PSAC WEST

[Fightingscot82]

Once again, a PSAC officiating crew refusing to call a fair game vs Edinboro. This time a flaccid Gannon bench player taking a shot at the Edinboro player on the court. The Boro player immediately went to the officials who rebuffed him then refused to discuss it with Cleary. Insanity.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

For all you degenerates, here are today's lines:

Kutztown at Shepherd - The Rams are probably the best team in the league that nobody talks about -- and, certainly a tough out. Kutztown may be picking up hitchhikers to fill out the starting lineup. Shepherd is tough at home -- and loves to make it rain in Shepherdstown. Rams -5.5

Bloomsburg at West Chester - The Huskies kept fighting for win No. 1 and they finally got it. The party, however, will be short-lived. WCU is sporadic -- but, less sporadic at home. Rams -9.5

Millersville at Mansfield - Whatever gut feeling you are having about betting Millersville this morning ... do the complete opposite. You may have a chance then. Marauders -3.5

Seton Hill at Mercyhurst - Real big game in the MAC. The Griffins are red hot. The Lakers had a so-so week. Who will win the zone vs zone battle? Take the home team. Experience under the bright lights usually prevails. But, it will be close. Lakers -3.5

Shippensburg at Lock Haven - Speaking of big games ... the Raiders enter today with a full game lead in the East. The Bald Eagles are just one game back. Both will also be paying close attention to the score in Indiana. This is simply a 'home team' game. Shippensburg has had some issues up at Lock Haven over the years. The Bald Eagles are also legit this year. Home team pulls it out, but loses return game at Shippensburg. Wild card factor could be some wobbly LH legs. They've spent a lot of time in the bus this week. Bald Eagles -4.5

East Stroudsburg at IUP - Prior to the ESU mini-funk, most circled this as a late January potential clash of undefeated teams. The luster has wore off a bit with the Warriors dropping 3 of their past 4 games. The KCAC, expecting 3,000+ today, isn't a good slump-busting venue. But, ESU is still a really strong team -- and, slumps do eventually end. Joe Lombardi is just hoping said slump doesn't end today. IUP has won 10 of the past 12 meetings in the series -- and the past three. The past two IUP victories haven't been close. IUP wins a very close one today. Crimson Hawks -3.5

Pitt-Johnstown at California - Two hot teams. Neither are deep. So, this is pretty much 6 on 6. I like Cal's 6 a little better today -- especially in Angelo's Dome. Vulcans win a thriller. Cal -3.5

Slippery Rock at Clarion - The Rock has been a bust on the big stage this year. Tippin is far from the big stage. SRU wins this one in a run-away. Rock -15.5

Edinboro at Gannon - Does GU ever play on the road? Why does it seem like they are home every game? I'll say this: If the Knights are mentally engaged today, they should win. Not by much, but, they should win. Will they be mentally engaged, however, is the biggest question. Gannon -2.5

[Fightingscot82]

In case you aren't paying attention (which, likely, you aren't) ... Our old friend Kevin Reynolds has instantly flipped Point Park from a rundown program in to a 17-5 team in his first year.

I'm going to assume the Clarion job opens in about two months. If KR isn't their first call they should disband the program.

If the Gannon job hasn't already been offered to him under the table.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

In case you aren't paying attention (which, likely, you aren't) ... Our old friend Kevin Reynolds has instantly flipped Point Park from a rundown program in to a 17-5 team in his first year.

I'm going to assume the Clarion job opens in about two months. If KR isn't their first call they should disband the program.

[Ship69]

I didn't get any sense the SRU team doesn't get along. I've watched them on the screen a few times but that was my first time seeing them live. Ian Grady is a good coach and has recruited pretty high character players -- a dramatic swing from the KR days. Both teams were helping each other off the floor, etc. That type of sportsmanship never happened in the past (instead they were just knocking each other to said floor). I get the whole IUP/SRU thing -- but that 'hype' is largely a football thing that fans try and carry over to basketball. There isn't currently much animosity between the two programs. If anything, I think they respect one another.

The key to that game was both teams had to start fast. IUP had to get that crowd to go away and, unlike other years, be a non-factor. I got the sense SRU got a bit shell-shocked in the first 5 minutes. This IUP team is a bear to deal with because the first 8 guys can all score 20+, all shoot outside and they all buy in to Joe's pressure, constantly-switching defense.

You go to games there during the year ... you know they normally have about 150 people in Morrow. They easily had 2,500 in there for the IUP game. When the home team starts slow, along with all the pressure IUP applies on both ends ... I think they started to very quickly tense up. I also think not performing well in the first 5-6 minutes in front of that huge home crowd started to shrink the rim on them.

