PSAC WEST

[IUPbigINDIANS]

WEST	PSAC	OVERALL	STREAK	NOTES
IUP	3-0	7-0	W7	Final tune-up this week
UPJ	2-1	8-2	L1	Shocking road loss at Bloom
Mercyhurst	2-1	4-2	L1	Le Moyne up next
California	2-1	5-3	L1	Recover from yesterday
Edinboro	1-2	4-3	L3	Scots are a tough out
Slippery Rock	1-2	4-4	L1	Till set to rejoin team
Gannon	1-2	2-4	L2	Deceiving record
Seton Hill	0-3	1-5	L4	Blah
Clarion	0-3	1-7	L2	Year 1 not going well for new coach
EAST	PSAC	OVERALL	STREAK	NOTES
West Chester	3-0	9-0	W9	Rams are rolling
Shippensburg	3-0	7-1	W6	Fairmont, IUP and UPJ next three
Bloomsburg	2-1	5-3	W3	Huge win yesterday
Kutztown	2-1	4-4	W2	Coming back to life.
East Stroudsburg	1-2	5-3	W2	Off until Edinboro visits Dec. 20
Lock Haven	1-2	4-3	W1	They WILL pull a big upset this year
Millersville	1-2	4-4	W1	Rough start but talented team
Shepherd	1-2	4-4	W1	Walk-off trey could ignite season
Mansfield	1-2	2-6	L3	Better than 2-6 record

[IUPbigINDIANS]

There's a pretty strong lineup of Crossover games this weekend.


The Big Stage

Mercyhurst at West Chester - The Rams are ranked and have a fancy 8-0 record. The buzz-kill known as Mercyhurst is famous for spoiling parties. Lakers by 5.

Cal at Shippensburg - Are the Vulcans back? Here's their chance to prove it. Big test. Red Raiders by 3.

The Rest

Slippery Rock at Shepherd - SRU took the football game. Perhaps the Rams get a little payback on the hardwood. Neither team can afford to take another loss. Vegas says PICK 'EM

IUP at Mansfield - Fun Fact: Joe Lombardi doesn't have a losing record in many gyms, but, he does up at Mansfield. The King of the Redshirt is 1-2 up there in his career. IUP by double digits.

UPJ at Bloomsburg - Pitt-Johnstown is deadly at home, ... but they've historically been a little shaky on the road. Bloom has the size to match-up, but will they have the scoring? UPJ by 18

Seton Hill at Lock Haven - The Griffins need this one bad. The Bald Eagles are just a few baskets away from having a much better record. LH by 12

Gannon at Kutztown - Both teams enter under .500 ... and both need a W in this one. Should be a good one. GU by 5

Clarion at East Stroudsburg - The Golden Eagles typically hang around when they aren't supposed to do so. ESU will be too much for them. Warriors by 15

Edinboro at Millersville - Both on losing streaks ... something has to give. Marauders leading the BUST list so far this season. Scots by 5

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Updated WOMEN'S Standings (thru games played 12/4)

WEST	PSAC	OVERALL	STREAK
California	2-0	7-0	W7
Seton Hill	2-0	6-0	W6
IUP	2-0	7-1	W5
UPJ	2-0	7-1	W5
Gannon	2-0	5-2	L1
Mercyhurst	2-0	2-5	L1
Edinboro	1-1	2-3	L1
Slippery Rock	0-2	2-5	L3
Clarion	0-2	2-6	W1
EAST	PSAC	OVERALL	STREAK
Shepherd	1-1	7-1	W1
Lock Haven	1-1	3-3	W1
Shippensburg	1-1	4-4	W1
Kutztown	1-1	3-4	W1
West Chester	1-1	3-4	W1
East Stroudsburg	0-2	3-5	L1
Bloomsburg	0-2	2-3	W1
Mansfield	0-2	2-5	L4
Millersville	0-2	1-4	L2

[Inkblot]

UPJ is 8-1 overall but the 3 games in Puerto Rico won't count towards playoffs. They aren't NCAA teams I don't think.

2 out of 3 are NCAA teams and count towards selection.

[IUPalum]

UPJ is 8-1 overall but the 3 games in Puerto Rico won't count towards playoffs. They aren't NCAA teams I don't think.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Amazing to think, but most PSAC schools have already played about 25% of their regular season schedule.

