Iup basketball

[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.

[Ship69]

I agree overall with your sentiment about the PSAC. Teams don't seem to be mailing it in. IUP was never in real danger of losing to East Stroudsburg, but man, they just kept on coming. Gannon was a battle earlier in the year. Multiple games have been hard fought, with the better team just simply pulling away.

On a different subject, but sort of related...

IUP typically gets everyone's best shot. Joe often talks about teams being excited to come into the KCAC. He's also referenced opposing fans being excited when they come into their building as they are typically a ranked team. I feel like the last 2-3 games we've started to see that "target on their back" cliche get a little bigger. Meaning, the deeper into this we get, the more and more teams want to turn that "0" into a "1" and knock off number one. Seton Hill is a good team, but it was extremely evident watching last night that there was an extra jolt within that bunch. I doubt they pack their building like that most nights either. In fact, I know they don't. The way all the SH athletic teams (which seemed like those were the only students at the game against IUP - as always) tried to harass and heckle, and the way they got excited for every layup... Meant a little bit more in the McKenna Center.

Here's how I know we're deep into the season and how this run of 21 straight games is "real," if you will... Last night during the IUP-Seton Hill game, the guys calling the game were discussing whether or not it's better for IUP to lose a game here in the next week or so, or keep working towards finishing unblemished. At no point this year have I even thought like that, because I never even once considered that they might go undefeated in a regular season.. But I'm looking at the schedule.. If they can manage to win against Mercyhurst, they may actually do just that (although I'm betting they drop a game or two still). Their whole argument was that the longer you go without losing, the pressure to not lose continues to mount, as the excitement to be the team that knocks you off also grows. And when you do end up losing, it is the loss that may end your season.

I don't think IUP goes undefeated. But it's just food for thought. I think the league this year seems to play harder than typical. Maybe that's forced IUP to be more focused. I think past IUP teams not as mentally strong would have succumbed to the Seton Hill and crowd, and subsequently blow the game on the road. But this one did not.

IUP is just having one of those years where it's all come together and their talent level is clearly superior to most of the league. Combined with good coaching, that makes them hard to beat. And that's with Porterfield playing hurt and Foster off to Buffalo. It does look as if Jones might be getting his "A" game together at the right time for IUP. That will help them at the regional and national levels. IUP probably is one of the best defensive outfits in the country, but that alone might not get it done at the regional and national levels.

[Columbuseer]

Our experience like that was in 2010-2011. WLU went 33-0 to start the season, winning every regular season game, every conference tourney game, and making the final 4, before eventually falling to our old friend Jet Chang of BYU-Hawaii (and the Taiwanese National Team) in the National Semis.

That whole season, it felt like WLU was so far above and beyond the conference that it seemed like they'd never lose (much like IUP is this season in the PSAC). There just aren't that many games on IUP's schedule this season where a loss is even fathomable (especially after seeing them dismantle ESU so easily last week). Fairmont & Wheeling were the only two close games in 2010-2011 (and as you say, when the target is so firmly on your back, it's the teams that know you best that have the best shot at you), but WLU survived those two scares.

But you're also right that when the loss finally came--in a game in which we just had no answer for the quickness of the aptly named Jet--it instantly ended the season.

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.

[Scrub]

I agree overall with your sentiment about the PSAC. Teams don't seem to be mailing it in. IUP was never in real danger of losing to East Stroudsburg, but man, they just kept on coming. Gannon was a battle earlier in the year. Multiple games have been hard fought, with the better team just simply pulling away.

On a different subject, but sort of related...

IUP typically gets everyone's best shot. Joe often talks about teams being excited to come into the KCAC. He's also referenced opposing fans being excited when they come into their building as they are typically a ranked team. I feel like the last 2-3 games we've started to see that "target on their back" cliche get a little bigger. Meaning, the deeper into this we get, the more and more teams want to turn that "0" into a "1" and knock off number one. Seton Hill is a good team, but it was extremely evident watching last night that there was an extra jolt within that bunch. I doubt they pack their building like that most nights either. In fact, I know they don't. The way all the SH athletic teams (which seemed like those were the only students at the game against IUP - as always) tried to harass and heckle, and the way they got excited for every layup... Meant a little bit more in the McKenna Center.

