MBB: State University of New York Athletic Conference

[7express]

7,

The SUNYAC made that switch last year and for the first time in quite a while the Top 8 teams were not in the playoffs. Went to just 6 teams with the top pair getting the 1st round byes. Once the other 4 was whittled down to 2 teams then the four teams meet at the #1 seed's campus for the Semi-finals and the Championship game. Cortland got to have that distinction last year, and with home court in hand bested my Cardinals to win the automatic bid. I think they probably would have won it if it was played in Plattsburgh, although we did beat them in our house last year during the regular season.

The LEC did that for a couple years, which was stupid in an 8 team league.  Also, having that setup, I think it gives the 3 seed a better advantage in the tournament when you think about it.  On a neutral court, there isn't much difference between the #2 & the #3 anyways, the only 2 differences is the #3 will have a game under their belt while the 2 seed will have been off since the following weekend, and the 3 gets a last game at home while the 2 plays on a neutral court.  And with the tournament set up (I assume it's the opening round Tuesday, then semi's on Friday), 3 days is plenty of time for rest, especially when the YAC usually plays back-to-back nights anyways.

[magicman]

7,

The SUNYAC made that switch last year and for the first time in quite a while the Top 8 teams were not in the playoffs. Went to just 6 teams with the top pair getting the 1st round byes. Once the other 4 was whittled down to 2 teams then the four teams meet at the #1 seed's campus for the Semi-finals and the Championship game. Cortland got to have that distinction last year, and with home court in hand bested my Cardinals to win the automatic bid. I think they probably would have won it if it was played in Plattsburgh, although we did beat them in our house last year during the regular season.

The LEC did that for a couple years, which was stupid in an 8 team league.  Also, having that setup, I think it gives the 3 seed a better advantage in the tournament when you think about it.  On a neutral court, there isn't much difference between the #2 & the #3 anyways, the only 2 differences is the #3 will have a game under their belt while the 2 seed will have been off since the following weekend, and the 3 gets a last game at home while the 2 plays on a neutral court.  And with the tournament set up (I assume it's the opening round Tuesday, then semi's on Friday), 3 days is plenty of time for rest, especially when the YAC usually plays back-to-back nights anyways.

Yeah it does favor the 3 seed. Plattsburgh's Coach Curle says he would rather play on that Tuesday instead of sitting around and then playing Friday on a neutral court. I like the idea of getting to see the team play at home one more time as well. Of course the chance of an upset is always there. If you don't play on Tuesday you're guaranteed to play on Friday.

[magicman]

Final on Tuesday Night  Geneseo 81 Oswego 73

The 2 teams played a competitive 1st period with 4 ties and 5 lead changes until the Knights down 29-28 with 5:25 left in the half went on a 18-4 run to end the period with a 46-33 lead.

The Lakers scored the first 2  baskets of the 2nd half to cut the deficit to 9 points but Gordon Lyons, Connor Fedge and James McKenna all scored in quick succession to restore the lead back up to 16 points and the Knights were never threatened the rest of the way. The closest the Lakers got after that was the final score, courtesy of a couple of late 3 pointers in the final 30 seconds.

The Knights had 4 players hit double figures led by Connor Fedge with 20 points. Fedge added 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and a  block. Gordon Lyons had another outstanding night, as he scored 16 points and grabbed a game high 13 rebounds. It marked the 10th time this season that Gordon has walked off the court with a double double . He is the SUNYAC leader in rebounding with 10.9 rpg  and is 5th in scoring with 19.5 ppg.

Devon Anderson, a 6'6" junior forward from my hometown of Plattsburgh  came off the bench with a season high 16 points. Devon also had 5 rebounds, 2 assists and a block in 23 minutes of court time. James McKenna added 14 points, 3 assists and 2 rebounds.

Knights had an excellent night shooting as they were 27x50 from the field (54%), 6x10 from downtown (60%) and 21x30 from the line (70%).  The Lakers were 27x67 from the field (40.3%), only 5x21 from distance (23.8%), and 14x19 from the line. The Knights won a close battle off the boards 36-35 but had 16 turnovers to only 10 for Oswego.

The Lakers were led by Elijah McLaurin who came off the bench to score 20 points. He added 4 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 assist. Rashawn Powell had 14 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and a steal.

The Lakers fall into a 4 way 4th place tie in conference play with a 5-5 record. They own an 11-6 overall record. They will be back in action on Friday night when they travel to Buffalo State to take on another of the teams that they are deadlocked with.

