Iup basketball

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: Iup basketball

Anybody making the trip Friday?

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: Iup basketball

Saturday night was just a perfect storm for that game. I think there is a general excitement for the fans to cross the parking lot and go back in time so to speak at the Field House. Add to it the Saturday night atmosphere and the fact a flashy team was in town. Joe used the word 'swagger' to describe Shippensburg. Being honest I didn't expect anything like that crowd. It was legitimately lively and loud. I agree with Tony's article ... the announced gate of 1,045 was way off. They weren't even scanning tickets past 7 p.m. on the side opposite the benches.

Nobody could invigorate the IUP crowd like Kevin Reynolds but Shippensburg gives it a go. There wasn't a Dustin Sleva jawing at the crowd moment but they did enough to make things interesting. Give them credit ... it's not easy to get an IUP crowd fired up. It's very difficult, actually. Shippensburg also traveled well which also further evokes the home crowd in tight settings like MFH. Willem's monster jam at the end was the perfect exclamation on the night and sent the place in to a frenzy.

Chris Fite said he felt the crowd was a major factor in the game. I'd agree. The critical technical on Ship's Manny Span was a massive turning point in the game. He was getting rode hard all night. He finally lost his cool just for a second.

Now, would I want to play all the games over there? No way. But, that was the best atmosphere for a game in at least four years. The last one that comes to mind was when Mathis hit the game-winner against SRU. There was about 3,500 in the KCAC that night.

As Chuck said even if you get 2,000 in the KCAC that still means half the seats are empty and people are spread out. You get that 2,000 at MFH and it's rocking.

I've said for years on here I wish they'd make the change to only the benches' side at the KCAC being reserved. The other side would become all general admission. It would bring everybody lower to the floor. I don't like the student section, either. As many of you recall the student section at the Field House was behind the visitors' bench up through the Gary Edwards era. At the KCAC they are too far removed. It lessens the home-court advantage. If anything, I'd flip the end of the court the students sit at so they are across from the visiting teams' bench. It's the little things. I guarantee if you had a couple games like this past one the students one would be flocking to get in there. That turned in to an event -- not just another game. Huge difference.

IUP could do so much more at the basketball games. Turn off the lights for player introductions. Show more replays. Get a more lively announcer. Find one D1 arena that doesn't have the 'threeeeeeeeeeeeeee' P.A. announcer after each trey. They are struggling this year with the team entrance. Instead of the intro music they are letting the announcer talk about apartments for rent, etc. The 'atmosphere' items have been a train wreck thus far. The other week they played the same Mo Bamba song about 19 times.

If I had to pick the venue for a big, must-win game? Cross the parking lot every time and head back to the 1980s and 90s. That was a good taste of what games at IUP should all be like. They just need some minor tweaks. The target audience at the KCAC isn't the students. That's the biggest part of the problem.

[Chuck Norris]

Re: Iup basketball

Just reading through these comments and those of the coaches-----it sounds like everyone really LOVED being over at the Field House. Let's face it---IUP has won A LOT of big games over there through the years. The place has some character to it and seems to be quite menacing to opponents. Too bad they have to go back to the KCAC. Beautiful facility but just not the Field House.

What were they charging to get into the Field House?

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[IUP CRIMSON HAWKS]

Re: Iup basketball

$9 general admission. I mean my bill at Steel City later Saturday night was $13, so for a great game with the atmosphere, I'd say that's a bargain to see the No. 3 team in the country play.

$9 is still rather pricey to see a D-II game, though I suppose it is better than paying KCAC prices. Lord knows what a general admission ticket is there now. But it sounds like it was a great game at least on Saturday night.

Did anyone catch the recent article in the local edition that Indiana County is right near the bottom of states in the Northeast in household income? I hear it all the time from people who stay away from IUP athletics because of ticket pricing. And these are not exactly folks living in the poor house either. It is just beyond me how IUP and our local government does business.

