PSAC WEST

[Ship69]

Almost all of the rosters are now posted. Very few surprises. So, my July predictions are always made based on the rumored rosters. With about 30 days to opening night, it's real now.

Prior to the Coaches' Poll being released, below is my updated West rankings:


1. California - Nothing has changed in this slot. Unlike most in the West this season, the Vulcans' core group has played with one another for several years. There will be no learning curve. Add to it two returning 2021 starters who both missed all of the 2022 season -- along with a very strong incoming class -- and this is Cal's West title to lose. The Vulcans are strong at all five starting positions and will feature two 6'7" dynamic G/F players. They will be a match-up nightmare.

(Insert line in the sand ... as after the clear-cut No. 1, things get tricky here in a hurry)


2. IUP - The Crimson Hawks' streak of West titles is in serious jeopardy. Roster-wise, Joe Lombardi may have a strong enough team to compete with California by the time they meet after Christmas. But, there are major questions at this time. Three key players return -- Ethan Porterfield, Dallis Dillard and Jaylen Stewart. The other top returners are inexperienced (Dolan Waldo and Damir Brooks). Waldo redshirted last season but could be in the starting lineup at SF. The rest of the upcoming rotation, while experienced, will be making their IUP debuts. Akron transfer Garvin Clarke (PG) will be a name everybody gets to know very quickly. Speaking of 'quickly', we'll learn a lot about this new team in a hurry. A very tough opening month is looming.

3. Mercyhurst - All-West guard Jeff Planutis returns along with forward Aidan Reichert. Power forward Max Jusianiec arrived from Saint Rose and will have an immediate impact. Like IUP, the Lakers took some major losses. However, they should remain right in the thick of things.

4. Slippery Rock - The Rock added a final roster piece late in Wagner transfer Ja'Mier Fletcher (6'7", 245 lbs). He should be the final 'muscle' piece the team needed. SRU is without question the wildcard team. The Rock added two dynamic transfer guards -- Maceo Austin (Duquesne) and Ike Herster (Gannon) -- to go along with with returning starter Lashon Lindsey. On paper, this is SRU's best team in years. The biggest question will be can this group share the ball and actually play like a team? If so, this will be a dangerous group. If not, this could be a disaster by early January.

5. Clarion - The Golden Eagles amazingly managed to keep their very talented freshmen class of a year ago together. Steve Kelly also returns as one of the more underrated point guards in the PSAC. This will be one of the biggest starting lineups in the league, headlined by 6'9" 240 lb power forward Jayson Harris. Now a sophomore, Harris may be the most dominant big man in the league the next several years. Another sophomore, F Jihad Simpson (6'9", 220 lbs) will start alongside a pair of 6'6" sophomore guards (Cam Kearney and Justice Easter). It's been a long, long time since this program has had any buzz.

6. Gannon - Some think Gannon should be higher than this slot. Hard to say at this point. I can say this: Gannon had a good roster last year. It didn't have good leadership. The best players were retained and the rest were replaced largely with transfers. This upcoming version is very athletic. Long gone are the traditional Gannon post players in the 6'8", 250 lb range. They've all been replaced with athletic forwards who can run and shoot. This team will be a headache to play. If the learning curve to a new system doesn't slow them too much, the Knights could be in the thick of things.

7. UPJ - The Mountain Cats were decimated by graduation. While some solid players do return, this will be an extremely young team -- especially under the basket. It's no secret UPJ is one of the better-coached teams in the league and that Bob Rukavina will find a way to make them competitive. However, this is a major rebuilding project.

8. Seton Hill - The Griffins made a lot of headway last season under first-year head coach Ben Wilkins. The transfer portal, however, soon came calling. Two key starters left town. All isn't lost, however. Sophomore PF Gabe Gillespie showed flashes of stardom as a true freshman a year ago and PG Sean Dillon also returns.

9. Edinboro - The Scots took forever to hire their new head coach. That doesn't help recruiting much. While I think they did make a good hire, this year unfortunately is going to be a very long one inside McComb. Conference wins are going to be very few and far between.



