PSAC WEST

[IUPbigINDIANS]

KJ got a technical halfway through the second half, maybe it has something to do with that. Does anyone know why ?

It was during live play. Must have been running his mouth pretty good.

The technical had awful timing. It was in one of GU's few runs in the game.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Well, good for Sancomb for getting his players to believe it because it certainly worked to get his players fired up. I'm sure they are being told that Lombardi said that they will win by 40 and has scouts at the WC / Stroudsburg game.

The players didn't say Sancomb told them anything. They said THEY personally heard it from KJ. That's a big difference.

Maybe they are lying but idd Sancomb (as the coach) didn't interrupt them at all. Odd press conference.

[Ship69]

Round 2 of the men's tournament has some intriguing match-ups.

Interesting stat regarding the 'home' and 'away' records: The 'home' teams tomorrow night are 49-8 combined on their floors. The 'away' teams tomorrow night are a combined 25-29 this season on the road. These hosts ... aren't very good hosts to visitors. Also, all four games tomorrow were 'sweeps' in the regular season. Third time is the charm, right? Sometimes. It's never easy beating a team three straight.

California at IUP
- Crimson Hawks swept season series (86-69 at KCAC and 79-70 at Angelo Dome)
- The Vulcans blew an early 18-point lead in Indiana and ultimately lost by 17
- IUP is 15-0 at home this season. Cal is 9-7 away from Angelo's dome.
- The Hawks have all but officially clinched an NCAA bid. California is still technically alive but must keep winning.
- Both games this year - particularly the first one - have been pretty chippy
- Danny Sancomb is 0-4 career vs Joe Lombardi
- IUP has won the past 13 meetings in the series. Cal's last win was on Jan. 18, 2014.

UPJ at Mercyhurst
- Lakers swept the season series (82-74 in Johnstown and 73-64 in Erie)
- Last 15 meetings: Mercyhurst is 8-7 against UPJ
- In the earlier game inside the MAC, the Lakers hit 14-26 treys while UPJ hit just 6-18.
- UPJ has averaged just 69 ppg against the Lakers this season - 13 ppg below its season average of 82
- Lakers are 12-2 in the MAC this season. UPJ is 7-5 on the road.

Millersville at Shippensburg
- Raiders swept the season series (76-65 at Ship and 87-66 at Millersville)
- Neither meeting was very close. The Raiders blew out to a huge lead in the first one prior to the Marauders making it look a little better in the end).
- Shippensburg is 11-4 at home this year. Millersville is 3-11 on the road (and 11-3 at home).
- Millersville has lost 5 straight in the series

West Chester at East Stroudsburg
- ESU swept the season series (91-85 at WCU and 103-87 at ESU)
- The latest win was this past Saturday
- Warriors have won 3 straight in the series -- and 21 of the past 30 meetings
- ESU is still alive for an NCAA bid
- Warriors are 11-2 at home this season. WCU is 6-6 on the road.

Ship breaks your trend somewhat in that they actually have a better record away (11-2) than at home.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Here you go, boys and girls. Straight from Las Vegas. Well, not really.


California at IUP - What a doubleheader at the KCAC tonight. Looking at the men's side, ... two tight, heated, chippy games this year. Yes, IUP won the first one by 17 points, but, that was a very close game with 5 minutes to play. IUP won the second meeting on the road by 9 points. That game was tied with a few minutes remaining. Round 3 should be no different. Both teams present a lot of challenges to the other. Both are well-coached. Both score from all levels. This game tonight comes down to the psychology. Can IUP match what's highly likely to be Cal's do-or-die intensity? Will Brent Pegram be able to keep the crowd out of his head (he didn't the first game). Without a doubt, this is the toughest game to pick on the board tonight -- IUP is certainly on UPSET ALERT. If it was last year's IUP team, there would probably be much more to worry about, mentally. This year's team is pretty resilient and mentally tough. This is a big stage for many of Cal's younger players -- for most, the biggest game of their college careers. Will they handle the bright lights? In what should be a legit 'playoff atmosphere' ... IUP finds a way to survive. They've been in these games before -- many times. It won't be easy. Crimson Hawks -3

Millersville at Shippensburg - It's hard to find an angle to favor Millersville in this game. Any. At all. The Marauders have been awful on the road this season. They were pretty much awful in both games against the Raiders, too. If the 'Ville can cling to something, it's the old adage of it being hard to beat a team three straight games. That's probably the Marauders' lone ray of hope. That said, Shippensburg just has too much to play for tonight. Aside from hosting the Final Four this weekend, the Raiders are in pretty good shape for an NCAA bid. A loss, however, could make things a bit messy. Pending something miraculous, Shippensburg should role in this one -- likely the easiest bet on the board. Raiders win. Big. Ship -14

