Preview: IUP, Cal (Pa.) expected to battle it out for PSAC West men's basketball crown

IUP and Cal (Pa.) could have some close games on the court when they face each other this season.

The teams also are tight in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference West Division preseason men’s basketball poll.

IUP is the favorite, but by only one vote over the Vulcans.

IUP, which finished 32-1, returns two-time conference championship MVP Ethan Porterfield. The Crimson Hawks have won four straight PSAC titles and seven regular-season titles in a row under 400-win coach Joe Lombardi. The team was ranked No. 1 in the nation for several weeks last season.

Cal (16-14) has made the conference quarterfinals three straight times. The Vulcans led the PSAC in 3-pointers last season and return all-conference players Jermaine Hall Jr. and Keith Palek III.

Mercyhurst (25-6) made the conference finals and NCAA Tournament. Jeff Planutis (14.7 ppg) is back for the Lakers.

Slippery Rock has made six straight appearances in the PSAC Tournament. Division I transfers Maceo Austin (Duquesne) and Ja’Mier Fletcher (Wagner) join the Rock (17-12).

Longtime coach Bob Rukavina’s Pitt-Johnstown team (20-10) reached the PSAC quarters for the fourth consecutive time but must replace star John Paul Kromka.

Second-year coach Ben Wilkins helped Seton Hill (16-13) to 13 more wins than the previous season. Leading scorer Samuel Tabe is using his final year of eligibility to play at Division I South Alabama.

Former Geneva standout Lyle Tipton, the PAC Player of the Year, and reining AMCC Player of the Year Nathan Schneider (Pitt-Bradford) transferred to Gannon (3-23).

Clarion (3-24) has four starters back, while Edinboro (7-20) has to replace its top three scorers.

Gannon (Jordan Fee) and Edinboro (Justin Jennings) have first-year coaches.

PSAC West coaches’ poll

1. IUP (5)

2. California (4)

3. Mercyhurst

4. Slippery Rock

5. Pitt-Johnstown

6. Seton Hill

7. Gannon

8. Clarion

9. Edinboro

PSAC East coaches’ poll

1. East Stroudsburg (5)

2. West Chester (3)

3. Millersville

4. Shepherd (1)

5. Shippensburg

6. Lock Haven

7. Kutztown

8. Bloomsburg

9. Mansfield