Future Schedule

[Redbird222]

Adunk good recap..

I would just add that while they ran the weave and high screen offenses (two sets used primarily last year), they also ran a motion offense with more cutting. The high screen and motion offenses were more effective than the weave. The high screen definitely works better when you have players that can handle the ball which Freeman and Reeves did well last night.

I think your spot on about Schmidt.

I think McChesney and Lewis had some nerves shooting the ball .. probably because they have not been in a competitive game for a while. Chatman showed flashes but was not consistent on either end of the floor.

Like many exhibition games there were some goods things and some things that needed work. I am a little more optimistic about our guards but there is a lot of question marks with our big men. They will need to progress and play consistently if we are going to compete at all this year.

Fleming aside, it sure seems like Muller has a rotation in mind which might benefit the team. We sure have had some strange combination sets in recent years albeit sometimes due to injuries or lack of depth.

 

[Dmills]

Adunk good recap..

I would just add that while they ran the weave and high screen offenses (two sets used primarily last year), they also ran a motion offense with more cutting. The high screen and motion offenses were more effective than the weave. The high screen definitely works better when you have players that can handle the ball which Freeman and Reeves did well last night.

I think your spot on about Schmidt.

I think McChesney and Lewis had some nerves shooting the ball .. probably because they have not been in a competitive game for a while. Chatman showed flashes but was not consistent on either end of the floor.

Like many exhibition games there were some goods things and some things that needed work. I am a little more optimistic about our guards but there is a lot of question marks with our big men. They will need to progress and play consistently if we are going to compete at all this year.

Fleming aside, it sure seems like Muller has a rotation in mind which might benefit the team. We sure have had some strange combination sets in recent years albeit sometimes due to injuries or lack of depth.

You both have made some good points. I think the starting line-up will be Freeman, Strong, Reeves, Lewis, and Chatman. Rotation players will include Fleming, Washington, McChesney, Schmitt, and Ndiaye/Sissoko for the time being. Schmitt and Ndiaye will probably both have opportunities to start at the 5 throughout the season.

One other interesting point to make is Johnson is probably our back up "true shooting guard". Reeves, Fleming, and Washington will probably see more time at the 2 guard spot than Johnson depending on if we are going big or small, but if someone goes down due to injury, he could start seeing some bench minutes. I have Johnson ahead of Miller due to shooting ability and experience. I am glad Miller is back this year and healthy. I am excited to see him get his first action after essentially 2 redshirt seasons.

I am assuming our only redshirts will be Williams and Samuels. Andrews notably did not play so maybe he could be redshirt as well, who knows. Otherwise I do not see Johnson or Stadelman redshirting due to a "lack of bodies" at the guard spots.

 

[TBS_20]

This season might make me miss Matt Hein and the fun of opening the Pantagraph to see what Malik was arrested for this time.

 

[Birdfriend72]

This season might make me miss Matt Hein and the fun of opening the Pantagraph to see what Malik was arrested for this time.

Lol- McChesney and any other big didn’t impress me. If you would have told me Reeves was scoring 34 points…I would have thought we would have won by 40 against a D2 school!

 

[redbirdron1]

McChesney runs the floor well and moves well - granted he needed the Exhibition and maybe X number of non-con games to get his confidence but he can jump and has potential to pay dividends. Once the young man drains 2-3 perimeter shots and gets some boards we'll be happy to have him as
a wing on the offense.
Abdou not playing until the 8 minute mark was a head scratcher - maybe Muller just knows what he brings and wants to give Chatman/Schmidt the minutes to see who's got upside. By Abdou's lack of enthusiasm at the end of the bench, I wonder if he's currently in Dan's doghouse.

I've seen Freeman now for the first time and I'd guess he'll demonstrate better handles, PG savvy and passing than Horne possessed. We got a couple of other guys to hoist outside shots to make up for some of DJ's absence.
At this juncture, I'd say we'll really miss Mahorcic's interior banging, rebounding and back to the basket game - maybe Schmidt will come alive but I got my doubts based on the Red/White and Exhibition showing - offense pays no attention to him ???

Lewis - active kid but concerned about his ability to finish near the hoop.

 

[jamminjamarsmiley]

We do this every year. When Learfield took over, they did not sell the rights for exhibition games to WJBC. It is not WJBCs choice, they have no say in it. Get mad at Learfield.

But who signed a deal with learfield? That would be ISU. Are you telling me learfield does not broadcast any schools exhibition games? I find that hard to believe. We have done this in the past as I recall, many fans voiced frustration to Larry Lyons who gave us the same blame learfield answer. This indicates no one in the athletic department took the matter serious enough to approach learfield to ensure it didn’t happen again.

Sorry your blame learfield crap is BS

 

[cubird]

Danny Dunbar is the Learfield point man for ISU athletics. He is waiting for your call

 

[MadBird]

I can't remember the last BS squawk we had on this board, something people were griping about I thought was dumb, but again - we're pissing on the athletic department because the goddam exhibition game wasn't broadcast? Really? Get serious. Who cares? Would have been nice, but it's not a big effin' deal. They played DII Davenport from Michigan. Get over it.

Back to our regular broadcast . . . .

