Empire 8

[Adam the Bull]

Jose...I'm not sure who PortGrad04 is but if he did in fact graduate in '04 I probably never did a game with him.

[JQV]

Jose...I'm not sure who PortGrad04 is but if he did in fact graduate in '04 I probably never did a game with him.

He's a regular poster over at E8Nation (The football board), former 'Port radio man, and current teacher in Miami or somewhere near Miami.

[fisheralum91]

i give the chair a hell yeah for the E8 Nation!

[gobombers15]

Wow, see that an Ithaca alum won that contest to produce the "best Superbowl commercial ever" contest? His commercial will be shown at the two-minute warning of the Superbowl. Man, we Ithacans are just good at everything (notice the tongue-in-cheek sarcasm).

Anyways, here are my predictions for this weekend:

FRIDAY

Utica over Ithaca, 71-53 (see how I picked Utica, UCgrad?)
Hartwick over Elmira, 83-71
Fisher over Naz, 76-69
RIT over Alfred, 70-64 (the more desperate team wins this one...and RIT NEEDS this one to avoid likely being 3-6 after Saturday)

SATURDAY

Ithaca over Hartwick, 69-63 (game scares me because IC hasn't been playing well and we've been awful in Saturday games so far this year)
Utica over Elmira, 81-52
Fisher over RIT, 74-65
Alfred over Naz, 72-67

[UCgrad45]

Thought I would check in on the boards with my morning coffee.  I gotta say the Chairman is shocked at the amount of animosity on the E8 hoop boards.  What gives over here boys?  Why do you all hate each other?  FA91, we need to get things in order.

Also, welcome to Adam, hopefully you will hang out on the Football boards next fall as well.  Imagine, three whole Utica posters over there.

I attended SUNY Brockport and broadcasted their games for four seasons, so I have seen plenty of D3 hoops over the past decade.

Did you perchance share the booth and the airwaves with one PortGrad04?

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.

I'll admit to this.  I am snobby about IC athletics.  But that is what happens when you win so consistently.  It is almost unfathomable when we actually lose at something.  Ask the Fisher boys that follow the hoop team, they must have a little taste of that.

Nah, GB just can't take a little friendly ribbing. Especially when he knows a season sweep is coming on friday.

I just wasn't sure what exactly it was that I said about Utica last year that was so off the wall. I gave a early season look into what the team was like, and it was pretty much dead on. Not sure what is up with superman either. Maybe he is worried that UC has found some kryptonite? Dude got all mad because someone from another school dared to not like naz as well.

I think that's wrong. I think you take potshots (unfounded ones, at that) at Ithaca whenever you get the opportunity. I also think you try your damndest to pass off every other E8 team is far inferior to UC when, in fact, Utica and Fisher are probably on the same level (even your own radio guy suggested as much!). I just come back at you with facts and point out flaws in your argument (see citing the 2003-04 E8 title game instead of last year's...which is more relevant?). That's all. I can take any amount of ribbing.

Care to enlighten me with some examples? Were you going to say the one from yesterday with the winking smiley?

As far as "flaws", in the context of the discussion, I was talking about how you can't use past seasons success at home to say that the same will hold true this year. I was also pointing out that in that season, Utica was not even close to the talent level as it is this year (and fisher was much better than they are this year) and it was still a close game. The point was, to suggest that playing at home will suddenly make you an automatic favorite to a team that has already beaten you is silly, especially when your argument is on past seasons success there. So yes, that was relevant. I was not making any statement about the current group of players, just saying that the home court thing is very overhyped.

BTW, I just said very kind words about your assistant coach and how he was a great pick up (Nevada), but yeah, I'm taking "potshots".

[UCgrad45]

Or maybe it was about 3 weeks ago when I was talking about how good Bellis was.....

Man, I sure do trash ithaca a lot. Almost as much as I claim Utica is the best team in the nation bar none and they should just crown them now instead of playing the tournament.

[gobombers15]

As much as I'd like to continue this back-and-forth, I think, for the good of the board, I'll refrain.

[superman57]

GB15 see I like seeing the banter go back and forth...it's kind of funny...So fisher-naz is sold out.... The half of me that would like to see everyone be able to go to game says they should move this game to a larger venue... I think you could get a great crowd at Blue Cross... but the other part of me loves thee game being in they gym's because it is LOUD and one of the best sporting experiances I've ever been to

[maxpower]

Jose (I mean the Chairman) said he wanted my involvement on these boards, so here I am. Hmmm... I don't really have much to say... oh, one thing is that the commercial the kid from IC pitched sucks balls, and is so original I think I've seen one just like it in like the last seven super bowls... but that's the Park School for you. (No offense to the chairman, GB, or any other parkie alum that this obviously doesn't apply to. Make your "max power was a music student" jokes any time now.)

