PSAC WEST

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Big Wednesday on tap tomorrow. Not a fantastic lineup, but there are some intriguing games.


Goldey-Beacon at East Stroudsburg - This 'could' be an interesting game. I say 'could' because Goldey-Beacon seems to show up some nights (nearly upsetting St. Thomas Aquinas and Daemen) but other nights looks pretty bad (getting blown out by Lock Haven). The Warriors are rolling and rarely lose at home. They won't lose tomorrow, either. ESU -14.5

Shepherd at West Chester - Both teams need a session with Dr. Phil prior to tip-off. West Chester obviously followed up its impressive win at California by losing to Lock Haven. Shepherd, despite some early strong showings, has been blown out of the gym its past two games. Somebody in the East is going to catch the Shepherd revival night -- when they hit treys all night and look incredible. Will it be on the road tomorrow night? Not likely. West Chester looked hungover against Lock Haven -- or, perhaps, got caught feeling a bit too good about itself. Look for a re-focused WCU to drop yet another pounding on Shepherd. (WCU) Rams -12.5

Mercyhurst at IUP - For the better part of the last decade, this was the game of the year in the West -- always heated and always close. It doesn't seem like it on the surface, but IUP has largely owned the rivalry. The Lakers, however, won on some real big stages. This next chapter will be the first rematch of the '22-'23 PSAC Championship. However, neither team remotely looks (or plays) the same. The headliner could have been Pipeloluwa Ajayi vs Tomiwa Sulaiman. They are both long gone. What's left is much different. This version likely doesn't have West title implications on the line but it should be entertaining as always. IUP is decimated with injuries and 'other' things. Mercyhurst is exceptionally young but still has a tough starting unit. Can IUP's mid-year import Bryce Radford light it up again tomorrow? If he can't, IUP could be in trouble. The Lakers are playing well of late, and their 8-7 record is fairly deceiving. What's left of IUP isn't great, but isn't all that bad, either. Almost a coin-toss game. Almost. Mercyhurst -1.5. EDIT: With Garvin, IUP -3.5

Clarion at Pitt-Johnstown - Every time it looks like the Golden Eagles are about to break out, well, they don't. Fresh off a mild upset loss at Edinboro, Clarion now travels to Johnstown. As Shippensburg recently found out, that is never an easy gym to play inside. The Mountain Cats almost always play exceptionally well at home. Granted, this isn't a typical UPJ team. They are an extremely young bunch. Clarion will have a massive size advantage, but the Golden Eagles' offense is extremely sporadic. Nobody asked me, but it seems if Clarion would pound the ball instead of playing Steph Curry all night, it may win some more games. On paper, Clarion is the better, bigger and deeper team. In Johnstown, however, take the home team. UPJ will picket fence and backdoor them to a slow death. UPJ -6.5

Lock Haven at Kutztown - The Golden Bears have lost 12 straight -- most by lopsided scores. The Bald Eagles have won three in a row -- including a big win against West Chester. Look for Lock Haven to win this one by halftime. Bald Eagles -18.5

Bloomsburg at Mansfield - These Huskies are a funny bunch. When interested, they can play. When disinterested, they get blown out of the building. The same can be said for Mansfield. This is going to be a busy night for the zebra crew. Both teams have some hot heads. It may not seem like it now, but this is a HUGE game for both teams in their attempt to make the PSAC Tournament. Bloomsburg looked incredible against Shippensburg -- right up until it didn't. The Huskies were completetly lost once the Raiders turned on the press. Will Mansfield follow suit? Mounties -2.5

Gannon at Edinboro - The Golden Knights looked all out of sorts this past Saturday. California, short-handed or not, sliced and diced that full-court press. The Vulcans shot 70% against Gannon's defense and put on a dunk show for the ages. Unfortunately for the McComb faithful, the Scots are going to pay the price. Edinboro is playing better by the week and it's very clear they are well-coached. But, that's only going to go so far tomorrow. The Scots don't have near the firepower California has, and this one should get fairly ugly. GU has far too much depth. Gannon -18.5

Seton Hill at California - By definition, this has the makings of a huge trap game down in Angelo's Dome. The Griffins aren't a pushover. Seton Hill has a fairly deep roster with nice size and good shooters. They've also been a bit of a thorn to Cal the past several years with many hard-fought, tight games. The Vulcans are heavily favored in this one, but, it could be closer than many think. California -9.5

Millersville at Shippensburg - In Ship's last game, the Raiders looked horrendous for the first 31 minutes -- and like world-beaters in the last 9 minutes. Perhaps Chris Fite discovered something with that full-court press. The bad news is Millersville isn't Bloomsburg. The Marauders are red hot of late, highlighted by a blowout of then-undefeated Gannon. The Raiders are pretty tough at home, but the 'Ville has a little too much. Millersville -8.5


With the news of Garvin Clarke's return, the spread flipped to IUP -3.5

[Fightingscot82]

Rock down, 37,-33, to D&E at half.

