Iup basketball

[IUPbigINDIANS]

College kids. You just can't predict what will go on from game to game. And then when coaches get on mystery rotations that adds to the drama. At Ship, the unusual makeup of the roster has led to a revolving door of guards after Recchia. Satchel Ball seems to be settling in at first off the bench. Gannon certainly is not a typical winless team and should break into the W column soon. The PSAC has two dominant teams in IUP and East Stroud (with Mercyhurst perhaps making it a top three with their defense of late). The rest of the league seems fairly well balanced. Mansfield over Lock Haven surprised me. I thought Ship would be lucky to get one at West Chester Wednesday night, but it ended up being one of their easier trips there in recent years. West Chester is almost always the most unpredictable team in the East. Came off a 15-point win against a decent Kutztown team and laid a real egg Wednesday.

I remember when IUP played at Mansfield. They show some flashes and have a couple nice players. It's nice to see they finally put a full game together.

[Ship69]

I posted my thoughts (list) immediately after the game. Thankfully, I didn't wait to see the box score (or they'd have been worse).

I'm fully aware not every game in a season will be pretty. They got through a sandwich game on the road injury free. That's the most important item.

However, that was one ugly game.

I just have to wonder how much better this team would be if the offense didn't focus so much on so few players.

Dallis Dillard is one of the best players -- both ends -- on the roster. His minutes are baffling. He played 25 last night and should have played 35.

Kyle Polce is a barrel of energy and a tremendous defender. He played 10 minutes last night. This has become a trend in case you haven't noticed.

KJ Rhodes and Jaylen Stewart combined for 23 minutes -- and COMBINED for (1) point and (1) rebound. More on that later.

Damir Brooks played (8) minutes.

I get Joe is perhaps backed in to a corner with this Jaylen Stewart item. He burned the redshirt (for a reason nobody still knows) so perhaps he's feeling obligated to play him. However, Jaheim Bethea has been exported to Siberia down on the deep bench. He yet again dressed but didn't play for the third consecutive game.

Yes, Bethea played at times like a true freshmen at PG. However, Stewart (it's obvious) has been afforded the same offensive freedom as KJ (i.e. none). And, Bethea is a better defender than Stewart. So, unless there's more to this story ... it makes zero sense. By the way, from what I'm told, there isn't more to this story. It's as simple as Stewart is playing over Bethea.

I get Diop is never going to have a role here. But, you can't tell me he can't play 5 productive minutes a night -- or, that IUP couldn't use an athletic, 6'10" player for 5 minutes a game. If anything, he disrupts things for the opposition.

As for Shanwdale's slump from outside, yes, it appears Joe is going to let him shoot his way out of it. He fired up 19 shots last night. Yes, he finished with 21 points but 10 came at the FT line. It was clear very early Dallis and Tomiwa had a hot hand, yet they got a combined 9 shots.

Defensively, aside from the first half against Concord, that was their worst performance of the season. It was masked some by playing a team, while fighting hard, which was also very sloppy. Several of Gannon's 21 turnovers were unforced.

One hand, you simply call this an off night in a game they didn't seem very interested to play (in between two big games). It happens during a 4-month season.

Other hand, I worry we are seeing some of these items night after night. IUP will have superior talent most games to cover these things up. But, that won't last forever. They are dang lucky Gannon couldn't punch back any harder last night.

IUP won that game at the FT line (24-28). Gannon was just 8-12 at the line.

College kids. You just can't predict what will go on from game to game. And then when coaches get on mystery rotations that adds to the drama. At Ship, the unusual makeup of the roster has led to a revolving door of guards after Recchia. Satchel Ball seems to be settling in at first off the bench. Gannon certainly is not a typical winless team and should break into the W column soon. The PSAC has two dominant teams in IUP and East Stroud (with Mercyhurst perhaps making it a top three with their defense of late). The rest of the league seems fairly well balanced. Mansfield over Lock Haven surprised me. I thought Ship would be lucky to get one at West Chester Wednesday night, but it ended up being one of their easier trips there in recent years. West Chester is almost always the most unpredictable team in the East. Came off a 15-point win against a decent Kutztown team and laid a real egg Wednesday.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

* Shawndale is 3 for his last 23 three point attempts. That doesn’t cut it. Him shooting 25% is part of the reason why todays game was close.

