Iup basketball

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Nice to get a fourth straight win yesterday and get the record up to 5-3. IUP will be favored in both home games next week (Mansfield and Bloomsburg). This team is much better than it was a month ago.

That's the good news.

The not-so-good news:

* As usual, the rotation is shrinking big time. Bench production was non-existent yesterday (3 points)

* As a result, three players played a ton yesterday: Ethan (37 minutes), Dallis and Garvin (38 each). The fourth, Jaylen Stewart, played 32 minutes. Brooks logged 27 minutes.

* Petteno's role keeps decreasing. He played just 16 minutes yesterday. Granted, the match-up yesterday wasn't ideal for him against the size of Point Park (now that's he's a small forward).

* Lambert (9 mins) and Furton (3) minutes ... KJ never got off the bench. Waldo again didn't play.


Moral of the story, I think this will start to be the norm


On the season:

Ethan: 35.6 mpg
Dallis: 36.8 mpg
Garvin: 35.8 mpg

The first few games threw the other averages out of whack (when KJ and Waldo were playing a good bit and Brooks was out). Ethan, at nearly 36 mpg, is alarming given his health history. That's also a ton of wear and tear on Dallis and Garvin. Joe still has the two 'scholarship' players in tracksuits, but there's been no indication that will change. It sure seems we're fast approaching Joe's normal 6.5-man rotation. It's not sustainable. These long gaps between games help, but that only lasts so long. This will be an issue come the grind of January and February. Last year's team (similar rotation) was physically toast by February.

Waldo, my opinion, is the biggest mystery/problem. He was one of Joe's most-hyped recruits in years. He took a redshirt last year to develop further. He was absolutely in the plans for this year (started the first two games) ... and, he's completely vanished. His trip to Joe Island up in Siberia is causing all sorts of rotation/depth problems.

[Chuck Norris]

Nice to get a fourth straight win yesterday and get the record up to 5-3. IUP will be favored in both home games next week (Mansfield and Bloomsburg). This team is much better than it was a month ago.

That's the good news.

The not-so-good news:

* As usual, the rotation is shrinking big time. Bench production was non-existent yesterday (3 points)

* As a result, three players played a ton yesterday: Ethan (37 minutes), Dallis and Garvin (38 each). The fourth, Jaylen Stewart, played 32 minutes. Brooks logged 27 minutes.

* Petteno's role keeps decreasing. He played just 16 minutes yesterday. Granted, the match-up yesterday wasn't ideal for him against the size of Point Park (now that's he's a small forward).

* Lambert (9 mins) and Furton (3) minutes ... KJ never got off the bench. Waldo again didn't play.


Moral of the story, I think this will start to be the norm


On the season:

Ethan: 35.6 mpg
Dallis: 36.8 mpg
Garvin: 35.8 mpg

The first few games threw the other averages out of whack (when KJ and Waldo were playing a good bit and Brooks was out). Ethan, at nearly 36 mpg, is alarming given his health history. That's also a ton of wear and tear on Dallis and Garvin. Joe still has the two 'scholarship' players in tracksuits, but there's been no indication that will change. It sure seems we're fast approaching Joe's normal 6.5-man rotation. It's not sustainable. These long gaps between games help, but that only lasts so long. This will be an issue come the grind of January and February. Last year's team (similar rotation) was physically toast by February.

Waldo, my opinion, is the biggest mystery/problem. He was one of Joe's most-hyped recruits in years. He took a redshirt last year to develop further. He was absolutely in the plans for this year (started the first two games) ... and, he's completely vanished. His trip to Joe Island up in Siberia is causing all sorts of rotation/depth problems.

This team is going as far as Ethan, Garvin and Dallis can carry them from a scoring standpoint. I thought/hoped that it would be a big four, and while I think Jaylen will have his nights occasionally, he hasn’t shown the consistency I was expecting. Damir’s presence makes the team much better, but an occasional 10 or 12 point night with a few putbacks is his offensive ceiling right now.

The bench is what it is. 10 points combined from those guys will be considered an explosion. Lambert and Sarp have both flashed potential but I can’t understand having them both in the rotation and leaving all the size on the bench. I’m honestly not sure Petteno is any better than KJ in the “big” off the bench role. Either guy in that role is utterly ridiculous.

Then again, Joe might not be done tweaking. We may not have heard the last of KJ and McNamara. I think Waldo is done, though.

It’s a strange year and a strange team.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

This team is going as far as Ethan, Garvin and Dallis can carry them from a scoring standpoint. I thought/hoped that it would be a big four, and while I think Jaylen will have his nights occasionally, he hasn’t shown the consistency I was expecting. Damir’s presence makes the team much better, but an occasional 10 or 12 point night with a few putbacks is his offensive ceiling right now.

The bench is what it is. 10 points combined from those guys will be considered an explosion. Lambert and Sarp have both flashed potential but I can’t understand having them both in the rotation and leaving all the size on the bench. I’m honestly not sure Petteno is any better than KJ in the “big” off the bench role. Either guy in that role is utterly ridiculous.

Then again, Joe might not be done tweaking. We may not have heard the last of KJ and McNamara. I think Waldo is done, though.

