Iup basketball

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Things keep getting better ... Demo is now going to have an MRI on his knee. Sounds like they are hoping it is just tendentious.

I'd probably consider him doubtful for both Clarion and UPJ.

Joe also said Bryce Radford should return in 2-3 more weeks.

Redshirt freshman forward Damir Brooks is out with Covid.

There's soon going to be a Help Wanted sign on the KCAC marquee looking for practice bodies.



So, for tomorrow I'd anticipate the starting lineup to again be Armoni, David, Polce, Ethan and Sulaiman. Dillard, Ousmane and KJ will be the bench.

I don't buy in to coaching clichés much ... but this is truly turning in to a 'one game at a time' season.

I said it the other night but I think they should give Cordon a better look. I hate to dog on KJ but they just aren't getting much out of him. Cordon has looked adequate when he's played and has a nice shot for a big guy. He's physically big enough to play in the post for a couple minutes and athletic enough to play a guard spot in short stints. KJ seems to have the athletic ability to play and he definitely has nice size ... just seem lacking in confidence or he's thinking too much on the court.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Brief outlook on tomorrow's game (at Clarion):

Record: 6-7
Streak: L3

While not having a great season, Clarion has played well its last two outings. The Golden Eagles lost a tight, 78-72, game in Johnstown (Clarion scored 49 in the second half) and then lost at home to California, 75-67. The Vulcans couldn't hit the side of a barn shooting in that game.

Three players do the vast majority of the scoring. Guards Gerald Jarmon (17.8) and Conner Ferrell (16.2) can both score from outside and drive the lane. Lawrence Lemon (11.8) is one of the top small forwards in the league. He's been around forever and has had some big games against IUP in the past. Beyond those three, the scoring takes a big dip.

Inside the numbers for Clarion:

PPG - 73.9
PPG Opponents - 76.8
3-PT - 33%
FT - 62%
FG - 44%
REB Margin - Just below even
TO - 16.2 per game
Blocks - 4.6 per game

IUP has won 20 straight in the series. There has been the occasional close game during that stretch.

Clarion is 0-5 against the five best teams on its schedule. Three of those losses, however, were in single digits. They were blown out earlier in the season by Millersville (prior to the Marauders hitting their funk) and at Mercyhurst.

Along with the 6'8" Lemon, Clarion does have a slew of big guys in the 6'8" range and a 7' center. However, Lemon is the main attraction.

This is one of those games IUP needs to get off to a fast start and not let Clarion gain any confidence. If you let them hang around they are capable of putting up some points.

IUP can't get to Johnstown Monday night until getting through this trip to Clarion. So, take care of business and get over to the Captain Loomis after the game.

[Ship69]

Well, the five-game stretch we discussed kind of happened ... just not the exact five games we anticipated.

Looking at the next five-game stretch (assuming these games all actually happen):

@ Clarion (Saturday) - They'll get tested a bit up there. Avoid the trap.

@ Pitt-Johnstown (Monday) - This is a big one. IUP usually travels very well to this game so that should help.

Edinboro (Wednesday) - The Scots have been streaky. Good some nights and, well, not good other nights.

Mercyhurst (Saturday) - Round 2 ... and, why in the world is this game at 3 p.m. ?

Gannon (Monday) - 48 hours after Mercyhurst. Brutal back-to-back.


That's 5 games in 10 days. Tough workload with little prep time in between. Luckily, IUP will finally come home for a three-game stretch.

Crossing my fingers at Ship. So far West Chester is the only league postponement.

[EyeoftheHawk]

Well, the five-game stretch we discussed kind of happened ... just not the exact five games we anticipated.

Looking at the next five-game stretch (assuming these games all actually happen):

@ Clarion (Saturday) - They'll get tested a bit up there. Avoid the trap.

@ Pitt-Johnstown (Monday) - This is a big one. IUP usually travels very well to this game so that should help.

Edinboro (Wednesday) - The Scots have been streaky. Good some nights and, well, not good other nights.

Mercyhurst (Saturday) - Round 2 ... and, why in the world is this game at 3 p.m. ?

Gannon (Monday) - 48 hours after Mercyhurst. Brutal back-to-back.


That's 5 games in 10 days. Tough workload with little prep time in between. Luckily, IUP will finally come home for a three-game stretch.

Looking forward to seeing a game in person again, and there are a few good ones in a row to look forward to IF they’re played as scheduled.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Well, the five-game stretch we discussed kind of happened ... just not the exact five games we anticipated.

Looking at the next five-game stretch (assuming these games all actually happen):

@ Clarion (Saturday) - They'll get tested a bit up there. Avoid the trap.

@ Pitt-Johnstown (Monday) - This is a big one. IUP usually travels very well to this game so that should help.

Edinboro (Wednesday) - The Scots have been streaky. Good some nights and, well, not good other nights.

Mercyhurst (Saturday) - Round 2 ... and, why in the world is this game at 3 p.m. ?

Gannon (Monday) - 48 hours after Mercyhurst. Brutal back-to-back.


That's 5 games in 10 days. Tough workload with little prep time in between. Luckily, IUP will finally come home for a three-game stretch.

[Ship69]

They'll get a better workout Saturday. Clarion has some legit dudes. They aren't overly deep, but their starting five has several strong players.

