IUP Women’s Basketball

[EyeoftheHawk]

Starting this new topic so the ladies have a page that doesn’t say 2019-20. That has bothered me for the five years we’ve been using it so it’s time to move on without the anchor of the year attached. To be fair, there hasn’t been much to talk about since the runs to the Final Four they made in those days but it’s time to move on.

Looking at the roster today, this team is deep with guards and returns two experienced forwards. They also added a couple additional six footers from the high school ranks that will likely play right away but I’d like to see them add another experienced forward if they can. Lily Jordan from Morgantown and Madison Zavasky from Pine-Richland look particularly interesting as they both can play underneath, handle the ball pretty well, and can hit the occasional 3. Still, they’ll be true freshmen next year and you never know how that will go.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Starting this new topic so the ladies have a page that doesn’t say 2019-20. That has bothered me for the five years we’ve been using it so it’s time to move on without the anchor of the year attached. To be fair, there hasn’t been much to talk about since the runs to the Final Four they made in those days but it’s time to move on.

Looking at the roster today, this team is deep with guards and returns two experienced forwards. They also added a couple additional six footers from the high school ranks that will likely play right away but I’d like to see them add another experienced forward if they can. Lily Jordan from Morgantown and Madison Zavasky from Pine-Richland look particularly interesting as they both can play underneath, handle the ball pretty well, and can hit the occasional 3. Still, they’ll be true freshmen next year and you never know how that will go.

I was wondering how long that 19-20 thread was going to survive.

[IUPalum]

hilarious

[Bballfan]

Still, they’ll be true freshmen next year and you never know how that will go.

That's an understatement. You have to be pretty special as a freshman to even see meaningful minutes. Big jump from high school to college. Especially in terms of strength and conditioning.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

That's an understatement. You have to be pretty special as a freshman to even see meaningful minutes. Big jump from high school to college. Especially in terms of strength and conditioning.

The women's side tends to redshirt way less.

I wish the old-school thinking on the men's side would change. It's a waste of time and money to redshirt a freshman these days.

Romero-Sanz is Exhibit A

Joe elected to totally punt a position (and ruin his season) so he could redshirt a player who now lives in the transfer portal.

IUP has a long list of such players.

[IUPalum]

The women's side tends to redshirt way less.

I wish the old-school thinking on the men's side would change. It's a waste of time and money to redshirt a freshman these days.

Romero-Sanz is Exhibit A

Joe elected to totally punt a position (and ruin his season) so he could redshirt a player who now lives in the transfer portal.

IUP has a long list of such players.

Khamell Broughton, transfer from Houston... never made sense why he redshirted.

[EyeoftheHawk]

The women's side tends to redshirt way less.

I wish the old-school thinking on the men's side would change. It's a waste of time and money to redshirt a freshman these days.

Romero-Sanz is Exhibit A

Joe elected to totally punt a position (and ruin his season) so he could redshirt a player who now lives in the transfer portal.

IUP has a long list of such players.

If they don’t add another forward, at least one if not both of the freshmen are going to have to play. No doubt it’s a step up, but we’ve seen some pretty good freshmen contributors over the years. Assuming Centrulla and Weaver can put together solid years, the youngsters will mostly be called upon to give the starters a breather.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

While we've all known about this on here, he following recruits/transfers have now all 'officially' been announced by IUP:

Aubry Saleapaga / Central CC (Los Angeles)

Ellie Wilkerson / Georgetown College (KY)

Lily Jordan / Morgantown High School

Madison Zavasky / Pine-Richland High School


The common theme here is a very guard-heavy (current) roster.

While they do have two very strong post players returning, one would sure think they will add one more in the coming weeks.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Fifth member of class announced today ... G/F transfer from Delaware State. Two years' eligibility at IUP.

Carey has a nice roster lined up. I hope they are all here this summer. Lot of new faces to mesh.

[EyeoftheHawk]

Fifth member of class announced today ... G/F transfer from Delaware State. Two years' eligibility at IUP.

Carey has a nice roster lined up. I hope they are all here this summer. Lot of new faces to mesh.

Definitely a focus on guard/forward hybrids it seems. Most in this group they brought in are tall enough to play underneath but can handle the ball and shoot as well. The women’s game is different that way as true forwards aren’t as important as they are in the men’s game. It seems pretty clear Craig had a clear type in mind on the recruiting trail. You can also see why Baughman didn’t really fit in to what they’re trying to do.

