PSAC WEST

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Seton Hill lost a tough one in 2OT at Davis & Elkins, 100-95.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

That's a good point. I'm sure they were related. That year was the beginning of the great run Mercyhurst has been on- as well as the beginning of IUP's absolutely ridiculous run. Just looked it up:

Mercyhurst

2017-18 13-14 No Tourney
2018-19 26-8 NCAA Elite Eight
2019-20 20-8 NCAA (COVID Cancellation)
2020-21 12-1 NCAA 2nd Round
2021-22 25-7 NCAA 2nd Round

IUP

2017-18 22-8 No Tourney
2018-19. 30-3 NCAA 2nd Round
2019-20 28-2 NCAA (COVID Cancellation- What Could've Been)
2020-21 Season Cancelled
2021-22 33-3 NCAA Final Four

Including this year, IUP is 96-8 since the start of the 2018-19 season. That's mind boggling. Mercyhurst is 84-24. I think both Lombardi and Manchel will coach longer than one might think if they can somehow sustain the level of success (which will be incredibly difficult). Jeff Wilson at ESU is another extremely successful coach and a little bit younger I believe, but I don't see any of these guys giving it up in the next five years given the current or similar trajectory.

As great as last year was I think we'll always wonder 'what if' about it ... at least a little. They made the Final Four without their top scorer for all by 6.5 games. That was incredible.

With Shawndale that team may have won the last game of the season. But, we'll never know.

Regardless, it was probably my favorite season in a long time. Ethan's trey to seal the Regional Final was the best moment ever in the KCAC. That place exploded.

Crazy to think they've lost a star early in the season -- for the season -- both of the past two seasons. Go find any wood you have and knock on it lol.

[IUPHawks24]

I'm not sure if they made a run at Manchel or not. Recall, at that time, Mercyhurst was rolling (they still are to an extent). Manchel signed a nice extension right around that time period -- likely not a coincidence. I really thought they should have hired Kevin Reynolds (their longtime nemesis). But, his situation was a little too murky at the time.

Jefferson's had two full seasons (and the Covid year). In his two full years, he's gone 14-13 in each -- both ending with getting blown out in Rd. 1 of the PSAC Tournament. Now add this 0-4 start, which his team has looked pretty hapless, and it's probably pretty easy to see how a once-vibrant fanbase is losing its mind.

The West will start to get a facelift in the coming years. Manchel and Lombardi aren't going to coach forever. I'd say -- max -- both have 2-4 years left. Both jobs will be highly-coveted within the D2 universe.

Just a guess, but I'd say the Gannon and Clarion jobs will both open at the end of this season. Seton Hill's hot start -- with a first-year coach -- surely isn't going unnoticed.

And, KR, BTW, is close by down at Point Park. Just sayin'

That's a good point. I'm sure they were related. That year was the beginning of the great run Mercyhurst has been on- as well as the beginning of IUP's absolutely ridiculous run. Just looked it up:

Mercyhurst

2017-18 13-14 No Tourney
2018-19 26-8 NCAA Elite Eight
2019-20 20-8 NCAA (COVID Cancellation)
2020-21 12-1 NCAA 2nd Round
2021-22 25-7 NCAA 2nd Round

IUP

2017-18 22-8 No Tourney
2018-19. 30-3 NCAA 2nd Round
2019-20 28-2 NCAA (COVID Cancellation- What Could've Been)
2020-21 Season Cancelled
2021-22 33-3 NCAA Final Four

Including this year, IUP is 96-8 since the start of the 2018-19 season. That's mind boggling. Mercyhurst is 84-24. I think both Lombardi and Manchel will coach longer than one might think if they can somehow sustain the level of success (which will be incredibly difficult). Jeff Wilson at ESU is another extremely successful coach and a little bit younger I believe, but I don't see any of these guys giving it up in the next five years given the current or similar trajectory.

