PSAC WEST

[Sec10-A-14]

I'm at 90% right now of making the long haul to Erie. IUPAlum told me on a mild winter night in Erie there is only 17" of snow.

Correction "mild winter night" should read Summer night :)

[IUPbigINDIANS]

A couple big ones on the ladies' side tonight.

Shippensburg (5-3, 8-6) at East Stroudsburg (6-2, 10-4)

-- Red Raiders need this one. An ESU win can give it a nice lead in the East. Ship's star will need a big performance tonight.


Edinboro (4-4, 6-6) at Cal (6-2, 12-2)

- Once one of the biggest games of the year, this years edition has lost some luster.


IUP (8-0, 13-1) at Gannon (7-1, 11-3)

- This is the biggest women's game in the Hammermill in years. The new Cleve Knights look a bit like the old Cleve Knights. IUP can score 95 or 45 in a given game. Unpredictable bunch. However, they just win. This should be a great one.

[jrshooter]

Here you go, you gambling degenerates. Call your bookies.

Shippensburg at East Stroudsburg - Just when things were looking up for ESU, the bottom fell out the past two games. A tough loss at Millersville was followed up by a shocking home loss to a short-handed Bloomsburg. The Warriors stay home tomorrow. That's the good news. The bad news is Shippensburg is coming to town -- and the Red Raiders are Red Hot. ESU's pressure will have to be on point for the Warriors to have a shot -- and they have to get some Ship starters in foul trouble. If not, it will be bombs-away for Shippensburg. Right now, the Red Raiders are just the more talented team. Shippensburg leaves town with a big win. Red Raiders -11

Right now, even getting a couple of Raiders in foul trouble might not do the trick, because Dom Sleva, Kiyon Hardy and Daylon Carter have all been playing great off the bench. I might only be concerned if Biss spends much time on the bench. The rest of them appear to get better looks, especially those open threes, when he's facilitating.

But Ship has also been known for coming up flat following a big win.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

UPDATED MEN'S STANDINGS

EAST	PSAC	OVERALL	STREAK
West Chester	8-1	14-1	W1
Shippensburg	8-1	12-3	W5
Millersville	5-4	8-7	W3
East Stroudsburg	4-5	8-6	L3
Bloomsburg	4-5	7-8	L1
Kutztown	4-5	6-9	L2
Lock Haven	3-6	6-7	W2
Mansfield	3-6	4-10	L3
Shepherd	2-7	6-9	L4
WEST	PSAC	OVERALL	STREAK
IUP	8-1	13-1	W4
Pitt-Johnstown	8-1	14-2	W6
California	6-3	10-5	W3
Mercyhurst	6-3	8-5	W2
Gannon	5-4	6-7	L1
Slippery Rock	3-6	7-8	W1
Edinboro	2-7	5-8	L4
Seton Hill	1-8	2-10	L2
Clarion	1-8	2-13	L6

[IUPbigINDIANS]

UPDATED WOMEN'S STANDINGS

EAST	PSAC	OVERALL	STREAK
East Stroudsburg	6-3	10-5	L1
Kutztown	6-3	9-6	W1
Shippensburg	6-3	9-6	W1
Shepherd	5-4	11-4	W1
Lock Haven	5-4	8-6	L1
Bloomsburg	4-5	7-6	W1
West Chester	3-6	5-9	W2
Millersville	2-7	5-9	L4
Mansfield	1-8	3-12	L4
WEST	PSAC	OVERALL	STREAK
IUP	9-0	14-1	W12
Seton Hill	7-2	12-2	W1
Gannon	7-2	11-4	L1
California	6-3	12-3	L1
Edinboro	5-4	7-6	W3
Mercyhurst	4-5	4-11	L1
Pitt-Johnstown	3-6	8-7	W1
Clarion	1-8	3-12	L3
Slippery Rock	1-8	3-12	L4

[Ship69]

Right now, even getting a couple of Raiders in foul trouble might not do the trick, because Dom Sleva, Kiyon Hardy and Daylon Carter have all been playing great off the bench. I might only be concerned if Biss spends much time on the bench. The rest of them appear to get better looks, especially those open threes, when he's facilitating.

