PSAC WEST

[Ship76]

What if Luke Nedrow is available and gives Ship some mojo ? Friend of friend says .. possible

[IUPHawks24]

The Command Center has been getting blown up with private messages - advice, tips, ramblings, suggestions. Everybody has a plan on how to bet today's two games. But, end of the day, predicting March basketball games is very difficult. Betting on them is dangerous. Weird stuff happens -- madness, as it's called. At long last, here are the official picks for you degenerates:


Millersville vs Mercyhurst

The top of the PSAC West was not kind to Millersville this year. The Marauders were blown out by IUP and Pitt-Johnstown. They got beat up by California, too. The only top West team they avoided, well, they're going to get a full dose of today. And, in a one-and-done game, there may not be a worse opponent. Mercyhurst is a buzz kill.

The big disadvantage for Millersville today is not the fact it's playing a top West Team, but rather which West team it is playing. The Lakers' vaunted defense is a nightmare even for those familiar with it. The match-up zone is rarely seen in today's college basketball. The Marauders also had essentially just one day to prepare for it. As always said, the Lakers don't adjust to you. You adjust to them. They play exactly the same regardless of opponent.

Granted, this isn't the Mercyhurst team of 2018-19, but they are still very good. As always, the key to playing the Lakers is the start. If you start slow and get in a hole, you have a major problem. Mercyhurst will slow the game way down and make scoring a nightmare.

Millersville has struggled to score against top defensive teams. They scored just 51 against UPJ, 58 against IUP, 64 & 55 against Shippensburg. They are going to have to win a low-scoring game today. They aren't going to come close to the 80s or 90s. This game will likely be played in the low 60s -- right where the Lakers want it.

That's the bad news. The good news for Millersville is it has an older, experienced team. The Marauders have very big guards who can all shoot from deep. James Sullivan is a shutdown defender. And, they have something this Lakers' team doesn't - an elite big man in Caden Najdawi.

Knowing the Lakers, they will double Najdawi all day within the zone and try to completely box him in.

The first game on Final Four weekend is typically played in front of about 200 people, so the crowd will be of no factor.

End of the day, Las Vegas likes Mercyhurst. The Lakers are in a familiar building. They are difficult to prep for in one day. And, they've been here before -- many times. Defense travels. Lakers -7

Shippensburg at IUP

Joe Lombardi says his 27-2 team - winners of 12 straight -- is a home dog today. He also said the revenge factor from a December loss will play no factor. Joe may be a great coach, but in the gambling world, his bluff is being called. IUP is not a road underdog today. And, his star player, Armoni Foster, is 87-8 as a starter at IUP. Two of those losses came to Shippensburg. Aside from the coach speak, let's not pretend the players aren't aware this is a big game on many levels. Winning today will be far from easy for IUP. Shippensburg has an extremely talented starting unit. The Raiders' Jake Biss and Carlos Carter smoked IUP in December. We all know that was a Hawks team in turmoil at the time, but, nonetheless.

The rosters are different in Round 2.

Shippensburg big man Luke Nedrow will not play today. He's a very physical, strong player around the basket -- and brings major energy and intensity. However, in his absence, the Raiders play a much more up-tempo, fast-paced style. Shippensburg's current starting unit, man for man, may be the fastest in the league. They will counter IUP's big size advantage underneath with two very athletic small forwards. The starting guard trio is as good as any in the Region. Things, however, get a little shaky after these five players. The depth isn't overly deep. Any foul trouble today could spell doom for Shippensburg. If they stay clean, the Raiders can certainly win this game.

IUP is a very different team than it was back on Sunday, Dec. 19. That team was still trying to figure things out after the loss of likely All-American Shawndale Jones. One of the emerging stars of the second half, Tomiwa Sulaiman, was barely known then and didn't play much in the first game. Kyle Polce was making one of his first career starts. Dallis Dillard was the scout team, redshirt point guard just days before playing against Shippensburg. Joe even, basically, said the same thing about that game that many on here said ... IUP was playing 4 on 5 much of the game. The Raiders totally ignored IUP's third guard in that game. They can't do that today. Dillard has emerged as a sharp-shooting threat and a stalwart on defense. And, as for Sulaiman, I'm sure they've watched some film on him. Those guys clearly aren't freshmen anymore. Just ask Danny Sancomb.

