Iup basketball

[EyeoftheHawk]

No one was there will ever forget it. It got very uncomfortable as a fan. I remember someone around where I was sitting whispering to the person next to them something like, “ok enough, we need to start cheering.” It had to be awful for the players as the minutes went by.

But yes, it was an interesting, outside of the box idea and it brought in a huge crowd. It will always be part of IUP basketball lore.

I was living out of state when this went down but I’ve heard so much about it that I’d say it has to go down as one of the most memorable games in IUP hoops history. For that reason alone it was a great promotion regardless of the outcome. In some ways losing the game made it more memorable. If IUP would have come out and blew Gannon out of the building there wouldn’t be nearly as much talk about it and there probably would have been a Silent Night game every year.

[hawks16]

I propose a new game during this mini break in action. Name an IUP hooper who brings you joy anytime you think of them.

I'll go first.

Devon Cottrell. Legend has it he's still roaming around the back hallways of the KCAC blocking shots in his 12th year of eligibility. Driz. He was our Udonis Haslem...our minister of Crimson Hawk Culture.

[Chuck Norris]

I always wanted to hear John Reily's thoughts on that night (Gannon coach).

It's a neat idea. It just backfired miserably. Wrong opponent. Biggest crowd in there ever and it was dead silent for the first 9-10 minutes of the game. I remember Joe saying it psyched his team out.

Schedule it against Clarion, not the (then) best defense in the league.

Amazingly, IUP was winning that game at halftime.

It's a good story.

No one who was there will ever forget it. It got very uncomfortable as a fan. I remember someone around where I was sitting whispering to the person next to them something like, “ok enough, we need to start cheering.” It had to be awful for the players as the minutes went by.

But yes, it was an interesting, outside of the box idea and it brought in a huge crowd. It will always be part of IUP basketball lore.

[Ship69]

Agreed. I worry that the challenge IUP is going to have with that exact statement moving forward, is this...

The lesser or middle of the road teams within the PSAC will likely keep more players than the top dogs (IUP, Mercyhurst, East Stroud, etc.) for longer. IUP will continue to get guys who are low end D1 players who will ultimately transfer after 1-2 seasons. I firmly believe that's IUP's new reality... A revolving door. That's not to say that they won't get talented players, but don't get attached, because they won't be here long. The Ethan Porterfield, program guys, of this era are going to be extremely rare at IUP anymore - or anywhere for that matter. But the guys who you see at Lock Haven, Bloom, etc., likely aren't always transferring in and out. They'll stick around and keep getting energized to play in "The Garden" of D2 basketball, as Joe once referred to it as. They'll get energized and get up to play the storied program of the league.

You have those factors and then you'll have a starting 5 trotting out of one high school recruit and 3-4 transfers all in their first year with the program. Joe's program, and success, has always been built on the basis of culture, consistency, and a family environment. He always got guys to buy into the program over a long period of time who really cared about the culture of the program and each other. I'm not sure you can continually do that when you have such a revolving door. And as such, I don't think these guys who do not have the long term connection to the program understand or recognize just how bad people in the other locker room want to beat them. It's going to be hard to match that energy nightly.

I don't necessarily agree that it's going to be a bigger challenge for the top teams. While the lower teams might keep more players, they're in constant danger of having any standout player they do happen to recruit poached by one of the traditional powers.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Not to beat a dead hawk, but it was the attendance record for several years

I always wanted to hear John Reily's thoughts on that night (Gannon coach).

It's a neat idea. It just backfired miserably. Wrong opponent. Biggest crowd in there ever and it was dead silent for the first 9-10 minutes of the game. I remember Joe saying it psyched his team out.

Schedule it against Clarion, not the (then) best defense in the league.

Amazingly, IUP was winning that game at halftime.

It's a good story.

[hawks16]

Dumbest game promo ever!!!

