Next season

[V Boy]

With Custer and Krutwig back.....and Williamson looking like he will be a stud, Loyola will probably be preseason #1 next year.

ISU will likely be #2. SIU and Bradley will be close behind.

If you look at this ISU team, it still has some gaping holes:

Shooting Guard - Madison Williams and Matt Hein really should not be playing that much next year. If they are, we will definitely not win the league. Copeland sounds like he might be the answer, but what if he's not? Is Keyshawn our back-up solution at the 2-guard?

Point guard - Evans is the starter, but I'd love to see him playing off the ball more. Clarance is the heir if he sticks around, but I would still only expect Clarance to be a decent player next year (like Evans was last year). He won't be a starter at the beginning of the season. So.....if these things are true, then we are an Evans injury away from being in trouble. I really hope Muller is actually going after a JUCO point guard. If that pisses off Clarance and he bolts, too bad.

Small Forward - Hopefully Malik is back. Tinsley fits here as a stretch 3/4. Not really counting on anything from the freshman Dixon. Possibly he redshirts if Malik and Tinsley are back.

Power Forward - Hopefully Fayne is back. I'm not sure why anyone would be counting on Romine to do anything quite frankly. He couldn't get on the court for UTEP and ISU is better than UTEP. He won't have played in a basketball game for 18 months. He will be a 10 mpg guy who grabs a couple rebounds and has 5 fouls. Bruninga is more of a stretch 4. He really needs to get into the weight room to be able to stay on the court next year. Also really needs to work on his footwork on defense.

Center - Ndaiye is not the answer. We really need a JUCO center. The freshman Idowu sounds like he might be good, but we can't count on a freshman to be a high-impact player next year. Krutwig will eat us alive if we do not address this right away.

Top Needs:

1. JUCO center
2. JUCO point guard (so Evans can play more SG with Copeland)

Scholarships:

I just don't see how we can go into next year giving scholarships to Hein, Ndaiye, Gassman and Chastain. One or maybe two of these guys either needs to be a preferred walk-on or transfer to free up scholarships for JUCO Center and JUCO point guard.

I go into next year not expecting ISU to win the league. I like that we'll have a lot of seniors, and I think Tinsley has adjusted and will be a solid player next year. I think the big 3 will probably get a little better. The rest of the roster is really pretty weak overall so if we don't bring in a couple more ringers who can help us win all of these big non-conference home games, then we will all be sitting here again on Sunday with our fingers crossed.

I actually did not watch the game today. I've seen this game before and we all knew Loyola was the better team....senior-laden....much stronger at the guard position.....and a far better defensive team. Spent the day with my family. Tick-tock.

I think the bigger question for me is what is the team going to look like in two years? Here's what we'll have left:

Clarance
Hein
Williams
Dixon
Idowu
Gassman
Bruninga
Copeland
Chastain
Romine

That roster (currently at least) does not excite me at all. Tons of question marks in the frontcourt. Only see 1 player who can score and he hasn't even played for ISU yet. Muller has got to address needs 2 years out this offseason or we are not going to be good in 2 years.

 

[Hamdonger]

All those players plus newcomers is over the scholarship limit. Someone’s gotta go.

I know. Someone is going to give up scholarship or not be renewed for one. Hein and Gassman are leading candidates for that. I'd give one to TheGass over Hein. Neither one of those guys are going to transfer schools laterally. So if they refuse and leave, while I'd be sympathetic...it's what best for the team.

Really like them both as people!

 

[Redbird222]

Good chance a current player, not a junior, gets his degree before the start of next season. Not sure if that would be it for his ISU playing days, but you never know.

I am assuming Hein because he is a RS sophomore

 

[Hamdonger]

I like Williams. He's unpredictable offensively (with flashes that he could be decent) but he's not afraid to guard. Every team needs a ballsy defender. He's a leader in that regard.

 

[Redbirdfan21]

It’ll be Gassman. He was only told he’d have it this year. Chastain not guaranteed one either.

 

[Hamdonger]

It’ll be Gassman. He was only told he’d have it this year. Chastain not guaranteed one either.

Probably.

 

[Manchester Matt]

Good chance a current player, not a junior, gets his degree before the start of next season. Not sure if that would be it for his ISU playing days, but you never know.

I am assuming Hein because he is a RS sophomore

Yes.

 

[DWRedbird]

I like Williams. He's unpredictable offensively (with flashes that he could be decent) but he's not afraid to guard. Every team needs a ballsy defender. He's a leader in that regard.

While he's not afraid to guard, he needs to learn to do it better. He plays with his hands and with his body, a lot of times going for steals instead of keeping his guy in front of him. IF he learns to play with his feet next year, he could be one of the best defenders int he league. If he doesn't he will continue to get blow by, and foul.

It’ll be Gassman. He was only told he’d have it this year. Chastain not guaranteed one either.

I believe Gassman will lose his schollie at the end of the year as well. I do think he showed a lot of improvement from start to finish this year, in all aspects of his game. I wouldn't be mad at all if he got to keep his scholarship

 

[ISU FAN 1]

With Custer and Krutwig back.....and Williamson looking like he will be a stud, Loyola will probably be preseason #1 next year.

