Next Years Team

[MadBird]

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.

It's what I was thinking - you'll get the vibe whether the guys want another guy on the team or not. You're visiting with guys, they are cold, indifferent there's your message.

 

[Birgs]

Foster sure has a real canny knack of finding a way to get open for a big. That'd be a nice final coup for what has turned into a pretty impressive job building a revamping roster for Coach, particularly considering the myriad challenges and distractions. Very impressed.

 

[redbirdron1]

Right on Birgs, Pedon is really a good Leader and seemingly we r in Great hands of program stewardship. Likely we may have Insurance pieces across the board for all positions

 

[redbirdron1]

Maybe too soon to say- Pedon’s skill once he gets a recruit to campus and Marketing ISU is wonderful!

 

[ILLST25]

 

[DougSutton]

It’s official, right after midnight eastern

 

[DougSutton]

It’s official, right after midnight eastern

View attachment 1064

Here’s a link to his Instagram Myles Foster (@mylessb) | Instagram

 

[Dmills]

Replacing Knight, Sandage, McChesney, Kotov, Andrews, and Petrakis with Banks, Davis, Lieb, Foster, Walker, Pence, and Kinziger

 

[Dmills]

Now we wait for scheduling news...

 

[FriscoBird90]

If you build it, he (more wins) will come.

 

[Manchester Matt]

Trying to remember the last time we had this type of depth. We've obviously had more talent, but depth at seemingly every position? Love how this roster looks right now.

 

[Adunk33]

Now that the roster is set- here’s my waaaaaay too early depth chart:
1. Banks, JK
2. Burford, Mal, Pence, Luke
3. Davis, Luke, Pence
4. Lewis, Foster, Sissoko
5. Lieb, Walker, Schmitt

If they decide to play “small ball,” Lewis and Foster could certainly be the 4/5. On paper, it certainly seems like the depth is there.

If the group can stay together the next couple of years…there will be a ton of experience on the ‘24-‘25 roster. Not only experience playing college ball, but playing it together. Easier said than done but exciting to think about.

 

[TIMMY]

It's just my opinion but I don't see Foster coming to Normal to come off the bench. He could have made the short drive to Philly to do that. He's going to start and get major minutes. If he and Lewis both start.....Yippee!!!
I know highlight tapes are highlight tapes but it's sure going to be nice to have someone who can grab a rebound and put the ball in the basket.

 

[SgtHulka]

On paper the roster looks good. If the returning starters are equaled or exceeded by the newcomers we should move the needle. As long as they mesh as a team.

 

[Adunk33]

It's just my opinion but I don't see Foster coming to Normal to come off the bench. He could have made the short drive to Philly to do that. He's going to start and get major minutes. If he and Lewis both start.....Yippee!!!
I know highlight tapes are highlight tapes but it's sure going to be nice to have someone who can grab a rebound and put the ball in the basket.

Certainly a fair point that I’ve thought about. In your mind, do you see them playing small ball with Lewis at the 5 and Foster at the 4 or do you see Foster dethroning “the general” and team captain, Klew?

Could be starting the game small and having a 7 footer coming off the bench to give teams completely different looks…I don’t hate that idea either.

 

[Baltimore Bird]

I hear a lot about 24/25. It needs to be 23/24. Roster churn will happen after 23/24. It is inevitable especially with multiple 5th year players having already earned their degrees. Other teams have turned it around in the MVC over one off-season. Drake a few years ago and Indiana State last year come to mind. I expect this team to be in the Top 4 and we will have a legit chance to cut down the nets in STL. IMO, we should hope for nothing less. I am sure Coach P thinks so.

 

[Adunk33]

Certainly a fair point that I’ve thought about. In your mind, do you see them playing small ball with Lewis at the 5 and Foster at the 4 or do you see Foster dethroning “the general” and team captain, Klew?

Could be starting the game small and having a 7 footer coming off the bench to give teams completely different looks…I don’t hate that idea either.

My bad, Tim. I missed the yippee part of your post.

 

[TIMMY]

My bad, Tim. I missed the yippee part of your post.

Yes. I would start them both. They are better at basketball than the 3 guys who are listed as 5's. And I don't have a lot of faith in the 5's not getting in QUICK foul trouble.
A question. Is a slimmed-down Walker a 5? I'm not a huge fan of these numbers anyway but if it's me I'm starting Lewis, Foster and rotating in Sissoko, and Walker and using Lieb when I have to. Those 4 kids are pretty damn athletic.

 

[MadBird]

It's just my opinion but I don't see Foster coming to Normal to come off the bench. He could have made the short drive to Philly to do that. He's going to start and get major minutes. If he and Lewis both start.....Yippee!!!
I know highlight tapes are highlight tapes but it's sure going to be nice to have someone who can grab a rebound and put the ball in the basket.

Yeah, I was thinking Foster at 4 and Lewis at 3. I don't suppose Davis came to ISU to come off the bench either, but my first thought was a "traditional" front line with Lewis, Foster and Lieb. Figger out the guards, Banks and Burford are fine with me. Also Pedon has shown a willingness to vary his starting lineup, so it might just be that the "wing" positions vary some based on the opponent - playing small, playing quick, playing big, etc. Davis and Lewis together would be one major lock down on D.

 

[redbirds2000]

Now that the roster is set- here’s my waaaaaay too early depth chart:
1. Banks, JK
2. Burford, Mal, Pence, Luke
3. Davis, Luke, Pence
4. Lewis, Foster, Sissoko
5. Lieb, Walker, Schmitt

If they decide to play “small ball,” Lewis and Foster could certainly be the 4/5. On paper, it certainly seems like the depth is there.

If the group can stay together the next couple of years…there will be a ton of experience on the ‘24-‘25 roster. Not only experience playing college ball, but playing it together. Easier said than done but exciting to think about.

Give JK the keys!