Iup basketball

[Bart]

One of the best sights on the Shippensburg team this year is Donovan Hill attacking the basket and grabbing rebounds as he is averaging about 11.5 boards a game. One of the worst sights for Shippensburg is Hill deciding he is a shooting guard, tossing up threes, and making about 23 percent of them as he is currently. He is taking fewer of them lately, but still has the second most three-point attempts on our team, when he probably should be a No. 5 or 6 option at best. Freshman Jaydon Smith is starting the last few games and hitting 3s at about a 47 percent rate. Timmy Conner, who has been a decent shooter over his career, is only hitting about 28 percent on 3s currently, which is a problem because he is largely in the game for his shooting. The absence due of point guard Mike Dickson due to injury has forced Conner to the point a lot, which I think has affected his offense. Dickson's 22 assists in the four games he actually has played are not much lower than what the team's other guards have in 13 games. The PSAC doesn't make sense this season. Millersville has some talent, but had lost to two teams Ship beat, so I figured Millersville-Ship might be a game. Instead, they ran the Raiders out of the gym. Some nights our opponents don't seem to miss a shot. Than on Monday, we're playing Bloom and Louie Wild, who has been in the league forever and usually scores fairly well, goes 0-for-9 for Bloomsburg. Who knows?

Louie was a freshman in 20-21, and is now a graduate student in his 5th year at Bloom. He came back from the 0-9 Ship game with a 7-11 and 21 points in a win over the Ville. Blooms 3rd win this year and first in the last 10 games against the Ville. Ship ran Bloom out of the gym, Ville ran Ship out of the gym and Bloom beat Ship to your point.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

One of the best sights on the Shippensburg team this year is Donovan Hill attacking the basket and grabbing rebounds as he is averaging about 11.5 boards a game. One of the worst sights for Shippensburg is Hill deciding he is a shooting guard, tossing up threes, and making about 23 percent of them as he is currently. He is taking fewer of them lately, but still has the second most three-point attempts on our team, when he probably should be a No. 5 or 6 option at best. Freshman Jaydon Smith is starting the last few games and hitting 3s at about a 47 percent rate. Timmy Conner, who has been a decent shooter over his career, is only hitting about 28 percent on 3s currently, which is a problem because he is largely in the game for his shooting. The absence due of point guard Mike Dickson due to injury has forced Conner to the point a lot, which I think has affected his offense. Dickson's 22 assists in the four games he actually has played are not much lower than what the team's other guards have in 13 games. The PSAC doesn't make sense this season. Millersville has some talent, but had lost to two teams Ship beat, so I figured Millersville-Ship might be a game. Instead, they ran the Raiders out of the gym. Some nights our opponents don't seem to miss a shot. Than on Monday, we're playing Bloom and Louie Wild, who has been in the league forever and usually scores fairly well, goes 0-for-9 for Bloomsburg. Who knows?

Louie may be in his 30s lol.

It does seem like he's been there since about 2010.

[Ship69]

The night Ship played at the KCAC I did notice that. Some of the guys I thought should be playing way more weren't at that time.

That was the game IUP packed in the box with the goal of making Ship start launching (and limit Frank driving). It worked that night. I remember your big fella chucked up 9-10 treys and luckily (for us) didn't make any.

One of the best sights on the Shippensburg team this year is Donovan Hill attacking the basket and grabbing rebounds as he is averaging about 11.5 boards a game. One of the worst sights for Shippensburg is Hill deciding he is a shooting guard, tossing up threes, and making about 23 percent of them as he is currently. He is taking fewer of them lately, but still has the second most three-point attempts on our team, when he probably should be a No. 5 or 6 option at best. Freshman Jaydon Smith is starting the last few games and hitting 3s at about a 47 percent rate. Timmy Conner, who has been a decent shooter over his career, is only hitting about 28 percent on 3s currently, which is a problem because he is largely in the game for his shooting. The absence due of point guard Mike Dickson due to injury has forced Conner to the point a lot, which I think has affected his offense. Dickson's 22 assists in the four games he actually has played are not much lower than what the team's other guards have in 13 games. The PSAC doesn't make sense this season. Millersville has some talent, but had lost to two teams Ship beat, so I figured Millersville-Ship might be a game. Instead, they ran the Raiders out of the gym. Some nights our opponents don't seem to miss a shot. Than on Monday, we're playing Bloom and Louie Wild, who has been in the league forever and usually scores fairly well, goes 0-for-9 for Bloomsburg. Who knows?

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Upon further review… if I were betting this game I’d definitely take IUP with that line. They hung with USCB earlier this year, so they’ve seen this style already. And I agree with you that they need to just work with the personnel they have and let them try and run with Gannon tonight. Who knows, maybe GU has an off night…. Don’t get me wrong - I don’t think IUP will win, but I think it will be close for awhile before GU ends up pulling away. I also think the effort will be much better than in their last outing…

There's a saying about hitting rock bottom ... only one way left to go and that's up. The trip to Edinboro was rock bottom.