ISU will likely be #2. SIU and Bradley will be close behind.

If you look at this ISU team, it still has some gaping holes:

Shooting Guard - Madison Williams and Matt Hein really should not be playing that much next year. If they are, we will definitely not win the league. Copeland sounds like he might be the answer, but what if he's not? Is Keyshawn our back-up solution at the 2-guard?

Point guard - Evans is the starter, but I'd love to see him playing off the ball more. Clarance is the heir if he sticks around, but I would still only expect Clarance to be a decent player next year (like Evans was last year). He won't be a starter at the beginning of the season. So.....if these things are true, then we are an Evans injury away from being in trouble. I really hope Muller is actually going after a JUCO point guard. If that pisses off Clarance and he bolts, too bad.

Small Forward - Hopefully Malik is back. Tinsley fits here as a stretch 3/4. Not really counting on anything from the freshman Dixon. Possibly he redshirts if Malik and Tinsley are back.

Power Forward - Hopefully Fayne is back. I'm not sure why anyone would be counting on Romine to do anything quite frankly. He couldn't get on the court for UTEP and ISU is better than UTEP. He won't have played in a basketball game for 18 months. He will be a 10 mpg guy who grabs a couple rebounds and has 5 fouls. Bruninga is more of a stretch 4. He really needs to get into the weight room to be able to stay on the court next year. Also really needs to work on his footwork on defense.

Center - Ndaiye is not the answer. We really need a JUCO center. The freshman Idowu sounds like he might be good, but we can't count on a freshman to be a high-impact player next year. Krutwig will eat us alive if we do not address this right away.

Top Needs:

1. JUCO center
2. JUCO point guard (so Evans can play more SG with Copeland)

Scholarships:

I just don't see how we can go into next year giving scholarships to Hein, Ndaiye, Gassman and Chastain. One or maybe two of these guys either needs to be a preferred walk-on or transfer to free up scholarships for JUCO Center and JUCO point guard.

I go into next year not expecting ISU to win the league. I like that we'll have a lot of seniors, and I think Tinsley has adjusted and will be a solid player next year. I think the big 3 will probably get a little better. The rest of the roster is really pretty weak overall so if we don't bring in a couple more ringers who can help us win all of these big non-conference home games, then we will all be sitting here again on Sunday with our fingers crossed.

I actually did not watch the game today. I've seen this game before and we all knew Loyola was the better team....senior-laden....much stronger at the guard position.....and a far better defensive team. Spent the day with my family. Tick-tock.

I think the bigger question for me is what is the team going to look like in two years? Here's what we'll have left:

Clarance
Hein
Williams
Dixon
Idowu
Gassman
Bruninga
Copeland
Chastain
Romine

That roster (currently at least) does not excite me at all. Tons of question marks in the frontcourt. Only see 1 player who can score and he hasn't even played for ISU yet. Muller has got to address needs 2 years out this offseason or we are not going to be good in 2 years.

If Copeland is all that, and we get a point guard, I like the idea of going with a 3 guard offense. And rotate Milik, Fayne, Tinsley, and hopefully a bulked up Bruninga in the frontcourt spots. But even then, we are short quality guard depth to make it work. Need an EC quantum leap in development.

 

[Hamdonger]

IMO even a bulked up Bruninga is NOT a front court D1 player. We'll do him a disservice if we prep him for that.

Not that he can't EVER play down there, but that's not where he'll succeed as a player. JMO.

 

[saxman210]

Next year definitely has the makings of a special year. 6 seniors, a solid non-con schedule and a year under the belts of our underclassmen. I think we see Romine and possibly David leave. The reason I say that is the addition of 2 post players. Unless David can add muscle onto that frame and show better hands, I see him being passed by the newcomers.

 

[The Beak]

http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/co...b454420ed.html#tracking-source=home-top-story

“We just told each other we're not going to let this happen again next year,” said Yarbrough. “We're going to come out and be prepared for anything that comes our way. We're going to be back here next year.”

 

[Redbrd1]

I like Williams. He's unpredictable offensively (with flashes that he could be decent) but he's not afraid to guard. Every team needs a ballsy defender. He's a leader in that regard.

:text-+1: He’s the only one.

 

[Redbrd1]

IMO even a bulked up Bruninga is NOT a front court D1 player. We'll do him a disservice if we prep him for that.

Not that he can't EVER play down there, but that's not where he'll succeed as a player. JMO.

:text-+1:

 

[Redbrd1]

With Custer and Krutwig back.....and Williamson looking like he will be a stud, Loyola will probably be preseason #1 next year.

ISU will likely be #2. SIU and Bradley will be close behind.

If you look at this ISU team, it still has some gaping holes:

Shooting Guard - Madison Williams and Matt Hein really should not be playing that much next year. If they are, we will definitely not win the league. Copeland sounds like he might be the answer, but what if he's not? Is Keyshawn our back-up solution at the 2-guard?

