PSAC WEST

[bballfan03]

Gannon ui supposedly remodeling and won't even be used next season. Gannon will be playing at a temporary location. I would assume they'd try to work out a deal with the Prep Events Center.

Last I heard they were trying to get Behrend for their home games.

[bballfan03]

LOL perhaps.

To play along, which job would KR take if offered both? Gannon and Clarion are very different schools.

Clarion without question has a much nicer facility. But, his resources would likely be much better in Erie.

The Clarion job will come with less pressure -- and they have a loaded freshmen class (about to be sophomores). The three who left this week likely realized they got passed by heading in to next year.

if it were me.. I'd take Clarion. lower expectations out of the gate and a better crew returning (pending no one else leaves)

[IUPalum]

Let's be honest, ESU is great when they create turnovers and transition points in their press. IUP didn't give them many opportunities to press last game because they dictated they pace and flow of the game. The IUP half court D kept ESU out of the press. I look for that to happen again.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Wednesday was a good night at the sports book -- if you followed the free advise. We had three outright winners and all three covered. The fourth game, Lock Haven at Shippensburg, was a PICK 'EM. Now, you gambling degenerates can turn to PSAC Final Four Saturday.

Shippensburg is the host site for both games.




IUP vs. East Stroudsburg / 1 p.m.

The neutral floor is always interesting. Both of these teams enjoy big advantages when they are at home - they draw the biggest crowds in the league. IUP went 11-1 this year in road games and 2-0 at a neutral site. East Stroudsburg went 10-4 in road games and 1-0 at a neutral site. So, playing away from home doesn't seem to bother either team. Both should have decent fan support tomorrow. IUP has won 4 straight in the series and 9 of the last 10 meetings.

This is a rematch of the teams' first meeting back on January 28 (in Indiana). IUP won, 67-53. The Warriors were held 35 points below their season average - by far their lowest output of the season. Of course, every game is different and that was a long time ago.

For IUP, the formula tomorrow has to be the same as that Saturday 5 weeks ago. The Crimson Hawks controlled the pace for probably 38 of 40 minutes -- i.e. they played their slower, methodical style, not the frantic up-and-down that ESU wanted to play. The slower, controlled tempo visibly frustrated the visitors that day.

Obviously, the Warriors will want tomorrow to be the total opposite of the first game. They are built for high-scoring, fast-paced games. They can't effectively run their famous press as much -- or effectively -- scoring just 53 points.

If one enjoys watching post players, this game is about as good as it gets at the D2 level. ESU's Carlos Pepin and Lakeem McAliley, along with IUP's Tomiwa Sulaiman and Ethan Porterfield, are elite big men.

Injury-wise, IUP is as healthy as its been all year. Porterfield finally looks back (reasonably close) to his old form -- and, certainly way better than he looked a month ago. Dallis Dillard also seems back to full strength. For ESU, starting guard Justin Paz was on crutches after the West Chester win 48 hours ago. His status tomorrow is unknown. IUP played one less game this week but both teams had late-season idle dates.

Prediction time: Paz's status is a big factor in picking this game. If he can't go, that's taking 30 starts, 10 ppg and 106 assists out of the lineup. As said above, his status is unknown. That said, ESU is very deep. IUP's main advantage is their core group has all played many games on big stages. This group has proven it doesn't panic or get caught up in the moment. Like the Warriors, IUP is also very deep. Unlike a year ago, this IUP team is also very strong in the press break. East Stroudsburg's advantage is they have two dynamic post players who can match-up with IUP's big guys. Most nights IUP has a tremendous advantage under the basket. That isn't the case in this game. Vegas says it will be different than the first game, but IUP's experience under the bright lights should make the difference. The Hawks give up just 60 points per game and their defense is very frustrating to play against. But, they better be careful. ESU can really sling it. IUP -3.5



Mercyhurst at Shippensburg / 3:30 p.m.

One of our esteemed posters said last week that his Raiders had a 'clear path' to the finals. Perhaps. But, there's a really big obstacle in said path tomorrow.

Mercyhurst is one of the hottest teams in the country over the past 3-4 weeks -- and also one of the most frustrating to play against. The Lakers have won 10 of their past 11 games -- including handing IUP it's lone loss of the season. Most recently, Mercyhurst clobbered Pitt-Johnstown (a team they lost to earlier in the year) by a whopping 29 points.

The good news for Shippensburg is this game is at home -- and star forward Dom Sleva returned this past Wednesday, playing 23 minutes and scoring 7 points while grabbing 6 rebounds. Mercyhurst has gone 23-4 to this point -- with three of those losses coming outside of Erie.

These two played earlier this year. Mercyhurst won at home, 84-55. Granted, that was a long time ago (Dec. 18). Shippensburg's bench has come a long way since then. But, the thing that hasn't changed is Mercyhurst is an extremely tough match-up. Their vaunted match-up zone defense - rarely seen - travels. The Lakers play 4 guards and 1 very dynamic, fast and strong post player. Their guards have been in their system for years and have played in many postseason games. The key for the Raiders is to make them pay for playing with a smaller lineup. Shippensburg's experienced post players have to have a huge day. The Raiders also must defend extremely well on the perimeter. But, the absolute biggest key is to get Lakers' star forward Pipeloluwa Ajayi in foul trouble. Everything changes when he's out of the game. The Lakers routinely fire up 30+ shots from outside the arc and have hit nearly 39 percent for the season. Mercyhurst hit 11 of 26 from deep in the first meeting (42%).

