MBB: State University of New York Athletic Conference

[magicman]

Four games on tap for tonight in the YAC all at 8:00 PM

New Paltz at Geneseo

Geneseo is clinging to 4th place in the standing and hoping to secure a home playoff game in the first round of the tournament. New Paltz is tied for 7th place but only one and a half games out of 4th. Still time for moves to be made and a win tonight would be a big one for the Hawks. New Paltz comes into tonight's contest on a 2 game winning streak (both road wins) and looks to equal their season's longest of 3 in a row. The Blue Knights, after a season best 4 game winning streak, have dropped back to back games against Oswego and Brockport. The oddsmakers have Geneseo favored by 5 points over the Hawks. New Paltz has the 4th highest scoring offense in the league, averaging 72 ppg, but has the worst defensive record in the YAC as they give up almost 78 points a game. Blue Knights score 68 ppg and give up 70. Hawk's Matt Devine making a case for Player of the Year as he leads the conference in scoring with 21.8 ppg and also tops the rebounding charts with 8.8 rpg. Teammate Harris Wichard is close behind in the scoring race as he sits in the 3rd spot with 17.9 and despite his 6'0" height is 10th in rebounding with 6.2 rpg. Knights are led by Ryan Riefenhause with 11.1 ppg and Jordan Jones with 10.7, but have a balanced team with 8 guys capable of putting 20 points in the book on any given night. This is a tough game to predict but I think the Hawks have stretched their luck and a 3rd straight road win will be asking too much. I'm going with the bookies here and taking Geneseo to win a close one 76-73.

Oneonta State at Brockport State

This one is much simpler. Brockport was embarrased to fall behind the last place Red Dragons by 18 points at the half 2 weeks ago. Still down by 19 early in the 2nd the Eagles came all the way back and took a 7 point lead with just under 4 minutes to go. But then Oneonta added insult to injury and ended the game on a 15 to 6 run and stole one from the Golden Eagles. That game and an earlier 1 point loss to Geneseo could come back to haunt Brockport in a big way as they could finish in the 2nd division and play on the road for a first round playoff game. Oneonta has, since that solitary conference win over the Eagles, taken up where they left off and have lost three straight road games. Posted line has Brockport winning by 12 and the angry Eagles may pile it on here. Port avenged their loss to Geneseo, beating the Blue Knights last Saturday. Tonight they take care of that other belt to their beak, as they handle the Red Dragons 80-62.

Fredonia State at Potsdam State

The Blue Devils saw their 3 game winning streak end last Saturday as New Paltz hit a buzzer beater and flew out of Steele Hall with a 54-52 win. Now they travel to the North Country looking to beat up on two teams below them on the totem pole. Potsdam just keeps on losing. Somedays they keep it close and falter at the end.(see 1st New Paltz game, Plattsburgh, Fredonia and Cortland) Sometimes they keep it close and falter in the middle. (see Oswego, 2nd New Paltz game) Other times they falter at the beginning, middle, and end.(see DeSales, St. Lawrence, Buffalo State). The pointspread favors the Blue Devils by 8 points. There will be a lot of excellent players from Potsdam, in town playing basketball this weekend, unfortunately they've all graduated in bygone years. But with the alumni game scheduled for tomorrow afternoon, and Time-Warner televising the Men's and Women's games tonight, I'm going out on a limb here and picking the Bears to win one. All that former Bear talent has to rub off just a little and that might be enough magic to finally get a W. Bears win 62-59. And yes my heart's on my sleeve again.

Buffalo State at Plattsburgh

Speaking of alumni. I saw Khylan Hunt, Travis Gorham, Chris Ruiz, Anthony Williams and Shawn Guzman at recent Plattsburgh State games. Wish we could throw some unis on those guys for tonight's game. If the Cards don't come to play tonight this one could get ugly in a hurry. Not quite sure how the oddsmakers have only made the Bengals an 8 point favorite. They must have seen that 110-68 score of 2 weeks ago and somehow thought that 6 was a 9. I can see it now... Joe Book said to Johnny Maker "Buff State won at home 110-98 and that's a 12 point difference so on the road they'll probably only win by 8, so that's our line. I'd like to take a healthy dose of Bengals if I could find a bookie that would take my bet. Two weeks ago against the Cards, Jake Simmons only had 37 points, tied the SUNYAC record for 3 pointers in a game with 9, and didn't play the last 8 minutes of the game. Number Two man Justin Mitchell didn't play at all. Tonight the Bengals will be at full strength which could mean a full helping of run and gun by the Buff State offense. I can't pick my Cards to win this game but that's not to say they can't. They've hung tough with some pretty good teams this year, just don't have any wins to show for it. I think they'll play well against the Bengals this time around and they darn well better have practiced all week defending the 3ball. Bengals are licking their chops at the prospect of returning to the Queen City with a 10-3 conference record, after this weekend and hoping that: A. Cortland beats Oswego tomorrow to tighten the battle for first place or B. Oswego beats Cortland and the Bengals are in 2nd place all alone.(personally I think the B option will be the winner). Sometimes a great notion doesn't always work out. Just ask Richard Jaeckel. Bengals may come into Memorial Hall tonight a little over confident after the monkey stomping they laid on the Cards 2 weeks ago. That would be a mistake, because these young Cards can play and I'm sure Coach Curle has been on them all week long about not getting embarrassed on their home court. All that being said I think the Bengals will win this one 84-72.                         