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[hawks16]

Re: Iup basketball

Just reading through these comments and those of the coaches-----it sounds like everyone really LOVED being over at the Field House. Let's face it---IUP has won A LOT of big games over there through the years. The place has some character to it and seems to be quite menacing to opponents. Too bad they have to go back to the KCAC. Beautiful facility but just not the Field House.

What were they charging to get into the Field House?

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$9 general admission. I mean my bill at Steel City later Saturday night was $13, so for a great game with the atmosphere, I'd say that's a bargain to see the No. 3 team in the country play.

[IUP CRIMSON HAWKS]

Re: Iup basketball

Just reading through these comments and those of the coaches-----it sounds like everyone really LOVED being over at the Field House. Let's face it---IUP has won A LOT of big games over there through the years. The place has some character to it and seems to be quite menacing to opponents. Too bad they have to go back to the KCAC. Beautiful facility but just not the Field House.

What were they charging to get into the Field House?

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[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: Iup basketball

Friday night is going to be intense. Fairmont State just beat West Liberty and has now won 8 straight games. Not to mention they haven't lost a home game in forever. Two guards (Jolle and Montgomery) went over 30 today with Jolle just making some insane shots.

Hopefully IUP gets some fans down there. The weather looks decent as of today. It would be awesome if IUP would charter a fan bus. It would be a big boost to have 100 or so fans there. They could definitely fill up one bus.

[jrshooter]

Re: Iup basketball

I think Joe's going to regret not signing Carlos Carter. That's not to say he'd have wanted to stay in Indiana. He's going to be pretty special for Shippensburg. He's a really skilled, physically imposing guard (as a true freshman). Luckily he didn't follow Sancomb to Cal so IUP won't see him a whole lot.

I also thought their guard from Latrobe (Jake Biss) was a very polished player. He's only a sophomore. Those two will be their core the next several years.

I keep hearing about IUP not recruiting Kellam. Dustin Sleva said the same thing. Kellam and Dante are in the same class. Joe wasn't going to take two high school PGs in the same class. Recall in that class he did take a second PG (Brandon Spain). Now, Biss and Carter both being local ... those may be big misses.

But Kellem's not a point. Don't know about HS, but he never has been at Ship. If anything, he's a 3. Perimeter shooting and defense.

Carlos Carter's shown a lot of promise. Daylon Carter has looked even better, although he didn't do much last night. He's been instant offense on several nights. And yes, Biss is quality. Makes next to no mistakes.

IUP is a program, plain and simple. You put them up against pretty much anyone in D-II, and they'll at least take it to an end game.

PSAC finals are going to be at the top remaining West seed. That will be significant.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: Iup basketball

Not going to recruit a top tier PG the year you "recruit" your son to be your teams PG. You want depth but not someone who is going to perhaps send "your boy" to the bench!

Kellam was great last night. Dante was better. Just sayin'

Their careers aren't over yet. Dante is having an incredible season thus far.

[boatcapt]

Re: Iup basketball

I think Joe's going to regret not signing Carlos Carter. That's not to say he'd have wanted to stay in Indiana. He's going to be pretty special for Shippensburg. He's a really skilled, physically imposing guard (as a true freshman). Luckily he didn't follow Sancomb to Cal so IUP won't see him a whole lot.

I also thought their guard from Latrobe (Jake Biss) was a very polished player. He's only a sophomore. Those two will be their core the next several years.

I keep hearing about IUP not recruiting Kellam. Dustin Sleva said the same thing. Kellam and Dante are in the same class. Joe wasn't going to take two high school PGs in the same class. Recall in that class he did take a second PG (Brandon Spain). Now, Biss and Carter both being local ... those may be big misses.

Not going to recruit a top tier PG the year you "recruit" your son to be your teams PG. You want depth but not someone who is going to perhaps send "your boy" to the bench!

[IUPalum]

Re: Iup basketball

I think Joe's going to regret not signing Carlos Carter. That's not to say he'd have wanted to stay in Indiana. He's going to be pretty special for Shippensburg. He's a really skilled, physically imposing guard (as a true freshman). Luckily he didn't follow Sancomb to Cal so IUP won't see him a whole lot.