Here's how I know we're deep into the season and how this run of 21 straight games is "real," if you will... Last night during the IUP-Seton Hill game, the guys calling the game were discussing whether or not it's better for IUP to lose a game here in the next week or so, or keep working towards finishing unblemished. At no point this year have I even thought like that, because I never even once considered that they might go undefeated in a regular season.. But I'm looking at the schedule.. If they can manage to win against Mercyhurst, they may actually do just that (although I'm betting they drop a game or two still). Their whole argument was that the longer you go without losing, the pressure to not lose continues to mount, as the excitement to be the team that knocks you off also grows. And when you do end up losing, it is the loss that may end your season.

I don't think IUP goes undefeated. But it's just food for thought. I think the league this year seems to play harder than typical. Maybe that's forced IUP to be more focused. I think past IUP teams not as mentally strong would have succumbed to the Seton Hill and crowd, and subsequently blow the game on the road. But this one did not.

Our experience like that was in 2010-2011. WLU went 33-0 to start the season, winning every regular season game, every conference tourney game, and making the final 4, before eventually falling to our old friend Jet Chang of BYU-Hawaii (and the Taiwanese National Team) in the National Semis.

That whole season, it felt like WLU was so far above and beyond the conference that it seemed like they'd never lose (much like IUP is this season in the PSAC). There just aren't that many games on IUP's schedule this season where a loss is even fathomable (especially after seeing them dismantle ESU so easily last week). Fairmont & Wheeling were the only two close games in 2010-2011 (and as you say, when the target is so firmly on your back, it's the teams that know you best that have the best shot at you), but WLU survived those two scares.

But you're also right that when the loss finally came--in a game in which we just had no answer for the quickness of the aptly named Jet--it instantly ended the season.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I agree overall with your sentiment about the PSAC. Teams don't seem to be mailing it in. IUP was never in real danger of losing to East Stroudsburg, but man, they just kept on coming. Gannon was a battle earlier in the year. Multiple games have been hard fought, with the better team just simply pulling away.

On a different subject, but sort of related...

IUP typically gets everyone's best shot. Joe often talks about teams being excited to come into the KCAC. He's also referenced opposing fans being excited when they come into their building as they are typically a ranked team. I feel like the last 2-3 games we've started to see that "target on their back" cliche get a little bigger. Meaning, the deeper into this we get, the more and more teams want to turn that "0" into a "1" and knock off number one. Seton Hill is a good team, but it was extremely evident watching last night that there was an extra jolt within that bunch. I doubt they pack their building like that most nights either. In fact, I know they don't. The way all the SH athletic teams (which seemed like those were the only students at the game against IUP - as always) tried to harass and heckle, and the way they got excited for every layup... Meant a little bit more in the McKenna Center.

Here's how I know we're deep into the season and how this run of 21 straight games is "real," if you will... Last night during the IUP-Seton Hill game, the guys calling the game were discussing whether or not it's better for IUP to lose a game here in the next week or so, or keep working towards finishing unblemished. At no point this year have I even thought like that, because I never even once considered that they might go undefeated in a regular season.. But I'm looking at the schedule.. If they can manage to win against Mercyhurst, they may actually do just that (although I'm betting they drop a game or two still). Their whole argument was that the longer you go without losing, the pressure to not lose continues to mount, as the excitement to be the team that knocks you off also grows. And when you do end up losing, it is the loss that may end your season.

I don't think IUP goes undefeated. But it's just food for thought. I think the league this year seems to play harder than typical. Maybe that's forced IUP to be more focused. I think past IUP teams not as mentally strong would have succumbed to the Seton Hill and crowd, and subsequently blow the game on the road. But this one did not.

This is a very mature team with very good leaders. Make no mistake, David and Shawndale are the bosses of that team. Joe hoots and hollers a lot (like most coaches) but David and Shawndale control that roster.

Shawndale just relishes playing on the road in a hostile environment. He thrives off it. Not many do.

All teams say the mumbo jumbo about 'next game', etc., but this group is doing it. I really don't think they are looking ahead.

