Iup basketball

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Based on the circumstances, oddly, I think Clarion's visit tonight could be an entertaining game.

Side note: For those tuning in at home, ... a couple XANAX should help with watching the live feed.

UPJ was a good match-up for IUP's make-shift lineup. The Mountain Cats' post players are tall but are more like big guards. Shawndale could play well down low against them as he was the more physical player.

Tonight is the complete opposite. Recall how IUP couldn't get a rebound against Slippery Rock to save its life. They will struggle grabbing boards tonight, too. If they shoot like they did Wednesday, it won't much matter.

Unlike the 6'7", 205 lb forwards UPJ has, Clarion is more PSAC old school. They have the 6'6", 245 lb types ... headlined by mid-year transfer Godspower Ogide (6'11", 280 lbs).

Clarion also saw 2018 PSAC all-Freshman guard Mason Mraz return mid-year after missing 9-10 games with injury.

The Golden Eagles have also played well as of late. Clarion has won two straight and prior to that, lost very close games to both Gannon and UPJ (both single digits).

Traditionally, IUP has also played poorly in the first game with students back. Look it up.

That's the Lou Holtz spin.

All seriousness, I do think IUP comes out hungover tonight. I think this game will even be close at the half. Psychically, IUP will stand no chance under the basket tonight. They aren't moving those guys. That said, once they get running ... they can run them out of the building.

Final analysis: IUP ends up winning by a fat number ... but it will be closer than many think along the way.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I don't know, basketball is streaky enough that it might not make much difference for the season. the full roster team could easily have one loss at this point, and 3 or 4 losses by the end of the season. And these guys look like they could get to the PSAC tournament before they lose again, even without chucky.

Sure, when they lose again, you can go back and point to advantages a bigger roster would give. But without seeing the redshirts play, we really don't know how much difference it makes.

The really exciting thing, who would have predicted that this team without Demo, would have only one loss ? There's something about these guys, luckier maybe ? More to prove maybe ?

The biggest change I see in this team is David Morris. I know many of you don't get to see the games in person. So, you miss a lot of things that perhaps don't show up on the feed. He has a demeanor and toughness that hasn't been here since DeVante Chance. He's also very in control at the point guard position. He is averaging just 2 turnovers per game. He's also capable of taking a game over and scoring 30 points. Athletically, he's just on a different level compared to what we had at PG the past four years. Dante's biggest knock was he could get rattled. I haven't seen that with Morris. He's pretty 'ice'.

Some of our past teams did a lot of talking. This one just plays. Hard.

And, of course, keep in mind Malik Miller and Armoni Foster may be the best overall guard combination around at this level. Shawndale is also a type of player Joe hasn't had in a long time. He does a lot of different things on the floor. He's big and very strong/fast ... very hard to guard. And, of course, Porterfield is emerging as a superstar. Anthony White continues to hit big treys off the bench and is a pest on defense. Chucky is excellent in his role.

My issue with the Joe-constant depth issue is I question how the legs hold up by March. Six-man rotations just aren't sustainable. All we can hope is Chucky heals up -- quickly. As IUPAlum said yesterday ... we've seen this movie before. We know how it ends. It's playing with fire. Hopefully they don't get burned.

[ironmaniup]

This view is still null and void. Yes, beating UPJ short handed is a huge win but the lack of bench will come to haunt them. Whether it be foul troubles or lack of legs from playing to many minutes. It will effect them some how. IT ALWAYS DOES!!!
.

I don't know, basketball is streaky enough that it might not make much difference for the season. the full roster team could easily have one loss at this point, and 3 or 4 losses by the end of the season. And these guys look like they could get to the PSAC tournament before they lose again, even without chucky.

Sure, when they lose again, you can go back and point to advantages a bigger roster would give. But without seeing the redshirts play, we really don't know how much difference it makes.

The really exciting thing, who would have predicted that this team without Demo, would have only one loss ? There's something about these guys, luckier maybe ? More to prove maybe ?

[IUPalum]

Different point of view ... think of the UPJ standpoint.

That loss had to be demoralizing last night. IUP was down two starters from opening night. They had a packed, loud house (by UPJ standards). Fully healthy. IUP is playing a guard at power forward and 6 guys total.

And ... you give up a hundo in your building.

