Iup basketball

[bballfan03]

So now that they have two games in, I'm ready to comment. Yes, this is a "rebuilding" year but should it be? This team was a final 4 team three years ago, a region finalist two years ago and then a dumpster fire last year and NOW!!! How the heck does one of the premiere programs in the country decline so quickly? What the heck changed that this program fell off a cliff?

Here are my thoughts:

1) How do you go into last season with Waldo and KJ as your 4??? Neither should have ever been on a D2 roster.
2) Brooks couldn't see the floor last year over a terrible KJ but now he's arguably your best player? Joe's comments about Brooks in his post game today were ignorant! Jack commented on Brooks electing to stay at IUP when he could've left and went someone else. Joe's response, "he couldn't have left, nobody wanted him because he only played 3-4 minutes a game last year," F U Joe! Brooks should've started and played over KJ but your man crush for your best friend's son got in the way of THE IUP PROGRAM!!!
3) Joe allowed Tomiwa to get away twice! The first time he wouldn't kiss his ass to stay. This time he thought he had him, quit recruiting the position and the NO TOMIWA!
4) How has Joe allowed Danny Sancomb to out recruit him the past few years? Joe has more resources!!!
5) How does Garvin Clarke get away to go play low level, zero money Pro Ball over seas?
6) Injuries, yes they happen but they seem to be happening way more now. The injury bug started with Tommy Demo and has multiplied like rabbits ever since. When is Dallis coming back? Denzel's status? Pickens?
7) Luke Triggs got cut from Mercyhurst and couldn't even start there. How in the world is he good enough to start here?

My point is a premiere team should never have to rebuild, it should always be reloading.

That said, we are stuck with a super young team that does have talent. It's unfortunate that these freshman are being thrust into rolls that they aren't ready for. I hope they get better in a hurry because if this season is lost early then I won't be shocked if these kids run for the door at seasons end. That's the way today's players are.

Isn't Pickens out for the season?

[CALUPA69]

So now that they have two games in, I'm ready to comment. Yes, this is a "rebuilding" year but should it be? This team was a final 4 team three years ago, a region finalist two years ago and then a dumpster fire last year and NOW!!! How the heck does one of the premiere programs in the country decline so quickly? What the heck changed that this program fell off a cliff?

Here are my thoughts:

1) How do you go into last season with Waldo and KJ as your 4??? Neither should have ever been on a D2 roster.
2) Brooks couldn't see the floor last year over a terrible KJ but now he's arguably your best player? Joe's comments about Brooks in his post game today were ignorant! Jack commented on Brooks electing to stay at IUP when he could've left and went someone else. Joe's response, "he couldn't have left, nobody wanted him because he only played 3-4 minutes a game last year," F U Joe! Brooks should've started and played over KJ but your man crush for your best friend's son got in the way of THE IUP PROGRAM!!!
3) Joe allowed Tomiwa to get away twice! The first time he wouldn't kiss his ass to stay. This time he thought he had him, quit recruiting the position and the NO TOMIWA!
4) How has Joe allowed Danny Sancomb to out recruit him the past few years? Joe has more resources!!!
5) How does Garvin Clarke get away to go play low level, zero money Pro Ball over seas?
6) Injuries, yes they happen but they seem to be happening way more now. The injury bug started with Tommy Demo and has multiplied like rabbits ever since. When is Dallis coming back? Denzel's status? Pickens?
7) Luke Triggs got cut from Mercyhurst and couldn't even start there. How in the world is he good enough to start here?

My point is a premiere team should never have to rebuild, it should always be reloading.

That said, we are stuck with a super young team that does have talent. It's unfortunate that these freshman are being thrust into rolls that they aren't ready for. I hope they get better in a hurry because if this season is lost early then I won't be shocked if these kids run for the door at seasons end. That's the way today's players are.

Can't comment on much in your analysis since the IUP program makes moves much more often than my old brain can keep track of. #4 does deserve a comment. DS seems to think of his program as a low level D1 team when it comes to recruiting. This year's roster has 6 PA players and 10 others from Ohio, WV, Md, NJ, Fla, Minn, Ind and Ken. How he can thoroughly scout that much of the country I'm not sure. He seems to be quite the salesman and the illusion of playing before a decent crowd in the Angelo Dome certainly helps him close some deals. Now if he could take the next step to the EE, he might actually get something that could make that illusion real.

