IUP Women's Basketball | 2019-20

[IUPbigINDIANS]

IUP 41
Mercyhurst 26

Half

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Raja Fink is going insane.


Alexander started. No Cerro yet.

D'Anna had two fouls in first 15 seconds of game. Likely done for first half.

IUP up 23-15 with 8:21 left in second.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

For any of you IUP history buffs out there, Tom's win last night was IUP's 17th straight. The feat passes the 20-year-old record of 16 straight, which was accomplished in 1999-2000.

I believe the 99-00 team spent much of that year ranked No. 1 in the country. It was one of Sandy Thomas's best teams. One of the stars of that team was current IHS girls' coach Dave Woodall's daughter, Megan.

Further side note, this past summer IUP offered IHS sophomore-to-be Hope Cook. She drained (7) treys the other night in a win over Burrell. Not sure Tom will ultimately land her as her stock will continue to rise these next couple years. She's highly likely to draw D1 attention. The IHS girls also have a 6'3" freshman with an Ohio State offer.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

They talk about 'all in' years.

Trust me, ... next year is an 'all in' year for Joe.

[IUPalum]

Tom is the best women's coach IUP has ever had. He'll get it done soon! Joe loves the redshirt to much BUT his teams don't quit and will always be in the mix.

[IUP24]

Joe has the resources to win it. I just think he's too stubborn. This year is a perfect example. Not saying Uzi Diop wins him a national title ... but it sure would have given him a better shot.

But, we love redshirts here in Jimmy Stewartville.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Joe has the resources to win it. I just think he's too stubborn. This year is a perfect example. Not saying Uzi Diop wins him a national title ... but it sure would have given him a better shot.

But, we love redshirts here in Jimmy Stewartville.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Yep. I've been telling anybody who will listen that same thing. It's just a matter of time. It took him a couple years to lay the foundation. Now, he's just rolling. Tom has the best program on campus.

[IUP24]

Looks like the IUP gals currently have the inside track to host the conference and region playoffs at their place. But don't we say stuff like this every year? I don't believe that they have hosted a region since 2008 in what amounted to the rather infamous Mount Olive affair. Looks like Virginia Union is hot on their heels at #10 nationally with a 16-2 record.

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[IUPbigINDIANS]

Looks like the IUP gals currently have the inside track to host the conference and region playoffs at their place. But don't we say stuff like this every year? I don't believe that they have hosted a region since 2008 in what amounted to the rather infamous Mount Olive affair. Looks like Virginia Union is hot on their heels at #10 nationally with a 16-2 record.

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Tom's won two straight Regional titles away from home. It doesn't matter where it is.

[IUP CRIMSON HAWKS]

Looks like the IUP gals currently have the inside track to host the conference and region playoffs at their place. But don't we say stuff like this every year? I don't believe that they have hosted a region since 2008 in what amounted to the rather infamous Mount Olive affair. Looks like Virginia Union is hot on their heels at #10 nationally with a 16-2 record.

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[IUPbigINDIANS]

Tom just hammered Seton Hill.

[EyeoftheHawk]

I actually wouldn't start Cerro -- not right now, anyway. I'd work her in as the 7th or 8th man. The production just hasn't been there. Teams see this on film. I suppose it is by design but she doesn't seem allowed to shoot the ball. So, opposing teams are pretty much letting her go and tightening down on the others.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Couldn't agree more. It seems they don't really start clicking until Alexander and Fink take the floor. Fink was a little off last night but still brought a ton of energy. If Alexander doesn't have the huge first half IUP would have been climbing out of a pretty deep hole. They still would have won because they just have way more material than Clarion, but that won't work against the better teams in the conference and region.

What would your starting five be? I'd go with Cerro, Alexander, Mascaro, Griggs, and Myers with Fink and D'Anna being first off the bench.

I actually wouldn't start Cerro -- not right now, anyway. I'd work her in as the 7th or 8th man. The production just hasn't been there. Teams see this on film. I suppose it is by design but she doesn't seem allowed to shoot the ball. So, opposing teams are pretty much letting her go and tightening down on the other four players. Once she comes out and Alexander comes in ... the offense explodes. Courtney is a well-known sniper so teams have to pay a lot of attention to her. Not picking on Cerro as I realize she's a true freshman but that's the reality through 17-18 games. The time is coming when they can't keep assuming they'll make these comebacks. This slow-start stuff has been happening all season. They have Tort Syndrome. LOL. Raja can be turnover prone at times but she is a load to handle on both ends. She also seems to play better as the game goes on. I think Raja could also easily play under the basket in stretches if Tom wanted to experiment with some guard-heavy lineups.

I'd go with Alexander, Mascaro, Myers, Griggs and D'Anna. Fink is first off the bench and Cerro gets spot minutes. Lovelace and Cardona are next. Josie can be worked in occasionally along with the 6'3" Wade. I'm assuming at this poiint Teirra Preson is injured as she hasn't appeared in a game since Nov. 15.


How does Tom always have what feels like 5 times the depth as Joe? Seriously.

End of the day ... Tom's the man. He's rocking and rolling -- and knows what to do. Hosting the Regional is certainly in the sights and has to be the goal. They have the team to three-peat it.

[IUP CRIMSON HAWKS]

I'm officially lost with this notion of Courtney Alexander not starting. She may legitimately be the West Player of the Year.

Without getting in to specifics, Tom's 'starting' lineup just isn't getting it done. They start nearly every game bad until Alexander enters. Then they go on a big run.

Last night she had 17 in the first half on 5-5 treys.

Other than a quick breather here or there she should never come off the floor. Add to it she's also their best defender. At a legit 5'11", she's just a mismatch for the majority of guards.

Sounds like she may be in that Lacey Claar (2007-11) role. Not sure if I recall the exact year(s) but she was obviously one of the five best players but she would come of the bench rather than start. She was also a three-point specialist. I guess sometimes a coach likes to have that extra jolt that he can throw into the fight.