UPJ had to win that game. I really think that was one of Joe's biggest wins in years based on the circumstances.

IUP won by 7 but was up 15 with about 90 seconds left.

UPJ had everything lined up for it and couldn't get it done.

This view is still null and void. Yes, beating UPJ short handed is a huge win but the lack of bench will come to haunt them. Whether it be foul troubles or lack of legs from playing to many minutes. It will effect them some how. IT ALWAYS DOES!!!
.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Different point of view ... think of the UPJ standpoint.

That loss had to be demoralizing last night. IUP was down two starters from opening night. They had a packed, loud house (by UPJ standards). Fully healthy. IUP is playing a guard at power forward and 6 guys total.

And ... you give up a hundo in your building.

UPJ had to win that game. I really think that was one of Joe's biggest wins in years based on the circumstances.

IUP won by 7 but was up 15 with about 90 seconds left.

UPJ had everything lined up for it and couldn't get it done.

[Chuck Norris]

You can say that but I've seen this story play out before and miss two regionals because of it!

[IUPalum]

You can say that but I've seen this story play out before and miss two regionals because of it!

[Chuck Norris]

They also stayed out of foul trouble last night. Consider you're now foul trouble away from having Alan Glover Jr. and Dylan Benton in the rotation. That's the problem. They luckily were able to avoid last night.

They have to be thinking about hosting the regional right now. That's in sight. If I had to guess Chucky will be back for the Feb. 8 game against SRU.

Believe me I know he's not activating Diop or KJ. He'd dress five guys before he burns those redshirts.

But, mark my words they will lose a game in the coming weeks due to foul trouble and having no bench. Guarantee it. It's also going to even more so run these healthy players ragged. I think four guys went over 37 minutes last night. That's insane.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

They also stayed out of foul trouble last night. Consider you're now foul trouble away from having Alan Glover Jr. and Dylan Benton in the rotation. That's the problem. They luckily were able to avoid last night.

They have to be thinking about hosting the regional right now. That's in sight. If I had to guess Chucky will be back for the Feb. 8 game against SRU.

Believe me I know he's not activating Diop or KJ. He'd dress five guys before he burns those redshirts.

But, mark my words they will lose a game in the coming weeks due to foul trouble and having no bench. Guarantee it. It's also going to even more so run these healthy players ragged. I think four guys went over 37 minutes last night. That's insane.

[Chuck Norris]

Joe will be stubborn and not activate anyone. He'll hope Benton and Ulrich can handle the extra minutes. Ulrich should be getting more time anyways.

[IUPalum]

UGH!!! Why is this an issue every dang year??? Why is Joe so stubborn???

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Tony's article said Chucky has a broken bone in his left hand and is out 'at least' three weeks. That's different than Jack reported on WCCS (broken finger).

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Joe will be stubborn and not activate anyone. He'll hope Benton and Ulrich can handle the extra minutes. Ulrich should be getting more time anyways.

It wouldn't be January and Joe Season if we weren't discussing why we have more redshirts and injuries than active bench players. Tis the season.

Ulrich wasn't a good fit last night against UPJ's more athletic, faster bigs. But I agree he's needed against SRU and Mercyhurst. Benton hasn't played a meaningful minute in over a month.

It does get old going through this every year with Joe. It cost him missing two tournaments during the Dante and Cobo Era.

[IUPalum]

Joe will be stubborn and not activate anyone. He'll hope Benton and Ulrich can handle the extra minutes. Ulrich should be getting more time anyways.

[ironmaniup]

Update:

Chucky has a broken finger and will be out 'several weeks'.


Now do you active a redshirt with 10 regular season games remaining in addition to the conference tournament and likely NCAA Tournament?

They survived Demo going down. This is starting to ask too much. They survived last night but how long is this sustainable?

Joe's dream of going all Norman Dale and playing with four guys is getting closer.

Activate the big fella, Ousmane Diop. I don't see how they have any other choice. KJ Rhodes is also available but another guard won't help a whole lot.

Well the next two games should be OK for more minutes for Ulrich and Benton, The Conditioning of these guys is pretty impressive, they had cal sucking wind at the end of the game, too. Once playoffs start, the starters will play the whole game anyway. Hopefully Chucky is back sooner rather than later. The next week against MC and Rock they will need him. Though, I think the smaller lineup could run Till&Co into the ground.