PSAC WEST

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Big, rare Monday night slate of games on tap -- with a handful of appealing West match-ups.


Mercyhurst at IUP - No program has caused IUP more headaches in the past decade than Mercyhurst. Joe Lombardi is 19-10 career versus the Lakers, including 13-4 inside the KCAC. IUP has won 26 of its past 28 home games. Both losses? Mercyhurst. Hawks pull out a tight one, 65-62. IUP -3

California at Slippery Rock - Massive game for the Vucans. Cal's lost 3 of its past 4 outings against D2 opponents -- and was blown out in two of them. Slippery Rock stopped its bleeding with a TKO of Clarion. The loser of this game is starting to dig a pretty deep hole in the division race. SRU has dominated this series of late -- winning 16 of the past 17 meetings. Make it 17 of 18. SRU -5

Gannon at UPJ - Both teams have won three straight. However, UPJ poses a major step up in competition for Gannon. It's very difficult to win in Johnstown. UPJ won 2 of 3 meetings a year ago. Gannon keeps this close for awhile but won't be able to score enough to win. However, a GU upset would really change the West race up. UPJ can set the nets on fire up there. UPJ -10

West Chester at Edinboro - The Scots have lost 5 of their past 6 outings. Undefeated West Chester visiting won't be a good cure. Rams in a run-away. WCU -21

Shepherd at Bloomsburg - The Huskies have been up and down all season. Currently, they are down again -- losers of four straight. Bloomsburg plays hard and stays in most games, but Shepherd, 'deceivingly strong', should pose too many issues. Rams -12

East Stroudsburg at Millersville - The officials should get a good workout running up and down the floor all night. ESU has won 6 straight. The Maurauders have four losses by a combined 11 points. This should be a pretty entertaining game. ESU pulls it out in the second half. Warriors -8

Mansfield at Shippensburg - Mansfield is a pretty scrappy bunch. They play hard and have some talent on the roster. Shippensburg will get a fight but the Mounties' depth is their biggest problem. Red Raiders pull away in the second half. Ship -12.5

Lock Haven at Kutztown - The Bald Eagles were losing but playing pretty well prior to Friday nights smackdown at the KCAC. We'll see how the bounce back against a pretty decent Kutztown team. Golden Bears -7

Clarion at Seton Hill - Somebody has to win. I think. Combined, this duo has lost 10 straight. Nathan Davis likely makes the difference in a tight Griffins win. Seton Hill -3

[CALUPA69]

Big, rare Monday night slate of games on tap -- with a handful of appealing West match-ups.


Mercyhurst at IUP - No program has caused IUP more headaches in the past decade than Mercyhurst. Joe Lombardi is 19-10 career versus the Lakers, including 13-4 inside the KCAC. IUP has won 26 of its past 28 home games. Both losses? Mercyhurst. Hawks pull out a tight one, 65-62. IUP -3

California at Slippery Rock - Massive game for the Vucans. Cal's lost 3 of its past 4 outings against D2 opponents -- and was blown out in two of them. Slippery Rock stopped its bleeding with a TKO of Clarion. The loser of this game is starting to dig a pretty deep hole in the division race. SRU has dominated this series of late -- winning 16 of the past 17 meetings. Make it 17 of 18. SRU -5

Gannon at UPJ - Both teams have won three straight. However, UPJ poses a major step up in competition for Gannon. It's very difficult to win in Johnstown. UPJ won 2 of 3 meetings a year ago. Gannon keeps this close for awhile but won't be able to score enough to win. However, a GU upset would really change the West race up. UPJ can set the nets on fire up there. UPJ -10

West Chester at Edinboro - The Scots have lost 5 of their past 6 outings. Undefeated West Chester visiting won't be a good cure. Rams in a run-away. WCU -21

Shepherd at Bloomsburg - The Huskies have been up and down all season. Currently, they are down again -- losers of four straight. Bloomsburg plays hard and stays in most games, but Shepherd, 'deceivingly strong', should pose too many issues. Rams -12

