Empire 8

[gobombers15]

I think now was a good time to step down. He's not leaving the cupboard bare for the next coach. Herring has one more year left and they have a wealth of younger players who seemed to come on at the end of the season. He left the program in good shape for whoever follows.

I wonder if Utica stays within the program or tries to nab an up-and-coming assistant in the area. Will Nevada Smith, assistant at IC, make like Sherry Dobbs and take a head coaching position elsewhere? I couldn't blame him as it looks like Mullins plans on staying at IC for the foreseeable future.

[gobombers15]

Or, possibly fellow IC assistant Mike Burton who just happens to be a Utica College grad ('71).

[fisheralum91]

wow ucalum71------now i feel young!!!!!!

[JQV]

Or, possibly fellow IC assistant Mike Burton who just happens to be a Utica College grad ('71).

I don't think this is a real possibility.  Burton is pretty locked into the Finger Lakes if memory serves.  In fact, didn't he come back to IC after coaching his kids at Trumansburg High?

Assistants are a possibility.  Maybe Greg whatshisface that followed Dobbs and is now at Fisher.  Maybe even Dobbs.  Who wouldn't want to leave the North Country?

[scooterman]

I think Burton would be a great choice--He grew up in Utica and would be going home!!He is my choice

[bombersquadron]

Coach Burton is a great choice however i don't think he is even thinking of taking the job. I know Coach Burton enjoys he days off and golfing all the time. He is pretty locked into the finger lakes area as you said Jose. I hope for the Bombers sake he and coach Smith both stay both are phenomenal coaches and with the talent Ithaca has returning they should be a 20 win team next year.

But that doesn't matter now as they have to prepare for the empire 8 tourney. I wonder with the crowds Ithaca has been getting lately will they open up the other side of bleachers?

[Cyclone0205]

Stevens' Pool C chances took a step in the right direction today with the final public regional rankings.  They stayed in the Top 5 in the East, at #5, which bodes well if they can make it to the e8 final.  Looking at the teams they are behind


Plattsburgh(#1) - Should win the AQ, thus Stevens moves to 4th in the region
Rochester (#2) - Should get one of the top 8 Pool C bids
St. Lawrence (#3) - Should win the AQ, thus Stevens moves to 3 in the region
Brockport (#4) - If Bport makes it to the SUNYAC final, they'll stay in front of Stevens for Pool C.  Otherwise, Stevens will probably jump them, thus putting Stevens behind Rochester as East Region representatives (assuming Plattsburgh/St. Lawrence hold serve)


Hopefully they don't need the Pool C bid and win the AQ, but if not they have to feel pleased to stay in the Top 5 regional rankings.

[gobombers15]

BomberSquadron, I hope they open up the bleachers behind the benches even if only for Friday evening's games. I'm sure Fisher is going to send a lot of fans b/c this is the E8 Tourney. Also, wouldn't be surprised if the Naz fans and Stevens fans (who I assume will be staying the night) stick around for the late game.

However, I assume that the Naz/Stevens fans will be sitting in the Ithaca section because their game is first. How are you guys (and girls) going to get them out of there for the second game so that it's an Ithaca-only cheering section.

[JQV]

GB you might be overthinking this.

Are any of the four schools on spring break?  That would cut the crowds.

[Cyclone0205]

You don't have to worry about them opening up the side for the Stevens fans.  With the woman hosting the e8 tourney at home, chances are you are only going to get about 30 Stevens fans making the trip up to Ithaca anyway.  As it is most e8 teams had more fans in the gym for Stevens home games than Stevens did.  I know St. John Fisher dwarfed the Stevens contingent at the game in Hoboken and I heard the Utica/Stevens fan ratio was like 4:1 for Utica's contest down in Jersey.

[bombersquadron]

I would say it was about the same for IC with a lot of parents making the trip and a few alumni representing for the Bombers when they played at Stevens.

Naz will have a good contingent for Friday's game vs. Stevens. I think the Fisher v. Ithaca game will be packed. Ithaca packed the stands last time and this time it is the conference tourney so you can be sure more people will be there to take in the game.

[FROMAFAR]

Hey wait a minute, Bomber and Cyclone, if what your saying about the Stevens home games is correct...and I believe you, ( visitors with a big edge in attendance) Stevens should be hosting, they had the better road record!!!!  See you guys Friday.......

[jasper]

BomberSquadron, I hope they open up the bleachers behind the benches even if only for Friday evening's games. I'm sure Fisher is going to send a lot of fans b/c this is the E8 Tourney. Also, wouldn't be surprised if the Naz fans and Stevens fans (who I assume will be staying the night) stick around for the late game.

However, I assume that the Naz/Stevens fans will be sitting in the Ithaca section because their game is first. How are you guys (and girls) going to get them out of there for the second game so that it's an Ithaca-only cheering section.

The only fans from Fisher will be family and a few straglers....I don't know if you recall senior day at Fisher. They made all the sports teams come and "support" the basketball teams and the few Ithaca fans made more noise than the Fisher "fans". It was PATHETIC!

[bombersquadron]

The only fans from Fisher will be family and a few straglers....I don't know if you recall senior day at Fisher. They made all the sports teams come and "support" the basketball teams and the few Ithaca fans made more noise than the Fisher "fans". It was PATHETIC!

Jasper, you are right. I was at that game and the Fisher crowd was weak. However, i think they will have some fans.

[Bart1117]

so whats the take on the weekend?


Scores/Outcomes? Who are the players to watch?  Any surprises?