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They've missed Shawndale for a lot more than just these past couple games. But, he's been out since Game 7. Tomorrow is Game 34. They won most of their biggest games this year without him -- which is amazing in itself.
With him, this was probably going to be the best team in school history. But, they are still awfully darn good without him, too.
So, in fairness to the current rotation, he's too far removed to bring up. He's not suiting up tomorrow, either.
Yesterday was just a strange one. IUP was so close to blowing that game wide open. Mercyhurst was on the ropes. In my view, the saving grace for the Lakers was Armoni was the target of a hack-a-Shaq approach every time he drove the bucket. He went 1-2 at the line and should have had about 12-14 attempts. Instead, while he was lying in Row 3, Mercyhurst hit treys on the other end. That happened at least 4 times.
But, perhaps the basketball Gods had the final say. Something brought that Planutis shot from half-way down back out. And, of course, true freshman Dallis Dillard -- the kid who was a redshirt up until mid-December -- grabs 10 rebounds (from his guard position) and draws the biggest charge at IUP in maybe forever.
And, of course, the hero was Ethan Porterfield. For your big man to hit 11 of 12 FTs -- including 8 straight to end the game under enormous pressure ... that's the stuff of legend.
This has been an incredibly special season. It may end tomorrow. It may go further. But, to be 31-2 right now with the constant stream of challenges they've endured all year ... it's remarkable.Comment
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I know some people on here won't agree but IUP must attack the paint and Alston! They need to get Alston in foul trouble.
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In looking at the overall bracket, many of the thought-to-be "power" teams around the country got unexpectedly knocked off this weekend. That list includes:
Lubbock Christian
Cal State San Bernardino
Cal State San Marcos
UNC Pembroke
West Texas A&M
Point Loma
Lincoln Memorial
Upper Iowa
and of course, West Liberty.
Naturally, a few big boys still loom. Nova escaped with a 1-point win on a . . . wait for it . . . bad shooting night. And I don't care what they're seeded, NWMSU is really scary as long as they're still alive.
But all of this is to say that whomever survives this deep Atlantic field tomorrow night should be positioned to earn a reasonable seed at the Elite 8 and stands poised to make some noise on the national stage.Comment
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Probably a wash as far as results. PA has FO 6 times of which 3 were Ws and 3Ls. Averaged 33 mpg with 21 pts, 12 rbds and 3 blks. All six games were close, high scoring for the VULCANS and their opponent CAL- 86 OPP-87.Originally posted by IUPalum View PostComment
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Totally agree. IUP's toughest game between now and the NC is probably tomorrow. If IUP takes care of business tomorrow, they should be well positioned to at least make the NC game. If Nova or Northwest is waiting there, all bets are off. But I said it on the Pick 'Em thread: this has the makings of a destiny kind of year for IUP (reminiscent of the Devante Chance/Shawn Dyer year).Comment
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Easy there, Luke Skywalker. Lol. We'll worry about the E8 and destiny talk if IUP can get there.Originally posted by Scrub View Post
Tomorrow is going to be an all-out war.
Cal is hot, but they also know IUP has survived their best shot three times. That has to weigh on them a bit ... especially if IUP starts strong.
IUP is due for an 'IUP' type game. They've been off a bit of late.
Joe's playing the 'home dog' card again in the media.Comment
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To put it in perspective, some info from Ryan's preview for the Cal game.
>> This is IUP's fourth 30-win season under HC Joe Lombardi, including a program record 33-3 mark in 2009-10. The others were 2014-15 (31-7) and 2018-19 (30-3).
>> IUP has won 38 of its last 39 home games dating back to the start of 2019-20, including 20-1 this year.
>> IUP is 34-3 in February and March over the last three full seasons, including 22-2 at home.Comment
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More than likely, they didn't submit a bid to host because their home gym didn't meet NCAA standards for hosting Regionals. Hence, Cal State San Bernardino, the second seed, hosted the Men's West Regional.Cal U (Pa.) Class of 2014Comment
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Hillsdale, the 3 seed in the Midwest Region, is the first team through to Evansville, defeating Missouri-St Louis 73-63.
Chico State, the 3 seed in the West Region, defeated 8th seed Alaska-Fairbanks 70-52 to earn the second bid to Evansville.
Here's the rest of Tuesday's Regional Finals (all times Eastern Daylight Time):
ATLANTIC: (3) Cal vs. (1) IUP, 7:00pm
EAST: (7) St Thomas Aquinas vs. (1) Bentley, 7:00pm
SOUTH: (3) Embry-Riddle vs. (1) Nova Southeastern, 7:00pm
SOUTHEAST: (2) Queens-NC vs. (1) Augusta, 7:00pm
CENTRAL: (3) NW Missouri vs. (1) Augustana, 8:00pm
SOUTH CENTRAL: (4) Colorado Mesa vs. (3) Black Hills State, 8:00pm
If a few more #1 seeds fall tomorrow, that could give Cal a more favorable draw in the quarterfinals, though, admittedly, I wouldn't know the exact numbers the committee would be using to re-seed for the Elite Eight.Cal U (Pa.) Class of 2014Comment
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