Iup basketball

[boatcapt]

Re: Iup basketball

They are loaded -- until one guard goes down.

#groundhogs-day

Seems like there are a few teams that can say something very similar!!

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: Iup basketball

One other thing to keep in mind is Joe already stated they are going with the big lineup this year.

He announced the Starting Five to be:

Krivacevic
Cobo
Willem
Dante
Malik

6th & 7th: Humphries and Armoni

8th: Danscecs/Bearer


That starting lineup has (3) at 6'9 or taller who can all shoot outside. That's nuts at this level. When you look at it that way (and Joe typically only plays 7 guys -- 8 max) ... it's fine. Just cross your fingers for no injuries. Imagine trying to defend that lineup. Not easy. Krivacevic is a more aggressive version of Cobo from all reports.

My personal opinion is Morrow saw the writing on the wall and didn't want to come here and play 10 mpg.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: Iup basketball

They have two legit guards. Armoni Foster is the third but he's never played at the collegiate level. I watched him play at the HS level and he has a ton of skill but will it translate to the D2 game? That's yet to be seen.

I have some trusted friends close to the program and they are all very high on Armoni so I'm not overly worried about him. They feel he's the next IUP star and had a great spring/summer.

That said, the fourth guard is a scholarship player -- but is a true freshman. This isn't the type of year IUP needs to be dealing with the inevitable growing pains of playing freshmen.

I'm not totally convinced this is the roster we'll see on opening night, by the way.

A lot of important fans were very upset with how last season ended. I can't imagine the big guy wants to watch that movie again this year.

The redshirt thing ... I see the point of it, BUT, there's no guarantee the kids will even be back the following season. And, Joe will always have a full deck of money to play with ... can always find the next guy. I'm of the opinion to put all your cards on the table. Then, of course, you don't have to play a critical 6-game stretch with 6 players.

[IUPalum]

Re: Iup basketball

I thought Smokin' Joe had "LOADED" IUP for success this year? Now it seems not??

They have two legit guards. Armoni Foster is the third but he's never played at the collegiate level. I watched him play at the HS level and he has a ton of skill but will it translate to the D2 game? That's yet to be seen.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: Iup basketball

They are loaded -- until one guard goes down.

#groundhogs-day

[boatcapt]

Re: Iup basketball

Yeah ... not good. Dante is hurt in some capacity all season it seems. He plays through it but it is always something.

We know now Morrow had some legal issues last year, but ... didn't IUP know that when they signed him?

It's baffling.

Could always make Cobo the first 6'9" guard in PSAC history. I say that half jokingly. But, only half.

I thought Smokin' Joe had "LOADED" IUP for success this year? Now it seems not??

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: Iup basketball

Yeah ... not good. Dante is hurt in some capacity all season it seems. He plays through it but it is always something.

We know now Morrow had some legal issues last year, but ... didn't IUP know that when they signed him?

It's baffling.

Could always make Cobo the first 6'9" guard in PSAC history. I say that half jokingly. But, only half.

[IUPalum]

Re: Iup basketball

FESTIVUS is the Airing of Grievances

Several of you have made the same comments in private messages.

The first impression of this roster ... is, well, not what we expected.

After what we had to watch the last several years with absolutely zero depth (for a variety of reasons but nonetheless) ... the thought of one guard injury again causing mass chaos is alarming.

In theory this roster has 3 guards ready to play -- Miller, Dante and Foster. Foster, of course, has 0 minutes played at the collegiate level (although by all accounts he's the real deal). He's also, by the way, a point guard. So, are we to assume Dante is going to move to the the now-open (Morrow) shooting guard role and Foster will take over at the point? Makes sense, but I have a hard time seeing that happen.

Anthony White played in the PSAC tournament disaster last year but wasn't allowed to do anything. Bearer ... major question mark. That leaves Danscecs as the only other guard and he's a true freshman. On the surface, this position isn't good right now. What happens with the first rolled ankle? Back to playing walk-ons.

My other MAJOR beef is this Dom Keyes item. IUP loves to redshirt these transfers for some reason. Last year, when the team desperately needed bodies, and, in particular, bodies to play defense under the basket, ... Keyes sat at the end of the bench in a warm-up suit. There's no way they can say he wouldn't have helped them last season. Before Keyes it was Danielak who sat and watched despite the injuries rolling up. Now, he's gone. Turn to this year, ... and it's likely there will be another giant at the end of the bench in a warm-up suit (Ulrich). They won't likely need him this year. What they need is a scholarship guard on the active roster and not a scholarship post player in a warm-up suit.

Hey, if everything goes well and there are no injuries, suspensions, etc., ... this roster will be very good. The odds of that, however, just aren't very good. Dante has been injury-riddled for three years now.


