Iup basketball

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: Iup basketball

I hope this Hankins move (grad transfer) doesn't snowball in D2.

Certainly a Cobo type would be prime for such a move.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: Iup basketball

Ferris State star center Zach Hankins is transferring to Xavier per VC.

[IUPalum]

Re: Iup basketball

Bring back the aggressiveness of Eric Castorino!

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: Iup basketball

I see him logging heavy minutes but he won't start this year. My assumption is he will play behind Cobo at small forward -- likely in a '6th man' type role.

He's athletic enough that I think he brings a lot of diversity to the lineup. Joe may be able to get creative with how he uses him. Humphries is a bigger Tevin Hanner (with more offensive ability). He's a very strong defensive player -- something IUP has been lacking a bit lately and should especially help as the trap/point man on Joe's press.

I see him as a much-needed piece to the puzzle. The team needed to get faster and stronger defensively. He's also bulked up since high school -- I'd peg him around 210 to 215 pounds now and he's listed at 6'6".

One box checked. Now time for the 2-3 guards.

Randy Bell. Randy Bell. Randy Bell.

Amir Hinton. Amir Hinton. Amir Hinton.

Wishful thinking ...

[boatcapt]

Re: Iup basketball

It's official ...

Message Board Icon Charles Humphries has committed to IUP.


He's a real nice land for Bravado Joe. He will have two years eligibility.

Thought he was a "can't miss" "sure thing" D1 player? Wonder how he will react if he is not immediately installed in the starting line-up?

Seriously though, he is at the level he should have been all along. Nothing like wasting half your college basketball career chasing the D1 dreams of your handlers!

He has skills and could be a good DII player, provided he can fit in and doesn't think DII is beneath him.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: Iup basketball

It's official ...

Message Board Icon Charles Humphries has committed to IUP.


He's a real nice land for Bravado Joe. He will have two years eligibility.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: Iup basketball

Keyes can play. They haven't had a rim-protector like him in a long time. He's the 'gritty' big they've been missing.

He can't shoot from the outside like Blake could (nor will he be asked to) but defensively there's no comparison. Huge upgrade. He also immediately adds what I'll call some of the 'toughness' that's been lacking.

All of that said, I look for Willem to just go nuts next year. Those last 7-8 games he really came out of his shell. Obviously, Cobo is going to log heavy minutes. I'd see Willem and Keyes rotating and Cobo and Humphries (providing they sign him) rotating. You also have Vaughns in the mix down there. That's some big, athletic boys down there.

[IUPalum]

Re: Iup basketball

My opinion: a ready-to-play (junior or senior) transfer PG is an absolute requirement to this class.

This is certainly the 'elephant in the room' topic surrounding the program. Personally, I feel they'd get way more bang for the buck moving Dante to shooting guard. You can't ignore the fact he's become very injury-prone the past two years. This move would take a lot of the wear-n-tear off him, also.

That's where I was going with this. They need a ready to go point guard! Dante to the shooting guard and backs up at the point. I think Dante will shoot better at the shooting guard spot. Less wear and tear on his legs. We'll soon see.

I'm eager to see Dom Keyes and how good he really is. Is he legit?

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: Iup basketball

My opinion: a ready-to-play (junior or senior) transfer PG is an absolute requirement to this class.

This is certainly the 'elephant in the room' topic surrounding the program. Personally, I feel they'd get way more bang for the buck moving Dante to shooting guard. You can't ignore the fact he's become very injury-prone the past two years. This move would take a lot of the wear-n-tear off him, also.

[IUPalum]

Re: Iup basketball

To my knowledge, Armoni was recruited as a PG.

yeah, about that... He played PG in HS but him playing PG in HS was more of a one on one offense (street ball). He's never really played the point in a legit offense. I'd be curious to see what Joe does with this point situation.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: Iup basketball

To my knowledge, Armoni was recruited as a PG.

[IUPalum]

Re: Iup basketball

So... looking at this "possible" roster, who plays the PG besides Dante?

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: Iup basketball

The first player I thought of (from past IUP teams) was Geoff Evans. Similar size, etc.

That tape was kind of strange. But, he'd be a 'four year' guy if he signs. I've always liked those big (height) shooting guards.

Further strange is the connection to IMG Academy and recruiting a Florida kid. There haven't been many from down there and certainly none from prestigious IMG. My hunch would be (assistant coach) Allen Payne is very well connected down there being he was a big star at Auburn.

I'm also no longer so sure Jalen Vaughns is leaving. Their season has been over now for several weeks. Generally the guys leaving want to get that announced immediately to re-open their recruitment. I'd like to see him stay. This was a strange year for him but there's plenty of upside there. A ton, actually. He's got the same build/size as Daddy Ugbede and showed some fantastic offensive ability. Like Daddy, however, his defense needs some work.

If that's the case, that's four spots open.

Full rides returning:
Cobo, Willem, Malik, Keyes (off RS), Armoni (off RS), Dante (not a 'full ride' hit), Vaughns

That leaves (4) scholarships available.

Known offers:

Charles Humphries (SF)
Kyle Feit (SG)

Assuming they land those two (just assuming), I still think they have to go with two guards for the final two spots. Worry about new big guys next off-season.

Just get Randy Bell and Amir Hinton all would be very well in the universe. Wow. Could you imagine that roster?

[IUPalum]

Re: Iup basketball

I just watched video on Kyle Feit. He looks like a solid player but all the video I watched, I just don't see explosion to the hoop with him. I'm hoping maybe it's just the video from IMG. The video looked like all the players were in slow motion and none wanted any part of defense.

[IUPalum]

Re: Iup basketball

I don't think cream puffs are the way to go but middle of the road teams would be good.