PSAC WEST

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Rock gets the big win at California ... in what may have been one of the ugliest combined last 20 minutes I've ever watched.

[CALUPA69]

Things are not going well in the Valley as ROCK has used 3s, FTs and Rbds to lead the VULCANS 42-37. They have 20 minutes to get it together or get ready to play that first round playoff game.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Rock up 5 at halftime down at Cal.

We've seen this plenty of times. Can SRU close one out?

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Have they begun the process of moving to D2? They're currently D3, right? To your knowledge, are they looking to make the jump the way Frostburg did when they joined the MEC?\

And in truth, even in its current form, SVC's gym wasn't half bad compared to some of what we see in our respective leagues currently.

I'm not aware they are looking to jump. But, they'd fit the profile and have good proximity.

But, they are in a good D3 league full of somewhat close schools. Seton Hill would be ideal in the PAC.

[CALUPA69]

St Vincent College is getting a new gym with several million from the state.

It also doesn't hurt that an NFL team drops some cash on your school each summer.

[Scrub]

I've wondered for a while now if they'd be a target of the PSAC should the league need a new member.

Have they begun the process of moving to D2? They're currently D3, right? To your knowledge, are they looking to make the jump the way Frostburg did when they joined the MEC?\

And in truth, even in its current form, SVC's gym wasn't half bad compared to some of what we see in our respective leagues currently.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

St Vincent College is getting a new gym with several million from the state.

I've wondered for a while now if they'd be a target of the PSAC should the league need a new member.

[Fightingscot82]

St Vincent College is getting a new gym with several million from the state.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I'm bad at math but it appears that if CAL wins out and IUP beats UPJ, then the VULCANS sneak into the #2 West spot and finally get a night off. Am I correct ??

I believe that is correct.

That night off (Monday) is huge since they are already playing 3 games this week -- two of which should be tough ones. If not, they'll get Sunday off and right back to it on Monday.

[CALUPA69]

The final week of the regular season has arrived -- and, it's going to be a dandy.

IUP has the West clinched, but has a big game, NCAA-wise, remaining.

The most important games this week (these also have huge NCAA ramifications):

Tonight

Slippery Rock at California

Wednesday

Mercyhurst at California

Saturday

Slippery Rock at Mercyhurst

UPJ at IUP

I'm bad at math but it appears that if CAL wins out and IUP beats UPJ, then the VULCANS sneak into the #2 West spot and finally get a night off. Am I correct ??

[IUPalum]

The UPJ game Saturday is a huge SOS builder as will be the PSAC tournament!

[IUPbigINDIANS]

The final week of the regular season has arrived -- and, it's going to be a dandy.

IUP has the West clinched, but has a big game, NCAA-wise, remaining.

The most important games this week (these also have huge NCAA ramifications):

Tonight

Slippery Rock at California

Wednesday

Mercyhurst at California

Saturday

Slippery Rock at Mercyhurst

UPJ at IUP

[IUPbigINDIANS]

The House went 17-3 picking straight winners last week. Hopefully some of you gambling junkies made a few bucks. Five games comprise tonight's latest edition of Make-Up Monday. IUP has the only seed locked down for the conference tournament, so, plenty of drama is looming.


Mansfield at Shippensburg - The Mounties are officially eliminated from the PSAC Tournament -- likely a sigh of relief for many in the East. Mansfield was just a couple buckets away the past 10 days. Four losses by a combined 15 points. Will they pack it in these last three games or continue to fight? Shippensburg returns home after a not-so-pretty win at Bloomsburg. But, it was a win. It's going to be hard for the Raiders to get a first round bye, but all they can do now is win and see what happens. The first time these two met was a thriller, with the Raiders pulling out a a narrow 85-81 road victory. The Mounties, on occasion, can light it up. And, of course, get lit up on the other end. Ship's shooting woes are a concern, but they'll figure out a way tonight. Mansfield hasn't won a road game all year. It won't tonight, either. Raiders -7

