PSAC WEST

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I think you diagnosed his flaw in one of your prior posts:



Perhaps any D1 and other PSAC coaching staffs that scouted him came to the conclusion that his conditioning would never develop to the point of being able to play heavy minutes, either based on his physical build/bodily changes or some sort of personality assessment/character references.

Well, that level of recruitment sure isn't happening on this level. Maybe at a couple places.

By and large, many coaches in this league are signing kids sight unseen. They don't even visit campus in many cases. Highlight tape and a phone call.

The actual game in question (at IUP), Sandhu played 34 minutes. He had a great stat line (23 points, 7 boards, 2 blocks), and was very disruptive on the defensive end.

Many guards struggle playing 34 out of 40 minutes, let alone a 7'1" guy who probably weighs in the 260-pound range. Edinboro basically played 5.5 guys against IUP. Their whole team was gassed the final 7-8 minutes.

If Sandhu was on a team with depth, I think you'd ideally want him playing 23 mpg or so to get the most out of him. I can't say that's really his 'flaw' because there aren't many players his size logging that many minutes effectively.

The vast, vast majority of 7'+ players we see in the PSAC, frankly, are pretty bad basketball players. Their skill level is horrible, etc. They are just simply big.

As I mentioned, I'd die to have Sandhu on this particular IUP team. He's the exact player they are missing under the basket. He would play 20-22 mpg (or less) and would thrive. He's a very strong player in a slower, half-court game (which is what essentially the whole PSAC plays outside of Gannon and ESU).

[bballfan03]

I feel like Grady cant wait for this season to end so he no longer has Herster or Austin and will have 2 viable scholarship slots open for players that may play more than half their career.

I obviously dont know the actual count, but it feels like they sat way more than they played for Rock. It's sad though - what could have been with them healthy and some of the players they've had around them.

With the way Clarion and Boro have been playing, Rock may be watching come playoffs. (I also fully expect Rock to now beat Gannon this weekend lol)

[Fightingscot82]

Grady's had a difficult last few years. He's recruited one hell of a roster but unfortunately only has 80% at his disposal on a given night. The talent is there and Givner seems like a future star if he sticks around. He and Boro's Carmichael have to be the front runners for PSAC West Freshman of the Year.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

We have an interesting lineup tomorrow. The battle is in full swing to make the conference tournament. Two teams from the West will get left behind.

As always, happy gambling, you degenerates.


Edinboro at Clarion - The saying goes you are what your record says you are ... and in this case both teams are around the .500 mark. Now, you could argue Clarion should be better than an average team. And, you can argue Edinboro is perhaps overachieving a bit given its roster limitations. Regardless, the Fighting Scots enter tomorrow winners of two straight, while Clarion has lost its past two games. In fairness, Clarion lost a tight one to IUP and got lit up by Gannon (which just about every team does). Going by the starting units, this matchup is pretty even. However, Clarion is the much deeper team. Add the Tippin Gymnasium factor, and Clarion 'should' win this game. Golden Eagles -3.5

Pitt-Johnstown at California - Prior to Wednesday night, UPJ had lost 6 of its past 7 games -- and lost arguably its top scorer to the transfer portal. So, naturally, the Mountain Cats lit up Seton Hill for 97 points in a big home win. Those Cats are a pesky bunch in the Dirty J. The road, however, is a much different experience. Tomorrow, Bob Rukavina's bunch will travel to Angelo's Dome to face one of the hottest teams in the league. On paper, this game shouldn't be very close. But, the Vulcans could have a little hangover after their thrilling win at the KCAC. UPJ's back-door passes, picket fences, etc., can put teams in a defensive lull. Expect this one to be close for a bit, but Cal just has too much size and speed. Vulcans -11.5

IUP at Seton Hill - The McKenna Center has been the scene of some drama in this series over the years. Joe Lombardi once compared it to playing inside Indiana High School. If you're the visitor, it's better to hit Greensburg on a Saturday than a Wednesday night. The weekend crowd is typically much smaller and drastically less enthusiastic. Regardless, a lot of powerful IUP teams have found themselves in dog fights inside the small, cramped gym. Tomorrow will be no different. After a hot start, the Griffins are just 1-5 in their past 6 outings. IUP is coming off one of the worst second half collapses of the Lombardi era. Seton Hill's post players will cause IUP some major fits. IUP has an edge at Guard. Gambler Beware on this one. Tricky game. The Griffins always get up for this guest. IUP is on UPSET ALERT. Crimson Hawks -2.5