The early West Report Card:

IUP (6-0): The Crimson Hawks are off to a 6-0 start and have been piling up blowout victories. Some of the shine certainly came off with Tommy Demo's season-ending injury. However, they are still a really strong team (with a really light bench). Grade: A+

UPJ (8-1): Minus the opening-night slip-up against Concord, UPJ has been rolling. With a healthy, deep (by UPJ standards) roster, the Mountain Cats are perhaps now the favorites to win the West. Grade: A

Mercyhurst (4-1): New year. (Mostly) New roster. Same results. The Lakers' only blemish is a two-point loss at nationally ranked Daemen -- a game they had won. Grade: A

California (5-2): The Vulcans have two losses by a combined three points. Both came on opening weekend. They haven't lost since. There was a stretch of fairly light games over the past couple weeks, but winning at Glenville State -- and shutting them down -- was impressive. Grade: A-

Edinboro (4-2): The Scots came out of the blocks on fire -- racing to a 4-0 start. However, their past two outings haven't been pretty -- two blowout losses at home. Edinboro starts a BRUTAL 8-game run this Saturday at Millersville. It's hard to see many (any) wins over these next 8 outings. Pivotal stretch. Grade: B-

Slippery Rock (4-3): The Rock is off to a 4-3 start after a big road win at U-DC in its last outing. Star forward Micah Till also returns in less than two weeks. Having not practiced with the team all season, there will likely be an adjustment period. It's still tough to have three losses by Dec. 3, but things could have been worse. If Till can blend in with his new team rather than his new team having to blend in with him, SRU could be a force in the second half. We'll see how that dynamic works out. Grade: C+

Gannon (2-3): The Knights are a tough out. Despite a 2-3 record, they've been in every game and are a scrappy bunch. They'e also played, overall, likely the toughest schedule of any West team up to this point. If they stay healthy (not a real deep team) they will be a pretty formidable team throughout the season. Grade: C

Seton Hill (1-4): This is going to be a long year in Greensburg. The Griffins are playing a ton of true freshmen. They should improve as the year rolls along -- similar to last season. But, wins are going to be few and far between. Grade: D

Clarion (1-5): The Golden Eagles started the season with 5 straight double-digit losses. Then, oddly, beat a solid Lake Erie team this past weekend. One thing of note is Mason Mraz, who is one of their top players, has not played yet this season. He would be a huge addition if/when he returns. Grade: D

[CALUPA69]

The Week Ahead:


Best Games

Mercyhurst (2-0, 4-1) at West Chester (2-0, 8-0)
- When a high-scoring team meets a shutdown defensive team -- something has to give. The Rams are tough at home. But, defense travels well. West Chester is putting up 88.6 ppg during its hot start. Mercyhurst (shocker) is giving up just 65.4 ppg. Two very good coaches get a week each to prepare for this marquee match-up. The Lakers have played a tougher schedule to this point.


California (2-0, 5-2) at Shippensburg (2-0, 6-1)
- The Danny Sancomb rebuild didn't take very long. Both teams have won five straight. The Chris Fite Show keeps on rolling. This is the start of a brutal 5-game stretch for the Red Raiders. Ship's next five: Cal, at Fairmont, UPJ, IUP, Millersville. The Vulcans also start a grueling month. After the trip to Shippensburg, Cal takes a short trip to Carlow before a weekend set at West Chester and MIllersville, followed by UPJ, at SRU and Shepherd. With the schedules looming for both teams, it makes this one all the more important. Sancomb vs. Fite is really a battle of two excellent X's and O's coaches.



Under the Radar Games

Shepherd at Virginia Union - Two historically strong programs both off to somewhat shaky starts.

East Stroudsburg at Queens College - ESU has had its ups and downs. Queens College may be better than its deceiving 3-5 record.

Gannon at Kutztown - The Golden Bears are just 2-4 without star forward Moe Williams, but they are coming off a strong showing in a close loss at UPJ. Gannon was a couple seconds from knocking off No. 11 Ashland.

Slippery Rock at Shepherd - Second game of a tough week for the Rams. This is SRU's last game without Micah Till.

Never a fan of woulda, coulda, shoulda but DS VULCANS are literally two shots, one miss and one make, from 7-0. Don't know if GSC has replays available but the game on Sunday was the first time his team seemed to be playing as a unit. They have four legit scoring threats in PEGRAM, COLLINS, ALEXANDER and HOUSE so a complete shutdown seems unlikely. But it only counts if they do it on the court so getting to the New Year at 7-4 or 8-3, it will be time to give their spot on the calendar serious prep unlike recent years. Time will tell.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

The Week Ahead:


Best Games

Mercyhurst (2-0, 4-1) at West Chester (2-0, 8-0)
- When a high-scoring team meets a shutdown defensive team -- something has to give. The Rams are tough at home. But, defense travels well. West Chester is putting up 88.6 ppg during its hot start. Mercyhurst (shocker) is giving up just 65.4 ppg. Two very good coaches get a week each to prepare for this marquee match-up. The Lakers have played a tougher schedule to this point.


California (2-0, 5-2) at Shippensburg (2-0, 6-1)
- The Danny Sancomb rebuild didn't take very long. Both teams have won five straight. The Chris Fite Show keeps on rolling. This is the start of a brutal 5-game stretch for the Red Raiders. Ship's next five: Cal, at Fairmont, UPJ, IUP, Millersville. The Vulcans also start a grueling month. After the trip to Shippensburg, Cal takes a short trip to Carlow before a weekend set at West Chester and MIllersville, followed by UPJ, at SRU and Shepherd. With the schedules looming for both teams, it makes this one all the more important. Sancomb vs. Fite is really a battle of two excellent X's and O's coaches.