FD, get real about Fisher taking football away from Ithaca. Ithaca has been the king at football since saying "get real" was cool. Fisher is a better team right now, and by right now I mean while Robinson has still technically not graduated. That being said, IC graduates some hella good defensive players, but I'm just now realizing this is not a topic for this board, which is probably why I don't post here very much. As far as all around sports, do I need to pull out the Director's cup standings from the last 10 years? Do I really need to?

(OK you can stop with the music student jokes now. Seriously. I take it back.)

[bamm]

Jose (I mean the Chairman) said he wanted my involvement on these boards, so here I am. Hmmm... I don't really have much to say... oh, one thing is that the commercial the kid from IC pitched sucks balls, and is so original I think I've seen one just like it in like the last seven super bowls... but that's the Park School for you. (No offense to the chairman, GB, or any other parkie alum that this obviously doesn't apply to. Make your "max power was a music student" jokes any time now.)

FD, get real about Fisher taking football away from Ithaca. Ithaca has been the king at football since saying "get real" was cool. Fisher is a better team right now, and by right now I mean while Robinson has still technically not graduated. That being said, IC graduates some hella good defensive players, but I'm just now realizing this is not a topic for this board, which is probably why I don't post here very much. As far as all around sports, do I need to pull out the Director's cup standings from the last 10 years? Do I really need to?

(OK you can stop with the music student jokes now. Seriously. I take it back.)

Between the comments and the treeemendous signature, that might win the "Obnoxious Post of the Year" award (and believe me, with the Fisher guys, it's got competition).

[sjfcards]

Busy day at work so I did not have a chance to check the boards. Wow... lot of animosity on here recently.

It is good to see the bull on the board. I have listened to his calls of games in the past I think he can be a nice addition to the conversation.

On to this weekend. I think it is a big weekend for most of the top teams in tourny contention. I like Fisher to sweep two very close games this weekend. I think they will beat Naz by about 10, I just don't think they will start as slow as they did last time the two teams played, and they will pull away late. On Saturday I think they can sneak a game RIT team. I will take them by 2 late. RIT has proven it can play with Fisher and I think they will play well, but come up short.

I think Alfred will split the weekend. My guess is they will lose to RIT and beat Naz, but I think it could go either way this weekend.

I will take UC to sweep the weekend, but I think the game against IC will be very close. I think IC will adjust and make some plays in the game, but UC will have the horses to keep them unbeaten in the conference.

Should be a big week for the teams in the hunt. We may have a real cloudy race for 2-4 seeds after the weekend, but I think who will make their way to the tourny will be a little more clear.

Any other predictions?

[UCgrad45]

As much as I'd like to continue this back-and-forth, I think, for the good of the board, I'll refrain.

  That's like the guy that hides behind someone else and says your lucky he's holding me back.   

[Pat Coleman]

Adam, I caught your work on the Utica/Fisher game a couple of weeks ago.  I thought you did a nice job.  It sounded like there was a decent crowd there as well.  There's no arguing you're a homer (as is your color guy), but I don't think anyone tuning in to a division III Utica College basketball contest expects anything else.

I'd disagree. With Utica in the national picture there will be more than just Utica fans following games.

[UCgrad45]

Busy day at work so I did not have a chance to check the boards. Wow... lot of animosity on here recently.

It is good to see the bull on the board. I have listened to his calls of games in the past I think he can be a nice addition to the conversation.

On to this weekend. I think it is a big weekend for most of the top teams in tourny contention. I like Fisher to sweep two very close games this weekend. I think they will beat Naz by about 10, I just don't think they will start as slow as they did last time the two teams played, and they will pull away late. On Saturday I think they can sneak a game RIT team. I will take them by 2 late. RIT has proven it can play with Fisher and I think they will play well, but come up short.

I think Alfred will split the weekend. My guess is they will lose to RIT and beat Naz, but I think it could go either way this weekend.

I will take UC to sweep the weekend, but I think the game against IC will be very close. I think IC will adjust and make some plays in the game, but UC will have the horses to keep them unbeaten in the conference.

Should be a big week for the teams in the hunt. We may have a real cloudy race for 2-4 seeds after the weekend, but I think who will make their way to the tourny will be a little more clear.

Any other predictions?

2-4 looks as if it is going to be crazy. Might come down to some of the nutty tie breakers.

[UCgrad45]

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!

Welcome. That guy that hooks you up with the starting lineups circled on the program before games is the man.