MBB: State University of New York Athletic Conference

[thebear]

Tomorrow night at Jerry Welsh Gymnasium, Potsdam and St. Lawrence men have their annual contest.

Bears go into the contest at 5-1, having swept Geneseo & Brockport over the weekend.  SLU is 3-1 (only loss to #21 Ursinus) and hasn't played since last week, when they beat Plattsburgh 82-71.

Potsdam wins over the weekend were without the services of senior starters PG Serge Clement, and PF/C Brandon Siskavich, so first year players Olando Minott, Tom Kelso and RS Greg Lothridge stepped up and provided scoring and rebounding in their absence.  Bears start three seniors; 6-2 wing Damon Brown, 6-3 wing/post Alvin Dike, and 6-4 point/wing/post Brendan Graney, plus Minott/Clement & Kelso.

SLU is led by 6-4 Sr guard Tom Wopperer who got hot vs. Plattsburgh and scored 36 including 9x13 3 pt FG's. Veteran supporting cast with Sr posts Bela Vonnak & Richard Williams, and junior PG Josh Sharlow.  Saints have promising newcomers in 6-5 Ralph Temgoua, wing from Paris, France, and 6'4 bruiser Garret Sharlow from nearby Massena, NY

SLU plays at a high tempo, likes to score in the 80's.  Potsdam a bit more under control likes to keep opponents in the low 60's. 

Should be a war, as both teams are off to great starts, have lots of returnees, quality adds, and coaches who used to work together, and are friends off the court.

Potsdam off after this game until 1/2 vs. unbeaten St. Joes (LI) in the ECAC Holiday Festival in Orlando.  SLU follows this toughie hosting a Saturday afternoon matchup vs. unbeaten Ithaca.

Winter is here in NNY, day started out at -10, and it's all the way up to 15.

[jdex]

Bear,

We wouldn't know about that (ccccold) anymore. Spend majority of our time in F.L.A. But will get north for a few days later this month. Let's see, started a 53 ......now 75! Sorry about that.

Potsdam looks like it has the goods .......now if we can just get our RDragons kick started ......

[thebear]

Thanks, Dex, although the Bears do escape to the Sunny Southland for the ECAC Holiday Festival in Orlando, perhaps you will get a chance to catch their act?

My way of coping with these insane temps, is, truth be told, once the wife finishes grading exams, we're off for two weeks to the San's - Antonio & Diego, where the temps will be much more to our liking.  Then 1/10-1/17 I'm helping the wife lead her team - 16 music business students, to the music industry trade show in Anaheim, so I will miss 22 of 31 winter days between 12/17 & 1/17.

As for your Dragons, It would be good if they took a while yet to jell.  Potsdam has to play at Cortland on 1/30 and that's rarely a good time.

I was shocked this weekend at the number of injuries, Geneseo women were down a potential A/C player as well as their top sub; PG Bihr was dragging a bad ankle.  'port men appeared to have a number of injuries, Wilkes looked hobbled, Parrish obviously has some injury problems, and Dunne was using almost hockey-like shifts with his wings.

[bearnation]

Like I said the Morton's shot was amazing but no one will talking about a shot made to win a game in December.  They will be talking about a great shot made 1981 in 2008 because of what the shot produced.  Which is why it was the better shot aka Leitners shot for Duke or Jordan from the corner.  The best was Leitner's.  Jordan was also facing the hoop.  Was that a great shot?
Wish I was closer to Potsdam even with the cold will be a great game tomorrow!

[cstate19]

Like I said the Morton's shot was amazing but no one will talking about a shot made to win a game in December.  They will be talking about a great shot made 1981 in 2008 because of what the shot produced.  Which is why it was the better shot aka Leitners shot for Duke or Jordan from the corner.  The best was Leitner's.  Jordan was also facing the hoop.  Was that a great shot?
Wish I was closer to Potsdam even with the cold will be a great game tomorrow!

I am fairly sure that people will be talking about Morton's shot no matter when it occurred.  Look, I am not saying that Morton's shot was more IMPORTANT.  I am saying that Morton's shot was better, i.e. tougher.  Case in point.  Let's play a game of H-O-R-S-E.  What shot makes you say "oh sh*t" when your opponent hits it? A 45 foot 3 or Morton's shot?

