Portal Season '24

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Gannon brought in a 6'10 Aussie sophomore who played his frosh year at D1 Cal Baptist.

Guys that big don't typically work in that system. Interesting.

[bballfan03]

Guys that big don't typically work in that system. Interesting.

My thoughts as well. In minimal minutes he posted solid numbers at CBU. The write up focuses on his speed/quickness, defensive ability and mid-range shooting.

[gman16506]

Guys that big don't typically work in that system. Interesting.

Agreed. So many of the D-2 big guys are only that........just big.

[bballfan03]

Guys that big don't typically work in that system. Interesting.

Nova SE did have a kid that was like 6'9 or 6'10 that was great in their system though

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Nova SE did have a kid that was like 6'9 or 6'10 that was great in their system though

No doubt they exist.

Generally 6'10" kids in D2 have some flaws. That's just a wild tempo for guys that size. It's certainly not impossible as you pointed out.

Going back a few years, IUP's Jacobo Diaz could have certainly played in that system. He was 6'9".

[bballfan03]

In a very D1 move, Hurst signed a 6' grad transfer PG from a D3 school...

[IUPbigINDIANS]

In a very D1 move, Hurst signed a 6' grad transfer PG from a D3 school...

I saw that ... that should really juice up the fanbase lol.

[bballfan03]

Waldo (IUP) transferred to Behrend.

[Ship69]

Waldo (IUP) transferred to Behrend.

So that's Porterfield, Romero-Sanz, and Waldo gone. IUP should be loaded at guard, but who do you IUP guys think will be the key at forward next season, or is that a player still to be determined?

[IUPbigINDIANS]

So that's Porterfield, Romero-Sanz, and Waldo gone. IUP should be loaded at guard, but who do you IUP guys think will be the key at forward next season, or is that a player still to be determined?

Ethan's offense isn't being replaced. That's obvious. However, IUP should be much faster defensively under the basket. Romero-Sanz never played here (Waldo essentially didn't, either).

So, it appears Joe will turn to Mercyhurst import Luke Triggs and returning part-time player Damir Brooks.

Joe's ballyhooed incoming recruit, Ian Herring, will likely play a hybrid G/F role. He played a year post-grad (at Kiski Prep) so he's a year older than most incoming freshmen. From what I've been told, he's a Day 1 guy (rotation immediately). He's a big (6'6") dynamic playmaker. The obvious concern, however, is he's probably about 180 lbs (maybe).

Initially most thought Joe's other incoming freshman, Tyler Grove, would likely redshirt. I'm not so sure now. He projects to be a high-end small forward, but if he does play this upcoming year, it will likely be very limited.

Callum McNamara is also in the mix. He's the 'bruiser' Joe will bring off the bench (he's a legit 6'6" and 240 lbs). He came to IUP years ago as a walk-on and has steadily improved. He was finally starting to play in non-mop-up time last year before the holiday but his season ended over Xmas break (non-basketball injury).


The Catch 22, of course, is Brooks and Triggs are a very unique duo -- especially by IUP standards. Both are more old-school players -- not outside shooters, etc. Brooks and Joe have an 'interesting' relationship -- he's always on a very short leash. He can also be a hack and find himself in foul trouble constantly. But, he can also be a very good player at times. He's a bit of an athletic freak for his size.

Triggs will take Ethan's spot. He's much more athletic than Ethan, but he doesn't bring the outside threat EP did (not at all, actually). He's a big dude and athletic/strong. He's very difficult to defend in the low post because of his size/speed. Like Brooks, he also has a history with foul issues.


So, as of today, Joe has (4) legit post players and (1) hybrid.

It is my belief they are still shopping. We'll see. He has room for one more (and can then redshirt Grove).


But, knowing Joe, perhaps he'll move Garvin Clarke from PG to Center.

[bballfan03]

GU signed a 6'6 JUCO G/F that played in a 'similar" style at his JUCO

[Ship69]

Ethan's offense isn't being replaced. That's obvious. However, IUP should be much faster defensively under the basket. Romero-Sanz never played here (Waldo essentially didn't, either).

So, it appears Joe will turn to Mercyhurst import Luke Triggs and returning part-time player Damir Brooks.

Joe's ballyhooed incoming recruit, Ian Herring, will likely play a hybrid G/F role. He played a year post-grad (at Kiski Prep) so he's a year older than most incoming freshmen. From what I've been told, he's a Day 1 guy (rotation immediately). He's a big (6'6") dynamic playmaker. The obvious concern, however, is he's probably about 180 lbs (maybe).

Initially most thought Joe's other incoming freshman, Tyler Grove, would likely redshirt. I'm not so sure now. He projects to be a high-end small forward, but if he does play this upcoming year, it will likely be very limited.

Callum McNamara is also in the mix. He's the 'bruiser' Joe will bring off the bench (he's a legit 6'6" and 240 lbs). He came to IUP years ago as a walk-on and has steadily improved. He was finally starting to play in non-mop-up time last year before the holiday but his season ended over Xmas break (non-basketball injury).


The Catch 22, of course, is Brooks and Triggs are a very unique duo -- especially by IUP standards. Both are more old-school players -- not outside shooters, etc. Brooks and Joe have an 'interesting' relationship -- he's always on a very short leash. He can also be a hack and find himself in foul trouble constantly. But, he can also be a very good player at times. He's a bit of an athletic freak for his size.

Triggs will take Ethan's spot. He's much more athletic than Ethan, but he doesn't bring the outside threat EP did (not at all, actually). He's a big dude and athletic/strong. He's very difficult to defend in the low post because of his size/speed. Like Brooks, he also has a history with foul issues.


So, as of today, Joe has (4) legit post players and (1) hybrid.

It is my belief they are still shopping. We'll see. He has room for one more (and can then redshirt Grove).


But, knowing Joe, perhaps he'll move Garvin Clarke from PG to Center.

Thanks for the good information. I think Porterfield, like Dustin Sleva at Ship, was one of those big guys you only get once in a while in the PSAC. But is sounds as if IUP will still have some decent size, and with their backcourt they should be fine if they get good defense and rebounding our of their front line. I'll be interested in how Romero-Sanz develops at Ship since Lombardi obviously wasn't too concerned about keeping him. The needs of the two teams are very different at this point, which probably has something to do with it.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Thanks for the good information. I think Porterfield, like Dustin Sleva at Ship, was one of those big guys you only get once in a while in the PSAC. But is sounds as if IUP will still have some decent size, and with their backcourt they should be fine if they get good defense and rebounding our of their front line. I'll be interested in how Romero-Sanz develops at Ship since Lombardi obviously wasn't too concerned about keeping him. The needs of the two teams are very different at this point, which probably has something to do with it.

He should have played at IUP last year. Everybody knew it. That whole situation was a mess.

[Ship69]

He should have played at IUP last year. Everybody knew it. That whole situation was a mess.

It'll probably work out for everyone. They're certainly not expecting him to come in and be a world-beater at Ship, but they needed to get bigger and he'll have a chance to play.

[bballfan03]

Thanks for the good information. I think Porterfield, like Dustin Sleva at Ship, was one of those big guys you only get once in a while in the PSAC. But is sounds as if IUP will still have some decent size, and with their backcourt they should be fine if they get good defense and rebounding our of their front line. I'll be interested in how Romero-Sanz develops at Ship since Lombardi obviously wasn't too concerned about keeping him. The needs of the two teams are very different at this point, which probably has something to do with it.

Like how Goldcamp fell into Reilly's lap at GU