Iup basketball

[Chuck Norris]

Seton Hill play by play by play guy either got bad info or wrote something down wrong. Keeps referring to Sarp as Romero-Sanz. I certainly did a double take when I first turned the game on and heard it.

Edit: Romero-Sanz is listed as #20 in the roster. Did I miss Sarp changing numbers or did this just happen tonight?

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Starting with Wednesday's trip to Greensburg, IUP is going to play four tough games in eight days. This greuling stretch will be a major test for IUP's lack of depth.

(at) Seton Hill (WED)

Slippery Rock (SAT)

California (MON)

(at) Clarion (WED)


Seton Hill is a solid 10-6. IUP's had some real 'interesting' games inside the McKenna Center over the years. For whatever reason, this is the only game of the year there that gets packed. It's a very, very tight space and can be challenging if you let the crowd get in to the game. Of late, the Griffins played very well in losses to both Millersville and California, while picking up wins against Slippery Rock and Clarion. This past weekend, Seton Hill lost to Mercyhurst, 68-66. This is going to be a tough enviornment against a team that always feeds off of it in this series. Ask Joe Lombardi what his least favorite road trip is and the McKenna Center is the answer. Luckily, IUP typically brings a large crowd.

Slippery Rock is a tricky team. They can look great (OT loss to Gannon) and then not so great (sliding by UPJ by three). The Rock is 7-9 overall and 5-5 in PSAC play. They are certainly trending up after a very tough start. Saturday is one of SRU's best chances to end the notorious streak in Indiana (dating back to 1991). This is always the largest crowd of the year at the KCAC and set the new attendance record last season. The records are irrelevent in this game.

California has been waiting for this game since Danny was hired. He's winless against IUP, but he'll certainly be a road favorite next Monday. Star Keith Palek has also recently returned after missing 8 weeks with a broken foot. He's being worked in slowly. Adding back a 6'8" all-conference sharp-shooter to an already potent lineup likely spells doom for the league. IUP has won an astounding 20+ straight in the series, but that streak will be in serious danger.

Clarion - The record is deceiving. The Golden Eagles are a good, big team and play everybody pretty tough. Clarion has come close to beating many good teams. Typical for a team of largely sophomores, they just aren't finishing. This same roster had IUP dead in the water inside Tippin last February before IUP pulled off a minor miracle in the final 5 minutes. IUP was down 20+ in the second half and found a way to win. That IUP team was much different than this IUP team, so this will be a tough game - especially coming off SRU/Cal.


Thoughts: One would have to think IUP has a shot of going 3-1. That said, it really wouldn't be shocking to see 2-2. Hopefully it's not worse than 2-2. This is the pivotol four-game stretch of the season. As of now, they are (amazingly) at least still in the NCAA conversation -- albeit faintly.

[TheMadLibs]

These incredibly slow starts are a pretty strange, continuous occurrence for this team.

There have been several games this year IUP will have two points at the 15 minute mark of the first half.

They recover (usually) but it's odd. I forget the game but earlier this year the score was like 3-2 at the 13 minute mark.


I do think IUP played an incredible defensive game yesterday minus the opening two minutes. Edinboro got some junk at the end to make it appear a little closer but they really clamped down on them. Total opposite of what we saw in Johnstown. That Edinboro team had been really scoring the ball well lately.

A huge play was IUP somehow scoring with 1.6 seconds on the clock to end the half. That was some Christian Laetner stuff. Massive momentum swing.

Whats crazier is almost the exact same play happened at the end of the half during Clarion Gannon for Clarion 😂. I switched to IUP and seconds later saw a full court pass and just laughed.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Relatively easy win for IUP. Other than being slow out of the gate and falling down 7-0, they were in control once they grabbed the lead. What a strange season in the PSAC.

These incredibly slow starts are a pretty strange, continuous occurrence for this team.

There have been several games this year IUP will have two points at the 15 minute mark of the first half.

They recover (usually) but it's odd. I forget the game but earlier this year the score was like 3-2 at the 13 minute mark.


