Originally posted by IUPTrackMan
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Well, Tom's recruiting had taken a big dip in the past several years so that part isn't on Carey. The two mid-year transfers were necessary in my opinion because there was next to no depth beyond the starting group. Yes, they are considered 'D1' transfers but IUP could probably beat Robert Morris most years.
This is certainly a transition year because Tom's recruits were all kind of the same style player -- specifically recruited to play his slow-down style. There are a couple exceptions. So, when Carey wanted to toss that style out the window and play faster ... it's not easy to do.
To your point, they were going to have a down year of sorts whether Tom was here or not. Rajah Fink left for Cal before Tom even retired so perhaps she saw the writing on the wall. Or, she was tired of playing in a turtle-speed offense. Maybe both.
When they are full strength this year, they are a pretty decent team. Unfortunately, they had that 7-8 game stretch of Preston and Cardona seeming to rotate who was out. If they have both playing, they can at least hang in there with just about any team in the PSAC. Without one of them, everything changes in a hurry.
They are 14-5, which is pretty solid. They've just had a few nights (minus a player) that they've looked horrendous (UPJ, Edinboro, SRU).
If healthy the rest of the way -- and, if they can start making freaking layups -- they could have a nice little run (and possibly get an at-large bid). I'd like to see him make more in-game adjustments.
Lot of parity on the women's side. Every night is a battle. There aren't many 'gimme' games.
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