It’s a strange year and a strange team.

Agreed. I think once the initial "WTF is this" wore off, it's actually been entertaining (using that word loosely).

They've changed a lot since early November. Clarke is realizing he can be a dynamic scorer. He's about un-guardable driving the hoop. He's scoring or getting fouled. The first several games we didn't see that from him.

You're correct. It's night and day with Brooks in versus Brooks out. Petteno and KJ have absolutely no business playing inside.

Remember he didn't activate Stewart last year until the 10th game. I still think Romero-Sanz may get activated.

If he wants to actually make a push this year, I don't think he has a choice. I think he was buying him another month of practice and development.

[IUPalum]

1) I think today's rotation is probably the rotation the rest of the way barring injury.
2) Anyone that thinks Brooks should score more doesn't understand his role. His role is the crash the boards, defend hard and get put backs. The offense will never run through him.
3) Stewart will always be inconsistent. He is what he is, Hot/cold.
4) IUP has to figure out how to stop these long cold streaks. My god, the first 10 minutes they couldn't buy a bucket and that's been the norm this year.
5) Ethan's jumper looks very inconsistent off his hand. They need to work on that with him.
6) Dallis is that guard that can score from everywhere just like Armoni and past lead guards.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

1) I think today's rotation is probably the rotation the rest of the way barring injury.
2) Anyone that thinks Brooks should score more doesn't understand his role. His role is the crash the boards, defend hard and get put backs. The offense will never run through him.
3) Stewart will always be inconsistent. He is what he is, Hot/cold.
4) IUP has to figure out how to stop these long cold streaks. My god, the first 10 minutes they couldn't buy a bucket and that's been the norm this year.
5) Ethan's jumper looks very inconsistent off his hand. They need to work on that with him.
6) Dallis is that guard that can score from everywhere just like Armoni and past lead guards.

Stewart was a little gun-shy yesterday. Perhaps that was by design. God forbid more than three people be allowed to shoot in Joe's offense lol. He passed up quite a few nice looks.

[IUPalum]

Stewart was a little gun-shy yesterday. Perhaps that was by design. God forbid more than three people be allowed to shoot in Joe's offense lol. He passed up quite a few nice looks.

I didn't notice that from the tv side but maybe? IDK

[IUPalum]

Garvin Clarke the swaggiest guard IUPer since Devante Chance? I like it.

I think you're forgetting Armoni Foster.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

This team is going as far as Ethan, Garvin and Dallis can carry them from a scoring standpoint. I thought/hoped that it would be a big four, and while I think Jaylen will have his nights occasionally, he hasn’t shown the consistency I was expecting. Damir’s presence makes the team much better, but an occasional 10 or 12 point night with a few putbacks is his offensive ceiling right now.

The bench is what it is. 10 points combined from those guys will be considered an explosion. Lambert and Sarp have both flashed potential but I can’t understand having them both in the rotation and leaving all the size on the bench. I’m honestly not sure Petteno is any better than KJ in the “big” off the bench role. Either guy in that role is utterly ridiculous.

Then again, Joe might not be done tweaking. We may not have heard the last of KJ and McNamara. I think Waldo is done, though.

It’s a strange year and a strange team.

Regarding your comment about Waldo possibly being done for this season (a healthy scratch per se) ...

Think back to Game 1. The first play of the season they ran it to him for a (missed) corner trey. Later that game, it was Waldo who took the potential game-winning trey with seconds left (missed).

It is quite odd for one to go from getting the final shot on opening night to being totally removed from the rotation by Game 5.

Who knows what is happening behind the scenes but he's not going to get any better not playing in any games. I'd like to see him getting something.

[IUPalum]

Regarding your comment about Waldo possibly being done for this season (a healthy scratch per se) ...

Think back to Game 1. The first play of the season they ran it to him for a (missed) corner trey. Later that game, it was Waldo who took the potential game-winning trey with seconds left (missed).

It is quite odd for one to go from getting the final shot on opening night to being totally removed from the rotation by Game 5.

Who knows what is happening behind the scenes but he's not going to get any better not playing in any games. I'd like to see him getting something.

Prime case of you can't get battle tested if you're not in the battle.

[bballfan03]

1) I think today's rotation is probably the rotation the rest of the way barring injury.
2) Anyone that thinks Brooks should score more doesn't understand his role. His role is the crash the boards, defend hard and get put backs. The offense will never run through him.
3) Stewart will always be inconsistent. He is what he is, Hot/cold.
4) IUP has to figure out how to stop these long cold streaks. My god, the first 10 minutes they couldn't buy a bucket and that's been the norm this year.
5) Ethan's jumper looks very inconsistent off his hand. They need to work on that with him.
6) Dallis is that guard that can score from everywhere just like Armoni and past lead guards.

Ethan first few 3s looked like he had never shot a 3 before in his life... then his stroke got a little crisper ans started draining them

[EyeoftheHawk]

Ethan first few 3s looked like he had never shot a 3 before in his life... then his stroke got a little crisper ans started draining them

Something I’ve noticed about this team, even over the last few years, is when they miss they often miss badly. Ethan can make three in a row but then suddenly throw up a brick that defies comprehension. Dave Morris was good for that as well and to a lesser extent Armoni and Shawndale. Dallis, Ethan, and Stewart all had shots like that on Sunday. It’s a head scratcher.