But Ship has also been known for coming up flat following a big win.

Well, they got the win despite atrocious shooting in the first half. If it's possible for a team that's 12-3 and 8-1 in conference to be extremely erratic, this year's Ship team is the definition of that. The fortunate thing is that someone always seems to come through when someone else falls flat, and they've probably won a couple of games through sheer grit.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Anybody see the mid-year transfer Clarion signed? Dude is 6'11", 280 lbs.

[Ship69]

Anybody see the mid-year transfer Clarion signed? Dude is 6'11", 280 lbs.

Doesn't sound as if they'll be running a fast-break offense when he's in.

[CALUPA69]

Anybody see the mid-year transfer Clarion signed? Dude is 6'11", 280 lbs.

GODSPOWER OGIDE
Very confusing resume. Can't begin to tell where he's played and for how long. Connections to SALEM and DELAWARE STATE as well as a number of AAU teams.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Some statistical leaders (Top 5 in each):

Scoring Offense:

West Chester - 86.5 ppg
California - 83.3
Bloomsburg - 82.5
IUP - 82.1
UPJ - 81.3

Defense:

IUP - 64.2 ppg allowed
Mercyhurst - 67.2
Shippensburg - 67.3
East Stroudsburg - 69.4
Shepherd - 72.1

Margin:

IUP - +17.9
West Chester - 11.7
Mercyhurst - 10.8
Shippensburg - 9.5
UPJ - 8.3

FG %:

UPJ - 51.1%
Merchurst - 50.4%
IUP - 48.9%
Bloomsburg - 47%
Millersville - 47%

FG% Against:

IUP - 39.5%
Lock Haven - 40.5%
UPJ - 40.7%
West Chester - 41.2%
Millersville - 42.7%

3-Point PCT:

Mercyhurst - 43.2%
Gannon - 40.7%
Shepherd - 40.4%
Slippery Rock - 37.2%
West Chester - 37.2%

3-Point PCT Defense:

IUP - 29.4%
Lock Haven - 32.3%
California - 32.3%
Millersville - 33.0%
Shippensburg - 33.3%

3-pointers Made:

Shepherd - 194
California - 150
West Chester - 147
IUP - 120
Edinboro - 111

FT PCT:

Shippensburg - 77.4%
Kutztown - 75.6%
UPJ - 75.5%
Edinboro - 74.8%
Slippery Rock - 74.6%

Rebounding:

West Chester - 45.6 rpg
Shippensburg - 40.9
Slippery Rock - 40.0
Bloomsburg - 39.9
Lock Haven - 39.4

Blocks:

Millersville - 4.8 per game
Lock Haven - 4.46
Bloomsburg - 4.27
UPJ - 4.19
IUP - 3.93

Assists:

UPJ - 19.06 per game
Lock Haven - 16.15
California - 16.00
IUP - 15.21
West Chester - 15.13

Steals:

East Stroudsburg - 11.21 per game
IUP - 7.93
Lock Haven - 7.92
California - 7.60
Gannon - 7.23

Attendance:

IUP - 1,269 per game
Gannon - 758
Shepherd - 464
West Chester - 440
East Stroudsburg - 390

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Things slow down a bit this week with just two games instead of three. However, as the season is slowly winding away, there are some big games on deck. A quick look at this week in the PSAC West:


* Slippery Rock dug itself a hole but is capable of playing really well. You can see just watching Micah Till that he's getting better with each game back -- and the team is getting used to playing with him. When he's fully back to speed they will be a nightmare to play. That said, a suddenly-hot Millersville visits Morrow Field House on Wednesday, followed by a trip to Pitt-Johnstown. Not an easy week for the Rock, but at 3-6 in conference and 7-8 overall, they have to be looking to sweep. It won't be easy. If SRU loses both ... adios amigos.

* Mercyhurst is another talented team but one that has struggled on some nights and looked great on others. This is a very difficult week for the Lakers. A trip to Johnstown starts things off followed by a Saturday night, primetime visit by their friends from across town. A 2-0 week would put Mercyhurst right back in the West race. An 0-2 week would spell doom.

