PSAC WEST

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I do seem to be seeing some more agile bigs in the PSAC these days. I attribute that to the fact that there probably just are more talented big men than there used to be, especially with more international players on rosters these days. As you say, there usually are still some flaws that keep them out of high D1. Maybe they're a step slow, don't shoot well, are too raw at this stage, etc. But a lot of these guys display some athletic ability and don't seem to be tripping all over themselves like some of the PSAC 7-footers of yore. I do know that when you have a slender roster, as Ship does this year, contending with these behemoths near the bucket can be a problem

It's been quite the evolution when you look back.

I can speak for the West ... in the 90s and early 00s this division was built for street brawls. The 55-49 scores were common. Every team had a slew of the 6'8", 250 lb monsters under the basket.

Joe went away from those guys probably around 2012. He knew they couldn't keep up with the run-n-gun teams so he started going more with the Euro-type bigs (the 6'7", 200 lb types).

The problem was he still had to get through the West grind against the behemoths with his now much more slender roster. For the most part it obviously worked. He could typically just tire those teams out but occasionally he'd still get roped in to playing those 51-50 games -- typically against Gannon and Mercyhurst. Manchal and JR were masters of coaching the slow-down game.

Of course, Joe was winning so much the other teams in the West then started to mirror the post players he was recruiting. Slippery Rock was really the last holdout. They stayed with the big muscle guys probably until about 2018 or so (basically around when Ian Grady took over).

The current West is almost entirely comprised of the 'Stretch Four' post players. That's why seeing the Edinboro guy the other night was fairly odd.

[Ship69]

Almost without fail when a player with his size lands in the PSAC ... they have a major flaw.

I didn't see one. He could easily be on a roster of a low D1 team. He'd play way less, of course.

But, he could definitely play at Mercyhurst, for example.

I wish Joe had him.

I do seem to be seeing some more agile bigs in the PSAC these days. I attribute that to the fact that there probably just are more talented big men than there used to be, especially with more international players on rosters these days. As you say, there usually are still some flaws that keep them out of high D1. Maybe they're a step slow, don't shoot well, are too raw at this stage, etc. But a lot of these guys display some athletic ability and don't seem to be tripping all over themselves like some of the PSAC 7-footers of yore. I do know that when you have a slender roster, as Ship does this year, contending with these behemoths near the bucket can be a problem

[IUPalum]

As much as I like what Jennings is doing, that's not any different of a situation that got Pat Cleary not renewed.

It'll never be different with no resorces.

[Fightingscot82]

I was really surprised by Edinboro's big guy.

He has a nice shot. He can run. He plays with a mean streak.

However, he just cannot effectively play the amount of minutes he's being forced to play. He was physically exhausted the last 10 minutes of the IUP game. Joe knew it and they pounced.

Perfect world he'd play 22-24 mpg.

He's a legit 7'1" and I'd guess 260 lbs. He's a big dude.

Edinboro has a really nice starting group. They just have no bench and it's killing them in all these somewhat close losses. They just run out of steam or hit foul trouble.

As much as I like what Jennings is doing, that's not any different of a situation that got Pat Cleary not renewed.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

One of several reasons why the "Ship guy" didn't finish the season with Ship last year.

The big Indian dude from Edinboro wasn't a stiff, although he probably got away with at least three travels that weren't called when they played Ship. The Euro step apparently extends to Africa and Asia these days. Gotta wonder how many kids from India, South Sudan, and the Congo grow up thinking they'll be playing basketball at PSAC schools one day. Ship recently finished playing three teams that each had a player 6-9 or taller from one of those countries.

Almost without fail when a player with his size lands in the PSAC ... they have a major flaw.

I didn't see one. He could easily be on a roster of a low D1 team. He'd play way less, of course.

But, he could definitely play at Mercyhurst, for example.

I wish Joe had him.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

One of several reasons why the "Ship guy" didn't finish the season with Ship last year.

The big Indian dude from Edinboro wasn't a stiff, although he probably got away with at least three travels that weren't called when they played Ship. The Euro step apparently extends to Africa and Asia these days. Gotta wonder how many kids from India, South Sudan, and the Congo grow up thinking they'll be playing basketball at PSAC schools one day. Ship recently finished playing three teams that each had a player 6-9 or taller from one of those countries.

