MBB: State University of New York Athletic Conference

[jdex]

Oneonta 68, Oswego 67
Potsdam 94, Buffalo St. 76

SUNYIT 94, New Paltz 83.  IT takes 50-47 lead at half. Cats 34x66fg, 12x27 3s. C. LaBoard 22 pts(8x15fg, 2x6 3s), 10 rebs, 7 assts, 4 stls in 40'; C. Plante 20 pts(6x9 3s) in 26'; C. Reaves 17 pts(6x13fg), 7 assts; A. Gilkes 16 pts(6x11fg); E. Belone 15 pts(6x12fg). For NP it's A. Foluke-Henderson 26 pts(11x15fg), 8 rebs, 4 assts, 3 stls; J. Hauser 31 pts(13x19fg), 8 rebs; M. Hauser 11 pts; M. Irwin 10 assts. Hawks 34x71fg, 24 assts

Geneseo 64, Cortland 61. Red Dragons 32-31 at half. Knights 20x40fg, 21x28ft. T. Kitson 19 pts(7x10fg); S.Morton 6 assts; J. Howe 12 rebs, 8 pts in 24' in reserve role. Corts 22x61fg, 8x34 3s. D.Maggiacomo 18 pts(6x19fg, 4x14 3s); C. Niehoff 18 pts(7x13fg, 2x4 3s), 10 rebs

Plattsburgh 73, Fredonia 64. Pburgh 27x48fg, 8x14 3s. A.Williams 29 pts(9x18fg, 5x9 3s), 5 rebs, 5 assts; K. Hunt 11 pts(5x6fg); T.Gorham 8 rebs. Cards 37-27 at half. Freds K. Reichlmayr 21 pts(9x11fg); J.Kane 16 pts(8x12fg) in 18' off bench; B. Cooper 5 rebs. Devils 28x53fg, 4x7 3s

[jdex]

Oneonta's K. Reed jumper wins at 0:07. Dragons fall behind 41-29 at half on Oswego 20-9 run. Oneonta has edge with 5:33 left. Five lead changes, three ties follow. Reed 16 pts(7x13fg, 12 rebs in 26'. Has 4 pf. B. Fisk 14 pts(6x13fg) in 24' off bench. Dragons with 48-32 reb margin, go 27x60fg, 6x16ft. Oswego 24x58fg, 13x25ft. T. Franze 19 pts(8x14fg), 4 assts, 2 stls; E. Robertson 14 pts, 4 assts (his last ditch trey misses); M. Burridge 10 pts(5x8fg); D. White 10 pts

Potsdam hits 32x54fg, 9x18 3s featuring T. Reinhardt 20 pts(7x12fg), 6 assts in 28'; A. Williams 20 pts(6x8fg, 2x4 3s), 5 rebs in 26'; D. Brown 12 pts, 5 assts. Bears 18x30fg in 1st half for 44-34 lead. BS 29x70fg, 1x13 3s, 17x23ft. J. Lawal 16 pts(8x11fg), leading 6 rebs; DJ Nubine Mitchell 12 pts(6x10fg); B.Wood 12 pts(8x8ft). Pdam 36 rebs, 25 assts

[Caz Bombers]

So for New Paltz, A.F.H.and John Hauser combined to shoot 24 for 34 (70.6%), but their teammates were a combined 10 for 37 (27%) from the floor.  Jeez, nice depth chart you've got there, Hawks.

I'll be heading over to their new gym tomorrow night (thank goodness they got rid of that Elting dump) to see New Paltz take on a Geneseo squad that has to bus 5 hours downstate right after a tough squeaker win at home against Cortland tonight.  Methinks the Knights are really the best team in this league no matter what smoke and mirrors Oneonta keeps pulling out of its collective rear end to stay in first place.  I'll report back to the board with my thoughts on the game.

[zola]

CBomb: Hard to tell who relies more on smoke n' mirrors. Oswego turns in another inept performance at the line, 13-25, in their 1 point loss at Oneonta, yet still manage to outscore the Dragons, 8-18, from the stripe. Decent floor game, 27-60, and blowout on the boards give Dragons another win. Looked at Lakers twice this week and saw too much Roberson and not enough Burridge.  Z's had Downing in their sights all night and he seemed bothered. Anyone with clues on Reuter? This kid can play but it's just not happening with any consistency

Meanwhile, heard the Knights needed home zebra help and an obviously horrendous binge of 3-point clangers from Jutton and Maggiacomo, 6-27 combined, to edge the Spanlanders at home. 

