Iup basketball

[IUPbigINDIANS]

3000 tomorrow? hahahaha That's funny! I'd think about 1300 myself. Same crowd from last night. It was literally like a funeral home till the last minute.

Wishful thinking, probably.

For the weekend, IUP got 2,287 Saturday and 1,996 last night.

Energy-wise, Saturday was WAY better.

[IUPalum]

IUP students are gone this week. Cal students came back from break today.

Both crowds this weekend were a little dull. The PSAC tournament was electric. But, just having those extra 300-400 students makes a massive difference. Games like this weekend over break ... that place isn't going to get hopping. The crowd is too old. It got loud at the end but that was about it.

There was a core student group this year. They sit down low and antagonize the crap out of the visiting team. In D1, I think players are so used to the heckling. In D2, where they typically play in empty gyms, they are not used to it. The KCAC crowd messed with several star players this year and took several of them way off their games.

But, yes, I'd expect 3,000 tomorrow. You'll see a lot of the Christmas Eve Mass types ... first time they come out all year.

3000 tomorrow? hahahaha That's funny! I'd think about 1300 myself. Same crowd from last night. It was literally like a funeral home till the last minute.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

IUP students are gone this week. Cal students came back from break today.

Both crowds this weekend were a little dull. The PSAC tournament was electric. But, just having those extra 300-400 students makes a massive difference. Games like this weekend over break ... that place isn't going to get hopping. The crowd is too old. It got loud at the end but that was about it.

There was a core student group this year. They sit down low and antagonize the crap out of the visiting team. In D1, I think players are so used to the heckling. In D2, where they typically play in empty gyms, they are not used to it. The KCAC crowd messed with several star players this year and took several of them way off their games.

But, yes, I'd expect 3,000 tomorrow. You'll see a lot of the Christmas Eve Mass types ... first time they come out all year.

[IUP24]

Last night I thought that was a close call. But, the KCAC is an arena with a massive video board that somehow can't show replays. Story for another time.

But, that charge was a freaking charge. Watch it on the playback on the PSAC site. It was 100% the right call. Dallis got clobbered and he knew he was going to get clobbered. Absolutely no doubt that was the correct call. He never moved.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Last night I thought that was a close call. But, the KCAC is an arena with a massive video board that somehow can't show replays. Story for another time.

But, that charge was a freaking charge. Watch it on the playback on the PSAC site. It was 100% the right call. Dallis got clobbered and he knew he was going to get clobbered. Absolutely no doubt that was the correct call. He never moved.

[Ship69]

The IUP game story is on the cover of the Sports page in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

The last time that happened was ... never.

Good for you guys. Glad somebody in the PSAC is getting some media. We sure aren't getting it around here.

[IUPalum]

The IUP game story is on the cover of the Sports page in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

The last time that happened was ... never.

WOW!!! There was some media there finally! It only took... forever!!!

[IUPbigINDIANS]

The IUP game story is on the cover of the Sports page in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

The last time that happened was ... never.

[IUPalum]

Morning after thoughts:

* IUP won an ugly game. That's very hard to do in mid-March. Many teams who play ugly start banquet prep. Mercyhurst had all the momentum in the world the final 7-9 minutes and IUP withstood it. Amazingly.

* Alarming sign is IUP wasn't putting teams away this weekend. Big double digit leads in both games in the second half and they allowed both opponents to make big comebacks. That's been an M.O. as of late. They could have dropped the hammer on both of these teams and instead of stretching the leads out to 20+ ... found themselves in way too hot water.

-- A trend I've noticed when they get up 15-16 points is instead of going for the kill, IUP likes to make mass substitutions. I get it. Rest some starters. But, what keeps happening is as soon as those guys go out that 16 point lead becomes 8 points. And, you are giving the other team of a big shot of momentum rather than knocking them to the mat.

* IUP's press break is a train wreck. They are too slow to react getting the ball back out -- letting the opposing team get set. They need to bring another body up Something. The trap is killing them. That changed the whole game last night.

* The shooting slump is bound to end. They are fortunate to have the stellar defense they have because you can't keep winning games shooting in the 30s.

* Joe made a good point about scoring in a game like last night -- it's very difficult. They know everything you're doing. There's no surprises when you play a rival on Regional Sunday night.

-- That said, IUP missed a ton of open looks. That game never should have got as close as it was.

* At least -- at least -- 5 times Armoni was blasted driving the hoop with not a single call. Regular season he's shooting each time. That's a huge swing.

* The Lakers were in serious trouble had that game gone to OT. They had two post players already fouled out.

* But, let's not get too picky. They beat the 'boogeyman' in mid-March. No style points in win or go home games. They also got out healthy. Tomorrow is a new day. That was a really big win last night. Gary Manchel knows everything IUP does ... he's basically calling out the plays. Credit to him ... they are incredibly prepared.

Putting a different spin on it:

1) Armoni was continuously getting hammered and no calls... did you notice which official it was every time there was a no call on that? Did you notice that every time that same official was under the hoop the other direction that IUP got called for far less? Yes, that was that bald S.O.B. Mr. Clean!!! Not a doubt in my mind that guy had it out for IUP. He would've never made it out of Indiana alive if he didn't make that charge call at the end of the game.

