Empire 8

[Cyclone0205]

Ehhh, I wouldn't be so quick to jump on that bandwagon gobombers.

I too think Ithaca will finish ahead of Utica at the end of the season, but as I remember correctly Ithaca lost to Potsdam St. to start last season 93-82 and Utica beat Potsdam State later 74-67.  If there is 1 thing the empire 8 has shown over the years, it's that the "we beat x, who beat y, so we're better than y" logic doesn't work when there's so many evenly matched teams. 


Since I can't think of any other phrase for it, in the e8, it's simply "Any Given Sunday"  (or other day of the week that ends in Y when 2 e8 teams are playing each other.

[d3lifer]

New to the boards but have been a fan of the Empire 8 for long time, that was a good correction on the question between the two York College's however it would be noted that it couldn't have been a terrible win for the Wick with a York team that won 22 games last year with majority if not all players back.

Some interesting games last year with the start of the season underway it would appear that the bombers are only interested in trying to separate themselves from the pack in the league as they have done nothing but win impressively through their opening few games.

Anything can happen as Dick Vitale mentioned during the 2ksports classic during his broadcast of the Duke-Michigan game with Michigan knocking off UCLA, "November basketball is very unpredictable where teams are not always in the same stages of their progression."

With that being said November is a great time of year with College Basketball kicking off and College Football becoming that more interesting as teams look to finalize their possible bowl positions.

Good luck to all teams in the Empire 8 this year should be a good one!

[UCgrad45]

UC takes care of business with a win over SUNY-IT, 74-67 to win their tip off tournament.

James Patterson with 17 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists.

Pat Goodman with 12 points and 7 boards.

Bobby Whyte scored 10 points and had 6 rebounds.

Justin Maxwell contributed 12 points.

[gobombers15]

Ehhh, I wouldn't be so quick to jump on that bandwagon gobombers.

I too think Ithaca will finish ahead of Utica at the end of the season, but as I remember correctly Ithaca lost to Potsdam St. to start last season 93-82 and Utica beat Potsdam State later 74-67.  If there is 1 thing the empire 8 has shown over the years, it's that the "we beat x, who beat y, so we're better than y" logic doesn't work when there's so many evenly matched teams. 


Since I can't think of any other phrase for it, in the e8, it's simply "Any Given Sunday"  (or other day of the week that ends in Y when 2 e8 teams are playing each other.

For one, Bostic didn't play that game last year if I recall. Secondly, I agree, generally that logic is bogus. That said, when one team wins on the road by 25 and the other team loses at home, that does say something. Plus, Ithaca was considered the favorite and that game supports that theory.

[gobombers15]

Bombers lead host UR at the half, 45-39. Sounds like a fun game to be attending.

[bombersquadron]

The U of R starts out shooting and playing very well. However, playing at Ithaca's pace catches up with them. Ithaca was down by as many as 7 but Rogers hit 3 consecutive threes and Bostic picked up his game to end the first half.

[gobombers15]

Bombers are going to beat host UR in the final of the Resler Tourney. Chris Cruz hits four big 3's in the 2nd half.

Final: Ithaca wins, 81-72. HUGE win for the good guys. Should start receiving votes soon, I'd think.

[bombersquadron]

Ithaca got cold a few times in the second half but kept Rochester at bay. Two nice dunks from Bostic and some nice shooting from Cruz. Once again an overall team effort from the Bombers. Four games so far and four games with at least 80 points.

[d3lifer]

This has to be at the top or near the top of the most talented teams that Ithaca has put on the floor in school history they are physical, athletic, have depth, and can put points on the board from multiple positions. Another impressive win for the bombers.

The years of challenging non conference schedule is going to pay off for them this year particularly because they have put them in the win column.

[UCgrad45]

Ehhh, I wouldn't be so quick to jump on that bandwagon gobombers.

