Iup basketball

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: Iup basketball

Dennis Mims was the prized golden child of the Gary Edwards mercenary days ...

I think many of the IUP brass discredit him due to being a one-year guy, but I'm not sure the program has ever had a more dominant player. He was a scary dude ... looked like he was on loan from the NBA Power Forward program. I think his teammates were even afraid of him.

My opinion, Mims and Rodney Horton have to be on the 'first team' All-IUP roster. They were both on a different level.

[IUP CRIMSON HAWKS]

Re: Iup basketball

Bring back the aggressiveness of Eric Castorino!

The Jim Morrison of PSAC hoops! I believe it was spelled Castorina.

Who were the ten most colorful IUP Basketball personalities over the past 15 years or so?

These get my vote (men's and women's ball):


10. Jahzinga Tracey- As good as it will ever get. Loved her Jordan-esque look of quiet confidence that came with knowing she could school practically anyone on the court at any time.

9. Daryl Webb- IUP's version of Mighty Joe Young. He was impressive.

8. Eric Castorina- His motor ran on high all the time.

7. Joe Lombardi- Bravado became a watch word on campus with him. 007 on the sideline.

6. Kylie Miller- Full throttle all the time. 150% all the time. How could anyone do that?

5. Jeff Dow- Unforgettable women's coach who was such a conversation piece. And Ashton Smith- Dynamic backcourt player with charisma.

4. Dennis Mims- A true outlaw, but a darn talented one.

3. DeVante Chance- Little man could sure play some ball. And Jack Benedict- ultra-colorful play by play radio man.

2. Fannar Olafsson- The guy was pretty nutty!

1. Gary Edwards- Nobody else like him in the world. He truly took the prize in all areas.

I'm sure I left a lot of very memorable characters out here. A lot of these folks will never be forgotten by the IUP faithful.

Anybody else have a list?

-

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: Iup basketball

I hope this Hankins move (grad transfer) doesn't snowball in D2.

Certainly a Cobo type would be prime for such a move.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: Iup basketball

Ferris State star center Zach Hankins is transferring to Xavier per VC.

[IUPalum]

Re: Iup basketball

Bring back the aggressiveness of Eric Castorino!

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: Iup basketball

I see him logging heavy minutes but he won't start this year. My assumption is he will play behind Cobo at small forward -- likely in a '6th man' type role.

He's athletic enough that I think he brings a lot of diversity to the lineup. Joe may be able to get creative with how he uses him. Humphries is a bigger Tevin Hanner (with more offensive ability). He's a very strong defensive player -- something IUP has been lacking a bit lately and should especially help as the trap/point man on Joe's press.

I see him as a much-needed piece to the puzzle. The team needed to get faster and stronger defensively. He's also bulked up since high school -- I'd peg him around 210 to 215 pounds now and he's listed at 6'6".

One box checked. Now time for the 2-3 guards.

Randy Bell. Randy Bell. Randy Bell.

Amir Hinton. Amir Hinton. Amir Hinton.

Wishful thinking ...

[boatcapt]

Re: Iup basketball

It's official ...

Message Board Icon Charles Humphries has committed to IUP.


He's a real nice land for Bravado Joe. He will have two years eligibility.

Thought he was a "can't miss" "sure thing" D1 player? Wonder how he will react if he is not immediately installed in the starting line-up?

Seriously though, he is at the level he should have been all along. Nothing like wasting half your college basketball career chasing the D1 dreams of your handlers!

He has skills and could be a good DII player, provided he can fit in and doesn't think DII is beneath him.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: Iup basketball

It's official ...

Message Board Icon Charles Humphries has committed to IUP.


He's a real nice land for Bravado Joe. He will have two years eligibility.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: Iup basketball

Keyes can play. They haven't had a rim-protector like him in a long time. He's the 'gritty' big they've been missing.

He can't shoot from the outside like Blake could (nor will he be asked to) but defensively there's no comparison. Huge upgrade. He also immediately adds what I'll call some of the 'toughness' that's been lacking.

All of that said, I look for Willem to just go nuts next year. Those last 7-8 games he really came out of his shell. Obviously, Cobo is going to log heavy minutes. I'd see Willem and Keyes rotating and Cobo and Humphries (providing they sign him) rotating. You also have Vaughns in the mix down there. That's some big, athletic boys down there.

[IUPalum]

Re: Iup basketball

My opinion: a ready-to-play (junior or senior) transfer PG is an absolute requirement to this class.

This is certainly the 'elephant in the room' topic surrounding the program. Personally, I feel they'd get way more bang for the buck moving Dante to shooting guard. You can't ignore the fact he's become very injury-prone the past two years. This move would take a lot of the wear-n-tear off him, also.

That's where I was going with this. They need a ready to go point guard! Dante to the shooting guard and backs up at the point. I think Dante will shoot better at the shooting guard spot. Less wear and tear on his legs. We'll soon see.

I'm eager to see Dom Keyes and how good he really is. Is he legit?

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: Iup basketball

My opinion: a ready-to-play (junior or senior) transfer PG is an absolute requirement to this class.

This is certainly the 'elephant in the room' topic surrounding the program. Personally, I feel they'd get way more bang for the buck moving Dante to shooting guard. You can't ignore the fact he's become very injury-prone the past two years. This move would take a lot of the wear-n-tear off him, also.

[IUPalum]

Re: Iup basketball

To my knowledge, Armoni was recruited as a PG.

yeah, about that... He played PG in HS but him playing PG in HS was more of a one on one offense (street ball). He's never really played the point in a legit offense. I'd be curious to see what Joe does with this point situation.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: Iup basketball

To my knowledge, Armoni was recruited as a PG.

[IUPalum]

Re: Iup basketball

So... looking at this "possible" roster, who plays the PG besides Dante?

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: Iup basketball

The first player I thought of (from past IUP teams) was Geoff Evans. Similar size, etc.

That tape was kind of strange. But, he'd be a 'four year' guy if he signs. I've always liked those big (height) shooting guards.

Further strange is the connection to IMG Academy and recruiting a Florida kid. There haven't been many from down there and certainly none from prestigious IMG. My hunch would be (assistant coach) Allen Payne is very well connected down there being he was a big star at Auburn.

I'm also no longer so sure Jalen Vaughns is leaving. Their season has been over now for several weeks. Generally the guys leaving want to get that announced immediately to re-open their recruitment. I'd like to see him stay. This was a strange year for him but there's plenty of upside there. A ton, actually. He's got the same build/size as Daddy Ugbede and showed some fantastic offensive ability. Like Daddy, however, his defense needs some work.

If that's the case, that's four spots open.

Full rides returning:
Cobo, Willem, Malik, Keyes (off RS), Armoni (off RS), Dante (not a 'full ride' hit), Vaughns

That leaves (4) scholarships available.

Known offers:

Charles Humphries (SF)
Kyle Feit (SG)

Assuming they land those two (just assuming), I still think they have to go with two guards for the final two spots. Worry about new big guys next off-season.

Just get Randy Bell and Amir Hinton all would be very well in the universe. Wow. Could you imagine that roster?