If the roster is set, Can we count on improved coaching, game planning, and such?

[ILLST25]

Abdou looks like he has put on some muscle this summer.

Same with chatman

 

[ILLST25]

The players I think will get the most playing time:

Guards:
Mark Freeman
Josiah Strong
Howard Fleming
Emon Washington
Antonio Reeves

Forwards:
Sy Chatman
Abdou Ndiaye
Kendall Lewis
Ryan Schmitt

Now that I’m looking at it, we are a very lengthy team. Outside of Freeman and Strong, all of our players will be 6’5+

Who will the starters be and what will be the rotations? No idea.

 

[redbirdron1]

25 - great question as I've been wondering who gets the minutes. Not starters, but I'd give top 5 minute guys
to Freeman, Flem, Emon, Lewis and Reeves.

Muller says Freeman/Lewis can/r elite on D.
We know Fleming and Emon bring a lot of intangibles. Flem has to minimize the to's.
And I guess Reeves since he's been enlightened to all the improvement needs from his pro pals.

Now.....the real Question is who fills the 4 and 5 spots for court time. Guess u gotta go with Schmitt as our back
to the basket guy and.......??? 25, u didn't list Liam Mac who I find to be an interesting recruit - he's rail thin but holding
out hope he's our Jack Sikma.

Seriously am concerned with tough ass rebounding and perimeter shooting.

 

[DoubleDeuce]

The players I think will get the most playing time:

Guards:
Mark Freeman
Josiah Strong
Howard Fleming
Emon Washington
Antonio Reeves

Forwards:
Sy Chatman
Abdou Ndiaye
Kendall Lewis
Ryan Schmitt

Now that I’m looking at it, we are a very lengthy team. Outside of Freeman and Strong, all of our players will be 6’5+

Who will the starters be and what will be the rotations? No idea.

I would throw Alston Andrews on that list too.

 

[MadBird]

I would throw Alston Andrews on that list too.

I'm not predicting, but really hoping for the biggest "jumps" to come from Andrews and Kotov. If those two could give even only 15 solid minutes per game, would really help the cause. I thought Andrews looked promising in his limited minutes last year, and Kotov at least looked coordinated for a big tall guy, if not tough and productive.

 

[redbirdron1]

Good pt - Andrews is kinda forgotten Big yet his HS coach said he had unbelievable ceiling and such. I tend to believe these guys; my coach Chuck Rolinski said I was a deadly marksman too with mediocre stats - but I believed the press clippings. Then I missed a huge free toss to win a Sectional. What a fibber , loved Coach R as he could take a small town farm kid, build confidence and enable most to compete against better competition.

 

[DoubleDeuce]

I'm not predicting, but really hoping for the biggest "jumps" to come from Andrews and Kotov. If those two could give even only 15 solid minutes per game, would really help the cause. I thought Andrews looked promising in his limited minutes last year, and Kotov at least looked coordinated for a big tall guy, if not tough and productive.

Kotov had a nice game in the first matchup with bradley.

 

[Redbird Alum 2004]

I would throw Alston Andrews on that list too.

Sissoko as well. I think Dan has a point about the talent of the roster. Sissoko was a guy who started a lot of games last year and now will be fighting to get into the rotation. The practices are going to be competitive and you better give 100% on the defensive end if you want to see the floor.

 

[Localfan]

Sissoko as well. I think Dan has a point about the talent of the roster. Sissoko was a guy who started a lot of games last year and now will be fighting to get into the rotation. The practices are going to be competitive and you better give 100% on the defensive end if you want to see the floor.

Seems like this situation is what Muller has/should have been striving for for many years. Can he do anything with it?

 

[Adunk33]

When I take a look at the roster, the things that sticks out the most is the potential for versatility every guy on the roster (probably with the exception of Andrews and Schmitt) are capable of playing at least two, a lot of times three positions. Muller tends to like an 8 man rotation with a 9th guy in a spot minutes role, gathering a handful per game.

