IUP men will need much of the same against Cal U

The opening round of the PSAC tournament will start tonight for the Crimson Hawks when they play host to the Cal U Vulcans.

The Crimson Hawks have bullied the Vulcans so far this season, winning both games including a game where they went to the Vulcan's home court and came out with a 19-point victory. 

The second game was at Memorial Field House, and the Crimson Hawks again had no trouble with them, winning by 28 points. 

I think that you have to look past these two games though. Yes, the Crimson Hawks outscored the Vulcans by 47 in two games this year, but it is the opening round of the conference tournament, and everyone's slate is wiped clean.

The Hawks will still have to play good defense. The Vulcans have struggled so far this season when it comes to scoring on this IUP defense. They are averaging 55 points per game against the Hawks, and with players like forward Darryl Webb and guards Julian Sanders and Ashton Smith, the Hawks are fine with that. 

Rebounding on both ends will be a factor, and I think that the Crimson Hawks hold the big advantage when it comes to rebounding. 

A big part of the Hawk's rebounding game is senior center Willi Estrella. 

Estrella didn't have his biggest game offensively Saturday night, but he pulled down 10 rebounds. If he can rebound like that tonight, it will make for an easier game for the Crimson Hawks. 

The Crimson Hawks held Mercyhurst's Heiden Ratner to nine points Saturday night. Before Saturday, Ratner was the leading scorer in the PSAC.

They forced Ratner to shoot the ball from deep and when he came inside, every shot was contested or forced. He finished the game 3 of 17 in shooting, and that is exactly the kind of game IUP's defense needs to play against Cal U.

I believe that the game tonight comes down to a bunch of "ifs." 

If the Crimson Hawks play their type of defense, if Estrella rebounds like he usually does, if Webb, Smith and Sanders shoot like they usually do and if junior guard Scooter Renkin and senior guard Kevin Stewart play defense like they usually do, IUP should have an easy time putting down the Vulcans and moving on.

If the Crimson Hawks are to win tonight they would be sitting in the driver's seat, so to speak, because they will have the right to host the PSAC semifinals and finals.