'22-'23 Roster

[redbirds2000]

I'm loving what Pedon is saying. He's staying true to he's trying to develop a roster, not just build a team. He doesn't want to fill the scholarship for the sake of filling it. He's playing chess, while it felt like at times, the old regime was playing checkers. It seems he doesn't want to bring in guys that he'll just hope to recruit over in 2023. I think back to guys like Jamaal Samuels, Elvis Harvey, or Andre Washington. I don't remember when they signed but there seemed to be a feeling amongst fans that they wouldn't be back the following year.

Now, I'm not a coach or tasked with building a roster but I don't anticipate the Birds go to battle next season with 9 scholarship players... One or two injuries and your season is over. I'm happy he is being patient and selective but also know he's smarter than trying to run out with nine guys.

Agreed that it seems Pedon and Co have a liking to Kotov. For the final additions I'd bring in another Lewis/Sissoko type versatile player along with some size. I don't feel Liam, Ryan and Alex is enough at the 5 spot. Liam isn't a 5. So it really leaves Ryan and Alex to bang in the post. With Pedon saying he want's to play, "Inside out and through the post," you need more than two guys to do that, unless you're just hoping that once you throw it down low, the defense collapses and the post player can kick out to a guard to shoot or drive. For that to work, you need your post guy to be a legitimate threat to score.

Overall, I love Pedon's transparency. It seems when you ask him a question, you're getting an answer. See the Pantagraph article about LK signing on. He is honest about what Luke's strength but also what he needs to work on and how they are going to help him get to where he needs to be. In these articles previously, Muller would say something along the lines of, "We're really excited to bring in guy who played at a high level in high school and with Power 5 experience. He'll be a valuable asset to our team...." and not provide any additional comments. Maybe Benson isn't as afraid to ask questions with Pedon?

There is certainly a breath of fresh air around the program right now. I believe it was labeled in a recent article, "Honeymoon Phase." I look forward to getting the new guys on campus and potentially seeing some summer workouts.

So, out of 1,000 players in the portal, Pedon can't find 3 that would elevate the current roster?? Just go ahead and wait it out? His clock has started. I think I would fill every spot I could especially with so many available. Or maybe he can't get who he wants? I think he will fill all the schollies.

 

[BirdGrad2011]

So, out of 1,000 players in the portal, Pedon can't find 3 that would elevate the current roster?? Just go ahead and wait it out? His clock has started. I think I would fill every spot I could especially with so many available. Or maybe he can't get who he wants? I think he will fill all the schollies.

He took over mid March. Just because of the portal doesn’t mean this program is not a complete rebuild. He’s trying to build a program not just get talent and hope for the best (looking at Dan and Dana here). There are tons of guys better than last years roster. Does that mean they’d all fit what Pedon is trying to do? Hell no. I’ll trust him over you.

What do you mean his clock has started? He’s under contract, but we can’t begin to really judging anything until year 3. Make no mistake this program was arguably at the lowest point in its D1 history.

 

[crazzymark]

So, out of 1,000 players in the portal, Pedon can't find 3 that would elevate the current roster?? Just go ahead and wait it out? His clock has started. I think I would fill every spot I could especially with so many available. Or maybe he can't get who he wants? I think he will fill all the schollies.

Most likely can't find the players he wants to make a commitment to see used to be dumpster fire that was redbird basketball. And it's not a good trait when so many players in the portal from the program. I would consider that a red flag

 

[redbirdron1]

I’d imagine he has his choices in the portal and if that fails he’ll go the HS route for kids with size.

 

[cubird]

Don't think Alex is any hurry going back to Russia at this time!

 

[Metamoron]

I assume that when the top transfers choose their new schools things will pick up quickly. I can see the top schools (Kentucky) not wanting to commit to player X until player Y has said he is going elsewhere. Then player Z now goes to Cincinnati instead of Kentucky. Then it all rolls downhill. And we are near the bottom at this point.

 

[cubird]

Also, guys testing the NBA waters will decide to come back to College another year and fill the musical chair of some other player waiting too long to commit. Perhaps pushing players down to non P5 schools.