As of now, on paper and from what I've heard (keeping in mind the season is 4 months away....)
Top 8: Freeman, Fleming, Strong, Reeves, Washington, Lewis, Schmitt, Chatman.
Next up: Abdou, Sissoko
Not enough info on progress yet: Andrews, Kotov, McChesney

As other posters have said, really hoping for a big jump from Andrews. The Valley has been known as a "guard" league for quite some time but over the last 4 years or so, Krutwig has shifted that. To have a chance against Loyola, teams went out and got a guy who could battle down low with him. Now that he's gone, the residual effect remains. Drake has Broadie, Mo State has Prim, UNI has Phyfe, SIU has Filewich. To compete in this league, you gotta have someone who can counter these guys. Right now, Schmitt is the guy but he still gives up 30lbs to these guys. Andrews has a body that could compete but does he have the skill? In limited time last year he showed flashes, but his foot speed needs work.

 

[Redbird Alum 2004]

When I take a look at the roster, the things that sticks out the most is the potential for versatility every guy on the roster (probably with the exception of Andrews and Schmitt) are capable of playing at least two, a lot of times three positions. Muller tends to like an 8 man rotation with a 9th guy in a spot minutes role, gathering a handful per game.

As of now, on paper and from what I've heard (keeping in mind the season is 4 months away....)
Top 8: Freeman, Fleming, Strong, Reeves, Washington, Lewis, Schmitt, Chatman.
Next up: Abdou, Sissoko
Not enough info on progress yet: Andrews, Kotov, McChesney

As other posters have said, really hoping for a big jump from Andrews. The Valley has been known as a "guard" league for quite some time but over the last 4 years or so, Krutwig has shifted that. To have a chance against Loyola, teams went out and got a guy who could battle down low with him. Now that he's gone, the residual effect remains. Drake has Broadie, Mo State has Prim, UNI has Phyfe, SIU has Filewich. To compete in this league, you gotta have someone who can counter these guys. Right now, Schmitt is the guy but he still gives up 30lbs to these guys. Andrews has a body that could compete but does he have the skill? In limited time last year he showed flashes, but his foot speed needs work.

I like our guards this season. Freeman, I believe will be something we have been missing for a few years. Washington and Fleming will both be a year older with actual summer workouts under their belts. We will have the bodies to play a pressing havoc style defense if Dan chooses. Defense will be better this year because of Freeman and Lewis. Reeves should come in with something to prove and now has had others tell him what coach has been preaching. Schmidt should be a defensive upgrade over Duce who had slow feet in the zone. I can imagine practices are tough.

 

[BirdGrad2011]

I may wind up completely wrong, but I think the guard play will be better despite losing DJ. Wish he would’ve stayed, but I think Freeman and AB improved Fleming will exceed the production. If Sissoko isn’t forced to start and can get up to speed at a better pace then the team will be better. With the league as strong as it is we may see a far better Redbird team that is still on the verge of Thursday night late in the year.

 

[ILLST25]

That’s the thing. Even if we are pretty decent, the top half of the Valley will be very strong.

However, it’s nice to have good Valley opponents come into RBA.

 

[SgtHulka]

So, in your opinion, it's better to be pessimistic and predict our new assistant and our new video guy will bring nothing to the table. Got it.

Oh . . . btw . . . Belcher has been here two years and was brought in to recruit. So maybe let some of his recruits (Fleming, Washington, Andrews) start playing bigger roles before saying he's that big of a bust.

 

[SgtHulka]

Good pt - Andrews is kinda forgotten Big yet his HS coach said he had unbelievable ceiling and such. I tend to believe these guys; my coach Chuck Rolinski said I was a deadly marksman too with mediocre stats - but I believed the press clippings. Then I missed a huge free toss to win a Sectional. What a fibber , loved Coach R as he could take a small town farm kid, build confidence and enable most to compete against better competition.

 

[CaliRdBrd]

Greatest post ever.

 

[cubird]

Afraid to hit the expand button

 

[CaliRdBrd]

Just came here again to take another look…

 

[jbird]

I don't have proof one way or t'other, but I'm gonna leap to the assumption that Hulka did not get a signed release before publishing video of his granddaughter on the web.

 

[SgtHulka]

I don't have proof one way or t'other, but I'm gonna leap to the assumption that Hulka did not get a signed release before publishing video of his granddaughter on the web.

pretty impressive for a three year old eh?