PSAC WEST

[IUPbigINDIANS]

To some, these are just regular season games tonight. To others, they may as well be playoff games. The all-important conference tournament seeding is on the line for many this evening. A couple others can keep their NCAA hopes alive (or see them destroyed).

This is not a good night for the amateur gambler ... very tough lineup.


West Chester at Shepherd - If you were betting these two all year, you'd likely be broke and in rehab. Both can be very tough on a given night. Both can be very average on a given night. Both have lost numerous times when they shouldn't have. Regardless, Shepherd hasn't clinched the last remaining conference tournament spot, but has a 4-game lead on Kutztown. So, odds are good. In the whacky East race, West Chester is still right in the mix. Amazingly, on Feb. 15, 'right in the mix' means WCU could still get the East No. 1 seed or the East No. 6 seed. It's that wide open entering tonight. West Chester won a home thriller in the first meeting, 70-69. After Shepherd stunned East Stroudsburg, many thought the Rams had finally broken out and would go on a run. In typical Shepherd fashion, however, they went 4-4 in their past 8 games -- all four losses came to teams above them in the standings. WCU has won 4 of its past 5 outings. So, what does all that mean tonight? Who knows. Flip a coin. That's the best advice available when it comes to these two. But, the Rams are tough in Shepherdstown. Vegas says Shepherd -2.5

Seton Hill at California - By the end of tonight, one of these two will at least temporarily be in position to host a Round 1 game in the conference tournament. The loser will be on pace to travel. Both teams are hot. Seton Hill has won 3 of its past 4, with the lone loss coming by just three points in Johnstown. The Vulcans have won 4 straight, highlighted by a huge win at Mercyhurst. California won the first meeting by 11 points on a night neither team could hit the side of a barn. Combined, the teams shot 10 for 53 from outside. The Vulcans have a better starting unit, but the Griffins are deeper. Cal is at its best in a free-flowing tempo. Seton Hill's zone should slow them down. Vegas says take the visiting Catholic school in a tight one. Griffins -1.5

Kutztown at East Stroudsburg - At two games behind Shippensburg, there's obviously no room for error in East Stroudsburg. The Warriors got quite the tussle from these pesky Golden Bears last month. ESU trailed almost the entire game before mounting a furious late comeback and winning by 4 points. Kutztown played (and won) a non-conference game last night, so we'll see how their legs hold up tonight. This isn't a deep KU roster. The Warriors seem mostly back on track. They've won 4 of their past 5 games and are tough at home. Vegas says this won't be like the first meeting. ESU pulls away in the second half. Warriors -12.5

Edinboro at IUP - The Crimson Hawks, somehow, avoided total disaster a few days ago, and escaped Clarion with a win (and should have lost). Joe Lombardi's teams are somewhat famous for going through the motions against teams near the bottom of the standings. So, to play another team tonight in such a position, well, it could very well be a disaster. IUP won the first meeting in McComb by 18 points, but it was far closer than the final spread. Much like this past Saturday, IUP looked disinterested against Edinboro for the first 25-30 minutes. If that happens again tonight, it's certainly conceivable IUP could lose this game. The Fighting Scots have dropped their past 7, but most recently gave Cal all it could handle in a 106-97 loss and then lost by just 2 points at Slippery Rock. So, the Scots are still fighting. Vegas says take the home team tonight, but neither an IUP blowout win or an IUP narrow win would really surprise. The Hawks are either bored, or, perhaps have some deeper issues. IUP -9.5

Clarion at Gannon - Nobody wants to finish last in the division. This is Clarion's chance to get out of the basement. The Golden Eagles should fly in to this one with some confidence. Gannon has lost 4 straight but continues to hang around in games. The Golden Knights took the first meeting but Clarion has been playing pretty well of late -- giving UPJ, Seton Hill and IUP all they could handle. Vegas says take the visitors tonight. Clarion -3.5

Bloomsburg at Mansfield - The Mounties are one team that will look back on this season and want to kick themselves. Mansfield should have a much better record than 5-18. For starters, they've underachieved. Furthermore, they've lost a ton of close games. At worst, that should be a .500 team entering tonight. As for the Huskies, Year 1 of the rebuild went worse than expected. At just 1-21, they are in close-it-out-mode. Vegas says take the hosts tonight. Mansfield -7.5

Pitt-Johnstown at Mercyhurst - The Lakers losing in the MAC to Cal this past Saturday changed the whole complexion of this game. The winner now takes sole possession of the Round 1 bye in the upcoming conference tournament. Both teams are firmly in the NCAA race, too, and battling for a better seed. The Mountain Cats won the first meeting, but, winning in Erie is a whole different animal. Much like California, UPJ is a tough matchup for Mercyhurst. The Lakers like to create mismatches by playing 4 guards and 1 post player. Cal and UPJ do the same thing so it hampers the awkward mismatches. UPJ won the first game by 12 points and was in control nearly the entire way. The Mountain Cats aren't the same team away from Johnstown. Another hostile crowd in the congested MAC could make things difficult. One major key tonight: UPJ's John Paul Kromka is an elite post player -- famous for getting every call and drawing fouls on opposing bigs at a Shaq-like pace. The Lakers' star post player, Pipeloluwa Ajayi, can take over a game but also has the tendency to get in foul trouble. This is the key matchup of the night. Mercyhurst is a much different team when 'Pip' is on the bench with foul issues. If Kromka can get him in early foul trouble, this should be UPJ's game to lose. Vegas says expect a close one, but Mercyhurst won't lose two in a row in the MAC. Lakers -1.5

