PSAC WEST

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I'm told the league is now getting involved in the end of the Gannon vs UPJ game. There was an alleged spitting incident which sparked the handshake line fireworks.

If it's true and the UPJ player did spit at a player ... should be automatic 3-game suspension.

[bballfan03]

I'm told the league is now getting involved in the end of the Gannon vs UPJ game. There was an alleged spitting incident which sparked the handshake line fireworks.

If it's true and the UPJ player did spit at a player ... should be automatic 3-game suspension.

I watched it a few times now and,not saying it didnt happen, but I dont see it. Wise is at an angle that if he spit at johnson it looks it would have hit Johnson in the back of his head, not his face. Unless it happened just before that and Wise slyly did it without really moving his body much (like his head didnt move like someone spitting). But itll be interesting to see what happens.

[CALUPA69]

I watched it a few times now and,not saying it didnt happen, but I dont see it. Wise is at an angle that if he spit at johnson it looks it would have hit Johnson in the back of his head, not his face. Unless it happened just before that and Wise slyly did it without really moving his body much (like his head didnt move like someone spitting). But itll be interesting to see what happens.

If the PSAC is going to suspend the #3 scorer on UPJ, can they possibly do it before Wednesday ? You know swift justice and all that.... absolutely no other reason.

[Golden89]

If the PSAC is going to suspend the #3 scorer on UPJ, can they possibly do it before Wednesday ? You know swift justice and all that.... absolutely no other reason.

I certainly hope that if the league suspends Wise, they don't feel like they have to suspend a player from each team. Johnson did not do anything suspension-worthy.

[bballfan03]

If the PSAC is going to suspend the #3 scorer on UPJ, can they possibly do it before Wednesday ? You know swift justice and all that.... absolutely no other reason.

It might be a new low for PSAC if they aren't able to make a decision by monday

[bballfan03]

I certainly hope that if the league suspends Wise, they don't feel like they have to suspend a player from each team. Johnson did not do anything suspension-worthy.

The ONLY thing I could see them tagging Johnson for would be prolonging the incident. Wise walked away and Johnson kept making his way back to him. However, you can tell when they approach in line Wise does say something that sets Johnson off again.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

The ONLY thing I could see them tagging Johnson for would be prolonging the incident. Wise walked away and Johnson kept making his way back to him. However, you can tell when they approach in line Wise does say something that sets Johnson off again.

Wise has a real big mouth. Always has.

Johnson did throw the ball at him as they were walking off. That seemed to give things yet another spark.


UPJ vs Gannon Round 3 would be must-see TV (if it happens).

[IUPbigINDIANS]

For the most part, this should be a week with lots of blowouts. However, there are a handful of big games.

This week in the PSAC:

California will take the long ride up to Pitt-Johnstown in 48 hours. Division-wise, this is the biggest game of the week. Both are tied for second in the West with 11-4 conference records. The loser falls three games behind IUP -- and likely loses any hope of a West title. Host UPJ is fresh off a heated, emotional loss inside the Hammermill. The Vulcans have won four straight. The first meeting this year was a blowout in the Angelo Dome. UPJ won by 20 points and held Cal to just 57 points. Times have changed since then.

West Chester travels to Shippensburg. The Rams stopped the bleeding by pummeling a hapless Mansfield. The Red Raiders are coming off a rare home loss at the hands of East Stroudsburg. Could WCU's big win over a bad team be just the spark the talented Rams needed? Or, was it just a big win over a poor opponent? Shippensburg won Round 1, 79-70, at West Chester. The Rams have won just two games since that initial setback -- both against Mansfield. Pending something miraculous West Chester is out of the East's top seed running, but it is still in contention for an NCAA bid -- barely. A win Wednesday night could turn what was becoming a sinking season around.

In an odd twist, could Clarion actually be favored in Morrow Field House on Wednesday night? Sounds strange until you consider SRU has lost its past two games by a combined 48 points. Clarion has lost three straight but has battled hard at IUP and California. The Rock has become very reliant on the deep shot. When it's not there - like the past two games - they are a train wreck. In most years teams use Clarion as a slump buster. We'll see if that's the case. It may not be.

Turning to the weekend, overall, it's a pretty vanilla Saturday.

Millersville heads to East Stroudsburg for a game with certain PSAC Tournament implications. The winner can start to position itself for a potential Round 1 bye. Both teams are starting to play their best basketball of the season.

