PSAC WEST

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Two dates left ... There's a huge one in the West tomorrow and several in the East that 'should' clear things up a bit.


California at Mercyhurst - There's a belief that Mercyhurst is the worst possible team to play in a one-and-done. While still a regular season game, this might as well be a postseason game. The loser is likely in trouble (done) -- NCAA-wise. The Lakers can lock up a first-round bye in the PSAC Tournament with a win -- and take a huge step toward an NCAA bid. Cal is pretty much assured a first-round home game in the PSACs either way, but a win gives it a chance to move in to second place as well as receive a huge resume boost. The Vulcans took it to Mercyhurst pretty good in the first meeting. The Lakers shot just 1-24 from outside a putrid 27 percent from the field. That's not likely to happen again -- especially in the MAC. Mercyhurst has owned the series of late -- winners of 9 of the past 11 meetings. Cal's last win in Erie was all the way back on Feb. 18, 2012. The Lakers also haven't lost since that trip to the Angelo Dome in late January. The Vulcans' starting lineup is better, but the Lakers are deeper. Add to it this will be the MAC debut for several Cal players -- a place where good shooters go to die. Expect a tight one -- perhaps a thriller -- but Gary Manchel's teams are too strong at home. Lakers -3

Slippery Rock at Edinboro - Could the Rock be rolling a bit? SRU is coming off an impressive win in the Hammermill -- perhaps its best showing of the season. The Fighting Scots are in countdown mode. This shouldn't be nearly as close as the first meeting. SRU may have finally found itself. Trey Staunch and Micah Till will have their final battle, but the Rock is way too deep. SRU -14

Millersville at West Chester - Just when they were left for dead, the Rams have won three in a row. At 18-8, West Chester is actually still (faintly) alive for an NCAA bid. This won't be an easy week, however. First, a sometimes good, sometimes bad, Millersville team visits. Then, of course, is this Saturday's showdown at East Stroudsburg. The Marauders' visit likely has a payback theme for WCU. Millersville beat the tar out of the Rams in the first meeting ... a blistering 97-71 smack-down. The Rams are -- frankly, unbelievably -- still in contention for a first-round bye in the PSAC Tournament. Millersville needs a win to help secure a first-round home game. Harry Houdini probably couldn't figure either of these teams out. Both are talented. Both vanish for periods of time. Something tells me West Chester has figured something out. Again. Maybe. Perhaps. Rams -5

East Stroudsburg at Lock Haven - If this game was in the Pocono's, logic would point to ESU all day. In that strange Lock Haven gym, however, maybe not. The Bald Eagles were on a nice little run prior to stumbling at West Chester. ESU won the first meeting by 14 points and has won its past 7 games. The Bald Eagles will be more competitive than the first game, but the end result will be the same. Lock Haven isn't deep enough to run around all night toying with that press. Warriors keep their NCAA hopes alive. ESU -8

IUP at Clarion - The last time the Golden Eagles beat IUP was on Jan. 22, 2011. IUP was dead in the water inside Tippin Gym on a snowy night in February of 2016 but somehow survived. The past decade of this series, with one exception, has been a slew of lopsided wins for Joe Lombardi. Clarion played a Chucky Humphries-less IUP fairly tough last month in the KCAC. Add to it Ethan Porterfield missed most of the game in foul trouble. The Golden Eagles have the physical size to cause IUP some issues in this one. Clarion did everything possible to take away IUP's 3-point shooting in the first meeting. That's much easier to do, however, with no Chucky and Ethan on the bench. With two games left, it's also hard to predict what level of effort Clarion will put forth. If they come out to play, IUP should win by 15-18 points. If they are in banquet mode, this could get ugly. IUP -17.5

Seton Hill at Pitt-Johnstown - The Griffins just lost at home by 51 points. Going to Johnstown is going to make a bad hangover even worse. Seton Hill's only hope is that UPJ is already mentally at the KCAC. Pitt-Johnstown likely pads some serious stats. Mountain Cats -26

