INDIANA, Pa. – Top-ranked IUP men's basketball is fresh off another impressive team effort last time out, looking to keep its unbeaten record in tact at Seton Hill on Wednesday, February 1. Tipoff from the McKenna Center is set for 7:30 p.m.
IUP (20-0, 14-0), one of two remaining DII men's basketball programs in the country, used its stifling defense to clamp down a potent East Stroudsburg team in a 67-53 victory. The Hawks dictated the pace throughout the matchup, while still taking advantage of several fastbreak opportunities in limiting ESU to a season-low scoring output.
Seton Hill (12-8, 7-7) dropped an 82-71 decision to Mercyhurst last weekend in Erie. The Griffins present a unique challenge for IUP with their active zone defense, which took IUP some time to adjust to in the first meeting between the two squads this season.
GAME INFORMATION – SETON HILL
TIPOFF NOTES
- IUP's 20-0 start marks the third longest winning streak in program history and the longest in the tenure of head coach Joe Lombardi. The top-ranked Hawks boast the highest winning percentage in NCAA DII basketball since 2019-20, going 81-5 (.941) overall with marks of 28-2, 33-3 and 20-0, not counting the 2020-21 season where most schools did not play.
- IUP secured its 14th consecutive 20-win season with last Saturday's victory, one of the longest streaks in the nation. The Hawks have 28 total 20-win seasons in program history since 1957-58.
- The Hawks remained number one in the NABC poll for the sixth straight week with the latest rankings released on Tuesday, holding the top spot in each listing since December 27.
- The Hawks held East Stroudsburg to nearly 40 points below its scoring average last Saturday, entering the week fourth in the nation in scoring defense (58.8) and first in field goal percentage defense (.375).
- IUP extended its regular season winning streak to 31 following the victory against ESU, winning 11 straight prior to the postseason in 2021-22.
- Shawndale Jones continues to lead the PSAC in scoring with 20.6 points/game. Jones averaged 20.7 points and 4.3 rebounds in three victories last week, adding 13 assists and four steals during that span. Jones was tasked with inbounding the ball against an aggressive ESU press, using his veteran presence to help IUP play at a more methodical pace.
- Dallis Dillard recorded nine steals in three games last week for IUP, combining with Tomiwa Sulaiman to create one of the best defensive duos in the region. IUP has four players rank among the top 10 in the PSAC in steals and steals/game.
- IUP is 53-3 (.946) overall dating back to last season and 113-9 since 2018-19. The Hawks have won all but two contests by double digits this season on their way to a 20-0 start.
- Dave Morris was stellar in the first meeting with Seton Hill, logging 24 points, six rebounds, five assists and one steal. In five career games against Seton Hill, Morris averages 10.4 points, 6.8 rebounds and 6.2 assists overall.
- IUP head coach Joe Lombardi is 20-1 lifetime against Seton Hill, winning the last 11 meetings against the Griffins by an average of around 20 points.
SCOUTING SETON HILL
- Seton Hill is a team on the rise under first-year head coach Ben Wilkins. Wilkins missed the initial matchup with IUP earlier in the season due to illness, while starting point guard Sean Dillon was also out of the lineup.
- Dillon is a primary facilitator of the SHU offense and adds 14.6 points/game behind leading scorer Samuel Tabe (16.1).
- The Griffins have won six of their last eight games despite the loss to a talented Mercyhurst squad. Overall, SHU boasts an 8-2 mark at home this season.
- The Griffins lead the PSAC in defensive rebounding average (27.1) and rank second in the league in scoring offense (79.4), only behind East Stroudsburg (90.9).
- SHU collected nearly 10 steals/game, led by Dillon, who is fifth in the league in steals/game (1.67).
IUP IN THE POLLS
- IUP moved to first in the D2SIDA poll, released December 21, before coming in first in the NABC rankings on December 27. The Hawks maintained the number one spot this week in the coaches poll, remaining second in the D2SIDA rankings behind unbeaten Nova Southeastern.
- The Hawks spent 11 consecutive weeks ranked first in the coaches poll in 1994-95.
- IUP was also the last PSAC men's basketball program ranked first nationally back in the mid-1990s. Prior to that, California (Pa.) was ranked atop the national poll for five weeks in 1992-93, with Millersville and Cheyney earning the number one spot in the 1980s.
- IUP has been ranked in the top 10 over 50 times, dating back to the 2019-20 preseason poll, including the entire 2022-23 season.
- This is the 26th straight week the Hawks are ranked in the top-10 of both polls.
- The NABC ranking on January 31 marked the 208th in program history, also the 121st time ranked inside the top 10 and the 71st week ranked inside the top five.
DEFENSE A FOCAL POINT SO FAR IN 2022-23
- The Crimson Hawks lead the PSAC and rank fourth in NCAA DII in scoring defense (58.8). The Hawks lead the nation in field goal percentage defense (.375) and rank eighth in three-point percentage defense, allowing opponents to convert at just 29.4% from deep.
- IUP is also 10th nationally and first in the PSAC with 9.9 steals/game.
