Next Years Team

[ISU86]

What’s changed? Nobody has upgraded facilities really. Indy State did some nice upgrades but as a whole the university is below average. At worst this is a top 2-3 place in the MVC.

What's changed, besides there being three different schools in the conference? One would think losing LUC and gaining BeU, UIC and MuSU could affect something?

 

[Reggie Redbird]

Starters
1-Poindexter
2-Burford
3-Kasubke
4-Lewis
5-Juco/transfer

Bench
-Kinziger
-Pence
-Liam
-Walker
- transer wing
-Sissoko?

- My thought is you might see the same starters especially with Poindexter and Burford getting better/more comfortable. Burford assist/turnover ratio is 23/9 since he hurt his nose.
-Pence I can see him starting and playing a lot. We say that o he's coming to ISU but this is a kid who had visits to Wake Forrest and Iowa State with offers to Wake Forrest, Iowa State, Belmont, Loyola and Butler. He could've went to any school and chose to stay home at ISU.
- Kinziger is the best player on the best team in Wisconsin. P Lee played and took his lumps as a freshman so I expect for Kinziger to get the same. It might take Kinziger a while to get acclimated to college basketball but he will.
- Getting a transfer big then moves Liam, Sissoko and Walker to the bench and that's then 3 guys with 2 guys who really start for you now on the bench. If we get a transfer wing to compete and who can knock down shots that's then adds to the guard depth and overall depth.
-The other maybe guys stay or not if you have more then 2 spots to fill then get the best available and with basketball being positionless basketball as many guys who can play the 2,3 and 4 spot become valuable.

I would love to know: does MP see himself as a PG or prefer being more a combo guard or off-ball guard? That may impact my wish list.

I like the transfer wing as an option to bring in. That’s one of my four items of hope, if Mal sees himself as a combo/off guard. Pg, 2 bigs, and a wing. DB10, if Sissoko does graduate, what are you looking to add for schollies 11 and 12?

 

[Popsto4]

I'd like to hear @Popsto4 take on this, being the dad of a current player.

Selling really only matter to recruits if the NIL is involved. Otherwise selling is an overused term when it come to recruiting. At the end of the day it’s up to the recruit. If the player want to help grow and build a program, if the player want major minutes, if the player just want to be part of a winning program and just be part of a team, playing or not. I can only speak of Mal here. He embrace the ideas of a new staff and the focus point of building or rebuilding a program. Location didn’t matter at all to him. He could e stayed at UVA, he had other D1 schools in the state that wanted him as well. His mentality is to do whatever needs to be done to build from the floor up with a new coaching staff. If the kid love the game location is pretty much secondary. They’re two schools her in Va that wanted him badly as a shooter and that would’ve been his roll there. He told me that would’ve been to easy to jump on. Some recruits like challenges. Yes even the portal sometimes can fool you (P5) especially. They’re some really good hidden talent, it’s just so difficult to find them. It’s easier to jump all in on a (P5) and then get fooled. This board makes recruiting souls like it’s pretty easy, truth be told it’s very difficult at every level. There’s a kid right now at UNC that I watched a ton but because he averaged 30+ pg he landed there. I’ve seen Mal play against kids that have gone to the ACC, Big 10, and PAC 12 during AAU Ball and Mal gave them the business. Recruiting is just so tricky. Hell he’s even played against some cats that’s in The League now so he’s like damn maybe just maybe. I do want this season to last forever but can’t wait for next year at the same time.

I would love to know: does MP see himself as a PG or prefer being more a combo guard or off-ball guard? That may impact my wish list.

I like the transfer wing as an option to bring in. That’s one of my four items of hope, if Mal sees himself as a combo/off guard. Pg, 2 bigs, and a wing. DB10, if Sissoko does graduate, what are you looking to add for schollies 11 and 12?

I see Mal as more of a combo guard. I think Burford and his improvements will have him at the 1 next year, Mal 2, Luke/Pence 3, Lewis, Transfer Big. A transfer wing would be a great fit too.