Some bias here. Have seen Geneseo a couple fo times and really hate to admit that a team that mediocre just might be the best in the league. The again, have now seen Oneonta twice and it is even more painful to admit that they could be the best. As you know from previous post, was hoping that current additions to B'port might make for something really interesting - but as long as they continue to play in the Bizaro Universe, will continue to keep looking.

Staying close to home tomorrow and heading to Cortland for first look at RDs. Huge game for the Lakers who can ill-afford another loss. If anyone heads to Oneonta, would appreciate their comments.

[thebear]

Or -

The youthful Bears have now recorded two straight wins against teams at the top of the standings.

One a night when the homestanding Bengals were looking to celebrate program win #1,000, the Bears kept countering every first half surge before going on a mini-run (15-8 over the last 4:40) to lead at halftime 44-34.  T. Reinhardt had 15 in the first half, and B. Graney, who is playing very well had two huge trey's and logged solid minutes in the post.

The Bears then came out of the locker room on fire and went on a 21-3 run (21 points in 4:40 translates to a 160+ point game pace) to lead by 28 on the road at 15:20 of the second half.  After that it was pretty much garbage time, but Dobbs, mindful of what his troops did to Oneonta last Saturday, kept his head and managed the lead nicely.  Since this year's Bears can shoot FT's, the outcome was never in doubt.  Final margin dropped below 20 only because Buff State made their only three of the night (1x13 at home) on their last possession, and Dobbs then just held the ball at the end of the game.  Bengals drop to 4-2 in the conference and Oneonta is now sitting on a 1.5 game lead over the rest of the tribe.  Reinhardt and frosh Anthony Williams Jr. each had 20 to lead four Bears in doubles.

So we have Potsdam with wins over Brockport, Oneonta, @Buff State, and @SUNYIT.  Losses are by 3 to the aforementioned Blue Knights, and an inexplicable second half walkabout against New Paltz that can only be chalked up to the gods of basketball not smiling that day.

The Bears now have balance, and are getting meaningful minutes from their bench, especially B. Graney and Jehrod Hall who has become a defensive terror and solid role player.  They play two freshman and four sophs in their top 9.

Potsdam must not look past Fredonia, who has been competitive in all but one game this season, and then hosts arch-rival Plattsburgh next Tuesday at J. Welsh in the team's only meeting of the season.

SUNYAC should go down to the wire.  Exactly four weeks left in the regular season.

[jdex]

Brockport 60, Oneonta 58

Plattsburgh 90, Buffalo St. 84. Cards 45-36 at 20' mark and hike to 18 early in second half. BS rallies within 2 at 2:32. A. Miller bucket hikes lead 0:10 later and T. Gorham ft's finish job. Pburgh 30x62fg, 9x21 3s. Five starters score double figures. K. Hunt 20 pts(6x12fg), 12 rebs; A. Williams 18 pts(6x16fg, 3x7 3s), 5 assts; T.Gorham 16 pts(5x10fg), 16 rebs, 4 assts; J. Dumont 13 pts (4x6fg -- all 3s), 4 assts; R. Rider 10 pts(4x6fg) in 13'. Buffs 30x69fg, 21x31ft. D. Mozelle 14 pts(6x14fg), 11 rebs; J. Jones 14 pts(5x9fg) off bench; J. Lawal 13 pts(6x7fg), 7 rebs; C.Guiden 5 assts, 4 stls

Fredonia 63, Potsdam 53. Devils in first league win. Their 23-19 halftime lead evaporates but frosh J. Kane hoop at 14:27 regains upper hand at 28-27 and Freds lead thereafter. Go 20x46fg led by T. Alassari 18 pts(5x11fg, 2x5 3s), 7 rebs. K. Reichlmayr 10 pts, 9 rebs; Kane 14 pts(4x5fg) in 18'. Bears mere 18x51fg, 12x23ft. S. Mitchell 15 pts; J. Hall 12 pts. T. Reinhardt 7 pts, 5pf in 30'; B. Siskavich 5pf in 19', 3 pts; D. Brown 4pf (7 pts in 31') along with A. Williams (2 pts in 17')

[jdex]

Brockport comes from 37-19 submission with 20' to go to nip Oneonta. Bport paltry 6x30fg opening half and winds up 20x61, 15x29ft, 46rebs, 27 trnvrs. B. Williams 14 pts(4x12fg), 12 rebs in 27'; Sherod Harris 11 pts(4x15fg, 2x7 3s), 3 stls in leading 29'; A. Poles 10 pts. Dragons 23x62fg (15x32 1st half). W. Heslin 18 pts(6x12fg) in 21'; M. Grimes 11 pts(5x9fg) in 23'; K. Reed 10 pts(4x13fg), 11 rebs, 4 assts. OSt 26 trnvrs (M. Reardon 10 in 38')

[Maxcy Maniac]

Potsdam at Fredonia.