I can say first-hand, IUP had a lot of worries about that game. That's been a tough building for them over the years. It was no coincidence they sent a fan bus up there. That was the first fan bus for an away game since the regional final at WL almost 10 years ago. IUP is very fortunate to have 350-some fans travel up there -- and be very engaged -- on a crappy night in late January. But, IUP's players were ready for that atmosphere. They've been there before and seemed to enjoy it.

I do agree SRU is just missing something. They can line up with anybody athlete for athlete. They have good size and skill. But, there's a reason they keep losing big games. Looking back at Wednesday night, I though Grady's decision to press for 40 minutes was a bad call. They aren't a pressing team and it was hugely ineffective for 99 percent of the game. I'd be shocked if he calls on the press in the rematch in a couple weeks. I think the only think it did was tire themselves out.

I also find their use of Lashon Lindsey interesting. In person, he looks like a P5 player. He's big and built and fast. But, they primarily use him almost as a guard. Khalid Gates is a tough player and he's going to get his points. Their two players who stood out to me were Jonathan McFall and Jomo Goings. Both are great athletes. Goings is a strong defender. IUP smothered Amante Britt pretty good. He's had some big games against IUP in the past so I figured they were going to try and make his life very difficult.

But, they are a tough bunch ... certainly not an easy out.

Interesting. I didn't view that game, so I didn't know they pressed. That's not something I would do against IUP with the experienced depth at guard they have. The only way I'm pressing IUP as a coach is if I have superior talent to them, which obviously Slippery Rock doesn't, or if I normally run a press-and-run system (we'll see how that works out for East Stroudsburg Saturday). If a team doesn't normally press, about the only use I can see for it is as an occasional surprise tactic. Ship was able to pull off a couple of key steals at the end of the Shepherd game with a press — something the Raiders seldom resort to. After all the teams that have tried to press us recently, it was kind of fun to see the tables turned.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

SRU has guys that can create but more set plays would benefit them. They just seem to struggle when they need to create. In their loss to LH, not getting the ball to #5 at the end of Reg and OT1 seems to be the result of selfish play. Admittedly I don’t know what is being discussed in the huddle but having your best player attack the bucket usually has a better outcome than chucking up a contested three. I don’t know how well the individuals get along.

I didn't get any sense the SRU team doesn't get along. I've watched them on the screen a few times but that was my first time seeing them live. Ian Grady is a good coach and has recruited pretty high character players -- a dramatic swing from the KR days. Both teams were helping each other off the floor, etc. That type of sportsmanship never happened in the past (instead they were just knocking each other to said floor). I get the whole IUP/SRU thing -- but that 'hype' is largely a football thing that fans try and carry over to basketball. There isn't currently much animosity between the two programs. If anything, I think they respect one another.

The key to that game was both teams had to start fast. IUP had to get that crowd to go away and, unlike other years, be a non-factor. I got the sense SRU got a bit shell-shocked in the first 5 minutes. This IUP team is a bear to deal with because the first 8 guys can all score 20+, all shoot outside and they all buy in to Joe's pressure, constantly-switching defense.

You go to games there during the year ... you know they normally have about 150 people in Morrow. They easily had 2,500 in there for the IUP game. When the home team starts slow, along with all the pressure IUP applies on both ends ... I think they started to very quickly tense up. I also think not performing well in the first 5-6 minutes in front of that huge home crowd started to shrink the rim on them.

I can say first-hand, IUP had a lot of worries about that game. That's been a tough building for them over the years. It was no coincidence they sent a fan bus up there. That was the first fan bus for an away game since the regional final at WL almost 10 years ago. IUP is very fortunate to have 350-some fans travel up there -- and be very engaged -- on a crappy night in late January. But, IUP's players were ready for that atmosphere. They've been there before and seemed to enjoy it.

I do agree SRU is just missing something. They can line up with anybody athlete for athlete. They have good size and skill. But, there's a reason they keep losing big games. Looking back at Wednesday night, I though Grady's decision to press for 40 minutes was a bad call. They aren't a pressing team and it was hugely ineffective for 99 percent of the game. I'd be shocked if he calls on the press in the rematch in a couple weeks. I think the only think it did was tire themselves out.

I also find their use of Lashon Lindsey interesting. In person, he looks like a P5 player. He's big and built and fast. But, they primarily use him almost as a guard. Khalid Gates is a tough player and he's going to get his points. Their two players who stood out to me were Jonathan McFall and Jomo Goings. Both are great athletes. Goings is a strong defender. IUP smothered Amante Britt pretty good. He's had some big games against IUP in the past so I figured they were going to try and make his life very difficult.

But, they are a tough bunch ... certainly not an easy out.

