Iup basketball

[IUPbigINDIANS]

The real question though, is how many of these guys does Joe actually run? The talent and depth is great, but not if you only play 7.

He may go Norman Dale and play four.

Joking aside I think he rolls with 8 this year. All three freshmen redshirt. Four guards and four bigs. Anthony White is the 9th man (if he doesn't redshirt) and gets some minutes here and there. He can play.

Luckily he would have depth in an emergency unlike other years.

[IUP24]

Ousmane Diop (Niagara transfer) is a freaking giant. The photos we saw of him from two years ago tell no part of the story. Dude looks like he's lived in the weight room the past 24 months.

I'd guess he's about 6'10" to 6'11" and about 240-250 lbs.


He'll look real good in the team photo. That said, hopefully he looks real good on the court. From what I'm told, he's not going to be here to score many points -- at least not early on. He has an incredible wing span and is said to be extremely aggressive/physical on the glass. He's also very athletic for his size (former soccer player).

On another positive note, the whole listed roster reported and is enrolled. No late surprises.

The real question though, is how many of these guys does Joe actually run? The talent and depth is great, but not if you only play 7.

[IUPalum]

Taco Tuesday


Awesome

What?

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Taco Tuesday


Awesome

[IUPalum]

It's going to be interesting with what Joe does. Players need to stay out of the doghouse too. I'm excited for IUP basketball...

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Didn't think there would be any late surprises. The fact that Diop has put on muscle is great. We already knew he was long but strength wise is what I was worried about. He'll be a rim protector that's for sure.

We haven't had a true rim protector for several years now. It will be a nice addition.

The guards have been justifiably getting all the buzz but that 'big man' crew is pretty solid.

Chucky should explode this season -- ultra athletic and can be a shutdown defender.

Ulrich is a big body under there at 6'8" and 235 lbs. As per Joe formula he redshirted a year ago but word is he tore up practices.

Tommy Demogerontas should fill that small forward role well at 6'8" and 215 lbs. He has a nice outside shot and is also pretty smooth around the basket. Plays with a chip on his shoulder.

Diop is a giant. I'd imagine Joe works him in a little slow.

Porterfield is already big at 6'8" and a 'listed' 220 lbs. We all saw what ESU's star freshmen big did a year ago. However, I'd be shocked if he doesn't redshirt.


Ulrich, Diop and Demogerontas have already taken redshirt seasons. I can't see Joe playing (5) bigs.

[IUPalum]

Didn't think there would be any late surprises. The fact that Diop has put on muscle is great. We already knew he was long but strength wise is what I was worried about. He'll be a rim protector that's for sure.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Ousmane Diop (Niagara transfer) is a freaking giant. The photos we saw of him from two years ago tell no part of the story. Dude looks like he's lived in the weight room the past 24 months.

I'd guess he's about 6'10" to 6'11" and about 240-250 lbs.


He'll look real good in the team photo. That said, hopefully he looks real good on the court. From what I'm told, he's not going to be here to score many points -- at least not early on. He has an incredible wing span and is said to be extremely aggressive/physical on the glass. He's also very athletic for his size (former soccer player).

On another positive note, the whole listed roster reported and is enrolled. No late surprises.

[Fightingscot82]

Re: Iup basketball

What's the buzz around the Boro team this winter?

Last I spoke with Cleary they were out there finding the next Liggins and avoid relegation to Tier 2 status in McComb. (my words haha)

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: Iup basketball

Yes. OVG (Oak View Group) runs the operations like booking events, event setup, and marketing. IUP gets a cut. This is the same company that runs the UPMC Events Center at RMU.

What's the buzz around the Boro team this winter?

[Fightingscot82]

Re: Iup basketball

Not positive here but I beleive the KCAC is run by its own party ... meaning it has its own staff, GM, sales, etc. I don't think they are actually IUP employees per se.

I know the scorekeepers, etc., are on IUP's payroll.

Yes. OVG (Oak View Group) runs the operations like booking events, event setup, and marketing. IUP gets a cut. This is the same company that runs the UPMC Events Center at RMU.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: Iup basketball

Yes but it is a fairly common opinion that its revenue lost. Plus a downside is that the athletics staff doing the bulk of game day work are no at-will employees and their compensation is not tied to metrics. There is no direct incentive for them to increase attendance. That's not a criticism of the individuals - I imagine they want better attendance and atmosphere too. I think you need a little bit of both to keep everyone happy: figure out how to get more butts in the seats without sacrificing too much in revenue.

Not positive here but I beleive the KCAC is run by its own party ... meaning it has its own staff, GM, sales, etc. I don't think they are actually IUP employees per se.

I know the scorekeepers, etc., are on IUP's payroll.

[Fightingscot82]

Re: Iup basketball

Yes but it is a fairly common opinion that its revenue lost. Plus a downside is that the athletics staff doing the bulk of game day work are no at-will employees and their compensation is not tied to metrics. There is no direct incentive for them to increase attendance. That's not a criticism of the individuals - I imagine they want better attendance and atmosphere too. I think you need a little bit of both to keep everyone happy: figure out how to get more butts in the seats without sacrificing too much in revenue.

[IUPNation]

This is true.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: Iup basketball

I actually don't think concessions income goes to the athletic department. I think they are ran by the dining services and they rake the case. I think the gate goes to athletics.

That (ticket prices) is a legit issue at the KCAC. I personally know many people in Indiana who don't go to the games because of it. I'm talking mainly about the marginal-type fans. You take the family of four or five to a game ... you're at $60-$70 before you get to your seat. Add in the concessions, etc., ... easily a $100 night. Many of the local-yocals don't see the value in it. The season ticket package is clearly the way to go ... if you can get people interested enough to buy it.

When you look around Indiana in November to March ... they don't have a whole lot of competition as far as entertainment. They should be doing better at the box office. The lower seats ... sure, charge more. They already sell priced as is. The sections behind the baskets and in the corners ... make them $5/per.

It's a dead-end conversation. The problem is real although nobody wants to address it. If you lower the prices for say 30 percent of the arena and you still don't draw better ... then at least you know and that's a whole different issue.

IUP football is a different animal. They both battle the 'D2' stigma -- and football, despite its long-term success, still has the vibe of just being D2 football. Football insists on those early kickoffs which blocks out the soccer families, etc., in the Fall. Basketball is different. That's a D1 arena but they don't sell it. Joe only plays night games (by choice). The KCAC has the technology to do so much more during games aside from Kiss Cams and the Hairy Man. Player intro's could be a big show with lights, better music, replay, etc. They aren't that far off ... just need a bigger push and a few tweaks.

That building can be really intimidating for visitors -- especially when it's juiced up. It only happened once last year and it was the SRU game -- oddly on a Wednesday night. SRU was mentally out of it before the game tipped off.

I frequently take guests to the game ... many for their first time. The reaction is always the same ... they all leave impressed with the whole event -- the quality of play is way higher than they were expecting, the venue blows them away and it's a fun night to grab a beer, etc. It's a great night ... just have to find ways for more people to experience it.