IUP had a pipeline to Dakar back in the late 90s and early 00s. They got several giants out of there. No idea what the connection was in those days.

[Ship69]

Carmichael got swallowed against IUP.

Granted, that was intentional. They in turn let the 7'1" player have free reign from outside. They did that same 'doink' philosophy to Ship last year. Difference was the Boro big hit some treys. The Ship guy last year couldn't hit the side of a barn but kept chucking all night.

Boro has a scrappy team. They have zero depth behind those first 6 guys, however. Even one more rotation-worthy guy would be huge.

They were in the IUP game for the first 32 minutes but then just physically hit a wall.

Jennings is a good guy and a good coach.

One of several reasons why the "Ship guy" didn't finish the season with Ship last year.

The big Indian dude from Edinboro wasn't a stiff, although he probably got away with at least three travels that weren't called when they played Ship. The Euro step apparently extends to Africa and Asia these days. Gotta wonder how many kids from India, South Sudan, and the Congo grow up thinking they'll be playing basketball at PSAC schools one day. Ship recently finished playing three teams that each had a player 6-9 or taller from one of those countries.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I hate big guys outside. I don't care if they can shoot. That height advantage is neutralized outside especially on a team that doesn't rebound much.

I was really surprised by Edinboro's big guy.

He has a nice shot. He can run. He plays with a mean streak.

However, he just cannot effectively play the amount of minutes he's being forced to play. He was physically exhausted the last 10 minutes of the IUP game. Joe knew it and they pounced.

Perfect world he'd play 22-24 mpg.

He's a legit 7'1" and I'd guess 260 lbs. He's a big dude.

Edinboro has a really nice starting group. They just have no bench and it's killing them in all these somewhat close losses. They just run out of steam or hit foul trouble.

[Fightingscot82]

Carmichael got swallowed against IUP.

Granted, that was intentional. They in turn let the 7'1" player have free reign from outside. They did that same 'doink' philosophy to Ship last year. Difference was the Boro big hit some treys. The Ship guy last year couldn't hit the side of a barn but kept chucking all night.

Boro has a scrappy team. They have zero depth behind those first 6 guys, however. Even one more rotation-worthy guy would be huge.

They were in the IUP game for the first 32 minutes but then just physically hit a wall.

Jennings is a good guy and a good coach.

I hate big guys outside. I don't care if they can shoot. That height advantage is neutralized outside especially on a team that doesn't rebound much.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Boro spanked Seton Hill. I didn't turn on the game until late so I missed what happened. Good win for Jennings after seeing the Cal game slip away and UPJ spank them.

Called it when they signed him, Rowan Carmichael was the steal of the division recruiting season.

Carmichael got swallowed against IUP.

Granted, that was intentional. They in turn let the 7'1" player have free reign from outside. They did that same 'doink' philosophy to Ship last year. Difference was the Boro big hit some treys. The Ship guy last year couldn't hit the side of a barn but kept chucking all night.

Boro has a scrappy team. They have zero depth behind those first 6 guys, however. Even one more rotation-worthy guy would be huge.

They were in the IUP game for the first 32 minutes but then just physically hit a wall.

Jennings is a good guy and a good coach.

[Fightingscot82]

Boro spanked Seton Hill. I didn't turn on the game until late so I missed what happened. Good win for Jennings after seeing the Cal game slip away and UPJ spank them.

Called it when they signed him, Rowan Carmichael was the steal of the division recruiting season.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

No. 3 option on his high school team behind Minnesota DE Anthony Smith and current teammate Jayden Statum as they reached the 5A Eastern semifinals. I've been very surprised that Statum is at the end of the bench.

He lights up IUP every time they play.

Sounds like one heck of a HS team.

[jrshooter]

No. 3 option on his high school team behind Minnesota DE Anthony Smith and current teammate Jayden Statum as they reached the 5A Eastern semifinals. I've been very surprised that Statum is at the end of the bench.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Good win for IUP. Gotta say, though, Jeremy Thomas is a ballplayer.

I can't wait until he's gone lol

[jrshooter]

Good win for IUP. Gotta say, though, Jeremy Thomas is a ballplayer.