PSAC WEST

[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.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Seton Hill 38
Ship 27

Half

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Rock blew out Daemen, 82-60.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Don’t know but SH loves this 2-3 zone.

I think Ship will see lots of zones this year.

[IUPalum]

Is Ship/SH an actual crossover game or is it a non-conference? Odd because it's so early.

Don’t know but SH loves this 2-3 zone.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Is Ship/SH an actual crossover game or is it a non-conference? Odd because it's so early.

[IUPalum]

Good lineup today:


Daemen at Slippery Rock

Shippensburg at Seton Hill

UPJ at Nova Southeastern

SRU 38-35 half… dog fight

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Good lineup today:


Daemen at Slippery Rock

Shippensburg at Seton Hill

UPJ at Nova Southeastern

[IUPbigINDIANS]

UPDATED MEN'S (WEST) STANDINGS

TEAM	RECORD	STREAK
IUP	4-0	W4
Mercyhurst	1-0	W1
Seton Hill	4-0	W4
Slippery Rock	3-0	W3
Pitt-Johnstown	2-1	L1
California	2-2	W1
Edinboro	1-2	W1
Gannon	0-2	L2
Clarion	0-2	L2

UPDATED MEN'S (EAST) STANDINGS

East Stroudsburg	2-0	W2
West Chester	3-0	W3
Lock Haven	3-1	W1
Mansfield	1-2	L1
Shepherd	1-2	L1
Shippensburg	1-2	W1
Millersville	1-3	L1
Bloomsburg	0-2	L2
Kutztown	0-4	L4

[Ship69]

Curiosity got the better of me. I took a quick glance at Seton Hill. They were, to say it politely, not good last year. Consider, SH won 3 games all of last year (3-24). They've won three games this season by Nov. 16. So, what's turned them in to a 90+ point scoring machine here early on?

* Three of their top players are back -- Samuel Tabe, Drew Green and Sean Dillon.
-- Tabe and Green are both 6'5" senior guards. They've played a lot of D2 basketball.
-- Dillon caught my eye last year at point guard. He's a pretty solid player. He's a junior -- also with a lot of experience.

* Jimmy Moon has always been full of potential, but has battled injuries his whole career. He's a house at 7'0, 240 lbs. He can shoot outside, too. He looks like he had a total transformation this offseason and looks to be in really good physical condition. He's also a senior.

* Their next two top scorers are both juniors. They also seem to have found a legit player in freshman Gabe Gillespie (6'6", 215 lbs).

* Schedule: Granted, Notre Dame, Alderson Broaddus and Salem aren't world-beaters, but they also don't get blown out of the gym very often. That happened in all three games. Last year, the Griffins couldn't hit the side of a barn shooting the ball. So far this year they are hitting 53% from the field and 40% from deep along with 68% from the FT line. They are also forcing 23 TOs per game while turning it over just 13 times per game. They are also playing much better defense. Last year they gave up 81 ppg. Through three games this year that has been cut to just 63.3 ppg.

* Perhaps most importantly, their new HC, Ben Wilkins, seems like he has totally flipped the switch on the culture of the program.


I've long thought they've had 'sleeping giant' potential in men's basketball. Their home gym, when engaged, is one of the toughest venues in the league to play inside. It's claustrophobic. Loud. Very small. I know first-hand IUP hates playing there. They can max out scholarship money yearly. They are obviously a long way from becoming a power, but the right coach can win big there (in my opinion).

Yeah, that Moon really caught my eye last year — hard not to when a guy is that big. I thought they had some potential last year and if the new coach has indeed flipped the switch they could be trouble this year. Ship obviously is still searching for a few answers, so almost all of our early games are a worry to me. Wilmington was the one game I chalked up as a probable win, and the Raiders didn't win that one by all that much.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Clarion's trip to Daemen tomorrow has been PPD due to weather.