PSAC WEST

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: PSAC WEST

I like Clarion. I didn't have it in me to put a big number in there. Put it this way ... betting real money ... I'd probably take Clarion +19.5 points.

The West is much better this year. It couldn't have got much worse than last season.

IUP also isn't its normal dominant team but is still very strong on any given night. Joe hasn't lost to a West team in a very long time ... it may be over 20 games now. But, it's coming. He's escaped three already this season.

Based on the current standings I still consider Joe the favorite to win the West. They won't run the table but they also won't lose many more. The loser of Rock and Boro tomorrow is going to be in a big hole.

I can see Joe possibly losing at SRU and splitting with Gannon. The road wins at UPJ, Cal and Boro were huge. He gets Boro, Cal and UPJ all at home in Round 2. They don't lose at the KCAC often -- especially with the crowds back. I assume Gannon and Rock will also split.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: PSAC WEST

Rock gets the W over Boro

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: PSAC WEST

Cal and Clarion both held in 40s yesterday.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: PSAC WEST

Trivia

Name the last time two PSAC West schools finished with under 48 points on the same day

[IUP24]

Rock gets the W over Boro

When is Edinboro going to ever play a full season and play basketball the second weekend of March?




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: PSAC WEST

This was the shot ... but a big man short. Next year will likely be a total rebuild in the Boro.

[Guest]

Re: PSAC WEST

Trivia

Name the last time two PSAC West schools finished with under 48 points on the same day

So many possible teams. I would guess Pitt Johnstown and mercyhurst.

[Golden89]

Re: PSAC WEST

Trivia

Name the last time two PSAC West schools finished with under 48 points on the same day

Gannon beat Mercyhurst 46-44 in November 2014 at the MAC? Gotta think that Reilly and Manchel would have something to do with it.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: PSAC WEST

12-20-2016

Final

Mercyhurst 48
Gannon 37


Quite the box score in this classic.

That's the score at the second media time out of a West Liberty game.

[Golden89]

Re: PSAC WEST

12-20-2016

Final

Mercyhurst 48
Gannon 37


Quite the box score in this classic.

That's the score at the second media time out of a West Liberty game.

I thought that it was under 48 points.

I was at that game. There were 5 points (3 GU, 2 MU) in the last 8:15.

Gannon shot 3/21 with 8 turnovers in the second half. Goodness, it was awful. You had to be there to believe it. . I was just about to eat lunch, but lost my appetite thinking about that game.

[Golden89]

Re: PSAC WEST

I actually think its a stronger than normal PSAC West when you consider the average strength. The problem is that there isn't one clearly superior team. Clarion is winless in the conference but with an obviously depleted roster is still giving a good fight until their limited reserves wear them down. Its just like PSAC West football.

Fair point. The East is still better than the West, though not by as wide a margin that last year. The East is going to win the crossover battle again. The fact that Edinboro is much better makes up for the fact that Mercyhurst is not as strong as usual.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: PSAC WEST

West Standings (Men's) - 1/23/2018

IUP (10-2, 14-5) W3

Gannon (9-3, 13-5) W9

Slippery Rock (9-4, 15-4) W1

Edinboro (8-5, 11-6) L1

UPJ (7-6, 9-8) W3

Mercyhurst (5-7, 8-8) W1

California (4-9, 8-11) L3

Seton Hill (3-10, 6-12)

Clarion (0-13, 3-16) L8

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: PSAC WEST

West Standings (Women's) - 1/23/2018

IUP (11-1, 16-1) W1

Edinboro (11-2, 15-2) W2

California (11-2, 16-3) L1

Seton Hill (10-3, 15-4) W6

Slippery Rock (8-5, 10-8) L1

Gannon (7-5, 10-8) W3

Mercyhurst (5-7, 7-11) W1

UPJ (5-8, 8-10) L2

Clarion (2-11, 7-12) L7

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: PSAC WEST

Here's the picks. Call your bookies.


West Chester at Pitt-Johnstown -- On the surface, this seems like an easy one. But, UPJ is a hot team. Winners of three straight, the Mountain Cats, despite playing near Iron Man basketball, can be tough to shake in Johnstown. After starting 13-0, West Chester has gone 3-2 in its past 5 outings -- including a loss to Bloomsburg, which is the PSAC East version of UPJ. Bloomsburg was also blown out in Johnstown earlier this season. In games against teams on West Chester's talent and skill level, UPJ is an oh-so-close 1-5 -- with narrow losses to East Stroudsburg (by a deceiving 11), Virginia State (4), IUP (5), Gannon (4) and Edinboro (4). UPJ did pull a home upset of Slippery Rock. West Chester is big, fast, deep and ultra-athletic. Even with the long bus ride, that's a bad combination for a team playing 6 guys. UPJ plays very clean and makes every possession count. They make few mistakes and will stay in this game. For 40 minutes, however, they won't have enough. West Chester -9