Notes:

I will say this was one of the hardest preseason rankings I've done in years. SRU and Gannon are very difficult to forecast right now. To an extent, so are IUP and Mercyhurst. UPJ and Seton Hill could easily be flipped. I strongly believe Clarion is going to be dangerous this year. I saw that basically all-freshmen team hammer IUP for 34 minutes last year. They are big and can play. Depth will be the concern inside Tippin. But, starting lineup for starting lineup, they can stack with most. Those aren't true freshmen anymore.



Now, we'll see how the Coaches' Poll compares.

Looks as if it might be the most competitive year in the West in a while.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Almost all of the rosters are now posted. Very few surprises. So, my July predictions are always made based on the rumored rosters. With about 30 days to opening night, it's real now.

Prior to the Coaches' Poll being released, below is my updated West rankings:


1. California - Nothing has changed in this slot. Unlike most in the West this season, the Vulcans' core group has played with one another for several years. There will be no learning curve. Add to it two returning 2021 starters who both missed all of the 2022 season -- along with a very strong incoming class -- and this is Cal's West title to lose. The Vulcans are strong at all five starting positions and will feature two 6'7" dynamic G/F players. They will be a match-up nightmare.

(Insert line in the sand ... as after the clear-cut No. 1, things get tricky here in a hurry)


2. IUP - The Crimson Hawks' streak of West titles is in serious jeopardy. Roster-wise, Joe Lombardi may have a strong enough team to compete with California by the time they meet after Christmas. But, there are major questions at this time. Three key players return -- Ethan Porterfield, Dallis Dillard and Jaylen Stewart. The other top returners are inexperienced (Dolan Waldo and Damir Brooks). Waldo redshirted last season but could be in the starting lineup at SF. The rest of the upcoming rotation, while experienced, will be making their IUP debuts. Akron transfer Garvin Clarke (PG) will be a name everybody gets to know very quickly. Speaking of 'quickly', we'll learn a lot about this new team in a hurry. A very tough opening month is looming.

3. Mercyhurst - All-West guard Jeff Planutis returns along with forward Aidan Reichert. Power forward Max Jusianiec arrived from Saint Rose and will have an immediate impact. Like IUP, the Lakers took some major losses. However, they should remain right in the thick of things.

4. Slippery Rock - The Rock added a final roster piece late in Wagner transfer Ja'Mier Fletcher (6'7", 245 lbs). He should be the final 'muscle' piece the team needed. SRU is without question the wildcard team. The Rock added two dynamic transfer guards -- Maceo Austin (Duquesne) and Ike Herster (Gannon) -- to go along with with returning starter Lashon Lindsey. On paper, this is SRU's best team in years. The biggest question will be can this group share the ball and actually play like a team? If so, this will be a dangerous group. If not, this could be a disaster by early January.

5. Clarion - The Golden Eagles amazingly managed to keep their very talented freshmen class of a year ago together. Steve Kelly also returns as one of the more underrated point guards in the PSAC. This will be one of the biggest starting lineups in the league, headlined by 6'9" 240 lb power forward Jayson Harris. Now a sophomore, Harris may be the most dominant big man in the league the next several years. Another sophomore, F Jihad Simpson (6'9", 220 lbs) will start alongside a pair of 6'6" sophomore guards (Cam Kearney and Justice Easter). It's been a long, long time since this program has had any buzz.

6. Gannon - Some think Gannon should be higher than this slot. Hard to say at this point. I can say this: Gannon had a good roster last year. It didn't have good leadership. The best players were retained and the rest were replaced largely with transfers. This upcoming version is very athletic. Long gone are the traditional Gannon post players in the 6'8", 250 lb range. They've all been replaced with athletic forwards who can run and shoot. This team will be a headache to play. If the learning curve to a new system doesn't slow them too much, the Knights could be in the thick of things.

7. UPJ - The Mountain Cats were decimated by graduation. While some solid players do return, this will be an extremely young team -- especially under the basket. It's no secret UPJ is one of the better-coached teams in the league and that Bob Rukavina will find a way to make them competitive. However, this is a major rebuilding project.

8. Seton Hill - The Griffins made a lot of headway last season under first-year head coach Ben Wilkins. The transfer portal, however, soon came calling. Two key starters left town. All isn't lost, however. Sophomore PF Gabe Gillespie showed flashes of stardom as a true freshman a year ago and PG Sean Dillon also returns.

