PSAC WEST

[Golden89]

I do have to question the GU fan base. As a whole it hard core vanished here the past 8 years.

GU hoops got so bad Roddy crashed his site.

I understand all coming back out but this has a bandwagon feel.

What the hell ... Live it up. I know some of you stayed loyal. Some are bandwagons, however.

I am still here and never left. Couldn't get into this site last year, despite a few attempts, and haven't had time this year. I still go the the Hammermill / Highmark / Hagerty. Never stopped and never will.

When you average 112 points per game, fans are going to go to your games. I have a few friends who I describe as "general" basketball fans who have gone to one game and gotten hooked on the style and have gone back at least once. It's been a treat to watch the West Liberty system game after game.

Attendance is up and keeps growing - how can it not after a 3-23 season?

[IUPbigINDIANS]

The short version for you gamblers:


Note: I'd have picked Ship last night so already 0-1 in theory.


Kutztown at Mansfield - The Golden Bears will look a lot different than the Gannon team Mansfield just played. Kutztown did show some life at SRU, but the Mounties have too much. Mansfield -10.5

West Chester at Lock Haven - It would make total sense for WCU to flop today after its big win at Cal. The Bald Eagles are better than most think. Add to it, that strange gym from the 1950s causes issues. That said, WCU keeps rolling -- but, it won't be easy. Rams -7.5 HOWEVER... don't be shocked with a mild upset here.

East Stroudsburg at Shepherd - The Rams got walloped by the IUP 'B' Team a few days ago. So, naturally, they should play pretty well today. ESU's rotation has more players than Shepherd dresses. Expect a somewhat close game here ... because that's just Shepherd. Rams play well at home. ESU -10.5

UPJ at Mercyhurst - The Mountain Cats thrive in this type of slow-it-down game. But, they are a bit too young. Even an empty MAC is still tough to play inside. Lakers -9.5

Slippery Rock at Seton Hill - Betting on the Rock would have most in the red. IF it all clicks for them, they could be pretty good. I like the SH discipline to win this one. Griffins -3.5

Gannon at California - The (so far) game of the year in the Region looks like it could be a bust. Cal appears to be decimated with injuries. The Vulcans could be without (4) rotation players today -- (3) of which are starters. Perhaps Round 2 will be the big show. This likely will not be unless some of those guys play. Gannon -12.5 p.s. big women's game also.

Clarion at Edinboro - The Golden Eagles keep losing very close games. They are close to a breakthrough. They'll win today in McComb. Clarion -7.5

IUP - BYE

[Ship69]

Any injury reports out of the Mon Valley?

If Cal has four dudes out today this could be very ugly.

I don't think I've seen a year out of the last several in the PSAC that is as hard to handicap as this one. With injuries, the uncertainties of shooting from game-to-game in the three-point era, transfers, and the question of whether college kids in 2024 are motivated to play on any given night, it's hard to know what version of your team will show up from one week to the next.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Any injury reports out of the Mon Valley?

If Cal has four dudes out today this could be very ugly.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Hurst 100 Bloom 55 Worst loss by Bloom since 2018 when they lost to St.Francis 113 -59. Bloom's Travis Elmore played in both games in his 6 years.

Bloom lost it ... T'd up (3) times in first half and Nelson got ejected.

[Ship69]

Gannon at Cal on Saturday.


Of note, Cal was without two starters in its loss today. No word on their status for Saturday.

Wow, missing people are already playing a big role in conference play.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Gannon at Cal on Saturday.


Of note, Cal was without two starters in its loss today. No word on their status for Saturday.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

West Chester upset Cal

Thought it would be close but didn't see the Rams winning.

[Bart]

The action returns tonight in a sea of empty gyms. That's too bad. There are some good games.


Bloomsburg at Mercyhurst - It's pretty rare for the Lakers to have (7) losses by Jan. 3. They also just had a player enter the transfer portal. The Huskies have lost (7) straight. Mercyhurst will get it done in the MAC, but Bloomsburg won't make it easy. Lakers -7.5

Hurst 100 Bloom 55 Worst loss by Bloom since 2018 when they lost to St.Francis 113 -59. Bloom's Travis Elmore played in both games in his 6 years.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

The action returns tonight in a sea of empty gyms. That's too bad. There are some good games.


