PSAC WEST

[CALUPA69]

California at Mercyhurst - The marquee game of the weekend. Speed 'em up on one side. Slow 'em down on the other side. The Vulcans have the talent to win this game. The Lakers have nowhere near an inside answer for Philip Alston. But, can the California guards find the bottom of the net today? Good shooters become very average in that tight gym -- not to mention the effects of the rarely seen matchup-zone. The Vulcans had an awful shooting performance at Clarion. Law of averages says today could be the opposite. Upset special. Vulcans -3 Note: May God grant mercy on the officials in this game. They have a long day ahead of them with Gary and Danny.

I don't know if it's the part of the generally edgy atmosphere that's abroad in the country these days, but several of the coaches this season seem more demonstrative than they have been in the past. We have the Stitzel show coming to Ship on Feb. 2.

CAL puts it all together for the first time under Danny Sancomb and run over the Lakers 87-71. Didn't expect it but happy to see it. 'HURST had no answer for PHIL ALSTON with 30 pts, 6 rbds and 2 blks. Hopefully they can come back on Monday with a similar effort when GU shows up at the ANGELO DOME.

[Ship69]

California at Mercyhurst - The marquee game of the weekend. Speed 'em up on one side. Slow 'em down on the other side. The Vulcans have the talent to win this game. The Lakers have nowhere near an inside answer for Philip Alston. But, can the California guards find the bottom of the net today? Good shooters become very average in that tight gym -- not to mention the effects of the rarely seen matchup-zone. The Vulcans had an awful shooting performance at Clarion. Law of averages says today could be the opposite. Upset special. Vulcans -3 Note: May God grant mercy on the officials in this game. They have a long day ahead of them with Gary and Danny.

I don't know if it's the part of the generally edgy atmosphere that's abroad in the country these days, but several of the coaches this season seem more demonstrative than they have been in the past. We have the Stitzel show coming to Ship on Feb. 2.

[Scrub]

Note: May God grant mercy on the officials in this game. They have a long day ahead of them with Gary and Danny.

This cracked me up. But it's the truth. I'm sure officials are well aware of which assignments to circle on the calendar (much like teams know which opponents to circle).

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Here's the Saturday Spreads you bunch of gambling degenerates.


Gannon at East Stroudsburg - This is one right there with Cal/Mercy as the Game of the Day. Gannon hasn't played in almost two weeks, so rust could be a factor. It's also been hard to tell who will actually be in uniform for the Knights. I'm not sure any team has dealt with more Covid and injuries than Gannon. If the Knights are full strength, they have the size and athletes to deal with the press -- and a strong point guard. Both teams have very talented and quick forwards. But, the long road trip paired with the long break in play ... leans toward the Warriors getting a win today. But, it won't be easy. East Stroudsburg -5

IUP at Clarion - Now with 3 of the original 8-man rotation on the shelf, depth is becoming scarce for Joe Lombardi. Luckily, his deep bench has started to come along nicely over the past month. Clarion will pose a much bigger challenge than Seton Hill did a couple days ago. They have some legit 'dudes' as Joe says. This won't be a run-away. Clarion has given IUP some fits in Tippin Gymnasium over the years. Even without Tommy Demogerontas today, IUP still has a strong starting lineup. But, foul trouble could be deadly. Crimson Hawks win, but closer than many probably expect. IUP -9 -- and on upset alert.

West Chester at Bloomsburg - The Huskies should be the perfect cure for a Rams teams coming off a heartbreaking, 1-point loss to Millersville. If West Chester wants any hope of staying in the East race ... can't take many -- if any -- more losses. Bloomsburg will put up a fight, but the Rams are too deep. WCU -8

Shepherd at Kutztown - Both teams are better than their records. Both have a star player on the injured list. This should be an old school, rock-em-sock-em affair. First to 61 likely wins the game. Shepherd is due. I think they'll get to 62 points. Rams -1

Lock Haven at Shippensburg - The Bald Eagles have been a thorn of sorts to Shippensburg in recent years. Lock Haven has a nice starting group. But, as the game goes along and the Bald Eagles' bench becomes a factor, the Raiders will pull away. Should be an entertaining one. Lock Haven is a scrappy bunch. But, they have trouble putting two 20-minute sessions together. Ship -7

California at Mercyhurst - The marquee game of the weekend. Speed 'em up on one side. Slow 'em down on the other side. The Vulcans have the talent to win this game. The Lakers have nowhere near an inside answer for Philip Alston. But, can the California guards find the bottom of the net today? Good shooters become very average in that tight gym -- not to mention the effects of the rarely seen matchup-zone. The Vulcans had an awful shooting performance at Clarion. Law of averages says today could be the opposite. Upset special. Vulcans -3 Note: May God grant mercy on the officials in this game. They have a long day ahead of them with Gary and Danny.