UPJ at Mercyhurst - The trendy saying ... the worst team possible to play in a one-and-done is Mercyhurst. Add to it, having to play the Lakers in the MAC Bar and Grille is basically a death sentence. UPJ can be a dangerous team. They can score the basketball. However, nobody scores much in the offensive graveyard in Erie. The Mountain Cats won't get blown out tonight, but they won't win, either. Lakers pull away in the final 10 minutes. Mercyhurst -6

West Chester at East Stroudsburg - We just saw California turnaround on short notice after a loss to Gannon and then beat the Golden Knights. Can West Chester do the same? Perhaps, but, they better play a little defense. The Rams got torched by ESU this past Saturday. West Chester has a talented, deep roster. But, the Rams have been far too inconsistent to think they can go on the road and beat a hot Warriors' team. The odd, twisted tale of the 2019-20 Rams finally comes to a close tonight -- at the hands of a bitter rival. ESU wins comfortably. Warriors -12



Final Four predicition:

East Stroudsburg vs. IUP
Mercyhurst vs. (at) Shippensburg

[Golden89]

It was during live play. Must have been running his mouth pretty good.

The technical had awful timing. It was in one of GU's few runs in the game.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

He did well this year. I thought he was a stretch as a hire but he grew on me. He's a hot-head for sure.

[Golden89]

He did well this year. I thought he was a stretch as a hire but he grew on me. He's a hot-head for sure.

[IUPalum]

Reilly and Viscuso never took stupid technicals!!!

[bballfan03]

KJ got a technical halfway through the second half, maybe it has something to do with that. Does anyone know why ?

He got T'ed because he was halfway out on the court screaming at the one official. Not sure what triggered it as it had been relatively calm the few mins prior. KJ was doing his usually "chatting" to all the refs all game, but never was loud or seemed to feisty. Then all of a sudden hes a foot 15 feet on the floor yelling at the one referee, face bright red. Gannon had been called for a player tech and a flagrant foul earlier in the game that KJ was visibly not agreeing with (even Cal announcers called them questionable). So I dont know if maybe Cal did something and KJ thought it was the same as earlier and wanted a tech or flagrant. Johnson, Olawoye and 2 of Cals players were jawing at each other all night.

[bballfan03]

Reilly and Viscuso never took stupid technicals!!!

I think JR only got T'ed uo once, maybe twice a in his time at Gannon.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Looking ahead to next year in the West (assuming for now this years seniors are gone):

IUP - Armoni Foster, David Morris, Shawndale Jones, Anthonny White and Ethan Porterfield are all back, in addition to the return of star power forward Tommy Demogerontas. They will be joined by the much-anticipated debut of Ousmane Diop. Shawn Ulrich also returns to go along with 2019-20 redshirts (PG) Bryce Radford and (SG) K.J. Rhodes to provide solid depth. Walk-ons Dylan Benton and Alan Glover Jr. also return. It's not going to be a big recruiting class -- perhaps just one player. Joe will have incredible size next winter with Porterfield (6'9"), Demogerontas (6'8"), Ulrich (6'9") and Diop (6'10"). They will likely add a small forward as their only recruit.

Mercyhurst - The Lakers went through a massive rebuild this year (and made the Regional). Minus the sharpshooting Tristian Pratapas, the entire team returns next year. One huge addition will be the return of Daniel Ogele (6'7", 225 lbs) who was Mercyhurst's top recruit last year (Navy). He was injured in the Lakers' exhibition game this year and missed the whole season. With 7 of their top 8 back -- plus Ogele -- Mercyhurst is going to be a handful (as usual).

California - The Vulcans were young this year. Nearly everybody (rotation guys) comes back. It's been mentioned on here one starter may be leaving. However, there's also the heavy rumor that former Wheeling Jesuit and West Liberty guard Preston Boswell will reunite with Danny Sancomb (and Brent Pegram). Look for Sancomb to add 1-2 impact transfers this off-season. Cal will again be a very good team.

Clarion - The transfer portal is on fire inside Tippin Gymnasium. So far, five Golden Eagles have entered. It looks like another long year is coming at Clarion.

Slippery Rock - The Micah Till era is over. Ian Grady does have a decent core set to return but will need a strong class to be in the West race.

