PSAC WEST

[Golden89]

Re: PSAC WEST

It would never happen for SOOOO many reasons, but it would be neat for Hurst and WLU to rent an obscure little HS gym in the middle of no where over the summer for a week and go at each other every day for 8 hours with no crowds...adjustment, counter adjustment, counter counter adjustment. Both teams would come out better for it...as they say, steel sharpens steel!!!

My dream matchup for the past 10 years was Gannon and West Liberty in the NCAA tournament ... I always wanted to see how Reilly's defense matched up against the Crutchfield offense. Still sad we never got to see it (usually Gannon's fault for not making it far enough. sigh)

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: PSAC WEST

My dream matchup for the past 10 years was Gannon and West Liberty in the NCAA tournament ... I always wanted to see how Reilly's defense matched up against the Crutchfield offense. Still sad we never got to see it (usually Gannon's fault for not making it far enough. sigh)

Gannon kept getting stuck with other PSAC teams in the tourney.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: PSAC WEST

WLU and Hurst seem like the opposite side to the same coin...One focuses it's efforts (and recruting) on offense and full game pressure and the other focuses on defense with a slow down (but efficient) offense. Both teams are at the outside edge of there particular "style." I don't think it is particularly hard to find players that play either style but what is hard is finding a coach (and AD and alumni) that is willing to forgo "traditional" (and higher rated) players in favor of players who fit the style the coach is going to run. Even at the DII level, it is hard to find an AD and alumni base that is willing to accept and give a new HC full freedom to recruit teams made up of players almost exclusively at each end of the spectrum.

It would never happen for SOOOO many reasons, but it would be neat for Hurst and WLU to rent an obscure little HS gym in the middle of no where over the summer for a week and go at each other every day for 8 hours with no crowds...adjustment, counter adjustment, counter counter adjustment. Both teams would come out better for it...as they say, steel sharpens steel!!!

Play next year and WL blows them out. That was Hurst's yearly 'every 3-4 year team'

[boatcapt]

Re: PSAC WEST

Play next year and WL blows them out. That was Hurst's yearly 'every 3-4 year team'

Yea...Most teams, even good ones, have a cycle. Except WLU...most teams would be VERY happy to have a WLU "down" year!

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: PSAC WEST

Yea...Most teams, even good ones, have a cycle. Except WLU...most teams would be VERY happy to have a WLU "down" year!

May be a good year to join.

Minus WL, the MEC doesn't project too hot next year. ND, Concord and FSU got gutted. WJ is a total Titanic.

Maybe if GSU gets LeBron cleared to play they will be decent.

[Columbuseer]

Re: PSAC WEST

May be a good year to join.

Minus WL, the MEC doesn't project too hot next year. ND, Concord and FSU got gutted. WJ is a total Titanic.

Maybe if GSU gets LeBron cleared to play they will be decent.

LOL about GSC. WJU lost 92% of their scoring and still does not have a coaching staff.

Glenville has some streaky 3 pt shooters, but played a fast-paced AAU, playground, iso style with little teamwork, passing or synergy and even less team defense. When they played that way at WLU, it was a disaster as WLU put 158 points on them (87 in first half). Had WLU made most of their open layups, they would have gotten another 12 points to set the D2 scoring record.

FSU will be young but they have some talented RS freshmen. However, the unwillingness of FSU to change their coaching strategy in the Regional against ND was a real head scratcher to me. At this level most players can hit an open practice shot with no pressure from the corner 3s, regardless of the "statistics" from past games. But they did not change the stratey when it did not work. Felt sorry for the players as I thought the coaching strategy kept them from having a chance to win.

[boatcapt]

Re: PSAC WEST

May be a good year to join.

Minus WL, the MEC doesn't project too hot next year. ND, Concord and FSU got gutted. WJ is a total Titanic.

Maybe if GSU gets LeBron cleared to play they will be decent.

I think FSU will be a decent #2 in the MEC this coming year. I think UC has a good shot at being a solid #3 and could challenge FSU for #2.

Glenville...Hahahaha!! Kind of a team you don't want to play. If they are "on," they certainly can score with the best of them. Problem for them is they have just as good a chance of NOT being on ANY given night. Also their defense is effectively non-existent. As they say in boxing, you never want to fight a puncher...Glenville is the MEC's equivalent of a puncher!

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: PSAC WEST

I think FSU will be a decent #2 in the MEC this coming year. I think UC has a good shot at being a solid #3 and could challenge FSU for #2.

Glenville...Hahahaha!! Kind of a team you don't want to play. If they are "on," they certainly can score with the best of them. Problem for them is they have just as good a chance of NOT being on ANY given night. Also their defense is effectively non-existent. As they say in boxing, you never want to fight a puncher...Glenville is the MEC's equivalent of a puncher!

