Iup basketball

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Tony's page has a new story about the 25-year anniversary of the 2000 season.

For those unaware, that was one of the wildest seasons - and locker rooms - in IUP basketball history.

So, wild, in fact, it would make a good movie. It had it everything -- and a lot more than Tony could say on a public board. LOL.

Long story short, the team was dead in the water in January -- for a wide variety of reasons.

This group -- down to just 7 players -- finally learned to play together (and get along) and went on one of the more-historic runs in program history. The 'how' and 'why' they got down to so few players is a different story.

IUP was swept by California in the regular season but upset the Vulcans in Hamer Hall in Round 1 of the PSAC Tournament. From there, they went nuts -- ultimately winning the Regional Final by 30-some points.

Who better to manage the circus, of course, than Gary Edwards.

I've said it for years on here, but it's time for some of the old guard at IUP to move off the Edwards hate. The athletic department needs to acknowledge his teams. Yes, his ending was bad. Although, it wasn't nearly as bad as some at IUP made it out to be.

His teams were, well, different. Much, much, much, much, much different than the current editions IUP puts on the floor. They'd beat you on the court -- and then beat you in a fight later that night at Culpeppers. Edwards had guys that I know even the football players of that era wouldn't mess with. They obviously weren't all angels. But, he somehow molded that group together.

That was a real special time for IUP basketball. Edwards had some really, really good teams.

I'd take the 2000 team against probably all but 2 of Joe's teams. If he had 8 guys coming down the stretch ... who knows.

Ironically, of course, is the 2000 team versus Joe's teams would be fair.

7 on 7

[Chuck Norris]

Tony's page has a new story about the 25-year anniversary of the 2000 season.

For those unaware, that was one of the wildest seasons - and locker rooms - in IUP basketball history.

So, wild, in fact, it would make a good movie. It had it everything -- and a lot more than Tony could say on a public board. LOL.

Long story short, the team was dead in the water in January -- for a wide variety of reasons.

This group -- down to just 7 players -- finally learned to play together (and get along) and went on one of the more-historic runs in program history. The 'how' and 'why' they got down to so few players is a different story.

IUP was swept by California in the regular season but upset the Vulcans in Hamer Hall in Round 1 of the PSAC Tournament. From there, they went nuts -- ultimately winning the Regional Final by 30-some points.

Who better to manage the circus, of course, than Gary Edwards.

I've said it for years on here, but it's time for some of the old guard at IUP to move off the Edwards hate. The athletic department needs to acknowledge his teams. Yes, his ending was bad. Although, it wasn't nearly as bad as some at IUP made it out to be.

His teams were, well, different. Much, much, much, much, much different than the current editions IUP puts on the floor. They'd beat you on the court -- and then beat you in a fight later that night at Culpeppers. Edwards had guys that I know even the football players of that era wouldn't mess with. They obviously weren't all angels. But, he somehow molded that group together.

That was a real special time for IUP basketball. Edwards had some really, really good teams.

I'd take the 2000 team against probably all but 2 of Joe's teams. If he had 8 guys coming down the stretch ... who knows.

Ironically, of course, is the 2000 team versus Joe's teams would be fair.

7 on 7

Interestingly, IUP’s best team had its dreams dashed several years earlier by a team that made a similar short handed run. UC Riverside made it all the way to the 1995 NC game, knocking out IUP in the semifinals, before losing to Bruce Pearl’s Southern Indiana team. I think they dressed 8 guys and 6 played almost all the minutes or something like that.

I knew Geoff Evans a little bit, had a couple classes with him. I remember them getting hot and winning the region, but I can’t say I followed the team closely all the way through. Ironically, the least interested in IUP sports I’ve been at any point in my life was while I was attending IUP. I was too busy studying, lol.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Interestingly, IUP’s best team had its dreams dashed several years earlier by a team that made a similar short handed run. UC Riverside made it all the way to the 1995 NC game, knocking out IUP in the semifinals, before losing to Bruce Pearl’s Southern Indiana team. I think they dressed 8 guys and 6 played almost all the minutes or something like that.

I knew Geoff Evans a little bit, had a couple classes with him. I remember them getting hot and winning the region, but I can’t say I followed the team closely all the way through. Ironically, the least interested in IUP sports I’ve been at any point in my life was while I was attending IUP. I was too busy studying, lol.