East Stroudsburg at Millersville - The officials should get a good workout running up and down the floor all night. ESU has won 6 straight. The Maurauders have four losses by a combined 11 points. This should be a pretty entertaining game. ESU pulls it out in the second half. Warriors -8

Mansfield at Shippensburg - Mansfield is a pretty scrappy bunch. They play hard and have some talent on the roster. Shippensburg will get a fight but the Mounties' depth is their biggest problem. Red Raiders pull away in the second half. Ship -12.5

Lock Haven at Kutztown - The Bald Eagles were losing but playing pretty well prior to Friday nights smackdown at the KCAC. We'll see how the bounce back against a pretty decent Kutztown team. Golden Bears -7

Clarion at Seton Hill - Somebody has to win. I think. Combined, this duo has lost 10 straight. Nathan Davis likely makes the difference in a tight Griffins win. Seton Hill -3

The last shot finally went in for the VULCANS PEGRAM with a 2PT at the buzzer CAL U 94. SRU 93

[IUPbigINDIANS]

MEN'S FINALS

Millersville 82
East Stroudsburg 79

West Chester 91
Edinboro 72

Kutztown 77
Lock Haven 73

IUP 71
Mercyhurst 56

Bloomsburg 83
Shepherd 75

Seton Hill 60
Clarion 49

UPJ 82
Gannon 81

Shippensburg 90
Mansfield 68

California 94
Slippery Rock 93

[Golden89]

The last shot finally went in for the VULCANS PEGRAM with a 3PT at the buzzer CAL U 94. SRU 93

And the last shot went in for UPJ as the Cats hit a 3 off a rebound scramble to evade the upset and win 82-81.

[IUPalum]

Cal was down double digits late in that game too.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Cal was down double digits late in that game too.

Man ... watch the ending. Pegram banked it in on a runner at full speed. Rock claiming it wasn't out in time. It's tight.

I thought he got it off in time ... his feet are harder to judge. Looked like a two.

SRU also called with a book technical to start game.

[IUPTrackMan]

Man ... watch the ending. Pegram banked it in on a runner at full speed. Rock claiming it wasn't out in time. It's tight.

I thought he got it off in time ... his feet are harder to judge. Looked like a two.

SRU also called with a book technical to start game.

[IUPalum]

Pegram is a great offensive player every game! SRU lacks defense. IUP needs to shoot good on Thursday!

[IUPbigINDIANS]

UPDATED MEN'S STANDINGS (thru games 1/6)

	PSAC	OVERALL	STREAK	UP NEXT
WEST
IUP	6-1	11-1	W2	@SRU, @GANNON
Pitt-Johnstown	6-1	12-2	W4	@Boro, @Clarion
California	4-3	8-5	W1	Shepherd, Edinboro
Mercyhurst	4-3	6-5	L1	@Clarion, Kutztown
Gannon	4-3	5-6	L1	Seton Hill, IUP
Slippery Rock	2-5	6-7	L1	IUP, @Seton Hill
Edinboro	2-5	5-6	L2	UPJ, @California
Seton Hill	1-6	2-8	W1	@Gannon, SRU
Clarion	1-6	2-11	L4	Mercyhurst, UPJ
EAST
West Chester	7-0	13-0	W13	Shippensburg, @Mansfield
Shippensburg	6-1	10-3	W3	@WCU, @ESU
East Stroudsburg	4-3	8-4	L1	Bloomsburg, Shippensburg
Kutztown	4-3	6-7	W1	@Millersville, @Mercyhurst
Bloomsburg	3-4	6-7	W1	@ESU, Millersville
Millersville	3-4	6-7	W1	Kutztown, @Bloomsburg
Mansfield	3-4	4-8	L1	@Lock Haven, West Chester
Shepherd	2-5	6-7	L2	@California, Lock Haven
Lock Haven	1-6	4-7	L4	Mansfield, @Shepherd

[PSACwatcher]

Not that it matters, but Seton Hill is 1-6 PSAC, 2-8 overall.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Not that it matters, but Seton Hill is 1-6 PSAC, 2-8 overall.

