Iup basketball

[IUPbigINDIANS]

It's a damn shame this officiating crew swallowing their whistles has allowed Millersville back in this game.

That was part of it.

I did think the first half yesterday was IUP's best 20 minutes of the season (against a quality opponent). The final minute of the first half, however, was bad, and that's become a 'thing' under Joe the past couple years. I'd like to see them stop getting too cute in the final 60 seconds of the half. Do what has worked the previous 19 minutes. Millersville cut the lead from 22 points to 15 points in the final 70 seconds of the first half. That was huge for the Marauders. It brought their spirits back up going in to the lockers.

The bad:

Joe said afterward his team was worn out the last 5 minutes of the game.

Here's my theory: He's wearing his own team out by keeping them in that (highly ineffective) 1-2-2 press. It was clear by very early in the second half Millersville had it figured out. Without the right combination of size and speed, it's one of the least effective presses a team can run -- and one of the easiest to shred for the opposition. The only thing the 1-2-2 did yesterday was tire out the team running it. IUP has much smaller (but faster) guards than usual this season. They aren't fits for that type of press. It also resulted (somehow) in Day Waters sitting alone on the elbow (far too many times) for an uncontested trey.

I think they can run it in stretches - if anything just to mix things up - but to stay in for dang near 35 minutes yesterday was just about catastrophic. Switching out of it yesterday for the final 10 minutes -- even to a zone -- would have caused Millersville a good bit of late confusion. It's largely a 'time killer' press. Unfortunately, it also zaps the energy out of the team running it.


Regardless, that was a big win yesterday. IUP would not have won that game had it gone to OT. Momentum was clearly swung, and, as Joe alluded, IUP was physically nearing 'toast' level. Millersville is a tough team. The Marauders have quality size and a lot of scoring options. Big guards. Fast. They won't lose too many games the rest of the way.

A much different type of challenge is up next: UPJ visits the KCAC in 72 hours. IUP has to be crisp. As I've said for years, Bob Rukavina knows IUP's playbook better than IUP's players. The UPJ bench calls out the play as soon as IUP calls it out. They have to win this one purely on execution and playing mistake-free. They aren't surprising UPJ with anything. This will not be an easy one.

I think -- to this point -- IUP has shown some promise. This isn't one of Joe's 'big' teams. Could it be? We'll see.

I'd also like to see Luke Triggs play more. The better he plays (first half yesterday) the less he plays. Figure that one out. He can score and has a smooth shot. Joe needs to let him eat some.

[EyeoftheHawk]

In all seriousness, there are a few officials at the high school level locally that I worry about. I’m not trying to be a wise guy when I say I fear we’ll have an official/referee/umpire collapse on the field or court someday. The problem is it’s hard enough to get officials so including some type of physical requirement isn’t going to help that. On a typical six man football officiating crew, I’ll bet the average would be four out of six being clinically overweight or obese.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

In all seriousness, there are a few officials at the high school level locally that I worry about. I’m not trying to be a wise guy when I say I fear we’ll have an official/referee/umpire collapse on the field or court someday. The problem is it’s hard enough to get officials so including some type of physical requirement isn’t going to help that. On a typical six man football officiating crew, I’ll bet the average would be four out of six being clinically overweight or obese.

That's the whole problem. While they should have physical requirements - especially at the collegiate level - end of the day somebody has to do it. They have so few they can't be picky.

Last night, for instance, the younger official was completely lost. The silver hair official is actually pretty good. The older balding official is, well, not good.

He called the tech on Kymani late in the game. Kymani deserved it, but what led to it happened directly in front of said official. It should have been a double T. That was a perfect example of a blown call that had major, major implications on the outcome.

It ruins the game for not only the players but for the paying customers.

Millersville's coach was about to go off the rails in the first half.

But, the show goes on. It's not getting any better any time soon. It may actually get worse. These teams will have to adapt or die.

I've watched PSAC basketball for going on 40 years. Overall, this is the low point of officiating. Both teams are dealing with it.

[IUPalum]

Officiating:

1) These officials weren't bad yesterday because they were out of shape. They were bad because of their inconsistencies. What they would call on one end they wouldn't call on the other end, etc.
2) These guys had no clue about hand checking, arm bars, etc. Every time IUP the ball into the paint, it was near impossible to do anything because the defenders had the arm bars on the offensive players. It wasn't called once!
3) Handing checking was also never called. IUP had loads of issues attacking the rim because the Millersville defenders had two hands on them.
4) I won't even get into the off ball clutching and grabbing.
5) The one play where the ref was at the complete opposite end of the play was pure lack of focus. He took off to the other end for god knows what reason right in the middle of the play.

