Next Years Team

Redbird82

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Guys can improve for sure, sometimes a lot out of nowhere. Look at Emmenecker. But normally 3rd and 4th year guys don’t make big leaps, but hopefully we can have a couple.
 

SgtHulka

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Couple thoughts . . . .

It seems to me, over the long haul, with comments from many different posters on the board, "we" tend to overlook the potential improvements that players can make over the years. A lot of folks seem to expect freshmen to be able to contribute from day one, and whatever talent they show is their ceiling. I like to think some guys can and will improve. Even for more experienced guys. So just because a guy is a soph or even a junior and isn't a big contributor, there is still hope that the light bulb will go on and they'll find what it takes and turn a corner.

I still think Sissoko has some potential. Seems to me he had his "dimmer bulb" go up a little this year - he gave some more quality minutes than last year. He's gotta learn to stay on the floor. He's no help on the bench. He could use a few more pounds.

I fully expected Schmitt to come back this year "ripped", adding 10-15 pounds of muscle in the weight room, bouncing around, grabbing some boards, etc. Very disappointed he wasn't more help. Not sure if he's got the "heart" so to speak. He's coordinated, seems to be aware on the floor, but he sure doesn't seem to engage or fight under the basket or "crash" the boards - well, you all know what I'm saying.

Petrakis had some track record coming in - I've pointed out before, last year at WCU, he started 30 games, averaged 23 minutes per game, 8 points and 3+ rebounds per game, and led the team with 58 treys and 34% from the arc. Oh and 25 blocks. I gotta believe Pedon and company thought they would get that out of him this year, at least, and so his performance this year was a big disappointment. He's not a strong inside player, but I sure thought he'd be able to defend the 5 spot at least this year. Not sure what to think about his next year.

We gotta get stronger. Knight and Lewis played with some strength inside, some, but for the most part we get beat up inside. You all know this. We need "strong with the ball" at all spots, on offense and defense. SIU, MSU, BU, UNI, Valpo, Belmont - Birds looked like little girls vs. all of them. And not just strong but EXPLOSIVE - gotta go hard.

I've had no problem with Poindexter this year, I think he's done a fine job initiating the offense. He can't do it all on his own. Could we use a "real" point guard? Yes, for sure definitely. Burford, geez when he gets into the lane with that little 12 footer, he's awesome. I like his game, for the most part, needs to get his head into it a little more.

McChesney - not sure how much he has to give. He needs to get bigger and stronger, obviously. He seemed to kind of plateau this year, wonder if he hit the wall with the international play last summer and then his injuries. If he could only get to 220, 225 lbs, what a load he'd be.

A thought about the offense, the scheme. I'm not sure if Pedon's offense is the Ohio State offense. I'm assuming it is, for the most part. This business about "playing through the post" - if you watch OSU, they set up pretty much like ISU does. They (OSU) don't play thru the low post, but rather set the 5 up around the FT line. He sets a pick, or receives the ball and hands off, and then there's motion from the wings, and at times the post will roll down the lane. But they kind of keep the low post clear for motion to the hoop. So, while we need some better inside play, stronger inside play, I'm not convinced Pedon's offense is necessarily set up for a traditional low post offense.

I'm not picky, like most of you, where we get the strength - juco, portal, HS - but we gotta get a couple guys with size and strength who wanna get after it. A nice PG and someone who can stroke it would help (I'm not sold on Kasubke, altho his stats tell me I should be happy with him).

Onward and upward.
+1. We played through the post this year, just with guards (Burf\Mal\Knight)
 

CaliRdBrd

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Couple thoughts . . . .

It seems to me, over the long haul, with comments from many different posters on the board, "we" tend to overlook the potential improvements that players can make over the years. A lot of folks seem to expect freshmen to be able to contribute from day one, and whatever talent they show is their ceiling. I like to think some guys can and will improve. Even for more experienced guys. So just because a guy is a soph or even a junior and isn't a big contributor, there is still hope that the light bulb will go on and they'll find what it takes and turn a corner.

I still think Sissoko has some potential. Seems to me he had his "dimmer bulb" go up a little this year - he gave some more quality minutes than last year. He's gotta learn to stay on the floor. He's no help on the bench. He could use a few more pounds.

I fully expected Schmitt to come back this year "ripped", adding 10-15 pounds of muscle in the weight room, bouncing around, grabbing some boards, etc. Very disappointed he wasn't more help. Not sure if he's got the "heart" so to speak. He's coordinated, seems to be aware on the floor, but he sure doesn't seem to engage or fight under the basket or "crash" the boards - well, you all know what I'm saying.

