Empire 8

[gobombers15]

GoBombers,

SJFC, you'd put RIT above Naz for soccer? Interesting.

s

Ummm...yes...Considering RIT has never missed an E8 tournament, won the league two years ago, as well as consistently the 2nd best team in the league. Not to mention 3 straight conference titles before the three years before the e8 tourny existed.
Meanwhile, outside of this year Naz has never been a top 2 seed in the e8 tourny. Naz upset a far superior, by their own admission, team in Fisher in 03, to get to the tourny final, and before this year the one time they won the tourny they were a 4 seeed. This year they were quite good, however, look at the league records for the past 6 years...Ask someone who has been around the league for a few years.

Just asking, because while I was at IC (00-04), it always seemed like the big game was Naz. Granted, I haven't paid much attention since I left. Maybe Naz was good then when they had Dargout & Co. Guy was a beast. BTW, Ithaca did win the E8 Tourney once. I think it was the first year it was in existence. Beat Naz, 2-1, on an Eric Deyle goal late in the 2nd half, if I remember correctly. Caz would probably know better than I.

[superman57]

I was sure he threw a few in that game. Fisher turned the ball over like four times in that game.

Ithaca won the overtime coin toss and elected to play defense on the first series. The Cardinals gained 16 yards on four plays before sophomore Nick Suchyna (St. Francis/Buffalo) threw his first career interception ? a pass that Struzzi picked off at his own nine and returned 91 yards for the winning score. Suchyna entered game ranked third nationally in passing efficiency and had thrown 107 passes this fall without an interception.


would you like to eat crow now or later

[sjfcards]

GoBombers,

SJFC, you'd put RIT above Naz for soccer? Interesting.

s

Ummm...yes...Considering RIT has never missed an E8 tournament, won the league two years ago, as well as consistently the 2nd best team in the league. Not to mention 3 straight conference titles before the three years before the e8 tourny existed.
Meanwhile, outside of this year Naz has never been a top 2 seed in the e8 tourny. Naz upset a far superior, by their own admission, team in Fisher in 03, to get to the tourny final, and before this year the one time they won the tourny they were a 4 seeed. This year they were quite good, however, look at the league records for the past 6 years...Ask someone who has been around the league for a few years.

Just asking, because while I was at IC (00-04), it always seemed like the big game was Naz. Granted, I haven't paid much attention since I left. Maybe Naz was good then when they had Dargout & Co. Guy was a beast. BTW, Ithaca did win the E8 Tourney once. I think it was the first year it was in existence. Beat Naz, 2-1, on an Eric Deyle goal late in the 2nd half, if I remember correctly. Caz would probably know better than I.

Bombers...I believe you are correct. My mistake. It was the 4 years after that they were bounced in the first round. Either way IC is still the class of the E8 conference in soccer. I would have to say that they would have that distinction in most sports.

[Adam the Bull]

I have been a long time reader of the D3 Hoops message boards but until now have chosen not to participate. The reason....I am the play by play man for the Utica Pioneers and during Tuesday night's men's victory over Hartwick I mentioned the Player of the Year debate taking place on this message board...so I figured it was time to chime in. This is my fourth season with Utica College and before that I attended SUNY Brockport and broadcasted their games for four seasons, so I have seen plenty of D3 hoops over the past decade. I say this not to brag or to claim that I know more then anyone else here...just to let you all know where I am coming from. I have enjoyed the many debates that I have seen in this thread and the trash talking as well.

I plan on now becoming an active member of the board and if you guys are interested I can give an analysis of the games I call (or not if no one cares what I have to say). For those who have not heard my broadcasts, I will admit...I am a homer....but even though it is obvious who I am rooting for on the air I believe I always make fair comments when it comes to the game action....and don't just always say it is a bad call when the Pioneers get called for fouls.

Just wanted to check in on a few subjects for now...

1-Player of the Year- To tough to call right now. Because it is Player of the Year and not MVP I would not discount Jan Cocozziello just because his team is not in the mix. However, I would lean towards either Ray Bryant or Doug Herring (I know, I know...what a homer) but honestly they have to be the favorites. I have thought long and hard about which of the two I would put first and for now I think it is dead even (lame answer I know). I think the last 6-games will break the tie.

2-Toughest Home court-There is no debate it is St. John Fisher...I get nervous walking in there and I don't even play. When school is in session that gym is an almost impossible place for a visiting team to pick up a victory. By the way according to St. John Fisher S.I.D Norm Kieffer, I have called more Cardinal games (Football, Men's Hoops, and Women's Hoops) then any other opposing broadcaster.

3-Best Sports Programs-I hate to say it but the answer is Ithaca. They dominate or at least in the mix in almost every sport.