* Dallis started, drained a three then right to the bench for an extended period. Baffling!!!

* Why the heck is KJ in during crunch time both halves?

* Diop? I guess we have no need for a long, athletic player.

* Polce guards the heck out of it. Needs more minutes.

* I’m still not understanding Stewart playing.

* imagine if Joe drew up a play for Tomiwa.

* Ethan heating up from 3??!

I posted my thoughts (list) immediately after the game. Thankfully, I didn't wait to see the box score (or they'd have been worse).

I'm fully aware not every game in a season will be pretty. They got through a sandwich game on the road injury free. That's the most important item.

However, that was one ugly game.

I just have to wonder how much better this team would be if the offense didn't focus so much on so few players.

Dallis Dillard is one of the best players -- both ends -- on the roster. His minutes are baffling. He played 25 last night and should have played 35.

Kyle Polce is a barrel of energy and a tremendous defender. He played 10 minutes last night. This has become a trend in case you haven't noticed.

KJ Rhodes and Jaylen Stewart combined for 23 minutes -- and COMBINED for (1) point and (1) rebound. More on that later.

Damir Brooks played (8) minutes.

I get Joe is perhaps backed in to a corner with this Jaylen Stewart item. He burned the redshirt (for a reason nobody still knows) so perhaps he's feeling obligated to play him. However, Jaheim Bethea has been exported to Siberia down on the deep bench. He yet again dressed but didn't play for the third consecutive game.

Yes, Bethea played at times like a true freshmen at PG. However, Stewart (it's obvious) has been afforded the same offensive freedom as KJ (i.e. none). And, Bethea is a better defender than Stewart. So, unless there's more to this story ... it makes zero sense. By the way, from what I'm told, there isn't more to this story. It's as simple as Stewart is playing over Bethea.

I get Diop is never going to have a role here. But, you can't tell me he can't play 5 productive minutes a night -- or, that IUP couldn't use an athletic, 6'10" player for 5 minutes a game. If anything, he disrupts things for the opposition.

As for Shanwdale's slump from outside, yes, it appears Joe is going to let him shoot his way out of it. He fired up 19 shots last night. Yes, he finished with 21 points but 10 came at the FT line. It was clear very early Dallis and Tomiwa had a hot hand, yet they got a combined 9 shots.

Defensively, aside from the first half against Concord, that was their worst performance of the season. It was masked some by playing a team, while fighting hard, which was also very sloppy. Several of Gannon's 21 turnovers were unforced.

One hand, you simply call this an off night in a game they didn't seem very interested to play (in between two big games). It happens during a 4-month season.

Other hand, I worry we are seeing some of these items night after night. IUP will have superior talent most games to cover these things up. But, that won't last forever. They are dang lucky Gannon couldn't punch back any harder last night.

IUP won that game at the FT line (24-28). Gannon was just 8-12 at the line.

[IUPalum]

* Shawndale is 3 for his last 23 three point attempts. That doesn’t cut it. Him shooting 25% is part of the reason why todays game was close.

* Dallis started, drained a three then right to the bench for an extended period. Baffling!!!

* Why the heck is KJ in during crunch time both halves?

* Diop? I guess we have no need for a long, athletic player.

* Polce guards the heck out of it. Needs more minutes.

* I’m still not understanding Stewart playing.

* imagine if Joe drew up a play for Tomiwa.

* Ethan heating up from 3??!

[IUPbigINDIANS]

The good news is IUP left Erie injury free and with a win. That was about the extent of the good news.

* IUP looked exactly how'd you expect in between Mercyhurst and UPJ -- hungover, looking ahead, ... whatever phrase you want to insert.

* First half minutes were astonishing. Where was Dillard?

* This Stewart and Bethea thing ... I don't know. I'm not seeing it. Stewart isn't shooting even when he's wide open so obviously he has a red light.

