Originally posted by IUPbigINDIANS
View Post
The spreads are up. Interesting night -- lots of rivarly games. Strange things happen in rivalry games. Happy gambling, you degenerates.
IUP at Seton Hill - The McKenna Center draws about 100 people per game all season - with one exception. Tonight. For whatever reason, IUP's short trip to Greensburg gets a near sellout. At times, this has been a tricky game for Joe Lombardi. The Griffins feed off the rare, big crowd and have given IUP some real battles over the years. Since creating its men's basketball program, Seton Hill has just one win against the Crimson Hawks. It came in Greensburg nearly 10 years ago in one of the craziest enviornments the PSAC has ever seen. There's also been a lot of lopsided games in this series, including IUP winning by 53 points in the McKenna Center a couple years ago. Times have changed. The Griffins are no longer a pushover, and, well, IUP isn't exactly the IUP most of us know. Based on this particular season, we know IUP can be good -- at times -- but is very sporadic. Seton Hill plays a tough zone defense and is very aggressive on offense. Both teams have similar records (IUP is 11-5 and SH is 10-6). This is going to be a tough enviornment -- by far the toughest IUP has seen to this point. How will the Hawks respond? Expect a 'final minute' type of game. IUP -2.5 ... but, don't be shocked.
Clarion at Slippery Rock - The Golden Eagles take their current three-game losing streak on the road and make the short trip to Slippery Rock. This is an interesting battle of two of the biggest lineups in the league. Most would say both have underachieved this season. However, SRU is suddenly trending up after a very poor start. Clarion continues to stay in nearly all its games, but is having trouble getting in to the win column. Make no mistake, the Golden Eagles are no pushover. They will eventually crack the code and get a couple big wins this season. This is a tough game to pick. Both teams match up with one another very well. But, when in doubt, take the Morrow Magic. It's tough to win in that building -- for a lot of reasons. The only way Clarioin could sneak out of there victorious tonight is if the Rock is already looking ahead to its trip to Indiana -- which, it may be. SRU -6.5
Mercyhurst at Gannon - This game was once played in the 40s - back in the heyday of the JR vs Manchel rivalry. Tonight, it's possible Gannon may be in the 40s by the second media timeout. But, this is still Mercyhurst. Yes, this is a rare, 9-9 version of the Lakers, but this is still a proud program. Keep in mind, Mercyhurst has lost a lot of real close games this year. The Lakers' defense isn't nearly what is usually is, but it is still formidable. Strange things also happen in heated rivalry games. All of that said, a year ago the Lakers probably could have won this game -- or, at least made it real interesting. However, this Mercyhurst teams lacks the offense of the past. Old Lakers' teams could slow the game way down and they'd crush you from outside at the end of the shot clock. This group doesn't have that magic. One other item to keep in mind is Mercyhurst really struggled against IUP's press, which is just a basic 1-2-2. They'll face total havoc tonight for 40 minutes. If any coach could pull this upset off, it probably would be Manchel. But, not tonight. It may be different next month in the MAC, but tonight in the rent-a-gym, the Knights will roll -- and likely run it up if given the opportunity. GU -17.5
Pitt-Johnstown at California - You wouldn't know it based on UPJ's 5-game losing streak, but the Mountain Cats are getting better. Last week, UPJ lost twice -- by a combined 4 points -- to IUP and Slippery Rock. Devastating week, but there is a silver lining. Wins are on the way. Bob Rukavina started the season with, aside from Kutztown's nearly all-freshmen roster -- the youngest team in the league (certainly in the West). UPJ's 1950s system of pick-n-rolls, backdoors, etc., takes time to learn. So, what will all those positives mean tonight? Nothing. The Vulcans are a different animal - especially in Angelo's (empty) Dome. California is 14-2 and still hasn't played a single game with a full rotation. When (if) that happens, it's game over for the PSAC. Look for UPJ to stick around for perhaps a half tonight, but for the Vulcans to hammer them in the second stanza. Cal -16.5