Not to beat a dead hawk, but it was the attendance record for several years

[IUPbigINDIANS]

They’ve got three studs, assuming Dallis will be ok, a very good role player in Brooks and then it’s just a mish-mash of guys after that. I don’t think Joe has any idea what he might get from guys 5-10 on any given night or who fits into what role. The freshman walk on seems like the most sure thing at this point. Like I said before, it’s a strange team. It’ll be interesting to see if Joe eventually does whittle down to 7 or 8 like usual or if he just has to keep mixing and matching all season.

The IUP Faithful better be praying Dallis is OK.

If he misses any amount of time, well, it won't be pretty.

I suspect he'll be OK, but he's the heart and soul of that team.

Radford will dress for the next game, but he's no Dallis. Stewart and Petteno need to see Tony Robbins.

IUP's Big 3 can keep them afloat, but they need all three.

[IUPalum]

SIlent Night makes me laugh every year when it comes up.

We said it the day after ... there would never, ever be another one under Redshirt Joe's watch.

There hasn't been.

Dumbest game promo ever!!!

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Just threaten to organize another Silent Night vs. Gannon if they don't bring back 7:30 tipoffs and I guarantee things change.

Top five list of two-word phrases Joe Lombardi hates:

5. True freshmen
4. Kevin Reynolds
3. West Liberty
2. GQ ref
1. Silent Night

SIlent Night makes me laugh every year when it comes up.

We said it the day after ... there would never, ever be another one under Redshirt Joe's watch.

There hasn't been.

[hawks16]

Unfortunately, that KCAC 'magic' his died a little bit (a lot, actually). The move to mostly 3 p.m. Saturday games, atmosphere-wise, has been an absolute killer. The crowds are smaller and much more mild.

The exclusive Satuday night game was an IUP staple dating back to the mid-90s. It's something they need to bring back ASAP.

Just threaten to organize another Silent Night vs. Gannon if they don't bring back 7:30 tipoffs and I guarantee things change.

Top five list of two-word phrases Joe Lombardi hates:

5. True freshmen
4. Kevin Reynolds
3. West Liberty
2. GQ ref
1. Silent Night

[IUPbigINDIANS]

IUP had some good teams before the KCAC. Last night's game had Bloom announcer calling it quieter than a funeral home.

Many of my favorite games ever were actually at the Field House. It had a much different vibe to it.

All the crowds suck this time of year.

[Bart]

I watched for years and years visiting teams being defeated in warm-ups inside the KCAC. It wasn't just that IUP was very strong but it was the atmosphere and the big crowd. Most teams in the Atlantic play in 1970s gyms in front of 175 people. They'd come to Indiana on a Saturday night and be in shock.

Unfortunately, that KCAC 'magic' his died a little bit (a lot, actually). The move to mostly 3 p.m. Saturday games, atmosphere-wise, has been an absolute killer. The crowds are smaller and much more mild.

The exclusive Satuday night game was an IUP staple dating back to the mid-90s. It's something they need to bring back ASAP. We already have one miserable atmosphere across the parking lot. No need for another one.

IUP had some good teams before the KCAC. Last night's game had Bloom announcer calling it quieter than a funeral home.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Agreed. I worry that the challenge IUP is going to have with that exact statement moving forward, is this...

The lesser or middle of the road teams within the PSAC will likely keep more players than the top dogs (IUP, Mercyhurst, East Stroud, etc.) for longer. IUP will continue to get guys who are low end D1 players who will ultimately transfer after 1-2 seasons. I firmly believe that's IUP's new reality... A revolving door. That's not to say that they won't get talented players, but don't get attached, because they won't be here long. The Ethan Porterfield, program guys, of this era are going to be extremely rare at IUP anymore - or anywhere for that matter. But the guys who you see at Lock Haven, Bloom, etc., likely aren't always transferring in and out. They'll stick around and keep getting energized to play in "The Garden" of D2 basketball, as Joe once referred to it as. They'll get energized and get up to play the storied program of the league.

