PSAC WEST

[IUPbigINDIANS]

MERCYHURST 2019-20 Men's Basketball

Lot of new faces in Erie this year for the defending Atlantic Region champion Lakers. The lone returning starter is sophomore guard Miykah McIntosh. Several other players, however, return who saw lots of minutes a year ago -- including senior guard Trystan Pratapas. Pratapas was perhaps the PSAC's deadliest sharp-shooter from outside a year ago. He was used as a pure shooter off the bench while playing just 12 mpg. He hit 64 of 129 three-point attempts.

The Lakers added four freshmen and several transfers to this year's roster.

The most heralded post player recruit is junior forward Daniel Ogele (6'7", 220 lbs) from the Naval Academy. They also added senior forward Melkisedek Moreaux (6'6", 205 lbs) form St. Bonaventure and forward Joel Ufele (6'9", 225 lbs) from Northeast Community College (Nebraska). Also new is a forward Cameron Gross (6'5", 210 lbs) from Wabash Valley Community College.

Steve Cannady came in from Wheeling Jesuit as a sophomore guard. He started 28 games last season for the Cardinals, averaging 12 ppg (38% from deep). He also had 107 assists and 33 steals.


Schedule:

Non-conference is challenging: D'Youville College, at Daemen, Roberts Wesleyan, Le Moyne,

Crossover is brutal: Millersville, Shepherd, at West Chester, at Bloomsburg, at East Stroudsburg, Kutztown

West play: The Lakers dodge a bullet and get to play at IUP on Monday, Jan. 6 (no students / small crowd). They play at SRU in the regular season finale on Saturday, Feb. 29, in what could be a huge game for both teams.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Edinboro cast-off DeAnthony Owens has surfaced at Notre Dame (OH). He looked pretty good when he was healthy.

Conversely, former ND player Halil Parks is now at Virginia State.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

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

They have a tough slate through Chrismas. I'd guess 5-3 or 4-4.

It will take some adjustment, too, when he returns. He's not practicing with the team so we'll see what kind of shape he returns in ...

I'm glad he'll be back for the IUP game. It wouldn't be nearly as fun without him. It's bad enough without KR to tee off the crowd.

I'll always say ... nobody could fire up the KCAC like KR.

In 2015 the KCAC crowd rode him so hard he finally snapped without about 5 minutes left and got a technical. It likely cost him the game. SRU's last win here is a approaching 30 years now.

[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.