I do think IUP played an incredible defensive game yesterday minus the opening two minutes. Edinboro got some junk at the end to make it appear a little closer but they really clamped down on them. Total opposite of what we saw in Johnstown. That Edinboro team had been really scoring the ball well lately.

A huge play was IUP somehow scoring with 1.6 seconds on the clock to end the half. That was some Christian Laetner stuff. Massive momentum swing.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Something of note entering Wednesday is SH's promising sophomore forward (Gabe Gillespie) hasn't played since Dec. 30. Not sure what the deal is there.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I do think it's time to take the diapers off Jaylen Stewart. He could easily be a 15+ PPG scorer. Let that boy eat. This season is what it is. Let Stewart and Garvin go nuts, Ethan clean up and Bryce get the rest. Joe's coaching in a fog. Petteno also needs to play more. Give him a chance.

The fun in the sun ended tonight. Big week looming. The trip to Greensburg won't be easy. Second Chance U comes here next weekend.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

He must really not like Brooks. For his sake, I hope he hits the portal to find a place that will give him an opportunity.

Damir could have dominated that game today. They paid so much attention to Ethan that he could have went nuts.

Amazingly, Joe could still have a pretty good team.

[IUP1423]

He must really not like Brooks. For his sake, I hope he hits the portal to find a place that will give him an opportunity.

[EyeoftheHawk]

Brooks, Prtteno and Waldo should go on strike. Joe is embarrassing himself with this nepotism.

If he doesn't care about anything other than keeping friends happy it's time to retire.

What about Lambert too? That kid looks great out there every time he’s on the floor. We could go on and on I suppose.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I'm sick and tired of watching 5 on 4 basketball. GET KJ OFF THE FLOOR!!!!!!!!!

Brooks, Prtteno and Waldo should go on strike. Joe is embarrassing himself with this nepotism.

If he doesn't care about anything other than keeping friends happy it's time to retire.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I'm sick and tired of watching 5 on 4 basketball. GET KJ OFF THE FLOOR!!!!!!!!!

Petteno and Brooks play they win by 40

[EyeoftheHawk]

Relatively easy win for IUP. Other than being slow out of the gate and falling down 7-0, they were in control once they grabbed the lead. What a strange season in the PSAC.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Garvin 30

[IUPalum]

I'm sick and tired of watching 5 on 4 basketball. GET KJ OFF THE FLOOR!!!!!!!!!

[EyeoftheHawk]

Beauty of the point spread. You don't have to agree. You just need to be on the right side of it when the dollars fly. Lol

My actual reasoning:

1) Petteno may miss again today. Joe beat the only team he could playing 5 on 4 -- and barely. While not a great offensive player, Petteno gives them a strong defender and a physical presence. He agitates other players.

2) Edinboro has strong bigs. Also, 7-footers (including this one) have given EP fits in the past. Edinboro has a huge edge at the SF position (no matter who Joe plays but especially against KJ).

3. Edinboro is deeper. Never thought I'd say that. Joe has been refusing to play Brooks and Lambert. That has left his bench incredibly short (and not that good). It didn't matter against UPJ because they are the same way and that was basically 6 on 6.

4. IUP has looked VERY unprepared in its past several games. They are facing a younger, hungry coach - and a team suddenly playing with confidence.

5. I don't judge Edinboro's overall record. They were a brand new team in November under a new coach and system. That takes time. They are drastically better since around mid-December. They also gave ESU and Gannon pretty good games. Admittedly, Garvin didn't play against ESU and it was Bryce's first game.


As always, I hope I'm wrong. I do agree IUP is due for a much better performance. Gambling is trends. I just think Edinboro is trending a little better at the moment. It's a tight spread regardless which team gets the 2.5. One possession game in my opinion.

And, just maybe IUP won't like being a home dog. They all read this crap lol.

I didn’t know Petteno would be out again. That’s one less body for an already depleted group.

Those are a lot of good reasons to pick against IUP. I’m being a little less scientific and going with, “They’re due to play well.” There should be some students in the building today as well so the atmosphere should be a little better. The yokels should show up too. What in the hell else are you going to do on a 17 degree day in January?