Point guard - Evans is the starter, but I'd love to see him playing off the ball more. Clarance is the heir if he sticks around, but I would still only expect Clarance to be a decent player next year (like Evans was last year). He won't be a starter at the beginning of the season. So.....if these things are true, then we are an Evans injury away from being in trouble. I really hope Muller is actually going after a JUCO point guard. If that pisses off Clarance and he bolts, too bad.

Small Forward - Hopefully Malik is back. Tinsley fits here as a stretch 3/4. Not really counting on anything from the freshman Dixon. Possibly he redshirts if Malik and Tinsley are back.

Power Forward - Hopefully Fayne is back. I'm not sure why anyone would be counting on Romine to do anything quite frankly. He couldn't get on the court for UTEP and ISU is better than UTEP. He won't have played in a basketball game for 18 months. He will be a 10 mpg guy who grabs a couple rebounds and has 5 fouls. Bruninga is more of a stretch 4. He really needs to get into the weight room to be able to stay on the court next year. Also really needs to work on his footwork on defense.

Center - Ndaiye is not the answer. We really need a JUCO center. The freshman Idowu sounds like he might be good, but we can't count on a freshman to be a high-impact player next year. Krutwig will eat us alive if we do not address this right away.

Top Needs:

1. JUCO center
2. JUCO point guard (so Evans can play more SG with Copeland)

Scholarships:

I just don't see how we can go into next year giving scholarships to Hein, Ndaiye, Gassman and Chastain. One or maybe two of these guys either needs to be a preferred walk-on or transfer to free up scholarships for JUCO Center and JUCO point guard.

I go into next year not expecting ISU to win the league. I like that we'll have a lot of seniors, and I think Tinsley has adjusted and will be a solid player next year. I think the big 3 will probably get a little better. The rest of the roster is really pretty weak overall so if we don't bring in a couple more ringers who can help us win all of these big non-conference home games, then we will all be sitting here again on Sunday with our fingers crossed.

I actually did not watch the game today. I've seen this game before and we all knew Loyola was the better team....senior-laden....much stronger at the guard position.....and a far better defensive team. Spent the day with my family. Tick-tock.

I think the bigger question for me is what is the team going to look like in two years? Here's what we'll have left:

Clarance
Hein
Williams
Dixon
Idowu
Gassman
Bruninga
Copeland
Chastain
Romine

That roster (currently at least) does not excite me at all. Tons of question marks in the frontcourt. Only see 1 player who can score and he hasn't even played for ISU yet. Muller has got to address needs 2 years out this offseason or we are not going to be good in 2 years.

If Copeland is all that, and we get a point guard, I like the idea of going with a 3 guard offense. And rotate Milik, Fayne, Tinsley, and hopefully a bulked up Bruninga in the frontcourt spots. But even then, we are short quality guard depth to make it work. Need an EC quantum leap in development.

We need EC to take a HUGE leap.

 

[ISU FAN 1]

IMO even a bulked up Bruninga is NOT a front court D1 player. We'll do him a disservice if we prep him for that.

Not that he can't EVER play down there, but that's not where he'll succeed as a player. JMO.

I see him as a stretch 4, not a post. He’s primarily a 3 point shooting 6’8 player. And I like his stroke. Just think some bulk would allow him to expand his game beyond that. And be a better defender/rebounder. Too many one trick ponies make teams too easy to guard.

 

[Hamdonger]

Next year definitely has the makings of a special year. 6 seniors, a solid non-con schedule and a year under the belts of our underclassmen. I think we see Romine and possibly David leave. The reason I say that is the addition of 2 post players. Unless David can add muscle onto that frame and show better hands, I see him being passed by the newcomers.

David got significant minutes on our MVC title team - and made a difference. Dan's gonna play him. He's an experienced Dan-system player. No way the freshman post player (Dixon) passes David. Maybe Rey gets some minutes, but he's a prep school player right now. Although he does have the body for it.

Not coming after you, I just don't see it.

 

[Hamdonger]

http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/co...b454420ed.html#tracking-source=home-top-story

“We just told each other we're not going to let this happen again next year,” said Yarbrough. “We're going to come out and be prepared for anything that comes our way. We're going to be back here next year.”

Well I like THAT.

 

[Hamdonger]

IMO even a bulked up Bruninga is NOT a front court D1 player. We'll do him a disservice if we prep him for that.

Not that he can't EVER play down there, but that's not where he'll succeed as a player. JMO.

I see him as a stretch 4, not a post. He’s primarily a 3 point shooting 6’8 player. And I like his stroke. Just think some bulk would allow him to expand his game beyond that. And be a better defender/rebounder. Too many one trick ponies make teams too easy to guard.

That's more clear. Got it.

 

[Adunk33]

http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/co...b454420ed.html#tracking-source=home-top-story

“We just told each other we're not going to let this happen again next year,” said Yarbrough. “We're going to come out and be prepared for anything that comes our way. We're going to be back here next year.”

Didn't Mikyle say something similar after the UCF game?