* IUP travels to Edinboro (ideally with its uniforms this year) and finally returns home this weekend to host California. It's the first IUP/Cal game in a very, very long time with true implications. IUP has won 19 of the past 21 in the series -- including the past 11 meetings. This will have the feel of a big game come Saturday night. Both teams are built pretty similarly. This could be a really fun, high-flying game to watch.

* UPJ has two home games this week, but its guests are rarely a treat to entertain. SRU and Mercyhurst are both capable of beating the Mountain Cats. Slippery Rock will actually match size against UPJ. Also, UPJ's pick-n-roll, back-door offense doesn't always work well against the Lakers' Triangle and Two. This has the feel of a split for UPJ. However, they are really tough to beat in Johnstown.

* Gannon should have an easy visit down to Clarion but will have its hands full at Mercyhurst. It's not Gary vs. JR any longer, so, ... call it first to 60.

* Seton Hill gets California and Shippensburg both in the McKenna Center. It will not be a fun week to be a Griffin -- or one of the 17 fans in the stands. Seton Hill used to be famous for one big home upset a year. It's hard to see that happening this year. Nathan Davis will get his points, but he can't do it alone.

* Edinboro has IUP and Clarion coming to McComb. The latter visit should be a win. The first one, ... not so much. With all the D-10 flavor, expect another large IUP contingent to accompany the visiting team.


On the ladies' side, California has a massive test ahead of it with trips to Seton Hill and IUP. The IUP ladies should get a test from a suddenly-rejuvenated Edinboro team prior to the yearly tussle with the Vulcans.

[Ship69]

Some statistical leaders (Top 5 in each):

Scoring Offense:

West Chester - 86.5 ppg
California - 83.3
Bloomsburg - 82.5
IUP - 82.1
UPJ - 81.3

Defense:

IUP - 64.2 ppg allowed
Mercyhurst - 67.2
Shippensburg - 67.3
East Stroudsburg - 69.4
Shepherd - 72.1

Margin:

IUP - +17.9
West Chester - 11.7
Mercyhurst - 10.8
Shippensburg - 9.5
UPJ - 8.3

FG %:

UPJ - 51.1%
Merchurst - 50.4%
IUP - 48.9%
Bloomsburg - 47%
Millersville - 47%

FG% Against:

IUP - 39.5%
Lock Haven - 40.5%
UPJ - 40.7%
West Chester - 41.2%
Millersville - 42.7%

3-Point PCT:

Mercyhurst - 43.2%
Gannon - 40.7%
Shepherd - 40.4%
Slippery Rock - 37.2%
West Chester - 37.2%

3-Point PCT Defense:

IUP - 29.4%
Lock Haven - 32.3%
California - 32.3%
Millersville - 33.0%
Shippensburg - 33.3%

3-pointers Made:

Shepherd - 194
California - 150
West Chester - 147
IUP - 120
Edinboro - 111

FT PCT:

Shippensburg - 77.4%
Kutztown - 75.6%
UPJ - 75.5%
Edinboro - 74.8%
Slippery Rock - 74.6%

Rebounding:

West Chester - 45.6 rpg
Shippensburg - 40.9
Slippery Rock - 40.0
Bloomsburg - 39.9
Lock Haven - 39.4

Blocks:

Millersville - 4.8 per game
Lock Haven - 4.46
Bloomsburg - 4.27
UPJ - 4.19
IUP - 3.93

Assists:

UPJ - 19.06 per game
Lock Haven - 16.15
California - 16.00
IUP - 15.21
West Chester - 15.13

Steals:

East Stroudsburg - 11.21 per game
IUP - 7.93
Lock Haven - 7.92
California - 7.60
Gannon - 7.23

Attendance:

IUP - 1,269 per game
Gannon - 758
Shepherd - 464
West Chester - 440
East Stroudsburg - 390

Kind of backs up what I've thought about Ship. Solid defense and rebounding have helped cover erratic shooting this year. And if you foul them, they make the free throws.