Odd to play the same team twice in non-conference but nonetheless.

I was told somewhere it was a replacement game. I think AB was scheduled?

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Rock 78
D&E 76

Final

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Rock down, 37,-33, to D&E at half.

Odd to play the same team twice in non-conference but nonetheless.

[Ship69]

Props to Cal for their win over Gannon. The Knights looked like the ones missing players...

Cal's small lineup was very quick, beating Gannon down the court on numerous occasions. When you're a pressing team that's slower than the team you're trying to press, you're going to be in hot water if they break you. And the Vulcans have some excellent shooters such as McClurg who'll punish you if you give them open looks. Despite their platooning, it was actually Gannon who looked like the more sluggish team at teams.

As others have said, watch out if California ever gets up to full strength.

[WarriorVoice]

Props to Cal for their win over Gannon. The Knights looked like the ones missing players...

[IUPbigINDIANS]

The Women's race is going to be crazy this year. Teams 1-7 are all strong.

Updated Standings:

-

TEAM	PSAC	OVERALL	STREAK
Gannon	7-0	15-1	W12
Mercyhurst	7-0	11-2	W11
Edinboro	6-1	8-4	W6
IUP	5-1	9-2	W5
California	4-3	9-4	L1
Pitt-Johnstown	4-3	9-4	L1
Seton Hill	4-3	7-6	W1
Slippery Rock	1-6	1-9	L3
Clarion	0-7	0-13	L13

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Updated Men's Standings

-

TEAM	PSAC	OVERALL	STREAK
California	6-1	12-1	W1
IUP	5-1	8-4	W1
Gannon	5-2	11-2	L1
Seton Hill	4-3	9-4	W1
Mercyhurst	4-3	8-7	W2
Clarion	3-4	5-8	L3
Pitt-Johnstown	3-4	5-8	L1
Slippery Rock	3-4	4-8	L1
Edinboro	2-5	3-10	W1

-

Wednesday's West Action:

Mercyhurst at IUP

Clarion at Pitt-Johnstown

Gannon at Edinboro

Seton Hill at California

Slippery Rock - IDLE

[Ship69]

I'd guess we'll see several Lock Haven 'upsets' this year. On a given night they can be pretty tough. Nice roster.

They weren't all that bad last year. At this point, they certainly would be favored over Ship when we play them. The LH coach is a Ship alum and usually gives his alma mater a tough game. Lock Haven and West Chester prevented East Stroud from winning the East last season.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

West Chester, true to form, follows up its upset of Cal with a loss to Lock Haven.

I'd guess we'll see several Lock Haven 'upsets' this year. On a given night they can be pretty tough. Nice roster.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I am still here and never left. Couldn't get into this site last year, despite a few attempts, and haven't had time this year. I still go the the Hammermill / Highmark / Hagerty. Never stopped and never will.

When you average 112 points per game, fans are going to go to your games. I have a few friends who I describe as "general" basketball fans who have gone to one game and gotten hooked on the style and have gone back at least once. It's been a treat to watch the West Liberty system game after game.

Attendance is up and keeps growing - how can it not after a 3-23 season?

I hope all finds you well. Welcome back.
.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Cal's clearly the best team in the PSAC -- even sans four rotation players. That's just crazy.

Their 60 percent squad decimated Gannon today. Hats off to Danny. He's built an incredible team.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

True as that might be (and I do agree with you), Gannon fans would probably still say they're way ahead of schedule. It's still only Fee's first year, and he hasn't really had time to get "his guys" worked into the system.

Valid. However:

A) I think several of his studs are one-year grad players

B) I think he'll be poached out of there after this year

[Scrub]

Having their short lineup might actually have helped them. They have good shooters and broke the press easily. Gannon will win most of its games in a hobbled PSAC this season, but I think they've been exposed to an extent this past week.

True as that might be (and I do agree with you), Gannon fans would probably still say they're way ahead of schedule. It's still only Fee's first year, and he hasn't really had time to get "his guys" worked into the system.

[Ship69]

Vulcans win by 15 - and it wasn't nearly that close. GU got some junk at the end.

Very impressive showing from a short-handed Cal team.

Having their short lineup might actually have helped them. They have good shooters and broke the press easily. Gannon will win most of its games in a hobbled PSAC this season, but I think they've been exposed to an extent this past week.