- IUP has ranked in the top 10 nationally among NCAA DII schools in scoring defense in both 2021-22 (62.1) and 2019-20 (65.3).
- IUP has limited 13 of 20 opponents to 60 points or less in 2022-23. Additionally, IUP has surrendered five or fewer made three-point baskets in 10 outings this season.
- IUP has four players rank among the top seven in the PSAC in steals this season, including Dillard (1st; 38), Sulaiman (4th; 33), Jones (4th; 33) and Morris (7th; 32).
- Porterfield has 22 blocks this season and has 128 for his career, good for third all-time in program history. He is 34 blocks away from tying IUP Hall of Famer Darryl Webb for second all-time.
IUP ALL-TIME BLOCKS LEADERS
1 – Devon Cottrell, 207 (2012-17)
2 – Darryl Webb, 162 (2007-11)
4 – Dave Knaub, 103 (1982-86)
LOMBARDI AMONG ELITE COACHES IN ALL OF COLLEGE BASKETBALL
- IUP HC Joe Lombardi (388-106) has helped transform IUP into a consistent national power, now in his 17th season. Lombardi continues to close in on 400 career victories, owning the fourth most wins in PSAC history. Entering the week, Lombardi is six games shy of 500 during his IUP tenure.
- Through his initial 16 seasons, Lombardi has helped guide IUP to 11 NCAA Tournament appearances, six PSAC titles, three Atlantic Region Championships and two DII national title game appearances.
- Lombardi is fourth among active NCAA DII head coaches with a .785 winning percentage, just behind Northwest Missouri State's Ben McCollum (.806). He's sixth among active head coaches in winning percentage across all divisions.
- With a minimum of 10 years of experience, Lombardi is 13th among all NCAA head coaches in all-time winning percentage. Members of the list include names like Mark Few, John Wooden, Adolph Rupp and Jerry Tarkanian, among others.
NCAA DII ACTIVE HEAD COACH WINNING PERCENTAGE
* Minimum 10 seasons
1 - Jim Crutchfield, Nova Southeastern -- .854 (479-82, 18 yrs)
2 - Matt Logie, Point Loma -- .824 (267-57, 11 yrs)
3 - Ben McCollum, Northwest Mo. St. -- .805 (353-85, 14 yrs)
5 - Jeff Young, Walsh -- .755 (428-138, 20 yrs)
NCAA ALL DIVISIONS ACTIVE HEAD COACH WINNING PERCENTAGE
* Minimum 10 seasons
1 - Jim Crutchfield, Nova Southeastern -- .854 (479-82, 18 yrs)
2 – Mark Few, Gonzaga -- .835 (675-133, 24 yrs)
3 - Matt Logie, Point Loma -- .824 (267-57, 11 yrs)
4 - Ben McCollum, Northwest Mo. St. -- .805 (353-85, 14 yrs)
5 – Josh Schertz, Indiana State -- .787 (362-98, 15 yrs)
HOME SWEET HOME
- IUP has put together a remarkable run of success over the last several seasons, thanks in large part to the team's excellent play on their home floor.
- IUP boasts a 229-36 record in home games all-time under head coach Joe Lombardi.
- Additionally, IUP has gone 68-3 at home since the 2018-19 season. The Hawks have lost just once at home since the start of the 2019-20 season, going 48-1 in home games during that span.
- The win against ESU on January 28 was the 25th consecutive home win for the Hawks, which marked an entire calendar year with an undefeated home mark, including the playoffs. The last home loss came to Shippensburg on December 19, 2021, which ended a 24-game home winning streak.
- IUP's longest home win streak during the Lombardi Era is 30 straight victories, from 2008-11.
- IUP has two undefeated home seasons under Lombardi - 18-0 in 2009-10 and 16-0 in 2019-20.
JONES MAKING MOST OF SECOND CHANCE
- Shawndale Jones has been stellar in his return to the IUP program in 2022-23. Battling back from a leg injury in just the seventh game of last season, Jones has continued working back to full strength.
- He was one of two IUP players and five players from the PSAC on the 2023 Bevo Francis Top 100 Watch List, which recognizes the top players across NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, NAIA, USCAA and NCCAA.
- He posted the 1,000th point of his collegiate career against West Chester on December 19. He has scored 868 points during his time in an IUP uniform, shooting 47.8% from the floor for his career as a Crimson Hawk.
- Jones leads the PSAC in scoring (20.6), one of just 37 players in NCAA DII to average at least 20 points per contest. He's also fourth in the league in steals/game (1.7) and 12th in assists/game (3.3).
- Jones is a three-time PSAC West Athlete of the Week for the Hawks this season, earning the accolade on November 21, December 20 and January 23.
- He dropped in a career-best 37 points (16-28 FG) in 39 minutes at Bowie State in November 2021. He scored 31 points against Cal U on January 21 at the KCAC.
- Jones was named the PSAC Tournament MVP in 2019-20 as a sixth man for the Hawks, helping lead IUP to the school's 11th conference title that season.
MIGHTY MORRIS
- Dave Morris have proven valuable across the board as the trigger man for the IUP offense. Morris surpassed 1,000 points in both his collegiate career and at IUP this season, while and also scoring 2,270 points at Strong Vincent HS, the most in Erie history.
