Iup basketball

[bballfan03]

We'll see. Based on their posted roster, it appears the vast majority of SFU's top players all left. A handful of players stuck around but I don't think many of them actually played up there in meaningful minutes.

They did supplement with some PSAC transfers. I suspect they'll be a decent D3 opponent, and that this will become a year game for IUP. With the proximity it's a no-brainer.

What's funny is when they were a D1 ... Joe couldn't even get them to sign for an exhibition.

They didnt want to risk losing to a D2 school haha

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Men's and Women's rosters are up.

Extremely early compared to past seasons.

Joe should be pretty good.

Craig seems loaded again.

[IUPalum]

Men's and Women's rosters are up.

Extremely early compared to past seasons.

Joe should be pretty good.

Craig seems loaded again.

Joe has some talent. We'll see how they gel and they need experience. They are very young.

Carey seems loaded. We'll see how they are at center and forward. Replacing Weaver and Wilkerson is a tall task.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Well, on paper Joe has a pretty good roster. This will be his biggest team (size-wise) in a long time.

I'm not ready to predict a starting lineup, but, I think you can narrow down his rotation.


Jeremiah Littlejohn - Hearing rave reviews about the 6'5" combo guard. Joe has been raving about his scoring ability.

Kymani Merraro - Two-year starting PG returns. Lightning fast, he's one of the top PGs in the Region.

Ian Herring - A favorite of the board ... big 6'6" guard who should really breakout in Year 3. Joe's given him a hard time (at times) but the only thing I know for sure is good things happen when Herring is on the court. He can score -- and is a major pest on defense.

Bautista Rodriguez - He was trapped in Joe's infamous 'garbage man' role last year. He should play a bigger part this season. Rodriguez is a sturdy 6'7" and brings a lot of physicality. He's a better offensive player than we saw last season (when his only scoring opportunities were put-backs, etc.).

Ama Sow - Very high-motor 6'9" Forward. He's pretty nasty -- and a scary dude. He's going to be a problem to deal with at this level.

Tasso Sfanos - Took a redshirt last season after playing two years for Ron Fudala at USCB. He easily could have played last year but had Christian and Dallis in front of him. He's an intense player and can score inside and outside. He brings a lot of energy and is a strong defender.

JJ Chapman - at 6'9" and 235 pounds, he'll combine with Sow to give Joe his first major inside defensive presence in a long time.



After those (7) players, things are a bit unknown.

Harry Keighley is another 6'9" Forward who was redshirted a year ago. I've heard good things, skill-wise, about him. He runs well. The knock was his listed 200 pound frame. We'll see if he added some weight over the offseason.

The Incoming Freshmen:

Griffin Straub was arguably Joe's biggest signing. He had offers from a who's who of D2 programs. He's listed as a 6'7" Forward but has a potentially elite outside shot. It's highly likely he's in the rotation (and possibly a Day 1 starter).

Collin Simmons is a 6'4" Guard from Canada. He's another one who is likely to play immediately.

Kam Rozier is a local product from Marion Center. He's a 6'4" guard. Great multiple sport athlete. The jump from the Heritage to the PSAC is a big one, however. This will likely be an adjustment year.

Matt Johnson III - Nice PG prospect ... his brother is an emerging star on the IUP football team.

Amaree Gonzales - Tough, physical guard from nearby Kiski Area. For whatever reason, he was a very under the radar player despite being the best player on a fairly big-school team. He really shined in the post-season showcases. This is a real sleeper signing for Joe. Long-term, he's going to be a good one.

Kendyll Compton - Another big (6'4") guard from Ohio. He can really penetrate.

[Ship69]

Well, on paper Joe has a pretty good roster. This will be his biggest team (size-wise) in a long time.

I'm not ready to predict a starting lineup, but, I think you can narrow down his rotation.


Jeremiah Littlejohn - Hearing rave reviews about the 6'5" combo guard. Joe has been raving about his scoring ability.

Kymani Merraro - Two-year starting PG returns. Lightning fast, he's one of the top PGs in the Region.

Ian Herring - A favorite of the board ... big 6'6" guard who should really breakout in Year 3. Joe's given him a hard time (at times) but the only thing I know for sure is good things happen when Herring is on the court. He can score -- and is a major pest on defense.

Bautista Rodriguez - He was trapped in Joe's infamous 'garbage man' role last year. He should play a bigger part this season. Rodriguez is a sturdy 6'7" and brings a lot of physicality. He's a better offensive player than we saw last season (when his only scoring opportunities were put-backs, etc.).

Ama Sow - Very high-motor 6'9" Forward. He's pretty nasty -- and a scary dude. He's going to be a problem to deal with at this level.

Tasso Sfanos - Took a redshirt last season after playing two years for Ron Fudala at USCB. He easily could have played last year but had Christian and Dallis in front of him. He's an intense player and can score inside and outside. He brings a lot of energy and is a strong defender.

JJ Chapman - at 6'9" and 235 pounds, he'll combine with Sow to give Joe his first major inside defensive presence in a long time.



After those (7) players, things are a bit unknown.

Harry Keighley is another 6'9" Forward who was redshirted a year ago. I've heard good things, skill-wise, about him. He runs well. The knock was his listed 200 pound frame. We'll see if he added some weight over the offseason.

The Incoming Freshmen:

Griffin Straub was arguably Joe's biggest signing. He had offers from a who's who of D2 programs. He's listed as a 6'7" Forward but has a potentially elite outside shot. It's highly likely he's in the rotation (and possibly a Day 1 starter).