[thebear]

Just because of the shorter distance, there is probably a higher probability of hitting Morton's shot in Horse than a 45 footer.  In fact I'm pretty sure I've made that shot in Horse. (One of the few).

They both fall into the category of "Hail Mary" heaves for sure.

[scooterman]

Yes, it is alot nicer down here in Florida than in Potsdam or even Bport. My beloved Eagles are off to a rough start. The North Country trip is always a tough trip, and why do they always go up there just before final week. Anyway the Eagles are a little disappointing with all those 5th year players and nobody stepping up and taking control. They did depend on Hot Rod and B-Dubs too many times in the past. Now they are gone and they need a leader!!!! Step up and make us go this 2nd semester. You got plenty of time but get it going Eagles!!! Always a fan--Enjoy the holidays

[thebear]

SLU beats Potsdam 90-84 in a very entertaining game.

Stats still MIA.  SLU PG Josh Sharlow is the real deal, very active and athletic.  Matchup with Burton on Saturday should be a beauty.

Potsdam within 3 at 87-84 with :14 left, but Saints cinched it from the FT line.

Potsdam led 24-13 at midpoint of the first half, but foul trouble on their posts allowed SLU to level at 26-26 four minutes later. 

SLU lead extended to as much as 11 in 2H, but Bears never gave up.

Potsdam freshman 6-10 big Tom Kelso DNP - on the bench in sweats with his right hand in a cast.

Will update stats once the crew figures them out.

Potsdam finishes the semester 5-2, SLU moves to 4-1 & faces unbeaten Ithaca on Saturday afternoon at 4:00.

[jdex]

Potsdam shoots 15x27fg first half and trails 39-38! Bears finish 32x63fg, 9x21 3s and 11x13ft, BUT SL 25x40ft in Pdam. Hosts D. Brown 29 pts(11x21fg, 5x11 3s) in 37'; B. Siskavich 16 pts(5x7fg, 3x4 3s), 4pf in 16'; A. Dike 14 pts(6x11fg), 7 rebs in 34'. Saints 30x71fg, 5x14 3s, 6 trnvrs to Bears 13

New Paltz crushed at Williams 92-55. Ephs out 9-0and 54-22 at half on 10x20 3s. NP 22x60fg to Willies 35x72fg, 17x32 3s. Hawks S. Taylor 18 pts(9x13fg) in 29'; L. Bertram 10 pts(4x13fg), 9 rebs in 26'; M. Hauser off bench for 10 pts(3x10fg) in 19'. Eps at 6-2 led by K. Snyder 27 pts(10x17fg, 6x9 3s) in 26', B. Schultz 23 pts(9x16fg, 4x6 3s) in 22'

Morrisville saddled with 69-43 loss to Wells. Mustangs trail 32-17 at half against 2-6 foe. Mville 16x54fg. E. Wilson 11 pts(5x10fg), 3 assts, 4 stls, 6 rebs in 25'

Wednesday finds Oneonta hosting Ithacas

[jdex]

Oneonta comes within missed ft of upsetting Ithaca, instead falling 79-77 in ot at OSt. RDragon B. Beckford scores at reg buzzer for 71-71 tie, is fouled but doesn't convert. OSt scores first six ot points before IC comeback and victory at 0:04 on S. Burton two ft. OSt winning trey bid catches iron. Oneonta by 40-36 at half on strength of 18x35fg; finishes 37x68fg, 7x11ft, 4x14 3s. IC 28x67fg, 20x27ft, 3x17 3s. OSt 46-35 reb advantage. Beckford 23 pts, 11 rebs, 5 blks, 2 stls, 2 assts; R. Morin 12 pts; M. Grimes 11 pts. Burton 27 pts(10x12ft); J. Bostic 15 pts, 6 rebs; S. Leahy 12 pts, 6 rebs; B. Rogers 11 pts, 6 rebs

[with age came?]

Tough loss for Potsdam.  Must say was pleased to see Potsdam get at least one vote in the top 25 , but I am afraid that will be gone now.  Must say that it is time to give St Law a little love in the poll too.  Victories over Middlebury & Potsdam both of whom got votes. Only loss is to ranked Ursinius.  Ithaca squeaker over O State shows how tough it is to run the table.  Still think game upcoming vs St Law will determine the early frontrunner for the region.