 

[Redbirdfan21]

I was listening to a local sports talk radio show in Springfield yesterday morning. They took a call asking about their thoughts on the transfer portal and what’s it’s turned into. Tim Schweizer was on ISU’s campus last weekend doing to high school baseball broadcasts at Duffy Bass. He said he had a chance to talk to Pedon and asked him. He insinuated Pedon was not opposed to it, especially since he was able to come in and basically start from scratch as a new HC. He said “almost all of the players were in the portal before Pedon arrived” (not sure if Pedon said something similar to that, or if that was his assumption). But he did specifically mentioned “a couple of former Redbirds in the portal are still considering a return to ISU.” FWIW…

 

[Metamoron]

I think there may some logic to Pedon saying “put your name in the portal and let me recruit you like anyone else”. Goes along with the “I want kids who want to be here” thoughts.

 

[isuquinndog]

Kotov is listed as a grad student on the roster.

 

[Commit2theBird]

Does anybody know the enroll date for summer classes? I’d imagine that has to be approaching quickly. 4 scholarships to fill. Hopefully a post presence is added in the next week or two…

 

[Adunk33]

Does anybody know the enroll date for summer classes? I’d imagine that has to be approaching quickly. 4 scholarships to fill. Hopefully a post presence is added in the next week or two…

Summer classes begin 5/16, which is also the final day to enroll in them. I'm sure some strings can and will get pulled.

Academic Calendar

The Illinois State University Academic Calendar includes University closures, breaks, holidays, course registration deadlines, and grade-reporting dates. Contact the Provost Office at (309) 438-7018 or Provost@IllinoisState.edu for questions regarding the […]

events.illinoisstate.edu

Spring signing period goes until 5/18. However, I believe you’re only allowed to sign 1 NLI in your college career. That’s why you see guys like (last year) Liam, Mark, and Kendall and (this year) Darius, Colton, and Luke signing “financial aid agreements” which I believe can be done at any time. So as far as the portal/roster goes, May 18 may not mean anything. Liam, for example, didn't come on board until the first week of June last year.

 

[Commit2theBird]

Summer classes begin 5/16, which is also the final day to enroll in them. I'm sure some strings can and will get pulled.

Academic Calendar

The Illinois State University Academic Calendar includes University closures, breaks, holidays, course registration deadlines, and grade-reporting dates. Contact the Provost Office at (309) 438-7018 or Provost@IllinoisState.edu for questions regarding the […]

events.illinoisstate.edu

Spring signing period goes until 5/18. However, I believe you’re only allowed to sign 1 NLI in your college career. That’s why you see guys like (last year) Liam, Mark, and Kendall and (this year) Darius, Colton, and Luke signing “financial aid agreements” which I believe can be done at any time. So as far as the portal/roster goes, May 18 may not mean anything. Liam, for example, didn't come on board until the first week of June last year.

Thanks for the breakdown! I’m impatiently looking for when the next recruiting shoe might drop.

 

[fdbird83]

Thanks for the breakdown! I’m impatiently looking for when the next recruiting shoe might drop.

It used to be that you could take a semester class in 2 weeks. It was between the end of spring classes and before summer classes started.
I did that in in 83. It was a rough two weeks but it was worth getting the class over with it.

 

[TIMMY]

I'd like to see a post guy and a forward that's easy. What I really want is an Anthony Jones clone. Great defense, a great rebounder, and 110% effort every second he's on the floor. Athletic as hell. And maybe make a layup once in a while.

 

[Manchester Matt]

 

[Redbird Alum 2004]

Tweet is gone. What did it say

 

[BirdGrad2011]

Commitment watch cancelled or delayed.

Josiah Strong to Colorado State though.

 

[Manchester Matt]

Tweet is gone. What did it say

It was the welcome aboard with Reggie and the bus meme.

 

[Adunk33]

Commitment watch cancelled or delayed.

Josiah Strong to Colorado State though.

Colo State was leaked. But we'll hear definitively from Strong tomorrow.