MBB: State University of New York Athletic Conference

[jdex]

Tougher day for Magic ......Oneonta 76, Brockport 68

[magicman]

Tougher day for Magic ......Oneonta 76, Brockport 68

Tougher still.......Geneseo 58 New Paltz 46

[magicman]

Appears to be final .....Cortand 83, Plattsburgh 69  ......so much for cold hands. Dragons connect on 15 of 22 3-pointers!!! Lights out performace. Lead by 23 with about 10 minutes left before gutty Pburgh comeback pulls within 10 and time left .......Corts close it out from the line. J. Smith 24 pts(8x13fg an 7x9 3s); J. Winter 22 pts(7x12fg and 4x6 3s); J. Connolly 17 pts(6x11fg and 4x6 3s); K. McMahon 15 pts. Winter adds seven assists, three steals. For Pbugh it's C. Ruiz 20 pts(8x19fg); E. Daniyan 15 pts, 19 rebs

Jdex,
Your Red Dragons were throwing up rainbows that were nothing but net, one after the other. With 1:37 left in the 1st half the Cardinals were up 30-19 Then Cortland made their last 3 shots of the half all 3 pointers, 2 by Winter and 1 by Connolly, at the buzzer and just like that the lead was 2 at the break. Cortland came out of the locker room on fire and hit their first 6 shots of the 2nd half. 3 were from behind the arc and 3 were 2 pointers. They scored 15 points in 2 minutes and 22 seconds and just like that had a 10 point lead. Plattsburgh managed a single 3 pointer by Chris Ruiz during that time and the score was 43-33. Finally Jeremy Smith misses a shot with 16:49 left to play. The Red Dragons would then make their next 10 shots of which 7 were from long distance and with 8:01 left in the game had opened up a 70-47 lead. In 12 minutes of play in the 2nd half they had scored 42 points shooting 16x17 from the field with 10 3 pointers. Up 23 with 8 minutes to play and Spanbauer had his players milking the clock. The rest of the game saw the Cortland players passing up shots they were draining just minutes before because it was early in the possession. They only scored 2 field goals in the final 8 minutes, getting 9 of the final 13 points from the line. Pretty impressive display for a bunch of underclassmen. As "thebear' stated yesterday the future of the SUNYAC was on display today in Memorial Hall. Smith and Winter are outstanding. Was also impressed with the play of McMahon and Connolly. Interesting that those 4 accounted for 78 of Cortland's 83 points. Haven't seen a shooting display that I witnessed today in a long, long, time if ever. Cortland shot 18x23 in the 2nd half and 10 for 12 from beyond the arc. For the game they shot 15x22 (68.2%)  from long distance, which was better than the 12x19 (63.2%) they shot from the free throw line. I'd just like to know how this team has fared so poorly this season? It certainly all came together for them today. 

[thebear]

Bears gave Lakers all they could handle, but came up short.  Bears were down 2 at 47-45 with less than a minute to play with the ball. C. Gilkes strips and goes unmolested for the score.  Bears then had to foul and Lakers made what they had to.  Another very UGLY Sunyac game, Bears only 32% from the floor, but 13x17 from the FT line kept them in the contest tile the very end.  Lakers got solid, but not spectacular efforts from Gilkes, Chad Burridge, and Conor Monaghan.

With Hobart loss at SLU today, and Lakers head to head win at Ithaca, Oswego looks like a lock for a Pool C Bid if they don't win the SUNYAC tourney at Home, Laker Hall being a very tough venue for visitors.

Good to see many Bears back from the past including Christian Turner, MD, and Edane Barton, rising star at Bloomberg, both stalwarts on the Bears elite 8 squad of 04-05.

Magic, with Cards reeling from weekend double dip, and trip through the frozen tundra to Jerry Welsh Gym, should be a solid tussle on Tuesday night.

