Iup basketball

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Hard to believe, but it's been 9 years since the infamous Silent Night game. Every Gannon visit reminds me of it. That was GU's last win in Indiana.

A record crowd (to this day) filled the KCAC that night.

IUP, of course, blew a halftime lead and lost.

It's amazing what has happened to these two programs since that night.

IUP went to the national title game the following year. Gannon beat IUP 2 of 3 that year, including a walk-off Hail Mary in the PSAC final at the Hammermill. The Knights we're upset the following week by Slippery Rock in Round 1 of the NCAA Tournament (a team they hammered three times that year).

IUP then went on a very long winning streak against Gannon. John Reilly was eventually run out of town. Kelvin Jefferson has been there since mostly with mixed results. In fact, Gannon's lone win against IUP since that PSAC Final came during the Covid season when GU played a season and IUP agreed to play a game after two practices. So, take that game for what it's worth.

Had SRU not upset Gannon that Saturday down at West Liberty, I'm not sure Joe would have got past them in Round 2. Perhaps.

The Saturday night games of that era had a special vibe. The coaches, all younger then, often put on quite a show, too.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

That's well put. And I can't say I disagree with you.

The Porterfield item is a major issue we'll have to monitor. A lot changes if he's not available for a stretch. They change pretty dramatically without Ethan in the lineup in that they can play much faster. Brooks is a big dude but can fly. Diop can really run, too, for his size. With Ethan in they have to play a slower pace and a more-structured offense. They are good at both but are probably less predicable with Brooks in the lineup. He doesn't shoot the three like Ethan but he also poses the threat of alley-oops, etc.

IUP has a very difficult stretch starting tomorrow with Gannon, (at) Mercyhurst and Pitt-Johnstown (that's a tough three games in 5 days).

Gannon is who they are at this point but, as usual, it will be a physical war with them tomorrow. That's just how they play and just how every IUP/GU game is -- chippy, dirty, cheap shots, etc. Mercyhurst has a bye tomorrow. So, some stars are perhaps aligning for them Monday night.

UPJ is also a very tough game for IUP. They are extremely tough in a half court game and Joe wanted to beat them at their own game in the first meeting (and did but it was tight). Kromka won't get the same golden leash in the KCAC that he gets in the Sports Center, but nonetheless they are a very tough opponent.

They can worry about Monday on Sunday.

[Scrub]

IUP’s scariest opponent is IUP. Obviously the favorite doesn’t win every time and we’ve now seen #1 seeds knocked off by #16s in the NCAA Tourney, but I feel pretty strongly we’re watching at least a Final Four team here.

That's well put. And I can't say I disagree with you.

[IUP24]

Diop is one of the big “Joe” mysteries along with keeping starters in late in blowouts. Every time the kid is on the floor he makes things happen. He alters shots and has pretty good hands for a guy of his stature. Maybe he’s not a good practice player. Maybe KJ is a great practice player so he gets more time. Hard to say with not being in the building everyday and also hard to question Joe’s reasoning. It’s just mysterious to those of us on the outside looking in.

I feel like Joe has one big every single year like this. A guy who has great size, appears to be competent enough, etc., but just never sees the floor. It's never a guard. It's always a big guy who could play 8-10 minutes a night, give a couple fouls, and offer some assistance on the journey. We have this same conversation every year with one guy in that position.

Diop is just a nameless gray face. It'll be somebody different next year. And the year after. And the one after that.

[EyeoftheHawk]

Agreed. IUP's more clear and present worry should be a team like Mercyhurst (we've seen that movie before where IUP handled them in the regular season but a badly timed loss in the Regional ended a nice IUP run). It's clear that IUP is making the Regional. So even dropping the remaining regular season match-up with Mercyhurst won't hurt (in fact, as IUP24 might have been implying yesterday, dropping the regular season contest with Hurst might actually help take the pressure of perfection out of the equation). But that's a team that has proven to be dangerous to IUP in Regionals before. Familiarity breeds danger in this case.

And, in truth, WVSU is a team that has the personnel to match up with IUP in a Regional game (if they ever actually play a complete 40-minute game with any sense of focus). So you might have to become fans of Charleston & Concord down the stretch in hopes of WVSU picking up 1-2 more losses that would cripple their chances of even making a Regional.

For what it’s worth, this is a very different team than the one Mercyhurst knocked off in the regional a few years ago. That’s not at all saying it can’t be done, but it’s unlikely. Regarding WVSU, I would see that as an outstanding matchup for IUP. Teams like that don’t respond well to having their preferred style taken away and being held way below their scoring average. Then it comes down to the mental fortitude to deal with it and as you stated, that’s a team prone to losing focus. I don’t think IUP’s in a position to worry at all about what’s going on around them. IUP’s scariest opponent is IUP. Obviously the favorite doesn’t win every time and we’ve now seen #1 seeds knocked off by #16s in the NCAA Tourney, but I feel pretty strongly we’re watching at least a Final Four team here.