Millersville at Shippensburg - The Raiders missed a tip-in at the buzzer and lost the first encounter, 56-55. It was only one game, but it's a game that could haunt Shippensburg's NCAA hopes. That's down the road, however. There's not a dominant team in the East, so trying to lock up the Round 1 bye is huge. Millersville is currently tied for second with East Stroudsburg -- both with two more division losses than Shippensburg. The Marauders can get a big step closer if they win on the road tonight. The Raiders have won their past 3 games, but the past two haven't been overly pretty. Millersville's long winning streak finally came to an end in Saturday's 10-point loss at East Stroudsburg. Vegas says expect a game similar to the first meeting. These two are well-coached and built somewhat similarly. But, Shippensburg is tough in Heiges. The 'Ville has won two straight in the series, but that streak ends tonight. The officials better take some extra pain killers before this one tips. Raiders -3.5

[Fightingscot82]

I thought Boro was going to finally get another W on Saturday. Within reach.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Updated MEN'S Standings

-

TEAM	PSAC	OVERALL	STREAK
IUP*	18-1	24-1	W2
Mercyhurst*	14-4	18-4	L1
Pitt-Johnstown*	14-4	18-6	W1
Seton Hill*	10-9	15-10	L1
California*	10-9	13-12	W4
Slippery Rock*	9-10	15-10	W1
Edinboro	3-15	5-18	L7
Gannon	2-16	2-2	L4
Clarion	1-17	3-20	L3

--

The West field is set for the PSAC Tournament but the seeding is far from settled. The big games this week:

WEDNESDAY

Seton Hill at California - Winner takes a big step toward a Round 1 home game.

Pitt-Johnstown at Mercyhurst - Odds are good the winner will get a first-round bye. Key game for each teams' NCAA future, also.

SATURDAY

Slippery Rock at IUP

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Cal men actually get a signature win over Mercy.

Welcome back.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Wow. Huge win for Cal

Cal should have beat them the last time.

[Feedoggie]

Cal men actually get a signature win over Mercy.

[IUPHawks24]

Wow. Huge win for Cal

[IUPbigINDIANS]

We don't have a great lineup on tap tomorrow, but there are a couple games of intrigue. Then again, point spreads make everything more exciting.


Slippery Rock at Edinboro - The good news for one of these teams is a losing streak will end. After a solid start, SRU's season has come off the rails. The Rock has lost 6 of its past 8 games -- including 3 straight. Things are worse in McComb. Edinboro has lost 11 of its past 12 games. A win tomorrow clinches the final spot in the West for Slippery Rock. An Edinboro win would keep their conference tournament hopes alive -- albeit on life support. The Rock won the first meeting by 13 points but it was a closer than the final score. If motivated, the Scots can hang around in this match-up. Dom Keyes could pose some major issues to the SRU defense, but, he has to stay on the floor. Vegas says expect a good game for 30 minutes. SRU pulls away late. Rock -7.5

Kutztown at Lock Haven - The Golden Bears don't win much -- but, they cover a lot. They've taken some beatings but typically slide in to some backdoor covers by keeping games closer than many expect. Lock Haven, conversely, has been a gamblers' nightmare. While few probably bet on the Bald Eagles to win at red-hot Millersville this past Wednesday, not many saw them getting blasted by 26 points. The first meeting was pretty close. Lock Haven pulled out a 10-point win. Did the Bald Eagles simply have a bad night scoring just 52 points or is there more to the story? Vegas says Upset Alert. Kutztown's lost 9 painful games in a row. Streaks end. Golden Bears -1.5

Millersville at East Stroudsburg - Well, something happened after the Warriors defeated the Marauders, 86-75, back on January 14. Millersville hasn't lost since -- winners of 9 straight. East Stroudsburg is just 4-5 during the same stretch. The Warriors, loaded with depth and talent, are hard to bet against. But, they aren't exactly lighting the world on fire the past month. Vegas says ignore the hot hand in this one. ESU is at home and the Marauders are due for a loss. ESU -3.5