Collin Simmons is a 6'4" Guard from Canada. He's another one who is likely to play immediately.

Kam Rozier is a local product from Marion Center. He's a 6'4" guard. Great multiple sport athlete. The jump from the Heritage to the PSAC is a big one, however. This will likely be an adjustment year.

Matt Johnson III - Nice PG prospect ... his brother is an emerging star on the IUP football team.

Amaree Gonzales - Tough, physical guard from nearby Kiski Area. For whatever reason, he was a very under the radar player despite being the best player on a fairly big-school team. He really shined in the post-season showcases. This is a real sleeper signing for Joe. Long-term, he's going to be a good one.

Kendyll Compton - Another big (6'4") guard from Ohio. He can really penetrate.

That's nice overall size for a D2 team. You'll probably need it to contend with Gannon and the usual Cal contingent. Ship has been getting horsed on the boards since the Johnson-Carter-Dom Sleva-Nedrow contingent departed. They really need a contribution from the community college transfer plus improvement from the returning forwards to have any chance of contending with a team like IUP. Thankfully, the schedule gods have been somewhat easier on the basketball team than the football squad.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

That's nice overall size for a D2 team. You'll probably need it to contend with Gannon and the usual Cal contingent. Ship has been getting horsed on the boards since the Johnson-Carter-Dom Sleva-Nedrow contingent departed. They really need a contribution from the community college transfer plus improvement from the returning forwards to have any chance of contending with a team like IUP. Thankfully, the schedule gods have been somewhat easier on the basketball team than the football squad.

Based on this run Gannon is on it's pretty much a race for second place. Joe gave them a heck of a fight in the Sweet 16 but most of the games in this current 10-game losing streak haven't been close. Gannon lost some studs but returns a good bit of players in addition to their new imports. I'm sure they'll be stacked up again.

Cal hasn't posted its roster yet. They took some heavy losses to the Portal. But, that's nothing new down there. Danny reloads quickly.

The rest of the West ... we'll see. Clarion's two best players left.

I think the sleeper will be UPJ. Actually, I won't even call them a sleeper. They will be good.

Edinboro and Seton Hill ... hard to say. Slippery Rock always ends up with a competitive - yet sporadic - team.

Hard to believe but they open camp here in a couple weeks.

[Ship69]

Based on this run Gannon is on it's pretty much a race for second place. Joe gave them a heck of a fight in the Sweet 16 but most of the games in this current 10-game losing streak haven't been close. Gannon lost some studs but returns a good bit of players in addition to their new imports. I'm sure they'll be stacked up again.

Cal hasn't posted its roster yet. They took some heavy losses to the Portal. But, that's nothing new down there. Danny reloads quickly.

The rest of the West ... we'll see. Clarion's two best players left.

I think the sleeper will be UPJ. Actually, I won't even call them a sleeper. They will be good.

Edinboro and Seton Hill ... hard to say. Slippery Rock always ends up with a competitive - yet sporadic - team.

Hard to believe but they open camp here in a couple weeks.

Gannon hasn't posted its roster yet, but apparently they've brought in seven new players from all over the place. Given the current coach's recruiting track record, I'm sure they have some talent. If Sancomb has another of his usual squads, I'd say the top half of the PSAC West will probably be as tough as any in the country. Cal and IUP were about the only schools, including D2 playoff teams, to give Gannon much trouble last season. I actually felt pretty good that Ship played a decent first half against them.

[gman16506]

Gannon hasn't posted its roster yet, but apparently they've brought in seven new players from all over the place. Given the current coach's recruiting track record, I'm sure they have some talent. If Sancomb has another of his usual squads, I'd say the top half of the PSAC West will probably be as tough as any in the country. Cal and IUP were about the only schools, including D2 playoff teams, to give Gannon much trouble last season. I actually felt pretty good that Ship played a decent first half against them.

The roster isn't up yet, but here is a link to the additions made by Gannon for those who are interested.

Reloaded: National Champion Golden Knights Add Seven - Gannon University Athletics

[hawks16]

Just a thought, and the answer is probably yes, but is the era of the IUPs of the world playing D1 teams in scrimmages over? Would a D2 want to showcase its talent to then get siphoned off at the end of the year?

[Chuck Norris]

Just a thought, and the answer is probably yes, but is the era of the IUPs of the world playing D1 teams in scrimmages over? Would a D2 want to showcase its talent to then get siphoned off at the end of the year?

The best players at this level are pretty much always going to look to move up and with around 350 D1 programs, somebody will find them. I don’t see what difference playing an exhibition or preseason scrimmage will make. Of course that’s just my take. D2 coaches may well feel as you do.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

The best players at this level are pretty much always going to look to move up and with around 350 D1 programs, somebody will find them. I don’t see what difference playing an exhibition or preseason scrimmage will make. Of course that’s just my take. D2 coaches may well feel as you do.

They get contacted by agencies during the season now.

It's a total cesspool.

[Ship69]

They get contacted by agencies during the season now.

It's a total cesspool.

One of my great-granddaughters, who is going into eighth grade, has already played for a traveling team in Vegas and Chicago. She lives in northern Maryland just over the border from Pa. Her father has already been contacted by two private schools in D.C. about playing for them. If these folks can find and eighth-grade girl playing for a rural Md. middle school, I'm sure there are plenty of folks scouting out D2 athletes to move on to greener pastures. It is just mind-boggling.