* Last 30 seconds of first half were a disaster and gave Gannon momentum and morale -- rather than sticking a fork in them

* The better Kyle Polce plays ... the less Kyle Polce plays

* KJ is playing over Brooks and Diop -- in the low post

* Shot selection was horrendous. IUP isn't a playground team and played playground basketball for 37 of 40 minutes

* Terrible fouls 38' from the basket

* It's pretty clear when Shawndale gets the ball he's shooting the ball. Numerous times he'd shoot and there wasn't a rebounder within 10' of the basket

* Gannon had way more intensity and played well

Put this one to bed and burn the tape. Take the win and move on.

[IUPNation]

Trip to Gannon tonight. I remember when this was the game of the year in the West and a fierce rivalry.

Crowds in the 'Mill (or, 'Mark) have naturally stunk this year. I suspect IUP will have a large contingent in the building tonight with all its Erie-area players.

Gannon's lineup is hard to read. They've have a revolving door of players in and out, and played basically all of December and (thus far) January very short-handed.

This is a 'take care of business' game (and not get caught looking ahead).

...and some sort of payback for what LIT AF did to us.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Trip to Gannon tonight. I remember when this was the game of the year in the West and a fierce rivalry.

Crowds in the 'Mill (or, 'Mark) have naturally stunk this year. I suspect IUP will have a large contingent in the building tonight with all its Erie-area players.

Gannon's lineup is hard to read. They've have a revolving door of players in and out, and played basically all of December and (thus far) January very short-handed.

This is a 'take care of business' game (and not get caught looking ahead).

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I was in the KCAC for the first time in several years today, but I had a very excited 6 year old who had never been to a game before with me. So I can’t really provide in depth analysis, but I did think both teams look like they’ll be a handful come March. IUP putting up 80 points on Mercyhurst is quite impressive, even more so when you consider they missed a number of point blank bunnies. I’m sure the rematch in Erie will be a battle.

It was nice to finally get to see this core group in person. And my son absolutely loved being there so I imagine we’ll be back a couple more times at least.

DM next time. I'll get you whatever tickets you need. On the house.

[Chuck Norris]

I was in the KCAC for the first time in several years today, but I had a very excited 6 year old who had never been to a game before with me. So I can’t really provide in depth analysis, but I did think both teams look like they’ll be a handful come March. IUP putting up 80 points on Mercyhurst is quite impressive, even more so when you consider they missed a number of point blank bunnies. I’m sure the rematch in Erie will be a battle.

It was nice to finally get to see this core group in person. And my son absolutely loved being there so I imagine we’ll be back a couple more times at least.

[Ship69]

My official prediction:

If IUP plays team ball, the Hawks will win.

You can read between those lines.

IUP is the favorite in every PSAC game this season until someone proves otherwise.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

My official prediction:

If IUP plays team ball, the Hawks will win.

You can read between those lines.

[IUPalum]

The '18-'19 regular season loss was awful. Cobo blew the inbound coverage (out of a timeout) and then IUP left Porzinkas (sp) wide open in the corner when the entire building knew who was taking the last shot.

They split 4 games that year. Obviously Mercyhurst won the biggest of the four and then won the Region two days later. That was Gary's best team up there.

YMCA boy… only reason he was on that team was bc he was lights out shooting! Still pisses me off!

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Although I can’t imagine many of the same kids are still around, Hurst has shown an ability to win in Indiana. I was at both games in the 18-19 season when it happened. Even when IUP has gotten leads that other opponents would have succumbed to, Hurst has shown an ability to stay in the game and somehow be within striking distance until the bitter end. The regular season game in 18-19 was very much like that when it seemed like IUP had the game in hand only to inexplicably leave their 6th man sharpshooter wide open for a game winning three at the buzzer.

Per your earlier post, I think the bench gets shortened a bit today. I’m confident that IUP has the better overall material, but Hurst is showing up with a proven system and a group of kids that won’t be intimidated. It’s not often you get a chance to take down the #1 team in the country in its own building. We should get our moneys worth today.

The '18-'19 regular season loss was awful. Cobo blew the inbound coverage (out of a timeout) and then IUP left Porzinkas (sp) wide open in the corner when the entire building knew who was taking the last shot.

They split 4 games that year. Obviously Mercyhurst won the biggest of the four and then won the Region two days later. That was Gary's best team up there.

