Iup basketball

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Just curious. Do you think Joe did enough coaching last year? I thought the PSAC was down a little last year — certainly there were no super teams in the Eastern Division. IUP had a clear edge in talent over the great majority of the league and had an impressive record, but they certainly did not seem inspired the last few weeks of the season. It didn't seem hard to predict the loss to West Liberty in the regional final. It isn't often I'd think a team that won 30-plus games could have played better, but I did think that about IUP last year. and was puzzled by their erratic offensive performances. It is a testament to the talent of Shawndale Jones that he probably didn't play up to his full potential last season and was still all-league. Let me make it clear that I know that many wins and a league title would be a banner season at just about any school.

There were two views of last year.

(1) the team went 32-2 and won its fourth straight PSAC title. That's what most saw from a distance.

(2) was the view those of us had who watched every game (and saw them peak in early January against ESU)


That's as far as I'll go in to at this point. That team was cooked by mid-February. It's actually impressive they got as far as they did.

[Ship69]

Even 'allegations' have to be taken extremely seriously in a school setting (by law) -- often times with the authorities involved immediately. How did Cathedral Prep handle it?

I don't remember this guy at all from his one year at IUP (a very long time ago).

I did find it kind of odd he'd actually want this job (at his age). I know he's not old, but he's not young, either. And, he's already been here. The job hardly pays anything. It just seems like a strange career move to take a D2 assistant job at this point.

Joe's last four teams here all won the PSAC title. I don't know how much coaching he had to do during that stretch. He's going to have to coach this year.

Just curious. Do you think Joe did enough coaching last year? I thought the PSAC was down a little last year — certainly there were no super teams in the Eastern Division. IUP had a clear edge in talent over the great majority of the league and had an impressive record, but they certainly did not seem inspired the last few weeks of the season. It didn't seem hard to predict the loss to West Liberty in the regional final. It isn't often I'd think a team that won 30-plus games could have played better, but I did think that about IUP last year. and was puzzled by their erratic offensive performances. It is a testament to the talent of Shawndale Jones that he probably didn't play up to his full potential last season and was still all-league. Let me make it clear that I know that many wins and a league title would be a banner season at just about any school.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Unfortunately allegations hurt whether proven or not. Allegations were unfounded and I personally know a family that was involved with the ordeal and their daughter admitted the other girls lied because there was animosity towards Steve for some kind of (appropriate) disciplinary action he took against the other girls.

But once you're viewed guilty you're guilty.

Even 'allegations' have to be taken extremely seriously in a school setting (by law) -- often times with the authorities involved immediately. How did Cathedral Prep handle it?

I don't remember this guy at all from his one year at IUP (a very long time ago).

I did find it kind of odd he'd actually want this job (at his age). I know he's not old, but he's not young, either. And, he's already been here. The job hardly pays anything. It just seems like a strange career move to take a D2 assistant job at this point.

Joe's last four teams here all won the PSAC title. I don't know how much coaching he had to do during that stretch. He's going to have to coach this year.

[gman16506]

Unfortunately allegations hurt whether proven or not. Allegations were unfounded and I personally know a family that was involved with the ordeal and their daughter admitted the other girls lied because there was animosity towards Steve for some kind of (appropriate) disciplinary action he took against the other girls.

But once you're viewed guilty you're guilty.

Unfortunately, there are some posters who seem to deal in the rumor mill and post items that have very little factual basis.

[bballfan03]

He won a state title with zero Philly area teams playing and most of Pittsburgh not playing. Let’s not forget that!

When you speak inappropriately to HS girls, you’re not going to have a job. Prep kept that hidden. Dirty! Why Joe asked him back is very confusing to me.

Unfortunately allegations hurt whether proven or not. Allegations were unfounded and I personally know a family that was involved with the ordeal and their daughter admitted the other girls lied because there was animosity towards Steve for some kind of (appropriate) disciplinary action he took against the other girls.

But once you're viewed guilty you're guilty.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Someone more connected than me will have more insight, but I wrote his name as someone maybe Edinboro would kick the tires on and learned he basically was not asked to come back to Cathedral Prep. Not sure what happened but he won the Class 5A state title in 2021.

The assistants do play a very important role. Hopefully he can blend in to the program and contribute. Joe's had a very good run of hiring quality assistants so hopefully that continues.

This upcoming season is a big task for Joe. He's got the talent on the roster. But, man, there are a lot of new parts and pieces.

I think he certainly improved the overall team speed. Adding a natural point guard was also extremely important. By most reports, Akron transfer Garvin Clarke is very similar in style of play to former UPJ PG Fred Mulbah. Clarke is just a couple inches taller. He's also a very strong, annoying defender.