Everything I saw from the officials yesterday had nothing to do with out of shape. It was all lack of focus, laziness or just plain not wanting to call it.

IUP's first half was their best. I don't even think their last minute was bad. I just think IUP didn't make the shots and Millersville did in the minute or two.

I agree with Triggs. Kid played a few great minutes in a game that fit him and then he vanished from the game. No idea why? He was definitely better than Rodriguez yesterday. Triggs legit should be playing 3/4 not the 5 and you'd see that kid thrive. Kind of reminds me of Josh Petteno two years ago. Joe played him out of position at the 4 most of the year and he sucked. Last handful of games he played the 2/3 and that kid went off.

IUP better get physical with UPJ on Wednesday and better shoot well when open. Maybe Joe will add to the old playbook... lol

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Officiating:

1) These officials weren't bad yesterday because they were out of shape. They were bad because of their inconsistencies. What they would call on one end they wouldn't call on the other end, etc.
2) These guys had no clue about hand checking, arm bars, etc. Every time IUP the ball into the paint, it was near impossible to do anything because the defenders had the arm bars on the offensive players. It wasn't called once!
3) Handing checking was also never called. IUP had loads of issues attacking the rim because the Millersville defenders had two hands on them.
4) I won't even get into the off ball clutching and grabbing.
5) The one play where the ref was at the complete opposite end of the play was pure lack of focus. He took off to the other end for god knows what reason right in the middle of the play.

Everything I saw from the officials yesterday had nothing to do with out of shape. It was all lack of focus, laziness or just plain not wanting to call it.

IUP's first half was their best. I don't even think their last minute was bad. I just think IUP didn't make the shots and Millersville did in the minute or two.

I agree with Triggs. Kid played a few great minutes in a game that fit him and then he vanished from the game. No idea why? He was definitely better than Rodriguez yesterday. Triggs legit should be playing 3/4 not the 5 and you'd see that kid thrive. Kind of reminds me of Josh Petteno two years ago. Joe played him out of position at the 4 most of the year and he sucked. Last handful of games he played the 2/3 and that kid went off.

IUP better get physical with UPJ on Wednesday and better shoot well when open. Maybe Joe will add to the old playbook... lol

Millersville's big Center could have been fouled out in about 8 minutes yesterday. His 'defense' was the arm bar.

But, hey, until they call it, it's a great tactic. He obviously realized very early he could get away with it.

One thing I've noticed this year is the bigger guards have no chance of guarding Kymani. He's too low to the ground and way too fast/shifty. They've resorted to the constant hand-checking and the goon approach. It was clear as day that was Millersville's plan with him. He had two of their 6'4" guards so flustered trying to keep up with him.

I do worry about the number of (physical) shots he's taking. He's tough but those take a toll.

They may have to soon go hockey style. You touch him and Triggs is coming off the bench to flatten your star guard. In the old NHL, if you went after Mario or Wayne, you were going to pay the consequences. IUP can't keep letting Kymani take these deliberate cheap shots.

Obviously, if he goes down ... I've got some bad news. The season isn't going to be pretty. They don't have a true backup PG right now. It may be time to elevate a body guard (i.e. enforcer).

In other news, Ralphie Blundo (true freshman) has dressed the past two games. He hasn't played, however. So, it's clear he's dressing for emergency purposes only. I was expecting Joe to take Sfanos off the redshirt list when Pickens left the team but apparently not.

The deep bench PG (name slips me) didn't dress all weekend.

[IUPHawks24]

That's the whole problem. While they should have physical requirements - especially at the collegiate level - end of the day somebody has to do it. They have so few they can't be picky.

Last night, for instance, the younger official was completely lost. The silver hair official is actually pretty good. The older balding official is, well, not good.

He called the tech on Kymani late in the game. Kymani deserved it, but what led to it happened directly in front of said official. It should have been a double T. That was a perfect example of a blown call that had major, major implications on the outcome.

It ruins the game for not only the players but for the paying customers.

Millersville's coach was about to go off the rails in the first half.

But, the show goes on. It's not getting any better any time soon. It may actually get worse. These teams will have to adapt or die.

