PSAC WEST

[IUPbigINDIANS]

it's not personal.. the refs have just overall been terrible this year... especially when it matters

Oh I think sometimes it is personal. In fact, a lot of times. We don't have enough officials. The same officials get assigned to the same teams far too often. There are coaches who hate certain officials and there are officials who hate certain coaches. That's life.

Don't think for a second an official doesn't remember Joe Lombardi or Danny Sancomb (or, whomever) screaming at him like he's a 5-year-old for a couple hours in front of a crowd. They can stick it right back to them in the form of questionable calls.


I'll give you an example:

On the women's side, Cal's Strom and Edinboro's Wheeler are two of the best I've ever seen at working officials. They can butter them up by being charming. Then they can turn psycho on them. Then they turn back. I think officials are terrified of both. IUP's Carey is one of the worst. We'd be kidding ourselves if we didn't think that came in to play on close calls. It's human nature. Carey gets completely ignored and blown off. They listen to Wheeler and Strom like trained dogs.

At the men's game like last night ... you had Sancomb looking like he's one step away from going to an insane asylum on one end of the court. Lombardi was in vintage form last night. Those refs couldn't wait to get the hell out of there.

[bballfan03]

I'm starting to wonder if the PSAC officials have an issue with Justin Jennings because nearly every game I watch there is a really bad call or non-call. Last week it was a phantom push call against Cenkar that replay showed was him untangling his arm from the opposing player. Last night it was an obvious goaltending that wasn't called. You can't smack the backboard when a shot is at the rim. Clear as day. I hope Steve Murray catches this. The only reason I bring it up was that when the game got close, those 2 points made a difference. Shouldn't have mattered, but in that moment it did.

it's not personal.. the refs have just overall been terrible this year... especially when it matters

[Fightingscot82]

Seton Hill hammered UPJ (by 15).

Edinboro blew a halftime lead and lost at home to SRU, 83-81.


Edinboro plays at Cal on Saturday. Winner gets the second Round 1 bye and No. 2 seed. Loser plays Monday.

IUP has clinched a spot with tonight's win against Cal, but the seed is still up in the air. The Crimson Hawks play at Clarion on Friday night. Seton Hill plays at Gannon on Saturday. If both were to lose, IUP holds the tie-breaker due to its season sweep of SH.

I'm starting to wonder if the PSAC officials have an issue with Justin Jennings because nearly every game I watch there is a really bad call or non-call. Last week it was a phantom push call against Cenkar that replay showed was him untangling his arm from the opposing player. Last night it was an obvious goaltending that wasn't called. You can't smack the backboard when a shot is at the rim. Clear as day. I hope Steve Murray catches this. The only reason I bring it up was that when the game got close, those 2 points made a difference. Shouldn't have mattered, but in that moment it did.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Seton Hill hammered UPJ (by 15).

Edinboro blew a halftime lead and lost at home to SRU, 83-81.


Edinboro plays at Cal on Saturday. Winner gets the second Round 1 bye and No. 2 seed. Loser plays Monday.

IUP has clinched a spot with tonight's win against Cal, but the seed is still up in the air. The Crimson Hawks play at Clarion on Friday night. Seton Hill plays at Gannon on Saturday. If both were to lose, IUP holds the tie-breaker due to its season sweep of SH.

[boatcapt]

Unless Trump and Musk have changed the way we do math, you are Correct!!

Hahaha...Nore am I using DEI math!!

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Tonight's lineup should be entertaining. Even without the spreads, these games are tricky.


Slippery Rock at Edinboro - The Scots won in Morrow last month by 10 points, however, SRU was without Jomo Goings and Maceo Austin. Goings is one of the better players in the league that nobody talks about. Both teams are on 3-game winning streaks. SRU is locked in as the No. 4 seed. An Edinboro win keeps the Scots alive for the second Round 1 bye next week. Very tough game to pick. The Rock is vastly better with Goings in the lineup. Scots -2.5


California at IUP - The Vulcans are red hot -- winners of 6 straight. One of their closest wins during this run? You guessed it. Redshirt Joe. IUP gave the Vulcans quite the tussle in Angelo's Dome. Cal pulled it out, 78-74. IUP missed a game-tying shot with seconds to go before Cal hit a game-icing free throw. The theme of the first game was neither team played much defense. They both shot the ball pretty bad. Had IUP made layups, the Hawks likely would have been up 10+ at the break. A lot, of course, has changed since then. The Vulcans are looking at the PSAC Tournament and perhaps beyond. IUP is clinging to life -- desperately needing a win to stay in the PSAC Tournament race. One thing to watch is IUP actually matches up well with Cal. The remaining (healthy) Vulcans aren't a big team, so this is the rare night IUP's lack of post players doesn't overly hurt them. One other major item to watch - to the disdain of IUP fans - is Cal is one of the top 3-PT shooting teams in the league. IUP, obviously, is one of the worst at defending said shot. Danny also had the edge on the officials in the first meeting. He likely won't get the same edge in the KCAC. IUP also rotates games -- playing good, then bad, then good. Tonight, 'good' should be up in the rotation. This past Saturday was awful. This game will likely be closer than many think. Vulcans -6.5


Pitt-Johnstown at Seton Hill - For now, anyway, it gets no bigger for these two. The winner stays alive. The loser is in serious trouble. The Mountain Cats won the first meeting, 100-97, in 2 OT. However, that game was in the Dirty J, where UPJ is much tougher. The Mountain Cats are just 5-9 away from home. Rest assured, the McKenna Center will be rocking tonight. That building, when rolling, is the toughest road venue in the West. Interesting matchup. It's the 1950s UPJ picket fence offense vs 40 minutes of zone. The Cats have to avoid letting the Griffins anchor down. They need this game moving. Both can be really good. Both can be inconsistent. The venue makes the difference ... almost. UPJ quiets the crowd and holds on late. Mountain Cats -2.5

[WarriorVoice]

With two games left in the season and Gannon having a four game lead in the loss column, don't think there is any way Cal can get the top seed.

