Next Years Team

[Manchester Matt]

I see the player most affected by a player of this caliber as Sissoko and then Walker. Lewis will still get his time.
We generally go into a season thinking we have too many good players for the minutes. About a month into the season, we find out we need more depth/talent. Pedon likes to substitute much more than I often think he should. If has some talent, the level of play will not be affected as much.
GET HIM!

Agreed. Sissoko and Schmitt will be your 12th and 13th guys on the depth chart. That's a far cry from where this roster was in March.

 

[cubird]

Hopefully, today is really Tuesday! Pedon basically said in the Pantagraph article that he wants another post player or will not fill the 13th spot.

 

[DaveBird10]

If you can upgrade the roster with a back to the basket guy at 6'7 240lb big, then go and get him. It would really increase the depth and competitiveness of the roster. One thing that is important with, is in todays game you can really be position less. You can see a lineup with this guy, Lewis, Davis and Pence/ Kasubke and point guard and in that lineup you'd have 4 guys that are 6'4-6'7. You can never have enough good talent with how it fits with what Pedon wants to run and since its been a while since we've been to the tournament get as much good talent that fits what Pedon wants and the chemistry with the team as possible. Playing time will work itself out in practice, as its put in the locker room, "you win with people."

 

[Redbird222]

Interesting read in today's Pantagraph about adding the 13th scholarship. Pedon is always front and center about maintaining relationships within the framework of the team; this is a dilemma and I'm pretty sure from season to season you'll never be 100% on whether to keep adding yet subtract from Team Chemistry.
Would Myles help us move up in the standings - pretty sure YES. Will his addition cut down other guys minutes, have a negative impact on Frosh or even reduce the minutes of Kendall who graciously has stayed with the program. This young man may be everything we always hoped H would be when he came to Normal and why would H want to stick around other than being a great young man and total Team guy.

For those who say it's all about the W's and getting respect in the MVC- fine, I get that. Pedon's gotta win for sure but at the expense of chemistry and headaches with a torn locker room?? This is Management at it's toughest friends.

My Question is what would you do? Personally, I'd add but only after speaking candidly with each impacted player and the Team as a Whole. Get the buy in up front and the reasons the Team support the Add. And, if I rec'd some heartfelt concern from body of team, I'd then pass on an ADD. I know the article states that Pedon says it would have to be a Perfect scenario to add at this point so knowing him, he's already done his communication within the ranks.

I would utilize the 13th scholarship. I am not sure what promises, conversations, or expectations were conveyed to individual players; however, I think most programs utilize the 13th spot for depth, competition and development. The staff should be able to convey that message and navigate the discussion appropriatly. As a player that is part of a Division 1 program, they should have expectations that the team is utilizing all 13 spots (since this the common practice) and there is adequate depth in all areas.

 

[BirdGrad2011]

Who are our current walk ons? Is Stadelman the last one left?

 

[DaveBird10]

Who are our current walk ons? Is Stadelman the last one left?

Stadelman and Ty Blake should be the walk-ons on next years roster.

 

[Adunk33]

I like the way he plays. And it's Tuesday so there's that.

Should Foster land at ISU, the staff is saying that they expect to compete this year and '24-'25 would be THE all or nothing year. Assuming Pedon keeps roster continuity (much easier said than done), following '24-'25 you'll be replacing: Foster, Lieb, Davis, Banks, Burford, Poindexter, Kasubke, and potentially Sissoko.

The clips I've watched, it seems like Foster is what we'd hoped Sissoko would turn out to be. As another poster pointed out...nearly 3 O boards per game!? That's great. I also love that he doesn't even try to shoot 3's. He seems to know where his bread and butter are and sticks to it. Someone mentioned positionless basketball and I think the contrary for Foster. He seems like an old school PF. Sure he could hop to the 5, if needed but him along side a true 5 like Walker and to a slightly lesser extent, Lieb, that's the paint being clogged up.

First time in a while it seems there is depth at every position (on paper)- most noticeably the 4. That is, someone to spell Klew with little to no drop off.

Hopefully, all the positive things we're hearing are true!

 

[cubird]

They added a walk on from U High.

 

[BirdGrad2011]

Stadelman and Ty Blake should be the walk-ons on next years roster.

Thank you. Forgot about Blake committing. Low key I’m glad we won’t have 5. The year our roster was at what? 18? Was insane.

 

[Hamdonger]

I was told something by a source that could be positive but will not be posting at this time.

Yep. Me too. My source heard from his source...who was told by a separate source...who was sourced by someone apparently who is a real source...but the real source doesn't want to be sourced but then we found out the real source isn't a real source so we heard from another source that a source could be dropping news soon. According to a source.

 

[DaveBird10]

Thank you. Forgot about Blake committing. Low key I’m glad we won’t have 5. The year our roster was at what? 18? Was insane.

Yeah that was 2021-2022 but seems like a long time ago with Julian Samuels and Elijah Williams as walk-ons with Stadelman, Johnson and Miller.

 

[Manchester Matt]

I think it's going to be a very happy birthday for Coach Pedon!

 

[DBird]

The age-old question. Are you here to play or are you here to win? Are you willing to sacrifice for the good of the team? We vs. me.
As an old man coach, I bring him in. But that culture has changed.

Coaches get kids to campus for a visit. When you get a kid to campus it's not about the coaches anymore. It's about the kids who are already there. Do I really want to play with these guys? Do they really want me here? That's a big part of what it comes down to.

Well said "OLD MAN"!!

 

[DBird]

I think it's going to be a very happy birthday for Coach Pedon!

So what time does Coach Pedon open presents?

 

[BirdGrad2011]

If it’s like the other presents then between 4-5 PM.

 

[TBus_Birds]

 

[SgtHulka]

Always err on the side of More Players

 

[Bird Friend]

My sources haven’t told me anything. Just want to be up front about it.

 

[Manchester Matt]

Mine has. I’d be shocked if it’s not the top team on that Portal Report tweet.

 

[DBird]

If it’s like the other presents then between 4-5 PM.

5 more hours left to his birthday.