Iup basketball

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I agree IUP could be a tough out in the first round, but I do believe they’ll come up short. The Cal win the other night was a nice confidence booster and it was nice to see them be the ones to seize control down the stretch when they faltered in that scenario many times previously. Saying that, Keith Palek didn’t play in that game and that’s a gigantic blow to that lineup. I’m happy to give credit where it’s due and you have to beat the team that’s on the floor in front of you. IUP showed maturity on Wednesday night.

The other reason I think IUP is a one-and-done is their awful record on the road. It just hasn’t gone well when a bus ride was involved. Saying that, even if they do bow out it’s not the end of the world. I think the Cal win gives them something to build on as is simply making the tournament and keeping the 17 year streak alive. I’d love for them to prove me wrong and make a run, but I just don’t see it.

The West right now - more than ever - is all about matchups.

I'll give you an example.

I said earlier IUP matches up really well against California. The two split. You could easily make a case IUP should have swept them. Regardless, they are very even.

Slippery Rock has pounded IUP twice.

California has pounded SRU twice (highlighted by a 31-burger)

IUP swept Seton Hill ... which naturally has wins against SRU, Gannon and Edinboro (three teams that swept IUP).

The matchup is the key item come Monday night. Slippery Rock has looked incredible in both IUP games. Not so much in other games.


Figure all that out.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I agree IUP could be a tough out in the first round, but I do believe they’ll come up short. The Cal win the other night was a nice confidence booster and it was nice to see them be the ones to seize control down the stretch when they faltered in that scenario many times previously. Saying that, Keith Palek didn’t play in that game and that’s a gigantic blow to that lineup. I’m happy to give credit where it’s due and you have to beat the team that’s on the floor in front of you. IUP showed maturity on Wednesday night.

The other reason I think IUP is a one-and-done is their awful record on the road. It just hasn’t gone well when a bus ride was involved. Saying that, even if they do bow out it’s not the end of the world. I think the Cal win gives them something to build on as is simply making the tournament and keeping the 17 year streak alive. I’d love for them to prove me wrong and make a run, but I just don’t see it.

Cal lost both Palek and Bryson Lucas -- two elite post players -- back in November. They then also lost their top reserve forward for the season (Arnette).

If they had them, the Vulcans would probably be the best team in the Region.

Same token, IUP was without its two best players all season. We can only go by the team dressed on a given night.

It is what it is. Cal was still red hot coming in to that game (had won 6 straight and were on the NCAA bubble). Big win for IUP.

Danny has done a great job keeping them afloat.

[EyeoftheHawk]

I agree IUP could be a tough out in the first round, but I do believe they’ll come up short. The Cal win the other night was a nice confidence booster and it was nice to see them be the ones to seize control down the stretch when they faltered in that scenario many times previously. Saying that, Keith Palek didn’t play in that game and that’s a gigantic blow to that lineup. I’m happy to give credit where it’s due and you have to beat the team that’s on the floor in front of you. IUP showed maturity on Wednesday night.

The other reason I think IUP is a one-and-done is their awful record on the road. It just hasn’t gone well when a bus ride was involved. Saying that, even if they do bow out it’s not the end of the world. I think the Cal win gives them something to build on as is simply making the tournament and keeping the 17 year streak alive. I’d love for them to prove me wrong and make a run, but I just don’t see it.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Edinboro plays at Cal tomorrow. The winner gets Monday off and the No. 2 seed. In this particular 'parity' West, that's a much bigger deal than usual. In many years, even the Round 2 Wednesday games were pretty much freebies for the home team. Most years, the top 2 teams in the West are vastly superior to the others. That's not the case right now.

Slippery Rock has the No. 4 seed wrapped and will host Monday night. The Rock is red hot. Morrow is a tough building.

The other item yet to play out is if IUP will get the (5) seed or the (6) seed.

In my opinion, the best case scenario for IUP is to play at California on Monday night. Getting that to happen, however, is complicated. For starters, Cal has to lose - at home - to Edinboro tomorrow. Granted, that's very possible. Edinboro is legit. The Scots won the first meeting, 93-85, in McComb. Tomorrow should be a shootout. Cal can get really hot in Angelo's Dome.

Now is when it gets even more complicated. Seton Hill has to beat Gannon tomorrow - in Erie. Not easy to do -- especially since the Knights will be looking for some payback (and the fact
GU is playing really well again). IUP also needs to lose tonight at Clarion. This would set up (6) IUP at (3) Cal on Monday.

Remember, in the event both IUP and SH both win - or, both lose - IUP gets the tie-breaker and No. 5 seed. The Hawks swept the Griffins this year. Both currently have 8-11 league records. If this plays out, IUP will travel to SRU.

In another scenario, IUP could play at Edinboro on Monday night. IUP got hammered in McComb, but lost by just 2 points (recently) in the KCAC.

SRU, this year, is just an awful matchup for IUP. Neither game has been close (despite what the scores ended up being). The games were never in doubt. Put it that way. The other teams have much more favorable matchups for IUP. This SRU team is just very problematic. The 'buzz' of an IUP vs SRU game - inside Morrow - would stir that campus in to a frenzy. So, the environment would also be very difficult.

I do think this IUP team is a tricky 'out' in this tournament. They've had two big wins in the past 10 days - (at) Seton Hill and California. They are clearly an inconsistent bunch -- especially on the road. But, things change in a one-and-done scenario. Pressure changes everything. This team is so young and loose it may not even feel it. Their confidence is also up.

IUP has followed a pretty steady pattern all year of 'good one game, bad the next'. So, whatever happens tonight could be deceiving. Monday is the game that matters.

I remember, long ago, an IUP team coached by Gary Edwards got blasted - twice - by California in the regular season. Guess what happened in Round 1 in Hamer Hall? IUP lit them up. Every team is 0-0 come Monday. The destination is the only thing still TBD.

