Iup basketball

[IUPalum]

This depth of coverage is great... wish it was more common in Division 2. Thank you.

Tony has always done an excellent job!

I hope Joe rethinks some things with this roster and playing time based on what I read in Tony's article. I won't say to much now until I actually see the rotation.

[Topper_Hopper]

IUP basketball update: https://open.substack.com/pub/tonyco...meOnShare=true

This depth of coverage is great... wish it was more common in Division 2. Thank you.

[tonyc]

IUP basketball update: https://open.substack.com/pub/tonyco...meOnShare=true

[tonyc]

From the first day of practice: https://tonycoccagna.substack.com/p/all-aboard?r=411ko9

[IUPbigINDIANS]

This should be the roster that gets Joe back into the limelight. It's be a painful two years. The kids took their lumps last year. They don't look like scrawny freshmen anymore. He also gets arguably his two best players back after missing all of last season. They also added a couple really nice imports.

The obvious question everybody is asking: Will Joe actually play all these guys? This is his deepest roster in his tenure at IUP. Not saying it's his best team, but he's never had this kind of depth. He could actually run two lineups (which, of course, we know won't happen). He went from no experience to a ton of it.


GUARDS

Kymani Merraro - Exploded onto the scene as a true freshman a season ago. He'll be one the of the top PGs in the Region this year.

Christian Moore - Smothered at times last year but still had a solid season. Having Dallis alongside will greatly alleviate pressure.

Dallis Dillard - Now two years post ACL. Could have returned mid-season a year ago. Fully healthy. Massive upgrade on both ends.

Ian Herring - Great athlete. Long and fast. He caused a lot of chaos a year ago -- good and bad. He'll be a handful this season.

Tasso Sfanos - Transfer from USCB (played under Ron Fudala). He can score and is also a pest defender. Nice size for a guard.

Sarp Furtun - High energy guy who will have to fight for minutes this year

Alfonso Pickens Jr. - Will be the backup PG. Tall, pest defender. Fast. Can score when given the green light.

Ralph Blundo - Likely to redshirt. High pedigree true freshman from New Castle. Prolific high school scorer.

Anthony Watson - Minutes will be scarce. Not a typical deep bench guy. He can play.


FORWARDS

Bautista Rodriguez (6'7", 220 lbs) - If you haven't heard about him, you will soon. Best way I can describe him is a 'mean' version of Cobo.

Tyler Grove (6'7", 215 lbs) - Was thrown into the fire as a true freshman. Appears to be up at least 20 pounds. He's going to really break out this season. Matchup nightmare.

Luke Triggs (6'7", 225 lbs) - Broke out in the PSAC Tournament. He can score inside and outside. Played out of position last season. Joe needs to let him eat this year. Underrated player who has played in a lot of PSAC games.

Damir Brooks (6'6", 215 lbs) - Fantastic in spurts, which will be his role. Dynamic shot blocker and high-flyer.

Harry Keighley (6'9", 225 lbs) - Big boy who can run and really protect the rim. Plays with a mean streak. Very aggressive. Too good to redshirt.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Is he committed? Everything I'm seeing is that he has a lot of offers but hasn't officially committed to anywhere yet.

He's Twitter official.

[IUPalum]

Joe's official roster is posted.

[IUPalum]

Maddox Bennett from Dubois. West lib commit.

Is he committed? Everything I'm seeing is that he has a lot of offers but hasn't officially committed to anywhere yet.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Maddox Bennett from Dubois. West lib commit.

What's funny is Dubois -- of all places on Earth -- is suddenly becoming a basketball hotbed.

It is a small town in the middle of Nowhere, USA.

[Columbuseer]

Low-major.

That said, he had a huge summer season (and keeps growing). He's the right height and has grades. Stock rising. IUP had some connections in landing him.

Hopefully the sharks don't come calling.


There's another very similar player in this years class from Dubois, PA. Everyone has offered (including WL, Cal, Gannon and IUP).

He's a 6'8" G/F. Name slips me but it's on VC. He probably projects to be more of a forward at the college level.

Maddox Bennett from Dubois. West lib commit.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Watched his higlight video, looks like he would have been a great fit in the WLU system (or any other D2 system). Did he have any Division 1 interest?

Low-major.

That said, he had a huge summer season (and keeps growing). He's the right height and has grades. Stock rising. IUP had some connections in landing him.

Hopefully the sharks don't come calling.


There's another very similar player in this years class from Dubois, PA. Everyone has offered (including WL, Cal, Gannon and IUP).

He's a 6'8" G/F. Name slips me but it's on VC. He probably projects to be more of a forward at the college level.

[Topper_Hopper]

Watched his higlight video, looks like he would have been a great fit in the WLU system (or any other D2 system). Did he have any Division 1 interest?

[IUPalum]

Joe got a big signing in Ohio's Griffin Straub (6'7" G/F).

IUP beat out Walsh, Cal and West Liberty (among many others).

He will be a HS Senior this season.

IUP has also signed a PG from Toronto.

Joe is starting to recruit a little different.

[Columbuseer]

Griffin Straub looks really good. I think he will have great success.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Joe got a big signing in Ohio's Griffin Straub (6'7" G/F).

IUP beat out Walsh, Cal and West Liberty (among many others).

He will be a HS Senior this season.

IUP has also signed a PG from Toronto.