[jdex]

Something in the air, you say:

How bout New Paltz scoring first points of the game on a trey after 4:55, and Geneseo first scoring with a deuce after 7:29. Then NP spurts to 7-2 lead, only to witness 16-0 Gens run. Knights out to 27-20 halftime lead and extend to as many as 17. J. Drazan's 10 pts. in 9' top Geneseo whose R. Riefenhauser has 12 rebs, 7 pts, 4 assts. NP S. Taylor with 13 pts, 7 rebs, 5 stls

Oswego puts Potsdam in 25-20 halftime deficit. Bears stick around as noted by theBear. Lakers bench comes up big, C. Gilkes 14 pts, 9 rebs(6off) in 23' and C. Monaghan with 11 pts in 20'. C. Burridge has 10 pts, 7 rebs. Pdam ''paced'' by C. Pierce, R. Duquette, T. Efese with 8 pts. apiece.

Magicman:
Kinda waiting for this sort of breakout by Cortland. Certainly capable as theBear has attested (from sizzling long range display in Potsdam's first game with Dragons). All about youth, growing, building confidence, finding roles. Nine players have started at least five games. A week ago Corts look like jayvee outfit to Oswego's varsity. Today's 15 3s a school record. Winter (who added seven assists, seven rebounds, four steals) and Smith are long-range of the first order as sophs. And both have penetrating skills.  The 6-4 frosh Connolly wasn't even seeing court time till past all-league D. Marshall left the team at semester break. Others can pull the trigger from outside with accuracy as well. One, fr R. Kenny, hasn't even seen duty of late

[with age came?]

Except for the the Lakers and Brockport - pretty "topsy turvey" week in the SUNYAC.  Did make it up to see Knights vs Statesmen to answer your question Magic.  Observations on the LL board.  Also saw a "lot of the players" from the previous years and "my new old Coach." Wish my Knights could have gone out stronger but I can always root for the team by the Lake!

[Bengalsrule]

Except for the the Lakers and Brockport - pretty "topsy turvey" week in the SUNYAC.  

  I probably agree with half of that statement....! 3 way tie for 2nd right now. BENGALS at Brockport tommorrow night (BENGALS won the first game) and then they host Magicmans- Cardinals Friday night (Plattsburgh won the first game). Win those 2 then all the tiebreakers go BUFF States' way (regardless of what happens Saturday vs. Potsdam)!

 With all 4 top seeds already securing a home court playoff game for next Tuesday,  I find magicman playoff scenarios make for vey interesting reading. I harken back to the 09 playoffs when 3 of the top 4 seeds lost first round games. That gives BENGALS, (and Cards and B Port) hope that we could host the semi's and finals next weekend! (AHHHHH Niagara Falls is actually pretty nice this time of year )

P.s. Magicman if you venture west this weekend I'd guarantee a great time (and a free Room at the Seneca Niagara casino and Hotel)!!!

   
Edited to add the following question.    When do the next Regional rankings come out??

[thebear]

The Bear's Crystal Ball (actually frosted) suggests the SUNYAC Regular Season will end up as follows

Oswego 17-1 Home Ice Throughout the playoffs.  Laker Hall is a tough place to play, especially with the pride of Syracuse reffing the games.  They draw Cortland in the quarters

Brockport 12-6 - 'port wins tie breaker through a dizzying set of comparisons.  They draw New Paltz, who loses a tie breaker to the Bears, suspect the Bears would rather play the Eagles then the Bengals.

Buff State 12-6 - gets the Bears at home Back to Back.  & Potsdam has to travel  ~800 miles between Saturday and Tuesday.  Bengals could get the two seed, but I think beating the port at home with so much at stake is a TOUGH order.

Plattsburgh 11-7 - Gets Oneonta at Home, but Cards conceivably lose 4 of their last 5.  Not a great mindset to take into the 'YAC playoffs.

Geneseo & Fredonia on the outside looking in.  Knights especially disappointing as their non-conference performance should made them a contender.

[Bengalsrule]

   Interesting playoff scenario there..Bear! I will let the 2nd/3rd place work itself out tommorrow however the bottom 4  are somewhat different in my book. My biggest dissagreement would be with New Paltz and Cortland. I actually could picture New Paltz adding to thier current 4 game losing streak and not winning another game. They have 2 road games left at rival Oneonta and Oswego. I predict that they finish at 7-11.

