Iup basketball

[Ship69]

100% agree! Joe pretty much said in the pregame Saturday that they were moving away from the press because it wasn't accomplishing what he wanted. Not sure what he wanted to accomplish. The 1-2-2 press isn't really a press to create turnovers. It's more to slow teams down getting into their offensive sets. I hate to say it but a lot of teams in the PSAC don't run a lot of offensive sets. It's starting to become an AAU run and gun.

And now they're talking about shot clocks in the high schools that could wind up being a complete disaster for basketball fundamentals. The average high school team has enough trouble getting the ball upcourt and setting up an offense, especially when pressured. They don't need to be hurried. If you're lucky enough to coach a good high school team, you can turn up the pressure and create turnovers.

I thought the original 45-second shot clock was a mite too long, but the 35-second clock seemed about right. Then of course they lowered it to the present 30 and at times have even talked about going to the NBA clock, which would basically mark the end of set plays in college basketball. I suppose those who think run-and-gun is some kind of pure bssketball would be delighted, but those of us who like to see exceptional teamwork would probably be disappointed. What I've noticed especially the past few years in situations where a team is going for the last shot before halftime is the seeming lack of set plays to get off that shot. Generally you have the point guard dribbling away 10-15 seconds, then trying to penetrate with 10 seconds (or fewer) left and often getting off a contested shot or odd-looking airball. How about screens to get an open look for a good three-point shooter? How about a pick-and-roll? How about anything? Doesn't seem to happen.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

IUP was fortunate in Greensburg not to see PF Kedrick Curtis (6'7", 225 lbs) or PG Dimitrios Sklavenitis (6'4", 190 lbs).

Unfortunately for Team Redshirt, they will not have that same luxury tonight. Both are finally back in the lineup, and, the Griffins are much, much different with them.

Curtis is one of the top pure Power Forwards in the PSAC -- averaging 16 ppg and 8 rpg. He also boasts an impressive 85 assists in 21 games.

Sklavenitis, when healthy, is one of the best Point Guards in the PSAC. With his size and speed, he's very difficult to defend. He also plays a more 'Euro' style and is a tremendous passer, not to mention he shoots above 40% from outside.

Forget the overall record. They obviously struggled mightily without them. However, at full strength this season, the Griffins have wins (at) Frostburg State, (at) East Stroudsburg and they put up 97 in a win against West Chester (a team IUP couldn't score on). Seton Hill also lost in OT against a very strong Shepherd team (on the road).

Joe better have a real good plan to deal with Curtis tonight (a guy who has caused IUP trouble for a couple years now). You can rest assured SH has watched a lot of film and can see the weakness defending under the basket. Don't forget about his wingman underneath, either. Gabe Gillespie scored 18 on IUP in the first game and had 11 rebounds. Together, they are a problem.

IUP also had fits with true freshman G Rashaad Williams in the first game. He's kind of a slightly bigger version of Kymani. He'll be even more difficult with less pressure on him.

Another item some of you may not have noticed is Seton Hill started to play man-to-man this season for the first time in forever. Their last game -- an 85-73 loss to Gannon -- they went back to the Zone. I suspect IUP will see man-to-man tonight.

So, expect a good one tonight. This is going to be a 'final 90 seconds' type game.

[IUPNation]

The Rock is a feisty bunch. They could get somebody on the right night. They've kind of gone purely playground, but they make it work.

Playground seems apropos for a Gym Teacher Training School.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

It’s nice to see IUP sweep evil away….

The Rock is a feisty bunch. They could get somebody on the right night. They've kind of gone purely playground, but they make it work.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

100% agree! Joe pretty much said in the pregame Saturday that they were moving away from the press because it wasn't accomplishing what he wanted. Not sure what he wanted to accomplish. The 1-2-2 press isn't really a press to create turnovers. It's more to slow teams down getting into their offensive sets. I hate to say it but a lot of teams in the PSAC don't run a lot of offensive sets. It's starting to become an AAU run and gun.

We saw that Saturday from SRU. The plan was toss the ball down low and attack IUP's weakness, or drive the basket and see what happens. They don't really have any shooters.

Add to it you can't actually play defense any longer. EVERYTHING under the basket is a foul.

Wednesday is a big one. This isn't going to be the Seton Hill JV team they saw two weeks ago.

[IUPalum]

Quite a coincidence for IUP ... when you play your best players and stop running an ineffective press your team gets better.

What a concept.

100% agree! Joe pretty much said in the pregame Saturday that they were moving away from the press because it wasn't accomplishing what he wanted. Not sure what he wanted to accomplish. The 1-2-2 press isn't really a press to create turnovers. It's more to slow teams down getting into their offensive sets. I hate to say it but a lot of teams in the PSAC don't run a lot of offensive sets. It's starting to become an AAU run and gun.

[IUPNation]

It’s nice to see IUP sweep evil away….

[IUPbigINDIANS]

All the forwards better be ready on Wednesday! SH has their full roster back and those big men are athletic loads!!!

Quite a coincidence for IUP ... when you play your best players and stop running an ineffective press your team gets better.

What a concept.

[IUPalum]

Joe lit a fire under Bautista.

That was his best game by a mile. Great to see.

All the forwards better be ready on Wednesday! SH has their full roster back and those big men are athletic loads!!!

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Joe lit a fire under Bautista.

That was his best game by a mile. Great to see.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

🧹

[IUPbigINDIANS]

A bit random and sorry to change subjects, but ESPN has a long post-mortem on Golden State finally trading former first-rounder Jonathan Kuminga to Atlanta. In the story, it mentions Kuminga's trainer is Ant Wells. Sure enough, it appears that's the former IUP point guard(who also had a cup of coffee with Toronto's G League team) who led us to the 2013 PSAC title over Slippery Rock (in a crowd 90 percent in green because of IUPattys). Good for him.

