PSAC WEST

[IUPbigINDIANS]

For you PSAC West fans ... the men's season doesn't look too promising. Unless California gets healthy, it sure appears Gannon will run away with it. The remaining teams are a hodge podge of fairly average squads. It may make for an interesting silver medal chase, but that's about it. When healthy, Cal is as good as any team in the Region. Sans three stars and a top reserve, however, and the Vulcans are in a 5-game free fall.


The women's side, however, is going to be a highly entertaining race.

The West currently has (3) teams ranked in the WBCA Top 25 -- Seton Hill (7), Gannon (11) and IUP (16).

Edinboro (8-1) and Clarion (8-2) aren't far behind.

Not sure what is happening down at Cal, but the Vulcans are off to a very uncharacteristic 5-5 start. My guess would be Jess Strom turns it around.

Women's Standings as of 12/11:

-

TEAM	PSAC	OVERALL	STREAK
Seton Hill	4-0	10-0	W10
IUP	4-0	7-0	W7
Gannon	4-0	12-1	W3
Edinboro	4-0	8-1	W5
Clarion	3-1	8-2	W1
California	2-2	5-5	W1
Slippery Rock	2-2	4-5	L1
Pitt-Johnstown	0-4	1-9	L6

[Ship69]

The PSAC is really bad this year.

IUP-down for the 2nd straight year
UPJ- down for the 2nd straight year as well
Mercyhurst- gone to Division I
Cal- 4 of their top 6 injured?
Slippery Rock- “talent” but no results, same story different year
Shippensburg- shell of their teams from 2017-2023


ESU appears to be pretty good, same with Millersville. Gannon has a strong team. The freshman PG is excellent. But many of the traditional powers are nowhere near where they used to be, or are gone all together.

More broadly, it’s disappointing that there’s like 8 or 9 competitive teams in a 40 team region… are certain teams that limited resource wise? Some of these scores are absurdly lopsided. I know it was really early, but Gannon got smacked twice to start the season, and is now blowing the doors off PSAC teams. It seems like the level of play in the region is down significantly from 4-5 years ago.

I think the league is down, but I don't think it will stay there. As you say, a lot of injuries and there are a lot of young teams in the league. In addition to Cal, I believe at least IUP and Slippery Rock have been missing key players as well.

Speaking for Ship, I'm much more optimistic than I was last year when Fite got caught with an unbalanced roster and the team was overwhelmed on multiple occasions. The record hasn't been good, but every game except Salem (when there was an absurd disparity in foul calls) and Gannon has been competitive. What's been frustrating is they've lost 3-4 very winnable games that they actually controlled for long stretches. The recent absence of point guard Michael Dickson due to injury hasn't helped down the stretch. Three of Ship's top four players now are probably two freshmen and a sophomore, There isn't a senior on the team. If Fite can snag one or two good players next season, I think they have the potential to be a pretty good team. And I look for them to improve this season as time goes on.

[IUPHawks24]

It sure appears right now to be setting up Gannon vs WL in the final again.

A lot can happen, of course. Injuries are coming.

But, as we've hit the 1/3 point, it sure seems they are the top two.


West Chester is playing well. They've blended all their new faces over the past month. The Rams have won 7 straight. ESU is strong.


We'll see. Right now I don't think Gannon and WL will have many tough nights. Put it that way.

If healthy, Cal may have been the best team. Down four guys, though ... with three of them being stars/starters ... that's rough.

No word if any are coming back.

The PSAC is really bad this year.

IUP-down for the 2nd straight year
UPJ- down for the 2nd straight year as well
Mercyhurst- gone to Division I
Cal- 4 of their top 6 injured?
Slippery Rock- “talent” but no results, same story different year
Shippensburg- shell of their teams from 2017-2023


ESU appears to be pretty good, same with Millersville. Gannon has a strong team. The freshman PG is excellent. But many of the traditional powers are nowhere near where they used to be, or are gone all together.

More broadly, it’s disappointing that there’s like 8 or 9 competitive teams in a 40 team region… are certain teams that limited resource wise? Some of these scores are absurdly lopsided. I know it was really early, but Gannon got smacked twice to start the season, and is now blowing the doors off PSAC teams. It seems like the level of play in the region is down significantly from 4-5 years ago.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

With a lot of injuries and a lot of young teams, the PSAC looks to be down this year, and off the results so far Gannon appears to be a clear favorite.

It sure appears right now to be setting up Gannon vs WL in the final again.

A lot can happen, of course. Injuries are coming.

But, as we've hit the 1/3 point, it sure seems they are the top two.


West Chester is playing well. They've blended all their new faces over the past month. The Rams have won 7 straight. ESU is strong.


