Iup basketball

[IUPbigINDIANS]

IUP has signed 6'11" PF/C Ama Sow from UT-Martin.

He is from Dakar but played high school basketball in the WPIAL (Montour).

This team got real big underneath in the past week.

Sow has an incredible backstory.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

There is a big fish still on the market within the WPIAL high school ranks.

Trouble for IUP, however, is he's tearing up the Spring circuit (and getting major sudden attention).

IUP offered him about 60 days ago and to my knowledge he hasn't signed (anywhere). It certainly seems he's holding out for some tier of D1.

But, the clock is ticking.

At best he'd be at IUP for (maybe) 2 years. But, it would be worth it.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

There better be 3-4 more to go with it.

I sure hope there are some transfers they've just been able to keep quiet (aside from the JUCO player).

Thus far Joe essentially has an all-freshmen class.

I'm personally no longer interested in developing true freshmen for the future benefit of others.


IUP has four experienced players coming back ... which is actually more than most. But, if Joe wants to be in the mix next year he needs some ready-to-go guys. Relying on true freshmen (and not redshirting them) will drive him crazy.

[EyeoftheHawk]

We have an exciting new commitment!

There better be 3-4 more to go with it.

[blackhawkdown]

We have an exciting new commitment!

[IUPalum]

Not sure but I’m guessing walk-on. He has D2 ability, but more of a project in my opinion. It doesn’t make sense for coaches to invest much money on projects these days but if he can be a good program kid and was wanting to go to IUP anyway, it makes sense.

Todd

[EyeoftheHawk]

Scholarship or walk-on ?

Not sure but I’m guessing walk-on. He has D2 ability, but more of a project in my opinion. It doesn’t make sense for coaches to invest much money on projects these days but if he can be a good program kid and was wanting to go to IUP anyway, it makes sense.

[IUPalum]

Local product (Marion Center, 3A) Kam Rozier has committed to IUP. He averaged 18.3 ppg as a senior and was their best player there for the last three seasons. He’s 6’4” with a good frame and can play anywhere on the floor. He is, however, a product of the Heritage Conference where he didn’t see the best competition night in and night out. I give Joe credit for signing a local kid, although this is a pretty big step up in class.

Todd

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Local product (Marion Center, 3A) Kam Rozier has committed to IUP. He averaged 18.3 ppg as a senior and was their best player there for the last three seasons. He’s 6’4” with a good frame and can play anywhere on the floor. He is, however, a product of the Heritage Conference where he didn’t see the best competition night in and night out. I give Joe credit for signing a local kid, although this is a pretty big step up in class.

Scholarship or walk-on ?

[EyeoftheHawk]

Local product (Marion Center, 3A) Kam Rozier has committed to IUP. He averaged 18.3 ppg as a senior and was their best player there for the last three seasons. He’s 6’4” with a good frame and can play anywhere on the floor. He is, however, a product of the Heritage Conference where he didn’t see the best competition night in and night out. I give Joe credit for signing a local kid, although this is a pretty big step up in class.

[Fightingscot82]

The Pittsburgh Trib is reporting that former IUP head coach Tom Beck has died at 93.

[EyeoftheHawk]

Weird things going on in Indiana.

Appears to be headed directly to the crash site.

[IUPalum]

Per Twitter (his), Ralphie Blundo has signed with Westminster.

I didn't even know he was in the Portal.

Weird things going on in Indiana.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Per Twitter (his), Ralphie Blundo has signed with Westminster.

I didn't even know he was in the Portal.

[IUPalum]

I don't think - looking back - Joe knew what to do with him.

Like we've seen so often, Joe tries to create post players out of players who aren't post players.

Grove certainly looks the part of a small forward but his game isn't under the basket. You have to get dirty to play underneath and that's not his game.

He's basically a 6'8" shooting guard, but that didn't work in IUP's offense.

Because IUP has really struggled to recruit post players,
Grove was by default essentially forced to play down there. You could see how uncomfortable he was in that role.

I actually think he'd be a great fit in a "system" offense.

When Joe didn't play him at all in the Sweet 16 (and IUP almost beat Gannon) ... well, that was that. This was inevitable.

I think you're part right, part wrong! He's definitely not a post player but maybe he is a shooting guard. Fact is, he's way to soft to play around the rim. He doesn't get dirty baskets and he certainly doesn't get any 50-50 rebounds. Shooting guard, maybe on the offensive end but heck no on the defensive end. He couldn't even guard the opposing teams slowest players. This kid has no business playing high level D2. Now D3, that's a different story.