Bloomsburg at Shepherd - The Huskies won the first meeting. However, tonight's game is in Shepherdstown. The Rams are a different animal in West Virginia. Shepherd got beat up pretty good 48 hours ago. There is one spot left in the East and it's theirs for the taking. A slip-up tonight, however, could make things pretty interesting. Shepherd -6

East Stroudsburg at Lock Haven - The Bald Eagles are a hot team -- winners of 5 of their past 6 outings. Most recently, Lock Haven dropped a heartbreaker to West Chester, 87-83. The Warriors also have won 5 of their past 6 games -- including three straight. ESU won the first meeting fairly comfortable. The Bald Eagles are a much better team at home. But, they aren't a deep team. That's troublesome against a 40-minute press. Look for Lock Haven to put up a good fight for 30 minutes, but ware down in the final phase. Warriors leave town with a win. ESU -11

Gannon at Clarion - The train has come off the rails in Erie. Gannon as lost 5 in a row. They have so many guys out it's hard to keep track. Credit to Kelvin Jefferson, though. The Knights have battled in this 5-game stretch. They were only blown out once (IUP) while having at least 4-5 rotation players out. Gannon is coming off a back-to-back with Slippery Rock, and lost by a narrow 68-63 margin 48 hours ago. Since being eliminated, Clarion has been blown out 3 straight games. Tonight is Senior Night in Tippin Gymnasium. Sometimes that alone will rally a team. Expect a good one tonight. Knights -1

Slippery Rock at California - The Rock is getting a lot of hype as a potential sleeper team in next weeks' tournament. At some point, however, they have to win a big game. SRU is 1-10 in games against top opponents. But, boy, they've been close many times. Sooner or later, they are probably going to finish one. With a big visit from Mercyhurst looming, could tonight be a bit of a trap in the Mon Valley? The Vulcans put up 92 in Morrow Field House but also gave up 83 on a night when Rock star Frankie Hughes had just 3 points. Hughes is capable of blowing up, and that has to happen tonight for SRU to have a shot. The Rock, like many, fell victim to the Philip Alston Show in the first meeting -- getting smoked for 26 points and 15 rebounds. He's not going to get shut down, but they have to find a way to slow him down. Look for Slippery Rock to hang around -- perhaps in to the final 5-7 minutes -- but for California to ultimately prevail. The Rock has the size and athleticism to cause some problems. Vulcans -7

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Updated MEN'S Standings

WEST

TEAM	PSAC	OVERALL	STREAK	2/21
IUP (1)*	18-2	24-2	W9	OFF
Mercyhurst*	16-4	22-4	W5	OFF
Pitt-Johnstown*	15-5	19-7	L2	OFF
California*	14-5	19-6	W4	SRU
Slippery Rock*	11-8	15-10	W4	at California
Gannon*	9-11	12-12	L5	at Clarion
Edinboro	6-13	8-16	L2	OFF
Clarion	5-15	9-16	L6	Gannon
Seton Hill	3-16	4-21	L4	OFF

EAST

TEAM	PSAC	OVERALL	STREAK	2/21
Millersville*	15-5	21-5	L1	OFF
East Stroudsburg*	14-5	16-7	W3	at LH
Shippensburg*	13-6	16-8	W1	Mansfield
West Chester*	10-9	16-9	W4	OFF
Lock Haven*	8-12	11-13	L1	ESU
Shepherd	7-12	11-14	L1	Bloomsburg
Kutztown	5-15	8-18	W1	OFF
Bloomsburg	4-16	5-19	L2	at Shepherd
Mansfield	3-16	4-21	L4	at Shippensburg

[Ship69]

With Edinboro's loss yesterday the West field is set.

Some big games this week remain to figure out the seeding.

Biggest games this week:

Mercyhurst at Cal

UPJ at IUP - Big game for both teams' NCAA resume.

With improved play from some of the Eastern teams in recent weeks, the playoffs promise to be a minefield in both divisions.