The guard rotation (in theory) is better -- and much deeper. I'd guess Clarke (PG), Dillard and Stewart are the starting three. Patteno and Kabasele come off the bench but both play a lot. I'd guess Watson and Lambert both redshirt. Patteno averaged nearly 17 ppg game in D2 last year and is the big (6'5") outside shooter Joe's lacked for a while. Kabasele's game is pretty similar to Shawndale's style. He's a very physical guard.

Underneath I'm guessing Porterfield and Waldo start, with Brooks and Romero-Sanz off the bench.

What's interesting is Joe has two guards on the bench that would start at most places. We all know his track record of playing a small rotation. We'll see how this plays out. There are some inklings around town that he may play some four-guard lineups this year. Hell, he could throw some curveballs and play with five guards in short stretches.

Underneath, a healthy Porterfield is a game-changer. Can he 'stay' healthy a full season? That's the biggest question. Waldo is going to be a big hit. His game and skill set projects very similarly to Cal's Keith Palek. He needed to bulk up a bit this off-season so hopefully that happened.

Brooks will be the spark plug off the bench. Until his Daddy Ugbede syndrome goes away, I don't think he can stay out of foul trouble for more than 10-12 minutes per game. He'll certainly be the 'muscle' guy.

I've heard some good things about Romero-Sanz, but we'll see when the lights get bright. He's a muscular, athletic guy at nearly 6'9". He can handle the ball pretty well and has a nice shot. I'd assume this will be his transition year and Joe will slowly work him in to things.


Coming out of last year I think some things were abundantly clear:

1. Joe needed to get (quality) deeper. It appears that was accomplished.

2. Joe needed to get faster.

3. They needed more quality depth underneath. Losing Tomiwa sure didn't help.

4. He needs to play more guys. He ran that team in to the ground last year. Will that change? We'll see. I have my doubts.

5. They need to return to IUP basketball. Last year dwarfed in to a playground / one-man show. That can't happen again. Joe's team in December would have blasted Joe's team in March. That can never happen again.

It's going to be interesting. There could be some 'WTF' nights early in the season. But, they have the potential to be pretty strong in the second half.

[IUPalum]

Someone more connected than me will have more insight, but I wrote his name as someone maybe Edinboro would kick the tires on and learned he basically was not asked to come back to Cathedral Prep. Not sure what happened but he won the Class 5A state title in 2021.

He won a state title with zero Philly area teams playing and most of Pittsburgh not playing. Let’s not forget that!

When you speak inappropriately to HS girls, you’re not going to have a job. Prep kept that hidden. Dirty! Why Joe asked him back is very confusing to me.

[hawks16]

Someone more connected than me will have more insight, but I wrote his name as someone maybe Edinboro would kick the tires on and learned he basically was not asked to come back to Cathedral Prep. Not sure what happened but he won the Class 5A state title in 2021.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Looking at the Cathedral Prep HS Twitter feed, it looks like their head coach Steve Piotrowicz is coming back to IUP to be Joe’s assistant again.

Im not sure I like this hire.

I don't remember him at all. Of course, trying to remember all of Joe's assistants is a pretty daunting task.

I can tell you that's not an easy job. He's tough on those guys -- especially the younger ones.

[IUPalum]

Looking at the Cathedral Prep HS Twitter feed, it looks like their head coach Steve Piotrowicz is coming back to IUP to be Joe’s assistant again.

Im not sure I like this hire.

[Ship69]

It seems our top post players have had much more success overseas -- especially at getting to the higher levels.

Cobo and Sleva could have easily played in D1 their final two collegiate seasons. I'd guess they are both doing pretty well financially.

Former IUP post player Willem Brandwijk is also having a lot of success. IUP could have got so much more out of him.

There are even some openings for the women now. Arial Jones has been playing in Australia.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Most probably go over for the experience and to give themselves another year or two playing the game. It's nice that these players can have that opportunity.

It seems our top post players have had much more success overseas -- especially at getting to the higher levels.

Cobo and Sleva could have easily played in D1 their final two collegiate seasons. I'd guess they are both doing pretty well financially.

Former IUP post player Willem Brandwijk is also having a lot of success. IUP could have got so much more out of him.

[Ship69]

I don't think many play very long. Seems most stay over there a year or two.

Jacobo Diaz and Dustin Sleva are both in more exclusive leagues (i.e. making much more money).

Most probably go over for the experience and to give themselves another year or two playing the game. It's nice that these players can have that opportunity.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

It's a lot, but there are also dozens of leagues.

I don't think many play very long. Seems most stay over there a year or two.

Jacobo Diaz and Dustin Sleva are both in more exclusive leagues (i.e. making much more money).

[Fightingscot82]

It would be interesting to know how many PSAC guys are playing ball in Europe now.

It's a lot, but there are also dozens of leagues.