Iup basketball

[IUPFan69]

The morning after:

* The announced (stress that word) gate was 417. I get its Spring Break. But ... 417? Holy smokes.

* IUP was very fortunate their opponent was God Awful. Joe wouldn't have beat many teams last night.

According to the guy sitting next to my wife and me, it wasn’t spring break yet, he said the students head out next week. My wife asked where the band and dance team were. I think it was the worst crowd we’ve seen all year—pathetically low. Almost no students, and barely any support from the town for a basketball team in the conference tournament. My next question is: Did the town even know there was a game? If not, that’s on IUP the athletic department, marketing, whoever’s responsible because last night they were lucky to have 150 people in the seats.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Well, hope they're ready for the usual rugby scrum at West Chester.

This is a Zebra game. If they call it tight, IUP has a decent chance to win. If it's loose (and a hack fest like the first game) IUP will be in trouble.

[IUPalum]

Well, hope they're ready for the usual rugby scrum at West Chester.

Rugby, that's an understatement.

[Ship69]

The morning after:

* The announced (stress that word) gate was 417. I get its Spring Break. But ... 417? Holy smokes.

* IUP was very fortunate their opponent was God Awful. Joe wouldn't have beat many teams last night.

Well, hope they're ready for the usual rugby scrum at West Chester.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

The morning after:

* The announced (stress that word) gate was 417. I get its Spring Break. But ... 417? Holy smokes.

* IUP was very fortunate their opponent was God Awful. Joe wouldn't have beat many teams last night.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Real classy ending by Edinboro.

What a dirty scumbag play.

Most energy they showed all night.

[gman16506]

Im comparing to Tasman Goodrick from last year... he came from a low level D1 that he barely played at. Gannon last year and this year started, and did well, for Siena. Precious is MUCH better than goodrick was.

The Morgan's are the only 2 at this point id bet on being back next year haha

And then there is the story of K J McClurg who left California and went to D-1 Longwood and averaged 7 ppg and 18 minutes last year (this year I believe injuries have done him in). Have visited Longwood a couple of times and its a beautiful school but hardly a powerhouse. Point being that potential transfers need to consider the risks involved as it doesn't always work out. It's kinda like Cleve Wright told me once.......men only want one thing and that is to say they played Division One. Women recruits will ask what can your school do for me on an academic basis and do not get as hung up on the D-1 thing as the men.

[bballfan03]

Would think that Precious may be less likely since he already had a try at a lower D1 school (Longwood) and was a non-factor. But who knows what goes through a kid's mind in these times.

Im comparing to Tasman Goodrick from last year... he came from a low level D1 that he barely played at. Gannon last year and this year started, and did well, for Siena. Precious is MUCH better than goodrick was.

The Morgan's are the only 2 at this point id bet on being back next year haha

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I'll be curious to see what coaching changes occur as well. He had to assemble a coaching staff just as late as a roster.

Any thoughts on if WLU, NSU, Gannon, FSU could be feeder systems for Howlett portal grabs? I could see it being a compelling jump if the money talks.

I'm sure Ben will look at any players who leave those schools.

But, I mean IU Indy isn't exactly a destination. It would likely come down to who else is also calling them.

Hell, Gannon would probably beat IU Indy right now.

[TheMadLibs]

We'll see how long his leash is. Year 1 was a disaster. So, he better get it going.

Hard to say how much time he'll get in the fire-happy D1 world.

I'll be curious to see what coaching changes occur as well. He had to assemble a coaching staff just as late as a roster.

Any thoughts on if WLU, NSU, Gannon, FSU could be feeder systems for Howlett portal grabs? I could see it being a compelling jump if the money talks.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I think that you described the key open question: Can Indy recruit 10 D1 level athletes who buy into as well as learn the system? IMHO at the D1 level, when they break the press, opponents are definitely attacking the rim in transition due to their size and athletic ability. Indy has to have comparable size and athletic ability. I think depth was a definite issue at Indy this year, which is another challenge

We'll see how long his leash is. Year 1 was a disaster. So, he better get it going.

