MBB: State University of New York Athletic Conference

[thebear]

Re SUNYAC final,

SUNYAC web site says Brian Hatch, Plattsburgh's 5 led their scorers with 21.  He's usually a defense, rebounder blue collar kinda guy, so they must have ignored him and paid.  Plattsburgh is big, 6-7, 6-6, 6-5, 6-2, 6-1, so their overall size must have given IT fits.  IT is athletic, but small.  If they get behind they can self destruct. 

As for the 2-3 zone, sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't.  If your opponents shoot well, and get a lead, then you're in trouble.

As for ECAC's,

Several people I talked  to don't believe that Rochester would accept an ECAC bid.

SLU didn't take an ECAC bid last year.

Keuka will be sniffing around for a bid.  They have a decent record, albeit in a terrible league.

NYU will take one, but it will be in the Metro region.

I would think RIT/Ithaca would be in the mix with SLU, they all have virtually identical in region and overall records.

Seeds would likely be

1 Utica
2 Oswego (with a recent win over Utica, could be #1)
3 Union
4-5-6-7 Potsdam/Brockport/Keuka/SUNYIT - in some order
8 one from RIT/Ithaca/SLU

Probably have the four SUNYAC teams matched up against the four non-SUNYAC teams in the first round.

Props to Plattsburgh for a solid performance in the SUNYAC's. 
Team really came back strong from a shocking loss to Oneonta in the regular season finale to pull together and win in a number of different ways.

Just shows how balanced the SUNYAC is, #4 & #6 seeds in the final.
with the champion having regular season losses to the #9 & #10 teams in the league.

Would be surprised if Fisher or Hamilton is paired against the SUNYAC teams in early rounds. 

Similar to '03-04, Plattsburgh may well get shipped to New England because they're an upset winner, may get sent to Norwich which is actually very close to Plattsburgh.  (Potsdam got sent to Penn St-Erie, then Wooster) Cortland may have blown their chance for a home game, with two late season losses although they might get to host Hamilton.

Suspect some NJ/PA/Western Ohio team may get shipped to Fisher as the East region will likely only get the three conference championship bids + Cortland. 

Should be an interesting Sunday/Monday.  Waiting to see how the powers that be on the regional and national committees concoct the brackets.

[bamm]

Bear -- correct me if I'm wrong, but I think Ithaca is ineligible for the ECAC's because they don't have better than a .500 record overall.  SLU is 13-12.

[thebear]

Thought it was .500 or better. I'll check Monday with someone who knows.

Surprised - SLU beats Hamilton, then Union beats SLU, then Hamilton crushes Union!!!

Was the board aware that when Potsdam beat SLU earlier this year, Dobbs benched most of his regulars for the first half and went with 6 players (including 3 who rarely play).  Then crushed SLU (on their court) in the 2nd half.  Just wonder how strong the LL is this year?

I think if someone gets in Fisher or Hamilton's face with really tough D and a physical game, they will melt.  Plattsburgh has several guys that will do just that.  Neither team has anyone to deal with Gibbs-Smith's athleticism if he brings his A game.  The guy is a physical wonder, 6-5 with guard skills and can go inside or outside.

[gobombers15]

If it come down to Ithaca/RIT/SLU, I hope the Bombers get the nod seeing how they're 3-0 against the other two opponents. The rational thing isn't always what happens, though.

[cstate19]

congrats plattsburgh....bad weekend for cstate basketball.....both should have a chance to rebound in NCAA's.....for the record i dont hate gibbs-smith...just recoginize talent and wish hed just shut up and play......would make him that much better......sorta like i wish devendorf would shutup for the Orange......

[bearseh]

Lefty -

Not to beat a dead horse, but when Oswego came out of the locker room last year  to begin their shoot around, my wife commented that they looked tight, and several other regulars came over and made similar comments.

Several days after the game I had a conversation with one of the Lakers who confirmed that they were tight and simply could not relax prior to and during the game.

Believe what you like, but it was obvious to the regulars and confirmed by an absolutlely credible source.

All that being said, it's only marginally relavent if one chooses to make the argument that Oswego is developing a big game - big finish problem. While they certainly handled the last 4:30 of Friday's game about as badly as possible, I expect a strong Laker showing in the ECAC.

[thumbsup]

I have to disagree with the Bear.  Having seen Hamilton I believe that 6-6 Nick Jones is just as athletic if not more than Gibbs-Smith.  He takes better shots too.  The sunyac is the deepest conference in the state, but Hamilton could have won that conference as well.  don't know much about fisher outside of Potsdam blowing them out last year, but I can't see Plattsburgh playing with Hamilton if that scenerio ever comes about.  We'll see I guess, but Hamilton is as athletic as any Sunyac team and they can shoot the ball pretty darn good.

[bearnation]

When does the ECAC tournament begin because SUNY Potsdam will hosts Class C and D games for both boys and girls state tournament from 3/8-3/11.  It will make it hard for Potsdam to host ECAC games.

[bamm]

If I remember correctly, the ECAC first round games actually take place during the week.  The state HS games should be on the weekend.

[gobombers15]

Ok, I think the statute of limitations has run on talking about last year's Potsdam vs Fisher game. There is absolutely nothing relevant about that game last year in terms of what is currently going on. Congrats to Potsdam on that win last year, but it's over. That win indicates nothing about this year's Fisher team or any SUNYAC/E8 comparison.