Potsdam falls apart at the seams and continues to play down to lower tems and up to better teams.  They have proved they can play by almost putting up 100 points against Buff State on friday.

Fredonia hosted the bears in their old gym while there field house stood idle with just a few students playing basketball. 

Any history in their switching courts?  It seems very odd that a coach would change the room and floor surface from game to game   

[jdex]

Geneseo 71, New Paltz 54. Knights move into first place by shaking free from 33-33 halftime knot. Lead 64-44 with 6:10 left. Land 32x62fg. T. Kitson 24 pts(12x14fg); S. Morton 14 pts(6x11fg, 2x3 3s), 7 assts, 4 blks; S. Sciera 13 pts(5x11fg); B. Bennett 9 assts. NP needs comeback to tie at half. Hits 18x57fg overall. M.  Hauser 15 pts(5x14fg, 4x6 3s), 5 rebs; J. Hauser 12 pts; T. Cannon 10 pts(4x13fg); A. Foluke-Henderson 2 pts(1x5fg), 10 rebs

Oswego 56, Cortland 51. Normal Corts play. Lead considerable part of game including 30-22 at half and by 11 on J. Sargent trey. Still up by 8 about 10' from end and by 1 at 3:48. There, E. Roberson hoop give Lakers lead. He nets 18 pts(6x8fg, 4x5 3s) with 7 rebs, 3 assts. T. Franze 10 pts(4x9fg); spare D. White 10 pts(3x3fg), 7 rebs. OSt 21x47fg, 5x15 3s, 9x20ft. Corts 18x57fg, 3x18 3s, 12x14ft. C. Niehoff career best 20 pts(8x19fg), 9 rebs. Lone Dragon scoring in scoring figures

[Caz Bombers]

Thoughts from my field trip to the Geneseo-New Paltz game tonight:  This is the second time I've been excited to see that Foluke-Henderson kid in action in his career and the second time I've seen him put up a total nothing performance.  Offensively he did nothing.  John Hauser's an OK ballplayer, probably the only Hawk who did something useful, especially in the second half when they just got nuked.  What a terrible defensive team.  Kitson got all of his points on the same shot, wide open 10 footer from the wing, nobody ever got a hand in his face or anything.  NP gave up layup after layup all night.  Geneseo looks like a solid, well-drilled outfit.  They move the ball very effectively and consistently found the open man.  They don't appear to beat themselves with stupid mistakes; I think they can go far in this league.

New Paltz's new building is tremendous.  Too bad they don't deserve to play there.  Also, pathetic atmosphere tonight.  About 200 fans which was acceptable given that it's a Saturday night and I don't believe school is back in session; but no music played during breaks in the action, the PA announcer didn't say a single word in the second half and when he talked in the first half I couldn't understand a word.  You've got brand new speakers, fellas, I could see 'em hanging there.  Use 'em why dontcha??  I almost fell asleep in the second half when Geneseo went up by 20.  It's like a bright shiny graveyard.

[assassin]

Interesting weekend in the SUNYAC.  A number of very dangerous teams in the conference, but not a lot of consistency.  It seems as though Geneseo and Oneonta are the only two that are really playing consistent, quality basketball night in and night out, yet Oneonta still has a losing record.  Zola, I woild have to disagree with your asessment of Geneseo being a very Mediocre team.  They are 11-4 and have been playing for the last month without 2 of their top 8-9 guys in Kling and McDonnell who are nursing injuries, and yet are still getting wins.  They will be very tough to beat when back at full strength.  I still think that anyone can win this conference with the exception of Fredonia.  It's going to come down to who's hot at tourny time.  The team I can't figure out is Potsdam...they have some talent yet are SO unpredicatable.  How do you beat Buff. State by 18 and lose to Fredonia by 10 the next night??   