  Cortland, who has 3 home games left continues thier strong finish by beating Oneonta tommorrow and then easily dispatching Geneseo friday and probably facing a disinterested Brockport (who will be stuck at 3rd place by the time Saturday rolls around). The only thing that probably keeps Cortland out of 5th place would be an Oneonta team that beats New Paltz on Friday and cliches 5th by virtue of the fact that they beat Oswego and Cortland didnt! I predict that both Cortland and Oneonta finish 8-10

   Potsdam should lose 2 out of their last 3 (you guess which 2 teams Magicman and and I think will beat the Bears on Tuesday and Saturday which puts them at 7-11.

   So I have it ....5th seed Oneonta at 8-10 (beat Oswego and has beaten Cortland once), 6th Cortland 8-10 (lost Oswego twice and can only split with Oneonta) , 7th Potsdam 7-11 (split with New Paltz and beat Brockport) and 8th New Paltz 7-11 (got swept by B port). Keep in mind BEAR that if B Port should somehow finish 3rd and the BENGALS 2nd (HIGHLY LIKELY) then that could possibly reverse the order for a tied New Paltz (which beat the BENGALS once ) and Potsdam (which is presently 0-1 vs the BENGALS)

  After Tuesday I'll offer my match-ups ...and might even predict how the BENGALS will win the SUNYAC

[thebear]

Bengals - I guess that's why they play the games.

I doubt Brockport will be disinterested against Cortland.  The two SUNY "Phys Ed" schools have a natural rivalry.

I agree that there will be two 8-10 and two 7-11 teams in the 5-8 spots, and the tiebreakers get dizzying, although Oneonta holds the trump card with that win over Oswego.

Unfortunately the balance of the SUNYAC tends to make this a one bid conference for the NCAA's.  When the 2 and 3 seeds have six in conference losses, that tends to kill any chances for a pool C. 

I think the Lakers, if they go 17-1 in the 'yac have a pool C bid locked.  Only chance for two bids is for someone to beat the Lakers at home during the SUNYAC tournament.

As for tonight, I think all of the home teams win, Oswego 77-64 over NP, Brockport 81-80 over Buff State,  Potsdam 70-67 over Cards, Cortland 66-61 over Oneonta, Geneseo 68-58 over Fredonia.  Mid week road games are tough on the visitors this late in the season.

[Bengalsrule]

Unfortunately the balance of the SUNYAC tends to make this a one bid conference for the NCAA's.  When the 2 and 3 seeds have six in conference losses, that tends to kill any chances for a pool C. 

I dont know if I agree that 6 losses "kill any chances for a pool C." bid. Last year Oneonta went 13-5 for the regular season (is 12-6 that far removed from 13-5)? Even by NCAA standards? I doubt anyone knows for sure. One thing is for sure. After 2/25 all questions will be answered.

And  I couldnt agree more with your statement that...

that's why they play the games.

Nuff said





We'll talk again after the BENGALS take care of Brockport tonite!

[thebear]

Here's how I see the East Bids
UAA - Rochester is a lock, either Pool C or Pool A
SUNYAC Champ - Oswego, who is a lock for a pool C.
Liberty - Hobart, who is a lock for a pool C
Empire 8 - Ithaca/Stevens, One will win E-8, the other is a solid Pool C
AMCC - Medaille only has 5 losses so far, but would probably have to win the league
NEAC - SUNYIT ugh leads, and probably will win the Pool A
That's 6 or 7.

New England is very strong this year, with three top ten teams(Williams, Middlebury, Amherst).  Wouldn't be surprised if they put Middlebury into the East (very close to the border) and have them host a pod.  They might slide another western New England team over as well.

Assuming no conference tournament upsets (Liberty and E-8 are both capable) that leaves Medaille, Hamilton, RPI, and Buff State fighting over one last spot.  according to Massey, the Bengals are at 130, and the others are close to that, so I doubt they even make the Pool C discussion.

