That may have been the last game. No idea if anybody else is even playing.
Some observations:
* Obviously not having Shawndale Jones for three games completely changed their offense and defense. He's their second best offensive player and perhaps their best defensive player. Without him teams could smother Armoni. With him that option isn't available. He is returning next season. So, it's hard to grasp much without him. At his size, power, skill level and speed, he's a mismatch at this level.
* The three freshman guards have some work to do. Radford is the most ready to play, but he's showing an inability to stay on the floor. He's fouling at very high rates. His three quickies last night really put them in a jam in the first half with Morris sitting out. His offensive upside is very apparent. KJ Rhodes doesn't seem to be playing with much confidence. Hopefully that comes in time. Polce seemed to play ok on the defensive end. He had a red light on offense. That was his college debut in what was a very tight game. He played a lot of minutes.
* The post is pretty set.
- Diop had a very productive game last night in low minutes. He's going to be a great asset off the bench in spurts next year. He's very athletic for 6'10" and that jump hook last night was beautiful. He also had a monster rebound and long-pass assist for a key trey. Lot of upside.
- Demo looked better. He's still rounding back from the ACL. No worries about him.
- Porterfield was kind of a mystery last night. He sat most of the first half. He wasn't in foul trouble. He hit some really big shots in the second half.
- Solimane has monster upside. He's an imposing guy at about 6'7" and a built 230 lbs. He had very good moments -- and a couple freshman moments as expected. He's going to be special.
No idea why Morris had to sit the first half. Obviously the whole game changed when he came back in for the second half. He played a really strong defensive game. I thought he forced some things offensively. He's a major key the next two years.
Armoni had a strong Spring. He needs some help on the offensive end in regard to having another guard lighten his load. Shawndale will fix that. Adding a ready-to-play shooting guard should be the only priority this summer.
If it was just three games I think they were an important three games. Playing live opponents is invaluable for young players. They had to play with some makeshift lineups, etc., but regardless. The turnovers last night - most self-inflicted - were alarming.
Next year I'm not sure many of the guys who played some heavy minutes this spring will play very much. I still think Joe will sign a transfer guard this off-season. Casale would be a perfect fit if they can get him.
Next year's rotation (my opinion):
Armoni
Morris
Shawndale
Porterfield
Demo
Solomane (20-23 mpg to start)
Radford
Diop (8-11 mpg)
Transfer guard
Reserve/Utility (Rhodes and Benton)
I assume Polce and Cordon will officially redshirt.
Side note: That freshman guard from Clarion is a monster. He's their building block (if they can keep him). Clarion dropped 11 first-half treys last night. That was impressive.
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Final
IUP 77
Clarion 74
Gotta get healthy and a lot cleaner.
Incredible effort from Clarion.Leave a comment:
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I actually have no idea what I just watched. Radford hardly played at all. Polce is playing heavy minutes (hasn't played all season). Porterfield barely played. Morris is dressed but didn't play at all. The defense is just non-existent. Double-digit turnovers. Sloppy. Unorganized.
I sure hope David plays in the second half. They are lucky not to be down 25 points at half. Clarion hit 9 treys in the first half.Leave a comment:
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The worst half of basketball perhaps ever under Joe Lombardi.Leave a comment:
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So no Shawndale, Morris and now Porterfield hasn't played since the first minute.
Wonder what's up?Leave a comment:
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Joe better quit treating this like a JV game or they may get blown out. WTF is up with these lineups?Leave a comment:
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Clarion starts 5-5 from deep.
Lol no matter who we play ....
Appears no Morris tonight unless he's on the bench.Leave a comment:
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It will sure be nice to hear Jack's voice tonight.
The game will be broadcast but not by IUP's normal crew. Sounds like a local is going to do it through his company. Very nice gesture.
From the photo they posted this morning it looks like they may be at full strength tonight.Leave a comment:
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Well, it took a week but the most secretive game in IUP basketball history finally has a boxscore.
In the second game against Gannon:
Sulaiman went for 13 points and 11 boards in 24 minutes. This kid is going to be a terror. That's a big stat line in his second college game.
Porterfield - 13 (35 mins stayed out of foul trouble)
Demo - 13 (30 mins)
Morris - 10 (35 mins)
Foster - 5 & 10 boards (31 mins)
Radford - 3 (16 mins)
Diop - 2 (7 mins)
Rhodes - 0 (22 mins)
Did not dress: Shawndale and Benton
IUP shot a dismal 3-23 from deep and just 33% from the field. IUP won the glass 47-38.
Clancy did play for Gannon but was shutout. Gannon also shot way differently than the first game, hitting just 4 of 21 from deep and 6-11 at the line. Jonaitis had 21 and Olsen 10.
From the play-by-play IUP was up 2 at the half but kept a pretty steady 10-12 point margin most of the second half.
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Looks like Clarion got enough guys back to play some more. They beat up a D3 the other night.
I can't tell for sure but it looked like from the walk-thru pic on Twitter that both Benton and Shawndale are back.
Obviously when healthy Shawndale is going to play heavy minutes. It should give us a little better idea of the depth chart entering next season.
I looked this morning to see if any other West teams were practicing or planning to play. I didn't find much.Leave a comment:
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Jack Casale, the D3 player with double-digit D2 offers (including IUP), went for 39 points and 22 rebounds in his season debut over the weekend.
He currently has offers from IUP, Slippery Rock, Gannon, Florida Southern, Goldie-Beacon, etc. He'll be a one-year guy for whomever lands him as a grad transfer.Leave a comment:
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