[EyeoftheHawk]

Last 11 meetings in the IUP vs Mercyhurst series:

YEAR	VENUE	SCORE	NOTES
21-22	MAC	70-67 IUP
21-22	KCAC	60-51 IUP
21-22	KCAC	58-55 IUP	ROUND 2 NCAAs
19-20	KCAC	71-56 IUP
19-20	MAC	68-62 MER
18-19	MAC	77-66 IUP
18-19	KCAC	64-63 MER
18-19	KCAC	56-49 IUP	PSAC FINAL
18-19	KCAC	75-65 MERC	ROUND 2 NCAAs
17-18	KCAC	67-57 IUP
17-18	MAC	67-55 IUP

In the past 11 games, IUP has:

* Gone 8-3 (including three straight wins)
* Averaged 65.09 ppg
* Given up 60.27 ppg
* Reached 77 points just once

Here's an even crazier stat from this series:

If you go all the way back to the 2010-11 season, these two have played 27 times. An '80' was put on the scoreboard just once -- in IUP's win in the MAC in 2016-17 (80-69). During this stretch, there have been numerous games where the winner scored in the mid-50s.

Does the matchup zone get easier as the season moves along? The numbers say the opposite. Last year, in order, IUP scored 70, 60 and then 58 against Mercyhurst.

The last meeting, of course, in Round 2 of the NCAAs, was one of the instant classics -- straight down to the controversial ending (Dallis Dillard drew a charge on a made bucket that was waived off). Ethan Porterfield was also pure ice at the line in the second half -- hitting 11 of 12 when IUP couldn't buy a bucket. IUP stormed out to a 13-1 lead and lead 30-22 at the half, but the Lakers came soaring back in the second.

Although I can’t imagine many of the same kids are still around, Hurst has shown an ability to win in Indiana. I was at both games in the 18-19 season when it happened. Even when IUP has gotten leads that other opponents would have succumbed to, Hurst has shown an ability to stay in the game and somehow be within striking distance until the bitter end. The regular season game in 18-19 was very much like that when it seemed like IUP had the game in hand only to inexplicably leave their 6th man sharpshooter wide open for a game winning three at the buzzer.

Per your earlier post, I think the bench gets shortened a bit today. I’m confident that IUP has the better overall material, but Hurst is showing up with a proven system and a group of kids that won’t be intimidated. It’s not often you get a chance to take down the #1 team in the country in its own building. We should get our moneys worth today.

[Ship69]

Those are legit thoughts, Chuck. I've talked to a couple people who also follow the program and their theory also was he's trying to go all in for this year. It wasn't an eligibility issue. He's a very good student from what I've heard. You can tell watching Stewart that he's still in the 'thinking' rather than 'playing' mode ... but that will slowly wear off. It would have been great to activate him prior to PSU-Altoona. He then could have played 30 minutes.

As for winning it all this year ... I'm not sold yet. This team has some flaws. Well, maybe not flaws, but things that make me a little nervous. For instance, I think they need to spread the scoring around more. Polce and Dillard are legit players. They need a bigger leash / role. Tomiwa had 19 and 11 last night and they don't run a single play for him. That was 19 points the hard way. The overall 3-point shooting is alarming, but this could be a prolonged funk of sorts. I don't think they are getting Ethan enough outside shots -- something that was key a year ago. He's only taken 33 attempts. Conversely, Shawndale has put up 48 but is hitting just 27%. Knit picking, perhaps, but some of these things will be more visible against better opponents.

I'm trying not to think about Ethan and Tomiwa yet. I don't 'think' either is going to leave. If they both say, yes, business as usual next year. If they leave, along with Morris and Shawndale graduating, yes, massive rebuild. Thankfully we have a couple months until that comes up.

Big test awaits. One of the Mercyhurst players mentioned last night that IUP got them last year (IUP won all 3 meetings) and they are eager to redeem themselves. This is a really big game. Obviously it won't define either teams' season but the winner gets a real nice boost. Gotta win the big ones at home. And, as always, you have to start strong against Mercyhurst. They are extremely difficult to come back against.

At least you guys can hope for a somewhat intact roster next year. Ship has a guaranteed massive rebuild. It probably will be Fite's most pivotal recruiting season since his first two years at the helm.