[bballfan03]

Things slow down a bit this week with just two games instead of three. However, as the season is slowly winding away, there are some big games on deck. A quick look at this week in the PSAC West:


* Slippery Rock dug itself a hole but is capable of playing really well. You can see just watching Micah Till that he's getting better with each game back -- and the team is getting used to playing with him. When he's fully back to speed they will be a nightmare to play. That said, a suddenly-hot Millersville visits Morrow Field House on Wednesday, followed by a trip to Pitt-Johnstown. Not an easy week for the Rock, but at 3-6 in conference and 7-8 overall, they have to be looking to sweep. It won't be easy. If SRU loses both ... adios amigos.

* Mercyhurst is another talented team but one that has struggled on some nights and looked great on others. This is a very difficult week for the Lakers. A trip to Johnstown starts things off followed by a Saturday night, primetime visit by their friends from across town. A 2-0 week would put Mercyhurst right back in the West race. An 0-2 week would spell doom.

* IUP travels to Edinboro (ideally with its uniforms this year) and finally returns home this weekend to host California. It's the first IUP/Cal game in a very, very long time with true implications. IUP has won 19 of the past 21 in the series -- including the past 11 meetings. This will have the feel of a big game come Saturday night. Both teams are built pretty similarly. This could be a really fun, high-flying game to watch.

* UPJ has two home games this week, but its guests are rarely a treat to entertain. SRU and Mercyhurst are both capable of beating the Mountain Cats. Slippery Rock will actually match size against UPJ. Also, UPJ's pick-n-roll, back-door offense doesn't always work well against the Lakers' Triangle and Two. This has the feel of a split for UPJ. However, they are really tough to beat in Johnstown.

* Gannon should have an easy visit down to Clarion but will have its hands full at Mercyhurst. It's not Gary vs. JR any longer, so, ... call it first to 60.

* Seton Hill gets California and Shippensburg both in the McKenna Center. It will not be a fun week to be a Griffin -- or one of the 17 fans in the stands. Seton Hill used to be famous for one big home upset a year. It's hard to see that happening this year. Nathan Davis will get his points, but he can't do it alone.

* Edinboro has IUP and Clarion coming to McComb. The latter visit should be a win. The first one, ... not so much. With all the D-10 flavor, expect another large IUP contingent to accompany the visiting team.


On the ladies' side, California has a massive test ahead of it with trips to Seton Hill and IUP. The IUP ladies should get a test from a suddenly-rejuvenated Edinboro team prior to the yearly tussle with the Vulcans.

I think Hurst-GU will still be ugly to watch.. could still be as low as first to 50.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I think Hurst-GU will still be ugly to watch.. could still be as low as first to 50.

I was upset when I saw they are playing at the same time as IUP.

Having seen both I'm not sure what to think. I think Gannon has more good players this year than Mercyhurst. However, they can really discombobulate teams' flow. Mercyhurst can really shoot the trey at high percentages (especially in the MAC). GU didn't defend the trey well at all against IUP. That could be the problem area. Gannon played well against IUP for 30 minutes. The last 10 just got ugly.

It's a tough call.

[bballfan03]

I was upset when I saw they are playing at the same time as IUP.

Having seen both I'm not sure what to think. I think Gannon has more good players this year than Mercyhurst. However, they can really discombobulate teams' flow. Mercyhurst can really shoot the trey at high percentages (especially in the MAC). GU didn't defend the trey well at all against IUP. That could be the problem area. Gannon played well against IUP for 30 minutes. The last 10 just got ugly.

It's a tough call.

the biggest issue for Gannon, to me, is that they appear to want to play a "run and gun" kind of game. Player rebounding takes it full court trying to outrun defense, shooting early in shot clock and trying to create a shot, etc which then leads to scrambled defense. I think they can do it against most teams, but they showed they couldn't against IUP. Rather than change it up, they did the same thing and IUP finally hit 3's and crushed them. Same thing against UPJ... they slinged it around, but couldn't capitalize for a W and then UPJ hit 3's and won. Mercyhurst will obviously slow them down, so I'm curious to see if it helps Gannon to slow down a little or if Hurst will just eat them with slow, grinding defense.

I'd have felt a lot better if the IUP game was at IUP and ended the way it did. But having it happen at home... ugh.. game at IUP could be 30+ and early. We'll see how they handle Hurst first.