Seton Hill at IUP -- The Crimson Hawks lead the all-time series, 12-1. Despite the lopsided number, there have been some really tight games -- including last year's narrow 8-point IUP win at the KCAC. The Griffins' Trevor Blondin is a legit All-PSAC level guard and center Spencer Casson wrecks havoc under the basket as one of the nation's leading shot blockers. He also exploded on offense against IUP last season. Seton Hill, despite the 6-12 record, has stayed competitive in most games this year. Its last three outings saw an overtime win against California and two narrow losses to Bloomsburg (8 points) and UPJ (3 points). They also took West Chester to the final minutes earlier in the year. IUP, winners of 9 of its past 10, got caught looking at Clarion's record this past Saturday and despite winning by 25 points put on perhaps its most uninspiring performance of the season. The KCAC comes back to life tonight. The students, dance teams and cheerleaders are all back. Hopefully the team comes back to life, too. IUP -13.5

California at Clarion -- After a hot start, Cal is reeling. The Vulcans have lost 3 straight and 9 of its past 12 outings dating back to December 3. Fortunately, tonight's trip to Clarion may be the perfect remedy. The Golden Eagles have lost 8 straight -- blown out in 7 of them. Even Cal's anemic defense should be able to keep Clarion in the 60s. Offensively, Cal should be in for a big night. The Golden Eagles have pulled some upsets in Waldo S. Tippin Gymnasium. Tonight won't be one of them. Cal wins big and temporarily stops the bleeding. Vulcans -17

Edinboro at Mercyhurst -- It's strange to think of Mercyhurst as a .500 program but that's exactly what they are this season at 8-8. And, last year, too, at 14-14. Average record aside, the Lake Show is still a tough out. And, they're showing some life as of late. Mercyhurst hammered California, 67-47, in its last outing. Cal can score the basket. Holding them to 47 is awfully impressive. The two games prior to Cal, the Lakers lost by 11 at Gannon and by 3 at UPJ. Edinboro, which has lost 4 of its past 6, is a tough out. The well-publicized guard trio can do some serious damage -- and quickly. They have a tough assignment tonight. Mercyhurst is famous for its defense and tempo. The Lakers will cause some issues tonight. The Triangle and Two they love to run was really designed to play teams just like the Fighting Scots. If Edinboro can score 70 tonight it will win the game. Gary Manchal will have a great scouting report and will suffocate the perimeter knowing Edinboro can't do much inside. Boro in a tight one, -3.

GAME OF THE NIGHT (WEEK)

Gannon at Slippery Rock -- This one will be worth the price of admission. Both teams dislike one another. The fan bases dislike one another. It should be a big crowd inside Morrow Field House. Gannon comes to town on a 9-game winning streak. The Rock has won 12 of 14 -- the only two losses coming by a combined 7 points. Slippery Rock also finally picked up a quality win in its last outing, downing Edinboro. Prior to that, The Rock had lost its biggest games to IUP, UPJ, Kutztown and Shippensburg. One theme to the four teams who have defeated SRU is they all shoot the trey very well -- and very often. Gannon does not. In fact, it doesn't shoot it much at all. The Knights have hit just 71 of 228 attempts - an average of 3.9 made three's per outing. Slippery Rock is a gigantic, physical team. Trying to match-up and play a ground-and-pound with them is going to be very difficult. It's going to be imperative for the Gannon post players to stay out of foul trouble -- something Evan Phoenix has struggled with in big games over his career. Micah Till is a house inside and will also stretch the floor. He's going to get his points and rebounds. Gannon has to prevent somebody else from having a big game. Both teams rebound like machines (plus double digit margin). Both shoot lousy free throws (GU 68%, SRU 62%). Gannon needs to start fast. The Rock is a very good team when things are going its way. Not so much when things get messy. This game will come down to free throws. And, with the physical nature of both teams, there will be a lot of them. The referees are in for quite a night -- dealing with Kevin Reynolds and John Reilly. As the stats show, neither makes many foul shots. Gannon's big advantage will be the mental aspect. The Knights will be more disciplined and won't breakdown as easily when things go bad. But, the Rock doesn't lose in Morrow often. Gannon has lost its past two trips there. Tonight makes it three. SRU -1

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: PSAC WEST

Wow ... UPJ hung 17 on West Chester ... 102-85.

Mountain Cats are sizling.