I also thought their guard from Latrobe (Jake Biss) was a very polished player. He's only a sophomore. Those two will be their core the next several years.

I keep hearing about IUP not recruiting Kellam. Dustin Sleva said the same thing. Kellam and Dante are in the same class. Joe wasn't going to take two high school PGs in the same class. Recall in that class he did take a second PG (Brandon Spain). Now, Biss and Carter both being local ... those may be big misses.

You can't take everyone! Yes, some real good local players are going to go elsewhere because there is only so many scholarships and they need to be spread to balance the team. This next recruiting class for Joe will be a real key class to continued success. I'm pretty sure we already have the PG for the next 3 years in Armoni. Malik will be a senior and we know he's good. Ulrich, Keyes are unknowns! Dancses unknown other than we know he can shoot. Porterfield didn't look good opening weekend of HS this weekend. TBC

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: Iup basketball

I think Joe's going to regret not signing Carlos Carter. That's not to say he'd have wanted to stay in Indiana. He's going to be pretty special for Shippensburg. He's a really skilled, physically imposing guard (as a true freshman). Luckily he didn't follow Sancomb to Cal so IUP won't see him a whole lot.

I also thought their guard from Latrobe (Jake Biss) was a very polished player. He's only a sophomore. Those two will be their core the next several years.

I keep hearing about IUP not recruiting Kellam. Dustin Sleva said the same thing. Kellam and Dante are in the same class. Joe wasn't going to take two high school PGs in the same class. Recall in that class he did take a second PG (Brandon Spain). Now, Biss and Carter both being local ... those may be big misses.

[hawks16]

Re: Iup basketball

What did Bravado have to say on the radio?

He about lost his mind on those three stooges tonight ... in particular the hair gel model.

Tonight was the best IUP game I've been to in terms of how the crowd got into it since the 2013 PSAC title game when Slippery Rock came into town and everyone was liquored up for the first ever IUPatty's.

I caught some of Joe's radio interview. He said he got his technical for approaching the referee, which he said he didn't do. He also said he didn't cuss. Considering he had to be held back by Allen Payne and everyone in the building heard the two or three bulls--t's...have to disagree with his analysis there. From my vantage point, it looked like after Dante got fouled on his drive to the hoop either someone said something nasty to him, hit him after the play or was going to make contact. Joe rides the referees with the best of them, but he rarely rarely rarely ever gets T'd up for all the talking he does.

Joe also made a good point (he didn't name anyone but I believe was referencing Carlos Carter and Antonio Kellem) that when some teams with Western PA players play IUP, they play with a chip on their shoulder. He said you can't offer everyone ever year...it depends on how many spots are available, etc.

Joe also had good things to say about Armoni Foster, including that he's, in his mind without having seen everyone, the best freshman in the league.

- Good things happen when Greg Bearer is on the court. He does the small stuff...like when he comes on as a sub, he's always making sure the other four guys are pointing at who they have on the defensive end.
- Now that teams have tape on it, it's going to be increasingly harder to guard Dante when he drives to the hoop. If the defender comes over, he's lobbing it up for the alley-oop. If the defender stays, he's got the tear-drop floater.
- Just nine turnovers and the team shot 21-26 from the line.
- Cobo had 17 points and 10 rebounds. That was a quiet 17, in my opinion, by Cobo. He and Willem missed their fair share of bunnies.
- Antonio Kellem is a hooper, plain and simple. He made it rain on just about everyone in the first half, including at least two over Cobo.
- Dante injury update: Looked like he caught an elbow to the head in the second half.

[IUP24]

Re: Iup basketball

What did Bravado have to say on the radio?

He about lost his mind on those three stooges tonight ... in particular the hair gel model.

He was rocking a real fresh cut tonight. No doubt. Was trying for the Gordon Hayward look. #GQ

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: Iup basketball

The crowrd rattled Talley in to that technical when he pushed Malik. He was getting hammered by the baseline crowd all night. He lost his cool. Huge turning point in the game.