PSAC EAST

[IUPbigINDIANS]

It is interesting. Ship could finish anywhere from first to fourth. With how the teams are matched this year, I'm not sure where you're seeded makes that much of a difference. Obviously, the good thing about grabbing one of the top two spots is the first-round bye, which could give the injured players some time to get better.

Being home is key.

During the regular season not so much (at most schools). But the bandwagon types all come out for 'playoff' games which can lead to a nice homecourt advantage.

The 'pee sack' playoffs (God do I hate that phrase) seem to have the XMAS Eve church crowd effect.

Monday and Wednesday next week get the big crowds. Most years Spring Break takes students away for PSAC Tournament Final Four weekend and also the following weekend (Regional).

The double whammy is when two West schools play in the final in an East gym (or vice versa). It's basically an empty gym.

Not playing Monday is the biggest advantage. Most teams are playing Saturday and then Monday and then perhaps Wednesday. That's three games in 5 days - with next to no prep in between (plus travel).

[WarriorVoice]

ESU has Saturday off. A chance for them to rest and watch the fun!

[IUPalum]

ESU has Saturday off. A chance for them to rest and watch the fun!

And nobody has to listen to you!

[WarriorVoice]

And nobody has to listen to you!

Good one! How long did it take you to come up with that?!

[IUPalum]

Good one! How long did it take you to come up with that?!

As long as it took you to come up with your response. You better hope your squad doesn't lose again or they'll be out.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

As if tomorrow wasn't interesting enough in the East, Winston-Salem just beat Virginia Union -- the absolute worst possible thing for bubble teams.

That could mean the CIAA is likely getting two teams in the NCAAs.

[WarriorVoice]

Bloomsburg is keeping ESU's East title hopes alive. Huskies lead West Chester 67-55 with 10 minutes left in the season!!

[WarriorVoice]

Bloomsburg had a 20-point lead and couldn't handle the West Chester pressure...Louie Wild missed a few layups, and threw the ball away numerous times in the final minutes. The Golden Rams tie it at 82 with 3 seconds left...And we go to overtime!!! Oh the humanity!!!

[WarriorVoice]

West Chester 92, Bloomsburg 89 in OT...What a comeback by West Chester!! ESU can still get a bye if Lock Haven can pull off the upset at Shippensburg...

[Bart]

Bloomsburg is keeping ESU's East title hopes alive. Huskies lead West Chester 67-55 with 10 minutes left in the season!!

West Chester trail by 20 (78-58) with under six minutes to play in regulation per WCU write up.

[jrshooter]

I suppose Shippensburg had a somewhat easier time of it. The Raiders shook off an ugly start at Heiges Field House, took over the game in the first 10 minutes of the second half and disposed of Lock Haven 74-65.

Still no Dom Sleva, though he was moving around in civvies pregame and at halftime. No idea if he'll be up for the first round; he told Ship's PBP guy yesterday that he wanted like crazy to get out there, and that at least it's not a high ankle sprain. But he just can't move around sufficiently yet.

Anyway, Rashon Johnson (26 points, 15 boards) and Luke Nedrow (16 and 16) had sweet Senior Days. And once again, Tyler Crespo injected some offense off the bench and scored 12.

The Ship women lost the East No. 1 seed to West Chester on a tiebreaker, but ended the regular season with a fifth straight win, 67-46 over LHU. Ariel Jones keeps on keepin' on with 25.

[Ship69]

I suppose Shippensburg had a somewhat easier time of it. The Raiders shook off an ugly start at Heiges Field House, took over the game in the first 10 minutes of the second half and disposed of Lock Haven 74-65.

Still no Dom Sleva, though he was moving around in civvies pregame and at halftime. No idea if he'll be up for the first round; he told Ship's PBP guy yesterday that he wanted like crazy to get out there, and that at least it's not a high ankle sprain. But he just can't move around sufficiently yet.

Anyway, Rashon Johnson (26 points, 15 boards) and Luke Nedrow (16 and 16) had sweet Senior Days. And once again, Tyler Crespo injected some offense off the bench and scored 12.

The Ship women lost the East No. 1 seed to West Chester on a tiebreaker, but ended the regular season with a fifth straight win, 67-46 over LHU. Ariel Jones keeps on keepin' on with 25.

They got what they needed out of Johnson. He's been about due for a game like that. With Crespo playing the way he has been lately, the offensive flow has been better with the smaller lineup.

[jrshooter]

The one thing that I tend to overlook sometimes is the raw athleticism of Johnson and Carlos Carter, which somewhat makes up for the lack of length up front.

The pair spent all day yesterday sailing over Lock Haven near the basket, elbow-level with the rim. Not everyone has guards/swingmen with that ability.

[Ship69]

The one thing that I tend to overlook sometimes is the raw athleticism of Johnson and Carlos Carter, which somewhat makes up for the lack of length up front.

The pair spent all day yesterday sailing over Lock Haven near the basket, elbow-level with the rim. Not everyone has guards/swingmen with that ability.

Johnson, whose outside shot has been erratic at times this season, did what he probably has done best and went "downhill" as he described it after the game. Crespo got them playing faster and opened up the floor a bit, which is the type of game where Johnson and Carter operate best. They'll need that if they end up playing Millersville again Wednesday. If Sleva is hobbled or not playing, Nedrow will also have to step it up as he did yesterday as the Marauders have a couple of bruising forwards.

It's been something of a weird season for the Raiders, but finishing at the top of the East in a division as well balanced as this one was this season is no small accomplishment, and they deserved credit for it. I've enjoyed watching the four upperclassmen and hate to see them leave, but that's college sports.

[jrshooter]

Ship wouldn't have to see ESU until the final, and it would be at Heiges if they should get that far. Plus, the Warriors would have to get through IUP first.

With all due respect to the bottom half of the bracket, I see a very clear path for the Raiders to reach the championship game.