Iup basketball

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Some observations from the first IUP vs Cal game this year ( a 65-57 Vulcans' win):


* Josh Petteno wasn't dressed due to illness

* Damir Brooks was dressed and didn't play - to the astonishment of the entire building. Even as foul trouble grew, Brooks remained in his warmup shirt. More on that later.

* Garvin Clarke scored a very ugly 21 points -- 7 of 23 from the field including 2-12 from deep. He did lead IUP with a whopping 15 rebounds -- which is a direct correlation to the first two bullet points.

* Ethan Porterfield went for 16 and grabbed 13 rebounds -- but was harrassed and double-teamed most of the night.

* Ethan and Garvin accounted for 28 of IUP's 45 rebounds, and 37 of IUP's 57 points.

* IUP's bench contributed 2 points. Sarp Furton fouled out in just 18 minutes off the bench.

* The glaring difference in the game came at the FT line. Cal went 22-26, while IUP was just 7-11.

* The technical foul on Jaylen Stewart without question changed the entire game.

* KJ had 2 points and 3 rebounds in 31 minutes. He also committed 4 fouls. That is one horrendous stat line. All, of course, while Damir played 0 minutes in a very physical game.

* Both teams shot horribly from outside. Cal went 3-19 and IUP hit 8-36. As Cal smothered Ethan, IUP was forced to shoot (and miss) from outside all night.

* As foul trouble grew, Joe had no choice but to play Dolan Waldo and Jordan Lambert -- the first game action either had seen in several weeks. Both understandably looked lost. Again, Brooks was dressed but didn't play. Waldo hadn't played in a least a month.


So, can IUP possibly win tonight? It's highly doubtful, but the following has to happen:

* Bryce Radford was swallowed in the first game and was a non-factor. Vulcans' star KJ McClurg completely shut him down, and made every shot attempt very difficult. That cannot happen again tonight. Garvin and Ethan are at their best when Bryce is hitting shots. It forces the defense to spread out -- creating Garvin lanes and EP more room inside and outside. When Bryce is off, IUP is off.

* This isn't a harp on the KJ situation, but he is not built to play in this game tonight. He was flung around like a rag doll in the first meeting. Petteno is much more physical and has the ability to score the ball. The first game was custom-made for Damir as he's by far IUP's most physical player, and can be an elite rebounder and shot blocker. Damir is also night and day more effective in IUP's 1-2-2 press. I'll be real clear: if IUP does in fact want to win tonight, Brooks and Petteno need to share those 40 small forward minutes. This is the game to keep KJ in his warmup shirt. Wishful thinking, of course.

* Jaylen Stewart had an awful game the first go-around. He was 4-19 from the field with 4 fouls and 2 turnovers. He also had the game-altering technical foul that really swung the momentum. He's capable of having a big game. We've seen it, but it's been awhile. He needs it tonight.

* Cal baited Garvin in to taking 12 deep shots the first meeting. If they plan on doing that again, he needs to get hot.

* The zebra crew ruined the first game -- calling a whopping 40 fouls. That was the infamous 'look at me' crew. Hopefully they aren't there tonight.

* Sarp is going to play tonight. He has been shaky at best the past 4-5 games. He needs to limit turnovers and play much better on defense.

* IUP did a great job playing very slow in the first game. They must do that again tonight to have any shot. If this goes track meet, IUP will be run out of the building.

* Defensively, they need to be at a different level. IUP looked awful at Slippery Rock ... like lack of effort awful. Cal has weapons everywhere. IUP needs to crank up the heat.

[IUPalum]

So recent history for IUP is to hire from within, without much effort given to the search. Hopefully Joe stays a few more years until the budget crisis eases a bit more.

I was talking recruiting.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

True, would have said the same about the women’s program a couple years ago. I’d hope they’d do a full search, but I’m still not sure since the bloodbath a few years ago, administration hasn’t been the same.

Well, that was a mess. Tom screwed them over BIG time (the timing of his retirement was inexcusable).

Carey had great timing and apparently made a good enough impression. I'd have to guess given his age and no HC experience that he came pretty cheap, too.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Do you guys realize AD came in and immediately terminated an assistant position from both mens and women's hoops. Ask Coach McConnell about this situation.....

That came from well above his pay-grade.

[ironmaniup]

Luckily, I'd assume Joe's job will be one of the more-coveted in the D2 ranks.

They have a Top 5 facility, big school (for D2), nice following, history, etc.

True, would have said the same about the women’s program a couple years ago. I’d hope they’d do a full search, but I’m still not sure since the bloodbath a few years ago, administration hasn’t been the same.

[ironmaniup]

Do you guys realize AD came in and immediately terminated an assistant position from both mens and women's hoops. Ask Coach McConnell about this situation.....

Yeah but not by choice, the entire university had to take significant cuts.

[IUP1423]

Do you guys realize AD came in and immediately terminated an assistant position from both mens and women's hoops. Ask Coach McConnell about this situation.....

