Iup basketball

[IUPalum]

Well, since it appears the Indiana Gazette is no longer covering IUP Basketball (other than a chopped up, combined weekend game(s) story last week) ...


The questions entering this weekend:


(1) Can Joe crack the win column and defeat an 0-3 Tiffin tomorrow night?

(2) IUP looked like ... well, something ... last week. Flashes of good. Flashes of bad. Positive sign is the second half against Charleston at least (kind of) looked like an IUP basketball team again.

(3) The entire starting lineup (molded out of who is available) played together for the first time. They were all sorts out of sync the first night. I suspect they look much more cohesive this weekend.

(4) Will Bautista Rodriguez be eligible to make his season debut? He will instantly add a lot of pop, aggressiveness and also outside shooting to the lineup. He's a big, physical 'stretch four' SF. He was missed last weekend.

(5) Speaking of the missing, where is Denzel Kabasele? Like Dallis Dillard, he is also coming off an ACL surgery. However, he didn't travel with the team last weekend. He is on the roster.

(6) It was a small sample size, but based on the available players, it was pretty clear which need to play very heavy minutes.

(7) Joe's three freshmen are legit. They are going to be very good players. Obviously, the plan wasn't to play them all immediately (or, this much). There's no choice now. Tyler Grove is going to be an elite player. Kymani Merraro played better than expected last weekend. Starting at PG isn't easy for a true freshman. Ian Herring looked lost in the first game but had a really strong game against Charleston -- and looked like a different player.

(8) Christian Moore is legit. He reminds me a lot of Anthony Glover. My hunch is as they learn to play together, his role will become larger and larger.

(9) Luke Triggs and Damir Brooks should mesh together better this weekend.


(10) They have to survive at the 4th guard spot. Sarp did not have a good weekend and was exposed on the defensive end (badly). Dallis isn't returning any time soon. So, Sarp really needs to step it up.

(11) Brooks? Remember him? He wasn't good enough to play last year. Last weekend he played 36 mpg and averaged 18 points and 10 rebounds. Tell me again why he couldn't play last year? Good Lord.

(12) Triggs debuted and had really tough assignments both nights. He went for 3.5 ppg and 2.5 rpg. They obviously need much more out of him. I think he will look much better this weekend.



While we can question how in the freak this is the current roster -- and how this program ended up in this situation -- well, it is what it is. The year would have a much different perspective if Alfonso Pickens and Dallis Dillard were playing. They aren't. So far, Kabasele and Rodriguez aren't, either.

When 30% of your roster is out before opening night, it's going to be a long year. I think this team will have its moments but the ceiling is pretty low. There's no depth. Too many inexperienced players. I suspect Joe will add a mid-year transfer (out of necessity). I wouldn't expect much but you never know who could be sitting out there (for whatever reason). My hunch is it will be somebody familiar with the PSAC who may have an extra year left they never used ... something like that. Hell, it could be KJ.

Point is this isn't going to be a season like we're used to watching. The hope is this likely painful year will result in some big things next year.

Bringing KJ back would cause regression! I think Bryce has another year...

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Well, since it appears the Indiana Gazette is no longer covering IUP Basketball (other than a chopped up, combined weekend game(s) story last week) ...


The questions entering this weekend:


(1) Can Joe crack the win column and defeat an 0-3 Tiffin tomorrow night?

(2) IUP looked like ... well, something ... last week. Flashes of good. Flashes of bad. Positive sign is the second half against Charleston at least (kind of) looked like an IUP basketball team again.

(3) The entire starting lineup (molded out of who is available) played together for the first time. They were all sorts out of sync the first night. I suspect they look much more cohesive this weekend.

(4) Will Bautista Rodriguez be eligible to make his season debut? He will instantly add a lot of pop, aggressiveness and also outside shooting to the lineup. He's a big, physical 'stretch four' SF. He was missed last weekend.

(5) Speaking of the missing, where is Denzel Kabasele? Like Dallis Dillard, he is also coming off an ACL surgery. However, he didn't travel with the team last weekend. He is on the roster.

(6) It was a small sample size, but based on the available players, it was pretty clear which need to play very heavy minutes.

(7) Joe's three freshmen are legit. They are going to be very good players. Obviously, the plan wasn't to play them all immediately (or, this much). There's no choice now. Tyler Grove is going to be an elite player. Kymani Merraro played better than expected last weekend. Starting at PG isn't easy for a true freshman. Ian Herring looked lost in the first game but had a really strong game against Charleston -- and looked like a different player.

(8) Christian Moore is legit. He reminds me a lot of Anthony Glover. My hunch is as they learn to play together, his role will become larger and larger.

(9) Luke Triggs and Damir Brooks should mesh together better this weekend.


(10) They have to survive at the 4th guard spot. Sarp did not have a good weekend and was exposed on the defensive end (badly). Dallis isn't returning any time soon. So, Sarp really needs to step it up.