Petrakis had some track record coming in - I've pointed out before, last year at WCU, he started 30 games, averaged 23 minutes per game, 8 points and 3+ rebounds per game, and led the team with 58 treys and 34% from the arc. Oh and 25 blocks. I gotta believe Pedon and company thought they would get that out of him this year, at least, and so his performance this year was a big disappointment. He's not a strong inside player, but I sure thought he'd be able to defend the 5 spot at least this year. Not sure what to think about his next year.

We gotta get stronger. Knight and Lewis played with some strength inside, some, but for the most part we get beat up inside. You all know this. We need "strong with the ball" at all spots, on offense and defense. SIU, MSU, BU, UNI, Valpo, Belmont - Birds looked like little girls vs. all of them. And not just strong but EXPLOSIVE - gotta go hard.

I've had no problem with Poindexter this year, I think he's done a fine job initiating the offense. He can't do it all on his own. Could we use a "real" point guard? Yes, for sure definitely. Burford, geez when he gets into the lane with that little 12 footer, he's awesome. I like his game, for the most part, needs to get his head into it a little more.

McChesney - not sure how much he has to give. He needs to get bigger and stronger, obviously. He seemed to kind of plateau this year, wonder if he hit the wall with the international play last summer and then his injuries. If he could only get to 220, 225 lbs, what a load he'd be.

A thought about the offense, the scheme. I'm not sure if Pedon's offense is the Ohio State offense. I'm assuming it is, for the most part. This business about "playing through the post" - if you watch OSU, they set up pretty much like ISU does. They (OSU) don't play thru the low post, but rather set the 5 up around the FT line. He sets a pick, or receives the ball and hands off, and then there's motion from the wings, and at times the post will roll down the lane. But they kind of keep the low post clear for motion to the hoop. So, while we need some better inside play, stronger inside play, I'm not convinced Pedon's offense is necessarily set up for a traditional low post offense.

I'm not picky, like most of you, where we get the strength - juco, portal, HS - but we gotta get a couple guys with size and strength who wanna get after it. A nice PG and someone who can stroke it would help (I'm not sold on Kasubke, altho his stats tell me I should be happy with him).

Onward and upward.
I like this post, but again…once you develop these kids, they’re likely off to greener pastures.
How do you recruit decent players, improve them, and keep them for all 4 years?
That seems like a tall task these days.
 

MadBird

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I like this post, but again…once you develop these kids, they’re likely off to greener pastures.
How do you recruit decent players, improve them, and keep them for all 4 years?
That seems like a tall task these days.
Well, it's still changing, so we'll have to see how it shakes out . . .

But you know, #1 it's not impossible to keep good ones around 4 years, and #2 the door/portal swings both ways - guys start elsewhere and then stay for 2 or 3 or even 4 years in the MVC (like our Lewis and hopefully Burford and Poindexter and Liam).

First team all-MVC this year - Domask from SIU is a 4th year senior at the same school. Krikke from Valpo 4th year senior. Mast from BU junior. Sheppard from Belmont 4th year senior. Penn at Drake 4th year after one year at Siena.

Lance Jones 4th year at SIU. Sturtz at Drake 4th year. Well, you get the idea. I don't think its quite as hopeless as people might sometimes think. You're gonna lose a good one now and then. But then pick up somebody looking for a chance (Kasubke? Knight?).
 

Reggie Redbird

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The rumor in STL is Mast has already signed a deal to go back to the Netherlands and Drake's coach and son will be a package deal at a P5 next season. As Slade Running Bear says...."Book it."
I could easily see both Wardle and DeVries depart, DeVries more than Wardle because Wardle’s reputation is known. DeVries knows he would have to do a major reload with who they lose. Drake doesn’t generally invest enough to keep their successful coaches in the men’s side, so it will be interesting to see what they offer.

There are two sports BU really cares about and MBB is #1 by far. I can’t see either of these guys passing up a deal somewhere else starting at $1.5 million though and not sure BU could get high enough to match a huge raise offer and still have enough for other expenses

Coach Jake is the only coach in MVC MBB who I could see spurning a much bigger offer. UNI can’t be too happy with their results as of late, but time and time again the Panthers rebound..
 

Redbird222

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I could easily see both Wardle and DeVries depart, DeVries more than Wardle because Wardle’s reputation is known. DeVries knows he would have to do a major reload with who they lose. Drake doesn’t generally invest enough to keep their successful coaches in the men’s side, so it will be interesting to see what they offer.

