Empire 8

[bombersquadron]

Ithaca crushes Suny Oneonta, final score was about 95-57. The school record for three pointers was in jeopardy tonight and may have been broken. Bostic had a big game, another double double and close to 10 blocks. Big games from Burton, Kail, Leahy and Freshman Chris Cruz off the bench. Ithaca was in control for most of the game and cruised they entire second half. I'm happy they weren't looking ahead to the match-up with Fisher on Friday.

[sjfcards]

The two Fisher/Ithaca games left will have a lot to say about the playoff picture. If either team finds a way to win both games, the team that losses the games, may find themselves on the outside looking in as far as the tourny goes.

[FisherDynasty]

Welp, fishers chances of hosting are over.  Unfortunately naz has no wins over stevens so probably wont either.  I guess all we can do is route for Ithaca to beat Fisher once and Stevens.  I think if the tourny goes to Ithaca, it will be Fishers best chance of winning.  I didnt think Fisher was going to come out on top versus Naz.  With ryan mcadam back I think they are the best team in the league.  The most experienced and talented.  However, can see them faultering in the tourny if they dont host as they are not a great road team.  I think if naz wins out and drops one in the tourny the will get an automatic bid.  Looks like Ithaca was on fire tonight. 

[DirkDiggler]

It surprises me that Fisher has 7 coaches and still can't get a game plan to beat Naz.

[magicman]

It might be tough for Fisher to get an at large bid, even if they win out in the regular season, and lose in the E8 championship. That scenario would give them 8 losses. Some of those losses are not going to help (hobart and Rochester by 23). Alos barely beating Keuka. The thing Fisher will have going for it is thay they were really hot at the end of the year. The problem is that they were so up and down this year. I think it will be tough for Fisher, Ithaca, or RIT to get an at large bid. The funny thing is that Fisher is taking care of business in the leage, and it is the bad games early in the season that are really going to hurt them.

Naz has a fairly good shot at an at large if they can not lose more than one or two down the stretch, with 3 of their 5 losses comming to Stevens and Rochester (both tourny teams). A lot of whether the E8 gets 1 or 2 teams in will depend on what happens at the SUNYAC and LL. there are a few SUNY schools that will have an argument for an at large. But not as many in the LL.
The parody in the E8 this year may keep the good teams in the league out this year. Where in the past really quality teams could get in because they would only have 2 or 3 losses after leage play started. (See Utica the last 2 years).

That's pretty much the way I see it as well. Liberty League winner, probably SLU or Hamilton gets in and early season losses hurts the loser of that tournament. Some good wins by both teams but some pretty bad losses as well. Tough for 2 teams out of this conference to get bids.

The SUNYAC will get 2 bids if Plattsburgh State loses the conference tournament. The 2 teams most likely to take the crown away from the Cardinals are Brockport or Oswego, but you can't dismiss Cortland's capabilities.  Cards were fortunate to only play both these teams once during the regular season. Barring an upset in the early rounds the Cards will face one of them for the automatic bid. Revenge factor looms large for a rematch with either team.  Oswego with less losses than Bport(4 to 6) but the Golden Eagles have a leg up on them in the standings. Big meeting between them on Feb. 9th. If either one wins out and loses in the SUNYAC Championship game to Plattsburgh I think that team will get in. Port has some tough losses(UR by 5, Plattsburgh by 3 in OT, and both Liberty League leaders Hamilton and SLU) none were blowouts. Possible 21-7 record. Oswego's only losses to 4 of the top teams in the region(Plattsburgh, Naz, SLU, and Bport) with 3 of these coming on the road. Possible 21-5 record.  Personally I think Brockport has the better chance.

Actually Naz has lost twice each to UR and Stevens, top 25 teams all year, making them look better than anyone else in the E8. Their schedule down the stretch is more favorable than either Fisher or Ithaca and the possibilty of ending up 21-6 assuming a loss in the conference championship and a win in that season finale at Ithaca on Feb. 23rd gets them a bid I believe.  I don't think anyone else has a shot unless of course they win the automatic bid.  And any of the top 4 teams in the conference are capable of doing that.