Kutztown at Bloomsburg - The Huskies' stunning upset of Shippensburg kept them alive for another day. A loss here, however, will end their postseason hopes. Kutztown has lost 4 of its past 5 games. The Huskies live to play another day. Bloomsburg -7

Shepherd at Shippensburg - It's never good to play a 3-point shooting team the game after they shot poorly. Law of averages. Add to it the rivalry factor ... and this could be a good one. The Raiders have lost two straight -- to two very average teams. Shippensburg has to stop the Regional Seeding bleeding. The Raiders went from a two-seed to who knows. Chris Fite will have them ready, but don't expect it to be easy. This is an UPSET ALERT game. Ship -7

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Wild week in the West. Multiple teams are still fighting for conference tournament seeding. Several are fighting for their NCAA livelihood. UPJ, Mercyhurst and California are all still alive, as of now, for a spot at the Dance.

Wednesday:

California at Mercyhurst - MASSIVE stakes for each team. Pending a PSAC Tournament win, the loser of this game likely sees their NCAA hopes dashed. The outcome of this game also has major implications for Saturday's lineup.

Saturday:

UPJ at IUP - The Hawks have already clinched the West, but the goal is to host the regional. A UPJ loss likely spells NCAA doom for the Mountain Cats. If IUP wants to avoid a trip to West Virginia ... this could seal up the home court. This should be a dynamite atmosphere inside the KCAC ... the fans love Josh Wise.

Gannon at California - These two could play twice in 48 hours -- both inside Angelo's dome. After a hot stretch, Gannon has lost 3 of its past 4 outings. Side note: Really big ladies' game, too.

Mercyhurst at Slippery Rock - The Rock is famous for late-season upsets. Morrow could be cookin' for this one. With Till finally playing like his old self, SRU can be dangerous (as Gannon just found out). A fully-healthy Till makes for a whole new Rock.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Updated Men's Standings ... should be quite the exciting week.

WEST	PSAC	OVERALL	STREAK
IUP*(1)	18-2	23-2	W5
Mercyhurst*	15-5	17-7	W7
Pitt-Johnstown*	14-6	20-7	L1
California*	14-6	18-8	W3
Gannon*	12-9	13-12	L1
Slippery Rock*	10-10	14-12	W3
Clarion	4-17	5-22	L3
Seton Hill	3-17	4-20	L6
Edinboro	2-18	5-19	L15
EAST	PSAC	OVERALL	STREAK
Shippensburg*(1)	16-4	20-6	L2
East Stroudsburg*	13-7	17-8	W7
West Chester*	12-8	18-8	W3
Millersville	10-10	13-13	L1
Lock Haven	9-11	12-12	L1
Shepherd	9-11	13-13	L1
Kutztown	9-11	11-15	W1
Bloomsburg	7-14	10-17	W1
Mansfield	5-16	6-20	L5

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Two dates remain (for most). Updated WOMEN'S Standings:

WEST	PSAC	OVERALL	STREAK
IUP*(1)	19-1	24-2	W3
Gannon*(2)	17-4	21-6	W2
California*	13-7	19-7	W2
Edinboro*	13-7	15-9	W1
UPJ*(5)	10-10	15-11	W2
Seton Hill	7-13	13-13	L3
Mercyhurst	7-13	7-19	L3
Slippery Rock	6-14	8-18	L1
Clarion	2-19	4-23	L6
EAST	PSAC	OVERALL	STREAK
Shippensburg*	16-4	19-7	W6
East Stroudsburg*	14-6	18-8	W4
Kutztown*	14-6	17-9	W3
Shepherd*	13-7	19-7	L1
Lock Haven*(5)	10-10	13-12	W2
Bloomsburg*(6)	9-12	12-13	L2
West Chester	6-14	8-17	L5
Millersville	5-15	8-17	L1
Mansfield	1-20	3-24	L16

[IUP24]

It's a crock but it is what it is.