Gannon at Slippery Rock - About the only way to make this one interesting is to put a big number on it. Being that SRU's lineup changes by the day, projecting how they'll perform is nearly impossible. In reality, it really won't matter who plays for The Rock. Gannon is too good. So, look for the Knights to drop a beating in Morrow. Gannon -22.5

[Fightingscot82]

Boro taking it to Clarion. Lots of time remaining, though.

This conference is wild.

[Fightingscot82]

Boro destroys Clarion 93-78. Wow.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

UPDATED MEN'S STANDINGS

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TEAM	PSAC	OVERALL	STREAK
GANNON	12-1	19-2	W6
CALIFORNIA	12-1	15-5	W4
IUP	10-3	14-4	W1
SETON HILL	7-6	13-8	L3
EDINBORO	7-6	11-9	W3
SLIPPERY ROCK	6-7	13-8	L5
PITT-JOHNSTOWN	5-8	11-10	L1
CLARION	5-8	10-11	L3

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NOTES:

IUP is the only team in action Wednesday (PSU - Du Bois)

Saturday, however, is a great lineup.

California at Gannon - The Vulcans won Round 1. Things will likely be more difficult in Erie. However, Danny is the best coach in the league against the chaos. He's had a lot of practice over the years.

IUP at Edinboro - The Crimson Hawks struggled mightily in the second half against Seton Hill's JV team. This should be a good rematch.

Seton Hill at Clarion - The Griffins have major injury issues (3 starters and a rotation reserve are out). No word on their return. Clarion just got hammered by Edinboro. Both really need a win here.

UPJ at Slippery Rock - The Rock is in a free fall. UPJ keeps losing single digit games. Massive game for two conference tournament bubble teams.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

TEAM	PSAC	OVERALL	STREAK
GANNON	12-1	19-2	W6
CALIFORNIA	12-1	15-5	W4
IUP	10-3	15-4	W2
SETON HILL	7-6	13-8	L3
EDINBORO	7-6	11-9	W3
SLIPPERY ROCK	6-7	13-8	L5
PITT-JOHNSTOWN	5-8	11-10	L1
CLARION	5-8	10-11	L3

-



BIG lineup tomorrow. Tricky gambling day for the degenerates among us. Good luck.


IUP at Edinboro - Team Redshirt had four players out sick this past Wednesday. That was the official answer given. Or, with PSU Siberia in town, Joe Lombardi may have been giving some guys a day off. Regardless, McComb Field House has historically been a tricky venue for IUP. They haven't lost many times up there, but have been in some battles. Round 1 was a pretty close game for about 33 minutes. The Scots ran out of steam and IUP pulled away late. Edinboro has won 3 straight and is looking for a revenge upset. The Hawks can play great in stretches, and then drive off a cliff. Most like IUP to win, but it gets tricky with the spread. Joe is triple-checking the equipment manager, and will probably go down to the McComb basement to visit the old one. If you're watching from home, have the mute button ready or turn your TV down. Lord Red Bull will be 7-8 deep by tip-off and screaming his head off. IUP -3.5

Seton Hill at Clarion - Flip a coin and hope for the best. Without knowing who will actually play for Seton Hill, betting this game is too risky. Granted, the Griffins have had a week off, so they may get some guys back. The host Golden Eagles have had a week to recover from getting their doors blown off by Edinboro. Clarion can play really well in stretches ... and really poor in stretches. IF the Griffins are at full strength, they win this by 8-10 points. But, there's too many unknowns. Vegas says PICK 'EM

California at Gannon - Danny Sancomb isn't going to get a warm welcome in frigid Erie. But, his Vulcans own a win over the Knights this season. Getting a second one, however, won't be easy. These are two of the better teams in the Atlantic Region. California played just 6 players in the first meeting. They'll have a few more tomorrow to help out. But, winning in Erie is much more difficult than inside Angelo's empty dome. Look for a fired up Gannon squad to get its revenge in what will likely be a heated, chippy affair. BUT, no coach around has more knowledge of playing against the system than Sancomb. His teams don't play right into it (like some others I know). Gannon -4.5