I've watched PSAC basketball for going on 40 years. Overall, this is the low point of officiating. Both teams are dealing with it.

The major issues are pay and location- if PSAC schools weren't so remote, they'd occasionally attract some higher level officials on "off nights"- but no one is driving to these remote locations, especially for $275.

Division one referees command at least 4x what PSAC officials make per game- and 12x on the high end. So anyone that's young and really good is likely to move on very quickly.

[Ship69]

That's the whole problem. While they should have physical requirements - especially at the collegiate level - end of the day somebody has to do it. They have so few they can't be picky.

Last night, for instance, the younger official was completely lost. The silver hair official is actually pretty good. The older balding official is, well, not good.

He called the tech on Kymani late in the game. Kymani deserved it, but what led to it happened directly in front of said official. It should have been a double T. That was a perfect example of a blown call that had major, major implications on the outcome.

It ruins the game for not only the players but for the paying customers.

Millersville's coach was about to go off the rails in the first half.

But, the show goes on. It's not getting any better any time soon. It may actually get worse. These teams will have to adapt or die.

I've watched PSAC basketball for going on 40 years. Overall, this is the low point of officiating. Both teams are dealing with it.

Having watched many Ship-Millersville duels over the past few years, I can honestly say it's a rare game when Millersville coach Casey Stitzel doesn't go "off the rails." He makes Damien Blair look like Mr. Calm. We had a good chuckle a couple of years back when his heavily favored Millersville team fell behind Ship early in the first half, resulting in an M-ville timeout. He got his players on the bench and yelled, "You Guys Suck" loud enough to be heard in the top row at Heiges. Such an inspiring guy. But I will give him credit that he does usually put a good team out on the floor. The whole Day Waters saga of he's at Millersvile, now he's at Slippery Rock, now he's back with Millersville thing is certainly interesting.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Having watched many Ship-Millersville duels over the past few years, I can honestly say it's a rare game when Millersville coach Casey Stitzel doesn't go "off the rails." He makes Damien Blair look like Mr. Calm. We had a good chuckle a couple of years back when his heavily favored Millersville team fell behind Ship early in the first half, resulting in an M-ville timeout. He got his players on the bench and yelled, "You Guys Suck" loud enough to be heard in the top row at Heiges. Such an inspiring guy. But I will give him credit that he does usually put a good team out on the floor. The whole Day Waters saga of he's at Millersvile, now he's at Slippery Rock, now he's back with Millersville thing is certainly interesting.

Millersville isn't a great team this year but they are pretty good. They have a good mix of size and guard play. Their guards are big and physical. The one thing I saw they are missing is another legit post player (i.e. the scoring type). They'll be a tough out every night.

IUP isn't a big team this year so they'll struggle with ultra physical teams (when the zebra crew lets it go full Wrestlemania).

Put it this way, if IUP and Millersville played a 7-game series, it would probably come down to Game 7.

[Ship69]

Millersville isn't a great team this year but they are pretty good. They have a good mix of size and guard play. Their guards are big and physical. The one thing I saw they are missing is another legit post player (i.e. the scoring type). They'll be a tough out every night.

IUP isn't a big team this year so they'll struggle with ultra physical teams (when the zebra crew lets it go full Wrestlemania).

Put it this way, if IUP and Millersville played a 7-game series, it would probably come down to Game 7.

It'll probably be a tough matchup for Ship this season because the Marauders are almost always a very physical team and we just don't have the big bodies to match up in that type of game this year. I still have nightmares about a game a couple of years ago where the 6-4 Millersville guards kept backing our 5-10 guards into the hoop for easy buckets. That was a very long second half.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

It'll probably be a tough matchup for Ship this season because the Marauders are almost always a very physical team and we just don't have the big bodies to match up in that type of game this year. I still have nightmares about a game a couple of years ago where the 6-4 Millersville guards kept backing our 5-10 guards into the hoop for easy buckets. That was a very long second half.

Their Center is 6'9" and probably 240 lbs. He can run and creates a lot of havoc. He's not a real scoring threat but does everything else. He was the prototype PSAC big man back in the 90s. Every team had about 3-4 of those guys. They are becoming unicorns in this era.

Day Waters is a tough assignment. He can get really, really hot and has vast shooting distance. He's a legit 6'5", too, and built well -- and plays almost like a G/F for them this year. He's obviously a top player in the league this season.

