Empire 8

[FisherDynasty]

Thanks for the info Cyclone, that was my one concern/doubt with stevens was the post.  Not that they couldnt get by E8 who is small all around without a true big man but will definatly help having their big back.  Go bombers def agree that the teams on the top of the conference will beat each other up much more then previous years.  Much more parity than in previous years and I dont think the best team is as good as previous years, but the conference is much much better as a whole.  With the addition of Stevens the E8 has a chance i believe to get 3 teams in the NCAA (Stevens, Fisher, and a winner of the Tourny) although very slight seeing as the region overall is better.  heres my predictions for the season. I am pretty much in agreement with gobombers except going to squeeze Naz in there in place of Utica, and actually have them come out of the E8 tourny.  Being a fisher fan its hard to say, however, I believe this is the year Naz will finally pull it together, but will still have there few horrible losses that cannot be explained by any means so wont win the reg. season.  Its hard not to think Fisher will get the 1 spot, I think Stevens will struggle more than expected as the conference is going to be very new to them. Its going to be a very different year in the E8. Time will tell.

[Cyclone0205]

Could be tough to get three, especially if Stevens regional affiliation switches from Atlantic to East, seeing as how almost all of their games are now East region games and thus without the switch their in-region atlantic schedule would be a little small.

I think that the switch will probably affect the early part of the season for them, because I know the conference they played in had 2 of the worst teams in division 3.  However, it also had another NCAA tourney team and they played a pretty good out of conference with NYU, Tufts, and some others.

I still think it will come down to Fisher/Stevens for the regular season crown, because those seem like the teams with the least amount of questions at the moment.  Utica and Naz both should be dangerous come tournament time, and I wouldn't be surprised to have a different regular season and conference tourney winner.

[Caz Bombers]

Is the travel going to affect Stevens the first year?  Other than sitting in metro NYC traffic, Skyline road trips probably weren't that grueling....they've got long-a$$ bus rides for every game.  Have their players ever even heard of Elmira, Utica, Ithaca, Oneonta, etc.?

[gobombers15]

Thanks for the info Cyclone, that was my one concern/doubt with stevens was the post.  Not that they couldnt get by E8 who is small all around without a true big man but will definatly help having their big back.  Go bombers def agree that the teams on the top of the conference will beat each other up much more then previous years.  Much more parity than in previous years and I dont think the best team is as good as previous years, but the conference is much much better as a whole.  With the addition of Stevens the E8 has a chance i believe to get 3 teams in the NCAA (Stevens, Fisher, and a winner of the Tourny) although very slight seeing as the region overall is better.  heres my predictions for the season. I am pretty much in agreement with gobombers except going to squeeze Naz in there in place of Utica, and actually have them come out of the E8 tourny.  Being a fisher fan its hard to say, however, I believe this is the year Naz will finally pull it together, but will still have there few horrible losses that cannot be explained by any means so wont win the reg. season.  Its hard not to think Fisher will get the 1 spot, I think Stevens will struggle more than expected as the conference is going to be very new to them. Its going to be a very different year in the E8. Time will tell.

I'm taking a wait-and-see approach with Naz. As I mentioned, I do think that they will have the best player in the conference in Corey McAdam. They also have a consistent scorer in Canori and will be picking up a solid starter in Ryan McAdam, who missed all last season with an injury. Tyler Smith is a quality pivot, as well. The big thing with them, as always, will be whether they can bring the effort on the defensive end each game. Over the last three seasons, I don't think they've come close to doing that. Secondly, I think they have to find a way to win away from home. They've been a poor road team, lately. I really can't remember the last time they've won at Ithaca, RIT, Utica, etc. Those are the teams they need to beat to make the E8 Tourney, but they're not even getting splits against those schools; that's killer. Keep in mind, too, that RIT pretty much owns Naz and that's one of the teams that Naz will be competing with to get a tourney berth.

Unquestionably, the talent exists at Naz. It's just a matter of effort (defense) and poise (winning on the road). If they have one or both, they should be a contender capable of beating any team on a given night; if not, they can get beat by almost any team on a given night. Simple as that.

Is the travel going to affect Stevens the first year?  Other than sitting in metro NYC traffic, Skyline road trips probably weren't that grueling....they've got long-a$$ bus rides for every game.  Have their players ever even heard of Elmira, Utica, Ithaca, Oneonta, etc.?

I was wondering the same thing. I'm sure that they'll have to leave VERY early on Friday morning for the two trips to the Rochester-area (Naz/RIT and Fisher/Alfred). That's going to be at least a 6-hour bus ride, and probably closer to 7 hours. May not be fun getting off a bus at 3pm and playing a game at 8pm.

[Caz Bombers]

GB15, I gotta believe Stevens will overnight everywhere beyond Hartwick (and maybe there too).  When I look at their website and their facilities I see a school with the cash to spring for some hotel rooms.

[sjfcards]

It seems like every year we talk about Naz, and is this the year that they pull it all together. I agree that they have much better talent than where they have finished the last few years. But, I think between coaching and the players on the team they are just a 3rd or 4th place team.