Pitt-Johnstown at Slippery Rock - The Rock was quick to offer former UPJ player Jay Rose. It would be kind of funny if his visit is tomorrow. This obviously isn't an important game for the West race, but it is really important for the conference tournament chase. The Mountain Cats are just a game behind SRU for the final party invitation -- and, the Rock is in a free fall. But, they are tough in Morrow. Add in you never know who is actually going to dress for the game. If UPJ gets the full lineup, this should be a battle. SRU has lost 5 straight and appears to be a total mess. The Norman Dale offense will cause too many problems. UPJ -5.5

[bballfan03]

I feel like Grady cant wait for this season to end so he no longer has Herster or Austin and will have 2 viable scholarship slots open for players that may play more than half their career.

I obviously dont know the actual count, but it feels like they sat way more than they played for Rock. It's sad though - what could have been with them healthy and some of the players they've had around them.

With the way Clarion and Boro have been playing, Rock may be watching come playoffs. (I also fully expect Rock to now beat Gannon this weekend lol)

So herster hasn't missed anywhere near as many as I thought.. hes played 72/80. games in his 3 years.

Austin, however, has almost missed more games than played...48/80.

[GUbigGOLDEN]

Statement win from the Golden Knights today. I expected the boys to be out for blood this game, and they indeed got their revenge. Gannon’s defense did the usual- and ran them off the floor. I wonder if the Aussies played rugby back in Oceania..? They are really ballhawks- all over the place getting loose balls and rebounds over bigger players. Today the shooting finally entered the party- hopefully that can continue. Sarver really had the stroke going. As I said before, they could be dangerous come tournament time if the shooting is there. IUP had a really talented team, but it seems like Bazzoli’s “system” just overmatches everyone. A few minutes into the second half it looked like poor Dan Sancomb simply had no answer for the Gannon onslaught. He went from barking all first half to spending the second half sitting silently in his seat watching the butt-whipping unfold.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Statement win from the Golden Knights today. I expected the boys to be out for blood this game, and they indeed got their revenge. Gannon’s defense did the usual- and ran them off the floor. I wonder if the Aussies played rugby back in Oceania..? They are really ballhawks- all over the place getting loose balls and rebounds over bigger players. Today the shooting finally entered the party- hopefully that can continue. Sarver really had the stroke going. As I said before, they could be dangerous come tournament time if the shooting is there. IUP had a really talented team, but it seems like Bazzoli’s “system” just overmatches everyone. A few minutes into the second half it looked like poor Dan Sancomb simply had no answer for the Gannon onslaught. He went from barking all first half to spending the second half sitting silently in his seat watching the butt-whipping unfold.

Unless Gannon gets caught having a really, really bad day, they will thump every team through the PSAC Tournament.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Interesting Men's race. The Top 3 have separated from the pack, but it's pretty crazy from 4-8. As a reminder, the last two teams get left home for the conference tournament.

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TEAM	PSAC	OVERALL	STREAK
Gannon	13-1	20-2	W7
California	12-2	15-6	L1
IUP	11-3	16-4	W3
Slippery Rock	7-7	14-8	W1
Seton Hill	7-7	13-9	L4
Edinboro	7-7	11-10	L1
Clarion	6-8	11-11	W1
Pitt-Johnstown	5-9	11-11	L2

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Notes (in order of Standings)

1) Gannon got its revenge in a big way. The Knights blasted Cal over the weekend. Pending a bad day or a rash of injuries, it's hard to see GU being challenged for awhile.

2) Danny has been blitzed against the 'system' many times and knows the next game can be the total opposite. The Vulcans aren't going away.

3) Team Redshirt travels to the Dirty J in 48 hours. Regardless of the records, it's almost always a war up there. Slippery Rock visits the KCAC this weekend. Hard to say what defense Joe will call next.

4. Slippery Rock snapped a 5-game skid by blasting UPJ in Morrow Field House. Star guards Ike Herster and Maceo Austin haven't played the past 3 weeks. SRU hosts Clarion and then travels to the KCAC. Tough week.

