Iup basketball

[IUPbigINDIANS]

It’s always interesting watching UPJ play. Not much has changed over the years, that’s for sure. Bob Rukavina has been there since I started paying attention to local college basketball in the late 80’s. Getting off the bus they don’t look like they could beat United High School. I can’t ever remember them having a team that looked the part, but they do what they’ve always done well and they have some nice banners hanging in their gym. I often wonder how good they could be if Bob ever had the resources to compete with other schools. I’ll give credit where it’s due. That dude is truly a D2 coaching legend.

As for IUP, they played pretty much to form with some good and bad stretches. I agree that Grove should be out there from the tip. He’s playing really well and seems to be comfortable in his role. If IUP had any kind of consistent inside presence they would have blown UPJ out of their own building, but that’s beating a dead horse. This is a perimeter team now that will win when shots fall and get blown out when they don’t. Defense is an afterthought.

The fluidity of UPJ's ball movement is custom made to play against IUP's struggling defense.

I'm sure you noticed but when UPJ was able to run, they scored at will. IUP's transition 'defense' was non-existent. I've also never, ever, seen a team lose guys in the corner more than IUP does.

That said, I thought their half-court defense was fairly good.

IUPAlum and I were talking during the game and we both thought UPJ was gassed the final 7-8 minutes. Rukavina is playing a real small rotation. Yet, IUP couldn't put them away.

Their big guy (Baden Forup) can't be guarded. He either makes the play or gets every single call. The older Kromka was like that when he was there. That dude is 6'7", 240 lbs and built like a rock -- yet gets protected by the officials like he's a feather in the wind. People from other teams have complained about the same thing. Even defensively, Forup blasted Christian Moore on a three-point shot right before half. No call. That dude is the Teflon Don of the PSAC West. Don't get me wrong, he's a great player. I sure wish we had him.

Of all the teams in the bottom half fighting for a spot, UPJ is the one I'd like to avoid in the first round. They know too much of what IUP does and how they do it. I honestly think they know Joe's system better than some of Joe's own players know it.

Look at last night ... Will Kromka got shutout (0 points). That's not happening again. IUP shot 51.5% from outside on 33 attempts. That's likely not happening again, either. UPJ is the worst matchup of those bottom teams for this particular IUP team. But, Round 3 would be in the KCAC.

[EyeoftheHawk]

It’s always interesting watching UPJ play. Not much has changed over the years, that’s for sure. Bob Rukavina has been there since I started paying attention to local college basketball in the late 80’s. Getting off the bus they don’t look like they could beat United High School. I can’t ever remember them having a team that looked the part, but they do what they’ve always done well and they have some nice banners hanging in their gym. I often wonder how good they could be if Bob ever had the resources to compete with other schools. I’ll give credit where it’s due. That dude is truly a D2 coaching legend.

As for IUP, they played pretty much to form with some good and bad stretches. I agree that Grove should be out there from the tip. He’s playing really well and seems to be comfortable in his role. If IUP had any kind of consistent inside presence they would have blown UPJ out of their own building, but that’s beating a dead horse. This is a perimeter team now that will win when shots fall and get blown out when they don’t. Defense is an afterthought.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

IUP went 17-33 from deep (7 treys by Christian Moore) and the Crimson Hawks survived the yearly trip to the Dirty J.


IUP appeared to be pulling away several times but couldn't slam the door shut. Not a pretty defensive game.

I thought Ian Herring, Tyler Grove and Big Game Luke Triggs all played pretty well.

Joe has a decision to make. Without question his team is night and day better with Grove in the game (he started tonight). He causes a mismatch being 6'8" and such a deep threat. It really frees up the three guards. However, the other post players are stronger defenders.

It's my opinion this team isn't winning anything with defense ... might as well put the firepower on the floor.

Herring and Triggs both hit some big shots (and played more minutes). Both were playing very limited minutes earlier this year. IUP is at its best with them each getting 22+ minutes.

UPJ, as always, put up a good fight. Can we steal the big fella with some NIL? He's a load.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

They won’t play again. PM will be #1 in the AA bracket and Marion Center the #1 seed in the AAA bracket. Both teams are will return 4-5 starters next season though so there will be more battles for sure.

10-4

I always forget schools within the league are in different classifications.