2) So... with that official being awful, it killed IUP's momentum every time! Three times he made a no call and Hurst drained a 3 ball the other direction. 4/5 points swings each time! That the difference between close and IUP blasting them!

3) IUP needs to start making some shots. The slump must end!

4) Thank god the D is still alive and well. Defense travels!!!

5) Ethan was as clutch from the line as I've seen a D2 player be in 20 years. He was the reason IUP ended up winning. His back must be sore today!

6) Tuesday will be another meat grinder. Cal is playing much better D the back half the season. All three of IUP's trees must show up! Alston can't guard all three!

7) Get the legs rested up today.

8) It doesn't matter how you win at this point, every win is a good one from here on in!

[Chuck Norris]

Morning after thoughts:

* IUP won an ugly game. That's very hard to do in mid-March. Many teams who play ugly start banquet prep. Mercyhurst had all the momentum in the world the final 7-9 minutes and IUP withstood it. Amazingly.

* Alarming sign is IUP wasn't putting teams away this weekend. Big double digit leads in both games in the second half and they allowed both opponents to make big comebacks. That's been an M.O. as of late. They could have dropped the hammer on both of these teams and instead of stretching the leads out to 20+ ... found themselves in way too hot water.

-- A trend I've noticed when they get up 15-16 points is instead of going for the kill, IUP likes to make mass substitutions. I get it. Rest some starters. But, what keeps happening is as soon as those guys go out that 16 point lead becomes 8 points. And, you are giving the other team of a big shot of momentum rather than knocking them to the mat.

* IUP's press break is a train wreck. They are too slow to react getting the ball back out -- letting the opposing team get set. They need to bring another body up Something. The trap is killing them. That changed the whole game last night.

* The shooting slump is bound to end. They are fortunate to have the stellar defense they have because you can't keep winning games shooting in the 30s.

* Joe made a good point about scoring in a game like last night -- it's very difficult. They know everything you're doing. There's no surprises when you play a rival on Regional Sunday night.

-- That said, IUP missed a ton of open looks. That game never should have got as close as it was.

* At least -- at least -- 5 times Armoni was blasted driving the hoop with not a single call. Regular season he's shooting each time. That's a huge swing.

* The Lakers were in serious trouble had that game gone to OT. They had two post players already fouled out.

* But, let's not get too picky. They beat the 'boogeyman' in mid-March. No style points in win or go home games. They also got out healthy. Tomorrow is a new day. That was a really big win last night. Gary Manchel knows everything IUP does ... he's basically calling out the plays. Credit to him ... they are incredibly prepared.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Morning after thoughts:

* IUP won an ugly game. That's very hard to do in mid-March. Many teams who play ugly start banquet prep. Mercyhurst had all the momentum in the world the final 7-9 minutes and IUP withstood it. Amazingly.

* Alarming sign is IUP wasn't putting teams away this weekend. Big double digit leads in both games in the second half and they allowed both opponents to make big comebacks. That's been an M.O. as of late. They could have dropped the hammer on both of these teams and instead of stretching the leads out to 20+ ... found themselves in way too hot water.

-- A trend I've noticed when they get up 15-16 points is instead of going for the kill, IUP likes to make mass substitutions. I get it. Rest some starters. But, what keeps happening is as soon as those guys go out that 16 point lead becomes 8 points. And, you are giving the other team of a big shot of momentum rather than knocking them to the mat.

* IUP's press break is a train wreck. They are too slow to react getting the ball back out -- letting the opposing team get set. They need to bring another body up Something. The trap is killing them. That changed the whole game last night.

* The shooting slump is bound to end. They are fortunate to have the stellar defense they have because you can't keep winning games shooting in the 30s.

* Joe made a good point about scoring in a game like last night -- it's very difficult. They know everything you're doing. There's no surprises when you play a rival on Regional Sunday night.

-- That said, IUP missed a ton of open looks. That game never should have got as close as it was.

* At least -- at least -- 5 times Armoni was blasted driving the hoop with not a single call. Regular season he's shooting each time. That's a huge swing.

* The Lakers were in serious trouble had that game gone to OT. They had two post players already fouled out.

* But, let's not get too picky. They beat the 'boogeyman' in mid-March. No style points in win or go home games. They also got out healthy. Tomorrow is a new day. That was a really big win last night. Gary Manchel knows everything IUP does ... he's basically calling out the plays. Credit to him ... they are incredibly prepared.

[Ship69]

Who?

You know darn well who. Just pointing out that you don't necessarily need to score 60-plus points to beat IUP, but you do need to score more than the 44 Ship got, or the 55 Mercyhurst got last night. Good D by IUP, but they'd better start scoring more if they get into the Elite Eight.

[EyeoftheHawk]

Actually Ship could have beat IUP with 54 points last week, but couldn't get the job done. :-)

Who?

[Ship69]

Actually Ship could have beat IUP with 54 points last week, but couldn't get the job done. :-)

[EyeoftheHawk]