 

[TIMMY]

Selling really only matter to recruits if the NIL is involved. Otherwise selling is an overused term when it come to recruiting. At the end of the day it’s up to the recruit. If the player want to help grow and build a program, if the player want major minutes, if the player just want to be part of a winning program and just be part of a team, playing or not. I can only speak of Mal here. He embrace the ideas of a new staff and the focus point of building or rebuilding a program. Location didn’t matter at all to him. He could e stayed at UVA, he had other D1 schools in the state that wanted him as well. His mentality is to do whatever needs to be done to build from the floor up with a new coaching staff. If the kid love the game location is pretty much secondary. They’re two schools her in Va that wanted him badly as a shooter and that would’ve been his roll there. He told me that would’ve been to easy to jump on. Some recruits like challenges. Yes even the portal sometimes can fool you (P5) especially. They’re some really good hidden talent, it’s just so difficult to find them. It’s easier to jump all in on a (P5) and then get fooled. This board makes recruiting souls like it’s pretty easy, truth be told it’s very difficult at every level. There’s a kid right now at UNC that I watched a ton but because he averaged 30+ pg he landed there. I’ve seen Mal play against kids that have gone to the ACC, Big 10, and PAC 12 during AAU Ball and Mal gave them the business. Recruiting is just so tricky. Hell he’s even played against some cats that’s in The League now so he’s like damn maybe just maybe. I do want this season to last forever but can’t wait for next year at the same time.

I see Mal as more of a combo guard. I think Burford and his improvements will have him at the 1 next year, Mal 2, Luke/Pence 3, Lewis, Transfer Big. A transfer wing would be a great fit too.

Pops I know I'm an old man and don't get IT. I remember the first time I visited The Lawn as a kid with my parents. I've been back a few times with my kids. It's one of the coolest, most beautiful places I've ever been. I'm a history guy so Jefferson designing it also struck me.
Anyway, I remember Ralph Sampson passing up a check from The League for the chance to stay at UVA and live on The Lawn. Ralph did fine with his life but he did give up a few million to do it. While I love ISU, what was the thought process for Mal leaving that place? I'm glad he did and think he's a great fit at ISU but that couldn't have been an easy decision.

 

[DWRedbird]

I see Mal as more of a combo guard. I think Burford and his improvements will have him at the 1 next year, Mal 2, Luke/Pence 3, Lewis, Transfer Big. A transfer wing would be a great fit too.

Unless Burford is comfortable playing at a slower pace, I don't know that I see him as our PG1 next year. Pedon's offense is slow and designed (eventually) to work throught he post. Burford plays too fast for that in my opinion so he will always look and likely feel out of place in that offense.

 

[isuquinndog]

Selling really only matter to recruits if the NIL is involved. Otherwise selling is an overused term when it come to recruiting. At the end of the day it’s up to the recruit. If the player want to help grow and build a program, if the player want major minutes, if the player just want to be part of a winning program and just be part of a team, playing or not. I can only speak of Mal here. He embrace the ideas of a new staff and the focus point of building or rebuilding a program. Location didn’t matter at all to him. He could e stayed at UVA, he had other D1 schools in the state that wanted him as well. His mentality is to do whatever needs to be done to build from the floor up with a new coaching staff. If the kid love the game location is pretty much secondary. They’re two schools her in Va that wanted him badly as a shooter and that would’ve been his roll there. He told me that would’ve been to easy to jump on. Some recruits like challenges. Yes even the portal sometimes can fool you (P5) especially. They’re some really good hidden talent, it’s just so difficult to find them. It’s easier to jump all in on a (P5) and then get fooled. This board makes recruiting souls like it’s pretty easy, truth be told it’s very difficult at every level. There’s a kid right now at UNC that I watched a ton but because he averaged 30+ pg he landed there. I’ve seen Mal play against kids that have gone to the ACC, Big 10, and PAC 12 during AAU Ball and Mal gave them the business. Recruiting is just so tricky. Hell he’s even played against some cats that’s in The League now so he’s like damn maybe just maybe. I do want this season to last forever but can’t wait for next year at the same time.