Kutztown at Millersville - The Marauders are 13-3, blew out Gannon and are on a 6-game winning streak -- and, not a soul is talking about them. Maybe that's how they like it. Talk or not, the 'Ville is a tough team. Millersville is extremely balanced with an array of big, strong post players and a slew of athletic, 6'4" guards. This is a team capable of making some serious noise in March. As for the young (and improving) Golden Bears, well, this will be a hard lesson. Marauders -19.5
Mansfield at Lock Haven - When was the last time the Bald Eagles started conference play with an 8-2 record (and a current 6-game winning streak)? Mansfield is 6-10 but easily could be 10-6. This is an interesting game -- especially if the Mounties are full strength. Like Clarion in the West, Mansfield isn't a pushover. Don't let the record fool you. The Mounties have a nice combination of size and guard play. At times, however, they have a bit of the Bloomsburg disease. Some nights they don't seem to show up. The smart money goes on the Bald Eagles tonight in the cramped gym, but it should be a good one. LH -6.5
East Stroudsburg at Bloomsburg - The Huskies could stay in this game and lose, 105-99, or they could lose, 112-59. Neither would surprise most people. One thing to watch is the film of Bloomsburg vs Shippensburg. Bloom was crushing the Raiders -- up 24 points -- when Chris Fite went to a full-court press. The Huskies looked like they'd never, ever seen a press. Five minutes later, that massive lead was toast. The Huskies did pull out a win, but unless they figured out how to deal with the pressure, this could be a very long night. Bloomsburg is tremendously sporadic -- but is capable of hanging. Why? Who knows. Sometimes they just play well. ESU -23.5
West Chester at Shippensburg - The Raiders have dropped 6 straight, and are fresh of an epic beatdown. Unfortunately for Chris Fite, there's no cure coming to town tonight. West Chester is coming in with a 10-5 record (and it should be a little better). The Rams feature an array of talented guards who can score from all over. Add in some good size under the basket, and this has all the makings of another massacre. That said, Ship usually plays pretty well at home, and, the Raiders are due. West Chester isn't always consistent (i.e. they don't always turn up the volume). So, they can be a tricky bunch to bet. Regardless, take the Rams. WCU -15.5
IUP at Seton Hill - The McKenna Center draws about 100 people per game all season - with one exception. Tonight. For whatever reason, IUP's short trip to Greensburg gets a near sellout. At times, this has been a tricky game for Joe Lombardi. The Griffins feed off the rare, big crowd and have given IUP some real battles over the years. Since creating its men's basketball program, Seton Hill has just one win against the Crimson Hawks. It came in Greensburg nearly 10 years ago in one of the craziest enviornments the PSAC has ever seen. There's also been a lot of lopsided games in this series, including IUP winning by 53 points in the McKenna Center a couple years ago. Times have changed. The Griffins are no longer a pushover, and, well, IUP isn't exactly the IUP most of us know. Based on this particular season, we know IUP can be good -- at times -- but is very sporadic. Seton Hill plays a tough zone defense and is very aggressive on offense. Both teams have similar records (IUP is 11-5 and SH is 10-6). This is going to be a tough enviornment -- by far the toughest IUP has seen to this point. How will the Hawks respond? Expect a 'final minute' type of game. IUP -2.5 ... but, don't be shocked.