[IUPalum]

So now that they have two games in, I'm ready to comment. Yes, this is a "rebuilding" year but should it be? This team was a final 4 team three years ago, a region finalist two years ago and then a dumpster fire last year and NOW!!! How the heck does one of the premiere programs in the country decline so quickly? What the heck changed that this program fell off a cliff?

Here are my thoughts:

1) How do you go into last season with Waldo and KJ as your 4??? Neither should have ever been on a D2 roster.
2) Brooks couldn't see the floor last year over a terrible KJ but now he's arguably your best player? Joe's comments about Brooks in his post game today were ignorant! Jack commented on Brooks electing to stay at IUP when he could've left and went someone else. Joe's response, "he couldn't have left, nobody wanted him because he only played 3-4 minutes a game last year," F U Joe! Brooks should've started and played over KJ but your man crush for your best friend's son got in the way of THE IUP PROGRAM!!!
3) Joe allowed Tomiwa to get away twice! The first time he wouldn't kiss his ass to stay. This time he thought he had him, quit recruiting the position and the NO TOMIWA!
4) How has Joe allowed Danny Sancomb to out recruit him the past few years? Joe has more resources!!!
5) How does Garvin Clarke get away to go play low level, zero money Pro Ball over seas?
6) Injuries, yes they happen but they seem to be happening way more now. The injury bug started with Tommy Demo and has multiplied like rabbits ever since. When is Dallis coming back? Denzel's status? Pickens?
7) Luke Triggs got cut from Mercyhurst and couldn't even start there. How in the world is he good enough to start here?

My point is a premiere team should never have to rebuild, it should always be reloading.

That said, we are stuck with a super young team that does have talent. It's unfortunate that these freshman are being thrust into rolls that they aren't ready for. I hope they get better in a hurry because if this season is lost early then I won't be shocked if these kids run for the door at seasons end. That's the way today's players are.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Awful first half. Better second half.

That's going to be the story until they get some bodies back.

It's going to be a long year.

[Ship69]

Yep, I just scrolled through myself. I didn’t pay attention to the dates, maybe today’s stuff hasn’t dropped yet. You would think they’d say something, anything. The season preview on the IUP basketball site is just the very generic rundown, no info on injuries or anything.

I guess the bright side is, if it is a bad season, no one will know it.

Welcome to the world of Shippensburg (lack of) media coverage.

[Chuck Norris]

Today is likely going to be ugly. We can hope Charleston is worn out by going 2 OT with Cal.

[bballfan03]

Waldos D3 debut was very underwhelming. 2-5 shooting.

[Chuck Norris]

All things considered that wasn’t bad. Nice gritty comeback, wish they could’ve finished it off. Glenville had a couple guys who were proven scorers at this level and IUP didn’t and it showed at first. Grove can play. The PG had some rough moments but showed some ability. It stinks that Dallis is still a month or so away. Hopefully whatever the eligibility issue is with Rodriguez gets squared away.

There will be significant growing pains. At full strength they should be decent. A .500 record is probably reasonable given the the number of new faces and freshmen who are going to need to contribute.

[ironmaniup]

How about NOTHING in the Indiana Gazette? No preview or anything?

I haven't seen the paper edition yet but nothing online.

I know Tony is gone now but holy smokes.

Does anyone know if Tony C will be on the Broadcast with Jack ?

listening now, he is - that’s good.

[Chuck Norris]

How about NOTHING in the Indiana Gazette? No preview or anything?

I haven't seen the paper edition yet but nothing online.

I know Tony is gone now but holy smokes.

Yep, I just scrolled through myself. I didn’t pay attention to the dates, maybe today’s stuff hasn’t dropped yet. You would think they’d say something, anything. The season preview on the IUP basketball site is just the very generic rundown, no info on injuries or anything.

I guess the bright side is, if it is a bad season, no one will know it.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

It’s exciting to tip off a new season. Will we still feel excitement in about 10 hours?

How about NOTHING in the Indiana Gazette? No preview or anything?

I haven't seen the paper edition yet but nothing online.

I know Tony is gone now but holy smokes.

[Chuck Norris]

It’s exciting to tip off a new season. Will we still feel excitement in about 10 hours?