There are two sports BU really cares about and MBB is #1 by far. I can’t see either of these guys passing up a deal somewhere else starting at $1.5 million though and not sure BU could get high enough to match a huge raise offer and still have enough for other expenses

Coach Jake is the only coach in MVC MBB who I could see spurning a much bigger offer. UNI can’t be too happy with their results as of late, but time and time again the Panthers rebound..
I like Duax and Campbell (freshman). Wolf is also a freshman getting significant playing time. Heise should be back and if Phyfe gets another year, the team should be a strong contender assuming Anderson and Born are there.
 

Manchester Matt

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I like Duax and Campbell (freshman). Wolf is also a freshman getting significant playing time. Heise should be back and if Phyfe gets another year, the team should be a strong contender assuming Anderson and Born are there.
By all accounts, UNI has a great recruiting class, too.

They might be the preseason favorites if Mast leaves.
 

BirdGrad2011

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By all accounts, UNI has a great recruiting class, too.

They might be the preseason favorites if Mast leaves.
The problem as always is who will be back? If someone pulls a Noah Carter UNI could be back to square 1 so to speak. If all return they are contenders.

I don’t see DeVries or Wardle returning if they get significant offers. It will be interesting to see the carousel. Does Texas make the interim permanent? Who does ND poach? Lots of things can set off with a couple of those jobs and it will be interesting to watch.
 
P

Popsto4

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Couple thoughts . . . .

It seems to me, over the long haul, with comments from many different posters on the board, "we" tend to overlook the potential improvements that players can make over the years. A lot of folks seem to expect freshmen to be able to contribute from day one, and whatever talent they show is their ceiling. I like to think some guys can and will improve. Even for more experienced guys. So just because a guy is a soph or even a junior and isn't a big contributor, there is still hope that the light bulb will go on and they'll find what it takes and turn a corner.

I still think Sissoko has some potential. Seems to me he had his "dimmer bulb" go up a little this year - he gave some more quality minutes than last year. He's gotta learn to stay on the floor. He's no help on the bench. He could use a few more pounds.

I fully expected Schmitt to come back this year "ripped", adding 10-15 pounds of muscle in the weight room, bouncing around, grabbing some boards, etc. Very disappointed he wasn't more help. Not sure if he's got the "heart" so to speak. He's coordinated, seems to be aware on the floor, but he sure doesn't seem to engage or fight under the basket or "crash" the boards - well, you all know what I'm saying.

Petrakis had some track record coming in - I've pointed out before, last year at WCU, he started 30 games, averaged 23 minutes per game, 8 points and 3+ rebounds per game, and led the team with 58 treys and 34% from the arc. Oh and 25 blocks. I gotta believe Pedon and company thought they would get that out of him this year, at least, and so his performance this year was a big disappointment. He's not a strong inside player, but I sure thought he'd be able to defend the 5 spot at least this year. Not sure what to think about his next year.

We gotta get stronger. Knight and Lewis played with some strength inside, some, but for the most part we get beat up inside. You all know this. We need "strong with the ball" at all spots, on offense and defense. SIU, MSU, BU, UNI, Valpo, Belmont - Birds looked like little girls vs. all of them. And not just strong but EXPLOSIVE - gotta go hard.

I've had no problem with Poindexter this year, I think he's done a fine job initiating the offense. He can't do it all on his own. Could we use a "real" point guard? Yes, for sure definitely. Burford, geez when he gets into the lane with that little 12 footer, he's awesome. I like his game, for the most part, needs to get his head into it a little more.

McChesney - not sure how much he has to give. He needs to get bigger and stronger, obviously. He seemed to kind of plateau this year, wonder if he hit the wall with the international play last summer and then his injuries. If he could only get to 220, 225 lbs, what a load he'd be.

A thought about the offense, the scheme. I'm not sure if Pedon's offense is the Ohio State offense. I'm assuming it is, for the most part. This business about "playing through the post" - if you watch OSU, they set up pretty much like ISU does. They (OSU) don't play thru the low post, but rather set the 5 up around the FT line. He sets a pick, or receives the ball and hands off, and then there's motion from the wings, and at times the post will roll down the lane. But they kind of keep the low post clear for motion to the hoop. So, while we need some better inside play, stronger inside play, I'm not convinced Pedon's offense is necessarily set up for a traditional low post offense.

I'm not picky, like most of you, where we get the strength - juco, portal, HS - but we gotta get a couple guys with size and strength who wanna get after it. A nice PG and someone who can stroke it would help (I'm not sold on Kasubke, altho his stats tell me I should be happy with him).

