Iup basketball

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Pretty impressive performance by IUP, especially considering they were missing some good players. Then again, they're expected to be a top D2 team this year. Size is one of the biggest differences between D2 schools and the big boys. Let's face it, most athletes over 6-7 or so with exceptional ability are going to be heavily targeted by the D1 schools. Once in a while you get a late-bloomer like we had in Sleva at Ship. IUP has certainly had some D1 caliber players, as Foster's recent transfer proves. But a D1 school will wear you down if you have a thin bench. I was guilty of underestimating Luke Nedrow's value to Ship last year. He's not a flashy player but he's a big body who can score on occasion and bang under the boards with opponents' bigs. Our other forwards tended to be more of the thin, greyhound type and got into more foul trouble without Nedrow available to do his thing.

Should be a fun year for IUP fans, and I'm hoping Ship will be good again, especially with our football team at 3-5.

IUP has great D2 size but is small up against a P5 program -- even more so with Diop not there. Syracuse just kept rotating in a steady flow of 6'9", 6'10", 6'11, 7' ... it just wore them out underneath. Like you said, guys that size in D2 typically have weaknesses or are a bit slow. Those guys up there are athletic, strong and fast.

I think Dillard will be IUP's shutdown defender this year so he was obviously a big loss not being there.

I'm a big fan of them playing these games. They get exposed to size and speed they won't see the rest of the year.

Sunday may be a little ugly. Miami is stacked this year. Isaiah Wong declared for the draft last year but pulled out late after getting a Round 2 grade. He'll be drafted this year. They are just as big as Syracuse underneath. They also play a trio of 6'7" guards.

It will be a good learning experience.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

This team is more athletic than Cuse. Miami could put up a number on IUP especially if they lack Dallis and Diop again.

This is a big step up. No doubt. Get a good workout in ... keep it around 30. Stay healthy. Mission accomplished. This will be the best team they'll see all year by a mile.

[Ship69]

Well, the game was very refreshing to watch -- in particular after the news coming out of the football program yesterday.

I'd guess what we saw from KJ last night will be his role all year ... i.e. whatever spot they are short. He played 18 minutes (likely a career high). I'd have to think Ousmane Diop would have got the bulk of those minutes had he been available (if he could last that long without fouling out). Obviously playing KJ (a 6'4" utility player) in the low post against a gigantic ACC lineup ... wasn't going to end well.

Brooks playing just 5 minutes was disappointing. He had one of the nicest low-post moves of the night on his lone basket. It must be the "break him in slow" approach.

Porterfield started the game 0-9 from the field and then finished the game hitting his next 7 of 8.

Morris had a huge stat line: 21 points, 5 boards, 10 assists, 2 steals and just 1 TO. Not a huge fan of him playing 39 minutes in the first exhibition game. But, that's the trickle down effect of having some not available.

I was a bit surprised Jaylen Stewart wasn't even dressed. Unless he's injured, it sure seems like he'll be taking a redshirt. He's a big guard who logged a lot of PSAC minutes last year at Seton Hill. I knew he wouldn't start this year but figured he'd play (some). But, Joe has a very decorated history of making transfers redshirt a year and learn the IUP way of doing things. I assumed he'd be perfect in taking some of the load off of Shawndale.

I thought Kyle Polce looked great last night. He took a massive (inadvertent) shot from one of Syracuse's 7-footers. He plays really strong defense and was flustering some '4 star' guards last night. He also looked more confident on the offensive end. He should figure to be an elite "6th Man" this year (despite having to start last night).

Bethea logged 23 minutes in his debut. He looked like he belonged albeit likely being a bit timid and nervous in the early going. Joe hasn't had a "5th guard" in the rotation in forever. He will keep getting better and more comfortable with each game. I suspect he'll log about 10-12 minutes in the first half of the season.

IUP was nasty on the boards. Very aggressive. Syracuse won the glass, 39-38, despite having a massive size advantage.

I didn't care at all about Shawndale's stat line last night. It was just great to see him moving so well. He didn't look timid at all -- which is very rare coming off an ACL. His timing, etc., will return quickly. His shooting improved as the game went along.