The match-ups will be the key today. IUP cannot let Jake Biss take treys with nobody within 8' of him (like happened way too many times in the first game). Shippensburg slashed their way to the basket at will in December. That will be harder with Sulaiman. Armoni Foster and David Morris both had bad games in the first meeting. They have to hit shots today.

Long story short, boys and girls, is IUP is the deeper team today. They have to wear down the Raiders, who will likely play Iron Man for nearly 40 minutes. Working the ball in to Ethan and Sulaiman should draw fouls. And, that, in my opinion, will be the key to the game. Starting lineup vs starting lineup is very close. IUP's bench today will be the difference. Hawks win a wild one -- likely in the final minutes. IUP -2.5

Millersville's strength and height advantage is going to give Mercyhurst trouble. For all the talk about their defense, the Lakers haven't been as strong in that area this year. They've won alot of games because of their shooting and passing. Their guards are extremely skilled.

Millersville should have a big advantage on the glass and around the rim. If Najdawi and Faulkner play well, I think Mercyhurst will be fighting an uphill battle.

IUP- Ship is tough to predict. Ship has the size and strength to bang with IUP, I just don't see how they're going to generate enough points unless Biss has a herculean effort. Carter is capable as well, but to do it two times in one year on IUP's home floor? Seems like a big ask.

With Nedrow out, Sleva is going to have to have a huge game and anchor the frontline against Ethan. Fite always has his guys ready for IUP, that's the one thing that gives me pause in predicting an easier IUP win. Should be a great doubleheader.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

The Command Center has been getting blown up with private messages - advice, tips, ramblings, suggestions. Everybody has a plan on how to bet today's two games. But, end of the day, predicting March basketball games is very difficult. Betting on them is dangerous. Weird stuff happens -- madness, as it's called. At long last, here are the official picks for you degenerates:


Millersville vs Mercyhurst

The top of the PSAC West was not kind to Millersville this year. The Marauders were blown out by IUP and Pitt-Johnstown. They got beat up by California, too. The only top West team they avoided, well, they're going to get a full dose of today. And, in a one-and-done game, there may not be a worse opponent. Mercyhurst is a buzz kill.

The big disadvantage for Millersville today is not the fact it's playing a top West Team, but rather which West team it is playing. The Lakers' vaunted defense is a nightmare even for those familiar with it. The match-up zone is rarely seen in today's college basketball. The Marauders also had essentially just one day to prepare for it. As always said, the Lakers don't adjust to you. You adjust to them. They play exactly the same regardless of opponent.

Granted, this isn't the Mercyhurst team of 2018-19, but they are still very good. As always, the key to playing the Lakers is the start. If you start slow and get in a hole, you have a major problem. Mercyhurst will slow the game way down and make scoring a nightmare.

Millersville has struggled to score against top defensive teams. They scored just 51 against UPJ, 58 against IUP, 64 & 55 against Shippensburg. They are going to have to win a low-scoring game today. They aren't going to come close to the 80s or 90s. This game will likely be played in the low 60s -- right where the Lakers want it.

That's the bad news. The good news for Millersville is it has an older, experienced team. The Marauders have very big guards who can all shoot from deep. James Sullivan is a shutdown defender. And, they have something this Lakers' team doesn't - an elite big man in Caden Najdawi.

Knowing the Lakers, they will double Najdawi all day within the zone and try to completely box him in.

The first game on Final Four weekend is typically played in front of about 200 people, so the crowd will be of no factor.