Hard to say how much time he'll get in the fire-happy D1 world.

[Columbuseer]

Those are fair points. Howlett also got the job very late in the recruiting cycle, which limited his pool of available players. Still, I thought they would be better then 5-24 against Division I competition.

I have not seen them in person, but on TV, they are giving up a number of easy baskets against the press where the offense throws lobs over the top of the defense. I question whether they will get the level of player or athlete necessary to speed up the players in the Horizon League to make their pressure effective. From what I've seen in my limited viewing, the guards are bigger, more athletic, and make better decisions against the pressure than the typical Division II team.

I think that you described the key open question: Can Indy recruit 10 D1 level athletes who buy into as well as learn the system? IMHO at the D1 level, when they break the press, opponents are definitely attacking the rim in transition due to their size and athletic ability. Indy has to have comparable size and athletic ability. I think depth was a definite issue at Indy this year, which is another challenge

[IUPHawks24]

Personally, I am withholding judgment on the style at Indy until Coach Howlett can actually recruit D1 level athletes.
At the beginning of the season he was starting 4 D2 players/recruits. Indy has historically been a doormat of the conference.
I watched Ohio State and Butler game in person and Wright State (#1 in Horizon league at the time) on TV.

Against OSU, Indy forced 20 turnovers and the OSU coach could not clear his bench, for he was only leading by 10 with a few minutes left.
D'Augustino is the leading scorer. The Wright State analyst (former coach) was very impressed by Indy offense. They got a lot of back-door cuts for layups. The game was much closer than the final score. The taller team just wore them down.

For Indy to win this season with D2 athletes, they have to have a great shooting night.
Here is what I observed about the disparity in a real game.
1. D1 level athletes close out much quicker on the three than d2 athletes to contest the shot, which lowers %.
2. D2 players cannot create their own shot against the quick defenders at D1 (with the exception of D'Augustino, who is crafty inside).
3. Size advantage creates problems inside on defense.

Those are fair points. Howlett also got the job very late in the recruiting cycle, which limited his pool of available players. Still, I thought they would be better then 5-24 against Division I competition.

I have not seen them in person, but on TV, they are giving up a number of easy baskets against the press where the offense throws lobs over the top of the defense. I question whether they will get the level of player or athlete necessary to speed up the players in the Horizon League to make their pressure effective. From what I've seen in my limited viewing, the guards are bigger, more athletic, and make better decisions against the pressure than the typical Division II team.

[Columbuseer]

Take nothing away from Gannon/West Lib/Nova SE, but if you look how IU Indy has fared this year, you see why the style becomes precarious as you move up a level and teams all have 13-15 players on full scholarships. With Mercyhurst now out of the picture, that’s one less fully funded team in the PSAC West, and it will require savvier talent evaluation and coaching (Danny is the only one who has proven he can do it) to threaten Gannon.

Personally, I am withholding judgment on the style at Indy until Coach Howlett can actually recruit D1 level athletes.
At the beginning of the season he was starting 4 D2 players/recruits. Indy has historically been a doormat of the conference.
I watched Ohio State and Butler game in person and Wright State (#1 in Horizon league at the time) on TV.

Against OSU, Indy forced 20 turnovers and the OSU coach could not clear his bench, for he was only leading by 10 with a few minutes left.
D'Augustino is the leading scorer. The Wright State analyst (former coach) was very impressed by Indy offense. They got a lot of back-door cuts for layups. The game was much closer than the final score. The taller team just wore them down.

For Indy to win this season with D2 athletes, they have to have a great shooting night.
Here is what I observed about the disparity in a real game.
1. D1 level athletes close out much quicker on the three than d2 athletes to contest the shot, which lowers %.
2. D2 players cannot create their own shot against the quick defenders at D1 (with the exception of D'Augustino, who is crafty inside).
3. Size advantage creates problems inside on defense.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

All seating is General Admission tomorrow (a change from past conference tournaments).

Cashless.

Tip is 7 p.m.