[jdex]

Fredonia gets past Medaille 69-61. Leads 33-31 at half. Fires at 25x59fg clip. W. Davis 19 pts(5x15fg, 3x9 3s), 4 assts, 3 stls; K. Saunders 15 pts(4x11fg, 2x7 3s), 7 rebs, 3 assts, 3 stls; J. Bryant 14 pts(7x8fg), 3 assts; B. Cooper off bench 0 pts(0x2fg), 3 stls in 15'. Freds 20 trnvrs to Medaille 21. Freds 7-2, Medaille 5-2

[magicman]

Oneonta rebounds from their tough 2 pt. loss to Ithaca with a 22 pt. win over a decent Westfield State team, 68-46, in the opening round of the Brodie Tournament at RIT.  The Red Dragons will take on host Rochester Tech for the championship tomorrow. RIT defeated Houghton 89-73 in tonight's 2nd game.   

Oneonta rated a slight favorite in the championship game despite being the visiting team, as long as they don't have a night like they did against Hartwick back on Nov.18th.                         

[jdex]

Oneonta had 34-21 edge through 21'. Rides R. Morin 20 pts(9x14fg), 6 reb in 19'; B. Hooks 10 pts(2x3 3s); B. Beckford 6 rebs, 5 assts in 19'. OSt 27x57fg. Title test with RIT at 3 p.m.

Morrisville stays winless in 71-49 fall to Hamilton. S. Grant heads Mustangs with 12 pts(5x9fg, 2x4 3s). J. McCants 8 rebs, G. Vaughn 8 rebs. Mville 19x56fg and trails 32-17 at half

[magicman]

It was nice to see the dilemma over SUNYAC player of the week for the week of Nov. 30th thru Dec. 6th be resolved the way it was. Co-Players of the week!! Congrats to Scott Morton and Chris Ruiz, two classy individuals who have both earned the weekly honor 2 times already this young season. Their stat lines for the week are nearly identical. (See Below)

Kyle Reuter, Oswego's fine shooting guard was the player of the week in between Morton and Ruiz winning.

Keep an eye on these 3 guys as they make a run for SUNYAC MVP. It's still early and I'm sure other players will state their case for consideration but these 3 are the frontrunners right now.

Damon Brown for Potsdam, Mike Grimes from Oneonta, Carson Niehoff at Cortland will all be in the race and Shereef Taylor from New Paltz making a run with averages of 20ppg (53% FG 83% FT) and 7.7 rebounds after 3 SUNYAC contests. I know of at least 8 other guys that could be on this list and will be heard from.   

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK (From the SUNYAC Website)
December 8
Scott Morton (Syracuse/Westhill), Geneseo senior guard
Morton averaged 23 points, eight rebounds, three assists, 1.3 steals, and .3 blocks over three games in the last week. His game-winning shot at the buzzer over Oswego garnered nation coverage on ESPN and Yahoo.

Chris Ruiz (Bronx/St. Agnes), Plattsburgh sophomore guard
Ruiz scored a SUNYAC-high, career-high, and possible school record 41 points in an overtime win against Brockport. Ruiz also scored 39* points in a loss against St. Lawrence. Over three games last week, he averaged 26.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2.3 steals, and .33 blocks.
*NOTE: Averages for Ruiz are correct but SUNYAC website says he scored 39 against  ST. Lawrence, he didn't, he only had 22.   ( His grandmother had 39 )

December 1
Chris Ruiz (Bronx/St. Agnes), Plattsburgh sophomore guard
In a close 59-58 loss to Clarkson, Ruiz scored 25 points, shooting 76.9% from the field. He also grabbed four rebounds, two assists and one block. Ruiz went four for five from the free throw line.

November 24
Kyle Reuter (Mexico/Mexico), Oswego senior guard
Reuter averaged 22 ppg over the weekend in the SUNY Old Westbury Panther Classic on his way to being named the tournament MVP. He also surpassed 1000 career points, only the thirteenth player in school history to do so. He shot 52% from the field and the three point line, while shooting 75% from the free throw line. Oswego is undefeated this season (4-0).

November 17
Scott Morton (Syracuse/Westhill), Geneseo senior guard
Morton picked up 22 points, nine rebounds, four assists, five steals and one block in a 76-53 win over the Elmira Soaring Eagles. The senior guard shot 52.9% from the field, 33.3% from the three point arc, and 50% from the free throw line