(11) Brooks? Remember him? He wasn't good enough to play last year. Last weekend he played 36 mpg and averaged 18 points and 10 rebounds. Tell me again why he couldn't play last year? Good Lord.

(12) Triggs debuted and had really tough assignments both nights. He went for 3.5 ppg and 2.5 rpg. They obviously need much more out of him. I think he will look much better this weekend.



While we can question how in the freak this is the current roster -- and how this program ended up in this situation -- well, it is what it is. The year would have a much different perspective if Alfonso Pickens and Dallis Dillard were playing. They aren't. So far, Kabasele and Rodriguez aren't, either.

When 30% of your roster is out before opening night, it's going to be a long year. I think this team will have its moments but the ceiling is pretty low. There's no depth. Too many inexperienced players. I suspect Joe will add a mid-year transfer (out of necessity). I wouldn't expect much but you never know who could be sitting out there (for whatever reason). My hunch is it will be somebody familiar with the PSAC who may have an extra year left they never used ... something like that. Hell, it could be KJ.

Point is this isn't going to be a season like we're used to watching. The hope is this likely painful year will result in some big things next year.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

So now that they have two games in, I'm ready to comment. Yes, this is a "rebuilding" year but should it be? This team was a final 4 team three years ago, a region finalist two years ago and then a dumpster fire last year and NOW!!! How the heck does one of the premiere programs in the country decline so quickly? What the heck changed that this program fell off a cliff?

Here are my thoughts:

1) How do you go into last season with Waldo and KJ as your 4??? Neither should have ever been on a D2 roster.
2) Brooks couldn't see the floor last year over a terrible KJ but now he's arguably your best player? Joe's comments about Brooks in his post game today were ignorant! Jack commented on Brooks electing to stay at IUP when he could've left and went someone else. Joe's response, "he couldn't have left, nobody wanted him because he only played 3-4 minutes a game last year," F U Joe! Brooks should've started and played over KJ but your man crush for your best friend's son got in the way of THE IUP PROGRAM!!!
3) Joe allowed Tomiwa to get away twice! The first time he wouldn't kiss his ass to stay. This time he thought he had him, quit recruiting the position and the NO TOMIWA!
4) How has Joe allowed Danny Sancomb to out recruit him the past few years? Joe has more resources!!!
5) How does Garvin Clarke get away to go play low level, zero money Pro Ball over seas?
6) Injuries, yes they happen but they seem to be happening way more now. The injury bug started with Tommy Demo and has multiplied like rabbits ever since. When is Dallis coming back? Denzel's status? Pickens?
7) Luke Triggs got cut from Mercyhurst and couldn't even start there. How in the world is he good enough to start here?

My point is a premiere team should never have to rebuild, it should always be reloading.

That said, we are stuck with a super young team that does have talent. It's unfortunate that these freshman are being thrust into rolls that they aren't ready for. I hope they get better in a hurry because if this season is lost early then I won't be shocked if these kids run for the door at seasons end. That's the way today's players are.

Against Charleston, Damir went for 23 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists.

He wasn't good enough to play last year. LOL

Joe's still trying to backdoor his way out of that debacle last season with KJ.



I agree these freshmen are good and have a lot of upside. Grove will be Joe's next superstar. The other two are playing way ahead of normal schedule. But, there's no other choice right now.

I have no idea how Bautista Rodriguez is already out with an academic clearance issue. He'll be a nice addition once that is settled. Hopefully, of course, real soon. He's a 'Euro big' but plays with a lot of physicality.

It appears they added a depth guard last week. He was dressed and on the end of the bench (No. 55). He didn't play this weekend as he probably only practiced once or twice. He was added out of the student body.

Sarp, to put it politely, didn't have a good weekend (on either end). That 4th guard is a major issue right now until either Denzel or Dallis return. Pickens (who would have started) is done for the season. Denzel didn't even make the trip so who knows what's going on there.

How the hell they have 4 guys out (all starters or rotation players) on opening weekend is utterly amazing.

I wouldn't be shocked if Joe goes the mid-year transfer route again if he can't get somebody back. He needs another guard desperately off the bench. Sarp isn't ready.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Isn't Pickens out for the season?

There's a chance he could come back late in year. But, they'll be long done by then. So, he'll medical redshirt.

Personally I think they should medical redshirt Dallis, too. There's no point wasting his final season this year.

[bballfan03]

So now that they have two games in, I'm ready to comment. Yes, this is a "rebuilding" year but should it be? This team was a final 4 team three years ago, a region finalist two years ago and then a dumpster fire last year and NOW!!! How the heck does one of the premiere programs in the country decline so quickly? What the heck changed that this program fell off a cliff?