He's a good guy. I'm glad to see he's been able to stay in the game and have success.

That SRU game, my opinion, was probably the best atmosphere - overall - for a game in the history of the KCAC. It would take an act of God to get that many students to a game these days. Not to mention, the PSAC Title game typically falls when the campuses are empty (Spring Break). But, that's a whole other level of idiocy and discussion.

The loudest moment, however, was Porterfield's game-over trey against Cal to win the Regional. Not only was that the loudest moment, but I think that was by far the best moment ever inside the building. IUP had to beat them for a fourth time that season to win the Region -- and that Cal team was really, really good. Add in Danny getting the crowd so worked up and it was just a huge outburst when the ball went through the net.

The other game in my 'Top 3' inside the KCAC came on Jan. 25, 2013. Similar to the story above, Kevin Reynolds -- in really his peak form -- had the KCAC crowd in a frenzy (which is clearly not easy to do). It was a Saturday night. Packed. Half the building was lit up. It was loud. SRU led most of the game and it really appeared the streak was going to finally end. That was a vintage KR team that looked like an NBA lineup. Long story short, right when SRU was in grasp of putting the game away, IUP hit a couple shots to bring the score real close. KR then freaked about a call and the crowd erupted on him. Further backstory, SRU got called for something like 3x more fouls that night than IUP. In the little tirade (after being frustrated all night), he finally drew a technical. That event changed the course of the final minutes. IUP went on to hit the winning layup with about 8 seconds left, and won, 66-64. The crowd that night made a massive difference.

The game just had it all. Joe and KR hated each other back then. They were obviously much younger and more hyper. The games and crowds were way better during that stretch. IUP has lost so much by playing Saturday afternoon games as opposed to night games. Most don't realize but for about a 20-some year stretch IUP was one of the very few playing exclusively Saturday night home games. It's just different today. The crowds, even when somewhat large, just aren't the same. The energy is nowhere close to those games in 2013, etc.

Anyway, sorry for the quick trip down memory lane.

[hawks16]

A bit random and sorry to change subjects, but ESPN has a long post-mortem on Golden State finally trading former first-rounder Jonathan Kuminga to Atlanta. In the story, it mentions Kuminga's trainer is Ant Wells. Sure enough, it appears that's the former IUP point guard(who also had a cup of coffee with Toronto's G League team) who led us to the 2013 PSAC title over Slippery Rock (in a crowd 90 percent in green because of IUPattys). Good for him.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

It’s always interesting watching UPJ play. Not much has changed over the years, that’s for sure. Bob Rukavina has been there since I started paying attention to local college basketball in the late 80’s. Getting off the bus they don’t look like they could beat United High School. I can’t ever remember them having a team that looked the part, but they do what they’ve always done well and they have some nice banners hanging in their gym. I often wonder how good they could be if Bob ever had the resources to compete with other schools. I’ll give credit where it’s due. That dude is truly a D2 coaching legend.

As for IUP, they played pretty much to form with some good and bad stretches. I agree that Grove should be out there from the tip. He’s playing really well and seems to be comfortable in his role. If IUP had any kind of consistent inside presence they would have blown UPJ out of their own building, but that’s beating a dead horse. This is a perimeter team now that will win when shots fall and get blown out when they don’t. Defense is an afterthought.

The fluidity of UPJ's ball movement is custom made to play against IUP's struggling defense.

I'm sure you noticed but when UPJ was able to run, they scored at will. IUP's transition 'defense' was non-existent. I've also never, ever, seen a team lose guys in the corner more than IUP does.

That said, I thought their half-court defense was fairly good.

IUPAlum and I were talking during the game and we both thought UPJ was gassed the final 7-8 minutes. Rukavina is playing a real small rotation. Yet, IUP couldn't put them away.

Their big guy (Baden Forup) can't be guarded. He either makes the play or gets every single call. The older Kromka was like that when he was there. That dude is 6'7", 240 lbs and built like a rock -- yet gets protected by the officials like he's a feather in the wind. People from other teams have complained about the same thing. Even defensively, Forup blasted Christian Moore on a three-point shot right before half. No call. That dude is the Teflon Don of the PSAC West. Don't get me wrong, he's a great player. I sure wish we had him.

Of all the teams in the bottom half fighting for a spot, UPJ is the one I'd like to avoid in the first round. They know too much of what IUP does and how they do it. I honestly think they know Joe's system better than some of Joe's own players know it.

Look at last night ... Will Kromka got shutout (0 points). That's not happening again. IUP shot 51.5% from outside on 33 attempts. That's likely not happening again, either. UPJ is the worst matchup of those bottom teams for this particular IUP team. But, Round 3 would be in the KCAC.

[EyeoftheHawk]

It’s always interesting watching UPJ play. Not much has changed over the years, that’s for sure. Bob Rukavina has been there since I started paying attention to local college basketball in the late 80’s. Getting off the bus they don’t look like they could beat United High School. I can’t ever remember them having a team that looked the part, but they do what they’ve always done well and they have some nice banners hanging in their gym. I often wonder how good they could be if Bob ever had the resources to compete with other schools. I’ll give credit where it’s due. That dude is truly a D2 coaching legend.

As for IUP, they played pretty much to form with some good and bad stretches. I agree that Grove should be out there from the tip. He’s playing really well and seems to be comfortable in his role. If IUP had any kind of consistent inside presence they would have blown UPJ out of their own building, but that’s beating a dead horse. This is a perimeter team now that will win when shots fall and get blown out when they don’t. Defense is an afterthought.