They best not look past Saturday.

I still think a loss is (probably) coming - perhaps at Mercyhurst. It would likely do them good in the long haul. IUP has a nice cushion over the whole region right now.

As for the pressure, I don't get the vibe it's bothering this group. Ethan is a far bigger concern than any perceived pressure.

[IUP24]

With reference to Gannon, in an earlier post this year I said I have to give a shoutout to most of the players on the lower-tier teams in the PSAC this season. Despite poor records, I don't get the sense that the players on most of these teams are packing it in this year. Ship's games with teams such as Gannon, Bloom, and Mansfield have not been easy affairs and in fact were harder than some of the games against opponents with better records. IUP, as expected, is obviously the class of the league this year, but for the rest of the teams it's almost a matter of anyone can beat anyone else on a given night.

I agree overall with your sentiment about the PSAC. Teams don't seem to be mailing it in. IUP was never in real danger of losing to East Stroudsburg, but man, they just kept on coming. Gannon was a battle earlier in the year. Multiple games have been hard fought, with the better team just simply pulling away.

On a different subject, but sort of related...

IUP typically gets everyone's best shot. Joe often talks about teams being excited to come into the KCAC. He's also referenced opposing fans being excited when they come into their building as they are typically a ranked team. I feel like the last 2-3 games we've started to see that "target on their back" cliche get a little bigger. Meaning, the deeper into this we get, the more and more teams want to turn that "0" into a "1" and knock off number one. Seton Hill is a good team, but it was extremely evident watching last night that there was an extra jolt within that bunch. I doubt they pack their building like that most nights either. In fact, I know they don't. The way all the SH athletic teams (which seemed like those were the only students at the game against IUP - as always) tried to harass and heckle, and the way they got excited for every layup... Meant a little bit more in the McKenna Center.

Here's how I know we're deep into the season and how this run of 21 straight games is "real," if you will... Last night during the IUP-Seton Hill game, the guys calling the game were discussing whether or not it's better for IUP to lose a game here in the next week or so, or keep working towards finishing unblemished. At no point this year have I even thought like that, because I never even once considered that they might go undefeated in a regular season.. But I'm looking at the schedule.. If they can manage to win against Mercyhurst, they may actually do just that (although I'm betting they drop a game or two still). Their whole argument was that the longer you go without losing, the pressure to not lose continues to mount, as the excitement to be the team that knocks you off also grows. And when you do end up losing, it is the loss that may end your season.

I don't think IUP goes undefeated. But it's just food for thought. I think the league this year seems to play harder than typical. Maybe that's forced IUP to be more focused. I think past IUP teams not as mentally strong would have succumbed to the Seton Hill and crowd, and subsequently blow the game on the road. But this one did not.

[Ship69]

If Ethan doesn't play Saturday, it could be an interesting game. Gannon, despite its record, was actually one of IUP's tougher games this year (IUP won by just 12 points). It can be argued that was a hangover game for IUP. Of course, it can be argued this is a trap game -- with a trip to Mercyhurst looming 48 hours later.

I get their record. But, anybody watching knows they are better than said record and play just about everybody tough. Their sharpshooter, Chris Clancy, also didn't play in the first meeting. He hit 5 of 8 treys on Slippery Rock last night. He instantly gives them an element they didn't have in the first meeting.

With Kent banging inside (without Ethan) and Clancy firing away along with their athletic guards ... it could be a little tussle on Saturday.

Ethan played 23 minutes last night -- finishing with 2 points, 6 boards, 2 blocks and 4 assists. He was 1-6 from the field and 0-3 from deep. I still contend he's not missing shots by much. He's close. They just aren't falling.

I never believe coaches' comments regarding upcoming games. Why would Joe come out and say Ethan may not play and take away the element of surprise? I think he will play in a very limited capacity. If anything, he'll likely dress in the event of an emergency.

So, it should be a heavy dose of Damir Brooks. He's ready. He can't shoot the three like Ethan but can do a lot of things underneath. Diop can also easily give them a productive 5-10 minutes.

Jefferson got away with a lot of crap in the first game. That stuff won't fly in the KCAC.