That was only their 9th 'practice' of the year. D2 couldn't open camp until Oct. 15.

I'd guess the rotation come Nov. 12 will be:

Shawndale
Morris
Dillard
Tomiwa
Ethan

Polce
Bethea

Diop/Brooks

KJ plays the super utility role when needed.

Pretty impressive performance by IUP, especially considering they were missing some good players. Then again, they're expected to be a top D2 team this year. Size is one of the biggest differences between D2 schools and the big boys. Let's face it, most athletes over 6-7 or so with exceptional ability are going to be heavily targeted by the D1 schools. Once in a while you get a late-bloomer like we had in Sleva at Ship. IUP has certainly had some D1 caliber players, as Foster's recent transfer proves. But a D1 school will wear you down if you have a thin bench. I was guilty of underestimating Luke Nedrow's value to Ship last year. He's not a flashy player but he's a big body who can score on occasion and bang under the boards with opponents' bigs. Our other forwards tended to be more of the thin, greyhound type and got into more foul trouble without Nedrow available to do his thing.

Should be a fun year for IUP fans, and I'm hoping Ship will be good again, especially with our football team at 3-5.

[IUPalum]

IUP's game Sunday at Miami will be broadcast again on ESPN+.

The Hurricanes were picked 4th in the ACC and feature a preseason, first-team All-ACC guard.

This team is more athletic than Cuse. Miami could put up a number on IUP especially if they lack Dallis and Diop again.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

IUP's game Sunday at Miami will be broadcast again on ESPN+.

The Hurricanes were picked 4th in the ACC and feature a preseason, first-team All-ACC guard.

[IUPalum]

My kid said Dave Morris had a buzzer-beater that was featured on SportsCenter this morning. I didn't see it, but if so, that's a nice little shout-out for IUP.

Half court buzzer beater going into halftime.

[Scrub]

My kid said Dave Morris had a buzzer-beater that was featured on SportsCenter this morning. I didn't see it, but if so, that's a nice little shout-out for IUP.

[IUPalum]

Well, the game was very refreshing to watch -- in particular after the news coming out of the football program yesterday.

I'd guess what we saw from KJ last night will be his role all year ... i.e. whatever spot they are short. He played 18 minutes (likely a career high). I'd have to think Ousmane Diop would have got the bulk of those minutes had he been available (if he could last that long without fouling out). Obviously playing KJ (a 6'4" utility player) in the low post against a gigantic ACC lineup ... wasn't going to end well.

Brooks playing just 5 minutes was disappointing. He had one of the nicest low-post moves of the night on his lone basket. It must be the "break him in slow" approach.

Porterfield started the game 0-9 from the field and then finished the game hitting his next 7 of 8.

Morris had a huge stat line: 21 points, 5 boards, 10 assists, 2 steals and just 1 TO. Not a huge fan of him playing 39 minutes in the first exhibition game. But, that's the trickle down effect of having some not available.

I was a bit surprised Jaylen Stewart wasn't even dressed. Unless he's injured, it sure seems like he'll be taking a redshirt. He's a big guard who logged a lot of PSAC minutes last year at Seton Hill. I knew he wouldn't start this year but figured he'd play (some). But, Joe has a very decorated history of making transfers redshirt a year and learn the IUP way of doing things. I assumed he'd be perfect in taking some of the load off of Shawndale.

I thought Kyle Polce looked great last night. He took a massive (inadvertent) shot from one of Syracuse's 7-footers. He plays really strong defense and was flustering some '4 star' guards last night. He also looked more confident on the offensive end. He should figure to be an elite "6th Man" this year (despite having to start last night).

Bethea logged 23 minutes in his debut. He looked like he belonged albeit likely being a bit timid and nervous in the early going. Joe hasn't had a "5th guard" in the rotation in forever. He will keep getting better and more comfortable with each game. I suspect he'll log about 10-12 minutes in the first half of the season.

IUP was nasty on the boards. Very aggressive. Syracuse won the glass, 39-38, despite having a massive size advantage.

I didn't care at all about Shawndale's stat line last night. It was just great to see him moving so well. He didn't look timid at all -- which is very rare coming off an ACL. His timing, etc., will return quickly. His shooting improved as the game went along.

