PSAC WEST

[TheMadLibs]

I hear you!! The replays are ridiculous!! They replay a layup and then you hear in the background #12 for 3! Or Omajafo with a slam! Like what???

although i cant stand his voice, i like Amiccuci as PBP. Hes at least basketball knowledgeable and not "guessing" at calls made. The guy they had tonight, you can tell, is not a basketball guy. "West Chester will get it on a tie up".. as we see the official signaling a charge lol like cmon man!

The kid is college student so I give some grace, except he screams on every single play. When you average over 100 it's a lot of screaming.

I can't do Amicucci. Never could. And I would say he knows fsr less than claims. The number of times he said jump balls on fouls, or opposite team fouls is just enraging. And he tries to sound like a 60 year old man with the oddest turns of phrases I've ever heard. Both did some decent interviews postgame at least.

It's unfortunate because we have a few local guys who are truly talented who were doing wbb and mbb in mid teens for the streaming and Lisa cast them aside for cheap Sean and Jack who talked more Notre Dame football and Cleveland and Pittsburgh pro sports than Gannon. The talented guys are now all at Penn State Behrend and do a great job.

[Chuck Norris]

Way too lightly. I watched the replay of the game and if Bloom didn't miss 7 wide open layups - they could have easily came away with a W.

Question.. Petteno.. is it Pet-ten-no or Poo-ta-no? The one IUP announcer says it one way and the other says it the other way.

I’ve also heard Putt-en-no. It’s this season’s great mystery.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Way too lightly. I watched the replay of the game and if Bloom didn't miss 7 wide open layups - they could have easily came away with a W.

Question.. Petteno.. is it Pet-ten-no or Poo-ta-no? The one IUP announcer says it one way and the other says it the other way.

The PA Announcer at the game says it 'Putt-no'

He's pretty good and likely checked with the player.

[bballfan03]

I'm a little higher on Mercyhurst than most. They've played a very tough schedule -- too tough for all the new faces they are breaking in to the program.

Central Oklahoma would be a decent mid-major. Colorado Mines is strong. Then they lost to a really good Daemen team by a point and also at East Stroudsburg by a single point.

I know this isn't a vintage Manchel team but I think they are better than many think. They got a nice win today. They won't be an NCAA team but they won't be easy to deal with, either.

IUP shows flashes but it is a major work in progress. Their offense is not good -- way too sporadic and prone to long funks. Tonight they struggled to score 73 against a team that came in giving up 95 per game. This team is also on pace to be the worst FT shooting team in 50 years at IUP. I still think, best case, Joe is a bubble team (and I have doubts about that). We'll see. Perhaps tonight was just one of those speed bumps and they took Bloom way too lightly.

Way too lightly. I watched the replay of the game and if Bloom didn't miss 7 wide open layups - they could have easily came away with a W.

Question.. Petteno.. is it Pet-ten-no or Poo-ta-no? The one IUP announcer says it one way and the other says it the other way.

[bballfan03]

Ugh seriously? The planning by the AD with two top 3 regional contenders and likely not watching a game, and incompetent PBP announcers is so aggravating. At least I may not have to scream at poorly timed replays every few minutes if that's the case.

I hear you!! The replays are ridiculous!! They replay a layup and then you hear in the background #12 for 3! Or Omajafo with a slam! Like what???

although i cant stand his voice, i like Amiccuci as PBP. Hes at least basketball knowledgeable and not "guessing" at calls made. The guy they had tonight, you can tell, is not a basketball guy. "West Chester will get it on a tie up".. as we see the official signaling a charge lol like cmon man!

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Hmm, I think you might be propping up Hurst more than they deserve.

If I were to guess where we end the season now, I'm genuinely surprised I'm saying this order, but:

Gannon
Cal
IUP
Seton Hill
Hurst
Clarion
SRU
UPJ
Edinboro

That middle three is a bit up in the air for me still, and I think all three are adjusting a lot right with younger rosters. At best, I struggle to say that Hurst is as good as IUP. I want Hurst good, don't get me wrong. It sucks only having one of the three local schools really succeeding this year. I love that Hurst WBB have a chip and are turning around quite a bit. Good for both schools.

I'm a little higher on Mercyhurst than most. They've played a very tough schedule -- too tough for all the new faces they are breaking in to the program.

Central Oklahoma would be a decent mid-major. Colorado Mines is strong. Then they lost to a really good Daemen team by a point and also at East Stroudsburg by a single point.

I know this isn't a vintage Manchel team but I think they are better than many think. They got a nice win today. They won't be an NCAA team but they won't be easy to deal with, either.

IUP shows flashes but it is a major work in progress. Their offense is not good -- way too sporadic and prone to long funks. Tonight they struggled to score 73 against a team that came in giving up 95 per game. This team is also on pace to be the worst FT shooting team in 50 years at IUP. I still think, best case, Joe is a bubble team (and I have doubts about that). We'll see. Perhaps tonight was just one of those speed bumps and they took Bloom way too lightly.

[TheMadLibs]

Hmm, I think you might be propping up Hurst more than they deserve.

If I were to guess where we end the season now, I'm genuinely surprised I'm saying this order, but:

Gannon/Cal
IUP
Seton Hill
Hurst
Clarion
SRU
UPJ
Edinboro

I'm really looking forward to Millersville and Cal games. I think they'll be the true test to whether I believe Gannon has it. I'm leaning there watching the depth and improvements already this last month.

