Kudos to Dan Muller

[RedbirdSoxFan]

This year's team is a good point guard away from being formidable. I hope EC takes major steps forward this offseason, we get a juco pg, and everyone stays.

If everything stays, where does the scholarship for this JUCO point guard come from?

I was thinking and assuming there might be a particular schollie player who would not be on scholarship next year.

Thinking that one should go to Chastain.

 

[Hamdonger]

This year's team is a good point guard away from being formidable. I hope EC takes major steps forward this offseason, we get a juco pg, and everyone stays.

Ummm...Mr. Copeland, if I may?

 

[SgtHulka]

This year's team is a good point guard away from being formidable. I hope EC takes major steps forward this offseason, we get a juco pg, and everyone stays.

Ummm...Mr. Copeland, if I may?

you may

 

[DWRedbird]

This year's team is a good point guard away from being formidable. I hope EC takes major steps forward this offseason, we get a juco pg, and everyone stays.

Ummm...Mr. Copeland, if I may?

I don't know if Copeland is a PG per say. But, if he isn't a turnover machine with the ball and can score like he did at the Juco level, we are going to be much better next year imo.

 

[Redbirdwarrior]

Next season does concern me on the PG front, but so does the number of scholarships available compared to the players on the roster for next season.

While I think Key will be touching the ball more than anyone next season, I suspect they will still have MY as the point forward backup, which I'm not a fan of with 113 turnovers through the regular season.

As for the roster, someone has to pay their way or transfer next year, right? You currently have 13 scholarship players and nobody graduating. It is possible that Romine has decided to put the game behind him and similarly possible that Gassman got the scholly this year with the agreement that he would pay his way next year. Unless I'm counting wrong...

But BOY could we ever use a ball control PG on this roster.

 

[ekeyfanclub]

I think that Clarence will take a big step next year and fill that backup PG role. It still wouldn't hurt to be on the lookout for another point guard.

 

[Adunk33]

If he can’t retain these players and convince them he can get them ready for the next level then he’s basically running a JUCO program.

I'm not disagreeing with you but what players are you concerned about leaving? Milik, Madison, and Elijah? Other than that, no other transfer would make sense. I think the positive thing about this team just watching them interact is that they all seem to really like each other. Muller has said it a bunch but every coach will say that. Watch them on the sidelines. If you do that you'll see a really nice support group for all of the players.

Eljiah gets down on himself sometimes when he isn't playing well and drops his head a little on the sidelines but you'll often see coaches, or whoever is near him talking him up. He does not seem to be a guy who wants to sit out a year.

Milik will most likely throw his name in the draft a la Alize Johnson and return. I think he wants to finish his career as a Redbird, for his dad. A likely measuring stick for him will be Mikyle. If Mikyle ends up getting drafted (doubtful), or signs a Baker/Van Vleet-like contract that could make it more enticing to spread his wings. However, if that is the case, when re-recruiting MY Muller needs to point to guys like FVV and RB. "If you have the talent, they will find you!"

Madison has established himself as our top defender and his PT will take a hit with Copeland and Chastain playing next year. I think he stays anyway, because...you know, Why sit out?

Romine is probably gone.

Its way too early to be seriously talking about this, but I've been thinking about it for a while and wanted to put it down before I forget.

 

[birdlife]

maybe i missed it on one of these threads, but is there anything other than speculation pointing to Romine leaving?

 

[Adunk33]

maybe i missed it on one of these threads, but is there anything other than speculation pointing to Romine leaving?

Speculation on my part. There is just really no PT available next season for someone who can't crack the line up this year. Guys on the current team will see minutes reduced in favor of Chastain, Copeland, (and hopefully) Rey.

 

[Redbirdwarrior]

Your bigs next year are plentiful.

David- 7'0''
Odewu- 6'9-10''
Romine- 6'9''
Dixon (I expect to RS) 6'9''
Bruninga- 6'8''
Tinsley- 6'7''
Yarborough- 6'6''
Chastain- 6'6''

I'd be pretty surprised if ISU wasn't leading the valley in overall height next year. I expect David and Odewu to chew up most of the minutes in the 5 spot, though I CAN see Rey redshirting and Romine playing, though.

 

[Hamdonger]

maybe i missed it on one of these threads, but is there anything other than speculation pointing to Romine leaving?

Speculation on my part. There is just really no PT available next season for someone who can't crack the line up this year. Guys on the current team will see minutes reduced in favor of Chastain, Copeland, (and hopefully) Rey.

He's plenty capable of playing. And would be a key contributor. JMO. Maybe a medical redshirt, which I believe he would get if he applies.

But if Romine's heart is not in the game, he should hang 'em up. It's a TOUGH grind, being a student-athlete at that level. We forget that.

 

[Adunk33]

maybe i missed it on one of these threads, but is there anything other than speculation pointing to Romine leaving?

Speculation on my part. There is just really no PT available next season for someone who can't crack the line up this year. Guys on the current team will see minutes reduced in favor of Chastain, Copeland, (and hopefully) Rey.