Gerald Jarmon is a really polished guard and Lawrence Lemon is one of the better forwards in the league. Connor Ferrell is a big, tough guard who scored 30 points on UPJ this year.

So, unlike last night, they have some guys who can match-up.

Clarion is 6-7 on the year. Their best performance was Jan. 15 at UPJ (a 78-72 loss). They also gave Cal a pretty good run last night in a 75-67 setback.

The big one is Monday (at UPJ) ... but they can't get caught looking ahead.

Man, it's been a long time since they've played at home.

Schedules are weird this year. Ship is in a stretch of playing seven of nine games at home, but after playing West Chester at home on Feb. 9 they don't play at home again until Feb. 26 with Kutztown, the last regular-season game.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

That was just dumb. The gap in athleticism between those two teams is staggering. The announcers were gushing over IUP. At times I couldn’t tell if it was the home or away broadcast. Obviously IUP isn’t going to be that hot all the time, but that should have been a confidence builder for some. Dillard was particularly impressive. If they get him going, look out. The road is a lot tougher ahead but it looks like IUP is hitting its stride as the meat of the schedule approaches.

They'll get a better workout Saturday. Clarion has some legit dudes. They aren't overly deep, but their starting five has several strong players.

Gerald Jarmon is a really polished guard and Lawrence Lemon is one of the better forwards in the league. Connor Ferrell is a big, tough guard who scored 30 points on UPJ this year.

So, unlike last night, they have some guys who can match-up.

Clarion is 6-7 on the year. Their best performance was Jan. 15 at UPJ (a 78-72 loss). They also gave Cal a pretty good run last night in a 75-67 setback.

The big one is Monday (at UPJ) ... but they can't get caught looking ahead.

Man, it's been a long time since they've played at home.

[EyeoftheHawk]

That was just dumb. The gap in athleticism between those two teams is staggering. The announcers were gushing over IUP. At times I couldn’t tell if it was the home or away broadcast. Obviously IUP isn’t going to be that hot all the time, but that should have been a confidence builder for some. Dillard was particularly impressive. If they get him going, look out. The road is a lot tougher ahead but it looks like IUP is hitting its stride as the meat of the schedule approaches.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

IUP 100 Seton Hill 60

Thoughts:

1) I know think Joe doesn't yank Armoni b/c of national accolades. Armoni has aspirations of the next level but he better start shooting the 3 ball better.
2) I'm pretty sure Dillard belongs. WOW!
3) David and Ethan played pretty good in a shorter outings for them.
4) Sulaiman getting better on the offensive end.
5) Why doesn't Diop play more?
6) Joe said in the post game Tommy D's knee is why he didn't play tonight.

Demo was moving around fine ... no crutches or braces. Likely a day of rest / precautionary.

Not worth complaining anymore about Armoni playing with 2 minutes left and up 40. Don't like it but it isn't going to change.

Dillard had his breakout game. This should really help him going forward. 5-5 treys.

I thought Sulaiman had a great game. He's emerging and busting out of his shell. He's a load to handle.

Diop had a nice game. Wish he'd have played more.

The guy on the deep bench who, to me, looks decent is Enrique Cordon. He's big ... probably 6'5" and 215 lbs. I'm surprised he hasn't got more of a look. I think he could safely give them some spot minutes.

Radford's boot is off. Joe said he's on the way back ... maybe 2 more weeks. With Dillard emerging ... Bryce's minutes may be pretty sparse but it will be nice to get another bench option.

Porterfield entered tonight leading the PSAC in 3-pt % ... he hit 5 of 6 tonight. SH's bigs had no chance guarding him out there..

Joe wanted that crowd out of the game immediately. They all left at halftime.. Perfect start. They were swarming on defense. That starting lineup tonight (without Demo) is probably their best defensive lineup. Obviously Demo brings a lot on both ends.

This was SH ... but somehow that team had been playing everybody tough lately.

[Ship69]

Wow. 18/34 from behind the arc despite Foster going 2/9.

BB these days a lot of the time is living or dying with the three-pointer. When you make 18, you're obviously living high.

[Golden89]

IUP 100 Seton Hill 60

Thoughts:

1) I know think Joe doesn't yank Armoni b/c of national accolades. Armoni has aspirations of the next level but he better start shooting the 3 ball better.
2) I'm pretty sure Dillard belongs. WOW!
3) David and Ethan played pretty good in a shorter outings for them.
4) Sulaiman getting better on the offensive end.
5) Why doesn't Diop play more?
6) Joe said in the post game Tommy D's knee is why he didn't play tonight.

Wow. 18/34 from behind the arc despite Foster going 2/9.

[IUPalum]

IUP 100 Seton Hill 60

Thoughts:

1) I know think Joe doesn't yank Armoni b/c of national accolades. Armoni has aspirations of the next level but he better start shooting the 3 ball better.
2) I'm pretty sure Dillard belongs. WOW!
3) David and Ethan played pretty good in a shorter outings for them.
4) Sulaiman getting better on the offensive end.
5) Why doesn't Diop play more?
6) Joe said in the post game Tommy D's knee is why he didn't play tonight.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

100-60

Final

Dillard was on fire

[IUPbigINDIANS]

If IUP was full strength this would be 150-30

[IUPalum]

Wow. How many TDs does Morris have?

47-17 half