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Taking a look at:


Game 1

Glenville State (at Charleston)


All-Time Series (dating back to 1987):

IUP leads, 4-1. The last meeting was during the '14-'15 NCAA Tournament (played at WL). IUP won, 73-53.


Last year:

GSU was 14-16, 8-12 MEC

- Lots of new faces so you can't take too much out of last season
- Picked 6th in MEC preseason poll


Key players back:

Devin Collins (F) / 13.6 PPG & 5.5 RPG

Dominiq Penn (G) / 12.3 PPG


Key new additions:

(6) transfers
- Guards Samier Kinsler (WV State) and Ziri Blackwood (Charleston)
- Center and Forward / Lucas Ribeiro (Lindsey Wilson) and Paul Gakmar (New Hampshire)


What stands out about GSU:

* Lots and lots of size.
- Collins (6'8") is a very dynamic forward
- Gakmar (6'8") played in 31 games at New Hampshire (D1) last year
- Ribeiro is a real big center at 7'0" and 250 lbs.
- Several other big forwards off the bench


My take:

Joe's post is going to get tested immediately. Glenville was a pretty sporadic team last year. The Pioneers have a reputation in the MEC as a team you don't want to catch on the wrong night. They had some real good stretches but also some real shaky stretches. This version is a very athletic team with big bodies galore. They have some returning guards and some D2-experienced imports. It's going to be a tough one (as will most this year). The question tonight is can Joe's cast of freshmen handle the bright lights? IUP will obviously be without Dallis Dillard and Alphonso Pickens. Some perceived 'depth' guards are going to have to step into much larger roles immediately. Per reports, IUP went 1-1-1 in scrimmages.


Vegas:

GSU -7.5

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Wow. Forget Joe and IUP. I can’t imagine three true freshman starters happens anywhere in D2 very often. As much as I love this level of basketball, we’re not exactly recruiting NBA one and dones.

The worst part is we can’t even rely on the idea that at least we’ll get to watch these guys grow together over a number of years, since we have no idea who’s going to stay regardless of whether they play a lot or not.

Long year indeed.

I will say this is a good freshmen foursome. The scary one, to me, is the PG. That's just a real tough position to play as a true freshman. Not to mention, the old HC doesn't exactly have the patience to deal with a young PG playing 32 mpg. He's very talented but has some AAU tendencies he has to shake. It will be a process -- great moments and, well, freshman moments.


Bautista and Herring are a year removed from their graduating class so they are a little older than typical true freshmen.

Grove is now up to 6'8" (he was 6'6" in high school). He does not look like a freshman (he's pretty jacked, physically). I know Joe thinks he has star power. Had he been 6'8" last year, IUP wouldn't have got him.

[Chuck Norris]

It's going to be a long year. Just know that going in and it will be easier.

Joe's going to allegedly start three true freshmen tomorrow night. I don't think that has ever happened in his tenure. It certainly never happened in the Gary Edwards renegade era.

Dallis Dillard is said to be about 2 weeks away from starting to practice. So, that probably puts him at least a month out from playing. They haven't said what specifically happened to Alphonso Pickens other than he suffered a leg injury and is 'likely' done for the season.

So, that's two starting guards gone before the opening tip.

Starting lineup:

Kymani Merraro (PG) - True freshman
Ian Herring (G) - True Freshman
Christian Moore (G)
Luke Triggs (F)
Tyler Grove (F) - True Freshman

Obviously, the theme is not one of them has ever played a game at IUP.


Damir Brooks will co-man the 5 spot with Triggs. Both tend to get foul happy so hopefully the combination of them splitting the position will suffice.

The fourth true freshman, Bautista Rodriguez, will co-man the SF position.

I suspect Sarp will be the first guard off the bench. Denzel Kabasele, like Dallis, is also coming back from ACL surgery. No word if he's ready yet.

I have them at 6-6 at Christmas.

Wow. Forget Joe and IUP. I can’t imagine three true freshman starters happens anywhere in D2 very often. As much as I love this level of basketball, we’re not exactly recruiting NBA one and dones.

The worst part is we can’t even rely on the idea that at least we’ll get to watch these guys grow together over a number of years, since we have no idea who’s going to stay regardless of whether they play a lot or not.

Long year indeed.