[magicman]

jdex will have to hold down the fort tonight as I'll be at the Buffalo State-Plattsburgh game. Then after the game it's off to the hotel to visit with Bengalsrule and the Buff State players. I'll try and keep the players and coaches up real late with magic-cal stories so the Potsdam players can wear them out tomorrow afternoon.   At the shoot around this afternoon I made Jake Simmons, Justin Mitchell and Coach Ansari promise me they wouldn't win by more than my 12 point posted margin. (Good luck with those promises.) Cards must have  Bengalsrule worried as he left Buffalo last night without his soap, socks, and ties. Had to chauffeur his little bottom over to the shopping center so he could pick up his supplies. The things I do for the competition. But I have to be a good host, never know when I might call in that favor. Go Cards, Go Bears. North Country pride on the line this weekend. I'm not greedy 2-2 is all I ask in the 4 games.    

[magicman]

Finals in the League tonight:

Buffalo State 92 Plattsburgh 74  Ouch!

Fredonia 73 Potsdam 69    Double Ouch! Ouch!

Geneseo 81 New Paltz 73

Brockport 85 Oneonta 62

[thebear]

Magic - I think you posted the ladies score, but men's score not any better, Potsdam 69 Fredonia 73.

Sorry I will miss Bengals tomorrow, as my leg has me basically flat on my back most of the time.

[jdex]

Brockport makes Oneonta easy pickins, Eagles never trailing. Up 39-23 at the half. Bport 31x63fg. K. Green 20 pts(7x9fg), 3 blks, 3 stls; L. Legister 20 pts(7x12fg) 17'; G. Williams 10 pts(3x5fg); D. Klein 5 assts. Oneonta's D. McLaren 14 pts(5x7fg); D. Lee 11 pts(4x11fg); F. Kelly 11 pts, 3 assts. OSt 22 trnvrs, 18x50fg

Buffalo State by 36-32 over Plattsburgh at intermission and margin balloons to 88-50. Burgh plagued by 25 turnovers and Bengal J. Simmons' marksmanship. He hits 25 pts(9x13fg, 7x11 3s) in 27'. BS 31x65fg, 12x22 3s, 18x24ft, 22 assts. R. Epps 11 pts; A. Nagaya 10 pts; J. Mitchell 10 pts, 5 assts, 2 blks; N. McLean 5 assts. Cards 28x57fg, 7x19 3s, 11x15ft. S. Fields 17 pts(8x12fg); J. Perez 11 pts; R. Junghoon 11 pts; S. McIntosh 10 pts, 5 assts. Burgh with 19 assts

[jdex]

Fredonia overcomes 27-25 Potsdam edge at midway mark. Devils by 12 with 11:59 left and hike to 14. Bears within five at 1:38 before J. Bryant dunk halts momentum. Still, Pdam pulls to three at 0:12 on C. Pierce trey but never gets off another shot. Fred FT at 0:06 concludes pointmaking. Bryant with 24 pts(10x13fg), 6 rebs in 38'; A. Billups 12 pts; D. Goodwin 12 pts(4x5fg, 2x3 3s); L. Smith 10 pts. Freds 23x46fg, 18x25ft. Potsdam's Pierce 22 pts(8x9fg, 2x3 3s), 3 assts, 3 stls; B. Drysdale 14 pts, 5pf; J. Lambert 14 pts, 6 rebs; T. Efese 10 pts, 5pf in 19'. Bears 26x49fg, 13x22ft

Geneseo and New Paltz battle royally through first half .....10 ties, the last at 33 before Gens take 37-33 lead into the break. Knights assume 12 pt command at 16:33 and hold double figure lead till the very end. Gens 31x56fg. C. Fedge 20 pts(9x11fg), 5 rebs; J. Jones 12 pts; G. Lyons 12 pts; Mike Hoy 10 pts. NP 22x47fg paced by M. Devine 25 pts(8x13fg, 5x7 3s), 8 rebs, 4pf in 31'. H. Wichard with 11 pts, 7 assts; A. Siergiej 11 rebs

[Bengalsrule]

Sorry I will miss Bengals tomorrow, as my leg has me basically flat on my back most of the time.