Clarion at Slippery Rock - The Golden Eagles take their current three-game losing streak on the road and make the short trip to Slippery Rock. This is an interesting battle of two of the biggest lineups in the league. Most would say both have underachieved this season. However, SRU is suddenly trending up after a very poor start. Clarion continues to stay in nearly all its games, but is having trouble getting in to the win column. Make no mistake, the Golden Eagles are no pushover. They will eventually crack the code and get a couple big wins this season. This is a tough game to pick. Both teams match up with one another very well. But, when in doubt, take the Morrow Magic. It's tough to win in that building -- for a lot of reasons. The only way Clarioin could sneak out of there victorious tonight is if the Rock is already looking ahead to its trip to Indiana -- which, it may be. SRU -6.5
Mercyhurst at Gannon - This game was once played in the 40s - back in the heyday of the JR vs Manchel rivalry. Tonight, it's possible Gannon may be in the 40s by the second media timeout. But, this is still Mercyhurst. Yes, this is a rare, 9-9 version of the Lakers, but this is still a proud program. Keep in mind, Mercyhurst has lost a lot of real close games this year. The Lakers' defense isn't nearly what is usually is, but it is still formidable. Strange things also happen in heated rivalry games. All of that said, a year ago the Lakers probably could have won this game -- or, at least made it real interesting. However, this Mercyhurst teams lacks the offense of the past. Old Lakers' teams could slow the game way down and they'd crush you from outside at the end of the shot clock. This group doesn't have that magic. One other item to keep in mind is Mercyhurst really struggled against IUP's press, which is just a basic 1-2-2. They'll face total havoc tonight for 40 minutes. If any coach could pull this upset off, it probably would be Manchel. But, not tonight. It may be different next month in the MAC, but tonight in the rent-a-gym, the Knights will roll -- and likely run it up if given the opportunity. GU -17.5
Pitt-Johnstown at California - You wouldn't know it based on UPJ's 5-game losing streak, but the Mountain Cats are getting better. Last week, UPJ lost twice -- by a combined 4 points -- to IUP and Slippery Rock. Devastating week, but there is a silver lining. Wins are on the way. Bob Rukavina started the season with, aside from Kutztown's nearly all-freshmen roster -- the youngest team in the league (certainly in the West). UPJ's 1950s system of pick-n-rolls, backdoors, etc., takes time to learn. So, what will all those positives mean tonight? Nothing. The Vulcans are a different animal - especially in Angelo's (empty) Dome. California is 14-2 and still hasn't played a single game with a full rotation. When (if) that happens, it's game over for the PSAC. Look for UPJ to stick around for perhaps a half tonight, but for the Vulcans to hammer them in the second stanza. Cal -16.5
Kutztown at Millersville - The Marauders are 13-3, blew out Gannon and are on a 6-game winning streak -- and, not a soul is talking about them. Maybe that's how they like it. Talk or not, the 'Ville is a tough team. Millersville is extremely balanced with an array of big, strong post players and a slew of athletic, 6'4" guards. This is a team capable of making some serious noise in March. As for the young (and improving) Golden Bears, well, this will be a hard lesson. Marauders -19.5
Mansfield at Lock Haven - When was the last time the Bald Eagles started conference play with an 8-2 record (and a current 6-game winning streak)? Mansfield is 6-10 but easily could be 10-6. This is an interesting game -- especially if the Mounties are full strength. Like Clarion in the West, Mansfield isn't a pushover. Don't let the record fool you. The Mounties have a nice combination of size and guard play. At times, however, they have a bit of the Bloomsburg disease. Some nights they don't seem to show up. The smart money goes on the Bald Eagles tonight in the cramped gym, but it should be a good one. LH -6.5
East Stroudsburg at Bloomsburg - The Huskies could stay in this game and lose, 105-99, or they could lose, 112-59. Neither would surprise most people. One thing to watch is the film of Bloomsburg vs Shippensburg. Bloom was crushing the Raiders -- up 24 points -- when Chris Fite went to a full-court press. The Huskies looked like they'd never, ever seen a press. Five minutes later, that massive lead was toast. The Huskies did pull out a win, but unless they figured out how to deal with the pressure, this could be a very long night. Bloomsburg is tremendously sporadic -- but is capable of hanging. Why? Who knows. Sometimes they just play well. ESU -23.5
West Chester at Shippensburg - The Raiders have dropped 6 straight, and are fresh of an epic beatdown. Unfortunately for Chris Fite, there's no cure coming to town tonight. West Chester is coming in with a 10-5 record (and it should be a little better). The Rams feature an array of talented guards who can score from all over. Add in some good size under the basket, and this has all the makings of another massacre. That said, Ship usually plays pretty well at home, and, the Raiders are due. West Chester isn't always consistent (i.e. they don't always turn up the volume). So, they can be a tricky bunch to bet. Regardless, take the Rams. WCU -15.5
Leave a comment: