Iup basketball

[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…

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Joe should be embarrassed. Joe has now hit Tort level.

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.

[IUPalum]

Joe Lombardi meet Rock Bottom

Joe should be embarrassed. Joe has now hit Tort level.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Sarp was destroyed today. How is he playing over Herring?

[IUPbigINDIANS]

All the PSAC transfers Joe didn't want just beat the hell out of him. Gotta love the irony.

[JJ Jumper]

Yikes - making Edinboro look like all stars!