I feel like we should pin this comment some where and point to it for some of our posters here. Thank you for the great answer.

 

[Adunk33]

I see Mal as more of a combo guard. I think Burford and his improvements will have him at the 1 next year, Mal 2, Luke/Pence 3, Lewis, Transfer Big. A transfer wing would be a great fit too.

I think they question is where does Mal see himself, really more importantly, where does Pedon want Mal to be. From Coach P's perspective, I think in a perfect world, Mal would be the 1. His calm, cool, and collected demeanor is exactly the type of person you want running your offense. All year, I think I've only seen him frustrated once and it was Saturday at Indy State when he breathed on one of their players and got called for a foul. You obviously have much better insight to the convos between Pedon and Mal, but from interviews and observation, it feels like Pedon would like Mal to be in that role. Now if JK comes in and can handle duties right away...moving Mal primarily off the ball and on when JK is on the bench would make sense.

Unless Burford is comfortable playing at a slower pace, I don't know that I see him as our PG1 next year. Pedon's offense is slow and designed (eventually) to work throught he post. Burford plays too fast for that in my opinion so he will always look and likely feel out of place in that offense.

DB has shown ability to go off when off the ball. His last few games since putting on the mask, he's been picking his spots and attacking. He's averaging 17 ppg over the last 6. He seems to be playing much smarter. At the same time, his assist to turnover has been much better.

There's an opportunity for both to be on the ball, but my preference would lean Mal embracing that opportunity. I imagine a scenario where Mal brings it up, passes it into a dude on in the post, curls around a screen and gets an open jumper. Don't forget, plays can be called for the PG to be the one taking the shot.

 

[DWRedbird]

DB has shown ability to go off when off the ball. His last few games since putting on the mask, he's been picking his spots and attacking. He's averaging 17 ppg over the last 6. He seems to be playing much smarter. At the same time, his assist to turnover has been much better.

There's an opportunity for both to be on the ball, but my preference would lean Mal embracing that opportunity. I imagine a scenario where Mal brings it up, passes it into a dude on in the post, curls around a screen and gets an open jumper. Don't forget, plays can be called for the PG to be the one taking the shot.

Sorry, I meant to say look out of place running the point. Off the ball I think DB will be fine as he doesn't have to slow himself down to start the offense. I'd guess we see Mal and JK running the point next year unless a scholly opens up and Pedon uses it on an experienced PG.

 

[Bird Friend]

All of this depends on if any of our players opt to move on, and who they are.

 

[Popsto4]

Pops I know I'm an old man and don't get IT. I remember the first time I visited The Lawn as a kid with my parents. I've been back a few times with my kids. It's one of the coolest, most beautiful places I've ever been. I'm a history guy so Jefferson designing it also struck me.
Anyway, I remember Ralph Sampson passing up a check from The League for the chance to stay at UVA and live on The Lawn. Ralph did fine with his life but he did give up a few million to do it. While I love ISU, what was the thought process for Mal leaving that place? I'm glad he did and think he's a great fit at ISU but that couldn't have been an easy decision.

No it wasn’t an easy choice for him to make. I’m doing my best and have done raising my kids to put trust in God first and then someone else before theirselves. He’s been a very good son to me and have made being his father extremely easy. He still talks about using basketball for as long as he can to build relationships. So transferring to ISU falls in line with his thought process. To start fresh, in a different surrounding, with new faces is all part of his comfort zone. He’s a high character young man and nothing really overwhelms him, nothing seem too big or small for him to be part of. He love’s it there and expect to graduate from ISU.