Obviously that's much different that the WPIAL.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Really? He didn't really do anything that wowed me. He only scored 10 points on Joe's ****ty D and not much else to go with it.

I thought he played pretty good D yesterday. If I remember correctly most of his points came off forced TOs.

In fairness he was the only player Joe's team actually guarded. The rest were just baited to shoot at will.

Is doinking four guys really the amount of faith Joe has left in this team?

In other words somebody chase Carmichael around and you other four sit in the paint. If they shoot outside let's try really hard to get the rebound.

Funny thing is Boro shot so bad it actually worked.

It does appear he's finally punted that dreadful 1-2-2 press. About the only thing it accomplished all season was tiring his own team out.

If you aren't trapping, pressing isn't worth it.

[IUPalum]

I really didn't notice Carmichael at all the first game. I certainly did today.

Really? He didn't really do anything that wowed me. He only scored 10 points on Joe's ****ty D and not much else to go with it.

[EyeoftheHawk]

I got the vibe they were baiting MC to get flustered and come out after them (in turn creating an opening somewhere).

MC didn't take the bait.


Wild ending. How MC even got the ball back was something I'd never seen before.

I wouldn't doubt there is a Round 4 looming.

They won’t play again. PM will be #1 in the AA bracket and Marion Center the #1 seed in the AAA bracket. Both teams are will return 4-5 starters next season though so there will be more battles for sure.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Did the same officiating crew call both games? What a **** show. Captain Red Bull grinds my gears, but he was right calling the inconsistency on charging calls. They also missed that clear call on the Boro player stepping out of bounds. What a mess of a game.

I wonder if Joe is taking it easy on Carmichael to woo him in the off season.

Lord Red Bull really needs a partner.

I also think he needs to be on the floor. He seems to miss too many of the details from up in the crows nest. At the table he could hear why the reviews are happening, etc.

Overall he was calmer than usual today. Screamed a lot.

It's a tough watch with the camera so high.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Did the same officiating crew call both games? What a **** show. Captain Red Bull grinds my gears, but he was right calling the inconsistency on charging calls. They also missed that clear call on the Boro player stepping out of bounds. What a mess of a game.

I wonder if Joe is taking it easy on Carmichael to woo him in the off season.

I really didn't notice Carmichael at all the first game. I certainly did today.

[Fightingscot82]

Did the same officiating crew call both games? What a **** show. Captain Red Bull grinds my gears, but he was right calling the inconsistency on charging calls. They also missed that clear call on the Boro player stepping out of bounds. What a mess of a game.

I wonder if Joe is taking it easy on Carmichael to woo him in the off season.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Make me puke!!!

Joe going with the 'doink' everybody except Carmichael is a strategy I've never seen before.

It worked today. Against a good team it would get him crushed.

This is a very odd team.

Big road win regardless. But, yikes.

By the way ... Ian Herring. Keep that guy on the floor. A couple others need kept on the bench.

[IUPalum]

Make me puke!!!

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Not a pretty combined half of basketball in McComb.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Miloser is an excellent coach. That’s the first time I saw him do that though and it did seem to kill their momentum. MC beat them about a week ago and they didn’t do that, only to watch MC pull away in the 4th. Maybe that’s what he was trying to guard against this time. Problem is, you need an elite ball handler to be effective and that’s the one thing they’re lacking. They don’t have a Macy Miller who can routinely dribble through double and triple teams.

I got the vibe they were baiting MC to get flustered and come out after them (in turn creating an opening somewhere).

MC didn't take the bait.


Wild ending. How MC even got the ball back was something I'd never seen before.

I wouldn't doubt there is a Round 4 looming.

[EyeoftheHawk]

So glad MC won.


Trying to milk the entire 4th sure backfired. That was awful.

I'm glad that coach lost. If they kept playing normal I have no doubt they'd have won.

I can't wait for the shot clock.

Miloser is an excellent coach. That’s the first time I saw him do that though and it did seem to kill their momentum. MC beat them about a week ago and they didn’t do that, only to watch MC pull away in the 4th. Maybe that’s what he was trying to guard against this time. Problem is, you need an elite ball handler to be effective and that’s the one thing they’re lacking. They don’t have a Macy Miller who can routinely dribble through double and triple teams.