[EyeoftheHawk]

Joe said in the paper today they have to get Ousmane Diop 'ready'.


I swear we've been saying that on here since November.

Diop is one of the big “Joe” mysteries along with keeping starters in late in blowouts. Every time the kid is on the floor he makes things happen. He alters shots and has pretty good hands for a guy of his stature. Maybe he’s not a good practice player. Maybe KJ is a great practice player so he gets more time. Hard to say with not being in the building everyday and also hard to question Joe’s reasoning. It’s just mysterious to those of us on the outside looking in.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Joe said in the paper today they have to get Ousmane Diop 'ready'.


I swear we've been saying that on here since November.

[IUPalum]

And the biggest worry about Gannon might be the guys who don't even dress. ; )

I don't think they'll be a problem. The track suits shouldn't even travel but if they do, I'm sure the crowd will hammer them!!!

[Scrub]

To paraphrase Redshirt Joe: "We're worried about Gannon and only Gannon."

And the biggest worry about Gannon might be the guys who don't even dress. ; )

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Agreed. IUP's more clear and present worry should be a team like Mercyhurst (we've seen that movie before where IUP handled them in the regular season but a badly timed loss in the Regional ended a nice IUP run). It's clear that IUP is making the Regional. So even dropping the remaining regular season match-up with Mercyhurst won't hurt (in fact, as IUP24 might have been implying yesterday, dropping the regular season contest with Hurst might actually help take the pressure of perfection out of the equation). But that's a team that has proven to be dangerous to IUP in Regionals before. Familiarity breeds danger in this case.

And, in truth, WVSU is a team that has the personnel to match up with IUP in a Regional game (if they ever actually play a complete 40-minute game with any sense of focus). So you might have to become fans of Charleston & Concord down the stretch in hopes of WVSU picking up 1-2 more losses that would cripple their chances of even making a Regional.

There's not an easy game on Regional Saturday, Sunday or Tuesday. You can hope for some perhaps more favorable match-ups but even the 8-1 game is a tough game.

IUP beating Cal a fourth time last year was a miracle in itself. That's incredibly hard to beat a good team 4 times in one year.

To paraphrase Redshirt Joe: "We're worried about Gannon and only Gannon."

[Scrub]

We're all a long ways away from worrying about his Holiness down at the beach.

Agreed. IUP's more clear and present worry should be a team like Mercyhurst (we've seen that movie before where IUP handled them in the regular season but a badly timed loss in the Regional ended a nice IUP run). It's clear that IUP is making the Regional. So even dropping the remaining regular season match-up with Mercyhurst won't hurt (in fact, as IUP24 might have been implying yesterday, dropping the regular season contest with Hurst might actually help take the pressure of perfection out of the equation). But that's a team that has proven to be dangerous to IUP in Regionals before. Familiarity breeds danger in this case.

And, in truth, WVSU is a team that has the personnel to match up with IUP in a Regional game (if they ever actually play a complete 40-minute game with any sense of focus). So you might have to become fans of Charleston & Concord down the stretch in hopes of WVSU picking up 1-2 more losses that would cripple their chances of even making a Regional.

[IUPalum]

What is the obsession all you WL fans have with that guy? My goodness.

They all said that last year. And a physical team just bullied them in the Elite 8. I’m not saying they aren’t the best team in the country. I’m not saying they are either. But Jim Crutchfield’s teams always light it up. And then they run into a physical squad and just “shoot it badly.”

He’s got them brainwashed!

[IUPalum]

This year, I think the elephant in the room, or should I say, the shark near the beach, is Nova se. Been watching their games. Numerous matchup nightmares, like a 6-9 pg who can handle the rock. Ten deep with positionless muscle and height, all great shooters. No knucklehead shots.

If you’re worried about that team then you’re looking too far ahead!

[IUP24]

This year, I think the elephant in the room, or should I say, the shark near the beach, is Nova se. Been watching their games. Numerous matchup nightmares, like a 6-9 pg who can handle the rock. Ten deep with positionless muscle and height, all great shooters. No knucklehead shots.

What is the obsession all you WL fans have with that guy? My goodness.

They all said that last year. And a physical team just bullied them in the Elite 8. I’m not saying they aren’t the best team in the country. I’m not saying they are either. But Jim Crutchfield’s teams always light it up. And then they run into a physical squad and just “shoot it badly.”

[IUPbigINDIANS]

This year, I think the elephant in the room, or should I say, the shark near the beach, is Nova se. Been watching their games. Numerous matchup nightmares, like a 6-9 pg who can handle the rock. Ten deep with positionless muscle and height, all great shooters. No knucklehead shots.

We're all a long ways away from worrying about his Holiness down at the beach.