PSAC WEST

[IUPalum]

Hopefully they are 0-8 by then... hahahahaha
Prediction is 5-3 before the Till return.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Rock season preview released this afternoon says Till will return Dec. 15

[Golden89]

What's unknown is the exact definition of 'first semester' ... does that mean he's out up until the last day of classes of Semester 1 or does that mean he's out until the first day of classes of Semester 2? There's obviously a huge difference there in the amount of games..

The way that I've seen it before is that players who are eligible in the second semester are eligible to play once the first semester ends.

[IUPalum]

Micah Till won't play till spring semester due to only having one semester left.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Well, as Boat had alluded to over the summer and IUPAlum confirmed about a month ago, Slippery Rock star Micah Till cannot play in the first semester. He only has one semester of eligibility left.

That also means he cannot practice with the team. Notice he's been absent in all team photos on Twitter, etc., over the past month.

What's unknown is the exact definition of 'first semester' ... does that mean he's out up until the last day of classes of Semester 1 or does that mean he's out until the first day of classes of Semester 2? There's obviously a huge difference there in the amount of games.

Either way, it's a huge blow for SRU. They have to find a way to not ring up too many losses while he is out. The old rule that holds true just about every year is you can only take about 8 losses all year to go dancing.

The interesting dynamic for SRU is their whole offense runs through him. It will be different inserting him back in to the lineup with several new players.

[Fightingscot82]

Well, within 21 days this projection has already been butchered. Cal losing MacAdams late, as noted, is a big loss. There's also news of a soon-to-be-announced bombshell that will cause some havoc on the West race.

[CALUPA69]

Well, within 21 days this projection has already been butchered. Cal losing MacAdams late, as noted, is a big loss. There's also news of a soon-to-be-announced bombshell that will cause some havoc on the West race.

Although losing MACADAMS hurts A LOT, I wasn't entirely sure how he and PHILLIP ALEXANDER were going to work together. They seem to be the same player and being on court at the same time may have been awkward. OR I may be whistling past the graveyard.

[PSACfan1]

Rock men's roster is posted.

That seems to leave Edinboro as the last to show its hand.

I'm surprised Grady was able to secure a few D-1 transfers

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Who knows, I guess.

The West is going to be pretty deep this year. From my own research, I'd project something like this:

1. IUP - This may be Joe's deepest team in his tenure in Indiana.

2. UPJ - Great combination of smart, seasoned players. They play old school ... annoying to play against.

3. California - Vulcans must stay healthy. They aren't overly deep beyond 1-7. If they do they will win many games this season. Starting Five is very strong. Well-coached.

This is where it gets tricky.

4/5. Slippery Rock and Mercyhurst - Both lost a ton of players. But, both have a history of rebuilding quick. You want the Lakers early. By January the team starts mastering that Triangle and Two.

6/7. Gannon and Edinboro - Both have a lot of unknowns. Edinboro will score a lot of points this year. They just play zero defense.

8/9. Seton Hill and Clarion - The Griffins are in complete rebuild. The same is likely the case in Clarion.

Well, within 21 days this projection has already been butchered. Cal losing MacAdams late, as noted, is a big loss. There's also news of a soon-to-be-announced bombshell that will cause some havoc on the West race.

[Fightingscot82]

True. BUT a big part of his job is raising money.

Benhart was a reach at D2. I thought he'd end up as one of Joe's walk-ons. His dad teaches at IUP.

He was probably still a PASSHE waiver. I believe APSCUF dependents can go to any system school.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I wouldn't say development as much as I'd say struggled landing guys. Most of that is because he's coaching with the lowest scholarship amount in the west - a half scholarship equivalency lower than Clarion. Good bigs usually take some dollars he doesn't have to throw around.

Benhart (Indiana HS kid) is playing at DIII Grinnell in Iowa.

True. BUT a big part of his job is raising money.

Benhart was a reach at D2. I thought he'd end up as one of Joe's walk-ons. His dad teaches at IUP.

[Fightingscot82]

Cleary has really struggled in the post player department. He's found lots of guards. Few bigs minus converted football linemen.

Two years ago we saw Staunch can be really effective as a garbage man for a strong guard group. Last year, with less guards as threats and a bigger role, he was exposed. It doesn't appear they got the big fella much help down there for this year. But, they should be much better this season if healthy.

I wouldn't say development as much as I'd say struggled landing guys. Most of that is because he's coaching with the lowest scholarship amount in the west - a half scholarship equivalency lower than Clarion. Good bigs usually take some dollars he doesn't have to throw around.

Benhart (Indiana HS kid) is playing at DIII Grinnell in Iowa.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

He's very close with James Conner. His dad is a former Erie sportscaster turned sports photographer. He's good - will probably be another Jaryn Simpson. Edinboro still needs a big - they were able to fight for top of the West with a good big man (MacLemore, Tielsch, Donaldson, etc.).

Cleary has really struggled in the post player department. He's found lots of guards. Few bigs minus converted football linemen.

Two years ago we saw Staunch can be really effective as a garbage man for a strong guard group. Last year, with less guards as threats and a bigger role, he was exposed. It doesn't appear they got the big fella much help down there for this year. But, they should be much better this season if healthy.

[Fightingscot82]

What's his story? I did see the kid from Indiana High is no longer on the roster.

He's very close with James Conner. His dad is a former Erie sportscaster turned sports photographer. He's good - will probably be another Jaryn Simpson. Edinboro still needs a big - they were able to fight for top of the West with a good big man (MacLemore, Tielsch, Donaldson, etc.).

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Edinoro also brought in the great Jack Gallagher...

What's his story? I did see the kid from Indiana High is no longer on the roster.