The East is going to be interesting. I'm not counting ESU out yet as they'll be much better if and when healthy. But, they are taking some heavy damage in the loss column.

West Chester is sporadic. Same with Shepherd. Ship needs some bodies under the basket to return. Lock Haven is always capable but inconsistent.

If I was betting, I'd put the coin on Millersville.

Millersville vs WCU will literally be all about the officiating crew. If they let it go, that game will be like an old WWF Battle Royal. If they get a ticky-tack crew, both teams may be fouled out by halftime.

[IUPalum]

Millersville's big Center could have been fouled out in about 8 minutes yesterday. His 'defense' was the arm bar.

But, hey, until they call it, it's a great tactic. He obviously realized very early he could get away with it.

One thing I've noticed this year is the bigger guards have no chance of guarding Kymani. He's too low to the ground and way too fast/shifty. They've resorted to the constant hand-checking and the goon approach. It was clear as day that was Millersville's plan with him. He had two of their 6'4" guards so flustered trying to keep up with him.

I do worry about the number of (physical) shots he's taking. He's tough but those take a toll.

They may have to soon go hockey style. You touch him and Triggs is coming off the bench to flatten your star guard. In the old NHL, if you went after Mario or Wayne, you were going to pay the consequences. IUP can't keep letting Kymani take these deliberate cheap shots.

Obviously, if he goes down ... I've got some bad news. The season isn't going to be pretty. They don't have a true backup PG right now. It may be time to elevate a body guard (i.e. enforcer).

In other news, Ralphie Blundo (true freshman) has dressed the past two games. He hasn't played, however. So, it's clear he's dressing for emergency purposes only. I was expecting Joe to take Sfanos off the redshirt list when Pickens left the team but apparently not.

The deep bench PG (name slips me) didn't dress all weekend.

I did see Blundo dressed and I'm guessing that is because a freshman can play up to 10 games and not lose an eligibility.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I did see Blundo dressed and I'm guessing that is because a freshman can play up to 10 games and not lose an eligibility.

I do think Joe has quite the conundrum with Sfanos. He's clearly an experienced D2 player who could help them immediately on both ends.

However, with Kymani, Christian and Dallis, the minutes are scarce. So, the issue is burning a year to play 5-7 mpg.

That, of course, assumes Joe will continue to play those three at high minutes (likely).

Thus far, the roles of Triggs, Herring and Grove are quite interesting.

Grove is essentially being used as a 6'8" guard. Herring had a rough weekend and didn't play a whole lot. As discussed earlier, Triggs needs to play way more. Rodriguez is being run ragged at the tip of that (usually worthless) press.

That leaves Sarp, who also didn't play a whole lot this weekend.

As a whole, the rotation is in way better shape this year than its been the past two seasons. However, it still has some ironing out that needs done.

Overall, I think this is a pretty good IUP team. The question is will it take the next step. It's far from a great team as of now.

[Ship69]

Their Center is 6'9" and probably 240 lbs. He can run and creates a lot of havoc. He's not a real scoring threat but does everything else. He was the prototype PSAC big man back in the 90s. Every team had about 3-4 of those guys. They are becoming unicorns in this era.

Day Waters is a tough assignment. He can get really, really hot and has vast shooting distance. He's a legit 6'5", too, and built well -- and plays almost like a G/F for them this year. He's obviously a top player in the league this season.

The East is going to be interesting. I'm not counting ESU out yet as they'll be much better if and when healthy. But, they are taking some heavy damage in the loss column.

West Chester is sporadic. Same with Shepherd. Ship needs some bodies under the basket to return. Lock Haven is always capable but inconsistent.

If I was betting, I'd put the coin on Millersville.

Millersville vs WCU will literally be all about the officiating crew. If they let it go, that game will be like an old WWF Battle Royal. If they get a ticky-tack crew, both teams may be fouled out by halftime.

You summed it up pretty well. I probably like Millersville for the lead at this point as they're usually less erratic than West Chester.

I think you might see Chris Fite hitting the portal a little more than usual this offseason if things continue as they've been going. They looked like they had gotten some extra height last season with 6-8 Donovan Hill coming in, but then Hill got himself booted off the team. He would have had a year of eligibility left after last season, but perhaps he'd have pulled a Whippen and moved on anyway. This year's freshman class has shown some potential, but I think the only way they get a big body that can help them quickly in the next year or two is through the portal.