Here are my thoughts:

1) How do you go into last season with Waldo and KJ as your 4??? Neither should have ever been on a D2 roster.
2) Brooks couldn't see the floor last year over a terrible KJ but now he's arguably your best player? Joe's comments about Brooks in his post game today were ignorant! Jack commented on Brooks electing to stay at IUP when he could've left and went someone else. Joe's response, "he couldn't have left, nobody wanted him because he only played 3-4 minutes a game last year," F U Joe! Brooks should've started and played over KJ but your man crush for your best friend's son got in the way of THE IUP PROGRAM!!!
3) Joe allowed Tomiwa to get away twice! The first time he wouldn't kiss his ass to stay. This time he thought he had him, quit recruiting the position and the NO TOMIWA!
4) How has Joe allowed Danny Sancomb to out recruit him the past few years? Joe has more resources!!!
5) How does Garvin Clarke get away to go play low level, zero money Pro Ball over seas?
6) Injuries, yes they happen but they seem to be happening way more now. The injury bug started with Tommy Demo and has multiplied like rabbits ever since. When is Dallis coming back? Denzel's status? Pickens?
7) Luke Triggs got cut from Mercyhurst and couldn't even start there. How in the world is he good enough to start here?

My point is a premiere team should never have to rebuild, it should always be reloading.

That said, we are stuck with a super young team that does have talent. It's unfortunate that these freshman are being thrust into rolls that they aren't ready for. I hope they get better in a hurry because if this season is lost early then I won't be shocked if these kids run for the door at seasons end. That's the way today's players are.

What happened to KJ?

[bballfan03]

So now that they have two games in, I'm ready to comment. Yes, this is a "rebuilding" year but should it be? This team was a final 4 team three years ago, a region finalist two years ago and then a dumpster fire last year and NOW!!! How the heck does one of the premiere programs in the country decline so quickly? What the heck changed that this program fell off a cliff?

Here are my thoughts:

1) How do you go into last season with Waldo and KJ as your 4??? Neither should have ever been on a D2 roster.
2) Brooks couldn't see the floor last year over a terrible KJ but now he's arguably your best player? Joe's comments about Brooks in his post game today were ignorant! Jack commented on Brooks electing to stay at IUP when he could've left and went someone else. Joe's response, "he couldn't have left, nobody wanted him because he only played 3-4 minutes a game last year," F U Joe! Brooks should've started and played over KJ but your man crush for your best friend's son got in the way of THE IUP PROGRAM!!!
3) Joe allowed Tomiwa to get away twice! The first time he wouldn't kiss his ass to stay. This time he thought he had him, quit recruiting the position and the NO TOMIWA!
4) How has Joe allowed Danny Sancomb to out recruit him the past few years? Joe has more resources!!!
5) How does Garvin Clarke get away to go play low level, zero money Pro Ball over seas?
6) Injuries, yes they happen but they seem to be happening way more now. The injury bug started with Tommy Demo and has multiplied like rabbits ever since. When is Dallis coming back? Denzel's status? Pickens?
7) Luke Triggs got cut from Mercyhurst and couldn't even start there. How in the world is he good enough to start here?

My point is a premiere team should never have to rebuild, it should always be reloading.

That said, we are stuck with a super young team that does have talent. It's unfortunate that these freshman are being thrust into rolls that they aren't ready for. I hope they get better in a hurry because if this season is lost early then I won't be shocked if these kids run for the door at seasons end. That's the way today's players are.

Isn't Pickens out for the season?

[CALUPA69]

So now that they have two games in, I'm ready to comment. Yes, this is a "rebuilding" year but should it be? This team was a final 4 team three years ago, a region finalist two years ago and then a dumpster fire last year and NOW!!! How the heck does one of the premiere programs in the country decline so quickly? What the heck changed that this program fell off a cliff?

Here are my thoughts:

1) How do you go into last season with Waldo and KJ as your 4??? Neither should have ever been on a D2 roster.
2) Brooks couldn't see the floor last year over a terrible KJ but now he's arguably your best player? Joe's comments about Brooks in his post game today were ignorant! Jack commented on Brooks electing to stay at IUP when he could've left and went someone else. Joe's response, "he couldn't have left, nobody wanted him because he only played 3-4 minutes a game last year," F U Joe! Brooks should've started and played over KJ but your man crush for your best friend's son got in the way of THE IUP PROGRAM!!!
3) Joe allowed Tomiwa to get away twice! The first time he wouldn't kiss his ass to stay. This time he thought he had him, quit recruiting the position and the NO TOMIWA!
4) How has Joe allowed Danny Sancomb to out recruit him the past few years? Joe has more resources!!!
5) How does Garvin Clarke get away to go play low level, zero money Pro Ball over seas?
6) Injuries, yes they happen but they seem to be happening way more now. The injury bug started with Tommy Demo and has multiplied like rabbits ever since. When is Dallis coming back? Denzel's status? Pickens?
7) Luke Triggs got cut from Mercyhurst and couldn't even start there. How in the world is he good enough to start here?