9. Edinboro - The Scots took forever to hire their new head coach. That doesn't help recruiting much. While I think they did make a good hire, this year unfortunately is going to be a very long one inside McComb. Conference wins are going to be very few and far between.



Notes:

I will say this was one of the hardest preseason rankings I've done in years. SRU and Gannon are very difficult to forecast right now. To an extent, so are IUP and Mercyhurst. UPJ and Seton Hill could easily be flipped. I strongly believe Clarion is going to be dangerous this year. I saw that basically all-freshmen team hammer IUP for 34 minutes last year. They are big and can play. Depth will be the concern inside Tippin. But, starting lineup for starting lineup, they can stack with most. Those aren't true freshmen anymore.



Now, we'll see how the Coaches' Poll compares.

[Ship69]

Former Slippery Rock PF Khalid Gates is on the roster at Lincoln Memorial.

Was wondering where he'd show up. He was a load down low for The Rock. He would have been a nice addition for Ship, which just made a surprise (at least to me) addition to its roster.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Former Slippery Rock PF Khalid Gates is on the roster at Lincoln Memorial.

[boatcapt]

It's not a bad non-conference schedule. Fayetteville State is respectable. Bowie State is typically very tough in their building (students will be there for this game).

I think Lincoln actually beat them last year.

Chestnut Hill was a little above .500. Wesleyan stinks. They'll hammer Wheeling.

It lacks a marquee game but I've seen a lot worse.

Your old boy Danny should be pretty tough this year.

That was a tongue in cheek post aimed squarely at those that sledge a team can't be any good in the post season if they don't play tough opponents in the fall! And NO number of ranked in-conference opponents was enough to replace a game vs a ranked out of conference opponent in October!!

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Per the Tribune-Review, Seton Hill women's basketball coach Mark Katarski has resigned. He has accepted the new position of Associate Athletic Director for Internal Relations (a newly created position) at Seton Hill.

Assistant Maeve Gallagher will take over the program.

That's big news. Katarski was certainly one of the top coaches in the league.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

No way Cal will be any good in the post season. They don't play a tough enough OOC schedule!!! EVERYONE knows that come NCAA Playoff time, you are only as good as the teams you played Out of Conference!

It's not a bad non-conference schedule. Fayetteville State is respectable. Bowie State is typically very tough in their building (students will be there for this game).

I think Lincoln actually beat them last year.

Chestnut Hill was a little above .500. Wesleyan stinks. They'll hammer Wheeling.

It lacks a marquee game but I've seen a lot worse.

Your old boy Danny should be pretty tough this year.

[boatcapt]

Cal men's non-conference has posted


Fayetteville State (at Bowie)
Bowie State (at Bowie)

at West Virginia Wesleyan

at Lincoln (PA)

Chestnut Hill
Wheeling

No way Cal will be any good in the post season. They don't play a tough enough OOC schedule!!! EVERYONE knows that come NCAA Playoff time, you are only as good as the teams you played Out of Conference!

[Columbuseer]

h u

Not a lot of juggernauts there.

If they have the same student announcers at wvwc, you have to tune in. The British guy is very entertaining!
here is wlu broadcast. Hilarious!

https://mountaineast.tv/?B=434793

[IUPalum]

Cal men's non-conference has posted


Fayetteville State (at Bowie)
Bowie State (at Bowie)

at West Virginia Wesleyan

at Lincoln (PA)

Chestnut Hill
Wheeling

Not a lot of juggernauts there.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Cal men's non-conference has posted


Fayetteville State (at Bowie)
Bowie State (at Bowie)

at West Virginia Wesleyan

at Lincoln (PA)

Chestnut Hill
Wheeling

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Men's

Cal and Lock Haven are opening the season at Bowie State's tip-off.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Clarion's non-conference schedule is posted (men's).


Tip-Off Tournament at Clarion
Bluefield State
Frostburg State

@ Lake Erie

Daemen

@ Bryant & Stratton
@ Winston-Salem State

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Good summary. This is the first year since probably 2018-19 that I'm not sure what to expect. On paper, there should be more parity- IUP and Mercyhurst have beaten the brakes off many teams the past 4-5 years, and I don't think that will happen nearly as much this year.

