Iup basketball

[IUP24]

Three post players on the roster as of today ... Triggs, Brooks and the true freshman.

Believe it or not it's still somewhat early in the transfer signing process. Many of Joe's impact transfers over the years have signed in May and June.

He can fix it real fast. Send the car up to Clarion.

I think Harris was a good player (to be clear, I haven't looked up his PPG or other stats to do a deep dive) and played well against IUP and in other games I watched. We're talking about him bringing in another ready to play post player. If they send the car up to Clarion, how dynamic is he in the sense that he would be a transformative player to aid IUP in swinging their record from 17-13 to 24-6?

I'm coming from the sense that this is what their post looks like behind the faces on the roster:
1) Triggs is probably not going to provide them much in the way of scoring.
2) Brooks is extremely raw and athletic. But Joe has clear trust issues there and he isn't a great shooter.
3) Joe won't play a true freshman. If he does, he won't have a real tangible role. I will believe it only when I see it.

It's impossible to just replace Ethan body for body. You can't do that. But even with Harris, are you even coming close to replacing his minutes, scoring, production, etc., in a "by committee" approach?

I think the conversation needs to start entertaining discussions on the realistic expectations category for next year. A swing of 7 games, like I suggested, is sizeable. Going 21-9 and being a bubble team for the Tournament may be realistic. I am intrigued in hearing thoughts on that.

With this group right now, what are everybody's thoughts heading into next year regarding your own personal expectations - I recognize that's going to be different for all of us. Is simply making the tournament a success? Do they need to be win the PSAC West again? Do they need to contend for the Region? This is probably the most unique offseason in terms of this type of chatter that we've had in years. I personally don't think it's fair to put the expectation on being a legitimate Regional contender following the year they just had. I think they have the chance to be better, but by how much?

[IUPbigINDIANS]

With Waldo, there’s a lot we don’t see that may have come into play. Maybe he didn’t put in the effort to gain size and strength last off season and it led to him not being competitive in the rough style of the PSAC. Or, maybe he tried and couldn’t and on top of that lost his shooting touch and a lot of confidence. It may just be he’s a D3 player and that’s the right place for him. The list of dominant high school players that didn’t make it at the next level is long because it’s such a different game with wide variations in competition.

Romero-Sanz may go down as one of the most talked about IUP players that never actually put on a uniform.

I’m pretty surprised to hear that Stewart hasn’t signed yet. He was inconsistent here, but overall a very good player in my opinion that could handle the ball well and was a streaky shooter.

In terms of overall signings for IUP, this won’t be a popular opinion but if the group that’s here now ends up being THE group, 2024-25 may look a lot like 2023-24. It’s great to have a stable full of good guards but you can’t win without good forwards and you certainly can’t make a playoff run without at least one dominant one. Add to that the loss of Ethan and everything he brought to the table and the IUP faithful should be a little bit nervous right now. Realistically, what impact forward is IUP going to sign at this point? I know there’s still time but…

Three post players on the roster as of today ... Triggs, Brooks and the true freshman.

Believe it or not it's still somewhat early in the transfer signing process. Many of Joe's impact transfers over the years have signed in May and June.

He can fix it real fast. Send the car up to Clarion.

[EyeoftheHawk]

I don't think anybody had Waldo to a PSU branch on the bingo card.

I think he'll become one of the great mysteries of the Lombardi era. Recall he was a (VERY rare) early signee. As we know, Joe almost never signs high school players in the Fall window.

Waldo started the first two games of the season at SF. He was given the game-winning shot opportunity on opening night. By Game 3 he was exiled to Joe Island -- essentially never seen again. Was the play actually called for him against Concord? Recall he jacked up that trey with 12 seconds to go. Did that lead to the exile?


Now, would he have started those two first games if Damir Brooks wasn't suspended? Who knows. His immediate demotion, and Damir remaining in the dog house all season, made way for the KJ tenure. Recall the original plan was KJ was to be Ethan's backup (a job that plays about 4 mpg).

Waldo is pretty skilled. He's almost more of a 6'7" shooting guard than a forward. That will be different at the D3 level, where he won't see the physical monsters of the Atlantic Region.

My personal opinion is Joe gave up on him too early. He needed to drastically bulk up to be effective at IUP. We never got to see him play without the deer in the headlights thing going. Freshmen take time - a lot more than two games.

There's probably more to the story. Always is. But, he's gone.

Joe needs at least one more ready-to-play post player. He couldn't possibly convert another guard. Well, I do think he dreams of finding a 5'11" power forward.

Perhaps it is Petteno and we just don't know it yet. If he does stay, however, I'd sure hope Joe doesn't waste him playing in the low post again. He really came on down the stretch. Sure makes you wonder.

With Waldo, there’s a lot we don’t see that may have come into play. Maybe he didn’t put in the effort to gain size and strength last off season and it led to him not being competitive in the rough style of the PSAC. Or, maybe he tried and couldn’t and on top of that lost his shooting touch and a lot of confidence. It may just be he’s a D3 player and that’s the right place for him. The list of dominant high school players that didn’t make it at the next level is long because it’s such a different game with wide variations in competition.