Joe said in the paper this week he considers winning the West or East title to be a much bigger accomplishment than winning a 3-game tournament.

The obvious danger for many is if you'd get 3 non-ranked teams to win the PSAC, MEC and CIAA tournaments. Automatic bids.


Imagine Lock Haven, Glenville State and Virginia Union winning -- and thus knocking out three teams who deserved a bid. It would be sickening ... but, it happens.

The CIAA is famous for it. The PSAC is generally won by one of the favorites.

Cinderella isn't a great story for the team being told they are no longer welcome.

I feel like this is a year where the two PSAC favorites won't win it. I could see IUP or Ship losing and then Cal, UPJ, East Stroudsburg, or Mercyhurst winning the PSAC tournament to get an automatic bid. Not that any of those are bad teams. They're all certainly quality teams and if they got hot would be a team you wouldn't want to necessarily play in a one and done in March.


It always feels like the years everybody thinks the CIAA will be crazy, it ends up being chalk. We've spent weeks predicting which middle of the road team in that league will win the tournament. I'm expecting it to be mostly chalk there.

I couldn't tell you about the MEC tournament. It looks like WL and Fairmont should be locks. Charleston maybe. WVSU on the fringe a bit. If a team out of nowhere wins that league, it could cost WVSU or Charleston a bid.

[IUPalum]

I was under the impression you could only play your grad year elswhere

Does he show up at Christian Brothers?

[bballfan03]

That could just mean he's graduating but he still has a grad year left to play.

Are you saying he's not going to play next year?

I was under the impression you could only play your grad year elswhere

[Golden89]

That could just mean he's graduating but he still has a grad year left to play.

Are you saying he's not going to play next year?

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Most teams in the league are capable of a hot night or two, which is why I've never thought a tournament should determine a conference championship.

It's a crock but it is what it is.

Joe said in the paper this week he considers winning the West or East title to be a much bigger accomplishment than winning a 3-game tournament.

The obvious danger for many is if you'd get 3 non-ranked teams to win the PSAC, MEC and CIAA tournaments. Automatic bids.


Imagine Lock Haven, Glenville State and Virginia Union winning -- and thus knocking out three teams who deserved a bid. It would be sickening ... but, it happens.

The CIAA is famous for it. The PSAC is generally won by one of the favorites.

Cinderella isn't a great story for the team being told they are no longer welcome.

[Ship69]

Lock Haven has the potential to cause havoc in the PSAC tournament. I like Lock Haven's experience especially at the guard spots.

Slippery Rock lost its "culture" with the player revolt against KR. No surprise at all that SRU underachieves and is inconsistent. Having said that, Gannon is always just one "3-25 from 3 point range" game away from getting beat at home.

I don't see any issue with IUP thumping SHU. Past SHU teams had talent - this SHU team not so much. Davis will jack it an build his career personal stats, but there is little fight left in almost any 4-19 team.

Manchel has perfected a match up zone defense, not a triangle and two. However, as long as IUP holds home court, this is IUP's 'ship.

Most teams in the league are capable of a hot night or two, which is why I've never thought a tournament should determine a conference championship.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I like Lock Havens guard play also. Lot of growth from their freshmen guard Washington. Fun to watch. They got the point guard from Seton Hill, Luquana. Washington and Luquana play both sides of the ball. Both are quick. Saw the game against Shippensbur. My buddies son, Sleva plays for the Raiders. Great game!

As long as we don't have another game like we did against Gannon we should beat the Grifins hands down. It always makes me nervous to go to that little yellow shoe box. They seem to get the calls at home.

Their point guard play will be the problem. All D-3 type players. No explosiveness or ability to create. Last game i saw they had the kid from Montour running the point. The Australian kid is probably their best bet. Who knows who's on deck for the game tomorrow. Heard the coach is a little off his rocker. Davis will jack for sure. And he will play the whole game hunting for points, padding stats and playing no defense. Can someone make the call when he's in the lane too early on a free throw. He doesn't box out because he wants the stat. He'll end with one foul and that will be when their down by 15 in the final minutes and he's still hunting points. And those referees will give him those off the wrong foot, floppy trashy move calls. If we can exploit the side he's on and get into their bigs they'll foul out and we win this in their gym by 40.