- He was one of two IUP players and five players from the PSAC on the 2023 Bevo Francis Top 100 Watch List, which recognizes the top players across NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, NAIA, USCAA and NCCAA.
- Morris had a key second-half sequence of three-point baskets against Seton Hill earlier this season, helping fuel a decisive run for the Hawks. He followed it up with 21 points in a victory against Mercyhurst, earning PSAC West Athlete of the Week laurels on January 9.
- He is fifth among active DII men's basketball players in steals/game for his career, averaging 2.05. The NCAA DII leader is Kobe Rodgers from Nova Southeastern (2.70).
- Morris secured the 400th rebound of his collegiate career with three boards against Millersville on December 30. He posted 44 rebounds in his one season at Tennessee State and 397 at IUP.
- Morris also has 358 career assists at IUP alone, surpassing Dewayne Anthony (343) for 10th in program history. When factoring in his 27 assists at Tennessee State, Morris has 385 career assists.
- Morris is second in the PSAC with 76 assists this season, posting three or more in 17 games.
- He was named PSAC West Athlete of the Week on December 12, following a career outing of 31 points (10-16 FG) against Penn State Altoona.
IUP ALL-TIME ASSIST LEADERS
1 – 567, Dante Lombardi (2015-19)
2 – 512, Devante Chance (2011-15)
3 – 456, Ashton Smith (2008-12)
4 – 450, Mont Mattocks (1966-70)
5 – 425, Eddie Peterson (2002-06)
6 – 406, Yancey Taylor (1992-95)
8 - 379, Gerry Recktenwald 1974-78
9 - 372, Jim DeMark (1966-70)
11 - 343 Dwayne Anthony (1997-00)
PORTERFIELD IS WORKING HARD TO CONTRIBUTE
- Continuing to work back to full strength, Ethan Porterfield is a vital part of the IUP lineup and rotation in his junior season. Porterfield is shooting 37.0% through some hot and cold spells.
- Porterfield is still averaging double figures (12.4) and ranks second on the the team with 22 blocks in 18 games.
- He matched a career-high 14 rebounds at Edinboro on January 23, his first double-double of the 2021-23 season.
- He was an efficient 5-7 from the floor for 11 points with five rebounds and four assists at Millersville. Porterfield matched a season-high three blocks against Seton Hill on January 4.
- Porterfield surpassed 1,000 career points on a pull-up three in the second half against Walsh in November. He grabbed his 500th career rebound at UPJ on January 14.
IUP ALL-TIME THREE-POINTERS MADE
1 – 333, Julian Sanders (2008-12)
2 – 287, Jason Bullock (1992-96)
3 – 273, Dante Lombardi (2015-19)
4 – 229, Anthony Glover, Jr. (2015-18)
5 – 200, Malik Miller (2016-20)
6 – 195, Geoff Evans (1998-01)
7 – 187, Aaron Faulkner (1999-02)
8 – 181, Eddie Peterson (2002-06)
9 – 164, Devante Chance (2011-15)
10 – 154, Paul Burnett (1985-90)
SULAIMAN AND BROOKS CREATE DYNAMIC INSIDE DUO FOR HAWKS
- Sulaiman and Damir Brooks have combined to create a high-energy low post duo for IUP, each with an ability to alter the game on the defensive side of the ball.
- The sophomores combine for 11.0 rebounds per game, each providing a big spark to the IUP lineup.
- Sulaiman is a frontrunner for PSAC West Defensive Player of the Year as a three-time PSAC West Defensive Player of the Week (Nov. 21, Dec. 5, Jan. 16). He continues to provide a spark of energy for the Hawks with averages 12.2 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.2 blocks.
- Meanwhile, Brooks has provided his fair share of highlight reel sequences in limited action off the bench. He is shooting an efficient 76.2% (32-42) from the floor, adding 13 blocks and seven steals.
THE REIGNING, DEFENDING PSAC CHAMPIONS CAPTURE THIRD IN A ROW
- IUP won its third consecutive PSAC Championship with a 63-52 win against Millersville at the KCAC on March 5, 2022.
- It marked the 12th PSAC Tournament championship in program history and sixth conference title under HC Joe Lombardi, the most among active PSAC coaches and the second most in conference history.
- IUP's 12 titles are second behind Cheyney's 15.
- Ethan Porterfield was named the PSAC Tournament MVP, averaging 15.0 PPG and 8.7 RPG.
BEARER IS BACK; PART OF NEW-LOOK ASSISTANT STAFF
- Former IUP captain Greg Bearer is back with the men's basketball program, returning to the bench to serve as an assistant coach in 2022-23.
- Bearer previously worked at the nationally renowned DME Academy prior to returning to Indiana.
- Also new to the staff this season is graduate assistant Jake Perrin, who worked as a head coach at the high school level.
- Former assistant coach Ron Fadula accepted the head coaching job at upstart South Carolina Beaufort back in October. He is one of several former assistants to take the next step in their professional coaching tenure, including Shippensburg head coach Chris Fite.
