PSAC WEST

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Well, turns out they weren’t allowed to do those things and the fouls mounted quickly. I can’t say I agree with all of the calls (both teams had bad calls go against them), but there was just no way Hurst was going to match up physically and that resulted in foul trouble. IUP defended the 3-point line much better in the second half holding the Lakers to just 4-14 from deep after giving up seven 3’s and better than 50% in the first half.

Even though IUP won by double digits, I don’t think they played to their capability. I’ll add that Mercyhurst is very, very good and well coached. I think they’re the best team IUP has seen this year.

IUP should have won by 20+

[EyeoftheHawk]

If Mercyhurst is allowed to maul , position pushing -hand checking D then teams are in a battle - if ref’s call it close - Mercyhurst in deep trouble .

Well, turns out they weren’t allowed to do those things and the fouls mounted quickly. I can’t say I agree with all of the calls (both teams had bad calls go against them), but there was just no way Hurst was going to match up physically and that resulted in foul trouble. IUP defended the 3-point line much better in the second half holding the Lakers to just 4-14 from deep after giving up seven 3’s and better than 50% in the first half.

Even though IUP won by double digits, I don’t think they played to their capability. I’ll add that Mercyhurst is very, very good and well coached. I think they’re the best team IUP has seen this year.

[jrshooter]

Not exactly impressive, 'Boro, when you can't bother to find a PBP guy to accompany your video feed.

[IUPHawks24]

If Mercyhurst is allowed to maul , position pushing -hand checking D then teams are in a battle - if ref’s call it close - Mercyhurst in deep trouble .

That’s one way to look at it. Not sure I’d go that far, but they would benefit from a more physical game. Then again, IUP is a lot bigger. I wouldn’t say they foul on every possession though.

They’ve been winning by huge margins lately, including against your Raiders (granted, some of the other wins have been against weaker teams) so I wouldn’t say it’s because of the officiating. I’ve seen East Stroudsburg play this year and they’re also very handsy and aggressive.

[Ship76]

That is spot on . Foul on every play - who when where on clock -
Ref’s are human
- at times it’s a difficult balance -
make call at 2 minutes in …. Make it late .

[IUPalum]

You're absolutely correct. They likely won't get away with that in Joe's house tomorrow but we'll see.

We’ll know once we see the officials walk into the building.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

If Mercyhurst is allowed to maul , position pushing -hand checking D then teams are in a battle - if ref’s call it close - Mercyhurst in deep trouble .

You're absolutely correct. They likely won't get away with that in Joe's house tomorrow but we'll see.

[Ship76]

If Mercyhurst is allowed to maul , position pushing -hand checking D then teams are in a battle - if ref’s call it close - Mercyhurst in deep trouble .

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Updated MEN'S standings / PSAC West

----

TEAM	PSAC	OVERALL	STREAK
IUP	6-0	12-0	W12
Mercyhurst	5-1	9-1	W7
Pitt-Johnstown	5-1	9-3	W4
Slippery Rock	4-2	10-2	W1
California	2-4	5-7	W1
Edinboro	2-4	4-7	L1
Seton Hill	1-5	6-6	L3
Clarion	0-6	2-9	L7
Gannon	0-6	0-10	L10

[Golden89]

Like I said last week GU isn't an easy out (despite the perhaps perceived view of an 0-10 team). They battle. Jefferson's teams are scrappy. If they get healthy they'll win some games.

Gannon also has Zach Kent back, hopefully for good this time. He had 18 points in his third game in a GU uniform. But now Chris Clancy is hurt and did not play last night.

Agree that GU isn't your average 0-10 team, but you are what your record says you are.

[EyeoftheHawk]

Agreed. Everyone talks about the defense, but they don't turn the ball over and they shoot it really well from 3. Those are two areas they've been really strong in during this stretch the last 4-5 years where they've been incredibly successful. I just think IUP has too much, I don't see how Mercyhurst will be able to contend with the size of Tomiwa and Porterfield. IUP has so much quickness too that those 3's won't be as open as they are against other teams. Should be a good game, but I don't see how Mercyhurst gets it done on the road.

Agree. I expect IUP to win by double digits in a lower scoring game.

[IUPHawks24]

Mercyhurst, when it starts hot, really gets inside the other teams' head. Not only is their defense so strong, odd and difficult, they rebound exceptionally well. A lot of times you aren't getting a second shot if you miss. So, then it feels like the rim is shrinking.

Almost everybody talks about their defense, but when Gary has really strong teams, they rebound tough and can really shoot from outside. They very well may win in Indiana on Saturday. It's going to be a dog fight (as usual).

Agreed. Everyone talks about the defense, but they don't turn the ball over and they shoot it really well from 3. Those are two areas they've been really strong in during this stretch the last 4-5 years where they've been incredibly successful. I just think IUP has too much, I don't see how Mercyhurst will be able to contend with the size of Tomiwa and Porterfield. IUP has so much quickness too that those 3's won't be as open as they are against other teams. Should be a good game, but I don't see how Mercyhurst gets it done on the road.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

That's a great way of describing it. The stats alone don't tell the whole story - they had to have at least 30 points off of turnovers. Boro had been doing alright with forcing teams to shoot outside the arc but it seemed to hurt them.

Mercyhurst, when it starts hot, really gets inside the other teams' head. Not only is their defense so strong, odd and difficult, they rebound exceptionally well. A lot of times you aren't getting a second shot if you miss. So, then it feels like the rim is shrinking.

Almost everybody talks about their defense, but when Gary has really strong teams, they rebound tough and can really shoot from outside. They very well may win in Indiana on Saturday. It's going to be a dog fight (as usual).

[Fightingscot82]

When they start hot like that ... very difficult to beat. It's so hard to make a comeback against that defense. They feed off it.

The year they knocked IUP out of the NCAAs it was the same thing. They came out on fire and IUP couldn't hit the side of a barn.

That's a great way of describing it. The stats alone don't tell the whole story - they had to have at least 30 points off of turnovers. Boro had been doing alright with forcing teams to shoot outside the arc but it seemed to hurt them.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Hurst was dominant last night. It seemed like Mercyhurst's plan clearly was executed perfectly. At the half I checked the stats because it felt like they shot 70% from the field.

When they start hot like that ... very difficult to beat. It's so hard to make a comeback against that defense. They feed off it.

The year they knocked IUP out of the NCAAs it was the same thing. They came out on fire and IUP couldn't hit the side of a barn.