The team that comes to mind when I look at how IUP is now constructed is Daeman, which won the East Region last year. I thought that was the best team skill wise IUP played last year even though IUP ultimately pulled it out late. That team was tall and fast at every position with several girls at 5’10” or better. To your point though, that’s a lot of new faces and at least three and maybe even four of them will be starters.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Definitely a focus on guard/forward hybrids it seems. Most in this group they brought in are tall enough to play underneath but can handle the ball and shoot as well. The women’s game is different that way as true forwards aren’t as important as they are in the men’s game. It seems pretty clear Craig had a clear type in mind on the recruiting trail. You can also see why Baughman didn’t really fit in to what they’re trying to do.

The team that comes to mind when I look at how IUP is now constructed is Daeman, which won the East Region last year. I thought that was the best team skill wise IUP played last year even though IUP ultimately pulled it out late. That team was tall and fast at every position with several girls at 5’10” or better. To your point though, that’s a lot of new faces and at least three and maybe even four of them will be starters.

In fairness to Carey, he inherited a roster comprised of players geared to play the exact opposite style of what he wants to run. That overhaul takes some time.

Year 3 is when we should start to see the clear transition, style-wise.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Another addition ... Shamia Strayhorn, transfer guard from Wheeling (their top scorer last year at 15 PPG).

She was listed as a junior last year.



Carey has guards for days.


I actually wonder if he's considering going "4 guards / 1 big" on the regular. I say that with no knowledge other than his actual roster makeup. Unless I'm missing something he only has (2) post players as of today (granted, both are very good ones).


Or, he could be taking the Joe philosophy and just plans to convert at 5'0 PG to Power Forward.

[EyeoftheHawk]

Another addition ... Shamia Strayhorn, transfer guard from Wheeling (their top scorer last year at 15 PPG).

She was listed as a junior last year.



Carey has guards for days.


I actually wonder if he's considering going "4 guards / 1 big" on the regular. I say that with no knowledge other than his actual roster makeup. Unless I'm missing something he only has (2) post players as of today (granted, both are very good ones).


Or, he could be taking the Joe philosophy and just plans to convert at 5'0 PG to Power Forward.

I don’t think the system he wants to run values the post enough to justify two power players there. Keep in mind a couple of these ladies coming in are 6 foot guards that should be able to hold their own underneath. I think he was hoping for more of that type of production from Centrulla, although she ended up being more of an outside threat due to her apprehension to mix it up under the basket. She’s just not a physical player so when Weaver leaves the floor it might leave them exposed underneath. We just don’t know enough about the newcomers yet and their ability to rebound or guard the bigs. Regardless, they should be much improved and not having to steal minutes with poor 5’ 6” guard Macie Jarrett playing forward.

I’m not sure many realize how well this team did for as short handed as they were last year, especially when Preston went down.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I don’t think the system he wants to run values the post enough to justify two power players there. Keep in mind a couple of these ladies coming in are 6 foot guards that should be able to hold their own underneath. I think he was hoping for more of that type of production from Centrulla, although she ended up being more of an outside threat due to her apprehension to mix it up under the basket. She’s just not a physical player so when Weaver leaves the floor it might leave them exposed underneath. We just don’t know enough about the newcomers yet and their ability to rebound or guard the bigs. Regardless, they should be much improved and not having to steal minutes with poor 5’ 6” guard Macie Jarrett playing forward.

I’m not sure many realize how well this team did for as short handed as they were last year, especially when Preston went down.

As I mentioned earlier, I sure hope all these new players are here this summer. Lots of incoming transfer talent. Lots of learning to play with each other, too.

Many of these import ladies are bringing lofty scoring averages with them. They can't all be stars. Hopefully they adapt to new roles and are good team players.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

The 'official' recruiting class:


Alilyonna 'Lily' Jordan / 6'3" F from Morgantown, WV (true freshman)

Aubry Saleapaga / JUCO guard from Los Angeles

Shamia Strayhorn / 5'7" guard from Wheeling University (teams leading scorer last year at Wheeling 14 ppg)

Elle Wilkerson / 5'10" guard from Georgetown College (also formerly Davis & Elkins)

Madison Zavasky / 6'0" G/F from Pine-Richland (one of the top WPIAL players this past year)

Naomi Zulueta / 5'7" G transfer from Delaware State