 

[TIMMY]

No it wasn’t an easy choice for him to make. I’m doing my best and have done raising my kids to put trust in God first and then someone else before theirselves. He’s been a very good son to me and have made being his father extremely easy. He still talks about using basketball for as long as he can to build relationships. So transferring to ISU falls in line with his thought process. To start fresh, in a different surrounding, with new faces is all part of his comfort zone. He’s a high character young man and nothing really overwhelms him, nothing seem too big or small for him to be part of. He love’s it there and expect to graduate from ISU.

I am happy to hear that. Love of ISU is the tie that binds most of us here. Mal's obviously got a great Pops.

 

[RedbirdSoxFan]

No it wasn’t an easy choice for him to make. I’m doing my best and have done raising my kids to put trust in God first and then someone else before theirselves. He’s been a very good son to me and have made being his father extremely easy. He still talks about using basketball for as long as he can to build relationships. So transferring to ISU falls in line with his thought process. To start fresh, in a different surrounding, with new faces is all part of his comfort zone. He’s a high character young man and nothing really overwhelms him, nothing seem too big or small for him to be part of. He love’s it there and expect to graduate from ISU.

Great post Popsto4. Really appreciate your input/insight on this board.
As for the PG position for the 2023-24 season, I have full confidence in whichever Coach Pedon chooses to go with, either Malachi or Darius. I personally do not believe the PG position has been as big an issue as many on this board do.
The biggest issue with this team is turnovers and not having a legitimate big guy down low to throw the ball to and have the confidence that he is either (A) going to score, or (B) going to find the open teammate and kick it out to him.
Put a LeRoy Watkins, Jackie Carmichael, or Phil Fayne in a lineup with KL, SN, DB, and MP and I will take that against any team in the Valley.
Give me a All MVC caliber Post player from the Portal along with Malachi, Darius, Luke, and Kendall, with Pence, Kinziger, Walker, and either a 2023 recruit or transfer that can play the 3 & 4 position and I will be happy.

 

[Popsto4]

Unless Burford is comfortable playing at a slower pace, I don't know that I see him as our PG1 next year. Pedon's offense is slow and designed (eventually) to work throught he post. Burford plays too fast for that in my opinion so he will always look and likely feel out of place in that offense.

If Burford is at the 1 next year a system to push it after made buckets would work wonders with his speed at the position. Secondary fast breaks are a straight up killer with a 2 and a 3 that can run and shoot it. Made buckets is when the defense are usually scrambling to get back and looking for their man. Implement this with DB at the 1 and you can now pick and choose to push it.

 

[Popsto4]

Great post Popsto4. Really appreciate your input/insight on this board.
As for the PG position for the 2023-24 season, I have full confidence in whichever Coach Pedon chooses to go with, either Malachi or Darius. I personally do not believe the PG position has been as big an issue as many on this board do.
The biggest issue with this team is turnovers and not having a legitimate big guy down low to throw the ball to and have the confidence that he is either (A) going to score, or (B) going to find the open teammate and kick it out to him.
Put a LeRoy Watkins, Jackie Carmichael, or Phil Fayne in a lineup with KL, SN, DB, and MP and I will take that against any team in the Valley.
Give me a All MVC caliber Post player from the Portal along with Malachi, Darius, Luke, and Kendall, with Pence, Kinziger, Walker, and either a 2023 recruit or transfer that can play the 3 & 4 position and I will be happy.

I seriously believe this team will be a top half team next year. For starters DB know he can get a bucket, he did that at Elon. He also now know he can play pg at a pretty high level as he has done the last 2-4 games I believe upping his assist to turnover ratio. Then there is Mal gaining valuable experience at the 1 which is not surprising to me but pretty much came out of nowhere. Mal know he can shoot it with the best of them coming off of screens/double screens/curls and creating his own shot off the bounce.He’s also gotten better at catch and shooting too. His 2pt% is way down because poor shot selection early on in the year. I noticed he’s gone back to which I believe is his more natural shot, which is his pull up. Pedon stated his game need to grow into finishing 4 to 8 ft out. If I were a betting man he will work on floaters and ball handling this offseason entering next year an even more rounded offensive player with more of a scorers mentality. K. Lew will be a better player because his roll will be more defined depending on and hopefully what talent is added. I like Luke, he has a very subtle game and have to realize he can do much more in the paint/midrange area or getting down hill using his size a bit more. I would just love to have a sit down with Liam. With him I think it’s just a mental thing for real. Grab up a post player from somewhere and another wing. Next year could be magical, at least in the MVC if nothing else.