Got it. Fixed above. The PSAC site has SH and Clarion incorrect.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

The first two months felt like each team played once a week. From here on out it's about every 72 hours ... or so it seems.

There's two really big games tomorrow -- one in the East and one in the West.

Shippensburg at West Chester - It gets no bigger in the East. From the early looks of things, West Chester, currently No. 8 in the country, isn't going to lose very often. A win here would open up a two-game lead in the divisional race. This has been a very tight series as of late. WCU holds a slim 7-5 advantage since 2014-15. Shippensburg will be the biggest test for the Rams thus far. The Red Raiders will have to play very poised. West Chester gets to the line a ton in its building. Shippensburg must avoid foul trouble -- in particular underneath. Chris Fite's bunch has the team to go in there and win. But, it's not easy to win there. I see a season split -- with the home team winning each. The Rams have been in several very close games this year -- and have won them all. Add this one to the list. WCU -3

IUP at Slippery Rock - It's a shame such a game gets played over break -- inside an empty gym. Typically one of the most heated and well-attended games of the season ... although this one may be more about basketball. The majority of both sides' key instigators from the past 4 years are all gone now. Ian Grady's teams play with much more control and focus. Joe Lombardi's current team doesn't trash talk like other editions did. Regardless, SRU gets really 'up' for this game. For IUP to get a win inside Morrow, the Hawks will have to match the intensity. For being a 'rivalry', the series is extremely lopsided. In the past decade, IUP went 18-4 against SRU. But, and it's a big 'but', Lombardi has lost 3 of his past 5 trips to Morrow Field House. A year ago after losing at Morrow in January, IUP paid back the favor at the KCAC to the tune of a 29-point run-away (that was as high as 40 prior to the bench being emptied). This isn't a Kevin Reynolds team. This group just doesn't show up and try to out-muscle you. SRU is getting better with each game since Micah Till's return and has numerous good players, fluid ball movement and strong shooters. As always up there, IUP must control the tempo to win. If Joe falls in to that slow-down trap -- which he has many times up there -- IUP will lose. Joe pulls this one out. Barely. IUP -2

UPJ at Edinboro - The Fighting Scots are in a deep funk. They have to get more production from players 4-7. On paper this is a total mismatch. But, Edinboro has had some recent success against UPJ inside McComb. Everything would have to go right for the Scots to pull this upset. They have a nice, three-headed monster in Staunch, Coleman and Simpson, but, they need more support from others. Edinboro will keep this close for a half, but UPJ's depth will be overwhelming. Mountain Cats put up a big number -- and win big. UPJ -21

Mercyhurst at Clarion - The Golden Eagles were held under 50 points by Seton Hill. Mercyhurst got beat up at IUP in all phases. Look for a fired up Lakers team to take it out on Clarion. There's a good team inside that Mercyhurst roster. They just haven't completely found it yet. This one, however, will be ugly. Clarion is a mess. Lakers -28

Shepherd at California - The Vulcans return home full of momentum. Shepherd comes to town fresh off a dud of a performance at Bloomsburg. The Rams live and die with the deep shot. Law of averages says they probably won't shoot terribly a second straight game. While the teams haven't played much, the two coaches are extremely familiar with one another. The Vulcans are the better team, but Shepherd -- deceivingly strong, per some -- should keep this one close. Vulcans win a tight one. Cal -7

Seton Hill at Gannon - The Knights return home after a heartbreaking finish in Johnstown. The good news is Seton Hill is on its way to Erie. The Griffins will be dramatically undersized in this one. Gannon is also drastically deeper. Nathan Davis will get his 20-25 points, but the Knights should put on a show for the feisty Hammermill faithful. Gannon wins. Big. Knights -17

Mansfield at Lock Haven - The word on Lock Haven is it's better than its record. Sooner or later, the Bald Eagles have to show it in the win column. Baby Shaq is going to cause all sorts of issues for the Lock Haven post, which has nice height by is very light. The Mounties need to feed him down low as much as possible. Tough game to call. Both have some nice players. This game should come down to which bench performs best. Mansfield goes on the road and steals one. Mounties -3