[Ship69]

SRU has guys that can create but more set plays would benefit them. They just seem to struggle when they need to create. In their loss to LH, not getting the ball to #5 at the end of Reg and OT1 seems to be the result of selfish play. Admittedly I don’t know what is being discussed in the huddle but having your best player attack the bucket usually has a better outcome than chucking up a contested three. I don’t know how well the individuals get along.

Getting off a good shot as time is winding down near the end of a half or a game seems to be becoming a lost art. I've lost track of the number of times I've seen players dribble away 15 seconds and start for the basket with just 5-6 seconds left. They either shoot an ill-advised three or try to dribble through 2-3 players in the lane, tossing up a desperation underhand double-pump shot or something similar. I was actually amazed when Mansfield ran a good set play against Ship as the first half was ending, got a nice screen for a three-point shooter on the baseline, and scored. While I was unhappy to see them make the three as a Ship fan, I said good on them for actually running a set in that situation. A lot of coaches these days, even the good ones, seem to have a sort of "let 'em play" mentality. That's fine, but sometimes a little team discipline is called for in certain situations

[IUPTrackMan]

[TABLE="border: 1, cellpadding: 1, width: 500"]



* Slippery Rock is in a funk. The Rock has lost 5 of its past 6 games. A trip to Clarion this weekend should end the skid. SRU has been in most of its losses -- just struggling to close games out.

SRU has guys that can create but more set plays would benefit them. They just seem to struggle when they need to create. In their loss to LH, not getting the ball to #5 at the end of Reg and OT1 seems to be the result of selfish play. Admittedly I don’t know what is being discussed in the huddle but having your best player attack the bucket usually has a better outcome than chucking up a contested three. I don’t know how well the individuals get along.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

TEAM	PSAC	OVERALL	STREAK
IUP	13-0	19-0	W19
Mercyhurst	10-3	14-3	W1
Pitt-Johnstown	10-3	14-5	W3
Seton Hill	7-6	12-7	W1
Slippery Rock	6-7	12-7	L3
California	6-7	9-10	W2
Edinboro	3-10	5-13	L2
Gannon	1-12	1-16	L1
Clarion	0-13	2-16	L14

---

Notes heading in to the weekend:

* California is playing well and almost up to .500. The Vulcans have won 4 of their past 6 games -- with one of the losses being a slim, 1-point loss to Mercyhurst. Cal hosts UPJ next in a huge game for both teams.

* Slippery Rock is in a funk. The Rock has lost 5 of its past 6 games. A trip to Clarion this weekend should end the skid. SRU has been in most of its losses -- just struggling to close games out.

* Seton Hill is hot again -- winners of 6 of their past 7 outings. A tough stretch awaits, however, as the Griffins' next three games are (at) Mercyhurst, IUP and (at) Slippery Rock.

* Saturday's Edinboro at Gannon game won't grab headlines, but it is huge for both teams' conference tournament hopes. The Golden Knights can stay in the mix for the final spot with a win.

* Mercyhurst rebounded from its loss in Johnstown by hammering Clarion last night. Seton Hill visits the MAC in 48 hours. Zone vs. Zone

[bballfan03]

Perusing games and most seem to be as expected (gave up on GU game.. Seton hill was up 24).

IUP up 15 on SRU 7m left
Hurst is crushing clarion
uPJ leads Boro by 10 5m left
shep ship is a close game
Cal up 12 on mansfield 2 to go

[Ship69]

Sam 'Ace' Rothstein just Tweeted out tonight's lines. However, Nicky Santoro will be over to collect shall you lose.


Seton Hill at Gannon - The Golden Knights got in the win column. Seton Hill lost at home to California. That's the end of the momentum swing. Griffins are a better team -- and their zone should really frustrate a team that is easy to frustrate. SH -9.5

Pitt-Johnstown at Edinboro - Possible let-down spot for UPJ coming off big wins against Slippery Rock and Mercyhurst. By let-down, the Cats could pull an IUP and not show up for the first half. But, UPJ has way too much. Cats roll, -15.5

Lock Haven at East Stroudsburg - Warriors have seemed a bit off of late and the Bald Eagles like to run and gun. This is a tough Lock Haven team. It should stay close for a stretch, but ESU breaks out of its mini funk at home. Bald Eagles have spent too much time in a bus in the past 48 hours. ESU -12.5

Mercyhurst at Clarion - The Golden Eagles may play better inside Tippin, but it won't matter tonight. An angry Lakers' group takes out their frustration. Mercyhurst -19.5

Mansfield at California - Both are better than their record. Vulcans have too much offense and pull away in second half. Cal -13.5