That said, many of us have watched Joe Lombardi teams for a very long time.

Despite his remaining rotation possibly being able to run up and down the floor ... he'll 100% try and slow the game down tonight. That's only possible against these teams when you have elite guards, rebounding and some depth. He doesn't have any of the three.

However, I fully expect a much, much better effort tonight. They got embarrassed on Monday. If they half-a$$ a half against Gannon like they did against Edinboro, they will lose by 50 tonight.

That spread is a tough one. I can make a case to bet it each way. I wouldn't touch this game with real money. IUP can play pretty well in (small) stretches.

Imagine having a time machine and going back a few years to when IUP won four straight PSAC titles (it wasn't very long ago) ... and hearing IUP was a 28.5 home dog? You'd laugh.

[JJ Jumper]

The underground betting line is Gannon -28.5

Upon further review… if I were betting this game I’d definitely take IUP with that line. They hung with USCB earlier this year, so they’ve seen this style already. And I agree with you that they need to just work with the personnel they have and let them try and run with Gannon tonight. Who knows, maybe GU has an off night…. Don’t get me wrong - I don’t think IUP will win, but I think it will be close for awhile before GU ends up pulling away. I also think the effort will be much better than in their last outing…

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Sounds that way. I'm busy trying to figure out the Jekyll and Hyde nature of this year's Ship team — world-beaters one half and local YMCA-style team the next.

The night Ship played at the KCAC I did notice that. Some of the guys I thought should be playing way more weren't at that time.

That was the game IUP packed in the box with the goal of making Ship start launching (and limit Frank driving). It worked that night. I remember your big fella chucked up 9-10 treys and luckily (for us) didn't make any.

[Ship69]

Well, ... it's complex.

Things would be much different with a healthy Dallis Dillard and an eligible Bautista Rodriguez. Those two are Joe's best guard and best forward ... both out for the season. They would be COMPLETELY different with those two -- and several players currently being forced to play heavy minutes would be (at best) bit role players.

As for the current rotation regressing ... some.

Being honest, I think it's more simple than that. Film is out. You don't have to watch IUP very long to realize they only have a couple actual threats.

Teams are smothering Christian Moore, and have realized the best way to deal with Kymani Merraro is to get real physical with him. Tyler Grove was drawing a lot of attention early, but he's in a deep funk. So, it's adding all the more pressure to Moore and Merraro. Grove, in fact, doesn't even look the like the same player he was in November. His confidence seems pretty shaken.

It's obvious to the entire arena Sarp has no role in the offense other than to catch and pass. Teams have seen that and barely guard him (instead frequently doubling up on Moore). And, of course, that's where Dallis Dillard would completely change things. Teams now ignore Sarp. They can't ignore Dillard, which helps free up Moore.

Underneath, IUP is very limited (and undersized). Brooks is having a strong season but is not a threat to shoot beyond a couple feet. Triggs appears on his way to Joe Island / Siberia. Neither is anywhere close to a 'center' (size-wise) which is the role they are being asked to play.

Ian Herring has come on fairly strong (aside from the last game). Alphonso Pickens should not only be playing more but starting over Sarp (my opinion).

It's a mess. No other way to say it.

Bautista Rodriguez is the best player in the program (and it's not close). He destroys them daily in practice on both ends. He's the physical SF with a deep shot they are sorely missing.

Offensively, they can't play this slow-down Joe loves. He needs to adapt to the hand he has left on the table. His healthy options are built to run ... not play his turtle ball.

Defensively, it's near a lost cause trying to play his standard defense. They just aren't picking it up. They are too small underneath. The guards aren't grasping the switches. They are late constantly. This teams defense of the deep shot is to simply hope the opponent misses.

It's an interesting year.

Sounds that way. I'm busy trying to figure out the Jekyll and Hyde nature of this year's Ship team — world-beaters one half and local YMCA-style team the next.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Judging by recent results, IUP appears to be regressing. Is that what you're seeing?

Well, ... it's complex.

Things would be much different with a healthy Dallis Dillard and an eligible Bautista Rodriguez. Those two are Joe's best guard and best forward ... both out for the season. They would be COMPLETELY different with those two -- and several players currently being forced to play heavy minutes would be (at best) bit role players.

As for the current rotation regressing ... some.

Being honest, I think it's more simple than that. Film is out. You don't have to watch IUP very long to realize they only have a couple actual threats.

