Share of PSAC East title in view for men

What: East Stroudsburg Warriors @ Kutztown Golden Bears
When: Saturday, March 1, 2008 @ 3 p.m.
Where: Keystone Hall on the campus of Kutztown University

The Golden Bears and Warriors will head into Saturday’s affair for what could be a preview of Tuesday’s playoff action. An ESU (6-5) win coupled with a Millersville (7-4) loss to West Chester (3-8) would mean that ESU will return to Keystone Hall on Tuesday for a first round playoff game. If Millersville wins or ESU falls to KU, Millersville will come to town on Tuesday, while ESU would head to Cheyney (10-2). The Golden Bears will be the number-two seed in the East regardless of what happens on Saturday, but will win a share of the PSAC East regular season title with a win. KU, ESU, CU, and MU all head into Saturday’s action with identical 18-8 overall records.

The Golden Bears enter this game fresh off a 112-96 win over Columbia Union on Wednesday at Keystone Hall. KU’s latest PSAC East action was a 79-71 upset win at Cheyney on Saturday.

The Warriors have won four straight games and 5-of-6 since falling to KU 78-56 on Feb. 6. ESU has ripped off consecutive wins against WCU, Bloomsburg, Millersville, and Mansfield, which has positioned them for a chance at the third or fourth playoff seed.

The first meeting between the two teams this season was a memorable one for KU and a forgettable one for the Warriors. The Golden Bears trailed 37-26 at the half, but stormed to 52 second half points, while holding ESU to 4-of-30 from the field, and won the game handily 78-56.

Dave Ben was 12-of-20 from the field and scored a career high 32 points. Andre Woodlin and Stephen Dennis also reached double digits with 14 and 10 points, respectively.

Channon Easley was the only Warrior in double figures, notching 12.

Probable Starters:
East Stroudsburg:
G- # 24 - Andy Heimbach
G- # 31 - Pat Fleury
F- # 25 – Channon Easley
F- # 22 - Josh Wentz
F- # 40 - Chris Bach

Kutztown:
G- # 14 – Stephen Dennis
G- # 32 - Andre Woodlin
F- # 34 - Dave Ben
F- # 52 - Ryan Washington
C- # 55 - Jeremy Coombs

Scouting Report:
The Golden Bears will look to stay motivated in this despite not technically playing for anything. Sure they can win a share of the PSAC East regular season title, but that means nothing for their playoff positioning. It’s hard to say if they should go hard for the win or lay back and rest some key players. If KU wins, they will see Millersville in the first round, but if they lose, they could see ESU. Which would you rather face? MU beat KU in their last meeting, but ESU is on a roll. Tough call.

KU will need to focus on Easley and Bach. Bach (11.7 PPG) has carried the team’s scoring load over the last month, while Easley (13.7 PPG) still leads the team in scoring. Heimbach (12.0 PPG) and Wentz (10.8 PPG) also average double figures in scoring this season.

Bach and Easley are both big men and ESU will try to feed them the ball inside. Each averages near 8 rebounds a game this season and they have combined for 98 blocks.

KU will continue to look to Dave Ben and Stephen Dennis to carry the scoring load with Andre Woodlin as a top-notch secondary option. Ryan Washington, Jeremy Coombs, and Kevin Hafera will be relied on to contain the inside presence of Easley and Bach. Nate Edwards will see significant action off the bench and will need to make a few big plays on both ends.

Prediction:
First I need to determine which KU team will come to play. The Golden Bears have played some inconsistent basketball this season, but then other times they’ve played excellent throughout the game (see Cheyney a week ago). Secondly, I need to determine if KU will be motivated to play with nothing to lose. Finally, I need to decide if ESU’s hot streak has proved that they are contenders in the PSAC or if KU is still the more talented team.

My answer to those three questions: “What’s with all the questions? Enough with the questions, Question Man!”

No, but really, it actually is hard to say.

Since that is no fun, however, I’ll make a prediction anyways. KU will come out and play a decent tune up game for the playoffs. They won’t lay back and they’ll play to win against a team that is slightly less talented. ESU will hang in there, but KU will be hungry for that share of the division title and will hold off the Warrior charge.

East Stroudsburg 63
Kutztown 73