MBB: Liberty League

[UfanBill]

After earlier winning Oswego State's Max Ziel tournament today Union took care of business in it's own Sig Makofski Invitational tournament beating Manhattanville 88-66 and now for the second year in a row will get a shot at the #1 team in the country. Last year the Garnet put a scare into then #1 Emory in their Holiday tourney final before losing 77-71 and this year #1 Trinity will be the foe in tomorrow's Makofski final. Seems like the Garnet respond well to being tournament tested.

[mhm0417]

Trinity rolled to the Makofski championship.  I watched the first 10 minutes.  Trinity is certainly all they are hyped to be.  Next-level defensive intensity and they can score inside and out.

Very early of course, but they should certainly make it back to at least the Sweet 16 in March.

[Bartman]

Trinity rolled to the Makofski championship.  I watched the first 10 minutes.  Trinity is certainly all they are hyped to be.  Next-level defensive intensity and they can score inside and out.

Very early of course, but they should certainly make it back to at least the Sweet 16 in March.

I turned it on for a few minutes and Trinity was outstanding in all facets of the game.

[stlawus]

SLU is in for a very long season at this rate.  More horrible body language and horrific offense.  Best player looks like he'd rather be anywhere besides a basketball court. Could have double the rebounds but is standing with his hands down under the rim and allowing players half his size to get the board over him.  Freshmen with almost as many turnovers as the opponent total. 9 for their last 56 from three. They are taking half of the shot clock to get into their offensive sets. 

[Bartman]

Just saw the LL pre season projections. Hobart is picked for number 6 , which I understand since we lost 4 starting Seniors and were picked first in the same preseason poll last year. I could be wrong, but based on the season performance after the poor opener against York, I think last year's underclassmen are going to surprise the league this year. One area we needed to improve was from the foul line where we lost a few games, and this year the improvemrnt (74% vs 61% last year)looks like FT % is an advantage. All other shooting categories have improved as well as rebounding (TOs  need work). Now maybe the youngins will get nervous when it really counts, but it will be fun to watch this team grow during the season. We'll have a great early benchmark against Vassar this Saturday.

[Jersey42]

This was the pre season coaches poll:

1. RPI, 73 (4)
2. Vassar, 70 (2)
3. Ithaca, 67 (2)
4. Union, 66 (2)
5. St. Lawrence, 45
6. Hobart, 43
7. Skidmore, 29
8. Clarkson, 24
8. RIT, 24
10. Bard, 9

Based on what we have seen so far, Hobart moves into the top four and Ithaca moves out. I think any of the current top four can win the league.  I would be surprised if any of the rest will contend.  Maybe Ithaca will figure it out and prove me wrong.  We will learn a lot after the upcoming league games

[Bartman]

I think RPI, Vassar and Union are certainly the top three. Hobart , although, with a good start still needs to show something against Vassar. I think they will as the defense is quick and tenacious with the top 5 off the bench all showing skills. Monty Nedd,G, is one of the fastest D3 players players I've seen ,and Dorian Paki,F, has improved significantly at the foul line and should be a force down low. Alex Mesch,G, was injured for a few games last year and at 6'4 is a leading rebounder and 3 point shooter , who has significant hops. Muntner,G, as a true freshman is very well rounded and will be pushing for more time.  Mordi,F, and Bergeron ,G-F,are fluid big men that can shoot the three(both over 40%). Price is an unselfish skillful ball handler. Bergeron is the only Senior not returning next year. from this group.

[Caz Bombers]

Because the women's board doesn't get any posts...


Bard beat William Smith 62-49 tonight, the first LL win in women's basketball for the Raptors since 2013 and only their second all-time.

[stlawus]

Already 3 games SLU has taken a 19 point deficit on the road to a one possession game late with a chance to tie or take the lead only to still lose all of them.  Very definition of riding and dying with freshmen.  They're just going to live with the mistakes in the hope the experience builds quickly. Frustrating in terms of results so far but you can see the pedigree and potential with all the young players, just hoping the large and talented first year class follows the same trajectory of the similar classes of 2009 and 2017.

[UfanBill]

Union outlasted St. Lawrence to win 72-68 in a game in which the Garnet never trailed but were outplayed in the second half. The hot shooting Union squad cooled in the later part of the game. St. Lawrence tightened their defense and it got close. For Union their big three Jack Plesser,20 pts...Matthew Garside,19 and Tanner Tedesco,13 carried the load. Adam Dudzinski,21 and Chris Downs,17 led the Saints who outscored Union 39-29 after halftime.