4-Hatred of St. John Fisher and Ithaca-As a Brockport Alum...I actually hate SUNY Cortland more then any other college. I don't hate Fisher at all (although I am not thrilled with Football Coach Paul Vosburgh...who I believe has ran it up on UC in the past). Ithaca....hmmm...I respect the school and the sports programs there...but I often get the feeling when I am there that many of the students and faculty have their noses in the air. I'll leave it at that.

5-UC lucking into Ray Bryant and Tim Troy-While I agree the Pioneers were very lucky to have both of those excellent player...they made there own luck because of Coach Goodemote. Had he not been the coach both of those players likely never lace it up for the Pioneers.

6-This years Pioneers-vs.-last years Pioneers-While the losses of Justin Cichon
and Willie Lucas were big I do not believe last year's team was better. Right now I would have to say this year's squad is slightly better. I think they are slightly weaker from the perimeter but much better in the paint and defensively. I believe conference wins no matter what the margin are quality especially on the road. However, the Pioneers do have more to prove before we call them a juggernaut.

In closing (man have I babbled on for a long time) let me just say it is hard to break down a team when you have only seen them play one time this year...which many of you and I have done so far. To say the Pioneers are not that good based on their one game with Fisher (in which they were weak offensively....mostly because of great Fisher Def) but great defensively would be an injustice. Ithaca was terrible in their game versus the Pioneers but I won't condemn them off that one game (although I probably did to my friends later that day).

If I missed some topics I'm sure I will get to it at another time. Let the attacks begin!

[superman57]

great comments....I agree with the Varsity gym...if you want to get a true feeling of what this gym can be...go there friday night for Fisher-Naz I can guarntee you that it will be the loudest DIII gym in the country on that night...other than that it is a tough place to play...any place where the students litterly sit on the court is a tough place to play.

I remember more than one game having to sit on a step or stand for an entire game because there was not enough room and for Naz well as much as Fisher can't stand ithaca we hate naz 10 times more... Just Say no to Naz

[gobombers15]

I was sure he threw a few in that game. Fisher turned the ball over like four times in that game.

Ithaca won the overtime coin toss and elected to play defense on the first series. The Cardinals gained 16 yards on four plays before sophomore Nick Suchyna (St. Francis/Buffalo) threw his first career interception ? a pass that Struzzi picked off at his own nine and returned 91 yards for the winning score. Suchyna entered game ranked third nationally in passing efficiency and had thrown 107 passes this fall without an interception.


would you like to eat crow now or later

I don't think it has anything to do with "eating crow" trying to recall a game from almost 18 months ago without the aid of looking anything up. Bottom line, your young QB had a two-TD lead in the 2nd half and didn't get the job done; the same way Juvan didn't get it done this year. And, with all due respect, I don't think they asked Suchnya to throw a pass longer than 8 yards that entire game. It was all bubble screens to Noah and hitting the RB's in the flat.

Adam, good to have you aboard. Nobody has a problem with someone being a "homer." It's when they let that favoritism affect the way they think instead of analyzing things objectively. We have a couple of those people in here and I'm sure you already know who they are. You seem to have facts backing up all your arguments and that's all anyone can ask for. That is preferred to those who nitpick and take potshots when they can. Again, good to have you here and it will be nice to hear from a (somewhat) objective Utica fan (though, Clear and UCgrad have been better, relative to last year). However, this Doctor guy is insane.

[FisherDynasty]

Adam, I think ray will end up getting it due to seniority, they also did lose a game they probably shouldnt have when he was gone.  Whats your predictions on the Fisher vs Utica game 2nd round? I think Fisher, then Utica in the E8 Champ at Utica.

[Adam the Bull]

May sound like a cop out...but I never give predictions for games that I broadcast. However, I think the game at Fisher will be an excellent battle...they are the two best defensive teams I have seen play all season.

I think Utica is the better team but not by much...but as I said Fisher has a big time home court advantage. I think the key to a Pioneer victory at Fisher is to not fall behind by alot and to not allow Muller to get hot from three. The key for Fisher will be to prevent Utica from scoring alot of points in transition and to slow down either Ray or Doug.

[superman57]

GB15 lets also remember that our rookie qb's all-american running back sepperated his shoulder and when robinson went down so did the offense as Riele was not able to step in and do what Robie had been doing... and eat crow is a figure of speach when someone gets something wrong...you got a stat wrong I went and found proof to prove to you that you were wrong....

Adam-no worries about being a homer...I think we are all homers...and so far you seem better than the other announcer I've had an experiance with on here... Frank Rossi who does football for union was a big enemy of fisher fans for a couple of days....

[gobombers15]

GB15 lets also remember that our rookie qb's all-american running back sepperated his shoulder and when robinson went down so did the offense as Riele was not able to step in and do what Robie had been doing... and eat crow is a figure of speach when someone gets something wrong...you got a stat wrong I went and found proof to prove to you that you were wrong....

