PSAC WEST

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Yes, Grady is technically still only an interim coach. Obviously, they don't call him that or list it anywhere.... but in the eyes of the NCAA - he's interim as he replaced a coach without interviewing and no interview has been held since the change. Oddly enough, per NCAA rules, a coach can be an interim coach for up to 4 full academic semesters. (read some older articles that said that rule was implemented to allow the interim coach to get one "full year" as coach if the school wanted to... so a coach could get fired before season starts, interim take over and could keep the interim tag for that year and the next season. Ironically, enough, however, that also allows the school to pay them as an "interim" coach and not a full-fledged head coach). This rule applies to any sport that is "in season" between Fall and Spring semesters or over the span of any two consecutive trimesters.

The grand return of JR is quite interesting. Wonder if he'd be interested?

Once you advertise it ... never know what the tide may wash up.

[bballfan03]

I confirmed - SRU posting was some sort of union formality.

Yes, Grady is technically still only an interim coach. Obviously, they don't call him that or list it anywhere.... but in the eyes of the NCAA - he's interim as he replaced a coach without interviewing and no interview has been held since the change. Oddly enough, per NCAA rules, a coach can be an interim coach for up to 4 full academic semesters. (read some older articles that said that rule was implemented to allow the interim coach to get one "full year" as coach if the school wanted to... so a coach could get fired before season starts, interim take over and could keep the interim tag for that year and the next season. Ironically, enough, however, that also allows the school to pay them as an "interim" coach and not a full-fledged head coach). This rule applies to any sport that is "in season" between Fall and Spring semesters or over the span of any two consecutive trimesters.

[bballfan03]

Joe also inherited a program that literally started over after the controversial ending of the Gary Edwards era.

and started them over he did! lol

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Gannon at California - If things play out as expected, this game tomorrow is essentially a warm-up to the rematch 48 hours later. Pending a PSAC Tournament win, neither is in NCAA contention - as of now, anyway. However, California isn't completely dead. If the Vulcans win this one and a couple games next week ... who knows. If Gannon loses this game and SRU beats Mercyhurst, then the Golden Knights could get a Round 3 in Johnstown. After the way the last one ended, that would be must-see TV. But, one game at a time. Cal won the first meeting, 68-64, in the Hammermill. The Vulcans have had some struggles against the top defensive teams in the league. Tomorrow will be no different. However, look for Cal to bounce back from its poor shooting performance against Mercyhurst. It will be tight -- and GU has had a week to prepare (and assuming watched Cal in person). Vulcans -3

Lock Haven at Millersville - If the Marauders win, they'll get a home game 48 hours later. A Lock Haven win could result in the Bald Eagles hosting a game. A loss could mean they are out. That's life in the East. Millersville won a tight, 83-80, decision in the first meeting. Both have lost their past two games -- and both are beyond sporadic. The Marauders have won 5 of the past 6 meetings in the series -- almost all very close games. Tough call. The 'Ville looked bad at West Chester in a 17-point loss. The Bald Eagles had a better showing in their two losses. Lock Haven gets it done on the road. Bald Eagles -3

Edinboro at Seton Hill - Perhaps one of the more intriguing games of the day -- in a car crash can't-look-away type of way. Combined, these two have (5) PSAC wins and (9) overall wins. The good news is one of them is going to end on a high note. The Griffins won in McComb earlier this season, 86-75. The Fighting Scots can pull off kind of a dubious feat if they lose this game -- a winless West season. Edinboro's two conference wins came against East schools. After being on the wrong end of the Greensburg Massacre last Saturday, Seton Hill bounced back and put up a pretty good fight in Johnstown. This may be a painful watch at times, but Seton Hill should get a home victory inside that yellow shoe box. Griffins -7

UPJ at IUP - Pitt-Johnstown fell out of the regional rankings this week. However, a win in the KCAC would quickly put them right back in the mix. This game is a big hurdle for IUP's hopes of hosting the Regional. A win here would be a nice boost in the metrics. The Crimson Hawks won the first meeting, sans Chucky Humphries, in Johnstown, 100-93. Expect a similarly close game. These two know one another exceptionally well. An expected large crowd will go after UPJ star Josh Wise pretty hard. He hasn't always handled the KCAC very well. If the crowd gets in his head and he starts talking to the crowd more than playing -- which has happened several times in the past -- IUP will win somewhat comfortably. Chucky's return also doesn't bode well for UPJ. However, UPJ can score the basketball. IUP needs to have its game-face on tomorrow night. Crimson Hawks -7.

Mercyhurst at Slippery Rock - For years, this was the PSAC West's version of a street fight. Times have changed a bit, but not too much. The Lakers, winners of 8 straight, are still considered a bubble team in the NCAA race. Slippery Rock is also hot. The Rock has won four in a row, and could move up to the No. 5 seed in the conference tournament with a win and a Gannon loss. Keep in mind, too, SRU won the first game this year inside the vaunted MAC, 62-52. In a lot of ways, SRU likes to play a similar style to the Lakers. They also have the size to cause major issues for Gary Manchel's troops in a slow-it-down game. SRU is actually custom-made to play against Mercyhurst. In fact, in the past 13 meetings, Mercyhurst has a 4-9 record. SRU is calling for a big crowd in Morrow Field House tomorrow. It's senior day and the last home game of the year. UPSET ALERT. The Rock puts up a spirited effort and ends the Lakers' win streak. SRU -4

