He's Back...

...from a very eventful (not really) spring break. I was fortunate enough to spend the first part of it with the famed cold that was traveling around the Northeast. Therefore, I was confined to my bed with a big box of tissues and various medication. The second part was much better. I got the chance to see a couple of Big East Tournament games, including the awesome Marquette-Villanova match-up. Unfortunately, I didn't get to see the 6-OT thriller between Syracuse and UCONN live but watched the end on TV. Amazing game!

So for my first post back, I suppose it's only fitting to talk about March Madness. Anyone see how many New York schools got into the tournament? Well, if you didn't, here's a list of them:
Binghamton Bearcats - America East Champs
Cornell Big Red - Ivy League Champs
Siena Saints - MAAC Champs
Syracuse Orange - At-Large Bid

Ok, so it's only four, but that's not too shabby. For Binghamton, they draw Duke in the first round with the chance to pull off a performance like Belmont did against the Dukies but actually get the win. Cornell and Siena win their conference titles for the second straight year. The Big Red have a tough draw again with Missouri but Siena can certainly top Ohio State in the first round in a good 8-9 game. Syracuse came oh-so-close to winning the Big East title, but gets a 3 seed and a favorable first round match-up with Stephen F. Austin. I personally think Syracuse and Siena move on, but no one ever knows in March Madness.

Let me know what you think of the New York teams' performances this season and how far you think they can go. Leave comments or see the poll to the right. I'll have a more extensive look at some first round games later this week.

Spring Break

Hey Everyone. So spring break is officially upon Ithaca College, and I will be engaging in some much needed relaxation. This especially after Ithaca's embarrassing loss in the 2nd round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament to DeSales on Saturday night. I will be around though, so if something big happens that deserves some recognition, I will do my absolute best to post. Enjoy the week off...I certainly will!

Ithaca Bombers Basketball Caps Off Great Regular Season

I decided today to focus more on colleges again and this time, I'm turning my attention to the place I call home for a good part of the year: Ithaca College. This winter has been one of the most memorable for the men's and women's basketball teams. Now with the regular season over, both teams are getting set for big playoff runs after a tremendously successful year.

The men have gotten the most attention, ranking 9th in the country as of today and likely on the way up to 7th or 6th after the final regular season poll is released tomorrow. Their record: 24-1 with their only loss being a very controversial one at RIT. A last second buzzer-beater was the only Bomber blemish, but replays clearly showed the ball did not leave the hand of Nate Korinchak before the buzzer sounded. Either way, Ithaca exacted revenge with a 101-74 blowout of RIT today to end the season.

The Bombers' run and gun offense, led by senior Sean Burton, the defending Empire 8 Player of the Year, has averaged 90 points a game and the team has an assist to turnover ratio of +1.5. Six players are averaging 10 or more points a game as well. There is no question the Bombers have been the best team in the East Region this year. They are hosting the conference tournament, likely the first round of the NCAA tourney as well, and could very well make it to the Division III Final Four this year.

As for the women, the Bombers shook off a rough start out of conference and have finished the year 17-8 overall and 13-3 in the Empire 8. The Bombers have done well against most of their conference foes, with St. John Fisher being the only team to beat them twice this year. The one problem: St. John Fisher is their first round opponent in the Empire 8 Championship Tournament.

Tracy Bradley and Katherine Bixby are both averaging close to 12 points a game and have had a lot of depth off the bench. Junior Jeanine Burke and sophomore Jordan Confessore along with freshmen Jessica Farley and Riley Dunn have filled in when needed and held down the fort when starters have run into foul trouble or injuries. The Bombers have the chance to reach the NCAA Tournament, as they've done several times under Head Coach Dan Raymond, but they'll need to at least get past the first round of the conference tournament.

Overall, Ithaca Bombers fans have to be happy with how their teams have played this year, especially the men's team. It has no doubt been one of the best winters for the Ithaca basketball teams. Fans are excited at how far these teams can go and at the chance to see a lot of playoff basketball at Ben Light Gymnasium. We'll see if Ithaca can make some noise during March Madness.