With reference to Gannon, in an earlier post this year I said I have to give a shoutout to most of the players on the lower-tier teams in the PSAC this season. Despite poor records, I don't get the sense that the players on most of these teams are packing it in this year. Ship's games with teams such as Gannon, Bloom, and Mansfield have not been easy affairs and in fact were harder than some of the games against opponents with better records. IUP, as expected, is obviously the class of the league this year, but for the rest of the teams it's almost a matter of anyone can beat anyone else on a given night.

[IUPalum]

If Ethan doesn't play Saturday, it could be an interesting game. Gannon, despite its record, was actually one of IUP's tougher games this year (IUP won by just 12 points). It can be argued that was a hangover game for IUP. Of course, it can be argued this is a trap game -- with a trip to Mercyhurst looming 48 hours later.

I get their record. But, anybody watching knows they are better than said record and play just about everybody tough. Their sharpshooter, Chris Clancy, also didn't play in the first meeting. He hit 5 of 8 treys on Slippery Rock last night. He instantly gives them an element they didn't have in the first meeting.

With Kent banging inside (without Ethan) and Clancy firing away along with their athletic guards ... it could be a little tussle on Saturday.

Ethan played 23 minutes last night -- finishing with 2 points, 6 boards, 2 blocks and 4 assists. He was 1-6 from the field and 0-3 from deep. I still contend he's not missing shots by much. He's close. They just aren't falling.

I never believe coaches' comments regarding upcoming games. Why would Joe come out and say Ethan may not play and take away the element of surprise? I think he will play in a very limited capacity. If anything, he'll likely dress in the event of an emergency.

So, it should be a heavy dose of Damir Brooks. He's ready. He can't shoot the three like Ethan but can do a lot of things underneath. Diop can also easily give them a productive 5-10 minutes.

Jefferson got away with a lot of crap in the first game. That stuff won't fly in the KCAC.

I hope the KCAC is packed with crazies and they harrass the heck out of Jefferson and Kent. They'd lose their minds!!!

[IUPbigINDIANS]

If Ethan doesn't play Saturday, it could be an interesting game. Gannon, despite its record, was actually one of IUP's tougher games this year (IUP won by just 12 points). It can be argued that was a hangover game for IUP. Of course, it can be argued this is a trap game -- with a trip to Mercyhurst looming 48 hours later.

I get their record. But, anybody watching knows they are better than said record and play just about everybody tough. Their sharpshooter, Chris Clancy, also didn't play in the first meeting. He hit 5 of 8 treys on Slippery Rock last night. He instantly gives them an element they didn't have in the first meeting.

With Kent banging inside (without Ethan) and Clancy firing away along with their athletic guards ... it could be a little tussle on Saturday.

Ethan played 23 minutes last night -- finishing with 2 points, 6 boards, 2 blocks and 4 assists. He was 1-6 from the field and 0-3 from deep. I still contend he's not missing shots by much. He's close. They just aren't falling.

I never believe coaches' comments regarding upcoming games. Why would Joe come out and say Ethan may not play and take away the element of surprise? I think he will play in a very limited capacity. If anything, he'll likely dress in the event of an emergency.

So, it should be a heavy dose of Damir Brooks. He's ready. He can't shoot the three like Ethan but can do a lot of things underneath. Diop can also easily give them a productive 5-10 minutes.

Jefferson got away with a lot of crap in the first game. That stuff won't fly in the KCAC.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Other than the little spurt Seton Hill made in the first half, this was a pretty easy win for IUP in what has been a tough place to play for some. I understand the idea of sitting Ethan, but if that’s the case, why was he sent back into the game mid-way through the second half with IUP up 20+? That’s baffling to me.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see him playing on Saturday, despite the suggestion he may sit.

I'd guess he dresses and plays 10-12 minutes. He'll have today and tomorrow off.

[EyeoftheHawk]

Other than the little spurt Seton Hill made in the first half, this was a pretty easy win for IUP in what has been a tough place to play for some. I understand the idea of sitting Ethan, but if that’s the case, why was he sent back into the game mid-way through the second half with IUP up 20+? That’s baffling to me.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see him playing on Saturday, despite the suggestion he may sit.