fisher.  However, on a side not, first team isnt based on stats alone, just because someone has more stats than another isn't that big of a deal.  Minutes played should be considered as well.  If the stats are close as they are, the Center on the best team should get the nod.  Look at the past 4 year fisher teams, no one averaged more then 12 ppg.  yet they usually get 1-2 players on 1st team with another 2 on 2nd or honerable mention. 

I agree with you. However, you're referring to teams that had one conference loss in two seasons. That's not the case with Fisher's team this year. All three of the teams stand at 3-2 in the conference right now. Hence, my reasoning that Bostic should probably be the favorite right now.

[superman57]

Fisher is taking out all their frustration and anger on Elmira and I must say I feel sorry for Elmira 40-18 fisher  Fisher shooting 41% from behind the arc

[UCgrad45]

My wife could have our baby any day, so I am not traveling with Utica tonight and have to listen to the game on the internet radio link.

Scary times in that game. An RIT cheerleader fell. It sounds like it isn't good. They have called an ambulance. Game has been delayed for quite a while as she is down on the floor. My prayers are with her.

[UCgrad45]

E8 Center Comparison (averages)

Jeff Bostic-Ithaca

Points=15.0
Rebs=6.8
Blks=1.53
Steals=1.53
FG%=54.2%
FT%=64.6%

Dan McSweeney-Fisher

Points=13.5
Rebs=7.0
Blks=1.44
Steals=1.56
FG%=58.2%
FT%=67.9%

Tim Bacon-RIT

Points=14.9
Rebs=7.0
Blks=0.38
Steals=1.06
FG%=54.9%
FT%=44.7%


IN-CONFERENCE STATISTICS

Points
1) Jeff Bostic (18.4 ppg)
2) Tim Bacon (15.2 ppg)
3) Dan McSweeney (13.0 ppg)

Rebounds
1) Dan McSweeney (9.0 rpg)
2) Tim Bacon (7.4 ppg)
3) Jeff Bostic (5.8 ppg)

FG%
1) Jeff Bostic (63.8%)
2) Tim Bacon (52.6%)
3) Dan McSweeney (49.1%)

Steals
1) Jeff Bostic (1.4 spg)
1) Dan McSweeney (1.4 spg)
3) Tim Bacon (not listed among leaders)

Blocked Shots
1) Jeff Bostic (2.0 bpg)
2) Dan McSweeney (1.2 bpg)
3) Tim Bacon (not listed among the leaders)

From the looks of it, while close, it looks like Bostic should be the early favorite to be the first team center. A long way to go yet, but that's what the numbers indicate right now.

You might want to start thinking about figuring Lighthall into the equation as well. He has good numbers already, and they are going to be better after tonight. I think he already has 18 at this point.

[UCgrad45]

The cheerleader is leaving on a stretcher. Let's hope she will be all right. Sounds like she fell head first.