5. Seton Hill is a scary team -- when healthy. The Griffins, however, have been without key guys for several weeks now. Most notably, SHU has played without its two stars -- PG Dimitrios Sklavenitis and PF Kedrick Curtis. They are a whole different animal with them -- but as expected pretty so-so without them. True freshman Rashaad Williams is making a case for Freshman of the Year.

6. Edinboro - IUP ended the Scots' 3-game winning streak. Things surely won't get any easier this week during a trip to Gannon. Edinboro then has a winnable game at UPJ this weekend. The Scots have been in most games and have some nice players -- just not enough of them.

7. Clarion - The Golden Eagles snapped a 3-game skid by beating a very short-handed Seton Hill in OT. Clarion has been the poster child for either being hot or not. Case in point, the Golden Eagles beat California but got blasted by Edinboro.

8. Pitt-Johnstown - The loss of Jay Rose was a big one -- no way around it. But, the Mountain Cats are still (usually) a tough out. Baden Forup is a monster under the basket, and they can get really hot from outside.

[Ship69]

Interesting Men's race. The Top 3 have separated from the pack, but it's pretty crazy from 4-8. As a reminder, the last two teams get left home for the conference tournament.

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TEAM	PSAC	OVERALL	STREAK
Gannon	13-1	20-2	W7
California	12-2	15-6	L1
IUP	11-3	16-4	W3
Slippery Rock	7-7	14-8	W1
Seton Hill	7-7	13-9	L4
Edinboro	7-7	11-10	L1
Clarion	6-8	11-11	W1
Pitt-Johnstown	5-9	11-11	L2

-

Notes (in order of Standings)

1) Gannon got its revenge in a big way. The Knights blasted Cal over the weekend. Pending a bad day or a rash of injuries, it's hard to see GU being challenged for awhile.

2) Danny has been blitzed against the 'system' many times and knows the next game can be the total opposite. The Vulcans aren't going away.

3) Team Redshirt travels to the Dirty J in 48 hours. Regardless of the records, it's almost always a war up there. Slippery Rock visits the KCAC this weekend. Hard to say what defense Joe will call next.

4. Slippery Rock snapped a 5-game skid by blasting UPJ in Morrow Field House. Star guards Ike Herster and Maceo Austin haven't played the past 3 weeks. SRU hosts Clarion and then travels to the KCAC. Tough week.

5. Seton Hill is a scary team -- when healthy. The Griffins, however, have been without key guys for several weeks now. Most notably, SHU has played without its two stars -- PG Dimitrios Sklavenitis and PF Kedrick Curtis. They are a whole different animal with them -- but as expected pretty so-so without them. True freshman Rashaad Williams is making a case for Freshman of the Year.

6. Edinboro - IUP ended the Scots' 3-game winning streak. Things surely won't get any easier this week during a trip to Gannon. Edinboro then has a winnable game at UPJ this weekend. The Scots have been in most games and have some nice players -- just not enough of them.

7. Clarion - The Golden Eagles snapped a 3-game skid by beating a very short-handed Seton Hill in OT. Clarion has been the poster child for either being hot or not. Case in point, the Golden Eagles beat California but got blasted by Edinboro.

8. Pitt-Johnstown - The loss of Jay Rose was a big one -- no way around it. But, the Mountain Cats are still (usually) a tough out. Baden Forup is a monster under the basket, and they can get really hot from outside.

That's a well-balanced division this season, although Gannon is clearly seems best at this point. It's very unusual to have every team in a division with a .500 or better overall record 22 games into the season.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

That's a well-balanced division this season, although Gannon is clearly seems best at this point. It's very unusual to have every team in a division with a .500 or better overall record 22 games into the season.

Teams 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 can all beat each other.

IUP's record is good but they are in a dog fight nearly every game. To their credit they are finding ways to win pretty often.

Cal can be really good at times but has also laid some eggs.

It's an entertaining race.

It's Gannon, a giant gap, Cal/IUP, smaller gap, the rest.

[Fightingscot82]

Article on Edinboro freshman Rowan Carmichael in today's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/...s/202602100041