The middle three is a bit up in the air for me still, and I think all three are adjusting a lot right with younger rosters. At best, I struggle to say that Hurst is as good as IUP. I want Hurst good, don't get me wrong. It sucks only having one of the three local schools really succeeding this year. I love that Hurst WBB have a chip and are turning around quite a bit. Good for both schools.

[IUPHawks24]

I've seen enough at this point.

The West pecking order:

Cal and Gannon

BIG gap

IUP and Mercyhurst

The rest

League is not very good. If Cal gets fully healthy, they are probably the best team. If not, it’s Gannon. With Mercyhurst and IUP being much worse then they were the last five years, there’s just not many very good teams.

Pretty remarkable what Fee did. Ojamafo is great, the three grad transfers are all good (Tipton, Hobbs and Haughton) and James is a very good regular transfer. And then Montano is having a very good freshman year.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I've seen enough at this point.

The West pecking order:

Cal and Gannon

BIG gap

IUP and Mercyhurst

The rest

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Today we 'perhaps' have a little more entertaining lineup of crossovers -- although we did see some relatively close games yesterday. Place your bets.


Millersville at Mercyhurst - When was the last time the Lake Show had (6) losses before Santa arrived in Erie? Mercyhurst isn't a bad team -- and will likely be a headache in the second half. That said, the Lakers lost yet another close game yesterday. Millersville improved to 7-2 with a semi-comfortable win at Edinboro. Gary Manchel's patience are getting thin. He about lost it several times yesterday. Here's to the benefit of the doubt -- and the fact Mercyhurst is due. Lakers stop the bleeding and pull a mild upset. Mercy -2.5

East Stroudsburg at Pitt-Johnstown - UPJ looked like its old self yesterday -- fluid ball movement and draining treys from all over. Problem today, however, is Bloomsburg isn't the opponent. A whole new animal arrives in Johnstown. The Warriors, as predicted here yesterday, got a fight from a very underrated Clarion team. UPJ doesn't have the size, depth or athletic guards to match up with ESU. This has the potential to get a little ugly. Look for the Mountain Cats to hang around in the first half, but get worn down as the game progresses. ESU -15.5

Shepherd at Edinboro - The Rams lost an overtime thriller at Slippery Rock yesterday. The Scots played pretty well in a loss to Millersville. On paper, Shepherd is the better team. But, as we've seen far too often, nobody knows which version will show up from day to day. Look for the Rams to pull away in the final 15 minutes. Shepherd -9.5

Kutztown at Clarion - The Golden Bears went to sleep last night still seeing Gannon draining treys. Today won't be much better. Clarion is getting better by the game. The Golden Eagles are not an easy out. Clarion -17.5

Bloomsburg at IUP - Times are tough in Huskies Land. A trip to the KCAC to play a suddenly hot IUP isn't going to help matters. Unless Joe Lombardi's team is already drinking egg nog, this will likely get pretty ugly. IUP -25.5

West Chester at Gannon - The Rams won in the MAC yesterday -- something historically difficult to do. That said, today will be a whole different experience. Mercyhurst kept the game in the 60s but still lost (68-63). Gannon scored 69 in the first half yesterday. Damien Blair's team is going from playing a turtle to a cheetah. However, that may not be a terrible thing for West Chester. The Rams are very similar to Lincoln (which came the closest to beating Gannon this year). WCU thrives in an up-tempo, fast-paced game. The Rams are very athletic and have players who can muddy things up. Ultimately, Gannon is too strong. But, this could be entertaining - at least for a bit. Knights -15.5

Shippensburg at Slippery Rock - The Raiders are coming off a beating in Angelo's Dome yesterday. The Rock may have finally woken up. SRU's size is going to cause all sorts of issues today for Ship, but SRU isn't nearly as explosive as California. Tough game to call. I'll ride that Morrow Magic. SRU -3.5

Lock Haven at California - The Vulcans still aren't 100%, but they are getting closer. The Bald Eagles had a nice win in Greensburg yesterday and recently gave IUP a tussle. Cal just has too much. Vulcans -15.5

Mansfield at Seton Hill - Both are coming off losses yesterday. The Mounties hung around at IUP but never really threatened. Seton Hill dropped one it couldn't afford to lose. Very tough game to call. Take the home team. Barely. Griffins -2.5

[TheMadLibs]

Guess I'll only be able to see Gannon's away games in 2024... local news station just had a thing talking about Gannon's transition to the HFEC for the 2024 basketball games.. and mentioned that Gannon was unsure as to video capabilities and as of now Mansfield has "NO LIVE FEED" noted.

Ugh seriously? The planning by the AD with two top 3 regional contenders and likely not watching a game, and incompetent PBP announcers is so aggravating. At least I may not have to scream at poorly timed replays every few minutes if that's the case.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Does UPJ ever have fans? I feel like no matter when I watch their games. It's empty

Once a year ... when IUP plays up there. It's 40 minutes from Indiana and if there's not a blizzard, IUP takes several hundred fans up there every year.

[IUPHawks24]

In non IUP news, Gannon up 42 at the half…

[bballfan03]

Does UPJ ever have fans? I feel like no matter when I watch their games. It's empty

[WarriorVoice]

Lakeem McAlily led ESU with 23 today at Clarion. He also became just the 5th ESU Junior to hit 1,000 points in his career. The Warriors have 4 double-digit scorers, but this team is living at the foul line. Through 8 games, they have over 100 more FT attempts than their opponents. They lead all D II in FT attempts per game.