Potsdam matched up perfectly with Fisher. Fisher's big guys could be knocked around last year; that's not the case this year. SJF laid an egg at the wrong time and they've learned from that. I'd love to see a Fisher/Cortland or Fisher/Plattsburgh St game in the NCAA's, especially if it's at Manning Napier Gym.

[thebear]

As I understand the college's usage policy, if the college has a game, that always takes precedence over outside use of the facility.  Since ECAC games are typically played at night, they could move the HS games to afternoon.

I believe same sort of situation happened last year, and some HS games were moved to Clarkson.  I believe this has always been the case, because Potsdam never missed an opportunity to host regionals/Elite 8 games in the heyday in the '80's.  

I know J.Welsh is a premier facility to watch b'ball but the Sectional b'ball folks know that if Potsdam has a game they have to go to Plan B.  Indian River in the Watertown area also has a large gym available.

SLU has revamped their gym, and it is a nice facility, seats about 1200-1500 with a press gallery etc.  Court is now centered

That being said, Potsdam likely in the middle of the bracket.  

I think Utica/Oswego/Union all pretty much locks to host.  Potsdam might get a first rounder vs. SLU if they get a bid.  Think pairings could well be SUNYIT@Union, Brockport@Utica, Keuka/RIT/Ithaca@Oswego, SLU@Potsdam

We shall see on Monday

[thebear]

Be careful what you wish for.  One thing to remember, Gibbs-Smith is a Rochester boy, and would relish the opportunity to impress the hometown folks.

He's a man on a mission this year.  He is letting his actions on the court speak for him, and is speaking very loudly of late.  He would love to do so in the upscale environs of Pittsford.

P.S.  Thumbs up. 

If you remember, Nick Jones played at Clarkson for a year.  I've seen him play, He's a nice player, but you have to see G-S to believe him.  He is a gifted athlete for this level, great hops, strength, and very quick and fast for a man his size.  He can pick up a loose ball in the lane and dunk it from a standstill.  He is a matchup problem for anyone at this level.

[John McGraw]

Thoughts on the SUNYAC Final Four...

It was certainly an interesting weekend of basketball at the Aud. Number six seeded Plattsburgh wins their first outright SUNYAC championship in 30 years defeating fourth seeded SUNYIT. The game was just about as close as the final score indicates. Against Cortland, SUNYIT shot the lights out and their heckling defense really negated Taggert in the post. Also, they had a loud and rowdy crowd too. On Saturday, their shooting went cold. SUNYIT couldn't buy a bucket from three until the second half. They were getting open looks, but nothing fell. And down low, no one could stop Brian Hatch. Hatch had an OK game against Oswego in the semifinals but nothing to write home about. Against SUNYIT, he looked like a world-beater. SUNYIT didn't have anyone really tall enough to guard him and he was strong on the glass.

Plattsburgh's shooting was extremely good for the second straight day. I think for the weekend, they were over 50% combined between Oswego and SUNYIT wins. I was really impressed with Anthony Williams. He was the difference in the Oswego game. Plattsburgh was trailing by 10 or so late, and Williams banged in back to back three's to cut the lead to four. Little bit later with Plattsburgh trailing by two, he hits the go-ahead three from just about the bench with a defender in his face. He also has great court vision on the break and leads the team on the floor. Excellent replacement for now assistant coach Curtis Smith. Gibbs-Smith proved his detractors wrong with two solid performances. He took over the second half of the SUNYIT game, blowing an 11-point lead wide open.

Great crowds this weekend too for the men's side. SUNYIT playing in two of the three games didn't hurt. They may have had a better turnout yesterday if the weather hadn't been rotten. Good number of Plattsburgh fans at the Saturday final considering the four-hr drive to Utica. Not to mention their hockey team playing in the SUNY semifinals at Romney.

And the even better news is, the SUNYAC has a great chance to get two teams into the NCAA tournament. If this was last year, I'd be holding my breath for Cortland. But, with a high regional ranking and 20+ wins, the Red Dragons look to be a solid bet for a Pool C bid. If anything, their loss at SUNYIT in the Final Four takes them out of hosting a regional hub. Right now, with four New York teams, it will be interesting to see where everyone goes.

Oh yeah, Curtis Smith, best dressed coach or assistant coach all weekend.

[thumbsup]

Bear,

Seen Gibbs-Smith about 5-6 times.  Nice player, not a great shooter, more of a slasher, lots of bad shots from time to time.  I'll take Jones because he is longer, but he wouldn't guard Gibbs-Smith, he would probably get Peck.  Doesn't matter though, P-burgh isn't deep enough to play at the regional level.  Still believe that there are four maybe five other teams I would have liked to see come out of the Yac, and I know you will like this, Potsdam would have been on of them.

[bearnation]

SUNYAC All Tournament Team

MVP Kris Gibbs-Smith Plattsburgh

Chris Laboard SUNYIT
Chris Reaves SUNYIT
Travis Gorham Plattsburgh
Anthony Williams Plattsburgh
Rod Headley Cortland?

Would've thought one of the Cortland senior leaders would've made the tournament team.  Maybe the kid from Peekskill is laying claim to the leadership role.  I hope the Cortland seniors step to the plate or their visit will be real quick. Why no one from Oswego?