I'm not sold on Fairmont at all unless there are some big imports nobody knows about yet. They lost a ton to graduation and had their best big man transfer out.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: PSAC WEST

Mercyhurst posted its roster. If they don't add a couple imports this summer ... may be a painful rebuilding year for the Lake Show.

[IUPalum]

Re: PSAC WEST

Mercyhurst posted its roster. If they don't add a couple imports this summer ... may be a painful rebuilding year for the Lake Show.

That's not the official roster... they are definitely missing two transfers that brought size. off the top of my head I can't remember who they were.

[Dirtybird]

Re: PSAC WEST

They got the point guard from WJU also.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: PSAC WEST

Deservedly so, UPJ is getting a lot of buzz entering the 2019-20 season.

Looking at what they have coming back:

PG: Fred Mulbah - He had some highs and lows as a freshman a year ago ... should be a very steady player. Batt returning should cut his minutes a bit and keep him more fresh.

G: Josh Wise - Likely the front-runner for PSAC West Player of the Year. He should have a Brandon Norfleet-type senior season. His only weakness is he's a bit of a hot-head and can get rattled by opposing crowds. If he overcomes that he should have a huge season (and the fact he'll only see 1-2 rowdy crowds all year). Skill-wise, he's likely a Top 1-5 player in the PSAC in 2019-20.

G: Drew Magestro - Returns after sitting out last season due to a knee injury ... had a very strong freshman season two years ago. He'll be the floor spreader they lacked a year ago and will help Wise tremendously.

F: Caiden Landis (6'7", 215 lbs) - Had a very strong freshmen season and held his own. Lot of upside. Plays with tenacity.

F: John Paul Kromka (6'7", 215 lbs) - PSAC West Freshman of the Year ... burst on to the scene a year ago with nearly 17 ppg and 8 rpg. Very polished for his age.


Bench:

F/C Adam Kline (6'9', 225 lbs) - He'll be their version of a banger
F Marcin Wiszomirski (6'7", 215 lbs) - Solid big off the bench
F Matt Holsinger (6'6", 225 lbs) - Fits the mold of a typical under-recruited UPJ post player
G Jared Jakubick
G Joe Batt - Was having a good season as the backup PG prior to a season-ending injury.

All 10 of those players have been in the program for some time now. Little is know about any new signees but it would be somewhat doubtful any come in and play this season. UPJ traditionally recruits only high school players and typically they all redshirt as true freshmen.

Expectations rightfully are pretty high. UPJ plays 'system' basketball and plays it very well. They make few mistakes and can offset some athletic disadvantages with precision. They are great at passing teams to death and finding the perfect shot/lane/drive.

UPJ had some nice teams with A.J. Leahy and the Vescovi brothers, but this is by far the deepest team they've had in years and years.

Schedule highlights:

West Virginia Wesleyan (at IUP)
Concord (at IUP)
Ohio Dominican
East Stroudsburg
Kutztown
(2) games at the Puerto Rico Tournament (Thanksgiving)
(at) Shippensburg

... and the normal West schedule.

Of note, in the regular season finale UPJ plays at IUP (Feb. 29). That figures to be a BIG one inside the KCAC.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: PSAC WEST

Mercyhurst men's non-conference:

Oct. 10-13 - (4) exhibition games in Toronto


@ Ashland
Mercyhurst North East
Walsh
D'youville College (D3)
@ Daemen
Roberts Wesleyan
Le Moyne


PSAC CROSSOVER:

Millersville
Shepherd
@ West Chester
@ Bloomsburg
@ East Stroudsburg
Kutztown

[Golden89]

Re: PSAC WEST

Mercyhurst men's non-conference:

Oct. 10-13 - (4) exhibition games in Toronto


@ Ashland
Mercyhurst North East
Walsh
D'youville College (D3)
@ Daemen
Roberts Wesleyan
Le Moyne


PSAC CROSSOVER:

Millersville
Shepherd
@ West Chester
@ Bloomsburg
@ East Stroudsburg
Kutztown

Mercyhurst plays at Ashland on October 26? Does that game count? Can teams start games in October now? I though the season can't start until the second week of November (save the conference challenges). Mercyhurst-North East is a junior college operated about 10-15 miles east of their main campus.

Waiting (im)patiently for Gannon to release its schedule.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: PSAC WEST

Mercyhurst plays at Ashland on October 26? Does that game count? Can teams start games in October now? I though the season can't start until the second week of November (save the conference challenges). Mercyhurst-North East is a junior college operated about 10-15 miles east of their main campus.

Waiting (im)patiently for Gannon to release its schedule.

Ashland is likely an exhibition. I noticed that early date, too, however their site didn't call it an 'exhibition'. IUP played Ashland last year in a practice game.

We know Daemen will be pretty good. Hard to say what Le Moyne will be like in Year 1 of its new coach. Belein (sp) also took his best player with him to Niagara.