Iup basketball

[EyeoftheHawk]

I see it the same way you guys do. I don’t see a plan when I look at the construction of the roster, or how the players that are here are being used. I think it was Dennis Eckersley that said the Pirates roster was a hodgepodge of nothingness. That’s a little harsh and I don’t equate that to the IUP roster, but it’s what I thought of. It’s just hard to see what the plan is, and even harder when the pieces are set in motion. No doubt Rodriguez has been a big disappointment and Herring seems to have regressed. With that being the case, why aren’t Grove and Triggs getting more of those minutes. I’ll also say something that might not be popular. Dallis has been a bit of a turnover machine and while he can have big games, he also tries to do too much and it hurts the team. Maybe he feels like he has to, who knows.

I’m the first to admit, I’m no basketball expert but anyone with two eyes can see how lazy this team is on defense. One thing you used to be able to count on with Joe’s great teams was outstanding defense. This team is the worst defensively I’ve maybe ever seen under Joe. How many times are you going to let a guy dribble to the top of the circle uncontested to drain a 3? It wasn’t that IUP lost that was maddening, it was the way it happened. Out coached, out hustled, and out classed from a talent perspective would be my summary.

[IUPalum]

Boro also blew a 10 point lead in the second half. It didn't help that with campuses closed, official practices weren't supposed to happen.

IUP was up 16. There is no excuse for blowing that large of a lead especially when you're supposed to be one of the top dawgs!

[Fightingscot82]

What a trash loss last night! How does Joe lose a double digit lead with 10 minutes left in the game?

Simple, you don't guard Bryson Lucas and you supposed two best guards turn into a turnover fest because they want to get cute!

What has Rodriguez done to help?

Can Herring do anything fundamentally right?

If it wasn't for Moore, this team would be dead.

Boro also blew a 10 point lead in the second half. It didn't help that with campuses closed, official practices weren't supposed to happen.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

What a trash loss last night! How does Joe lose a double digit lead with 10 minutes left in the game?

Simple, you don't guard Bryson Lucas and you supposed two best guards turn into a turnover fest because they want to get cute!

What has Rodriguez done to help?

Can Herring do anything fundamentally right?

If it wasn't for Moore, this team would be dead.

The reality is they are 0-4 against the four best teams on their schedule this season. That has to change.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

What a trash loss last night! How does Joe lose a double digit lead with 10 minutes left in the game?

Simple, you don't guard Bryson Lucas and you supposed two best guards turn into a turnover fest because they want to get cute!

What has Rodriguez done to help?

Can Herring do anything fundamentally right?

If it wasn't for Moore, this team would be dead.

It may not always seem like it, but I'm about as loyal of a fan as this program has. There's nothing I want more than for the team to do well. Unlike many, you and I have stuck out these bad years.

But, last night wasn't just the tragedy of blowing a 16-point lead in the second half. It wasn't just leaving Cal's best player (literally) unguarded on 5 straight possessions. It wasn't all the missed layups and somehow committing 4-5 turnovers in the halfcourt against a team that WASN'T pressing. It wasn't refusing to change things up on defense when what you were doing was getting sliced and diced Jason Vorhees style. It wasn't even just the number of self-inflicted turnovers.

Last night was kind of just a reality check for the state of the program. And, it's not good.

Cal's team LOOKED like what IUP used to LOOK like. Cal is built how IUP used to be built. The Vulcans play with an intensity IUP 'used' to play with.

I don't even know what the roster makeup is of Joe's team. Honestly, I don't think there is a roster makeup. Joe has a total mess under the basket -- and based on how the rotations change -- sometimes by the minute -- I think he fully knows he has a mess.

Luke Triggs was effective in the first half (and has played well all season). Naturally, the move is to then sit him (basically) the whole second half. Tyler Grove was playing well and spreading the floor for the guards. Of course, sit him most of the second half. Playing Damir and Bautista together is really doing nothing for this team -- at least not against good teams. Opponents know neither is shooting beyond a foot or two from the basket. They can then clog IUP's guard trio.