Seton Hill - Nathan Davis graduates. Last year's 9-man freshmen class isn't likely to all return, but it does have a couple nice pieces. Seton Hill traditionally doesn't play the transfer game, so it's likely to be another long season in Greensburg.

Gannon - Two have entered the portal so far. Rumor is there are more on the way. Three big losses in Frank Webb Jr., Matt Johnson and Deante Cisero. KJ could be looking at a re-boot next winter.

UPJ - It will be odd not seeing Josh Wise at UPJ. The rest of the rotation returns. Wise is a big piece to replace, however. They'll have a lot of experience and talent, but somebody has to make up for his scoring and leadership.

Edinboro - Trey Staunch and Anthony Coleman are gone. Beyond Jaryn Simpson, the cupboard is pretty bare. Pat Cleary has found guys in the past. He'll need to find several this off-season.

[CALUPA69]

Looking ahead to next year in the West (assuming for now this years seniors are gone):

IUP - Armoni Foster, David Morris, Shawndale Jones, Anthonny White and Ethan Porterfield are all back, in addition to the return of star power forward Tommy Demogerontas. They will be joined by the much-anticipated debut of Ousmane Diop. Shawn Ulrich also returns to go along with 2019-20 redshirts (PG) Bryce Radford and (SG) K.J. Rhodes to provide solid depth. Walk-ons Dylan Benton and Alan Glover Jr. also return. It's not going to be a big recruiting class -- perhaps just one player. Joe will have incredible size next winter with Porterfield (6'9"), Demogerontas (6'8"), Ulrich (6'9") and Diop (6'10"). They will likely add a small forward as their only recruit.

Mercyhurst - The Lakers went through a massive rebuild this year (and made the Regional). Minus the sharpshooting Tristian Pratapas, the entire team returns next year. One huge addition will be the return of Daniel Ogele (6'7", 225 lbs) who was Mercyhurst's top recruit last year (Navy). He was injured in the Lakers' exhibition game this year and missed the whole season. With 7 of their top 8 back -- plus Ogele -- Mercyhurst is going to be a handful (as usual).

California - The Vulcans were young this year. Nearly everybody (rotation guys) comes back. It's been mentioned on here one starter may be leaving. However, there's also the heavy rumor that former Wheeling Jesuit and West Liberty guard Preston Boswell will reunite with Danny Sancomb (and Brent Pegram). Look for Sancomb to add 1-2 impact transfers this off-season. Cal will again be a very good team.

Clarion - The transfer portal is on fire inside Tippin Gymnasium. So far, five Golden Eagles have entered. It looks like another long year is coming at Clarion.

Slippery Rock - The Micah Till era is over. Ian Grady does have a decent core set to return but will need a strong class to be in the West race.

Seton Hill - Nathan Davis graduates. Last year's 9-man freshmen class isn't likely to all return, but it does have a couple nice pieces. Seton Hill traditionally doesn't play the transfer game, so it's likely to be another long season in Greensburg.

Gannon - Two have entered the portal so far. Rumor is there are more on the way. Three big losses in Frank Webb Jr., Matt Johnson and Deante Cisero. KJ could be looking at a re-boot next winter.

UPJ - It will be odd not seeing Josh Wise at UPJ. The rest of the rotation returns. Wise is a big piece to replace, however. They'll have a lot of experience and talent, but somebody has to make up for his scoring and leadership.

Edinboro - Trey Staunch and Anthony Coleman are gone. Beyond Jaryn Simpson, the cupboard is pretty bare. Pat Cleary has found guys in the past. He'll need to find several this off-season.

CAL U evaluation should be moved to "wait and see" given the news of the last several days. Basically a 50% restart. DS will be severely tested if he can't moderate his coaching style. He certainly didn't strike me as an over the top screamer but players simply don't react well to the KNIGHT SCHOOL anymore. Time will tell.

[Fightingscot82]

I saw that Edinboro signed Franklin Regional PG Logan Summerhill. He's a high scoring guard but who knows how long it will take for him to acclimate to the D2 game and Cleary's system. I also know of a potential reclamation project transfer with the potential for multiple seasons of eligibility. They also have local celebrity Jack Gallagher coming into some playing time. If there have been some additional commitments, they haven't been D10 kids because they'd surely be held up with Jeffress, particularly if they played at Prep.

[Fightingscot82]

Pat Cleary doing some (hopeful) diamond mining in Ohio: https://www.wkbn.com/sports/great-sc...with-edinboro/

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Pat Cleary doing some (hopeful) diamond mining in Ohio: https://www.wkbn.com/sports/great-sc...with-edinboro/

Holy Smokes

Pat Cleary recruiting a post player?