Kutztown at Millersville - Flip a coin. These two have been the two most unpredictable -- and inconsistent -- teams in the league so far. The Marauders are oh-so-close to having a much better record. The Golden Bears are struggling to put a full 40 minutes together. Millersville should carry the momentum from its win over East Stroudsburg into this one. Marauders in a close one. Millersville -5

Bloomsburg at East Stroudsburg - Figure this one out: The Huskies, now without perhaps their top post player, just scored 54 points under the basket in an 83-75 win over Shepherd. The Warriors are fresh off losing to Millersville despite winning the boards by 8 and the Mauraders hitting just 16 of 26 FTs. Another odd stat: Millersville had 9 blocks. ESU had none. Look for ESU to bounce back -- perhaps in a big way. Bloomsburg's depth will get heavily tested and the starters have to stay out of foul trouble. Warriors get back on track. ESU -8

[CALUPA69]

The first two months felt like each team played once a week. From here on out it's about every 72 hours ... or so it seems.

There's two really big games tomorrow -- one in the East and one in the West.

Shippensburg at West Chester - It gets no bigger in the East. From the early looks of things, West Chester, currently No. 8 in the country, isn't going to lose very often. A win here would open up a two-game lead in the divisional race. This has been a very tight series as of late. WCU holds a slim 7-5 advantage since 2014-15. Shippensburg will be the biggest test for the Rams thus far. The Red Raiders will have to play very poised. West Chester gets to the line a ton in its building. Shippensburg must avoid foul trouble -- in particular underneath. Chris Fite's bunch has the team to go in there and win. But, it's not easy to win there. I see a season split -- with the home team winning each. The Rams have been in several very close games this year -- and have won them all. Add this one to the list. WCU -3

IUP at Slippery Rock - It's a shame such a game gets played over break -- inside an empty gym. Typically one of the most heated and well-attended games of the season ... although this one may be more about basketball. The majority of both sides' key instigators from the past 4 years are all gone now. Ian Grady's teams play with much more control and focus. Joe Lombardi's current team doesn't trash talk like other editions did. Regardless, SRU gets really 'up' for this game. For IUP to get a win inside Morrow, the Hawks will have to match the intensity. For being a 'rivalry', the series is extremely lopsided. In the past decade, IUP went 18-4 against SRU. But, and it's a big 'but', Lombardi has lost 3 of his past 5 trips to Morrow Field House. A year ago after losing at Morrow in January, IUP paid back the favor at the KCAC to the tune of a 29-point run-away (that was as high as 40 prior to the bench being emptied). This isn't a Kevin Reynolds team. This group just doesn't show up and try to out-muscle you. SRU is getting better with each game since Micah Till's return and has numerous good players, fluid ball movement and strong shooters. As always up there, IUP must control the tempo to win. If Joe falls in to that slow-down trap -- which he has many times up there -- IUP will lose. Joe pulls this one out. Barely. IUP -2

UPJ at Edinboro - The Fighting Scots are in a deep funk. They have to get more production from players 4-7. On paper this is a total mismatch. But, Edinboro has had some recent success against UPJ inside McComb. Everything would have to go right for the Scots to pull this upset. They have a nice, three-headed monster in Staunch, Coleman and Simpson, but, they need more support from others. Edinboro will keep this close for a half, but UPJ's depth will be overwhelming. Mountain Cats put up a big number -- and win big. UPJ -21

Mercyhurst at Clarion - The Golden Eagles were held under 50 points by Seton Hill. Mercyhurst got beat up at IUP in all phases. Look for a fired up Lakers team to take it out on Clarion. There's a good team inside that Mercyhurst roster. They just haven't completely found it yet. This one, however, will be ugly. Clarion is a mess. Lakers -28