Edwards' teams were always exciting -- and often times an internal circus. He had a real knack for finding guys in strange places. I mean, real strange places - and, real strange countries.

Different times, of course. He could sign D1 guys much easier back then. Now they just all go from one D1 to the next. Back then, a lot would come down (for one reason or another). He certainly brought in some interesting characters. Edwards gets a bad rap, but he also had some good kids in the program.

He somehow got Dennis Mims to Indiana -- and, the 'somehow' is quite the story.

Mims only had one season at IUP, but he'd probably be on the all-time Starting Five if one was having a fantasy draft.

Edwards also landed Rodney Horton, who was one of the most electrifying pure scorers to ever play at IUP. During Horton's final season, IUP had an extremely talented team. But, they had too many 'get mine' types. They had a good record, but that team could have been so much more.

There were a couple teams during Edwards' era that had all five starters being D1 transfers.

Some years, those guys didn't all function very well together. But, when they did, it was fantastic to watch. His teams would often start fairly slow, but really start to explode by January. They had to learn to play together.

Obviously, that was a much different time in the PSAC. Physically, those teams would break Joe's teams in half. Skill-wise, some of Edwards' teams were also better, but not all of them. A couple of his teams could have certainly hung with (or beat) a couple of Joe's better teams.

Looking back, Edwards wasn't in Indiana all that long. But, that was a really fun time to watch the program. He won an awful lot at IUP. He was also a really good guy, which I think too many people around the program forget.

The KCAC is nice and grand and all that. But, me personally, I'd take a stuffy, cramped game in the Field House from that time any day. I still think they should play one game a season over there. It's been 7-8 years now since the last game (excluding the no-fans Covid game or two). If the place is still standing, why not. It's pretty nostalgic for a lot of people -- and, most of Joe's core fan group is well, approaching (or well into) the nostalgia phase.

I've said it many times, but nothing at IUP in my life as a fan has ever topped the Cal vs IUP men's games of that time. They were off the charts. The teams hated one another. The coaches hated each other. IUP looked down at Cal in that era (and Cal knew it). It had all the spice -- and, both teams were really, really good. Fans also travelled back then (for that game, anyway), which really added to it.

Anyway, it's long, long overdue for all the Edwards hate to end. IUP can't pretend like that era never existed forever.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Ralphie Blundo, the 1,000-point scoring coach's son from New Castle High School, is attending IUP in the fall. Not sure if that's for hoops or if he just intends to go pro in something other than sports.

Well, this took a twist.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

IUP has signed USCB transfer guard Tasso Sfanos.


He had a very decorated WPIAL career (Mars) before signing with Ron Fudala.

He originally committed to UPJ but then went to USCB.

Nice signing for Joe.

Sfanos shot 35 percent from deep on 151 attempts.

He should have at least 2 years at IUP.

[EyeoftheHawk]

IUP has signed USCB transfer guard Tasso Sfanos.


He had a very decorated WPIAL career (Mars) before signing with Ron Fudala.

He originally committed to UPJ but then went to USCB.

Nice signing for Joe.

Sfanos shot 35 percent from deep on 151 attempts.

He should have at least 2 years at IUP.

Statistically he’s been a solid player off the bench. He only had one start at USCB and averaged 8.2 ppg. He seemed to be a fit for the USCB system but maybe he got homesick. Having a guy that can come off the bench and be a threat to hit 2-3 3’s per game certainly won’t hurt IUP.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Statistically he’s been a solid player off the bench. He only had one start at USCB and averaged 8.2 ppg. He seemed to be a fit for the USCB system but maybe he got homesick. Having a guy that can come off the bench and be a threat to hit 2-3 3’s per game certainly won’t hurt IUP.

Correct, which will be his role next year. He's going to certainly play a good bit but based on Joe's history, the fourth guard has a fairly limited role.

Keep in mind, too, USCB was doing the platoon thing so the top player on the team only averaged 24.3 mpg. Tasso played 17.9. I'm not overly concerned with the 'starting' thing as they wanted two fairly balanced line changes. He was also only a sophomore last year, so you'd assume his two best years are ahead. He should also be a good fit in Joe's offense.