I agree that it will be Fisher and Stevens for the for the regular season title. I think they will battle for the top spot all season, and that the rest of the teams (Elmira and Hartwick excluded) in the league will be pretty even for the remaining two spots in the conference tourny.

I think Naz will get in to the tourny, but I think Ithaca, Utica, RIT, and even Alfred will have something to say about them getting in.

I know I am a Fisher fan, but there is not much reason to think they will not be a step above the other teams in the conference again this year. I agree with Gobombers that the league will be more competitive at the top this year, but I think that Fisher will find a way to win the regular season title.

[FisherDynasty]

I agree Gobombers and sjfcards.  We're going to have to see, Coach Daley is not a good coach and Naz does play no D.  I just think Ryan McAdam is very underrated and is going to be the X factor.  He is the best 3 man in the league and is going to have a big year.  I also dont believe Corey is the best, Idk he did have amazing stats but when he played Fisher, Newman got the best of him both times so wasnt as impressive to me. However, thats just two games and he did put up some crazy stats. 

Sjfc, I think alfred is out of the mix this year not having stein hurts, Hartwick would get the nodge over them, they brought in a few other descent freshmen with size along with some returning talent.  They should be able to get a few more good wins this year. 


Agree with the sjfc & stevens prediction.  However, sad as it is, next year is going to be a rough one for Fisher  they will have trouble making the ncaa tourny.

[JQV]

Does Naz have any posters?  Looks like we currently have several representatives from Fisher and IC.  One from UC and Stevens and at least one from RIT.  Is that right?  If the league is as competitive as you all predict it will be, this could be a fun year. 

I am going to see IC in person for the first time in about 5 years when they come down to Orlando.  Caz, you in?

[Caz Bombers]

Does Naz have any posters?  Looks like we currently have several representatives from Fisher and IC.  One from UC and Stevens and at least one from RIT.  Is that right?  If the league is as competitive as you all predict it will be, this could be a fun year. 

I am going to see IC in person for the first time in about 5 years when they come down to Orlando.  Caz, you in?

I think I can swing that, yeah.

[bamm]

RIT Update --

The big concern heading into the season for RIT is the center position.  There wasn't a clear successor to Bacon that could come anywhere close to his production.  Per tradition, Coach McVean has a really tall freshman  -- in this case 6'11", 200 pounds.  As I recall, the last I checked, I was 5'11" and 190 -- so I have my doubts he'll be starting right away, unless he started the Andy Reid diet the second he stepped on campus.

Zeinfeld should continue to be his usual self, filling the role Sean Murphy left to shoot the ball from anywhere at anytime, without any guilt (I have no problem with it in either case, for the record).

Gethers should be good for double-digits every game to help Zeinfeld with scoring.  I anticipate Colin Roy running the show again this season, we'll have to see if he'll contribute a little more on the offensive end with the loss of Bacon's production.  He has always been an excellent defender.  I've heard a freshman guard is excellent, and could spell Roy adequately, but obviously I have no visual evidence of that yet. 

Rick Whitwood will have to continue to develop as a scoring option.  I think he averaged over 10 a game in conference play last season. 

Beyond that, your guess is as good as mine.  I think Zeinfeld will have to be a lot more consistent with his shooting this season if this team is to make the E8 tourney.  They certainly will not be in the basement, but a challenge for the league title is probably out of the question.  I hope I'm wrong.
 

[gobombers15]

Does Naz have any posters?  Looks like we currently have several representatives from Fisher and IC.  One from UC and Stevens and at least one from RIT.  Is that right?  If the league is as competitive as you all predict it will be, this could be a fun year. 

I am going to see IC in person for the first time in about 5 years when they come down to Orlando.  Caz, you in?

I don't think Naz has any current posters. I remember Ryan Shipley (former Naz center) posted on the board just hours after the bench-clearing brawl against Fisher. Also, I think there was a guy named E8bballfan (or something to that effect) that was very pro-Naz. I think he left the board or has just been very quiet the last few seasons.

Frankly, I do hope our favorite Hartwick fan comes back. As annoying as he may be, he's constant entertainment. My favorite is when he tells us that we should take advantage of having the privilege to see the Hartwick Hawks when they come to our town. You can't make that stuff up.

[JQV]

Coach McVean has a really tall freshman  -- in this case 6'11", 200 pounds.

I don't think that guy has any eligibility left.  You should tell Coach McVean to look into his time in the NBA:

[FisherDynasty]

Bamm, what about Scott Young the 6'6 fresh they had last year? I forget his name but i thought he had a lot of talent.  Had a great frame, and could hit 3's. besides him yeah lack of big men for sure, mike carson is a space eater but not very good.

Waleed Farid from Stevens made honorabe mention d3hoops. Only player in the E8

[bball05]

i relle dnt think this stevens team is everything that every1 is sayin.

[Jacketfan2011]

Well....I'm glad we got that cleared up.