[IUPbigINDIANS]

So recent history for IUP is to hire from within, without much effort given to the search. Hopefully Joe stays a few more years until the budget crisis eases a bit more.

Luckily, I'd assume Joe's job will be one of the more-coveted in the D2 ranks.

They have a Top 5 facility, big school (for D2), nice following, history, etc.

[ironmaniup]

Time for Joe to get back after it. I wouldn't rely on Stevie P.

So recent history for IUP is to hire from within, without much effort given to the search. Hopefully Joe stays a few more years until the budget crisis eases a bit more.

[IUPalum]

Joe had 15 years of having ace recruiters to find all these guys.

He hasn't since Fudala left a couple years ago.


The current product is not a coincidence. Put it that way.

When is the last time Joe actually recruited? Armoni brought brought David and Shawndale there.
Fudala did most of the other recruiting. Now he's gone and all the players that came with him and Armoni.

Time for Joe to get back after it. I wouldn't rely on Stevie P.

[Fightingscot82]

I think the IUP AD has done a fine job. Every athletic department regardless of success is full of strong characters and politics - and that's on top of the regular job. He hasn't seen a max exodus of coaches or a massive decline in win/loss performance or fundraising. There are ADs in this conference who have overseen that.

The AD hire must be strong because they are non-teaching faculty on the professor contract and eligible for tenure. Meaning they can't be terminated without a process that probably gets fought all the way to to the state labor relations board and even then probably followed by a civil suit. Its a little absurd because with such a critical job you'd want them to be at-will so you can make a necessary move. But alas, this is Pennsylvania government.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

It’s easy to spin this season as a series of unfortunate circumstances. But one thing not really mentioned is the difference in support - like assistant coaches. This year just one guy from the hs ranks. Before there were at least 2 up and comers looking to impress- like Fite and some guys that could actually practice with the players. Less raining support and probably less manage/secretary support as well. And big changes at the foundation . That makes a big difference. Question is how does he feel about the decrease in support?

Joe had 15 years of having ace recruiters to find all these guys.

He hasn't since Fudala left a couple years ago.


The current product is not a coincidence. Put it that way.

[ironmaniup]

Most seem to be about 50-50 on Lombardi returning


That said, he's not at catastrophe level. He is right now, obviously, but this season is almost over (and shot).

He's got 5 good guards coming back next year (two on the elite level). A couple bigs and they bounce back quick. Several of the good teams in the PSAC are losing a lot when this season ends. This could turn out to just be a blip.

It’s easy to spin this season as a series of unfortunate circumstances. But one thing not really mentioned is the difference in support - like assistant coaches. This year just one guy from the hs ranks. Before there were at least 2 up and comers looking to impress- like Fite and some guys that could actually practice with the players. Less raining support and probably less manage/secretary support as well. And big changes at the foundation . That makes a big difference. Question is how does he feel about the decrease in support?

[IUPbigINDIANS]

hiring since 2020 was hard because of the budget crisis at IUP and Covid. Tort was easy, since they didn't spend on a major search. Carey was odd because of that, along with the sudden need for a coach. Carey seems better than anyone expected, and I think his quirks will grow on people if he's successful. Taking down Gannon was a marquis win for him. Let's see how the post season plays out.

Most seem to be about 50-50 on Lombardi returning - and, that's some people fairly close to things.

I don't personally think it's even a question he will be back for 2-3 more years. He's not that old. The job pays way too much (he's making about $200k in salary). He's also a small-town celebrity, which I think he enjoys.

That said, I think this was a wake-up call. He needs to do much better recruiting. For years he just had more talent than 98 percent of the PSAC. I'm not sure how much 'coaching' he's actually done in the past 4-5 years, and I think they got lazy on the recruiting trail.

That said, he's not at catastrophe level. He is right now, obviously, but this season is almost over (and shot).

He's got 5 good guards coming back next year (two on the elite level). A couple bigs and they bounce back quick. Several of the good teams in the PSAC are losing a lot when this season ends. This could turn out to just be a blip.

[boatcapt]

It’s nuanced and too involved to tease out here, and failure is your word, not mine. The next year is critical for both sports, which happen to be the two the community invests in around here. It’s easy to lead from in front and really easy to have overly friendly relationships with the coaches when things are going well. Things aren’t so wonderful all the sudden so now it’s a different job. As I mentioned, it’s something to keep an eye on.

I think both sports could be at a tipping point right now and I wouldn’t bet on either going one direction or another. As IUPbigIndians said, football SHOULD be way better next year, but if it’s not, then what? Men’s basketball is in the middle of a rebuild now, but the problem is they didn’t really build this year and many of the building blocks coming in to the year will probably be gone next. That means it’s a significant reload for 2024-25 or they can expect similar results, and that’s easier said than done.

Interesting times.

Failure was a term I used based on the posts of a number of IUP faithful on this board. As with WLU basketball (NOT WLU football!), IUP football and basketball are graded on a different curve than a "regular" DII team. I would classify any of the three teams not making the NCAA playoffs as a failure but if you want to call them something else that is less severe, OK.