Prediction time: This is a very tough assignment for Shippensburg -- home, away, neutral or on the Moon. Despite being the visitor (the East is hosting this year), Mercyhurst is a Top 3 team in the Atlantic Region and also nationally ranked. The Raiders are 19-10 and a clear home underdog. However, Shippensburg has won 3 of the past 5 meetings against Mercyhurst (although the Lakers have won the past two). Vegas says Mercyhurst just has too much and is too deep. The Heiges factor will help -- this game should be much closer than the first meeting -- but it can only help so much. Lakers advance to Sunday. Mercyhurst -9.5

[Fightingscot82]

LOL perhaps.

To play along, which job would KR take if offered both? Gannon and Clarion are very different schools.

Clarion without question has a much nicer facility. But, his resources would likely be much better in Erie.

The Clarion job will come with less pressure -- and they have a loaded freshmen class (about to be sophomores). The three who left this week likely realized they got passed by heading in to next year.

Clarion has the better facility right now, but Gannon's should be a little nicer. Gannon also has some better booster support. Clarion has Calipari giving something like $200k a year for 10 years but that's about it for major donors. Gannon got $10 million from Highmark for naming rights to their arena, local car dealer Gary Miller bought naming rights to the court, and they've sold naming rights to the men's locker room and head coach offices. Plus if KR is successful, he'll have direct access to 4 news stations and a daily newspaper that already favor Gannon. Clarion ain't got none of that.

[Ship69]

LOL perhaps.

To play along, which job would KR take if offered both? Gannon and Clarion are very different schools.

Clarion without question has a much nicer facility. But, his resources would likely be much better in Erie.

The Clarion job will come with less pressure -- and they have a loaded freshmen class (about to be sophomores). The three who left this week likely realized they got passed by heading in to next year.

If Clarion has a bunch of guys who can pass by Jarmon, I'm impressed.

[IUPalum]

LOL perhaps.

To play along, which job would KR take if offered both? Gannon and Clarion are very different schools.

Clarion without question has a much nicer facility. But, his resources would likely be much better in Erie.

The Clarion job will come with less pressure -- and they have a loaded freshmen class (about to be sophomores). The three who left this week likely realized they got passed by heading in to next year.

Gannon ui supposedly remodeling and won't even be used next season. Gannon will be playing at a temporary location. I would assume they'd try to work out a deal with the Prep Events Center.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Cold war going after the same target whose season just recently ended.

LOL perhaps.

To play along, which job would KR take if offered both? Gannon and Clarion are very different schools.

Clarion without question has a much nicer facility. But, his resources would likely be much better in Erie.

The Clarion job will come with less pressure -- and they have a loaded freshmen class (about to be sophomores). The three who left this week likely realized they got passed by heading in to next year.

[Fightingscot82]

We've reached the end of Thursday and I haven't seen any news on coaching changes. Does that mean Gannon and Clarion are going to stay the course?

Cold war going after the same target whose season just recently ended.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Just did some digging... Reilly was announced as not returning March 29 and KJ was introduced April 30. How in the world do you complete a college coaching search in 4 weeks? Post it, let it run, narrow applicants, interview, assume at least a 2nd interview, offer and announce. 4 weeks just seems super quick. (Unless they had prospects prior to announcement of Reilly going).

The privates have a massive advantage in regard to speed of hiring. They don't have to go through all the union mandatory job posting time, etc.

Any good AD -- especially in this position likely knowing KJ would be canned for months -- should have a short list of targets ready to go. Some of said targets could still be playing, however.

I really thought we were going to see the announcement this past Monday.

[IUPalum]

Just did some digging... Reilly was announced as not returning March 29 and KJ was introduced April 30. How in the world do you complete a college coaching search in 4 weeks? Post it, let it run, narrow applicants, interview, assume at least a 2nd interview, offer and announce. 4 weeks just seems super quick. (Unless they had prospects prior to announcement of Reilly going).

Checking boxes

[bballfan03]

I would think if GU does it, it'll be at least after basketball season (tourney) is over, if not after school is out. Unfortunately I just don't think it's going to happen

Just did some digging... Reilly was announced as not returning March 29 and KJ was introduced April 30. How in the world do you complete a college coaching search in 4 weeks? Post it, let it run, narrow applicants, interview, assume at least a 2nd interview, offer and announce. 4 weeks just seems super quick. (Unless they had prospects prior to announcement of Reilly going).

[bballfan03]

We've reached the end of Thursday and I haven't seen any news on coaching changes. Does that mean Gannon and Clarion are going to stay the course?

I would think if GU does it, it'll be at least after basketball season (tourney) is over, if not after school is out. Unfortunately I just don't think it's going to happen

[IUPbigINDIANS]

We've reached the end of Thursday and I haven't seen any news on coaching changes. Does that mean Gannon and Clarion are going to stay the course?

[bballfan03]

You can if it’s the Super Bowl and the team being ****ed over is from Philadelphia.
>:-(

just saying... the refs didn't help blow a 10-pt lead. It was a crap call at the end, but there were many other things that led to that point. (not a KC fan or anti-Philly... just don't like when refs get blamed for ONE call when many things happened prior to that to affect the score). Now, if it was a clean, back and forth, TD for TD game and that call is made... totally on the refs!