Onward and upward.
This is one of the better posts and insights on this board point blank period. I can’t tell if this was the Ohio State offensive sets or not either. One thing is for sure though. This years team didn’t have the same caliber offensive skill set for it. I don’t claim to be an X’s and O’s guy but I do know spacing. I do know when a player is lost trying to run the sets. Too much standing around, too many times we had 2 kids occupying basically the same area on the floor. I will say it again Basketball IQ along with the missing pieces handcuffed the offense this year. There is no way I believe Pedon settled for so much one on o e play. That’s a product of not being able of running the sets. Someone had to step up after all there is a shot clock. DB and Knight benefited greatly from a few players too many times being where they were not supposed to be instead of the right spot for the set.
 

Baltimore Bird

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We sat next to Born's parents during the Belmont/Ind State game. This was just after the UNI/PU game. They were extremely nice people. The next Born is 6'3" and a very good HS player. The UNI pipeline will likely continue to get filled.
 
P

Popsto4

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I like this post, but again…once you develop these kids, they’re likely off to greener pastures.
How do you recruit decent players, improve them, and keep them for all 4 years?
That seems like a tall task these days.
I think that’s what Pedon have in his pocket going forward as recruiting. Look at it this way. Lewis, Burford, Liam, Luke and Mal are all likely to return. All of these kids will stay the remainder of their time at ILSU I believe. If so this team will be better over the next few years with additions. Then you will have a winning and exciting team to sell to new recruits. The glass is always half full gents.
 

redbirds2000

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The rumor in STL is Mast has already signed a deal to go back to the Netherlands and Drake's coach and son will be a package deal at a P5 next season. As Slade Running Bear says...."Book it."
It will be interesting to see what the DeVries' end up doing. They are the McDermott's 2.0. Texas and ND are most likely going to get a HC from a current P5 (Texas could keep Terry if they make a run) but that domino could leave a Kansas State, Penn State, etc open for them to jump to. Could Nebraska buy out Hoiberg? I would be surprised if they are back at Drake next year. Not much left to prove in the MVC.
 

SgtHulka

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It will be interesting to see what the DeVries' end up doing. They are the McDermott's 2.0. Texas and ND are most likely going to get a HC from a current P5 (Texas could keep Terry if they make a run) but that domino could leave a Kansas State, Penn State, etc open for them to jump to. Could Nebraska buy out Hoiberg? I would be surprised if they are back at Drake next year. Not much left to prove in the MVC.
I'd be shocked if they are back next year. Too enticing of a pair. Someone will scoop them up
 

BirdGrad2011

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Wardle could be an interesting name to come up too. He’s done a phenomenal job and rumors before the season was he’s not too fond of Peoria.
 

fdbird83

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It will be interesting to see what the DeVries' end up doing. They are the McDermott's 2.0. Texas and ND are most likely going to get a HC from a current P5 (Texas could keep Terry if they make a run) but that domino could leave a Kansas State, Penn State, etc open for them to jump to. Could Nebraska buy out Hoiberg? I would be surprised if they are back at Drake next year. Not much left to prove in the MVC.
Nebraska got a nice win at Iowa today and a season sweep of the Hawks. First time the Huskers have swept Iowa since joining the Big 10.
 

Reggie Redbird

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It will be interesting to see what the DeVries' end up doing. They are the McDermott's 2.0. Texas and ND are most likely going to get a HC from a current P5 (Texas could keep Terry if they make a run) but that domino could leave a Kansas State, Penn State, etc open for them to jump to. Could Nebraska buy out Hoiberg? I would be surprised if they are back at Drake next year. Not much left to prove in the MVC.
Nebraska isn’t touching Hoiberg after they just bought out Frost. He has a winning record, finished the regular season 6-2, and beat their rival Creighton.

He isn’t getting an extension, but I don’t think they are close to buying him out.
 

DWRedbird

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It will be interesting to see what the DeVries' end up doing. They are the McDermott's 2.0. Texas and ND are most likely going to get a HC from a current P5 (Texas could keep Terry if they make a run) but that domino could leave a Kansas State, Penn State, etc open for them to jump to. Could Nebraska buy out Hoiberg? I would be surprised if they are back at Drake next year. Not much left to prove in the MVC.

I'm hearing rumors that ND wants Porter and Porter wants to go to ND. I'll be curious to see if that plays out, because that could also move some puzzle pieces around in the coaching vacancy. If this plays out, I could see Oklahoma going after someone like DeVries.
 
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