Bloomsburg at Kutztown - Major trap spot here for the Golden Bears. KU played an incredibly hard 40 minutes just 48 hours ago. Their tired legs -- combined with a depleted roster -- may keep the Huskies in this one. Kutztown (likely) wins. Bears -7.5

West Chester at Millersville - The gamblers' two worst friends. Predicting which version of either shows up from night to night is playing roulette. The Rams are deeper and bigger. That should make the difference. Right? Millersville took a three-game sweep a year ago. Payback time. WCU -5.5

Shepherd at Shippensburg - Speaking of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde ... which version of the Rams will visit Shippensburg tonight? The Larry Bird version that makes it rain from 25' all night, or, the version that wants to win, 55-54? Safe money is on the home team tonight coming off a somewhat odd loss. Now with (7) losses, Chris Fite is in shark-infested waters. Raiders have won four straight in the series. Tonight will be No. 5. Ship -3.5 in a tight one.

IUP at Slippery Rock - Goodness how a venue changes things. If this game was in Indiana tonight, IUP would probably be a 10-12 point favorite. In the Joe Lombardi House of Horrors, however, that's out the window. IUP's big advantage is it has played, together, in many big games -- home and away. The Hawks must avoid their standard slow-ish start. Vegas says IUP wins. Barely. Hawks -3.5

I'll give you credit for even attempting to pick Eastern Division games this year. I give up.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Sam 'Ace' Rothstein just Tweeted out tonight's lines. However, Nicky Santoro will be over to collect shall you lose.


Seton Hill at Gannon - The Golden Knights got in the win column. Seton Hill lost at home to California. That's the end of the momentum swing. Griffins are a better team -- and their zone should really frustrate a team that is easy to frustrate. SH -9.5

Pitt-Johnstown at Edinboro - Possible let-down spot for UPJ coming off big wins against Slippery Rock and Mercyhurst. By let-down, the Cats could pull an IUP and not show up for the first half. But, UPJ has way too much. Cats roll, -15.5

Lock Haven at East Stroudsburg - Warriors have seemed a bit off of late and the Bald Eagles like to run and gun. This is a tough Lock Haven team. It should stay close for a stretch, but ESU breaks out of its mini funk at home. Bald Eagles have spent too much time in a bus in the past 48 hours. ESU -12.5

Mercyhurst at Clarion - The Golden Eagles may play better inside Tippin, but it won't matter tonight. An angry Lakers' group takes out their frustration. Mercyhurst -19.5

Mansfield at California - Both are better than their record. Vulcans have too much offense and pull away in second half. Cal -13.5

Bloomsburg at Kutztown - Major trap spot here for the Golden Bears. KU played an incredibly hard 40 minutes just 48 hours ago. Their tired legs -- combined with a depleted roster -- may keep the Huskies in this one. Kutztown (likely) wins. Bears -7.5

West Chester at Millersville - The gamblers' two worst friends. Predicting which version of either shows up from night to night is playing roulette. The Rams are deeper and bigger. That should make the difference. Right? Millersville took a three-game sweep a year ago. Payback time. WCU -5.5

Shepherd at Shippensburg - Speaking of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde ... which version of the Rams will visit Shippensburg tonight? The Larry Bird version that makes it rain from 25' all night, or, the version that wants to win, 55-54? Safe money is on the home team tonight coming off a somewhat odd loss. Now with (7) losses, Chris Fite is in shark-infested waters. Raiders have won four straight in the series. Tonight will be No. 5. Ship -3.5 in a tight one.

IUP at Slippery Rock - Goodness how a venue changes things. If this game was in Indiana tonight, IUP would probably be a 10-12 point favorite. In the Joe Lombardi House of Horrors, however, that's out the window. IUP's big advantage is it has played, together, in many big games -- home and away. The Hawks must avoid their standard slow-ish start. Vegas says IUP wins. Barely. Hawks -3.5

[IUPalum]

These seedings could be a mess come PSAC tourney time.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

The (Men's) West race continues to be interesting. IUP has a rare (for this time of year) three-game lead, but it's pretty congested after that point. SRU and Seton Hill both losing at home last night muddies the water even more.

-

TEAM	PSAC	OVERALL	STREAK
IUP	12-0	18-0	W18
Mercyhurst	9-3	13-3	L1
Pitt-Johnstown	9-3	13-5	W2
Slippery Rock	6-6	12-6	L2
Seton Hill	6-6	11-7	L1
California	5-7	8-10	W1
Edinboro	3-9	5-12	L1
Gannon	1-11	1-15	W1
Clarion	0-12	2-15	L13

[IUPbigINDIANS]

A lot of street ball in this one.

Rock in trouble