Slippery Rock visits IUP -- and will attempt to end one heck of a long losing streak in Indiana. The last time the Rock won at IUP was in 1991. They came awfully close several times. Perhaps none closer than the infamous Kevin Reynolds technical foul affair in 2013. Joe Lombardi's squad should be back to as full strength as its going to get. Senior forward Chucky Humphries is expected to rejoin the team after missing the past three weeks with a broken bone in his left hand. IUP won Round 1 at Morrow Field House in a tightly-contested battle. The Rock may be puttering along down the stretch but they'll be up for this one. So will the KCAC crowd. SRU, however, won't have the advantage of that infamous scorers' table in this one.

Gannon and Mercyhurst are both hot. They both also can enjoy easy weeks. Gannon should have simple road trips to Edinboro and Seton Hill. Mercyhurst travels to Seton Hill and hosts Clarion.

[PSACwatcher]

For the best.

2018-19 record was 9-17 (6-15 in conf.) and did not make conference playoffs. 2019-20 record is 5-??, lost to lowly Seton Hill and Clarion at home, may finish with 2 conference wins and its a certainty 'Boro wont make the conference playoffs.

Football coach was just fired for less. Does Cleary survive this? I am not seeing any talent being recruited to Edinboro.

[Fightingscot82]

2018-19 record was 9-17 (6-15 in conf.) and did not make conference playoffs. 2019-20 record is 5-??, lost to lowly Seton Hill and Clarion at home, may finish with 2 conference wins and its a certainty 'Boro wont make the conference playoffs.

Football coach was just fired for less. Does Cleary survive this? I am not seeing any talent being recruited to Edinboro.

Lowest scholarship total in the PSAC West gets the lowest win total in the PSAC West. IMO the university doesn't value men's basketball. Attend an Edinboro game and you'll see.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Lowest scholarship total in the PSAC West gets the lowest win total in the PSAC West. IMO the university doesn't value men's basketball. Attend an Edinboro game and you'll see.

Losing Anthony Coleman (again) to injury was just a disaster, too. With him they'd be drastically more competitive. Still a long way from winning the West but much more competitive.

[PSACwatcher]

Lowest scholarship total in the PSAC West gets the lowest win total in the PSAC West. IMO the university doesn't value men's basketball. Attend an Edinboro game and you'll see.

I get it, but the undergraduate 2019-2020 estimated tuition & fees for Edinboro is $10,815 for Pennsylvania residents and $15,465 for out-of-state students. At those numbers, he ought to be able to put together athletic and non-athletic aid packages to get some decent talent at a state school with decent facilities and undergrad enrollment of 3400.

[CALUPA69]

For the most part, this should be a week with lots of blowouts. However, there are a handful of big games.

This week in the PSAC:

California will take the long ride up to Pitt-Johnstown in 48 hours. Division-wise, this is the biggest game of the week. Both are tied for second in the West with 11-4 conference records. The loser falls three games behind IUP -- and likely loses any hope of a West title. Host UPJ is fresh off a heated, emotional loss inside the Hammermill. The Vulcans have won four straight. The first meeting this year was a blowout in the Angelo Dome. UPJ won by 20 points and held Cal to just 57 points. Times have changed since then.

West Chester travels to Shippensburg. The Rams stopped the bleeding by pummeling a hapless Mansfield. The Red Raiders are coming off a rare home loss at the hands of East Stroudsburg. Could WCU's big win over a bad team be just the spark the talented Rams needed? Or, was it just a big win over a poor opponent? Shippensburg won Round 1, 79-70, at West Chester. The Rams have won just two games since that initial setback -- both against Mansfield. Pending something miraculous West Chester is out of the East's top seed running, but it is still in contention for an NCAA bid -- barely. A win Wednesday night could turn what was becoming a sinking season around.

In an odd twist, could Clarion actually be favored in Morrow Field House on Wednesday night? Sounds strange until you consider SRU has lost its past two games by a combined 48 points. Clarion has lost three straight but has battled hard at IUP and California. The Rock has become very reliant on the deep shot. When it's not there - like the past two games - they are a train wreck. In most years teams use Clarion as a slump buster. We'll see if that's the case. It may not be.

Turning to the weekend, overall, it's a pretty vanilla Saturday.