Their 'rotation' played the following MPG:

24.3, 23.4, 21.6, 16.3, 17.9, 19.8, 16.8, 20.9, 20.2, 14.9


I think he's a great signing for the role they needed. Joe has his three starting guards already. They wanted an experienced deep threat off the bench for the upcoming season. I think he'll then start the following year as the SG.



I suspect (2) more money players (plus a walk-on or two). They are certainly signing a transfer post player.

[hawks16]

Well, this took a twist.

Do I actually have to do some reporting or are we allowed to know

[IUP24]

Statistically he’s been a solid player off the bench. He only had one start at USCB and averaged 8.2 ppg. He seemed to be a fit for the USCB system but maybe he got homesick. Having a guy that can come off the bench and be a threat to hit 2-3 3’s per game certainly won’t hurt IUP.

Sounds a lot like Kyle Polce... LOL

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Sounds a lot like Kyle Polce... LOL

Very similar.

Sfanos is less reserved. Sfanos will chuck from all over and can create shots. Police kind of parked in the corner and waited for the ball.

Kyle was a better defender. Call it close to even overall.

[EyeoftheHawk]

Sounds a lot like Kyle Polce... LOL

I thought the same thing. Hard to compare the two right now as Polce was the better player this year but was also a senior while Sfanos was just a sophomore. The other big difference is strength. I’m not sure Sfanos could beat my wife in arm wrestling so he’s going to have to spend some time in the weight room. He is quick though and I was impressed with his motor when they played at IUP. Getting him for two years is really helpful.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I thought the same thing. Hard to compare the two right now as Polce was the better player this year but was also a senior while Sfanos was just a sophomore. The other big difference is strength. I’m not sure Sfanos could beat my wife in arm wrestling so he’s going to have to spend some time in the weight room. He is quick though and I was impressed with his motor when they played at IUP. Getting him for two years is really helpful.

No matter how one looks at it, Joe is replacing Sarp's starting spot with Dallis, and now also has an experienced deep threat as the fourth guard. It's overall a very significant upgrade.

Merraro, Dallis and Moore will obviously play very heavy minutes. Unless in foul trouble, Joe won't sit those three very often. Dallis is a night and day upgrade at both ends.

As of now, Joe has Sarp, Pickens and Sfanos off the bench.

Underneath, they have Bautista (finally), Damir, Grove and Triggs.

That's (10) guys. We know they are adding another post player, which will make (11).

I suspect he'll sign one high school player (12) and then 1-2 walk-ons for extra practice bodies.

That should do it.

The others in the West took heavy losses. Joe is going from the having the kiddie table to having the experienced roster.

Obviously the others will load up, but Joe is in a significantly better spot today than he was a year ago.

[IUPalum]

No matter how one looks at it, Joe is replacing Sarp's starting spot with Dallis, and now also has an experienced deep threat as the fourth guard. It's overall a very significant upgrade.

Merraro, Dallis and Moore will obviously play very heavy minutes. Unless in foul trouble, Joe won't sit those three very often. Dallis is a night and day upgrade at both ends.

As of now, Joe has Sarp, Pickens and Sfanos off the bench.

Underneath, they have Bautista (finally), Damir, Grove and Triggs.

That's (10) guys. We know they are adding another post player, which will make (11).

I suspect he'll sign one high school player (12) and then 1-2 walk-ons for extra practice bodies.

That should do it.

The others in the West took heavy losses. Joe is going from the having the kiddie table to having the experienced roster.

Obviously the others will load up, but Joe is in a significantly better spot today than he was a year ago.

You're forgetting Herring and Grove logging some minutes somewhere.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

You're forgetting Herring and Grove logging some minutes somewhere.

Sure did. Herring will certainly play a lot.

I assume Grove and Bautista start underneath.

[EyeoftheHawk]

Obviously the others will load up, but Joe is in a significantly better spot today than he was a year ago.

Yes, this is a far better spot than the roster has been in the last two years at this exact time. Now they just have to avoid the late departure that nobody saw coming like when Clarke left last year. I’d definitely still like to see them bring in a proven forward. You know exactly what you have in Damir, but not really Bautista. He could be great or he could be Romero-Sanz 2.0. We won’t know until we actually see him play.