Post by jh on Mar 26, 2015 5:07:39 GMT -5
Our old friend having much success
IUP ready for chance to compete for national title
March 25, 2015 12:00 AM
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By Craig Meyer / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Ever since Joe Lombardi led IUP to a championship game appearance in 2010, no NCAA men’s basketball coach in Western Pennsylvania has won more games than the Crimson Hawks’ leader, whose 128 victories are more than those of a high-major coaching stalwart, Pitt’s Jamie Dixon, and one of the profession’s rising stars, Robert Morris’ Andy Toole.
But despite all that success, which included at least 20 wins and an NCAA tournament berth each season, Lombardi had not been able to take IUP back to the Elite Eight, a measuring stick for top programs in Division II.
“We were knocking on the door all of those years and were competitive, but things just didn’t break our way during that time,” Lombardi said. “It does make you wonder if you’re ever going to get back.”
After enough knocks, that door has finally opened for the Crimson Hawks (29-6).
A three-point victory last week against West Liberty gave them an Atlantic Region championship and a spot in their first Elite Eight since 2010, when they finished as the national runner-up. Even though there are four more teams than the Final Four of Division I, the Division II Elite Eight is the most prestigious event of the year. Eight teams will vie for the national championship throughout the next four days in Evansville, Ind.
“It’s always a challenge to get back to the Elite Eight,” Lombardi said. “You have to be good, but you have to have some good fortune. We had both of those things this year.”
2008–09 IUP 22–8 10–4 3rd of 8 PSAC Quarterfinals
NCAA Second Round
2009–10 IUP 33–3 13–1 1st of 8 PSAC Tournament Champion
NCAA Runner-Up
2010-11 IUP 26-6 12-2 1st of 8 PSAC Tournament Champion
NCAA Second Round
2011-12 IUP 23-6 19-3 1st of 8 PSAC Semifinals
NCAA First Round
2012-13 IUP 26-6 17-5 1st of 8 PSAC Tournament Champion
NCAA Regional Final
IUP ready for chance to compete for national title
March 25, 2015 12:00 AM
Share with others:
0
inShare
By Craig Meyer / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Ever since Joe Lombardi led IUP to a championship game appearance in 2010, no NCAA men’s basketball coach in Western Pennsylvania has won more games than the Crimson Hawks’ leader, whose 128 victories are more than those of a high-major coaching stalwart, Pitt’s Jamie Dixon, and one of the profession’s rising stars, Robert Morris’ Andy Toole.
But despite all that success, which included at least 20 wins and an NCAA tournament berth each season, Lombardi had not been able to take IUP back to the Elite Eight, a measuring stick for top programs in Division II.
“We were knocking on the door all of those years and were competitive, but things just didn’t break our way during that time,” Lombardi said. “It does make you wonder if you’re ever going to get back.”
After enough knocks, that door has finally opened for the Crimson Hawks (29-6).
A three-point victory last week against West Liberty gave them an Atlantic Region championship and a spot in their first Elite Eight since 2010, when they finished as the national runner-up. Even though there are four more teams than the Final Four of Division I, the Division II Elite Eight is the most prestigious event of the year. Eight teams will vie for the national championship throughout the next four days in Evansville, Ind.
“It’s always a challenge to get back to the Elite Eight,” Lombardi said. “You have to be good, but you have to have some good fortune. We had both of those things this year.”
2008–09 IUP 22–8 10–4 3rd of 8 PSAC Quarterfinals
NCAA Second Round
2009–10 IUP 33–3 13–1 1st of 8 PSAC Tournament Champion
NCAA Runner-Up
2010-11 IUP 26-6 12-2 1st of 8 PSAC Tournament Champion
NCAA Second Round
2011-12 IUP 23-6 19-3 1st of 8 PSAC Semifinals
NCAA First Round
2012-13 IUP 26-6 17-5 1st of 8 PSAC Tournament Champion
NCAA Regional Final