Millersville heads to East Stroudsburg for a game with certain PSAC Tournament implications. The winner can start to position itself for a potential Round 1 bye. Both teams are starting to play their best basketball of the season.

Slippery Rock visits IUP -- and will attempt to end one heck of a long losing streak in Indiana. The last time the Rock won at IUP was in 1991. They came awfully close several times. Perhaps none closer than the infamous Kevin Reynolds technical foul affair in 2013. Joe Lombardi's squad should be back to as full strength as its going to get. Senior forward Chucky Humphries is expected to rejoin the team after missing the past three weeks with a broken bone in his left hand. IUP won Round 1 at Morrow Field House in a tightly-contested battle. The Rock may be puttering along down the stretch but they'll be up for this one. So will the KCAC crowd. SRU, however, won't have the advantage of that infamous scorers' table in this one.

Gannon and Mercyhurst are both hot. They both also can enjoy easy weeks. Gannon should have simple road trips to Edinboro and Seton Hill. Mercyhurst travels to Seton Hill and hosts Clarion.

If anyone hears the game time status of UPJ #23 off of his Saturday altercation at GU, please post it. VULCANS have definitely started to look much more organized with more playing time together, even at times a bit cocky with lob passes for SMITH, but UPJ at home is always tough.
Still feel like second place is a dream but more of a daydream now.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

If anyone hears the game time status of UPJ #23 off of his Saturday altercation at GU, please post it. VULCANS have definitely started to look much more organized with more playing time together, even at times a bit cocky with lob passes for SMITH, but UPJ at home is always tough.
Still feel like second place is a dream but more of a daydream now.

It's a lot to sort out in that final 17 seconds. Wise fouled Johnson real hard at the end of the game when they were just trying to foul. That seemed to really get Johnson fired up. They get separated. Then the game eventually ends. As they are walking off Johnson throws the ball at Wise and they get separated again. Johnson then gets partially up in Rukavina's face on his way to the locker room. The handshake line seems to be moving along until Olawoye gets to Wise. They get separated. Then GU assistant Stephen Griffin tries to get in Wise's face and he gets pulled back. Then off course Johnson re-appears in line and he gets separated from Wise.

Unless they can prove somebody (Wise) did actually spit on or at Johnson ... there's likely not enough there to suspend him. If the league really wanted to prove a point, it's possible. Lot of people acting up ... Retrospect both sides are lucky they had some cool heads involved or that could have got pretty ugly.

Johnson and Wise are just the perfect storm to clash with each other. Wise has been pulling those antics for years. Johnson seems like a dude you don't want to mess with in an altercation -- and one who certainly wasn't going to take Wise's mouth and actions.

The officials should have walked both to the locker room and not allowed either to go through the line. That would have alleviated the whole issue. It was a bad look for the GU assistant to get caught up in it.

Part 3 would be fun.

[CALUPA69]

It's a lot to sort out in that final 17 seconds. Wise fouled Johnson real hard at the end of the game when they were just trying to foul. That seemed to really get Johnson fired up. They get separated. Then the game eventually ends. As they are walking off Johnson throws the ball at Wise and they get separated again. Johnson then gets partially up in Rukavina's face on his way to the locker room. The handshake line seems to be moving along until Olawoye gets to Wise. They get separated. Then GU assistant Stephen Griffin tries to get in Wise's face and he gets pulled back. Then off course Johnson re-appears in line and he gets separated from Wise.

Unless they can prove somebody (Wise) did actually spit on or at Johnson ... there's likely not enough there to suspend him. If the league really wanted to prove a point, it's possible. Lot of people acting up ... Retrospect both sides are lucky they had some cool heads involved or that could have got pretty ugly.

Johnson and Wise are just the perfect storm to clash with each other. Wise has been pulling those antics for years. Johnson seems like a dude you don't want to mess with in an altercation -- and one who certainly wasn't going to take Wise's mouth and actions.

The officials should have walked both to the locker room and not allowed either to go through the line. That would have alleviated the whole issue. It was a bad look for the GU assistant to get caught up in it.

Part 3 would be fun.

You may want to tune in on Wednesday night. BRENT PEGRAM has been edging toward possible confrontations in the last several games especially when taking it to the hoop. He doesn't start things but also won't back down. He takes his cues straight from DS who has been known to put it out there. Looking forward to a tough, tight game.