Iup basketball

[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.

[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]

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.

[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]

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]

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.

[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.

[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.

[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]

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.

[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]

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.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I tuned in for a while yesterday and that was my initial impression. The officials are really overweight. I don't denigrate people who are overweight but being in shape should be part of that job.

Is the officiating more of a problem on a regional basis, i.e. in western PA?

The word is -- at the high school level -- the WPIAL is going to stager football games starting next Fall to be played on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. This is due to a drastic lack of officials.

It is my understanding that this will cause a trickle-down as many WPIAL officials also work small college games (i.e. PSAC, MEC and local D3).

I fully agree on the weight comment. However, these officials are on a wooden rectangle with really fast and really in-shape 18 to 23 year-olds. You cannot be effective if you can't keep up. The game is too fast. It's a real problem. They'd never release their grades, but they'd be horrible. Officials in basketball have to be in the right places at the right times.

[iupgroundhog]

The officiating is so bad because we have a full cast of out of shape, 60-some-year-olds doing it.

They can't keep up. They are way too slow. Most are about 50 lbs overweight. They are constantly WAY out of position, etc.

I tuned in for a while yesterday and that was my initial impression. The officials are really overweight. I don't denigrate people who are overweight but being in shape should be part of that job.

Is the officiating more of a problem on a regional basis, i.e. in western PA?

[EyeoftheHawk]

The officiating is so bad because we have a full cast of out of shape, 60-some-year-olds doing it.

They can't keep up. They are way too slow. Most are about 50 lbs overweight. They are constantly WAY out of position, etc.

It's a terrible job. The pay sucks. The travel this time of the year is awful. You have ego-maniac coaches screaming at you for 2-3 hours.

They literally put Millersville back in the game today, and then called the worst technical I've ever seen near the end.

Casey and Joe both lost their minds today.

But, somebody has to do it. They are starving for younger officials. But, for the reasons above, they cannot attract anybody. You'd have to be near insane to sign up for the job.

Sitting court side you can really see how far some of these guys are out of position. They miss a lot, and then call things they think they see because of it. Saying that, the young official was probably the worst of the three yesterday.

I don’t think any of these guys try to be bad. You see some that are ego-driven and want attention, but I do think these guys are at least trying to do a good job. I think all teams want is consistency and that was a problem yesterday. Joe even screamed that at the younger official yesterday during one of the rants. IUP was very lucky to get out of there with a W.