[IUPalum]

UPDATED MEN'S STANDINGS (thru games played 11-27-2022)

TEAM	OVERALL	STREAK
IUP	5-0	W5
Mercyhurst	1-0	W1
Seton Hill	5-0	W5
Slippery Rock	5-0	W5
Pitt-Johnstown	3-2	L1
California	3-3	W1
Edinboro	2-3	L1
Clarion	1-2	W1
Gannon	0-4	L4

SRU and SH look a lot better than I expected. They could cause trouble down the road.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Gannon has a really odd roster. Looks like Dodds is out with injury too? A ton of players, but no clear rotation right now. It’s still early. Mims is a solid player, but his shooting numbers are atrocious right now. Clancy probably needs some time to get his game legs back too after missing last year.

Jefferson doesn’t always look like he wants to be there when he’s coaching. If they have the $$$ that some people say they do, I don’t know why they didn’t make a run at Manchel the last time the job opened. Someone like Sancomb would be an interesting option too. However, both Cal and Mercyhurst are good jobs in their own right. It’s ironic, they fired Riley for not winning enough but he was in the NCAA’s the year prior to getting fired in ‘19.

I'm not sure if they made a run at Manchel or not. Recall, at that time, Mercyhurst was rolling (they still are to an extent). Manchel signed a nice extension right around that time period -- likely not a coincidence. I really thought they should have hired Kevin Reynolds (their longtime nemesis). But, his situation was a little too murky at the time.

Jefferson's had two full seasons (and the Covid year). In his two full years, he's gone 14-13 in each -- both ending with getting blown out in Rd. 1 of the PSAC Tournament. Now add this 0-4 start, which his team has looked pretty hapless, and it's probably pretty easy to see how a once-vibrant fanbase is losing its mind.

The West will start to get a facelift in the coming years. Manchel and Lombardi aren't going to coach forever. I'd say -- max -- both have 2-4 years left. Both jobs will be highly-coveted within the D2 universe.

Just a guess, but I'd say the Gannon and Clarion jobs will both open at the end of this season. Seton Hill's hot start -- with a first-year coach -- surely isn't going unnoticed.

And, KR, BTW, is close by down at Point Park. Just sayin'

[IUPbigINDIANS]

UPDATED MEN'S STANDINGS (thru games played 11-27-2022)

TEAM	OVERALL	STREAK
IUP	5-0	W5
Mercyhurst	1-0	W1
Seton Hill	5-0	W5
Slippery Rock	5-0	W5
Pitt-Johnstown	3-2	L1
California	3-3	W1
Edinboro	2-3	L1
Clarion	1-2	W1
Gannon	0-4	L4

[Feedoggie]

Unfortunately,I won’t be going to the AngeloDome very often this year. 154-mile round-trip for me never bothered me, but now the fuel is just too much.

[IUPalum]

Gannon has a really odd roster. Looks like Dodds is out with injury too? A ton of players, but no clear rotation right now. It’s still early. Mims is a solid player, but his shooting numbers are atrocious right now. Clancy probably needs some time to get his game legs back too after missing last year.

Jefferson doesn’t always look like he wants to be there when he’s coaching. If they have the $$$ that some people say they do, I don’t know why they didn’t make a run at Manchel the last time the job opened. Someone like Sancomb would be an interesting option too. However, both Cal and Mercyhurst are good jobs in their own right. It’s ironic, they fired Riley for not winning enough but he was in the NCAA’s the year prior to getting fired in ‘19.

Riley was railroaded out by a twat of an AD, boosters that didn’t like his style and they wanted to free up cash to rehire Cleve Wright for the girls program. Complete utter joke! I can tell you this much, the boosters aren’t happy now!

[IUPHawks24]

Gannon swept in The Gary Miller Classic and now 0-4.

Wow. That seat may be getting hot in Erie.

Gannon has a really odd roster. Looks like Dodds is out with injury too? A ton of players, but no clear rotation right now. It’s still early. Mims is a solid player, but his shooting numbers are atrocious right now. Clancy probably needs some time to get his game legs back too after missing last year.

Jefferson doesn’t always look like he wants to be there when he’s coaching. If they have the $$$ that some people say they do, I don’t know why they didn’t make a run at Manchel the last time the job opened. Someone like Sancomb would be an interesting option too. However, both Cal and Mercyhurst are good jobs in their own right. It’s ironic, they fired Riley for not winning enough but he was in the NCAA’s the year prior to getting fired in ‘19.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Gannon swept in The Gary Miller Classic and now 0-4.