End of the day, Las Vegas likes Mercyhurst. The Lakers are in a familiar building. They are difficult to prep for in one day. And, they've been here before -- many times. Defense travels. Lakers -7

Shippensburg at IUP

Joe Lombardi says his 27-2 team - winners of 12 straight -- is a home dog today. He also said the revenge factor from a December loss will play no factor. Joe may be a great coach, but in the gambling world, his bluff is being called. IUP is not a road underdog today. And, his star player, Armoni Foster, is 87-8 as a starter at IUP. Two of those losses came to Shippensburg. Aside from the coach speak, let's not pretend the players aren't aware this is a big game on many levels. Winning today will be far from easy for IUP. Shippensburg has an extremely talented starting unit. The Raiders' Jake Biss and Carlos Carter smoked IUP in December. We all know that was a Hawks team in turmoil at the time, but, nonetheless.

The rosters are different in Round 2.

Shippensburg big man Luke Nedrow will not play today. He's a very physical, strong player around the basket -- and brings major energy and intensity. However, in his absence, the Raiders play a much more up-tempo, fast-paced style. Shippensburg's current starting unit, man for man, may be the fastest in the league. They will counter IUP's big size advantage underneath with two very athletic small forwards. The starting guard trio is as good as any in the Region. Things, however, get a little shaky after these five players. The depth isn't overly deep. Any foul trouble today could spell doom for Shippensburg. If they stay clean, the Raiders can certainly win this game.

IUP is a very different team than it was back on Sunday, Dec. 19. That team was still trying to figure things out after the loss of likely All-American Shawndale Jones. One of the emerging stars of the second half, Tomiwa Sulaiman, was barely known then and didn't play much in the first game. Kyle Polce was making one of his first career starts. Dallis Dillard was the scout team, redshirt point guard just days before playing against Shippensburg. Joe even, basically, said the same thing about that game that many on here said ... IUP was playing 4 on 5 much of the game. The Raiders totally ignored IUP's third guard in that game. They can't do that today. Dillard has emerged as a sharp-shooting threat and a stalwart on defense. And, as for Sulaiman, I'm sure they've watched some film on him. Those guys clearly aren't freshmen anymore. Just ask Danny Sancomb.

The match-ups will be the key today. IUP cannot let Jake Biss take treys with nobody within 8' of him (like happened way too many times in the first game). Shippensburg slashed their way to the basket at will in December. That will be harder with Sulaiman. Armoni Foster and David Morris both had bad games in the first meeting. They have to hit shots today.

Long story short, boys and girls, is IUP is the deeper team today. They have to wear down the Raiders, who will likely play Iron Man for nearly 40 minutes. Working the ball in to Ethan and Sulaiman should draw fouls. And, that, in my opinion, will be the key to the game. Starting lineup vs starting lineup is very close. IUP's bench today will be the difference. Hawks win a wild one -- likely in the final minutes. IUP -2.5

[IUPHawks24]

The major awards were announced.


IUP's Armoni Foster was named PSAC West Athlete of the Year.

IUP's Joe Lombardi named PSAC West Coach of the Year.

IUP's Tomiwa Sulaiman named PSAC West Freshman of the Year.

UPJ's John Paul Kromka named PSAC West Defensive Player of the Year

[Golden89]

More WBB first teams -

EASTERN DIVISION FIRST TEAM

Pos.	Player	University	Cl.	Hometown / Previous School
G	Abby Beeman*	Shepherd	Jr.	Ridgeley, W.Va. / Frankfort
F	Meghan Corridoni	Bloomsburg	Gr.	Exeter, Pa. / Holy Redeemer
G	Rylee Derr*^*	Kutztown	Gr.	Lititz, Pa. / Warwick
G	Destiny Jefferson**	Shippensburg	Sr.	Scranton, Pa. / West Chester
G	Leah Johnson^	West Chester	So.	Columbus, N.J. / Notre Dame
G	Lauren Lister*^*	Millersville	R-Sr.	Blandon, Pa. / Fleetwood Area
G	Emma Saxton^	Bloomsburg	Gr.	York, Pa. / Central York

WESTERN DIVISION FIRST TEAM

Pos.	Player	University	Cl.	Hometown / Previous School
G	Rana Elhusseini	Edinboro	So.	Dearborn, Mich. / Fordson
C	Jamiyah Johnson	Slippery Rock	Gr.	Williamsburg, Va. / Davis & Elkins
G	Ciaira Loyd	Cal U	Jr.	Scranton, Pa. / Scranton
G	Justina Mascaro*	IUP	R-Sr.	Bethel Park, Pa. / Delaware
F	Katie Nolan^	Seton Hill	Gr.	Yorkville, Ill. / Yorkville
P	Samantha Pirosko	Gannon	So.	Eastlake, Ohio / Eastlake North
F	Dejah Terrell	Cal U	Jr.	Reading, Pa. / Berks Catholic

Congrats to Sam Pirosko!