Adam-no worries about being a homer...I think we are all homers...and so far you seem better than the other announcer I've had an experiance with on here... Frank Rossi who does football for union was a big enemy of fisher fans for a couple of days....

f

Fair enough, but Reile isn't why Fisher lost that game. Robbie went out early and Fisher still built a two-TD lead. Turnovers and the inability of the Fisher D to stop IC in the second half was their undoing. That's the last I'll say about that game.

On to basketball...the big games this weekend revolve around Fisher as the Cards host RIT for their thirteenth meeting of the season, as well as East Ave rival Naz. I think the Cards sweep.

[UCgrad45]

I was sure he threw a few in that game. Fisher turned the ball over like four times in that game.

Ithaca won the overtime coin toss and elected to play defense on the first series. The Cardinals gained 16 yards on four plays before sophomore Nick Suchyna (St. Francis/Buffalo) threw his first career interception ? a pass that Struzzi picked off at his own nine and returned 91 yards for the winning score. Suchyna entered game ranked third nationally in passing efficiency and had thrown 107 passes this fall without an interception.


would you like to eat crow now or later

I don't think it has anything to do with "eating crow" trying to recall a game from almost 18 months ago without the aid of looking anything up. Bottom line, your young QB had a two-TD lead in the 2nd half and didn't get the job done; the same way Juvan didn't get it done this year. And, with all due respect, I don't think they asked Suchnya to throw a pass longer than 8 yards that entire game. It was all bubble screens to Noah and hitting the RB's in the flat.

Adam, good to have you aboard. Nobody has a problem with someone being a "homer." It's when they let that favoritism affect the way they think instead of analyzing things objectively. We have a couple of those people in here and I'm sure you already know who they are. You seem to have facts backing up all your arguments and that's all anyone can ask for. That is preferred to those who nitpick and take potshots when they can. Again, good to have you here and it will be nice to hear from a (somewhat) objective Utica fan (though, Clear and UCgrad have been better, relative to last year). However, this Doctor guy is insane.

Because I was so far off with my assesment of Utica last year. You know, the one where I talked about how they were good, but would really show what they could do at the end of the season when they got used to playing together.... (cough) sweet 16 (cough). Including a player by player analysis which were all pretty much dead accurate when it was all said and done.

I'll give you clear and the Dr., but come on man. You need to be a little more objective when describing those representing Utica on here.

[UCgrad45]

great comments....I agree with the Varsity gym...if you want to get a true feeling of what this gym can be...go there friday night for Fisher-Naz I can guarntee you that it will be the loudest DIII gym in the country on that night...other than that it is a tough place to play...any place where the students litterly sit on the court is a tough place to play.

I remember more than one game having to sit on a step or stand for an entire game because there was not enough room and for Naz well as much as Fisher can't stand ithaca we hate naz 10 times more... Just Say no to Naz

Honestly, I don't think any team out there likes naz. I can't stand them ever since they had Evans. Dude was as dirty as they get.

[superman57]

UC question how many times did you lose to Fisher last year do I hear 4...there's a difference about everyone else hating naz and fisher hating naz...I mean it's like UNC-Duke of DIII it is one of the best rivalries in d3 hoops and it gets better with every year

[UCgrad45]

UC question how many times did you lose to Fisher last year do I hear 4...there's a difference about everyone else hating naz and fisher hating naz...I mean it's like UNC-Duke of DIII it is one of the best rivalries in d3 hoops and it gets better with every year

Oh I totally understand. I am friends with many of the past fisher players and students.

That being said, I have disliked naz since I saw evans intentionally try to injure a former player who was unable to defend himself during a game. I was even more angry with them after a game which came down to the last few seconds, and the naz scoretable ran off almost a full minute from the clock in between free throws. They were called out on it, and then lied to the ref about it, even though it was clearly marked in the scorebook that the ft's were made almost a full minute apart.

I love beating naz. Not as much as fisher fans do, but it is still a great feeling.

On edit: What does Utica against fisher last year have to do with my post to gb? I claimed Utica was a team with a lot of talent that could do some damage at the end of the season. That is exactly what they did, regardless of who they lost too. They only lost to 3 teams last year. They had match up problems with bigger teams. That doesn't change that my assesment of them from day 1 was very much accurate.

[superman57]

I'm sorry I come from the school that if you play the same team four different times...you should beat them once or even come close...the closest you came to fisher was 8 points on your floor...and my hatred for naz esclated 10 fold after the "fight" I mean your player cheapshots our guy, your player runs off the bench in street clothing and sucker punches again...and fisher and fisher fans are blamed for the fight...ok so I'm gonna stop here cuz I don't want this whole debate started up again...because it got ugly and d3hoops got draged through the mud with it