The Knights improve to 8-1 in the YAC and 14-2 overall. They are currently receiving votes n the D3hoops Top 25 poll and are ranked at #37 with their point total. The biggest game of their season to date, will be Saturday night when they travel to Brockport to tackle the #20 Golden Eagles in a showdown for 1st place in the conference.

There will be a lot on the line for that matchup with national ranking implications as well as SUNYAC supremacy going to the victor, at least temporarily. I'm glad the game is taking place in the evening with a time of 8:00 PM instead of the usual 4:00 PM Saturday afternoon time. That way I can attend the afternoon game between  Plattsburgh State and New Paltz at 4 :00 and then watch the Brockport-Geneseo game online at 8. I just hope the webcast is of better quality that the last one I watched from Brockport.

             

[magicman]

Just in case there is anybody out there that's interested, the Plattsburgh State head coach, Tom Curle, will be on the marathon 12 hour Hoopsville show taking place today on the D3hoops website. 

Hoopsville, hosted by Dave McHugh will come on the air at 10:00 AM today and run for 12 straight hours until 10:00 PM tonight. Here's a link that should bring you to the correct website or you can get it off the front page of D3hoops: 

http://d3hoops.com/hoopsville/index

Coach Curle  is scheduled to be on the show at  approximately11:00 AM for an interview that will last around 15 to 20 minutes.

As an added attraction, your friendly neighborhood magicman, will also get to mutter into the microphone for a few minutes at the end of Coach Curle's interview. Hopefully for the benefit of the hoopsville listeners it will be for a very few minutes.

And don't forget this marathon broadcast by Dave McHugh is part of his Hoopsville Contribution Campaign to raise money to upgrade the program and make the D3 experience better for all of us. If you haven't already done so please consider making a contribution to help Dave (and ultimately all of us that have chosen to make D3hoops a part of our life) improve the overall quality of the only program out there that is devoted to Division 3 basketball. Remember you don't have to make a $100 or $250 contribution to be counted . In these tough economic times a $10 gift, done by just a small percentage of the people that enjoy this website would put Dave way over the top of his desired goal. So dig deep and give up a couple of drinks at the local watering hole this week and you won't even feel that contribution leave your pocket. Thanks for listening.            

[NYHOOPS8]

Good job Magicman!

[Bengalsrule]

Great job Magicman!  I especially like the part where you talked about how various SUNYAC teams have traveled south and west and won "non-conference " games! Your knowledge of the E8 and liberty league also showed that you know your stuff! Anyone from those conferences, especially E8, had to appreciate your description of their in-house struglles.

"3 bids for the SUNYAC" was EXCELLENT! You put it out there. 2 teams seems like a no -brainer but if a 3rd, 4th 5th place team makes it to the championship game and wins then......who knows. 3 bids in a weak East is a definite possibilty!

Nice invite for Dave to come to enjoy some Northern hospitality! Very humble job on your part. You were spot on whe You described the feeling of meeting various bloggers in person!  Proud of the 'Yac, Curle....and magicman (little "m").

Go BENGALS...and magicman!

[amh63]

Nice job Magicman ...A few minutes?  Went on for at least 5 or more.  Did not fall asleep.  So you have no hops...really, do not give me those racial excuses   The HBC impressed me with his points about his players graduating and growing within the system through the game....also how he answered the possible conflict with the hockey team wrt fan patronage.

[Bengalsrule]

So when is the star of the day gonna grace these boards?

[magicman]

Thanks NYHoops8, amh63, and Bengalsrule for the kind words, and to all who tuned in. I appreciate the fact that you took the time out of your schedules to listen to Plattsburgh's coach Tom Curle and the few things I mumbled about.

Dave is a good interviewer and asks the right questions and my fear of stage fright went by the wayside with his questions.

Coach Curle is a a great coach, who has turned Plattsburgh State basketball into a successful and exciting program, more so than at any point in their past history. Plattsburgh  has been to the NCAA tournament 5 times in the past 8 seasons, more than any program in the East Region,  and prior to his arrival I believe they only had 1 NCAA appearance in their history. That 1 entry into the NCAA tournament did result in a trip to the Final Four but even that team only had  16-14 final record. 

More importantly though is the manner in which he coaches these young men about life and how important their education is. You don't get to play basketball for Coach Curle if your grades aren't kept up. Student atheltes who enter Plattsburgh as freshmen all leave with degrees. The fans here in the North Country are lucky to have a coach as talented as Coach Curle is. Hopefully he 'll be here for many years to come.