 

[isuquinndog]

But who signed a deal with learfield? That would be ISU. Are you telling me learfield does not broadcast any schools exhibition games? I find that hard to believe. We have done this in the past as I recall, many fans voiced frustration to Larry Lyons who gave us the same blame learfield answer. This indicates no one in the athletic department took the matter serious enough to approach learfield to ensure it didn’t happen again.

Sorry your blame learfield crap is BS

I'm not saying it isn't BS. I agree with you. But don't get angry at WJBC (as is what would happen in the past) because it wasn't their decision. That's all I'm saying. Try directing your anger at those with power, not me.

 

[Adunk33]

I'm not saying it isn't BS. I agree with you. But don't get angry at WJBC (as is what would happen in the past) because it wasn't their decision. That's all I'm saying. Try directing your anger at those with power, not me.

There is also the point that Learfield decides what goes on-air priority-wise. Last Thursday night, there was also the Brock Spack Show. Football holds priority over MBB. WZND has broadcasted exhibitions in the past. Its probably been 5 or so years (around the same time the Learfield deal was signed) since there's been professional TV/radio coverage for the exhibition.

One more broadcasting note...its now possible to sync the audio stream from WJBC to the ESPN stream. For those like me that prefer the radio crew, its an awesome tool. All you need to do is download The Varsity Network App on your phone, find the Birds broadcast, go to your the device you are watching the game on, pause it right before tip, and then hit play when Dick announces who won the tip. I've never had it be 100% perfect, but its been synced close enough.

 

[jamminjamarsmiley]

I'm not saying it isn't BS. I agree with you. But don't get angry at WJBC (as is what would happen in the past) because it wasn't their decision. That's all I'm saying. Try directing your anger at those with power, not me.

I was directing it at ISU, I understand WJBC can only do so much. Hey I’ll be listening to the pregame and watching on espn3 tonight

 

[Redbird222]

I watched Buffalo play Michigan today. They will be a very difficult matchup if we play them in Cancun.

 

[Bird Friend]

I was directing it at ISU, I understand WJBC can only do so much. Hey I’ll be listening to the pregame and watching on espn3 tonight

You just want to have a beef, that's your MO.

Universities turn to Learfield because they can extend the university's reach much further and less expensive than the athletic department can usually do on its own. Learfield represents 170 D1 schools, 6 conferences (including MVC, B10, B12), and 3 major sports venues . . . so I'm guessing they've a pretty good idea what needs to be done. We're actually pretty late to the game with Learfield, as they've been doing this for over 50 years. So they're still developing the relationships needed. They recently named a new director for their Redbird Sports Properties team.

Here's your contact: LEARFIELD Appoints Danny Dunbar To Lead Its Redbird Sports Properties Team At Illinois State - LEARFIELD

Please take up your concerns with him . . . not us. You're exhausting.

 

[Dmills]

Wisconsin may have a better year than expected. They just won the Jim Maui Invitational with wins over Texas A&M, Houston, and Saint Mary's coming off a close loss to Providence. They are now ranked #23 in the AP Top 25 at 5-1.

 

[MadBird]

Wisconsin may have a better year than expected. They just won the Jim Maui Invitational with wins over Texas A&M, Houston, and Saint Mary's coming off a close loss to Providence. They are now ranked #23 in the AP Top 25 at 5-1.

2 big factors I've seen so far - One, Soph Johnny Davis has really stepped up, off particpation in the USA Basketball under 19 team this summer. He was a contributor last year (7+ ppg), but looks ready for prime time this year. Two, one of the unproven big men who hardly played last year has stepped up, Stephen Crowl, averaging 9ppg and 5 rpg. They'll be hard for the Birds, they play tough tough defense all the time. And have faced some tough competition as you point out - Cincy, Texas A&M, Providence, Houston, St. Mary's.

 

[jbird]

I realize that a Horizon League opponent is not going to be a season highlight, but for years I have thought that a home-and-home series with the University of Detroit (now, Detroit Mercy) could be billed as an annual Will Robinson Tribute game. Exposure in Detroit would not be a bad thing, IMO.

 

[SgtHulka]

I realize that a Horizon League opponent is not going to be a season highlight, but for years I have thought that a home-and-home series with the University of Detroit (now, Detroit Mercy) could be billed as an annual Will Robinson Tribute game. Exposure in Detroit would not be a bad thing, IMO.

Not a bad idea, which is surprising for you. I agree this would garner press. Will is well known at all basketball levels, and became a ground breaker when he came here. Lots of avenues to approach. Could get Vitale and Collins to call the game. Make it a charity event.

 

[Dmills]

Ohio State smacked Wisconsin today. Wisconsin will probably go into the ISU game at 10-2 just outside the top 25 (Next 2 are against Nicholls and Morgan State at home).

 

[Dmills]

Wisconsin is ranked #24 and will almost certainly beat Morgan State on Wednesday meaning there is a 99% chance they will be ranked when we play them. Furthermore, Loyola is has the 30th most votes received in the AP poll. Unfortunately, they most likely will not be ranked when we play them on January 5 at home. They are under COVID pause and had quality games against Norfolk St. and Davidson cancelled. Their only opportunity prior to our game is a January 2nd game on the road at SIU right before the AP poll is released the next day.