An insider told my daughter that their coach called our athletic department asking to keep the camera guys away from his huddles next season. I guess he was unhappy about the professional coverage at the KCAC. He should be worried about his record. Nobody needs to spy on their plays to beat them.

Considering the lopsided calls that I think will happen we win by 14. If they don't give Davis all the rag doll calls we win by 22.

I really liked No. 33 Drew Green from SH in the game they played up here. He's a 6'5" true freshman who they play at Guard and Forward. He's a legit D2 player and should really evolve over the next couple years. I'd be interested in him when he transfers. Remember West Liberty landed last year's prized SH transfer in guard Malik McKinney.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

So depressing note for Gannon.. Webb is athletically a junior, but is being celebrated for senior night tomorrow night.

That could just mean he's graduating but he still has a grad year left to play.

Are you saying he's not going to play next year?

[Golden89]

Lock Haven has the potential to cause havoc in the PSAC tournament. I like Lock Haven's experience especially at the guard spots.

Slippery Rock lost its "culture" with the player revolt against KR. No surprise at all that SRU underachieves and is inconsistent. Having said that, Gannon is always just one "3-25 from 3 point range" game away from getting beat at home.

I don't see any issue with IUP thumping SHU. Past SHU teams had talent - this SHU team not so much. Davis will jack it an build his career personal stats, but there is little fight left in almost any 4-19 team.

Manchel has perfected a match up zone defense, not a triangle and two. However, as long as IUP holds home court, this is IUP's 'ship.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I like Lock Havens guard play also. Lot of growth from their freshmen guard Washington. Fun to watch. They got the point guard from Seton Hill, Luquana. Washington and Luquana play both sides of the ball. Both are quick. Saw the game against Shippensbur. My buddies son, Sleva plays for the Raiders. Great game!

As long as we don't have another game like we did against Gannon we should beat the Grifins hands down. It always makes me nervous to go to that little yellow shoe box. They seem to get the calls at home.

Their point guard play will be the problem. All D-3 type players. No explosiveness or ability to create. Last game i saw they had the kid from Montour running the point. The Australian kid is probably their best bet. Who knows who's on deck for the game tomorrow. Heard the coach is a little off his rocker. Davis will jack for sure. And he will play the whole game hunting for points, padding stats and playing no defense. Can someone make the call when he's in the lane too early on a free throw. He doesn't box out because he wants the stat. He'll end with one foul and that will be when their down by 15 in the final minutes and he's still hunting points. And those referees will give him those off the wrong foot, floppy trashy move calls. If we can exploit the side he's on and get into their bigs they'll foul out and we win this in their gym by 40.

An insider told my daughter that their coach called our athletic department asking to keep the camera guys away from his huddles next season. I guess he was unhappy about the professional coverage at the KCAC. He should be worried about his record. Nobody needs to spy on their plays to beat them.

Considering the lopsided calls that I think will happen we win by 14. If they don't give Davis all the rag doll calls we win by 22.

I usually try and stay 'nice' on the basketball side. That said ... Forget Seton Hill. I was there for the 'goon fest' and also the night they let the yellow show box become a college bar.

If the new guy wants to yap about camera's let him. He'll be gone in a year or two anyway. He was a bad hire from the start.

Tark the Shark (look it up) let them trash IUP's season two years ago by playing like street thugs.

Davis can pad his stats. He's not nearly as arrogant as his older brother was (and younger Davis is a much better player).

Here's to wishing Tom and Joe run it up.

No hard feelings, of course. LOL.

[bballfan03]

So depressing note for Gannon.. Webb is athletically a junior, but is being celebrated for senior night tomorrow night.