And sjfcards which one is it.           parity = equality, as in amount, status, or value.
                                                                                     
                                              parody=a literary or artistic work that broadly mimics 
                                                                       an author's characteristic style and holds it
                                                                        up to ridicule. 2. A performance so bad as to
                                                                        be equivalent to intentional mockery;
                                                                        travesty

[FROMAFAR]

FisherDynasty let's look at what needs to happen for Ithaca to host. Of course if Stevens falls apart and loses to 2 of the remaining 3 games and Ithaca wins out, then DONE. Let's say Ithaca beats Stevens in last game. Could very well happen. Let's say Ithaca wins out, the they are tied. They would have split so next is best record against subsequent finishers in descending order. So let's put Naz in 3rd. The would have to lose to ITHACA for this scenario, therefore Ithaca and Stevens would have swept NAZ so down to Fisher. Ithaca would have swept Fisher and Stevens split, therefore in Ithaca. HOWEVER, I don see Ithaca sweeping NAZ, Fisher, and Stevens and if they do, they deserve it. Also, Stevens has a tough game at Utica as well.   Still a little to early to think about. Right now Stevens and Ithaca have to take them One ata time. Nazareth feeling pretty good after last night and looking to give themselves their best chance to get in the NCAA, so they won't be an easy out for Ithaca. I think Stevens sweep of Nazareth plays a big part in where the E 8 is going to be played. I'm not sure Nazareth is the best team experience wise. Stevens has NCAA experience and all 5 starters were intragal in getting to the sweet 16. Listen one thing we have all learned this year is nothing is definite, and what we see on paper means nothing.     

[FisherDynasty]

good points fromafar.  have to agree on just about everything mentioned. i'd give you a +1k but i dont even know how to do that haha.

[Caz Bombers]

good points fromafar.  have to agree on just about everything mentioned. i'd give you a +1k but i dont even know how to do that haha.

You just click "applaud" under the username on the left.

[gobombers15]

RIT takes care of Alfred, 68-48. This one was never all that competitive. Mark Carson with 18 and 9 for the Tigers. Kenny Gethers only played 9 minutes. Is he hurt?

Alright, signing off for the night. This independent voter is waking up at the crack of dawn to see Obama tomorrow. Early line on the over/under for number of times he says the words "audacity" and some form of the word "hope": 83.5.

[with age comes?]

To do a parody of parity:  Lots of the "big name" conferences have lots of parity which is particulary peculiar as participants pound each other pointing towards the possiblity of a plethora of possibilities for participation of said programs in the promised land of the NCAA prompting platitudes from pompous prognosticators profusely professing pointed predictions pertaining to said participation.                       Translation:  Lots of losses in every conference- Naz has a chance of an at large if they run the league table and lose in the Championship game to anybody. Stevens has a very good chance unless they stumble badly down the stretch.   For any other e-8 school to participate - please win tournament or look up ECAC in the basketball dictionary! 

[magicman]

with age

That was hilarious. I think you were trying to sneak one by me again.

[AUPepBand]

To do a parody of parity:  Lots of the "big name" conferences have lots of parity which is particulary peculiar as participants pound each other pointing towards the possiblity of a plethora of possibilities for participation of said programs in the promised land of the NCAA prompting platitudes from pompous prognosticators profusely professing pointed predictions pertaining to said participation.                       Translation:  Lots of losses in every conference- Naz has a chance of an at large if they run the league table and lose in the Championship game to anybody. Stevens has a very good chance unless they stumble badly down the stretch.   For any other e-8 school to participate - please win tournament or look up ECAC in the basketball dictionary! 

Pep prefers Posting Uppppp posters popping Ps....+K

[scooterman]

B-port can beat Naz 7 out of 10!!! Take that to the bank!!!

[bports]

Scotter quit trying to cause trouble

[scooterman]

I want to get a rise out of the Empire boys!!! Bport over Naz