Wow bear... This is the 2nd Year in a row that you are missing my BELOVED BENGALS visit to Maxie Hall! Hope your leg gets better.

[thebear]

Thanks Bengals, It is a slow process, and Maxcy is such a big place that it's hard to get around when you're gimpy.

Left up to me, I would try to make it, but I am reliant on wifey for transport and assistance, and she thinks I should be horizontal with the leg elevated, following doctors orders.

Hope our Bears make a good showing today.

The Bear

[magicman]

All ten teams in action this afternoon. Not a lot of time so I'll make some quick picks. All games tip off at 4:00 PM.

New Paltz at Brockport

Golden Eagles handled the Hawks in New Paltz by a comfortable margin. No reason to think they won't do the same in Brockport. Oddsmakers have the Eagles favored by 10 points . I think the final will be 84-70 Brockport.

Oneonta at Geneseo

Don't look for a score of this game on the D3 hoops scoreboard because you won't find it. For some reason neither team shows this game on their D3hoops schedule. Posted line has the Blue Knights favored by 11 points. That sounds about right. Geneseo wins 72-60.

Buffalo State at Potsdam State

Bears chance for a win this weekend fell by the wayside last night when they couldn't get it done against Fredonia. Today's task is next to impossible. Bengals firing on all cylinders as they make another late season push for an NCAA bid. Pointspread is listed at 16 in favor of Buffalo but I'll be surprised if the Bears can keep it that close. Bengals Jake Simmons still on fire, Justin Mitchell getting back into pre-injury form. I think they'll both be on the bench with about 8 minutes left in the game, as Coach Ansari calls off the dogs tigers. Buffalo State 88 Potsdam 58.

Oswego State at Cortland State

Red Dragons hope to make amends for the one that got away against the Lakers 2 weeks ago. Pointspread has the Lakers favored by a single point. Don't think Oswego will need a miracle comeback this time but do expect a close game. Lakers streak continues as they defeat Cortland 73-70.

Fredonia State at Plattsburgh State

Plattsburgh with a chance to take over sole possession of 7th place with a win here and a New Paltz loss today at Brockport. Blue Devils record in Memorial Hall the past 8 years is pretty dismal. I'm hoping that continues to be the case. Oddsmakers have installed Fredonia as a 2 point favorite, but this is a must win for the Cardinals and I think they get it done today. Cardinals 63 Fredonia 59.

[jdex]

Oswego shoots lights out for 48-33 lead at half at Cortland. Lakers 15x26fg, 8x11 3s, 11x11ft. C. Burridge 14 pts, R. Sheridan 10 pts. Corts 13x37fg, 4x8 3s

Geneseo 28, Oneonta 27 at the break despite OSt shooting nearly 50 percent from the field. Gens with 12 more shots

[jdex]

Brockport getting the better of New Paltz 43-32 at the half. K. Green 12 pts, L. Legister 11 pts for the Brocks, M. Devine 16 pts for NP

[jdex]

Buffalo State with its hands full of Bears, leads Potsdam 45-41 at the half. Pdam alive despite BS shooting 17x27 from the field. Bears 10x15 from the line. R. Duquette 12 pts for Potsdam, J. Simmons 10 for BS

Plattsburgh and Frednia 11-11 with 7:40 left in the half

[jdex]

Plattsburgh and Fredonia in real barnburner ..........Cards 21, Freds 20 through 20 minutes. Pburgh 8x24fg, Devils 7x18fg

Oswego in charge at Cortland 58-37 after RDragons within 10 early in second half

[jdex]

Oswego shooting even better in the second half, leads Cortland 75-42 with 10' left. Lakers 26 hoops in 42 throws, 10x14 beyond the arc

Buffalo State 52, Potsdam 51 at 16' mark

Geneseo by four in late stages vs. Oneonta

Brockport comfortably over New Paltz

[thebear]

Potsdam leads Buff State 75-71 with 5:39 to go, Bears have the ball.