2020-21 Season with no fans

[isuquinndog]

Hey all, since it looks like there will be no fans at RA for a little while, make sure you get ESPN+ for as low as $6 a month, where all our games are streamed. If you do decide to sign up as the season gets closer and you haven't had an account before, I would really appreciate it if you use the banner at the top to do so. Not only do you get ESPN+, but you help out the site!

Thanks and GO BIRDS

 

[Redbirdwarrior]

So, I feel bad for being THIS FAR outside the loop, but it is hard to get excited about this upcoming season. Please post some bullets about things to be excited about seeing this year.

 

[Adunk33]

So, I feel bad for being THIS FAR outside the loop, but it is hard to get excited about this upcoming season. Please post some bullets about things to be excited about seeing this year.

• Basketball

 

[Redbirdwarrior]

Fair bullet. But will it be watchable basketball?

 

[JHBird]

On the bright side this might be a good year to not have fans at RBA; seems like nearly a total rebuild. Although it's always nice to see new faces, which this year has plenty of them. Not sure who will surprise us this year like Horne did last year. I'm pulling for Sissoko. I know he's athletic but I was impressed by how well he shot the ball in warm ups. I just hoped he learned to play a little D in his redshirt year. Fleming is another guy I'm looking forward to seeing.

 

[crazzymark]

so going to be like a regular home game minus the old people telling everyone to sit down.

 

[Redbird222]

Our commute will be quicker and the beer cheaper

 

[Redbird Alum 2004]

Anyone know how the new guys are looking in workouts?

 

[Adunk33]

Anyone know how the new guys are looking in workouts?

Josiah Strong seems to be the stand out so far. He's a combo guard and could start at the 2/3 with Horne at the 1 and Boyd at the spot not occupied by Strong. Dusan is a big physical kid with touch around the basket.
Too early line up

1. Horne
2. Strong
3. Boyd
4. Abdou
5. Fisher

Bench: Dusan, Reeves, Flemming, Kotov (potential RS? was a medical RS last year. It's said he has the highest BBIQ on the team) Sissoko, Washington, Andrews (potential RS? I think either he or Kotov will RS but not both), Miller, Johnson, Stadelman (probably RS a la Ike Gassman/Malcom Miller).

It sounds like Sy Chatman has submitted a waiver for immediate eligibility but hasn't received word yet. The NCAA seems to be approving these left and right so who knows. Immediate eligibility for Chatman would allow Kotov and Andrews to RS with Sissoko stepping up to play a lot of the 4. Foul trouble would be a concern if they both RS though, so maybe just one.

 

[JHBird]

Thanks Adunk! If Strong is better than Reeves than that's good news, cause Reeves is good.

 

[TBS_20]

Hey all, since it looks like there will be no fans at RA for a little while, make sure you get ESPN+ for as low as $6 a month, where all our games are streamed. If you do decide to sign up as the season gets closer and you haven't had an account before, I would really appreciate it if you use the banner at the top to do so. Not only do you get ESPN+, but you help out the site!

Thanks and GO BIRDS

Can we have a roster spreadsheet like on the other site?

 

[isuquinndog]

Can we have a roster spreadsheet like on the other site?

Yes, that is something I need to work on. When I moved the site I was like "I have a lot of time before I have to move that." Now I need to get it moved. I'll work on it this week.

 

[Redbird222]

Any word on how Washington is progressing? had high hopes for him.

 

[Redbird Alum 2004]

Josiah Strong seems to be the stand out so far. He's a combo guard and could start at the 2/3 with Horne at the 1 and Boyd at the spot not occupied by Strong. Dusan is a big physical kid with touch around the basket.
Too early line up

1. Horne
2. Strong
3. Boyd
4. Abdou
5. Fisher

Bench: Dusan, Reeves, Flemming, Kotov (potential RS? was a medical RS last year. It's said he has the highest BBIQ on the team) Sissoko, Washington, Andrews (potential RS? I think either he or Kotov will RS but not both), Miller, Johnson, Stadelman (probably RS a la Ike Gassman/Malcom Miller).

It sounds like Sy Chatman has submitted a waiver for immediate eligibility but hasn't received word yet. The NCAA seems to be approving these left and right so who knows. Immediate eligibility for Chatman would allow Kotov and Andrews to RS with Sissoko stepping up to play a lot of the 4. Foul trouble would be a concern if they both RS though, so maybe just one.

I am surprised you would put Boyd over Reeves. I thought Reeves really became a defensive stopper late last year. He did well against AJ Green. I thought Boyd lost time because of his defensive lapses. If Boyd has committed to defense then I can see him starting over Reeves. With the weather getting cooler I am really getting the Redbird Basketball itch.

 

[ILLST25]

I would think Horne, Reeves, Boyd, and Fisher all start. After that, I would think it’s gotta be Abdou or Mahorcic at the 5.

 

[Adunk33]

I would not be surprised at all if the season started with the guys who were on the team last year starting. That being Horne, Boyd, Reeves, Abdou, and Fisher. My reasoning for the Strong and Boyd starts in what is a "way too early starting line-up": For Boyd: Age and program familiarity. Strong: Discipline. Strong had a handful of offers out of high school but decided to go to Navy. It's rare a player will decided to go to Navy without understanding what that means.
I'm just hoping we get to watch some basketball in 6 weeks.

 

[RedbirdSoxFan]

I would not be surprised at all if the season started with the guys who were on the team last year starting. That being Horne, Boyd, Reeves, Abdou, and Fisher. My reasoning for the Strong and Boyd starts in what is a "way too early starting line-up": For Boyd: Age and program familiarity. Strong: Discipline. Strong had a handful of offers out of high school but decided to go to Navy. It's rare a player will decided to go to Navy without understanding what that means.
I'm just hoping we get to watch some basketball in 6 weeks.

Does this look like a 9th place Team?
Horne, Reeves, Boyd, Strong, Abdou, Fisher,
Fleming Jr, Washington, etc...
I think Fisher is no lower than 2nd Team, possibly 1st Team All-MVC
I think Fisher, and Redbirds, getting lack of respect.

 

[CaliRdBrd]

Does this look like a 9th place Team?
Horne, Reeves, Boyd, Strong, Abdou, Fisher,
Fleming Jr, Washington, etc...
I think Fisher is no lower than 2nd Team, possibly 1st Team All-MVC
I think Fisher, and Redbirds, getting lack of respect.

Yes.

 

[RedbirdSoxFan]

Yes.

I would be willing to wager an all you can drink, and all the pizza you can eat, night in St Louis, that the Birds will not be a Thursday team in St. Louis, And Fisher will be at least 2nd team All-MVC!
Since the odds are more in your favor, if I win, we do the pizza & beer Thursday AND you also by my beers at the Friday game.

 

[redbirdron1]

Could this be a 9th place team? Absolutely if.......

we continue to kick the ball around with so many unforced turnovers.
we don't have a back to the basket guy in the middle.
we don't have a leader, a glue guy to calm the team in tight situations.
we play the same kind of D we have in past 3 seasons.

I remain a glass half full guy and keep hope this is the season it kicks in for Muller to appreciate/value
possessions, mixing in zone with man D and developing multiple players in short term. Example - last years
Boyd was a guy who could contribute in a very positive fashion to the offense. Enable him to dribble and hit jumpers
vs. a stationary 3 pt shooter. He's a kid who may never be able to play man to man D but you can hide him in a matchup
Zone.

Realistically, I'm pretty sure we're a bottom half team especially due to so many new faces who must contribute to fill in the
gaps.