Iup basketball

[boatcapt]

He could be decent at the D2 level but he sure didn't play much in a weak D1 conference either. Something isn't right here. Where is all the size??? Is Joe going to the dark side and trying WL gimmick ball?

Joe is mentally unable to coach and play the West Liberty Style. He loves his stars too much and is fundamentally averse to playing more than 7 players in any one game! He's a traditional coach who plays in the traditional way. Many years, that's enough to be pretty good but some years, not so much. His big "change" was adding a couple of 3 point shooters to his rosters.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

He could be decent at the D2 level but he sure didn't play much in a weak D1 conference either. Something isn't right here. Where is all the size??? Is Joe going to the dark side and trying WL gimmick ball?

We haven't seen the completed roster yet ... but, I'm sure not real warm and fuzzy as of May 30.

I'll trust Joe on the Moore signing. We've seen lots of guys 'come down' over the years with very little stats at the higher level and then turn in to stars (Garvin Clarke and KJ McClurg, for example).

[Scrub]

Joe offered two transfer PGs in past 72 hours. One signed. Is the other offer now gone (as in whomever signs first gets it) or is he trying to actually sign both of them?

If he is, I can only speculate the ACL recoveries aren't going well (or somebody else left and we don't know it yet).

Regardless, Moore looks like he'll be a very solid player at the D2 level. Hopefully he'll be arriving in Indiana this weekend.

Grabbing a transfer guard from New Hampshire worked out pretty well for Sancomb (McClurg, obviously, went on to be PSAC player of the year)

[IUPalum]

Joe offered two transfer PGs in past 72 hours. One signed. Is the other offer now gone (as in whomever signs first gets it) or is he trying to actually sign both of them?

If he is, I can only speculate the ACL recoveries aren't going well (or somebody else left and we don't know it yet).

Regardless, Moore looks like he'll be a very solid player at the D2 level. Hopefully he'll be arriving in Indiana this weekend.

He could be decent at the D2 level but he sure didn't play much in a weak D1 conference either. Something isn't right here. Where is all the size??? Is Joe going to the dark side and trying WL gimmick ball?

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Joe offered two transfer PGs in past 72 hours. One signed. Is the other offer now gone (as in whomever signs first gets it) or is he trying to actually sign both of them?

If he is, I can only speculate the ACL recoveries aren't going well (or somebody else left and we don't know it yet).

Regardless, Moore looks like he'll be a very solid player at the D2 level. Hopefully he'll be arriving in Indiana this weekend.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Joe has signed former New Hampshire PG Christian Moore (6'2"). Two years' eligibility.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

IUP was his 7th D2 offer. We'll see if he wants to come this far East

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I figured Joe would add one more guard and one more forward (and then a couple walk-ons).

I did not see the guard being another PG.

Granted, this kid didn't sign yet.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

IUP have offered Julio Montes. A 5'11 point guard from Roosevelt. Few schools in for him

Saw that yesterday ... Interesting

Wonder if Joe projects him as a power forward? Lol

[Cobra Hawks]

IUP have offered Julio Montes. A 5'11 point guard from Roosevelt. Few schools in for him

[Ship69]

There's something we don't know yet.

Fite wasn't taking Romero-Sanz on a whim. There's a reason Joe let him walk.

I know first-hand he (Romero-Sanz) was all pi$$ed he had to redshirt last year -- especially given what that position amounted to (Jack Squat).

We're missing a piece to this story. Hopefully said piece is worth the wait.

Fite's motivation is easy to understand. He simply needed a big after Kyle Whippen did his annual walkabout and unexpectedly entered the portal. Judging from what you guys close to the IUP program have said, it seems obvious that something was going on with Romero-Sanz and Lombardi. Since Romero-Sanz redshirted, I guess we'll have to see what type of player he'll be. I don't think he'd have to do a ton of scoring at Ship as we'll have Frank returning along with a couple of good-looking G/F combo prospects. Obviously his height and remaining eligibility are attractive for Ship. He'll give us another big along with Donovan Hill, who has some potential but looked rusty after transferring in at mid-season last year. I wouldn't be surprised if Fite tries to add another guy or two. With several newcomers without much college playing time, I don't expect Ship to jump from an 8-20 squad to immediate contender, but I do think they will be more athletic, much taller, and more interesting next season.

[EyeoftheHawk]

By Joe? That’d be extremely unfair. Not sure many more EP’s are going to be walking through that door, especially in this new landscape.

I’m surprised they haven’t gone the grad transfer route. There’s one more year of the COVID extra eligibility kids. That’s what allowed Gannon to flip it so quickly last year. Brought in 3-4 23 year olds that were all productive.