That was only their 9th 'practice' of the year. D2 couldn't open camp until Oct. 15.

I'd guess the rotation come Nov. 12 will be:

Shawndale
Morris
Dillard
Tomiwa
Ethan

Polce
Bethea

Diop/Brooks

KJ plays the super utility role when needed.

Probably about right.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Great start to the year!

1) Bethea looks ready.
2) Tomiwa wore out but he’s a monster.
3) KJ? Why?
4) Dallis and Diop were needed. Bench was to thin.
5) What is Brooks role?
6) Jones looks rusty but is to be expected.
7) Other than forcing a few shots, David looked good.
8) Ethan got his tail whipped by Edwards. Lol He’s huge!

Well, the game was very refreshing to watch -- in particular after the news coming out of the football program yesterday.

I'd guess what we saw from KJ last night will be his role all year ... i.e. whatever spot they are short. He played 18 minutes (likely a career high). I'd have to think Ousmane Diop would have got the bulk of those minutes had he been available (if he could last that long without fouling out). Obviously playing KJ (a 6'4" utility player) in the low post against a gigantic ACC lineup ... wasn't going to end well.

Brooks playing just 5 minutes was disappointing. He had one of the nicest low-post moves of the night on his lone basket. It must be the "break him in slow" approach.

Porterfield started the game 0-9 from the field and then finished the game hitting his next 7 of 8.

Morris had a huge stat line: 21 points, 5 boards, 10 assists, 2 steals and just 1 TO. Not a huge fan of him playing 39 minutes in the first exhibition game. But, that's the trickle down effect of having some not available.

I was a bit surprised Jaylen Stewart wasn't even dressed. Unless he's injured, it sure seems like he'll be taking a redshirt. He's a big guard who logged a lot of PSAC minutes last year at Seton Hill. I knew he wouldn't start this year but figured he'd play (some). But, Joe has a very decorated history of making transfers redshirt a year and learn the IUP way of doing things. I assumed he'd be perfect in taking some of the load off of Shawndale.

I thought Kyle Polce looked great last night. He took a massive (inadvertent) shot from one of Syracuse's 7-footers. He plays really strong defense and was flustering some '4 star' guards last night. He also looked more confident on the offensive end. He should figure to be an elite "6th Man" this year (despite having to start last night).

Bethea logged 23 minutes in his debut. He looked like he belonged albeit likely being a bit timid and nervous in the early going. Joe hasn't had a "5th guard" in the rotation in forever. He will keep getting better and more comfortable with each game. I suspect he'll log about 10-12 minutes in the first half of the season.

IUP was nasty on the boards. Very aggressive. Syracuse won the glass, 39-38, despite having a massive size advantage.

I didn't care at all about Shawndale's stat line last night. It was just great to see him moving so well. He didn't look timid at all -- which is very rare coming off an ACL. His timing, etc., will return quickly. His shooting improved as the game went along.

That was only their 9th 'practice' of the year. D2 couldn't open camp until Oct. 15.

I'd guess the rotation come Nov. 12 will be:

Shawndale
Morris
Dillard
Tomiwa
Ethan

Polce
Bethea

Diop/Brooks

KJ plays the super utility role when needed.

[IUPalum]

Great start to the year!

1) Bethea looks ready.
2) Tomiwa wore out but he’s a monster.
3) KJ? Why?
4) Dallis and Diop were needed. Bench was to thin.
5) What is Brooks role?
6) Jones looks rusty but is to be expected.
7) Other than forcing a few shots, David looked good.
8) Ethan got his tail whipped by Edwards. Lol He’s huge!

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Cuse 86
IUP 68

Final


Good first night.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

After tonight, I don't think they redshirt Bethea. He's ready to play at the D2 level. That will give them a 5 guard rotation.

Dillard and Diop would have made a big difference tonight. They wouldn't have won, but it would have made a big difference down the stretch. They ran out of steam. Depth killed them.

[IUPalum]

Joe is pissed. Seems like they gave up.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Ran outta steam underneath.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Cuse size wearing IUP out.

They rotate monsters.