PSAC WEST

[Fightingscot82]

Speaking of not winning ... how the freak does Boro lose at home to Bloomsburg last night? That was a game they really needed to win.

Roster is depleted.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Penn State's game at VCU tomorrow has been cancelled due to Covid issues.

I sure hope this doesn't become the norm.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Speaking of not winning ... how the freak does Boro lose at home to Bloomsburg last night? That was a game they really needed to win.

[IUPalum]

Ehh, I don't know if that correlation is in fact a cause though. Back 15 years ago when Edinboro was at or near the top of the PSAC West, they were routinely playing Penn State Outlet Stores. A lot of schools did. I'm not sure what stopped it but it was pretty common.

FYI, your favorite PSAC player surpassed 1,000 points last night.

[Fightingscot82]

I view the PSU games (and all D3 games) as a waste of time. They don't help you qualify for the postseason so what's the point?

IUP is stuck with this Pitt-Greensburg game now on NYE. They took it just to complete the schedule after Salem's new coach was too afraid to come to Indiana. I'm OK with it based on the circumstances -- and, it's at least a game to fill the void between Dec. 19 and their next game Jan. 5.

But, I'd never want this game scheduled a year in advance.

I think that's a fair assessment. They do nothing for IUP but they also don't fit with IUP's basketball scheduling philosophy. But for some schools, there are benefits. A D3, NAIA, or JC game is better than no game. Its getting harder and harder to get teams to travel, especially in the early weeks. So if you can get a Penn State Outlet Store to make a short trip to get you a real game that's better than nothing. Allegheny, Thiel, or Behrend could bring a crowd to one of the Erie County games. More so than playing Ashland. When you're drawing 600 a game that bump matters.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Ehh, I don't know if that correlation is in fact a cause though. Back 15 years ago when Edinboro was at or near the top of the PSAC West, they were routinely playing Penn State Outlet Stores. A lot of schools did. I'm not sure what stopped it but it was pretty common.

FYI, your favorite PSAC player surpassed 1,000 points last night.

I view the PSU games (and all D3 games) as a waste of time. They don't help you qualify for the postseason so what's the point?

IUP is stuck with this Pitt-Greensburg game now on NYE. They took it just to complete the schedule after Salem's new coach was too afraid to come to Indiana. I'm OK with it based on the circumstances -- and, it's at least a game to fill the void between Dec. 19 and their next game Jan. 5.

But, I'd never want this game scheduled a year in advance.

[Fightingscot82]

That right there is why Slippery Rock is never a contender. You don't get better playing weak competition.

Ehh, I don't know if that correlation is in fact a cause though. Back 15 years ago when Edinboro was at or near the top of the PSAC West, they were routinely playing Penn State Outlet Stores. A lot of schools did. I'm not sure what stopped it but it was pretty common.

FYI, your favorite PSAC player surpassed 1,000 points last night.

[IUPalum]

Bowie State is always a dangerous game.

Obviously at 2-8 they are down this year. But, they don't lay down.

They play anybody, anywhere. They could pull a Slippery Rock and take a tour of the PSU branch campuses, but they schedule the big boys.

Non-conf this year: IUP, WL, Mercyhurst, Ship..

They earn respect.

That right there is why Slippery Rock is never a contender. You don't get better playing weak competition.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Having the conference basically within one state and scheduling some of the crossovers as weekend doubleheaders also cuts travel expenses, although it can result in a stretch like Ship is currently wading through (four games in seven days). I'm very grateful that Bowie State was weaker than usual this year.

Bowie State is always a dangerous game.

Obviously at 2-8 they are down this year. But, they don't lay down.

They play anybody, anywhere. They could pull a Slippery Rock and take a tour of the PSU branch campuses, but they schedule the big boys.

Non-conf this year: IUP, WL, Mercyhurst, Ship..

They earn respect.

[Ship69]

Just like football ... it's a rotating cycle.

This particular year we are seeing a lot of the marquee match-ups. That doesn't always happen.

They play (6) crossovers a year. For example, this year IUP is playing everybody in the East except Mansfield, Bloomsburg and East Stroudsburg.

One advantage, I suppose, of having such a large conference is you don't have to book so many non-conference games.

Having the conference basically within one state and scheduling some of the crossovers as weekend doubleheaders also cuts travel expenses, although it can result in a stretch like Ship is currently wading through (four games in seven days). I'm very grateful that Bowie State was weaker than usual this year.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

How are your crossovers determined? Is it like the NFL, where it's determined by last year's record (meaning that a Mansfield never has to waste its time/money coming to Indiana)? Or is it determined by a rotation (where Mansfield has to buckle down for a hammering by IUP every 5-6 years or whatever)?

Just like football ... it's a rotating cycle.

This particular year we are seeing a lot of the marquee match-ups. That doesn't always happen.

They play (6) crossovers a year. For example, this year IUP is playing everybody in the East except Mansfield, Bloomsburg and East Stroudsburg.

One advantage, I suppose, of having such a large conference is you don't have to book so many non-conference games.

[Scrub]

How are your crossovers determined? Is it like the NFL, where it's determined by last year's record (meaning that a Mansfield never has to waste its time/money coming to Indiana)? Or is it determined by a rotation (where Mansfield has to buckle down for a hammering by IUP every 5-6 years or whatever)?

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Other than ESU they got all the top teams from the East this year.

Tough year to get all the good East teams in crossover because the West is going to be a brutal stretch.

I think with Joe's revamped roster I figured they'd have to close out the regular season 15-6. They got a big win out of the way the other night against Millersville. I think 'as is' they will go at least 15-6 down the stretch. But, they have to stay 100% healthy. That means no unnecessary risks (like we saw Tuesday night). You can't get hurt on the bench. Nobody is coming back from 23 points with 90 seconds to go. I don't care if Joe puts in me, you, an usher, the hot dog salesman and Jack Benedict to play that last two minutes. Get the stars out of there.

[IUPalum]

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Looking at this...

Gannon should roll out two wins.

Hurst should be good for 2 wins unless ESU turns it on.

IUP has two tough games but at worst splits.

Cal also has two tough ones.

A lot could be determined moving forward after this wekend.

Definitely some big games this weekend.

Shippensburg at UPJ should be a toss-up. If UPJ has a Sunday hangover, Lock Haven may give them a run.

IUP will be tested both days. Sunday should have a 'big game' vibe to it.

Curious to see how Slippery Rock handles the big guys from Kutztown and West Chester. This isn't a KR type of SRU anymore.

Gannon should hammer both Mansfield and Bloomsburg.

California has a tough back-to-back with West Chester and Millersville. The 'Ville will get a tune-up in Greensburg prior to the trip down to the Mon Valley.

I suspect Edinboro will get swept.

Clarion should get a split and Seton Hill will get hammered both games.

Mercyhurst will smash Bloomsburg but could get a run from ESU.