My point is a premiere team should never have to rebuild, it should always be reloading.

That said, we are stuck with a super young team that does have talent. It's unfortunate that these freshman are being thrust into rolls that they aren't ready for. I hope they get better in a hurry because if this season is lost early then I won't be shocked if these kids run for the door at seasons end. That's the way today's players are.

Can't comment on much in your analysis since the IUP program makes moves much more often than my old brain can keep track of. #4 does deserve a comment. DS seems to think of his program as a low level D1 team when it comes to recruiting. This year's roster has 6 PA players and 10 others from Ohio, WV, Md, NJ, Fla, Minn, Ind and Ken. How he can thoroughly scout that much of the country I'm not sure. He seems to be quite the salesman and the illusion of playing before a decent crowd in the Angelo Dome certainly helps him close some deals. Now if he could take the next step to the EE, he might actually get something that could make that illusion real.

[IUPalum]

So now that they have two games in, I'm ready to comment. Yes, this is a "rebuilding" year but should it be? This team was a final 4 team three years ago, a region finalist two years ago and then a dumpster fire last year and NOW!!! How the heck does one of the premiere programs in the country decline so quickly? What the heck changed that this program fell off a cliff?

Here are my thoughts:

1) How do you go into last season with Waldo and KJ as your 4??? Neither should have ever been on a D2 roster.
2) Brooks couldn't see the floor last year over a terrible KJ but now he's arguably your best player? Joe's comments about Brooks in his post game today were ignorant! Jack commented on Brooks electing to stay at IUP when he could've left and went someone else. Joe's response, "he couldn't have left, nobody wanted him because he only played 3-4 minutes a game last year," F U Joe! Brooks should've started and played over KJ but your man crush for your best friend's son got in the way of THE IUP PROGRAM!!!
3) Joe allowed Tomiwa to get away twice! The first time he wouldn't kiss his ass to stay. This time he thought he had him, quit recruiting the position and the NO TOMIWA!
4) How has Joe allowed Danny Sancomb to out recruit him the past few years? Joe has more resources!!!
5) How does Garvin Clarke get away to go play low level, zero money Pro Ball over seas?
6) Injuries, yes they happen but they seem to be happening way more now. The injury bug started with Tommy Demo and has multiplied like rabbits ever since. When is Dallis coming back? Denzel's status? Pickens?
7) Luke Triggs got cut from Mercyhurst and couldn't even start there. How in the world is he good enough to start here?

My point is a premiere team should never have to rebuild, it should always be reloading.

That said, we are stuck with a super young team that does have talent. It's unfortunate that these freshman are being thrust into rolls that they aren't ready for. I hope they get better in a hurry because if this season is lost early then I won't be shocked if these kids run for the door at seasons end. That's the way today's players are.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Awful first half. Better second half.

That's going to be the story until they get some bodies back.

It's going to be a long year.

[Ship69]

Yep, I just scrolled through myself. I didn’t pay attention to the dates, maybe today’s stuff hasn’t dropped yet. You would think they’d say something, anything. The season preview on the IUP basketball site is just the very generic rundown, no info on injuries or anything.

I guess the bright side is, if it is a bad season, no one will know it.

Welcome to the world of Shippensburg (lack of) media coverage.

[Chuck Norris]

Today is likely going to be ugly. We can hope Charleston is worn out by going 2 OT with Cal.

[bballfan03]

Waldos D3 debut was very underwhelming. 2-5 shooting.

[Chuck Norris]

All things considered that wasn’t bad. Nice gritty comeback, wish they could’ve finished it off. Glenville had a couple guys who were proven scorers at this level and IUP didn’t and it showed at first. Grove can play. The PG had some rough moments but showed some ability. It stinks that Dallis is still a month or so away. Hopefully whatever the eligibility issue is with Rodriguez gets squared away.

There will be significant growing pains. At full strength they should be decent. A .500 record is probably reasonable given the the number of new faces and freshmen who are going to need to contribute.

[ironmaniup]

How about NOTHING in the Indiana Gazette? No preview or anything?

I haven't seen the paper edition yet but nothing online.

I know Tony is gone now but holy smokes.

Does anyone know if Tony C will be on the Broadcast with Jack ?

listening now, he is - that’s good.

[Chuck Norris]

How about NOTHING in the Indiana Gazette? No preview or anything?

I haven't seen the paper edition yet but nothing online.

I know Tony is gone now but holy smokes.

Yep, I just scrolled through myself. I didn’t pay attention to the dates, maybe today’s stuff hasn’t dropped yet. You would think they’d say something, anything. The season preview on the IUP basketball site is just the very generic rundown, no info on injuries or anything.

I guess the bright side is, if it is a bad season, no one will know it.