Re: Iup basketball
That is some nice work there, IUPBigIndians. The depth issues the past couple of seasons have been completely unacceptable for the calibre of program that Bravado has built in his time at IUP. Using a six or seven man rotation simply does not work. I actually hope that none of these guys get redshirted. Time to turn the entire stable loose.
One thing that has drawn a fair amount of speculation is if this is Bravado's last stand at IUP. Some seem to think that he is gearing up for one final NCAA run and then will leave with Dante. I have no idea on any of that, but it certainly is a subject that has raised some conjecture.
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Re: Iup basketball
The consensus around town seems to be the short rotation of the past just isn't working anymore. They've run in to major depth issues three straight seasons -- and missed two NCAAs because of it. Think about the past three seasons ... two of them had walk-ons playing major minutes in the final games of the season. Stuff happens but it should have never got to that point.
One big question will be if Joe is actually going to let all these imports play and not redshirt any of them. None of the four new guys have ever taken a redshirt year.
The post is getting a lot of the buzz. I don't care so much about the heights but rather what each brings to the table. Last year, hate to say it, they were kind of soft in the low post defensively. Willem came on as the year went a long.
What they add this year to go along with Cobo and Willem:
* Shawn Ulrich is 6'10" but doesn't play like it. Nasty rebounder and shot blocker. Ultra athletic. Shoots the trey. Very quick for his size. Plays very aggressive.
* Dom Keyes comes off redshirt after playing his freshman year at UPJ and then one season at Harford CC. Big-time rim protector at 6'8" and strong defender. His role won't be to score much.
* Marko Krivacevic, the 6'9" Duquesne transfer, was the exact piece this team needed. By all reports he's a bit of a hot head ... very intense and gets after you. Big rebounder and also shoots deep well.
* Jalen Vaughns is said to be the best athlete on the team -- and would put up 30 a game on the playground. His freshman year was, well, a freshman year. Nice thing with freshmen is they turn in to sophomores. He showed flashes of offense last season but seemed overwhelmed in the system. Recall he was added in (very) late August last summer. Late start. Lot of upside down the road.
Guards (new additions):
* Armoni Foster comes off redshirt (if it ever comes in to play, it will be a 'medical' redshirt as he was injured in camp last season). Big PG at 6'3" or so. He's a scorer by all accounts.
* Blake Morrow (6'4" SG) was the sixth man at Eckerd -- a very solid member of the SSC. Two years at IUP. Probably the first pure 'shooting guard' here in several years.
* Charles Humphries is probably the most intriguing member of the class. A former superstar at Aliquippa (and West Liberty recruit), he played two years of JUCO. He's not the 175 pounds he was two years ago. He's really developed and is probably in the 210-215 range to go with his 6'6" height. Big-time athlete. Instant (huge) upgrade on defense from the guard position. Likely to play a hybrid role at IUP and will be the point on the press.
How you blend all this talent together with returning players Cobo Diaz (likely preseason All-Everything), Dante Lombardi, Malik Miller and Willem, ... that's why Joe makes the big bucks. I think we all knew Joe wasn't taking any high school players in the this class. He's pretty set up for the next two years -- this upcoming season in particular.
The non-West schedule, what's known of it so far, is pretty challenging. Bowie, (at) Fairmont, and the Big 4 of the East. The opponents for IUP's two weekend tournaments haven't been announced yet. It will be interesting to see if Virginia State returns. Urbana has come for the past 5-6 years. U of Sciences usually does, too.
The roster is at 11 players right now (not counting a couple walk-ons).Leave a comment:
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Re: Iup basketball
Cobo and Dante never leave the floor, either.Leave a comment:
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Re: Iup basketball
Yeah, that is some really impressive size I freely admit. But doesn't it seem like year after year we get excited over some tall dudes and then they would be nothing more than chum in the water for the Mighty Webb who stood "only" 6-5 or 6-6. Let's see some of these guys prove something on the court. You gotta do a lot to be listed in the same category as legendary bigs like Webb or Mims.Originally posted by IUPbigINDIANS View Post
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Re: Iup basketball
As per the norm everything is locked up in Fort Knox down around the KCAC. Yesterday's signing was a bit odd but that kids tape is scary good.
This will definitely be Joe's biggest team ever size-wise.
The roster as of today (so we think) has 11 scholarship players (10 on the books as Dante gets free admission).
As expected all incoming players are ready-to-play transfers. Joe wants to send Dante out in style.
I also think after two years in a row with depth issues they decided to open the checkbook.
The guard spot is still the somewhat question but Morrow and Foster are huge additions. Humphries role, I'm guessing, will be a hybrid but mainly guard. The post is insane. Athletes, shooters, blockers, .... all bases covered. The post rotation is a legit six deep.
The question may be keeping all these guys happy. There's only 200 man minutes per game.Leave a comment:
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Re: Iup basketball
IUP is again hosting two November weekends.
Tip-off tournament Nov. 9 & 10
IUP Tournament Nov. 23 & 24
As usual, UPJ playing in both. Opponents TBA.Leave a comment:
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Re: Iup basketball
IUP at Fairmont State
Dec. 14
Should be a showdown of two of the top teams in Atlantic ... and country.
Brutal 3-game stretch .... Ship, @FSU, WCULeave a comment:
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Re: Iup basketball
2018-19 Roster
Guards
Dante Lombardi
Malik Miller
Blake Morrow
Charles Humphries
Armani Foster
Post
Cobo Diaz (6'9")
Dom Keyes (6'8")
Willem Brandwijk (6'10")
Marko Krivacevic (6'9")
Jalen Vaughns (6'6")
Shawn Ulrich (6'10")
That's Joe's "all-in" roster.Leave a comment:
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Re: Iup basketball
IUP has signed 6'10" center Shawn Ulrich from Passaic County Community College. Two years eligibility.
He had 15 boards per game last season and 139 blocks while averaging 17 ppg.
He also shoots the trey. Built like a clone of Sleva. Hope he plays like him.Last edited by IUPbigINDIANS; 06-08-2018, 08:58 AM.Leave a comment:
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Re: Iup basketball
Bowie State visits the KCAC on (Wed) Nov. 14Leave a comment:
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