Again, you have to ask: Why was a guard signed to sit in a tracksuit when the team DESPERATELY needed a legit post player? The team has enough hybrid forwards.

It's been some time now since this team won a legit big game. Don't get me wrong ... they still had their chances last night.

As of now, I think we're seeing a team that will be the Kings of the Second Tier. But, a team not ready for primetime. If I was betting the 'ceiling' right now, I'd say they'll win a game in the conference tournament. Maybe two. If they sneak into the NCAAs it will be as a low seed -- and then likely play WL or Gannon in Round 1. We've seen that movie and know the ending. The reality is IUP is 0-4 against the best 4 teams they've played this season. That's just factual.

Joe called out some players (not individually) after the game. That's fine and all. But, I think a big part of that disaster last night was on him. You can't lose that game at home. You just can't.

[IUPalum]

What a trash loss last night! How does Joe lose a double digit lead with 10 minutes left in the game?

Simple, you don't guard Bryson Lucas and you supposed two best guards turn into a turnover fest because they want to get cute!

What has Rodriguez done to help?

Can Herring do anything fundamentally right?

If it wasn't for Moore, this team would be dead.

[Ship69]

My biggest annoyance is the "coaches' box" ... which, is totally irrelevant and pretty much a made up, magical place.

Danny is a habitual abuser. I'm not talking a couple feet outside the box. He's dang near in the beer line at some points.


In this current era, Joe vs Danny is the biggest headache for officials in the West. They better take some Tylenol and pound 3-4 Red Bulls. They are going to take a verbal beating. Those two don't get along real well, and they certainly don't like losing to one another. Every call for 40 minutes should be against IUP -- or Danny loses his you know what.

Put it this way, it's actually hard to get the KCAC fired up. By and large, it's a somber crowd (even when it's packed). Kevin Reynolds was -- far and away -- the best at getting that place to a fever pitch. Trust me, it's not easy to get that place humming. He could have the whole place screaming at him 3-4 minutes into a game.

Danny isn't quite on the KR level within the KCAC, but, he's close.

I love when he visits. He gets some life into the building. Far too many forget these are college basketball games, and not quilting club.

If you played Millersville's Casey Stitzel twice a year, as Ship does, he might get your building going a bit. He is something else. Damien Blair has his moments as well, and the dude at Shepherd can get a little fired up. East Stroud can play some rough-house style ball, but Jeff Wilson himself is usually pretty restrained on the sidelines. I agree that the ooaches' box is pretty much a joke these days. Some of these coaches roam all over the place, including actually onto the court at times.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

In my opinion, PSAC officials let coaches (and sometimes players) yap at them far too much. Some of the coaches are glad to do it all night if they're allowed to.

My biggest annoyance is the "coaches' box" ... which, is totally irrelevant and pretty much a made up, magical place.

Danny is a habitual abuser. I'm not talking a couple feet outside the box. He's dang near in the beer line at some points.


In this current era, Joe vs Danny is the biggest headache for officials in the West. They better take some Tylenol and pound 3-4 Red Bulls. They are going to take a verbal beating. Those two don't get along real well, and they certainly don't like losing to one another. Every call for 40 minutes should be against IUP -- or Danny loses his you know what.

Put it this way, it's actually hard to get the KCAC fired up. By and large, it's a somber crowd (even when it's packed). Kevin Reynolds was -- far and away -- the best at getting that place to a fever pitch. Trust me, it's not easy to get that place humming. He could have the whole place screaming at him 3-4 minutes into a game.

Danny isn't quite on the KR level within the KCAC, but, he's close.

I love when he visits. He gets some life into the building. Far too many forget these are college basketball games, and not quilting club.

[Ship69]

Calmest guy around until he's on a bench. He's soft-spoken and even quiet off the court.

But, that switch sure flips.

The famous F-bomb toward Joe also came right when the music had stopped.