Shepherd at California - The Vulcans return home full of momentum. Shepherd comes to town fresh off a dud of a performance at Bloomsburg. The Rams live and die with the deep shot. Law of averages says they probably won't shoot terribly a second straight game. While the teams haven't played much, the two coaches are extremely familiar with one another. The Vulcans are the better team, but Shepherd -- deceivingly strong, per some -- should keep this one close. Vulcans win a tight one. Cal -7

Seton Hill at Gannon - The Knights return home after a heartbreaking finish in Johnstown. The good news is Seton Hill is on its way to Erie. The Griffins will be dramatically undersized in this one. Gannon is also drastically deeper. Nathan Davis will get his 20-25 points, but the Knights should put on a show for the feisty Hammermill faithful. Gannon wins. Big. Knights -17

Mansfield at Lock Haven - The word on Lock Haven is it's better than its record. Sooner or later, the Bald Eagles have to show it in the win column. Baby Shaq is going to cause all sorts of issues for the Lock Haven post, which has nice height by is very light. The Mounties need to feed him down low as much as possible. Tough game to call. Both have some nice players. This game should come down to which bench performs best. Mansfield goes on the road and steals one. Mounties -3

Kutztown at Millersville - Flip a coin. These two have been the two most unpredictable -- and inconsistent -- teams in the league so far. The Marauders are oh-so-close to having a much better record. The Golden Bears are struggling to put a full 40 minutes together. Millersville should carry the momentum from its win over East Stroudsburg into this one. Marauders in a close one. Millersville -5

Bloomsburg at East Stroudsburg - Figure this one out: The Huskies, now without perhaps their top post player, just scored 54 points under the basket in an 83-75 win over Shepherd. The Warriors are fresh off losing to Millersville despite winning the boards by 8 and the Mauraders hitting just 16 of 26 FTs. Another odd stat: Millersville had 9 blocks. ESU had none. Look for ESU to bounce back -- perhaps in a big way. Bloomsburg's depth will get heavily tested and the starters have to stay out of foul trouble. Warriors get back on track. ESU -8

WCU seems an odd home favorite. Six of their nine Ws at HOLLINGER have come against .500 teams by an average of 5 pts. I don't know the players well enough to comment on matchups but SHIP destroyed the VULCANS, while the RAMS gave up a 12 point lead with 2:12 to go and came within a buzzer beater of losing to CAL U. I will be surprised if the RAIDERS don't win by 5+.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

WCU seems an odd home favorite. Six of their nine Ws at HOLLINGER have come against .500 teams by an average of 5 pts. I don't know the players well enough to comment on matchups but SHIP destroyed the VULCANS, while the RAMS gave up a 12 point lead with 2:12 to go and came within a buzzer beater of losing to CAL U. I will be surprised if the RAIDERS don't win by 5+.

Not sure how the undefeated, No. 8 team in the country, at home, seems like an odd (small) favorite?

West Chester is 35-3 in its last 38 home games ... not a big believer in the same-opponent theory. Teams match-up with other teams differently. I see this as being a very close, even game. However, WCU gets mad calls in that building -- and shoots very well. Rams get the win at the FT line. West Chester also has the experience of playing in numerous tight games -- and has found a way to win all of them.

All of that said, I take no responsibility for any gambling losses. Lol.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Updated LADIES' Standings (thru games played 1/7)

EAST	PSAC	OVERALL	STREAK
East Stroudsburg	5-2	9-4	W4
Shippensburg	5-2	8-5	W2
Shepherd	4-3	10-3	W2
Lock Haven	4-3	7-5	L2
Kutztown	4-3	7-6	W1
Bloomsburg	3-4	6-5	L1
Millersville	2-5	5-7	L2
West Chester	1-6	3-9	L5
Mansfield	1-6	3-10	L2
WEST
IUP	7-0	12-1	W10
Seton Hill	6-1	11-1	W5
Gannon	6-1	10-3	W5
California	5-2	11-2	W2
Edinboro	3-4	5-6	W1
Mercyhurst	3-4	3-10	L5
UPJ	2-5	7-6	L5
Clarion	1-6	3-10	L1
Slippery Rock	1-7	3-11	L3