Wow. That seat may be getting hot in Erie.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Typically by the Thanksgiving (very short) break, we have a pretty good feel for things. Most teams have played numerous games. We've seen the new faces.
Now that more information exists, here's my 're-rank' of the West teams.

1. IUP (4-0) - Joe's played four solid teams and hasn't really been challenged yet. IUP is way deeper than typical Joe teams and has more help on the way.

2. Slippery Rock (4-0) - SRU passed a big test yesterday by blowing out (82-60) a Daemen team that lost by just (1) point to Mercyhurst. The catch, however, is SRU's first (5) games are at home -- where they always play strong. One of their wins is also against the PSU-Branch circuit. Make no mistake, the Rock has found its next great transfer in power forward Khalid Gates. They have a very strong starting group -- skill, size and athletic.

3. Mercyhurst (1-0) - Amazingly, the Lakers' 2nd game will not be played until Dec. 2 (at West Chester). So, the jury is still out. However, the core of last year's NCAA team returned, so Gary's group gets the benefit of the doubt. They are going to play a 6-games in 17-days bender starting at WCU.

4. Seton Hill (5-0) - The Griffins are legit. Two things were abundantly clear last night: (1) that's not the old Seton Hill and (2) that didn't remotely resemble the Shippensburg we're used to seeing. Seton Hill ran circles around the Raiders and Ship's defense looked completely lost against Seton Hill's new, up-tempo, pick-n-roll, trey-shooting attack. The final score may have said Seton Hill won by 11 last night, but that game was a blowout. Ship got some garbage points at the end. Seton Hill has played (5) games and has (5) blowouts. They are catching teams off guard early on. As film circulates and they get in to some of the West big boys, we'll see. But, for now, they are rolling.

5. UPJ (2-2) - Granted, UPJ has played two of the best teams in the country -- both on the road -- in losses against West Liberty and Nova Southeastern. Perhaps an odd choice of non-conference games, but, nonetheless. UPJ will be solid in half-court games, but has nowhere near the depth this year to be playing in 40-minute sprints. Any injuries will be a major problem for a very short bench.

6. California (2-3) - The Vulcans are going to be very good this year. But, when, is the question. Cal's played (5) games without two starters -- and has essentially played iron man basketball against a tough slate of non-conference opponents. They are still playing tough, but the losses count the same. Three losses prior to the turkey is entering dangerous waters. If/when Cal gets Bryson Lucas and Zyan Collins back, they'll overnight become a contender in the West.

7. Edinboro (2-2) - The Scots got smacked in the opener at Fairmont State (as expected) and then lost a 1-point heartbreaker to Glenville State. Since then, Edinboro has won two straight (Tiffin and at Roberts Wesleyan). The Scots should at least be competitive against most West teams but probably won't win a lot of West games.

8. Gannon (0-2) - The Knights looked lifeless and got embarrassed at Ashland in the opener. They played a little better at Saginaw Valley State but still lost by double digits. There's talent and size on the roster. But, something is off. Ike Herster is going to 'get his' but until they start playing as a team, the losses will continue to flow.

9. Clarion (1-2) - The Golden Eagles beat up Penn State-Dubois, but got beat up in their two D2 games. In fairness, their best player, Gerald Jarmon, missed both games against D2 opponents. He is a very dynamic playmaker at the guard position and his return instantly elevates those around him. But, it won't be enough in a brutal West grind.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

That’s BS that they have to play two in one day!

As expected they are getting blown out.

[IUPalum]

UPJ beat Lynn at 11 a.m.

They play Nova Southeastern at 7 p.m.

Very rare two games in one day.

They were supposed to play Lynn yesterday but the game got PPD due to condensation on the court.

That’s BS that they have to play two in one day!

[IUPbigINDIANS]

KR is rocking and rolling at Point Park ... off to a 6-1 start. They play Findlay this Friday. It's kind of funny he's playing several D2 games but none against the PSAC.

I'm going to guess either Clarion or Gannon will be the next job to open (perhaps both). He'd be perfect at either.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

UPJ beat Lynn at 11 a.m.

They play Nova Southeastern at 7 p.m.

Very rare two games in one day.

They were supposed to play Lynn yesterday but the game got PPD due to condensation on the court.