He's plenty capable of playing. And would be a key contributor. JMO. Maybe a medical redshirt, which I believe he would get if he applies.

But if Romine's heart is not in the game, he should hang 'em up. It's a TOUGH grind, being a student-athlete at that level. We forget that.

Muller said a couple weeks ago that Christian is available to play if he earns the playing time. Even though we didn't have Phil or Taylor against Bradley and one other game, he still didn't play. I'm not questioning Muller's decision not to play him, but I'm not sure why you'd think he'd be a key contributor.

 

[Bird Friend]

Speculation on my part. There is just really no PT available next season for someone who can't crack the line up this year. Guys on the current team will see minutes reduced in favor of Chastain, Copeland, (and hopefully) Rey.

He's plenty capable of playing. And would be a key contributor. JMO. Maybe a medical redshirt, which I believe he would get if he applies.

But if Romine's heart is not in the game, he should hang 'em up. It's a TOUGH grind, being a student-athlete at that level. We forget that.

Muller said a couple weeks ago that Christian is available to play if he earns the playing time. Even though we didn't have Phil or Taylor against Bradley and one other game, he still didn't play. I'm not questioning Muller's decision not to play him, but I'm not sure why you'd think he'd be a key contributor.

Well, obviously, Dan's saving him for Arch Madness. Duh.

 

[redbirdron1]

Warrior - and, you've got Fayne in that mix. Yes, we'll have plenty for a nice rotation. Every one of them need to put a ton of mac/cheese on their butts over
the summer though. Was it the Fayne flu or the skinny butt factor as to why Krutwig owned us in the first half?

Regarding Romine - I personally think Dan has saved the young man a year of eligibility and maybe has an agreement with he/parents to go after med. redshirt as he
moves on to another institution. Dan will always try to do his best for the player and in this case, it might be moving on???

Regarding EC - yes, a very nice option for a backup PG. He'll b better of course.

Overall, our team really lacks court savvy/BB IQ whatever you want to call it. It's not just a couple of the guys but if you've watched closely our passing has been lazy and presented opps for turnovers from day 1. Loyola recognized that and took advantage. Tinsley is the worst of the passers - but MY is smarter than he plays so that one is tough to figure. He's regressed with ball control as the year has gone on.

Another pet peeve - Tinsley and MW's FT attempts. Really? Worse than Ekey and I thought he owned that crown.

We're not that far from having a pretty darn good team next year but Dan's got to focus on the value of possessions with this group. I mean his teams have never
been the smartest by any means. Shows this year due to no Paris but the ball always seemed to find Mikyle for an entertaining give-away too so it just happens.

 

[ISU FAN 1]

Speculation on my part. There is just really no PT available next season for someone who can't crack the line up this year. Guys on the current team will see minutes reduced in favor of Chastain, Copeland, (and hopefully) Rey.

He's plenty capable of playing. And would be a key contributor. JMO. Maybe a medical redshirt, which I believe he would get if he applies.

But if Romine's heart is not in the game, he should hang 'em up. It's a TOUGH grind, being a student-athlete at that level. We forget that.

Muller said a couple weeks ago that Christian is available to play if he earns the playing time. Even though we didn't have Phil or Taylor against Bradley and one other game, he still didn't play. I'm not questioning Muller's decision not to play him, but I'm not sure why you'd think he'd be a key contributor.

Wishful thinking.

 

[ISU FAN 1]

Your bigs next year are plentiful.

David- 7'0''
Odewu- 6'9-10''
Fayne 6'10"
Romine- 6'9''
Dixon (I expect to RS) 6'9''
Bruninga- 6'8''
Tinsley- 6'7''
Yarborough- 6'6''
Chastain- 6'6''

I'd be pretty surprised if ISU wasn't leading the valley in overall height next year. I expect David and Odewu to chew up most of the minutes in the 5 spot, though I CAN see Rey redshirting and Romine playing, though.

History says all these guys won't be back. Hope the right guys come back, and an open scholarship or two could be a welcome opportunity.

 

[SgtHulka]

Was it the Fayne flu or the skinny butt factor as to why Krutwig owned us in the first half?

http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/college/illinois-state/isu-looks-for-confidence-in-practice-ahead-of-mvc-tourney/article_2f8d9440-b59e-532f-a4b8-957106349678.html

ISU figures to be at full health Friday. Muller believes junior forward Phil Fayne was still suffering from the effects of a midweek bout with the flu against Loyola when he finished with nine points and five rebounds, well below his season averages of 15.5 points and 7.2 rebounds.

“Hopefully we get Phil back going,” said Muller. “He's lost a lot of weight. When Phil loses weight it really hurts his game. We need him to get some weight back and get some rhythm. We just need all our guys playing well next week.”

 

[isuquinndog]

Lotta protein for Phil this week.

 

[Tpguy]

Am I the only one not on board with EC? Of course I wasn't on board with Jamar Smiley back in his Freshman year

 

[Redbirdwarrior]

How the hell did I forget Phil Fayne? Where is my head?