[jdex]

SUNYIT 62, Morrisville 54. Cats evidently elsewhere, like looking at NFL playoff game. Tied at 28 at half and trailing 39-31. C. Reaves finally pushes IT to fore at 9:19. A. Gilkes 16 pts, 13 rebs; C. LaBoard 15 pts, 7 rebs; E. Belone 11 pt

Also have become Geneseo convert, particularly with two main cogs sidelined. Yes, it's anyone's guess come tourney time, but three teams won't be there. Fredonia and Cortland could be two, and the third? Or the three? Strap it up, ride's underway!

[jdex]

Tuesday's ticket:
Geneseo at Buff St., Bport at Corts, Pburgh at Pdam
Outsiders: Oswego hikes to E8 pacesetting Utica, Fredonia home to Morrisville

SUNYACs stack up thusly: Gen 5-1 (11-4), OnSt 6-2 (7-9), OsSt 5-3 (9-7), Bport 3-2 (10-4), Pburgh 4-3 (8-6), Pdam 4-3 (7-9), Buff St 4-3 (9-6), IT 3-4 (9-7), NP 2-5 (7-7), CSt 1-5 (5-10), Fred 1-7 (3-12)

Oswego skipper K. Broderick's take: Looking at (last) weekend, knowing we're going to play the No. 1 team Friday and the No. 10 team Saturday, I knew there would be no difference between the two games and there wasn't. I don't even look at the standings anymore. You know every game is going to be tough because every team has guys who can play

[bports]

A win tonight at cortland would be huge for the port. They would be 4-2 in conference with 5 of the first 6 on the road, that would set them up really nice for the end of the year. A loss tonight would put the in the middle of the pack with lots of work to do. This team after losing 3 in a row found themselves down 21 pts at the 19 min mark at oneonta. They rebounded to win and that was huge but they should not have been in that position. They have not been playing good and the fouls are getting out of control  fisher shot 60ft's and oswego shot 62ft's. Im sure the refs are a little whistle happy but most of the blame goes to the coach and players. Whitmore needs to shorten his bench from about 13 players to 10, and be a little less agressive on the road. The players dont seem to have time to settle into the game and he yanks them. There is no way this team should be down 19 pts to any team at halftime in the sunyac conference. Especially when oneonta played on friday night and bport didnt. I realize that the pressure and run and gun is there style but 39@40 fouls in back to back games should get your attention to shake something up. I still believe they are one of the top 2 teams in sunyac if not the best but they need to start showing it.

[zola]

ROCfan:

I've seen everyone, most twice, excluding  Fredonia and Buff State. Ergo, my opinion is, of course, ihformed by anecdotally.

We can do  a game by game analysis and prove once again that you can usually find evidence to support any position you would like, e.g. Geneseo played poorly v. Potsdam and Cortland and still got two wins. Indeed, Potsdam and Cortland were flat, inept, asleep, absent, played with bags over their heads, pick your descriptor of poor...yet the Knights managed to win both by 3. Their current 3 game streak is against teams that are a combined 4-17 in the league and 15-29 overall. Strikes me as a so what.

We can look at Y-T-D stats and  find the Knights shoot well from the field (49%), nothing special from 3 (33%), mediocre from the line (66%), perform poorly on the offensive boards (145), OK on the defensive boards (376), and have a fair Assist/TO ratio (1.1). When you compare their stats to Potsdam, for example, a mediocre 4-3 league, 7-9 overall...47% shooting, 39% from 3, 74% FT, 182 & 387 off and def rebounds respectively, and a similar Assist/TO ratio...Knights numbers look more anemic.

Was not taking a slam at the Knights but rather at the current state of the league. The SUNYAC is, from year to year,  physical and competitive - but, of course, not always for the same reasons. This year the league is competitive more for a bevy of teamd playing inconsistent, mediocre, ball rather that for teams playing consistent, quality ball. Examples:

Oneonta, 6-2 (7-9). Say no more.

Oswego: Plays 1 decent half per game ( down by 8 v Port and down 7 v. Cort) and win both going away.

Potsdam: Puts up huge runs v. Port, Buff State. 25 turnovers v. Fredonia.

We can look for quality wins. Geneseo has a 1 point win over a decent SJF. Sadly, its hard to make a case that any league win is "quality".

I do like bports analysis of his favorites. Will be interesting to see what Whitmore does with this squad, particularly if they can develop a semblance of an inside game.

Well, to end this blah...Many entertaining games to play but few will be between teams playing solid ball worth driving through snow and, as yet, see no one of D3 tournament interest.