Shippensburg at Kutztown - The Golden Bears have to win. A loss and there will be no tomorrow. The Raiders need a win to keep their footing in the NCAA pecking order. There's certainly nothing that points to a Kutztown win. The Golden Bears haven't beat a team not named Mansfield in going on a month. But, sometimes desperate teams can be pretty dangerous. Raiders -9

West Chester at East Stroudsburg - Both teams are locked in to their PSAC Tournament positioning. Both teams also have 8 losses. Both are currently on the outside looking in for the NCAA Tournament. A win, however, will give the victor a nice resume boost. After having one of the worst 30-day stretches of any perennial top program -- perhaps ever -- the Rams seem to have found themselves again ... they've reeled off 4 straight wins. The Warriors are red hot -- winners of 8 straight. ESU won the first go-around, 91-85. The Rams are playing with some confidence and swagger. Expect another tight one. ESU has defeated West Chester in 4 of their past 5 meetings. However, the rejuvenated Rams pull a mild upset tomorrow on the road -- and somehow keep their NCAA hopes alive. WCU -3

Mansfield at Shepherd - If the Rams want to live to see another day, they best win. And, they should. Mansfield packed it in a long time ago. Shepherd -11

[IUPalum]

I confirmed - SRU posting was some sort of union formality.

That doesn't mean if the right candidate all of a sudden responds to that posting that they wouldn't bite.

[Fightingscot82]

I confirmed - SRU posting was some sort of union formality.

[IUPTrackMan]

Since the SRU job is posted, Does JR show back up in the PSAC?

[IUPTrackMan]

.......
Mercyhurst at Slippery Rock - Don't count SRU out of this one. The Rock twitter pages are already hyping this game up. A packed Morrow is a dangerous Morrow. Add to it SRU --and, in particular, Micah Till -- is playing really well right now. But, defense travels..........

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Agree. Cal already beat Gannon at the Hammermill. GU beat UPJ relatively comfortably at home and lost by one at Johnstown on a three off a rebound in the final seconds.

If GU were to get the six-seed an upset first round win would send them back to the MAC. We all deserve the privilege of watching another GU / Hurst rockfight!

Rukavina (likely) has to play SRU in Round 1. That might as well be Kryptonite for UPJ. Terrible match-up.

If UPJ wasn't playing for its NCAA life they may have tanked that SH game.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Agree. Cal already beat Gannon at the Hammermill. GU beat UPJ relatively comfortably at home and lost by one at Johnstown on a three off a rebound in the final seconds.

If GU were to get the six-seed an upset first round win would send them back to the MAC. We all deserve the privilege of watching another GU / Hurst rockfight!

Isn't twice enough? Lol.

[Golden89]

West-wise, here's what we know:

Seeds for the PSAC Tournament ...

1. IUP
2. Mercyhurst
3. UPJ
4. California
TBA: Gannon
TBA: Slippery Rock

Saturday's last slate of the regular season is like a mini conference tournament round as all 6 teams play each other in some combination:

Gannon at California - A GU loss paired with an SRU win would put GU in the 6-hole -- and send them to Johnstown. A GU win keeps GU in the 5 hole and sends them right back to Cal 48 hours

Agree. Cal already beat Gannon at the Hammermill. GU beat UPJ relatively comfortably at home and lost by one at Johnstown on a three off a rebound in the final seconds.

If GU were to get the six-seed an upset first round win would send them back to the MAC. We all deserve the privilege of watching another GU / Hurst rockfight!

[IUPbigINDIANS]

West-wise, here's what we know:

Seeds for the PSAC Tournament ...

1. IUP
2. Mercyhurst
3. UPJ
4. California
TBA: Gannon
TBA: Slippery Rock

Saturday's last slate of the regular season is like a mini conference tournament round as all 6 teams play each other in some combination:

Gannon at California - A GU loss paired with an SRU win would put GU in the 6-hole -- and send them to Johnstown. A GU win keeps GU in the 5 hole and sends them right back to Cal 48 hours later. The Gannon fans could probably pick their preference. Personally, I think GU is a better match-up against UPJ.

Mercyhurst at Slippery Rock - Don't count SRU out of this one. The Rock twitter pages are already hyping this game up. A packed Morrow is a dangerous Morrow. Add to it SRU --and, in particular, Micah Till -- is playing really well right now. But, defense travels.

UPJ at IUP - This is a big resume game in IUP's quest to host the regional. This is a huge resume game in UPJ's quest to get invited. Can the hot-tempered Josh Wise keep his cool in front a large crowd known to go after him? That's the big question. A Chucky-less IUP won in Johnstown, 100-93.

[IUPalum]

Ian Grady

Since the SRU job is posted, Does JR show back up in the PSAC?

[Scrub]

Any of you PSACers know the story of the Deanthony Owens kid at Edinboro in the past few years? He's popped up at Notre Dame this year. He was injured the first time WLU played NDC, so last night was my first time really seeing him. Pretty impressive athlete. Is he a grad transfer who already graduated from Boro? Or is this a case of Boro being a feeder for bigger programs? Anyone who paid attention to Edinboro over the past few years have the story on Owens?

[IUPTrackMan]

6-21 and 13-15 first 2 at IUP. Not sure many would have the continuous drastic improvement that he did.

6 wins, to 13, to 22 (regional semis) to 33 (NCAA finalist). That's simply amazing!

+7, +9, +11.

To get +13 next, he needed to jump to the NBA