Under the Radar Games

Shepherd at Virginia Union - Two historically strong programs both off to somewhat shaky starts.

East Stroudsburg at Queens College - ESU has had its ups and downs. Queens College may be better than its deceiving 3-5 record.

Gannon at Kutztown - The Golden Bears are just 2-4 without star forward Moe Williams, but they are coming off a strong showing in a close loss at UPJ. Gannon was a couple seconds from knocking off No. 11 Ashland.

Slippery Rock at Shepherd - Second game of a tough week for the Rams. This is SRU's last game without Micah Till.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

UPDATED MEN'S STANDINGS - 12/2/19

EAST	PSAC	OVERALL	STREAK
West Chester	2-0	8-0	W8
Shippensburg	2-0	6-1	W5
Bloomsburg	1-1	3-3	W1
Kutztown	1-1	2-4	L1
Mansfield	1-1	2-4	L1
East Stroudsburg	0-2	3-3	L2
Lock Haven	0-2	3-3	L3
Millersville	0-2	3-3	L2
Shepherd	0-2	3-3	L2
WEST	PSAC	OVERALL	STREAK
IUP	2-0	6-0	W6
UPJ	2-0	8-1	W8
Mercyhurst	2-0	4-1	W3
California	2-0	5-2	W5
Edinboro	1-1	4-2	L2
Slippery Rock	1-1	4-3	W2
Gannon	1-1	2-3	L1
Seton Hill	0-2	1-4	L3
Clarion	0-2	1-5	W1

[Ship69]

Kutztown will have a completely different outlook when/if Moe Williams returns. He's a complete game-changer. However, the losses are mounting for the Golden Bears. The immediate schedule isn't friendly. After the upcoming Cheyney game, they have four tough ones in a row heading in to Christmas break.

Millersville is a good team. The 3-3 record is deceiving -- consider they have two losses by a combined 3 points. But, losses are losses. I think they'll be fine moving forward. I think they'll go 4-0 in their next four outings to right the ship.

ESU has some work to do but could turn it around.

Good summary. And Ship has a tricky little stretch coming up with California on Dec. 7, a West Virginia trip to Fairmont on the 17th, and then back-to-backers at home with UPJ and IUP on the 20th and 21st. Even at home, I wouldn't be too unhappy with a 1-1 split for the UPJ-IUP weekend.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

With ESU & MIllersville off to tough starts, it seems like the East is already a two-horse race. Lots of power still humming in the West. But the past few years of a deep East might be a thing of the past this year.

Kutztown will have a completely different outlook when/if Moe Williams returns. He's a complete game-changer. However, the losses are mounting for the Golden Bears. The immediate schedule isn't friendly. After the upcoming Cheyney game, they have four tough ones in a row heading in to Christmas break.

Millersville is a good team. The 3-3 record is deceiving -- consider they have two losses by a combined 3 points. But, losses are losses. I think they'll be fine moving forward. I think they'll go 4-0 in their next four outings to right the ship.

ESU has some work to do but could turn it around.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Didn't know this poll existed, but, nonetheless:

D2CCA men's Basketball Atlantic Region Poll (Nov. 25)

1.	IUP (5 votes)	5-0
2.	West Chester (1 vote)	6-0
3.	West Liberty	5-1
4.	Shippensburg	6-1
5.	Fayetteville State	6-0
6.	Charleston	5-1
7. tie	Edinboro	4-1
7. tie	UPJ	5-1
9. tie	Mercyhurst	4-1
9. tie	Glenville State	4-1

[Ship69]

With ESU & MIllersville off to tough starts, it seems like the East is already a two-horse race. Lots of power still humming in the West. But the past few years of a deep East might be a thing of the past this year.

Perhaps, but it's a little early to write teams off. I remember Ship getting off to a rather pedestrian 3-2 start a couple of seasons back and ending up in the Division II final 16 that year.

[Scrub]

With ESU & MIllersville off to tough starts, it seems like the East is already a two-horse race. Lots of power still humming in the West. But the past few years of a deep East might be a thing of the past this year.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

UPDATED STANDINGS

EAST	PSAC	OVERALL	STREAK
West Chester	2-0	6-0	W6
Shippensburg	2-0	6-1	W5
Bloomsburg	1-1	3-3	W1
Kutztown	1-1	2-4	L1
Mansfield	1-1	2-4	L1
East Stroudsburg	0-2	3-3	L2
Lock Haven	0-2	3-3	L3
Millersville	0-2	3-3	L2
Shepherd	0-2	3-3	L2
WEST	PSAC	OVERALL	STREAK
IUP	2-0	5-0	W5
UPJ	2-0	5-1	W5
Mercyhurst	2-0	4-1	W3
California	2-0	4-2	W4
Edinboro	1-1	4-1	L1
Slippery Rock	1-1	3-3	W1
Gannon	1-1	1-2	W1
Seton Hill	0-2	1-3	L2
Clarion	0-2	1-5	W1