Unless Trump and Musk have changed the way we do math, you are Correct!!

[bballfan03]

Good to hear as I was only reacting to what others had posted. Now living out of the area, I have never met Mr. Bazzoli but friends of mine echo what you have stated. Just wondering about his issues with his fellow PSAC coaches and what these impressions are based upon? Again, my friends have indicated that he is pretty approachable..........just the opposite of Slocum.

He rides the refs all game, literally from tip. And makes comments about calls to the scorers table staff, which coaches and ADs don't like. But also sometimes when other coaches complain about something he makes comments to them.

He just knows how to be a nuisance during games lol

[bballfan03]

With two games left in the season and Gannon having a four game lead in the loss column, don't think there is any way Cal can get the top seed.

The (1) by gannons name means they've already clinched the top seed in west (clinched it a few weeks ago).. so you're correct. Cal has no shot at getting it lol

[IUPbigINDIANS]

With two games left in the season and Gannon having a four game lead in the loss column, don't think there is any way Cal can get the top seed.

Top 2 seeds get a Round 1 bye.

Gannon already has the No. 1 seed clinched.

Cal and Edinboro are going to battle it out for the second bye.

[gman16506]

With two games left in the season and Gannon having a four game lead in the loss column, don't think there is any way Cal can get the top seed.

If I am not mistaken, I think that the second place team also gets a first round bye; hence the comment about "that Round 1 bye is huge".

[boatcapt]

Updated MEN'S Standings:

-

Note: The Top 6 teams make the PSAC Tournament. The top two seeds get a Round 1 bye.

-

TEAM	PSAC	OVERALL	STEAK
Gannon * (1)	16-3	21-6	W5
California *	11-7	16-10	W6
Edinboro *	11-7	15-10	W3
Slippery Rock *	10-9	14-13	W3
IUP	7-11	12-14	L1
Seton Hill	7-11	14-12	L2
Pitt-Johnstown	7-12	11-15	L3
Clarion	6-13	11-14	L4

*IUP holds the tie-breaker over Seton Hill due to a season sweep
* indicates team has clinched PSAC Tournament spot

-


It's going to be an interesting week. Who is getting invited? More importantly, where are they getting seeded? With the 'parity' this year -- and everybody beating everybody -- that Round 1 bye is huge.

This week's schedule:

Wednesday

Slippery Rock at Edinboro - Huge, tough week for the Scots. SRU is on fire again. A weekend trip to Angelo's Dome is never easy.

California at IUP - Big game for both. Cal needs that Round 1 bye. IUP needs a win.

Pitt-Johnstown at Seton Hill - Massive game for both ... loser is in serious trouble.


Friday

IUP at Clarion - The Crimson Hawks oddly hammered the Golden Eagles in Round 1. The sequel figures to be much closer - perhaps a 'play-in' game.


Saturday

Seton Hill at Gannon - Revenge game for the Knights.

Edinboro at California - Depending how Wednesday goes, this could have second place (and the bye) on the line.

With two games left in the season and Gannon having a four game lead in the loss column, don't think there is any way Cal can get the top seed.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Updated MEN'S Standings:

-

Note: The Top 6 teams make the PSAC Tournament. The top two seeds get a Round 1 bye.

-

TEAM	PSAC	OVERALL	STEAK
Gannon * (1)	16-3	21-6	W5
California *	11-7	16-10	W6
Edinboro *	11-7	15-10	W3
Slippery Rock *	10-9	14-13	W3
IUP	7-11	12-14	L1
Seton Hill	7-11	14-12	L2
Pitt-Johnstown	7-12	11-15	L3
Clarion	6-13	11-14	L4

*IUP holds the tie-breaker over Seton Hill due to a season sweep
* indicates team has clinched PSAC Tournament spot

-


It's going to be an interesting week. Who is getting invited? More importantly, where are they getting seeded? With the 'parity' this year -- and everybody beating everybody -- that Round 1 bye is huge.

This week's schedule:

Wednesday

Slippery Rock at Edinboro - Huge, tough week for the Scots. SRU is on fire again. A weekend trip to Angelo's Dome is never easy.

California at IUP - Big game for both. Cal needs that Round 1 bye. IUP needs a win.

Pitt-Johnstown at Seton Hill - Massive game for both ... loser is in serious trouble.


Friday

IUP at Clarion - The Crimson Hawks oddly hammered the Golden Eagles in Round 1. The sequel figures to be much closer - perhaps a 'play-in' game.


Saturday

Seton Hill at Gannon - Revenge game for the Knights.

Edinboro at California - Depending how Wednesday goes, this could have second place (and the bye) on the line.

[gman16506]

No, Bazzoli is actually really good with public relations and he and the players are involved in the community. He just keeps a tight schedule and if he says he has to leave at this time.. he's leaving at that time regardless what anyone else has scheduled etc.

Good to hear as I was only reacting to what others had posted. Now living out of the area, I have never met Mr. Bazzoli but friends of mine echo what you have stated. Just wondering about his issues with his fellow PSAC coaches and what these impressions are based upon? Again, my friends have indicated that he is pretty approachable..........just the opposite of Slocum.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

"Too bad the league can't flip the starts..."


It's not up to the league...Bloomsburg routinely flips the schedule, with the Men playing first on any given play date.

What's ironic is about half the McKenna Center left after the women's game last night. So, it was obviously clear the women's game was the main attraction.

That was as hostile of a women's atmosphere as I've ever seen. It was great for the home team.