Bloomsburg at Mercyhurst - It's pretty rare for the Lakers to have (7) losses by Jan. 3. They also just had a player enter the transfer portal. The Huskies have lost (7) straight. Mercyhurst will get it done in the MAC, but Bloomsburg won't make it easy. Lakers -7.5

East Stroudsburg at Edinboro - Long bus ride for what should be a pretty easy game. The Scots are slowly getting better but will get overwhelmed in this one. ESU -18.5

West Chester at California - The Vulcans entered the holiday break at a perfect 11-0 -- without once playing at full strength. The Rams (7-4) show flashes of being a very strong team -- and other flashes of being pretty average. West Chester does play its best basketball in more free-flowing games, which is exactly what this will be tonight. Look for Cal to win -- but, it may be closer than many think. Say a prayer for the officials. Vulcans -7.5

Kutztown at Slippery Rock - This (very young) Kutztown team may be historically bad. At 1-10, the Bears haven't even been remotely competitive most nights. The Rock is a dissapointing 3-7, but does have the talent to perhaps start a run. SRU typically feasts on downtrodden teams. Rock wins this one. Big. Slippery Rock -23.5

Millersville at Seton Hill - If MIllersville was the best team in the East nobody knew about, the same argument could perhaps be made for Seton Hill in the West. The Griffins are a very under-the-radar 8-3 -- and are notoriously much stronger in Greensburg than on the road. The Marauders are fresh off a statement-making, hammering of then-undefeated Gannon. These two play a very similar style and are both welll-coached. This could be the game of the night. Ride the hot(ter) hand. But, remember, strange stuff happens in the McKenna Center. 'Ville -5.5

Shippensburg at Pitt-Johnstown - It's been a long time since these two have met in early January and neither is above .500. Both are incredibly young. The Raiders have played slightly better to this point, but UPJ can be pretty tough in Johnstown. Very tough game to pick. Ship -3.5

Shepherd at IUP - Just when things were looking up inside the KCAC, the bottom fell out over the holiday break. Two stars are gone. What remains is Ethan Porterfield and a rather odd cast of previous role players -- most now playing new positions. It's going to be a long winter for Redshirt Joe and the boys. IUP's makeshift lineup should look a little better tonight, but unless somebody aside from Poterfield can score the basketball, nearly every game going forward is going to be tough. Shepherd's star guard duo is going to cause all sorts of problems tonight. Rams -4.5 (Shepherd may win this game, 47-42).

Lock Haven at Clarion - If there's an East/West match this season, this combination is it. Buyer Beware moving forward. Both can bite you. Take the Golden Eagles in a likely thriller. Clarion -3.5

Mansfield at Gannon - Don't let the 3-7 record fool you. Mansfield is a pesky bunch. The Mounties have lost several close games to strong teams. That said, they are going to Erie at a horrible time. What should be a re-focused Knights team is waiting. Mansfield has enough to hang around for a bit, but will get worn out. Knights -19.5

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Millersville executed their game plan flawlessly. Easy shots, take advantage on Gannon misses and don't panic. Hopefully the Gannon players will learn from this as they looked absolutely horrendous. (Decision making and shot selection/ percentage).

Gannon may have started reading too many press clips, too. They'll be better because of it.

That system is unbeatable at this level right up until the night it isn't. Obviously it wins a lot.

As I mentioned last week, Millersville is the best team around nobody has talked about.

[Ship69]

Millersville executed their game plan flawlessly. Easy shots, take advantage on Gannon misses and don't panic. Hopefully the Gannon players will learn from this as they looked absolutely horrendous. (Decision making and shot selection/ percentage).

Easier said than done, but catch a press-and-run team such as that on an off shooting day and it limits their ability to play press defense. If you can combine that with controlling the boards to prevent them from getting second chances and pushing the tempo, the uptempo team can look very ordinary. That type of team usually either wins big or loses the same way.

[bballfan03]

Millersville executed their game plan flawlessly. Easy shots, take advantage on Gannon misses and don't panic. Hopefully the Gannon players will learn from this as they looked absolutely horrendous. (Decision making and shot selection/ percentage).

[Sec10-A-14]

Wonder if Manchel would let GU host the Regional at the MAC?

Very early, of course, but as noted schools must apply to host long before the end of the season (in the event they do get to host).

The MAC isn't ideal as its so small. However, on the first day typically only one of the four games draws much of a crowd. Same with Day 2. And, if the home team isn't playing Tuesday, there's about 87 people at the final.

There's always the Erie Ins Arena if they can sneak it in between the Otters.I don't bec I've never seen a game it Prep but i've been told with SRO its about 2,000. yhay should do it. then again some games years ago the fire Marshals wouldn't let any more fans in. Boro has decent capacity but lousy seating and PS-Erie, I've heard is 1700

[boatcapt]

Wonder if Manchel would let GU host the Regional at the MAC?

Very early, of course, but as noted schools must apply to host long before the end of the season (in the event they do get to host).

The MAC isn't ideal as its so small. However, on the first day typically only one of the four games draws much of a crowd. Same with Day 2. And, if the home team isn't playing Tuesday, there's about 87 people at the final.

Attendance is largely driven by how far the host team goes. I recall some very sparsely attended regional finals over the last few Regionals.