[magicman]

P.s. Magicman if you venture west this weekend I'd guarantee a great time (and a free Room at the Seneca Niagara casino and Hotel)!!!
 
Edited to add the following question.    When do the next Regional rankings come out??

Bengalsrule,
Thank you for the kind invitation. I gave it some serious thought. If my darn Cardinals were in a position to claim the regular season crown I probably would have come down. Maybe next year.

The next Regional rankings will be out tomorrow, probably in the early afternoon.

[Bengalsrule]

They might slide another western New England team over as well.
Assuming no conference tournament upsets (Liberty and E-8 are both capable) that leaves Medaille, Hamilton, RPI, and Buff State fighting over one last spot.  according to Massey, the Bengals are at 130, and the others are close to that, so I doubt they even make the Pool C discussion.

Bear..You inspire me . I too hope that "another western New England team" comes over to the east region. If I had my choice it would be #7 ELMS, whom the BENGALS beat in the Worcester Mass - Coaches vs Cancer Holiday Tourney in Dec.

   As far as the "other" Massey ratings..... RPI is at 108 (moved up 21 spots this week), Hamilton 125 (moved up 25) and Medaille 194 (moved up 5). I would probably add  Nazareth (124)  before Medaille. I have seen Medaille and other teams in the AMCC. If a team gets a Pool C bid out of that conference (other than Laroche) I'd be SHOCKED. That includes Ps Behrend (147). That Conference (Massey rating of 50 out of 54 conferences), in my humble opinion, is horrible!

P.s. Magicman if you venture west this weekend I'd guarantee a great time (and a free Room at the Seneca Niagara casino and Hotel)!!!
 
Edited to add the following question.    When do the next Regional rankings come out??

Bengalsrule,
Thank you for the kind invitation. I gave it some serious thought. If my darn Cardinals were in a position to claim the regular season crown I probably would have come down. Maybe next year.

The next Regional rankings will be out tomorrow, probably in the early afternoon

Sorry to hear that you wont be making it Magicman. Well the offer is good whenever you do come down.

I'll be watching to see if the BENGALS show up in the Ranking . If not us then probably Nazareth

[magicman]

Sure is an awful lot of prognosticating going on today. I have 1 bad day all year and everybody wants to claim my job.

Hey bear!! I just opened my copy of The Music and Sound Retailer which came to my store today and spotted a picture of your wife with the President of NAMM, Joe Lamond and Drumstick Manufacturer Vic Firth. I take it that was from your recent trip to Anaheim.

Everybody's in action tonight with all games starting at 8 PM.

Oneonta State  @    Cortland State
If I hadn't witnessed Cortland's shooting exhibition last Saturday I'd probably be picking Oneonta to win this game. But if Jeremy Smith, Jesse Winter, and John Connolly are half as hot as they were that day, then the Cortland variety of Red Dragons will win this game. Cortland 73 Oneonta 70      
 
New Paltz State   @   Oswego State
Burridge and company march on. Hawks will give them a battle tonight but come up a little short.
Lakers take it 82-74        
 
Buffalo State  @    Brockport State
Both teams trying to solidify their hold on 2nd place. Brockport trying to avoid Bengal sweep. Don't think the Golden Eagles fall behind by 24 like last game against Buffalo State. Brockport wins a tight one 85-82.      
 
Fredonia State   @   Geneseo State
The Blues have at it. Think the Knights will sweep the Devils to permanently banish them to the lower depths, where Devils belong. Blue Knights 65  Blue Devils 60        
 
Plattsburgh State  @    Potsdam State
It's been a couple of years since the Cards lost 3 conference games in a row. I don't think they do so tonight. Potsdam's must win game is this Friday at Fredonia. Plattsburgh takes this one 75-68.


Wanted to travel to Potsdam and see this game but couldn't get away. Will be following all the games tonight on live stats. Oswego has their game on streaming video and here's the link:

http://www.athletics.oswego.edu/showcase/#liveevents