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Tony's article in today's Gazette:
Lombardi also said Dallas Dillard, a 6-4 freshman, could play this season rather than redshirt.Comment
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What we know about Dallis Dillard:
* Considered a big land for IUP
* Decorated scorer coming out the famous St. Raymond in Harlem ... very similar game to Armoni at the same age
* Big, physically strong, fast guard at 6'4" and can play all three guard spots
* Nice shot from outside and very good at getting to the rim
* I'm told he was ready to play this year but they didn't want to burn a year for low minutes
* Strong defender
Obviously, there's going to be a transition here if they do activate him. I doubt he's got much time with the starters in practice.
If Shawndale can come back in a couple weeks, I wouldn't burn the redshirt. Play these next three games and see if you can take 2 of 3. If he is out for the season, burn the redshirt. It's only been 7 games. Work him in slowly and they can have him up to speed by the West opener after Xmas. It's more than a month away.Comment
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If Jones is out then getting Dillard going is probably the best case. The Polce/Radford flip only helps one side of the ball. If Dillard is legit then run it out and run for the big prize!!!Originally posted by IUPbigINDIANS View PostComment
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Bueckers is out 6-8 weeks. Fractured knee. UCONN announced it today.
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Originally posted by IUPalum View Post
One thing I can promise is without Shawndale they won't be blowing everybody out. That's 25 ppg gone and a likely All American. They've blown 6 teams out. The one game that wasn't a blowout they didn't have David Morris (injured).
This was the fear from Day 1 -- having to elevate somebody from the bench. Now, it's most likely a reality. Even with good news, I'd assume they'd be without Shawndale for at least 3-4 weeks -- and luckily two of those weeks (XMAS and New Year's) have no games.
I'd have to agree with you .... it's a no-brainer to activate Dillard. They need him now. Sure, it would have been great to redshirt him. But, things are different today. He's a scorer and can defend -- so, he can play at both ends. He'll have his 'freshman' moments, but I don't see them having a choice. He has lightning speed, can shoot, get to the rim and has good size.
Here's the thing: Morris has been great this year, but, he's also been prone to being in foul trouble. If he picks up early fouls and has to sit, that leaves you with Armoni, Polce and Bradford at the guard position -- with very little depth behind them.
And, at the very least, you need another guard ready to play in case you lose another one to injury, Covid or whatever. Long way to go. K.J. Rhodes is still in the mix, but we haven't seen a whole lot out of him.
Good news is they've had a week to adjust. Bad news is they have (3) tough games next week (Millersville, Shepherd and Shippensburg).
I'm not ruling out the 'big' lineup, either. Joe has a history of talking about one thing in interviews and then doing the total opposite. Cards close to the vest type of thing.
One other item: Not sure if you've all noticed it or not (since IUP is the only school with no videos), but Joe moved Armoni to the PG this year. Perhaps that changes now, too. It's conceivable to move Radford to the PG and have Morris and Armoni play the 2 & 3.
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Correct. Won't hear a peep until next week after the game.
They typically know ACL tears pretty quickly. That could be the ray of hope for Shawndale. Or, they likely already know and just keeping it quiet.Comment
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There's no guarantee we'll have Biss for the IUP game, and if we do have him he'll be playing in his first week of competition in about two years coming off an injury that has likely kept him from extensive practice for a while. Ship will be certainly be an underdog in that game and probably at UPJ as well.Originally posted by IUPbigINDIANS View PostComment
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Not real exciting news but IUP did find a willing opponent to make up for Salem's cancellation.
Dec. 31 (afternoon)
Pitt-Greensburg will play at the KCAC.
The only positive is this is at least a 'live game' during what otherwise would have been a long layoff (Dec. 19 thru Jan. 5).
UPG has played (1) D2 game this year and lost at Malone, 101-71.
Oddly, UPG doesn't play many of these games -- odd being they are surrounded by D2 schools (including being about 3 miles from Seton Hill).
I'd say the other positive thing is it will be another game to work things out prior to West play ... assuming they are still having roster issues by then.Comment
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Shawndale is confirmed done for the season with a torn ACL.Comment
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Sorry the young man had his season end like that. IUP will still be a formidable team, but that is a big loss and probably a blow to your chances of making big noise in the postseason.Originally posted by IUPbigINDIANS View PostComment
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Damn. Thought the NC was a possibility with a fully healthy team. Still should win the PSAC, but going to be much harder. Need someone off the bench to step up.Originally posted by IUPbigINDIANS View PostComment
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I wouldn't place them as the betting favorite to win the PSAC ... probably not even the West.Originally posted by IUPHawks24 View Post
I'd say Mercyhurst is probably in control now.
The only wildcard is Dallis Dillard. We know what Polce and Radford bring.
Only thing I've been told is Dillard wouldn't have redshirted at about 90% of PSAC programs this year. We'll see.
Brutal week ahead.Comment
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