[tonyc]

IUP notebook: https://open.substack.com/pub/tonyco...meOnShare=true

[IUPbigINDIANS]

There's an interesting dynamic tomorrow night (in the odd Friday night league game).

Clarion hasn't played since Feb. 19. The Golden Eagles are in the midst of a four-game skid, too. On top of it, they have been eliminated from the conference tournament race.

It will be interesting to see how engaged they are come tip-off.

I'd assume Joe isn't practicing today ... probably just a walk-thru. Hell, Joe's team may not be that interested, either.

Playing tomorrow should help them come Monday night. Extra day of rest.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Interesting game. I thought IUP just seemed a little faster for most of the game and at times, Cal looked disinterested. Credit to IUP for taking advantage of it and finding the punch they’ve been lacking. Merraro is an impressive talent. Get him a good forward to work with and he’ll be even better. Herring was also very good and made baskets at key times. Put 15 lbs. on him and he’ll also be a great weapon. Take away the Clarion game earlier in the year when IUP shot out of their minds and I’d say this was their best game this season.

Worth noting. I heard Joe’s pre-game and he mentioned the team’s GPA is a combined 3.2. That’s a win worth mentioning in a year when there hasn’t been a lot to cheer about.

I don't think Cal was expecting IUP to show up with that intensity last night. It caught them off guard.

Of the teams alive in the West, IUP matches up well with the Vulcans. Neither team has much size but IUP probably has more. What's killed IUP this year has been when they go up against a top-level post player(s). Damir gets in foul trouble (quickly) and then all heck breaks loose.

Joe should have been playing Callum MacNamara all year. He's raw, but he's a big, physical player. He can certainly eat up some minutes and be productive on both ends.

Merraro was sick as a dog last night and still went bonkers. He's not going to be fun to play against for 3 more years. All three freshmen played well last night. Grove's confidence is slowly coming back. He hit some big shots. Herring just creates chaos.

We don't talk about Christian Moore as much as we should be he's having a really solid year. I can't wait to see Moore and Merraro when they have Dallis at the other guard spot. IUP's offense this year 'is' Moore and Merraro. Every team knows it. For them to be as productive as they are when every team game-plans around them is quite impressive.


On the right night, IUP could be a tough out next week.

[EyeoftheHawk]

The Aussie is 1-0 as a starter.

Great to see these young kids win a game like that against a red hot team.

Joe may have just cost Danny an at large bid.

Merraro was amazing.

Interesting game. I thought IUP just seemed a little faster for most of the game and at times, Cal looked disinterested. Credit to IUP for taking advantage of it and finding the punch they’ve been lacking. Merraro is an impressive talent. Get him a good forward to work with and he’ll be even better. Herring was also very good and made baskets at key times. Put 15 lbs. on him and he’ll also be a great weapon. Take away the Clarion game earlier in the year when IUP shot out of their minds and I’d say this was their best game this season.

Worth noting. I heard Joe’s pre-game and he mentioned the team’s GPA is a combined 3.2. That’s a win worth mentioning in a year when there hasn’t been a lot to cheer about.

[tonyc]

Wednesday's IUP-Cal game story: https://open.substack.com/pub/tonyco...meOnShare=true

[IUPbigINDIANS]

The Aussie is 1-0 as a starter.

Great to see these young kids win a game like that against a red hot team.

Joe may have just cost Danny an at large bid.

Merraro was amazing.

[IUPalum]

deletei

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Confused why Sarp plays so much. Most of the time he’s like a fish out of water.

Merraro was very good but he didn’t get a ton of help.
Grove was really good on offense, got abused on defense. I agree, I’m not sure why Triggs didn’t play more. He was giving them an offensive punch.

The halftime video was a nice touch.

Slippery Rock played great. Credit to them.

It's unfathomable Sarp starts over Herring.

Herring should play 30+ mpg. He has some freshman flaws, but he brings so, so much more to the floor - on both ends.

This is the second year in a row a quality player isn't starting. KJ somehow started a full season over Damir. Figure that out.

I don't think this team is even being put in position to win games. If you want to win, the best players play. It's not rocket science. Look at the Clarion box score. Look closely. It will tell you all you need to know. Far and away, by the way, IUP's best performance of the season.

[IUPalum]

Confused why Sarp plays so much. Most of the time he’s like a fish out of water.

Merraro was very good but he didn’t get a ton of help.
Grove was really good on offense, got abused on defense. I agree, I’m not sure why Triggs didn’t play more. He was giving them an offensive punch.

The halftime video was a nice touch.

Slippery Rock played great. Credit to them.

Merraro and Grove will be good D2 players. Merraro is undersized so he'll always be a liability on D but his speed makes up for a lot of his size short comings. Grove just needs to get stronger and keep learning.

The Sarp situation is similar to the KJ situation last year. WHY do they see the minutes that they do??? We'll never know that answer other than our hunches. Neither is/was a good D2 player.

[IUPHawks24]

Sarp 23 worthless minutes

Grove and Triggs start to get hot and Joe pulls them right away.

That's all that needs said.

Confused why Sarp plays so much. Most of the time he’s like a fish out of water.

Merraro was very good but he didn’t get a ton of help.
Grove was really good on offense, got abused on defense. I agree, I’m not sure why Triggs didn’t play more. He was giving them an offensive punch.

The halftime video was a nice touch.

Slippery Rock played great. Credit to them.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Sarp 23 worthless minutes

Grove and Triggs start to get hot and Joe pulls them right away.

That's all that needs said.

They lost that game before it tipped off.

This team needs to bring a little juice. It isn't good enough to just show up.

I hope to see a little more fire and excitement Wednesday night.