Romero-Sanz may go down as one of the most talked about IUP players that never actually put on a uniform.

I’m pretty surprised to hear that Stewart hasn’t signed yet. He was inconsistent here, but overall a very good player in my opinion that could handle the ball well and was a streaky shooter.

In terms of overall signings for IUP, this won’t be a popular opinion but if the group that’s here now ends up being THE group, 2024-25 may look a lot like 2023-24. It’s great to have a stable full of good guards but you can’t win without good forwards and you certainly can’t make a playoff run without at least one dominant one. Add to that the loss of Ethan and everything he brought to the table and the IUP faithful should be a little bit nervous right now. Realistically, what impact forward is IUP going to sign at this point? I know there’s still time but…

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I don't think anybody had Waldo to a PSU branch on the bingo card.

I think he'll become one of the great mysteries of the Lombardi era. Recall he was a (VERY rare) early signee. As we know, Joe almost never signs high school players in the Fall window.

Waldo started the first two games of the season at SF. He was given the game-winning shot opportunity on opening night. By Game 3 he was exiled to Joe Island -- essentially never seen again. Was the play actually called for him against Concord? Recall he jacked up that trey with 12 seconds to go. Did that lead to the exile?


Now, would he have started those two first games if Damir Brooks wasn't suspended? Who knows. His immediate demotion, and Damir remaining in the dog house all season, made way for the KJ tenure. Recall the original plan was KJ was to be Ethan's backup (a job that plays about 4 mpg).

Waldo is pretty skilled. He's almost more of a 6'7" shooting guard than a forward. That will be different at the D3 level, where he won't see the physical monsters of the Atlantic Region.

My personal opinion is Joe gave up on him too early. He needed to drastically bulk up to be effective at IUP. We never got to see him play without the deer in the headlights thing going. Freshmen take time - a lot more than two games.

There's probably more to the story. Always is. But, he's gone.

Joe needs at least one more ready-to-play post player. He couldn't possibly convert another guard. Well, I do think he dreams of finding a 5'11" power forward.

Perhaps it is Petteno and we just don't know it yet. If he does stay, however, I'd sure hope Joe doesn't waste him playing in the low post again. He really came on down the stretch. Sure makes you wonder.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Yeah, that would be a definite "yikes" if true.

It's true. He posted it.

[Ship69]

Yikes

Yeah, that would be a definite "yikes" if true.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Looks like Dolan is going to Penn State Behrend. I didn’t even know he was in the portal.

Yikes

[IUPHawks24]

Some news, notes and theories:

1) Jaylen Stewart is still available.

2) Rumor is Dolan Waldo may be staying at IUP. I think he should. He and Joe can kiss and make up and both move forward.

3) If Romero-Sanz did in fact enter the Portal (this late) I'd guess there is something else brewing that hasn't leaked yet.

3A) If Romero-Sanz did enter, it makes last year's lineups all the more frustrating


4) No word yet on Petteno's status (he does have one year left of eligibility)

5) Nobody (I know, at least) saw the Luke Triggs signing coming. It's interesting that he's not a typical (modern era) Joe post player. He's more old school PSAC-type bruiser.

6) Rumor is that Ian Herring will not redshirt and is expected to contribute immediately. He did a post-grad year at Kiski and is much further along than most typical freshmen. We'll see.

7) Joe has an abundance of guards right now. One would have to think another post player will soon surface.

Looks like Dolan is going to Penn State Behrend. I didn’t even know he was in the portal.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Some news, notes and theories:

1) Jaylen Stewart is still available.

2) Rumor is Dolan Waldo may be staying at IUP. I think he should. He and Joe can kiss and make up and both move forward.

3) If Romero-Sanz did in fact enter the Portal (this late) I'd guess there is something else brewing that hasn't leaked yet.

3A) If Romero-Sanz did enter, it makes last year's lineups all the more frustrating


4) No word yet on Petteno's status (he does have one year left of eligibility)

5) Nobody (I know, at least) saw the Luke Triggs signing coming. It's interesting that he's not a typical (modern era) Joe post player. He's more old school PSAC-type bruiser.

6) Rumor is that Ian Herring will not redshirt and is expected to contribute immediately. He did a post-grad year at Kiski and is much further along than most typical freshmen. We'll see.

7) Joe has an abundance of guards right now. One would have to think another post player will soon surface.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

What? The guy IUP "doesn't seem interested in?"

Joe's obviously not recruiting him. (sigh)

But, we can still wish.

[Ship69]

I'm waiting until I can add Jayson Harris to it

What? The guy IUP "doesn't seem interested in?"

[IUPalum]

I'm waiting until I can add Jayson Harris to it

Touche

[IUPbigINDIANS]

So where is the newest depth chart?

I'm waiting until I can add Jayson Harris to it

[IUPalum]

IUP has signed former Mercyhurst power forward Luke Triggs (6'7", 225 lbs).

So where is the newest depth chart?

[IUPbigINDIANS]

IUP has signed former Mercyhurst power forward Luke Triggs (6'7", 225 lbs).