Cal is going to be almost impossible to stop on offense- question will be do they defend at a high enough level over a 3 month conference schedule to win the division. That's why I still think IUP is the favorite- Joe does a great job getting those guys to buy in defensively.

No idea what to expect from Mercyhurst. They're attempting to reach their 6th straight NCAA Tournament, which is an incredibly impressive run. Planutis is an excellent player and Reichert can score, but it looks like they're going to be relying on a bunch of younger guards. If a couple of those players turn out to be good, then I expect them near the top. If they aren't, then they'll probably end up more in the 4-5 range. They've had excellent talent and played really well together for this 5 year stretch they've been on, so I guess it's a question of how long it'll take their younger players to get comfortable, and how good they are.

Don't see it with Clarion yet. If they can put it together, good for them.

Slippery Rock is a total enigma. Putting the team in the hands of Herster and Austin is a risky proposition. Lindsey is really talented but doesn't always look into it. Gates also left, who was a productive player for them. Don't know how much "coin" they are working with, but they seem stuck in the 4-6 range.

Gannon is the wildcard for me. Fee has done a solid job bringing in players that fit his style, but are they good enough? The Indiana St transfer looks intriguing, as well as the kid from Geneva. Their talent was not very good last year (and they didn't play well together) so I think with a couple reinforcements and more cohesion, they can make a big jump.

Seton Hill and UPJ will both finish higher than 7 and 8, in my opinion. Seton Hill's coach is very good and Rukavina has a track record of getting the most out of his teams.

Edinboro- good luck to the new coach. Hopefully they give him the resources necessary to be successful.

Rock is in on a big JUCO forward ... Micah Till type. But, he hasn't signed yet. Many are after him.

[IUPHawks24]

The rosters are starting to surface. There will likely be a late signing or two. But, by now, we have a pretty good view of the upcoming season.

That means it's time for the annual mid-summer West predictions. The division was down a year ago. It should be much stronger this season.


1. California - The Vulcans have been close the past several years. Last year got derailed with two starters missing the entire season -- and, the Vulcans were still pretty tough -- especially in the second half. Both injured players return this year -- along with everybody else. Cal is going to be very deep, experienced and athletic. Jermaine Hall, Zyan Collins, Keith Palek, Cam Polak, Bryson Lucas and Donald Whitehead can all score the ball, defend and play fast. In short, Danny is going to be a nightmare to play this season.

2. IUP - Will the Crimson Hawks' run of West titles finally end? Betting odds at this point would probably say yes. But, IUP may be stronger than many think. A healthy Ethan Porterfield returns, along with guards Dallis Dillard and Jaylen Stewart. Redshirt Joe turned in to Transfer Joe this off-season -- adding 5 experienced players to the mix. Dolan Waldo, the hyped redshirt of a year ago, also gets elevated to the active roster. Four of the five transfers are expected to contribute immediately -- likely headlined by SG Josh Petteno (proven D2 scorer), Akron PG transfer Garvin Clarke and JUCO G Denzel Kabasele. IUP will be much bigger and faster in 2023 -- and, in theory, anyway, deeper. Lot of new pieces to blend together.

3. Mercyhurst - The Lakers took some serious losses this off-season. But, that's nothing new in Erie. Enough returns -- along with some key transfers -- to keep Mercyhurst in the thick of things. Max Jusianiec, a 6'7" F transfer from Saint Rose, will be an immediate performer. Juxianiec was highly recruited out of the portal by most of the top Atlantic programs.

4. Clarion - Yep, you're reading that correctly. Clarion decided to stick with Damian Pitts -- and, it's about to pay off. Despite a woeful record last season, Clarion had a tremendous freshmen class (and they all stayed). Once Pitts started to play them down the stretch, the Golden Eagles got scary. They're all a year older now -- and experienced. Jayson Harris may be the best power forward in the PSAC this season. He's big, strong and can score the ball. Four rising sophomore guards -- Jaylen Shippen, Cam Kearney, Justice Easter and Jihad Simpson -- give the Golden Eagles a very strong backcourt. Steve Kelly, perhaps the most underrated PG in the league, also returns.