Here's to hoping for a year of no technicals in Greensburg from 50' away and no injuries.

Happy Festivus, everybody.

AGREED!!!

Samoa Joe certainly can't think they can rely on three guards all year!!! Especially, since one has no collegiate experience! He can't hardly think Humphries can play a major guard role when he is probably better suited as a 3/4 player. ONE injury away from disaster AGAIN!!!

Is Joe going to red shirt another big recruit again??? Losing Keyes and getting nothing out of him last year is a disgrace! They needed that big defensive presence last year and now nothing. Id Ulrich next??? What a disappointment!

If this roster doesn't suffer injury then fine, it's extremely talented BUT one guard injury and disaster again!!!

[IUPalum]

Re: Iup basketball

The Dom Keyes thing ticks me off. He could've played last year and now where is he? Greg Bearer, what's the story with him coming and going all the time? They are seriously going to run with three guards again? Is Humphries seriously going to play a major guard role? Having three guards last year smoked that team. Big disappointment!!!

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: Iup basketball

FESTIVUS is the Airing of Grievances

Several of you have made the same comments in private messages.

The first impression of this roster ... is, well, not what we expected.

After what we had to watch the last several years with absolutely zero depth (for a variety of reasons but nonetheless) ... the thought of one guard injury again causing mass chaos is alarming.

In theory this roster has 3 guards ready to play -- Miller, Dante and Foster. Foster, of course, has 0 minutes played at the collegiate level (although by all accounts he's the real deal). He's also, by the way, a point guard. So, are we to assume Dante is going to move to the the now-open (Morrow) shooting guard role and Foster will take over at the point? Makes sense, but I have a hard time seeing that happen.

Anthony White played in the PSAC tournament disaster last year but wasn't allowed to do anything. Bearer ... major question mark. That leaves Danscecs as the only other guard and he's a true freshman. On the surface, this position isn't good right now. What happens with the first rolled ankle? Back to playing walk-ons.

My other MAJOR beef is this Dom Keyes item. IUP loves to redshirt these transfers for some reason. Last year, when the team desperately needed bodies, and, in particular, bodies to play defense under the basket, ... Keyes sat at the end of the bench in a warm-up suit. There's no way they can say he wouldn't have helped them last season. Before Keyes it was Danielak who sat and watched despite the injuries rolling up. Now, he's gone. Turn to this year, ... and it's likely there will be another giant at the end of the bench in a warm-up suit (Ulrich). They won't likely need him this year. What they need is a scholarship guard on the active roster and not a scholarship post player in a warm-up suit.

Hey, if everything goes well and there are no injuries, suspensions, etc., ... this roster will be very good. The odds of that, however, just aren't very good. Dante has been injury-riddled for three years now.


Here's to hoping for a year of no technicals in Greensburg from 50' away and no injuries.

Happy Festivus, everybody.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: Iup basketball


Bingo. We have a winner.

[IUPBBall]

[IUPalum]

Re: Iup basketball

This interesting

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: Iup basketball

Depth Chart:

Guards

Dante Lombardi (senior)
Malik Miller (junior)
Armoni Foster (R-F)
Anthony White (soph / walk-on)
Greg Bearer (senior)
Andras Danscecs (freshman)

Post

Charles Humphries (6'6", 185)
Willem Brandwijk (6'9", 225)
Cobo Diaz (6'9", 215)
Shawn Ulrich (6'10", 230)
Marko Krivacevic (6'10", 205)

Walk-on post players:
Dylan Benton (6'6", 170)
Alan Glover Jr. (6'4", 210)
Todd Fetsko (6'4", 205)

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: Iup basketball

Roster is posted.

The only unknown addition is it looks like Greg Bearer has rejoined the team.

Appears the 'big' rumor was just a rumor.

So, with Morrow not being replaced, the guard position isn't very deep. Malik Miller, Dante Lombardi and Armoni Foster will be the primary guards. Behind them is Anthony White (walk-on), Bearer and Andras Danscecs (freshman).

Bearer, if you recall, was a scholarship recruit about 3 years ago who left the team. He was injured during his freshman year. Joe spoke pretty highly of him back then but he hasn't played in two years. He's a good athlete and has nice size (his height shrunk since his freshman year ... lol).

Here's the bad news:

Dom Keyes is not on the roster.

Does Joe play Ulrich now and go 5 deep down low or stick with the redshirt plan? The post is completely loaded. Not replacing Morrow is a bit of a concern. Seems to me Keyes was lost in attrition.

Also of note: As expected, Jalen Vaughns is not on the roster.






Keep in mind these rosters get changed all the time. I wouldn't be shocked to see a mid-season add at the guard position. The rumor was a little too hot. By my count, there are 9 scholarships being used (and Dante doesn't really count as he's going for free). So, there is some coin available.