And amh63... hockey...what's that?   Just kidding. We know we have a good hockey program here but as the Coach mentioned in his interview...the success of other sports only helps. Heck our women's hoops team is challenging for the SUNYAC top spot as well this year.  

[middhoops]

enjoy your day, magicman.  you deserve far more credit than you've received for your effort to support Hoopsville.  all of us spend our winter enjoying what Dave, Pat, Gordon and crew give us for nothing.  thanks for trying to keep us all honest in our indulgence.
you are a necessary man.

[7express]

Too bad Plattsburgh's interview started right as I started class this morning.   I HATE how that school thing gets in the way, such a buzzkill.  Anyways, I'm sure Magic did a great job on the interview, and hopefully Hoopsville archives this 12 hour show today.  Since I was gone for most of the day anyways (damn classes  ) I was only able to listen to about 45 minutes of it late this afternoon.

[magicman]

M

enjoy your day, magicman.  you deserve far more credit than you've received for your effort to support Hoopsville.  all of us spend our winter enjoying what Dave, Pat, Gordon and crew give us for nothing.  thanks for trying to keep us all honest in our indulgence.
you are a necessary man.

Mrs. magicman has informed me that with all the superlatives being thrown my way that my head has grown considerably, and I may not make it out the front door as I leave for work Friday morning.   I assured her that it may be a tight fit but I would be able to squeeze through.....she assured me that I shouldn't worry, as she plans to stick a fork in me before I leave.

Too bad Plattsburgh's interview started right as I started class this morning.   I HATE how that school thing gets in the way, such a buzzkill.  Anyways, I'm sure Magic did a great job on the interview, and hopefully Hoopsville archives this 12 hour show today.  Since I was gone for most of the day anyways (damn classes  ) I was only able to listen to about 45 minutes of it late this afternoon.

7,
Dave mentioned to me yesterday that the 12 hour marathon show was indeed being taped and would be available on demand like the other shows.     

[magicman]

Through a generous $1500.00 donation by this person...ctmchugh0699, Dave McHugh's Hoopsville campaign was at $10,010.00 last night when his marathon program ended. Happy to see that his goal was met, on the day that he spent so much time on the air. Would have preferred to see a donation of that size put him $1500 over the top though. 

As Dave has mentioned, the $10,000 figure was a goal and by no means is his campaign over. With 10 days left he will continue to welcome additional contributions so his "Rainy Day" fund will have a balance to fall back on if needed. Let's keep the overall total on the rise for the next 10 days.

If you haven't already done so please consider a contribution, which will  help the Hoopsville experience become a better showcase for D3 basketball. Contribute what you can afford, it doesn't have to be a big dollar amount. Remember, if only 10% of the D3hoops members gave just $10, then Dave's goal would be reached more than 3 times over. A lot of smaller contributions add up to a large amount. Let's keep the ball rolling.... We now return to our regularly scheduled program.   

[AUPepBand]

M

enjoy your day, magicman.  you deserve far more credit than you've received for your effort to support Hoopsville.  all of us spend our winter enjoying what Dave, Pat, Gordon and crew give us for nothing.  thanks for trying to keep us all honest in our indulgence.
you are a necessary man.

Mrs. magicman has informed me that with all the superlatives being thrown my way that my head has grown considerably, and I may not make it out the front door as I leave for work Friday morning.   I assured her that it may be a tight fit but I would be able to squeeze through.....she assured me that I shouldn't worry, as she plans to stick a fork in me before I leave.

Too bad Plattsburgh's interview started right as I started class this morning.   I HATE how that school thing gets in the way, such a buzzkill.  Anyways, I'm sure Magic did a great job on the interview, and hopefully Hoopsville archives this 12 hour show today.  Since I was gone for most of the day anyways (damn classes  ) I was only able to listen to about 45 minutes of it late this afternoon.

7,
Dave mentioned to me yesterday that the 12 hour marathon show was indeed being taped and would be available on demand like the other shows.   

After beating the wife for the umpteenth time by 100+ points in our Thursday Night Scrabble Word War, Pep is thinking the wife may need to resort to similar measures as Mrs. Magicman...   +K

On Saxon Warriors!

[scooterman]

Magic- I wasn't able to hear the interview, but I know that you are the most up-to-date poster on this site. Not to slight other well informed posters, but you are "THE MAN!" Now don't let your "head get too big for the doorway." Thanks for all your informative post --Keep up the good work--I enjoy it!! And I agree with your Coach Curle assessment--known him for years and great job at the Burg!!GO BPort Eagles!!!!