IUP at Clarion - This will be IUP's third game of the season at Waldo S. Tippin Gymnasium. The Hawks are 2-0 this year in the beautifully-renovated facility. The host Golden Eagles are 3-19 and out of contention for the conference tournament. IUP won the first meeting by 30+ points, although it was fairly close at halftime. Most would be shocked if Ethan Porterfield plays tomorrow as this seems like a perfect rest day. IUP needs to take the game seriously. Clarion most recently lost in Johnstown by just 10 points and to Seton Hill also by just 10 points. So, they haven't quit. Vegas says IUP is coming off a brutal stretch of games -- and to likely expect its first half performance to be, well, brutal. But, IUP is far too deep -- with or without Porterfield. Clarion's issue all year has been a very short bench. IUP wins but it will be closer than many think. Expect a somewhat sluggish performance. IUP -15.5

Seton Hill at Pitt-Johnstown - The Griffins are hot again -- winners of 3 straight. Seton Hill also upset UPJ earlier this year in Greensburg. We all know, however, the Mountain Cats are a different breed in Johnstown. But, will they have an IUP hangover? Pitt-Johnstown's pick-n-rolls, picket fences, etc., are much harder to execute against a tough zone defense. Vegas says this is the key stat tomorrow: Seton Hill is just 4-6 on the road while UPJ is 10-1 at home. The Cats shoot the lights out in Johnstown, and Kromka can walk on water in the Sports Center. Expect a tight one -- and probably the most entertaining game of the day -- but, UPJ wins. Pitt-Johnstown still has a trip to Mercyhurst looming, so a loss tomorrow could be devastating to its NCAA hopes. UPJ -5.5

Shippensburg at Mansfield - The first meeting was surprisingly close. The Raiders won by just 7 points. Times have changed, however. Mansfield is in season-ending countdown mode. Shippensburg has a lot on the line. The only possible scenario of an upset tomorrow is if the Raiders are totally looking ahead to Millersville's visit next Wednesday. Vegas expects a comfortable Shippensburg win. Raiders -13.5

Bloomsburg at Shepherd - The Rams can punch the last East ticket to the conference tournament tomorrow. In Shepherdstown, this shouldn't be close. But, because it does involve the sporadic Rams, it probably will be close. The Huskies kept it close the first time, losing by just 11 points. Vegas says it won't be close tomorrow, however. Rams make it rain. Shepherd -15.5

California at Mercyhurst - The Vulcans outplayed the Lakers for 39.5 of 40 minutes in the first meeting -- a 66-65 Mercyhurst win. To California's credit, the Vulcans haven't gone away. After winning 3 straight, Cal is up to .500 and remains a very dangerous team. The Vulcans match up well with Mercyhurst. Both teams play 4 guards and an athletic post player. The Lakers are just deeper -- and, also red hot. Vegas says the home team will be too much in the MAC but this should be another close one. Mercyhurst wins ... but, don't be shocked. Lakers -5.5

[IUPbigINDIANS]

LOL.

I’ve just never been impressed by him. He’s just productive, not flashy. Can’t dispute his success.

He's tough to read because they play him with four guards. Imagine JPK with Tomiwa as a running mate.

But, no doubt, he's not winning any flash awards. He does get to the hole tremendously. Very smooth.

[EyeoftheHawk]

He looks like he's in his 40's.

LOL.

I’ve just never been impressed by him. He’s just productive, not flashy. Can’t dispute his success.

[bballfan03]

Hurst should establish some pipelines with Kennedy Catholic and those private schools that always seem to magically land new athletes from NOWHERE near the school.

That's what KJs essentially been doing at Gannon and we ser what its gotten him haha

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I like the new guard Shull. He’s a nice player. Bizarre move for Mulbah to leave and then end up at an NAIA in Florida.

I wonder if any of those 6 still have a year left? It’s difficult to know now what each kid’s situation is. Same thing with Mercyhurst, I think a couple of their main guys could return.

After this season, they'll lose Batt, Magestro, Jakubick, Kromka and Landis. That's a lot of firepower in one off-season.

I swear Landis has been there 14 years.

They did sign the WPIAL's leading scorer (well, he was at one time, anyway).

Tomiwa is really the x-factor playing against their 4-guard lineup. That gives them a big advantage against most teams. Tomiwa can match-up with guards which offsets their attempt at mismatches.

UPJ has a tough team. They are by no means an easy out -- especially when you decide to play them at their pace. If you watch them in warm-ups you'd think IUP would beat them by 75 points. But, they really make that old-school system work. Kromka is one smooth dude around the basket.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

TEAM	PSAC	OVERALL	STREAK
IUP*	17-1	23-1	W1
Mercyhurst*	14-3	18-3	W5
Pitt-Johnstown*	13-4	17-6	L1
Seton Hill*	10-8	15-9	W3
California*	9-9	12-12	W3
Slippery Rock	8-10	14-10	L3
Edinboro	3-14	5-17	L6
Gannon	2-16	2-20	L4
Clarion	1-16	3-19	L2

* Clinched PSAC Tournament berth

[IUPalum]

Hurst will rebuild in the off-season. Always do

Gary will find some bodies but it will take time to teach them Gary's ways with the D.

[IUPalum]

Hurst should establish some pipelines with Kennedy Catholic and those private schools that always seem to magically land new athletes from NOWHERE near the school.

Like Gannon did and the kid turned out to be a complete douche!