That particular season Joe beat Danny four times.

The officials take so much crap from him.

In my opinion, PSAC officials let coaches (and sometimes players) yap at them far too much. Some of the coaches are glad to do it all night if they're allowed to.

[IUPalum]

Calmest guy around until he's on a bench. He's soft-spoken and even quiet off the court.

But, that switch sure flips.

The famous F-bomb toward Joe also came right when the music had stopped.

That particular season Joe beat Danny four times.

The officials take so much crap from him.

Wish I could be there live!

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I haven’t watched the men’s game yet but other than snow blowing, shoveling, and perfecting my use of profanity, I’ve got nothing to do but watch sports.

I might pull the equivalent of an all nighter for me on Wednesday and stay for both games. Danny’s visits to the KCAC are a must watch. I wasn’t far behind their bench for the regional final a few years back and that was the basketball equivalent of a WWE event. At one point Danny actually yelled “F$&@ that guy,” toward a ref in reference to Joe getting a call.

Calmest guy around until he's on a bench. He's soft-spoken and even quiet off the court.

But, that switch sure flips.

The famous F-bomb toward Joe also came right when the music had stopped.

That particular season Joe beat Danny four times.

The officials take so much crap from him.

[EyeoftheHawk]

Nice win today. I had my doubts. Clarion has been a tough opponent for IUP the past 4-5 games.


The KCAC's 'favorite' guest visits next.

#danny-boy

I haven’t watched the men’s game yet but other than snow blowing, shoveling, and perfecting my use of profanity, I’ve got nothing to do but watch sports.

I might pull the equivalent of an all nighter for me on Wednesday and stay for both games. Danny’s visits to the KCAC are a must watch. I wasn’t far behind their bench for the regional final a few years back and that was the basketball equivalent of a WWE event. At one point Danny actually yelled “F$&@ that guy,” toward a ref in reference to Joe getting a call.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Nice win today. I had my doubts. Clarion has been a tough opponent for IUP the past 4-5 games.


The KCAC's 'favorite' guest visits next.

#danny-boy

[IUPbigINDIANS]

IUP has a tough week upcoming. Joe and the Redshirts host California and then travel to Greensburg next Saturday.

However, I sure hope they aren't looking past tomorrow. Clarion is sitting a little above the .500 mark, but there's more to that story. The Golden Eagles have played a very tough non-conference schedule (including West Liberty and Daemen). They've also lost a lot of very close games.

Clarion is on a current 3-game winning streak (Seton Hill, UPJ and California). Not long ago, they won at West Chester (a tough road venue against a solid team). Earlier in the season, they defeated Frostburg State (when FSU was healthy and playing well).

All of that said, Clarion has also had some strange performances. For instance, they lost to Slippery Rock (without Ike Herster and Maceo Austin playing).

There's also this little nugget: Clarion has won 2 of the past 3 meetings against IUP.

Last year was a strange series. IUP hammered the Golden Eagles in the KCAC. In the rematch ... Clarion hammered IUP. Neither game was remotely competitive. They just took turns blasting one another.

Of note, Clarion had a bye prior to the second game (same as tomorrow's game).

IUP has really struggled containing Jeremy Thomas II. He's had some really big games in this series. Gavin Cote is a big guard who can light it up from outside. Justice Easter seems like he's been playing against IUP for 15 years now. Another guard, Trey Nelson, is the reigning West Player of the Week. Clarion also mixes in an array of big bodies under the basket.

So, long story short, this isn't going to be some walk in the park tomorrow.

Massey is projecting IUP to win, 78-74.

As for me? I have a hunch IUP remembers getting steamrolled up there last season. But, Damian Pitts seems to have found some cracks in the IUP system. I think this will be a "final 90 seconds" type of game.

IUP -1.5

[IUPbigINDIANS]

FYI

The women's game tomorrow at Clarion will now start at 11:30 a.m.

The men's game will start at 1:30 p.m.


This should get the teams out of there prior to Snowmageddon 2026