[Golden89]

And the Ladies:

EASTERN DIVISION
Athlete of the Year: Abby Beeman, Shepherd
Defensive Athlete of the Year: Emma Saxton, Bloomsburg
Rookie of the Year: Abbey Hearn, Kutztown
Coach of the Year: Janet Malouf, Kutztown

WESTERN DIVISION
Athlete of the Year: Dejah Terrell, Cal U
Defensive Athlete of the Year: Dejah Terrell, Cal U
Rookie of the Year: Christiane Frye, Seton Hill
Coach of the Year: Jessica Strom, Cal U

[IUPalum]

I thought David Morris had a real good shot at D-POY.

Him and Tomiwa... must not wanted the clean sweep is all I can figure.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Guess they didn't want the IUP clean sweep!

I thought David Morris had a real good shot at D-POY.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

PSAC West First Team

Philip Alston	California
Armoni Foster	IUP
Ethan Porterfield	IUP
Dave Morris	IUP
John Paul Kromka	Pitt-Johnstown
Fred Mullbah	Pitt-Johnstown
Miykah McIntosh	Mercyhurst

PSAC West Second Team

Stephen Cannady	Mercyhurst
Zyan Collins	California
Tyler Frederick	Slippery Rock
Frankie Hughes	Slippery Rock
Lance-Amir Paul	Gannon
Brent Pegram	California
Deontae Robertson	Edinboro

[IUPalum]

The major awards were announced.


IUP's Armoni Foster was named PSAC West Athlete of the Year.

IUP's Joe Lombardi named PSAC West Coach of the Year.

IUP's Tomiwa Sulaiman named PSAC West Freshman of the Year.

UPJ's John Paul Kromka named PSAC West Defensive Player of the Year

Guess they didn't want the IUP clean sweep!

[IUPbigINDIANS]

The major awards were announced.


IUP's Armoni Foster was named PSAC West Athlete of the Year.

IUP's Joe Lombardi named PSAC West Coach of the Year.

IUP's Tomiwa Sulaiman named PSAC West Freshman of the Year.

UPJ's John Paul Kromka named PSAC West Defensive Player of the Year

[Golden89]

Gannon ladies use big second half to knock off UPJ by 26. Was a lot closer most of the way. Likely needed that game and may need one more of a surprise or two happens in conference tournaments.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Mercyhurst over UPJ.

Millersville pounded West Chester


Ship in control.

[CALUPA69]

Scary thing is both of these teams have played without one of their superstars. Could you imagine this game if both had full rosters?

Throw in Jermaine Hall for Cal and Shawndale Jones for IUP. Good Lord.


This is Round 3. There could be a Round 4, too.

Hope so...at the very least VULCANS MBB is back in the discussion after a decade in the wilderness !!

[IUPbigINDIANS]

As much as I'll be rooting for my VULCANS I can't see this talented but undisciplined team pulling off the upset. The 2-2 record you mention, all critical games, were played basically with one guard. PB scored SRU-6, HURST-2, GAN-5 and 2SRU-7. The two loses were by 10 pts total. Anything close to his 11.4 average and Monday might have been an off night. He did score 16 and 11 versus the C'HAWKS this year but lack of offense wasn't the issue in either of those games. As I've mentioned elsewhere, I'm satisfied with this season's progress but the TP will tell the real story not the post season.

Scary thing is both of these teams have played without one of their superstars. Could you imagine this game if both had full rosters?

Throw in Jermaine Hall for Cal and Shawndale Jones for IUP. Good Lord.


This is Round 3. There could be a Round 4, too.