We'll see. Right now I don't think Gannon and WL will have many tough nights. Put it that way.

If healthy, Cal may have been the best team. Down four guys, though ... with three of them being stars/starters ... that's rough.

No word if any are coming back.

[WarriorVoice]

ESU 89, CAL 86

Cal was again short-handed at ESU today, but you wouldn't know it by looking at the score. They were down 17 at the half, but whittled away using quick scoring plays in the second half. ESU couldn't stop Freshman Keondre Deshields, who scored 25. Freshman Jordyn Buchanan and Sophomore Dalman Alexander had 18 each, and Cal battled to the very end. Danny Sancomb should be proud of these young players, who kept Cal in the game. He may have an injured bunch right now, but his kids are getting valuable experience that's sure to pay off in the future!

Cam Young was the leader for ESU today, as Lakeem McAlily got into early foul trouble for the 2nd straight game. Young scored 27, hitting from both inside (7-8 FGS) and out (3-9 3FGs), and the Warriors shot 50% from the floor in the win. McAlily finished with 14 points, 12 coming after halftime. Davon Lee added 13, and Ethan Millirons continued his good 3-point shooting touch, hitting 3 of his 6 attempts.

Edinboro lost a heartbreaker at Mansfield today, so The Fighting Scots are hoping to salvage a win at ESU on the Eastern trip tomorrow.

[Ship69]

Tonight's Mansfield team may be the worst team I've seen play in a loooongggg time! Albeit gannon is a good team and coming along... they weren't as good as Mansfield was bad. 112-67.. and if Bazzoli didn't put garbage time players in with 14 mins left (and the starters played more than likely 3 mjns 2nd half), they would've probably been over 150, Mansfield maybe to 80.

With a lot of injuries and a lot of young teams, the PSAC looks to be down this year, and off the results so far Gannon appears to be a clear favorite.

[bballfan03]

Tonight's Mansfield team may be the worst team I've seen play in a loooongggg time! Albeit gannon is a good team and coming along... they weren't as good as Mansfield was bad. 112-67.. and if Bazzoli didn't put garbage time players in with 14 mins left (and the starters played more than likely 3 mjns 2nd half), they would've probably been over 150, Mansfield maybe to 80.

[bballfan03]

I absolutely love when the tracksuits are involved in the postgame skirmishes. What's funny is they are actually the ones who typically start them, too.

Yup. Most are probably walkons or minimal scholarships so they got nothing to lose.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I watched the ending just now and before they pull away you can see Austin and two tracksuits being held back as well as Gray and a street clothed WVWU person.

I absolutely love when the tracksuits are involved in the postgame skirmishes. What's funny is they are actually the ones who typically start them, too.

[bballfan03]

I'm not sure. He's still on the roster so I don't think he left the team. Haven't heard anything negative about him so probably something personal going on.

He played vs WVWU. The last game i watched of theirs when he didn't play, the announcers said Austin was out with a leg injury.

[bballfan03]

As with most dust-ups, fights or brawls in this league, the camera turns away as soon as it starts. From what can be seen, it appears the SRU 'tracksuits' were involved. From somebody I spoke to that was there, it sounds like it got pretty heated and took awhile to break up.

It's so funny how it's usually the guys on the end of the bench involved in this stuff.

I watched the ending just now and before they pull away you can see Austin and two tracksuits being held back as well as Gray and a street clothed WVWU person.

[Fightingscot82]

I should have phrased it differently. I was assuming he was just injured (nothing else).

He's been in the 'tracksuit army' several games this year.

When he's healthy they are obviously a much, much different team.

Oh wow I didn't notice him down there. Unfortunately you don't get a good shot of the bench on the Rock broadcast.

[Ship69]

Updated MEN'S Standings

-

TEAM	PSAC	OVERALL	STREAK
Clarion	2-0	7-1	W3
Gannon	2-0	6-2	W6
IUP	2-0	5-2	W5
Pitt-Johnstown	2-0	6-3	W4
California	1-1	6-3	L3
Edinboro	1-1	4-4	L2
Seton Hill	0-2	7-2	W2
Slippery Rock	0-2	2-6	L5

So by Dec. 21 Ship will have played the teams currently top four in the West standings. They did manage to beat Seton Hill.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I'm not sure. He's still on the roster so I don't think he left the team. Haven't heard anything negative about him so probably something personal going on.

I should have phrased it differently. I was assuming he was just injured (nothing else).

He's been in the 'tracksuit army' several games this year.

When he's healthy they are obviously a much, much different team.

[Fightingscot82]

Why is Maceo Austin missing so many games?

I'm not sure. He's still on the roster so I don't think he left the team. Haven't heard anything negative about him so probably something personal going on.