Goz’s Top 5 Bold Local Sports Predictions for 2018

Less than a handful of days remain in the 2017 sports calendar. Below are Goz's top 5 bold predictions for the 2018 local sports scene. Do you agree with the predictions? What are your bold predictions? Let us know below.

1-Glens Falls Joseph Girard III finishes his junior season with 3,000 career points scored.

As of this time, Junior Joseph Girard III was at 2,449 points for the season and was averaging an insane 46.7 points per game. That puts him on pace to eclipse 3,000 points by game thirteen. If his average goes down from 46.7 points per game, it still likely puts him on pace to reach an  historic mark if Glens Falls reaches the sectionals playoffs. Only three players in New York State history have scored over 3,000 points and all are on the women's side ( Caryn Schoff 3,548, Bethany LeSueur and Niesha Butler 3,127). Girard is likely to join that company in 2018.

2-Siena Basketball Makes It Back To the MAAC Final But Comes Up Short Again. 

In 2017, Siena basketball was close to getting back to the NCAA tournament but lost to Iona in the MAAC final. I predict the same thing to happen in 2018 to the Saints. Led by the constantly improving Jordan Horn and his three point shooting, the Saints upset teams to get to the MAAC title game before just missing out on the big tournament.

3-UAlbany Basketball Wins The America East, Wins a Round of 64 Game

In March 2018, UAlbany and Vermont rematch for the America East conference title. This time the matchup goes in favor of the Great Danes on the SEFCU Arena floor. The Great Danes head to the NCAA tournament and draw a Round of 64 game in Pittsburgh as a 14 seed and matchup with Seton Hall as 3 seed and upset the Pirates! Joe Cremo, Greig Stire and others celebrate an historic victory for the Great Danes.

4- A 35-1 shot wins the Travers Stakes

Who will it? How the will race go down? I'm not ready to get that bold. However I am ready to say that the winner of this year's big race at Saratoga will in fact be a huge long shot off the board. Even if a Kentucky Derby or Triple Crown winner comes to Saratoga, I'll take a horse off the board in 2018 to win the Travers.

5- UAlbany Football running back  Elijah Ibitokun-Hanks ends up as 1st Team All American

After missing ninety percent of the season in 2017, Ibitokun-Hanks returns for the Great Danes and has a huge statisical season. The Great Dane get back over .500 and compete for a playoff spot. Ibitokun-Hanks proves to be a huge reason for the turn around and is named a 1st Team All American at the FCS level.