What hasn't helped this year is that this isn't one of Fite's better shooting teams, which would make up a little for the size issue. Jaydon Smith and Timmy Conner are probably their most consistent 3-point threats, but they can't really start the 6-foot Conner when they already have 5-10 Michael Dickson at point guard because it makes for an awfully small lineup. Conner usually comes in when Dickson needs a blow. That means if Smith is having an off night, there isn't going to be much 3-point shooting. When you're getting a 3-for-17 night as they had against Gannon and getting pounded on the boards as well, it's not going to work. On the other hand, when Smith and Conner both got hot with 10-for-12 against Clarion, it enabled them to overcome a night where Clarion made more free throws than Ship attempted. Consistently get outshot at the 3-point line these days and you lose — simple as that unless you have absolute beasts on the boards.

[EyeoftheHawk]

I do think Joe has quite the conundrum with Sfanos. He's clearly an experienced D2 player who could help them immediately on both ends.

However, with Kymani, Christian and Dallis, the minutes are scarce. So, the issue is burning a year to play 5-7 mpg.

That, of course, assumes Joe will continue to play those three at high minutes (likely).

Thus far, the roles of Triggs, Herring and Grove are quite interesting.

Grove is essentially being used as a 6'8" guard. Herring had a rough weekend and didn't play a whole lot. As discussed earlier, Triggs needs to play way more. Rodriguez is being run ragged at the tip of that (usually worthless) press.

That leaves Sarp, who also didn't play a whole lot this weekend.

As a whole, the rotation is in way better shape this year than its been the past two seasons. However, it still has some ironing out that needs done.

Overall, I think this is a pretty good IUP team. The question is will it take the next step. It's far from a great team as of now.

I noticed Blundo dressed as well and thought that was interesting. Regarding Sfanos, I imagine a conversation was had when he came here about his eligibility vs education plans. Playing time based on IUP’s current guard situation is a big part of that as well. If he’s not in a hurry to get out of here, redshirting makes a lot of sense. Totally agree about Triggs too. It’s baffling. The kid hits the floor and provides a scoring spark only to be put back on the bench and barely seen again.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I noticed Blundo dressed as well and thought that was interesting. Regarding Sfanos, I imagine a conversation was had when he came here about his eligibility vs education plans. Playing time based on IUP’s current guard situation is a big part of that as well. If he’s not in a hurry to get out of here, redshirting makes a lot of sense. Totally agree about Triggs too. It’s baffling. The kid hits the floor and provides a scoring spark only to be put back on the bench and barely seen again.

The post is interesting this year -- perhaps mainly because Joe doesn't actually have any traditional post players.

I think three of the four (Grove, Rodriguez and Triggs) are used more like hybrid guards. Damir is the closest to a true post player they have but he is undersized compared to the average big man he'll face all year.

To be honest, Triggs has been the most well-rounded this year. He can bang and get rough. He has a tremendously underrated shot. Yet ... Joe doesn't like to play him. Baffling. I personally think he should start.

I thought the one thing they were lacking entering the season was that traditional 6'8" or 6'9" Forward - the big, strong kind who could bang and rebound. I'd die to have Daddy Ugbede on this team lol.

The positive with this current rotation of post players is 3 of the 4 can shoot outside. Grove is essentially a 6'8" shooting guard at this point. That's fine. At his size he really stretches the defense. But, I'd like to see him get much more aggressive under the basket. Other than the occasional play run for Damir, they aren't really even trying to score with the post players (down low). Rodriguez seems to have the dreaded Joe 'red light' and is passing up a lot of open looks.

But, this isn't the 1999 PSAC. Most of the teams IUP will play this year are built like IUP. They won't see many West Chester types trying to play 1990s PSAC bang 'em ball.

Joe hasn't beat a 'system' team in forever. I don't count ESU as they don't run the same type of 40-minute press as Gannon, WL or USCB. IUP has lost (7) straight games to the trapping press -- (5) in a row to Gannon, (1) to WL and (1) to USCB. He had to get mobile, fast post players.

Fortunately, the West Chester-type rosters are becoming very rare in the PSAC. In the West, even Slippery Rock has gone away from the 6"8", 250 lb. types. That said, Seton Hill has two really good, big and physical post players. The Griffins will be a problem for IUP this year. From what I've seen thus far, I don't like the low-post match-up in those upcoming games.

I don't think Joe's found his magic rotation yet under the basket. He's kind of using four guys -- each with very different skill sets -- to fill two spots.