You have those factors and then you'll have a starting 5 trotting out of one high school recruit and 3-4 transfers all in their first year with the program. Joe's program, and success, has always been built on the basis of culture, consistency, and a family environment. He always got guys to buy into the program over a long period of time who really cared about the culture of the program and each other. I'm not sure you can continually do that when you have such a revolving door. And as such, I don't think these guys who do not have the long term connection to the program understand or recognize just how bad people in the other locker room want to beat them. It's going to be hard to match that energy nightly.

I watched for years and years visiting teams being defeated in warm-ups inside the KCAC. It wasn't just that IUP was very strong but it was the atmosphere and the big crowd. Most teams in the Atlantic play in 1970s gyms in front of 175 people. They'd come to Indiana on a Saturday night and be in shock.

Unfortunately, that KCAC 'magic' his died a little bit (a lot, actually). The move to mostly 3 p.m. Saturday games, atmosphere-wise, has been an absolute killer. The crowds are smaller and much more mild.

The exclusive Satuday night game was an IUP staple dating back to the mid-90s. It's something they need to bring back ASAP. We already have one miserable atmosphere across the parking lot. No need for another one.

[IUP24]

I thought Bloom definitely tried to muddy things up and really turned up the physicality. They were on the boarder of what I'd call 'gooning' it up.

Their one guard in particular probably should have got T'd up twice.

They didn't look like a 2-8 team last night. Of course, IUP had a lot to do with that.

Truth be told I've seen that same movie 80 times under Joe's watch. His teams love to let teams linger and hang around. Next thing you know they have hope and start playing above their level.

This new team has to realize every team that comes in to the KCAC is going to go full throttle. Playing in that building is a big deal and every team gets sky high to try and beat IUP. Being this team isn't very good, they REALLY have to be ready.

Agreed. I worry that the challenge IUP is going to have with that exact statement moving forward, is this...

The lesser or middle of the road teams within the PSAC will likely keep more players than the top dogs (IUP, Mercyhurst, East Stroud, etc.) for longer. IUP will continue to get guys who are low end D1 players who will ultimately transfer after 1-2 seasons. I firmly believe that's IUP's new reality... A revolving door. That's not to say that they won't get talented players, but don't get attached, because they won't be here long. The Ethan Porterfield, program guys, of this era are going to be extremely rare at IUP anymore - or anywhere for that matter. But the guys who you see at Lock Haven, Bloom, etc., likely aren't always transferring in and out. They'll stick around and keep getting energized to play in "The Garden" of D2 basketball, as Joe once referred to it as. They'll get energized and get up to play the storied program of the league.

You have those factors and then you'll have a starting 5 trotting out of one high school recruit and 3-4 transfers all in their first year with the program. Joe's program, and success, has always been built on the basis of culture, consistency, and a family environment. He always got guys to buy into the program over a long period of time who really cared about the culture of the program and each other. I'm not sure you can continually do that when you have such a revolving door. And as such, I don't think these guys who do not have the long term connection to the program understand or recognize just how bad people in the other locker room want to beat them. It's going to be hard to match that energy nightly.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

If you are referring to #23 Gordon he is a Penn State transfer https://gopsusports.com/sports/mens-...j-gordon/10850 Ended up at Jacksonville State and now Bloom. He has obviously had some issues; fouled out a few games and been ejected. 25 fouls in 134 minutes of playing 7 games. I didn't see the goonies yesterday from anyone else.

Bloom loses to UPJ by 31 and UPJ loses to ESU by 49. Good luck. Bloom is going to need a coaching change soon.

UPJ can't play any team like ESU. They get slaughtered. They have no size and dress like 8 players. It's a total mismatch. UPJ will be much more competitive against your normal slow-paced, half court PSAC teams. When teams play them in a slow-paced game, they can pass the ball around 30 times and set up their backdoors and picket fences. Drives me nuts twice a year when IUP plays them at their own game instead of just putting the hammer down.

Gannon may beat UPJ by 80 this year.