Mansfield at Millersville - The 'Ville this year has been good, then bad and then good again. Mansfield has just been bad. Very bad, in fact. But, the Mounties have shown some life lately. Millersville can score but doesn't play the greatest defense. Mansfield can score and plays next to zero defense. Marauders win a tussle. 'Ville -9

Seton Hill at Pitt-Johnstown - Well, the resurging Griffins are coming off a butt-whipping. How will that young team respond? A trip to Johnstown isn't likely to cure the hangover. Seton Hill's only hope is UPJ is looking ahead to Monday night's IUP visit. This has U.G.L.Y. written all over it. UPJ -23

Slippery Rock at Edinboro - Will The Rock ever play a game again this year? Good Lord. This is now 6 of their past 7 games PPD. Ian Grady needs to lock these guys in Morrow Field House.

[CALUPA69]

CAL U WBB versus HURST is postponed, while, as of now MBB is still on for today.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Looks like SRU at Boro is the only PPD.

[IUPalum]

As of now only (1) men's game PPD for tomorrow (SRU at Boro).

The Rock's had 5 of its past 6 games PPD.

Maybe they can get a couple more canceled then see IUP back to back as their first games back. LOL

[IUPbigINDIANS]

As of now only (1) men's game PPD for tomorrow (SRU at Boro).

The Rock's had 5 of its past 6 games PPD.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Final 75-67 CAL. Lousy shooting FG-38.5%, 3PT-13.6, and FT-66.7% didn't really matter. Boswell's absence contributed. On the plus side PA with what is becoming his usual night 29 PTS, 17 RBDS, and 4 BLKS. You need to go back a few years to find such a force wearing the Black and Red. Collins 20 and Pegram 17 rounded it out. Palek's return, 13 rbds and 4 assts, gave the VULCANS control of the scoring in the paint, 44-16.
A repeat of this level in at HURST on Saturday will be disaster.

Cal vs Mercyhurst is going to be a great game. The Lakers won't have an answer for Alston in a one-on-one sense. This isn't a big Mercyhurst team like we've seen in years past. Knowing Manchel, they'll have a good plan to try and suffocate him under the basket. If Cal's guards can keep their composure with that zone and all the defensive switching, I think the Vulcans have a good shot in this one if they can knock down the outside shots.

But, like you said, this isn't Clarion. If the shooting doesn't improve drastically on Saturday they could get crushed up there.

[CALUPA69]

VULCANS lead the GE 42-35 at halftime. Keith Palek is playing but Preston Boswell isn't. Alston with 15 pts and 12 rbds leads with Collins 13 and Pegram 9 pitching in. Horrible 3pt shooting, 1-12, hopefully will pick up in the final 20 minutes.

Final 75-67 CAL. Lousy shooting FG-38.5%, 3PT-13.6, and FT-66.7% didn't really matter. Boswell's absence contributed. On the plus side PA with what is becoming his usual night 29 PTS, 17 RBDS, and 4 BLKS. You need to go back a few years to find such a force wearing the Black and Red. Collins 20 and Pegram 17 rounded it out. Palek's return, 13 rbds and 4 assts, gave the VULCANS control of the scoring in the paint, 44-16.
A repeat of this level in at HURST on Saturday will be disaster.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Only trouble for folks who had IUP -31.5 in the first half.

Who knows. SH was 40 seconds from beating Mercyhurst a week ago.

[Golden89]

Could be trouble in Greensburg.

Only trouble for folks who had IUP -31.5 in the first half.

[CALUPA69]

VULCANS lead the GE 42-35 at halftime. Keith Palek is playing but Preston Boswell isn't. Alston with 15 pts and 12 rbds leads with Collins 13 and Pegram 9 pitching in. Horrible 3pt shooting, 1-12, hopefully will pick up in the final 20 minutes.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

No Tommy Demo for IUP. Could be trouble in Greensburg.

[Golden89]

The Big One in the west just postponed. Looks like SRU positive tests since SRU men also postponed for Saturday. Bummer for GU fans.

So looks like 16 of 18 games being played tonight. Only SRU at Gannon men and women are off.