I too think Ithaca will finish ahead of Utica at the end of the season, but as I remember correctly Ithaca lost to Potsdam St. to start last season 93-82 and Utica beat Potsdam State later 74-67.  If there is 1 thing the empire 8 has shown over the years, it's that the "we beat x, who beat y, so we're better than y" logic doesn't work when there's so many evenly matched teams. 


Since I can't think of any other phrase for it, in the e8, it's simply "Any Given Sunday"  (or other day of the week that ends in Y when 2 e8 teams are playing each other.

For one, Bostic didn't play that game last year if I recall. Secondly, I agree, generally that logic is bogus. That said, when one team wins on the road by 25 and the other team loses at home, that does say something. Plus, Ithaca was considered the favorite and that game supports that theory.

Yeah, it says that one team matches up against other teams differently. Cortland is not a good match up for UC. They killed them last year. The close game after being down 16 and being only down 3 with 31 seconds left was a good effort.

UC is very talented, but is learning all new plays and philosophy. It is like having a talented group of Freshmen out there as they are all learning a new system. They will make their biggest splash later in the season. Hamilton is a huge game going into the break.

[Caz Bombers]

Bombers are going to beat host UR in the final of the Resler Tourney. Chris Cruz hits four big 3's in the 2nd half.

Final: Ithaca wins, 81-72. HUGE win for the good guys. Should start receiving votes soon, I'd think.

That's a nice consolation prize after the colossal embarrassment at Butterfield today.  Basketball season is "officially" beginning about 2 weeks earlier than I thought it would but it's time for every IC fan to get on board this bandwagon.  We've been waiting a long time for the Bombers to be legitimate in basketball and hopefully that time is now.

[d3hero]

Hartwick showed it's true colors and lost to the new star of the Skyline, SUNY Purchase, by 13 points in the New Paltz tournament final.

D1 transfer Jerrell Lewis scored 22 and D2 transfer Marvin Billups put up 29. 

[Cyclone0205]

Congrats....you beat a team picked to finish in the bottom 3 of the conference for the ___ straight year.

[d3hero]

Maybe that's Hartwick's coach's fault, no?

[Cyclone0205]

Got  a chance to go see the Ducks again this afternoon.  They gutted out a hard fought 66-62 game against Kean University.  Kean came into the game 2-1, having beat Division 2 Clarion.  They're a pretty athletic team, though a bit out of control.  A typical NJAC team for those who know the area.  Overall nice win against easily their best opponent so far.  Here's some thoughts:

Positives:
Ducks were led by Virgil Gray (obvious statement?)  28 points, 4-9 from 3, including a clutch 3 pointer with a minute left and the Ducks down 3.  Also went 10-14 from the free throw line.  The kid is a player.  Like I said in earlier posts, he's going to be battling Burton and Herring all season for E8 player of the year.

Passalacqua also went 4-9 from 3, coming away with 14 points.  He was the story in the first half while Gray started off slow shooting.

For all the talk of Greco leaving and the youth at point guard, Michael Baker continues to impress at the position.  9 points and 9 assists today.  Also came up with the game winning layup after getting an offensive rebound on a Passalacqua miss.  Games will be close when he's in foul trouble (4 fouls today), but I don't think the Ducks have much worry at the position when he's on the court.

Negatives:
I'm sorry to sound like a broken record recapping this team, but they got beat on the boards 41-27 to a team who's tallest player is a GENEROUS 6'4".  There simple isn't enough inside game for the Ducks to handle a Bostic or Carson or whoever else is thrown at them down low.  So on nights when they don't shoot 43% from behind the arc (like they did today), they are going to be in trouble.

Team isn't very deep.  If you look, they play a lot of guys, but that's because they are rotating about 6 players between the power forward/center positions.  Only 1 guard played off the bench today, and that was the kid Sanchez (and he only played 9 minutes).  39 minutes from Gray, 34 from Baker, 30 from Passalacqua. 

15-26.  58%.  The free throw shooting woes of last year continue for the Ducks.  Needless to say, we saw this bite them last year, and it could happen again.