5. Slippery Rock - Very interesting off-season in Morrow Field House. This is either going to work -- or, be a total disaster. The two headline transfers coming in are Maceo Austion (Duquesne) and Ike Herster (Gannon). Austin hasn't played in a couple years but is a big-time talent. Herster spent a lot of time at Gannon on the injured list but can be a very dynamic scorer. Luke Howes was also added to play PG from Walsh. Lashon Lindsey and Jomo Goings also return -- two underrated players. The weakness as of July 11 appears to be depth. A lot of coin is tied up in that starting five. Can this group share the ball? That's the other big question.

6. Gannon - The Golden Knights are the unknown entering '23-'24. They are going to be a different bunch to play than the West is used to seeing. That said, it is Year 1 of the new regime. It will also be the first time playing this style for many of the players. So, it will likely take some time. That said, despite his late hire date, new coach Jordan Fee has put together a pretty good roster. He kept a couple of Gannon's top players and added some impact transfers. This could be a scary team come January.

7. Seton Hill - Just when it appeared the Griffins were a step away from, well, taking a giant step ... the transfer portal came calling. Three starters left town. But, the cupboard isn't bare. PG Sean Dillon and F Gabe Gillespie return along with a host of experienced role players. Gillespie exploded on to the scene as a true freshman a year ago and has legit star power. He will likely be one of the better post players in the league this winter.

8. Pitt-Johnstown - Last year was the team UPJ had spent years building up to. And, of course, last summer star PG Fred Mulbah transferred out. The Mountain Cats were still pretty good, but they weren't nearly the same without Mulbah. Entering this year, however, the names we've seen there for years and years are all mostly gone. This will be a very young group -- perhaps the youngest starting unit in the PSAC. But, as always, Bob Rukavina will have replacements ready. PG Andrew Shull showed 'star' flashes last season as a freshman. He'll be a 20 ppg player this year. Ryan Smith also returns and is capable of putting up some big nights. There's very little size on the roster aside from two incoming freshmen. They will likely have to play immediately.

9. Edinboro - Note: I said 'most' of the rosters are formed. This one, however, is not. The Fighting Scots took an eternity to hire their new coach. We'll have to see what he can quickly whip together. But, this is going to be a long winter in McComb.

Good summary. This is the first year since probably 2018-19 that I'm not sure what to expect. On paper, there should be more parity- IUP and Mercyhurst have beaten the brakes off many teams the past 4-5 years, and I don't think that will happen nearly as much this year.

Cal is going to be almost impossible to stop on offense- question will be do they defend at a high enough level over a 3 month conference schedule to win the division. That's why I still think IUP is the favorite- Joe does a great job getting those guys to buy in defensively.

No idea what to expect from Mercyhurst. They're attempting to reach their 6th straight NCAA Tournament, which is an incredibly impressive run. Planutis is an excellent player and Reichert can score, but it looks like they're going to be relying on a bunch of younger guards. If a couple of those players turn out to be good, then I expect them near the top. If they aren't, then they'll probably end up more in the 4-5 range. They've had excellent talent and played really well together for this 5 year stretch they've been on, so I guess it's a question of how long it'll take their younger players to get comfortable, and how good they are.

Don't see it with Clarion yet. If they can put it together, good for them.

Slippery Rock is a total enigma. Putting the team in the hands of Herster and Austin is a risky proposition. Lindsey is really talented but doesn't always look into it. Gates also left, who was a productive player for them. Don't know how much "coin" they are working with, but they seem stuck in the 4-6 range.

Gannon is the wildcard for me. Fee has done a solid job bringing in players that fit his style, but are they good enough? The Indiana St transfer looks intriguing, as well as the kid from Geneva. Their talent was not very good last year (and they didn't play well together) so I think with a couple reinforcements and more cohesion, they can make a big jump.

Seton Hill and UPJ will both finish higher than 7 and 8, in my opinion. Seton Hill's coach is very good and Rukavina has a track record of getting the most out of his teams.

Edinboro- good luck to the new coach. Hopefully they give him the resources necessary to be successful.