Waldo may be one of those kids that looks great in practice with the guys he sees everyday, but he sure had that deer in the headlights look when he was on the floor. Until things start to slow down for him, it’s going to be tough sledding. If he doesn’t get game minutes it’s not going to help his progress. Even a couple minutes per half would help. Physically he’s obviously got some growing to do but I don’t think he was recruited here to pound the boards. Keith Palek from Cal is hardly a bruiser and he’s the type of player I think Joe wants Waldo to be.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Something I’ve noticed about this team, even over the last few years, is when they miss they often miss badly. Ethan can make three in a row but then suddenly throw up a brick that defies comprehension. Dave Morris was good for that as well and to a lesser extent Armoni and Shawndale. Dallis, Ethan, and Stewart all had shots like that on Sunday. It’s a head scratcher.

Waldo may be one of those kids that looks great in practice with the guys he sees everyday, but he sure had that deer in the headlights look when he was on the floor. Until things start to slow down for him, it’s going to be tough sledding. If he doesn’t get game minutes it’s not going to help his progress. Even a couple minutes per half would help. Physically he’s obviously got some growing to do but I don’t think he was recruited here to pound the boards. Keith Palek from Cal is hardly a bruiser and he’s the type of player I think Joe wants Waldo to be.

Correct. The game won't slow down for him until he gets used to playing it. He probably needs about 20 pounds added to his frame to effectively play the SF position. If they have any future plans for him at this point I agree I'd at least give him 5-6 minutes per game.

Looking back, it's pretty clear he started the first two games out of necessity (with Brooks locked in Joe prison).

Joe is electing to use Petteno primarily as Damir's backup, with KJ in the third string SF role. Neither should ever play under the basket. Petteno is strong and physical enough, but brings next to no rebounding. KJ is just beat on under there and instantly targeted.

And, of course, this all again circles back to the massive guy taking a redshirt.

End of the day, Joe's two scholarship forwards (Waldo and Romero-Sanz) don't play and instead he's playing two guards under the basket. Sounds about normal in that locker room.

[Ship69]

Correct. The game won't slow down for him until he gets used to playing it. He probably needs about 20 pounds added to his frame to effectively play the SF position. If they have any future plans for him at this point I agree I'd at least give him 5-6 minutes per game.

Looking back, it's pretty clear he started the first two games out of necessity (with Brooks locked in Joe prison).

Joe is electing to use Petteno primarily as Damir's backup, with KJ in the third string SF role. Neither should ever play under the basket. Petteno is strong and physical enough, but brings next to no rebounding. KJ is just beat on under there and instantly targeted.

And, of course, this all again circles back to the massive guy taking a redshirt.

End of the day, Joe's two scholarship forwards (Waldo and Romero-Sanz) don't play and instead he's playing two guards under the basket. Sounds about normal in that locker room.

It is hard to figure from an outsider's point of view why he wouldn't want those bigger guys in the lineup. They're not a big team when Porterfield sits.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

It is hard to figure from an outsider's point of view why he wouldn't want those bigger guys in the lineup. They're not a big team when Porterfield sits.

Figuring out Joe's roster from year to year is a science in itself. You can't question (most of) the results during his tenure, but he sure seems to make life much harder on his team than it should be.

[EyeoftheHawk]

Correct. The game won't slow down for him until he gets used to playing it. He probably needs about 20 pounds added to his frame to effectively play the SF position. If they have any future plans for him at this point I agree I'd at least give him 5-6 minutes per game.

Looking back, it's pretty clear he started the first two games out of necessity (with Brooks locked in Joe prison).

Joe is electing to use Petteno primarily as Damir's backup, with KJ in the third string SF role. Neither should ever play under the basket. Petteno is strong and physical enough, but brings next to no rebounding. KJ is just beat on under there and instantly targeted.

And, of course, this all again circles back to the massive guy taking a redshirt.

End of the day, Joe's two scholarship forwards (Waldo and Romero-Sanz) don't play and instead he's playing two guards under the basket. Sounds about normal in that locker room.

Petteno hasn’t shown to be athletic enough to compete at a high level on the defensive end and he’s shooting .286, which is second worst on the team. Oh Kyle Polce where are you? I hated it when I saw that he left and I hate it even more now. He was a beast on defense and could knock down a big 3 at any time. I know there’s no use worrying about water under the bridge but if Kyle and Tomiwa are still here this is a completely different team that could truly compete for the PSAC. Maybe Bathea would have improved as well and contributed more. There’s what IUP lost and what IUP put in its place, and right now it looks like trading a Don Mattingly card for a Dale Berra.

If this is a rebuilding year, which it clearly is, why not play Waldo a little bit as long as you’re not crushing the kid’s confidence? There might be a good reason to redshirt Romero-Sanz but Waldo already did his track suit year. I guess I wish I understood what the plan is for 2024-25 and 25-26 is and maybe some of it would make sense.