You know, there’s always the possibility that kids are saying “no thanks” to IUP and picking other places. I know, what a blasphemous statement!

The facility is incredible as is the history of success, and IUP is a pretty nice place to go to college. However, that’s not necessarily enough anymore. Kids talk more than ever these days and maybe word on the street is it’s not currently the best place to offer your basketball talents when you have so many choices. What the reasons would be for kids to pass I can’t speak to but I thought it was worth throwing out there that maybe it’s not the draw we think it is. Clarke was a great pickup but name me 2-3 other transfers that made an impact. That, combined with some misses on the recruiting trail, has taken some of the luster off what IUP has to offer.

IUP is only three seasons removed from a Final Four run and two seasons removed from an appearance in the regional championship game. Even last year wasn’t awful as they made the PSAC tournament, but I think it’s the direction things could be trending making the fan base nervous. This roster would lose to the 2021-22 roster by 25 and there doesn’t appear to be anyone walking through the door that’s going to change that. We’ve been spoiled by the success here so perspectives might be skewed, but I think the reasons for concern are justified.

[IUPHawks24]

I wouldn't be shocked if Tyler Grove is expected to be the next EP.

By Joe? That’d be extremely unfair. Not sure many more EP’s are going to be walking through that door, especially in this new landscape.

I’m surprised they haven’t gone the grad transfer route. There’s one more year of the COVID extra eligibility kids. That’s what allowed Gannon to flip it so quickly last year. Brought in 3-4 23 year olds that were all productive.

[IUPalum]

I wouldn't be shocked if Tyler Grove is expected to be the next EP.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Moving the conversation over to this thread ...


I certainly think it is fair to question the recruiting season up to this point.

As of today, Joe has (10) players on the roster. I'll preface that by saying (10) 'known' players. Perhaps we've missed something, but, that's pretty rare in this social media age.

Nonetheless, as of now, we can only talk about what we know. Two of the players, Dallis and Denzel, are coming off ACL injuries. That's a huge pair of questions marks. We've seen some come back the next season and never miss a beat. Others, like Tommy Demo, weren't the same. Both will be counted on heavily.

Garvin Clarke is by far the surest bet on the roster. He was at an elite level last season when he didn't have to try and be Allen Iverson. When others stepped up, he thrived. He will be one the best guards in the Region this winter.

From there, just about every other slot has question marks.

Dillard and Denzel will be massive boosts (if healthy). Both are big, strong guards and elite defenders.

Ian Herring will be expected to play immediately. He's a legit 6'6" combo guard/forward. Unfortunately, I think we all know where this is going. He will need to add some weight to play at the SF position. As I suspect that is where he will actually play in 24-25, he will be a huge upgrade at the position compared to last season. He's very quick and can shoot. That said, Joe will need to play him there more like a four-guard set, rather than trying to make him play like a traditional forward. He may grow in to that role, physically, but he's not there yet. Joe has already mentioned they will play him all over the court.

Sarp had his moments -- good and bad -- last season. He was a typical true freshman. Sans the other injuries, he would have redshirted. As the deer-in-the-headlights wore off, we saw some good things. That said, he really needs a strong off-season. I suspect his confidence will be much higher entering Year 2.

Anthony Watson signed last year to be the backup PG. He also was injured in camp and redshirted. He should provide a nice depth piece this season. He has nice size for a PG, and played at BC3 for two years prior to IUP.

Under the basket, things get dicey -- quickly.

Damir decided to stick around -- to the surprise of most. Unless a ready-to-go forward arrives, he will be the opening night starter at SF. Obviously, Damir is the polar opposite of the traditional Joe SF. He's not going to be launching treys, etc. But, he can be a pretty dominate rebounder and shot blocker. He has to stay clean, foul-wise, and, his awareness has to improve (i.e. he struggles with cleanly catching no-look passes, etc.). With a good off-season -- and hopefully exiting Joe's doghouse -- he could be a breakout candidate.

McNamara will likely spell Triggs. He was actually coming on last season before he, too, was lost for the season. He's not going to be a heavy-minute player, but he can contribute in bits. He's a really big guy and is hard to move around.

Triggs has the small task of replacing Ethan Porterfield. Very different players. Triggs isn't an outside shooter like EP but he is much faster around the basket and probably an upgrade on the defensive end.

Tyler Grove will likely be a very good small forward in a year or two. But, I don't see him in the mix for this upcoming season.



So, I think the needs are obvious. Joe needs another post player -- one who can contribute immediately (to some degree). I also think they need one more guard for insurance purposes. Those ACL recoveries are risky.