Teams are smothering Christian Moore, and have realized the best way to deal with Kymani Merraro is to get real physical with him. Tyler Grove was drawing a lot of attention early, but he's in a deep funk. So, it's adding all the more pressure to Moore and Merraro. Grove, in fact, doesn't even look the like the same player he was in November. His confidence seems pretty shaken.

It's obvious to the entire arena Sarp has no role in the offense other than to catch and pass. Teams have seen that and barely guard him (instead frequently doubling up on Moore). And, of course, that's where Dallis Dillard would completely change things. Teams now ignore Sarp. They can't ignore Dillard, which helps free up Moore.

Underneath, IUP is very limited (and undersized). Brooks is having a strong season but is not a threat to shoot beyond a couple feet. Triggs appears on his way to Joe Island / Siberia. Neither is anywhere close to a 'center' (size-wise) which is the role they are being asked to play.

Ian Herring has come on fairly strong (aside from the last game). Alphonso Pickens should not only be playing more but starting over Sarp (my opinion).

It's a mess. No other way to say it.

Bautista Rodriguez is the best player in the program (and it's not close). He destroys them daily in practice on both ends. He's the physical SF with a deep shot they are sorely missing.

Offensively, they can't play this slow-down Joe loves. He needs to adapt to the hand he has left on the table. His healthy options are built to run ... not play his turtle ball.

Defensively, it's near a lost cause trying to play his standard defense. They just aren't picking it up. They are too small underneath. The guards aren't grasping the switches. They are late constantly. This teams defense of the deep shot is to simply hope the opponent misses.

It's an interesting year.

[JJ Jumper]

Put it this way ... the two worst teams in the West right now are coached by Joe and Danny.

Who'd have ever seen that coming.

Both are dealing with a lot of problems. Nonetheless.

I actually feel bad for Cal. Injuries can make all the difference in the world. GU men will most likely be without their starting pg following a hard collision going for a loose ball against Cal. As of Monday, his left shoulder was still in a sling. In fact neither the Gannon men nor women have had a fully healthy roster yet this year. The women’s side have been down their starting center and top pg for the last several games.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Gannon by 30+ in the men's game.

The underground betting line is Gannon -28.5

[IUPalum]

No time to dwell on the negative with GU coming to town tomorrow. It will be telling how they respond after a loss like that. The game of the night will probably be the opener anyhow…

Gannon by 30+ in the men's game.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Judging by recent results, IUP appears to be regressing. Is that what you're seeing?

Put it this way ... the two worst teams in the West right now are coached by Joe and Danny.

Who'd have ever seen that coming.

Both are dealing with a lot of problems. Nonetheless.

[Ship69]

These are real stats from yesterday:


* Edinboro won the rebounding (by a FREAKING whopping) 41-21. I'm not checking, but I would venture to guess no team at IUP in at least 40 years has been out-rebounded by 20.

* IUP's strategy to guard the 3PT line was to just have no defender within 9' of any shooter. The Scots ripped them for 13 treys (13-24). No worries. When they did miss, they just obviously got the rebound.

* Steve Kelly (Clarion), Michael Dunn (Shippensburg) and Cenker Evran (Gannon) blasted IUP for a combined 58 points. Kelly couldn't miss, and IUP chose to not really guard him. Interesting strategy.

* IUP grabbed (4) offensive rebounds - the entire game.

* The Hawks shot a dismal 29.63% in the first half

* Luke Triggs (3), Alfonso Pickens (2) and Ian Herring (1) combined to score (6 points).

* Sarp Furtun had the emptiest stat line a guard can accumulate in (30) minutes - 5 points, 2 rebounds, 0 assists, 0 steals.

* IUP was down by an unimaginable 27 points in the second half. To its credit, IUP did cut the lead down to 12.

* In a game IUP was physically mauled, Triggs (their most physical player) played just (5) minutes.

* IUP got back in the game (phrase used loosely) by pressing the entire second half. IUP's standard defense was completely destroyed in the first 20 minutes.



They got jumped yesterday. Edinboro had way more intensity to start the game. Joe's two most intense players are in track suits. One of these remaining players has to bring some fire. Rebuilding or not, that was embarrassing for the program yesterday.

I'm not taking anything away from Edinboro. The Scots kicked their as$.

What I'm getting at is there were stretches yesterday when the effort from IUP didn't look too hot. That's alarming. The rebounding numbers speak volumes.

Judging by recent results, IUP appears to be regressing. Is that what you're seeing?

[IUPbigINDIANS]

No time to dwell on the negative with GU coming to town tomorrow. It will be telling how they respond after a loss like that. The game of the night will probably be the opener anyhow…

I will be shocked if IUP stays within 30 tomorrow in the men's game.

[JJ Jumper]

No time to dwell on the negative with GU coming to town tomorrow. It will be telling how they respond after a loss like that. The game of the night will probably be the opener anyhow…