Iup basketball

[EyeoftheHawk]

I think MC's football stadium is a hidden gem. Great setting.

I used to love the old Saltsburg High School stadium. It was really cool at night.

While we're on the topic ... do you think it's a matter of time until River Valley joins the WPIAL? I know Ligonier Valley hasn't fared too well but it sure seems to me RV is gearing up to leave.

I’m not sure what RV is gearing up to do. They’ve got a maverick superintendent down there that doesn’t seem to care what people think ranging from trying to pull out of the ICTC to pushing aside the sitting head football coach to bring in another maverick, Ed Dalton. My understanding is he made a comment similar to “I didn’t build a multi-million dollar football stadium to go 8-3 every year.” If it were a college I guess I’d get that but apparently he’s lost track of what high school athletics is supposed to be about. He’s not alone I suppose.

The WPIAL for River Valley would be a bad idea, much like it was for Ligonier Valley. Ligonier had a great football run that gave them a false sense of who they are in the long run. Their most recent teams wouldn’t win the Heritage Conference. They just had a unique run of talent that eventually washed out like it does in most small schools. They’ve been average to below average in their other sports. Now they’re in the WPIAL with zero chance to win consistently.

River Valley has had good runs in girls basketball recently, been above average but not great in football, and awful in several other sports. They’re the biggest school in the Heritage and have the best facilities (oddly don’t have a true home baseball or softball field), but having fancy stuff doesn’t make you dominant. If they join the WPIAL, they’re going to have to travel to find a fit for small school conference play and they’ll lose all of the traditional rivalries. Ligonier didn’t really have those historic rivalries in the Heritage/Appalachian Conference so it was different. River Valley will become almost irrelevant in Indiana County if they go to the WPIAL in my opinion.

[EyeoftheHawk]

I think MC's football stadium is a hidden gem. Great setting.

As far as setting goes, it’s the best in the Heritage in my opinion. If they got turf and expanded the visiting side bleachers it would be one of the best small schools stadiums in western PA with that great view from atop the hill. Other cool stadiums are West Shamokin for its setting and overall layout and Northern Cambria with its nostalgia and being tucked into town. Fun place to play.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Joe got a big signing in Ohio's Griffin Straub (6'7" G/F).

IUP beat out Walsh, Cal and West Liberty (among many others).

He will be a HS Senior this season.

IUP has also signed a PG from Toronto.

[Columbuseer]

Griffin Straub looks really good. I think he will have great success.

[IUPalum]

Joe got a big signing in Ohio's Griffin Straub (6'7" G/F).

IUP beat out Walsh, Cal and West Liberty (among many others).

He will be a HS Senior this season.

IUP has also signed a PG from Toronto.

Joe is starting to recruit a little different.

[Topper_Hopper]

Watched his higlight video, looks like he would have been a great fit in the WLU system (or any other D2 system). Did he have any Division 1 interest?

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Watched his higlight video, looks like he would have been a great fit in the WLU system (or any other D2 system). Did he have any Division 1 interest?

Low-major.

That said, he had a huge summer season (and keeps growing). He's the right height and has grades. Stock rising. IUP had some connections in landing him.

Hopefully the sharks don't come calling.


There's another very similar player in this years class from Dubois, PA. Everyone has offered (including WL, Cal, Gannon and IUP).

He's a 6'8" G/F. Name slips me but it's on VC. He probably projects to be more of a forward at the college level.

[Columbuseer]

Low-major.

That said, he had a huge summer season (and keeps growing). He's the right height and has grades. Stock rising. IUP had some connections in landing him.

Hopefully the sharks don't come calling.


There's another very similar player in this years class from Dubois, PA. Everyone has offered (including WL, Cal, Gannon and IUP).

He's a 6'8" G/F. Name slips me but it's on VC. He probably projects to be more of a forward at the college level.

Maddox Bennett from Dubois. West lib commit.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Maddox Bennett from Dubois. West lib commit.

What's funny is Dubois -- of all places on Earth -- is suddenly becoming a basketball hotbed.

It is a small town in the middle of Nowhere, USA.

[IUPalum]

Maddox Bennett from Dubois. West lib commit.

Is he committed? Everything I'm seeing is that he has a lot of offers but hasn't officially committed to anywhere yet.

[IUPalum]

Joe's official roster is posted.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Is he committed? Everything I'm seeing is that he has a lot of offers but hasn't officially committed to anywhere yet.

He's Twitter official.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

This should be the roster that gets Joe back into the limelight. It's be a painful two years. The kids took their lumps last year. They don't look like scrawny freshmen anymore. He also gets arguably his two best players back after missing all of last season. They also added a couple really nice imports.

The obvious question everybody is asking: Will Joe actually play all these guys? This is his deepest roster in his tenure at IUP. Not saying it's his best team, but he's never had this kind of depth. He could actually run two lineups (which, of course, we know won't happen). He went from no experience to a ton of it.


GUARDS

Kymani Merraro - Exploded onto the scene as a true freshman a season ago. He'll be one the of the top PGs in the Region this year.

Christian Moore - Smothered at times last year but still had a solid season. Having Dallis alongside will greatly alleviate pressure.

Dallis Dillard - Now two years post ACL. Could have returned mid-season a year ago. Fully healthy. Massive upgrade on both ends.

Ian Herring - Great athlete. Long and fast. He caused a lot of chaos a year ago -- good and bad. He'll be a handful this season.

Tasso Sfanos - Transfer from USCB (played under Ron Fudala). He can score and is also a pest defender. Nice size for a guard.

Sarp Furtun - High energy guy who will have to fight for minutes this year

Alfonso Pickens Jr. - Will be the backup PG. Tall, pest defender. Fast. Can score when given the green light.

Ralph Blundo - Likely to redshirt. High pedigree true freshman from New Castle. Prolific high school scorer.

Anthony Watson - Minutes will be scarce. Not a typical deep bench guy. He can play.


FORWARDS

Bautista Rodriguez (6'7", 220 lbs) - If you haven't heard about him, you will soon. Best way I can describe him is a 'mean' version of Cobo.

Tyler Grove (6'7", 215 lbs) - Was thrown into the fire as a true freshman. Appears to be up at least 20 pounds. He's going to really break out this season. Matchup nightmare.

Luke Triggs (6'7", 225 lbs) - Broke out in the PSAC Tournament. He can score inside and outside. Played out of position last season. Joe needs to let him eat this year. Underrated player who has played in a lot of PSAC games.

Damir Brooks (6'6", 215 lbs) - Fantastic in spurts, which will be his role. Dynamic shot blocker and high-flyer.

Harry Keighley (6'9", 225 lbs) - Big boy who can run and really protect the rim. Plays with a mean streak. Very aggressive. Too good to redshirt.

[tonyc]

From the first day of practice: https://tonycoccagna.substack.com/p/all-aboard?r=411ko9