 

[DWRedbird]

If Burford is at the 1 next year a system to push it after made buckets would work wonders with his speed at the position. Secondary fast breaks are a straight up killer with a 2 and a 3 that can run and shoot it. Made buckets is when the defense are usually scrambling to get back and looking for their man. Implement this with DB at the 1 and you can now pick and choose to push it.

I agree. If Pedon changes to a more fast pace system, Burford will thrive, but I don't think he will especially because all I've heard from announcers, and folks I know around OSU is that he likes an offense that eats clock, and runs out of the post. Off the ball I think Burford will be fine.

 

[dpdoughbird06]

Great post Popsto4. Really appreciate your input/insight on this board.
As for the PG position for the 2023-24 season, I have full confidence in whichever Coach Pedon chooses to go with, either Malachi or Darius. I personally do not believe the PG position has been as big an issue as many on this board do.
The biggest issue with this team is turnovers and not having a legitimate big guy down low to throw the ball to and have the confidence that he is either (A) going to score, or (B) going to find the open teammate and kick it out to him.
Put a LeRoy Watkins, Jackie Carmichael, or Phil Fayne in a lineup with KL, SN, DB, and MP and I will take that against any team in the Valley.
Give me a All MVC caliber Post player from the Portal along with Malachi, Darius, Luke, and Kendall, with Pence, Kinziger, Walker, and either a 2023 recruit or transfer that can play the 3 & 4 position and I will be happy.

Jackie and Phil both had the build of power forwards, but were forced to play the five. Pairing with a legit big would have worked wonders for them (Jackie even had some three-point touch!) - which is why I wish Threloff had stuck around and gotten his 10-15 boards per game as a Redbird instead of at NIU.

Kendall Lewis needs a true dominant five around him rather than a doppelgänger of what he already is: he’s about Jackie’s height, but slightly more of Phil’s build.

He actually reminds me of both Tony Lewis and Kellen Thornton, which causes me to mess up his name constantly.

 

[SgtHulka]

Selling really only matter to recruits if the NIL is involved. Otherwise selling is an overused term when it come to recruiting. At the end of the day it’s up to the recruit. If the player want to help grow and build a program, if the player want major minutes, if the player just want to be part of a winning program and just be part of a team, playing or not. I can only speak of Mal here. He embrace the ideas of a new staff and the focus point of building or rebuilding a program. Location didn’t matter at all to him. He could e stayed at UVA, he had other D1 schools in the state that wanted him as well. His mentality is to do whatever needs to be done to build from the floor up with a new coaching staff. If the kid love the game location is pretty much secondary. They’re two schools her in Va that wanted him badly as a shooter and that would’ve been his roll there. He told me that would’ve been to easy to jump on. Some recruits like challenges. Yes even the portal sometimes can fool you (P5) especially. They’re some really good hidden talent, it’s just so difficult to find them. It’s easier to jump all in on a (P5) and then get fooled. This board makes recruiting souls like it’s pretty easy, truth be told it’s very difficult at every level. There’s a kid right now at UNC that I watched a ton but because he averaged 30+ pg he landed there. I’ve seen Mal play against kids that have gone to the ACC, Big 10, and PAC 12 during AAU Ball and Mal gave them the business. Recruiting is just so tricky. Hell he’s even played against some cats that’s in The League now so he’s like damn maybe just maybe. I do want this season to last forever but can’t wait for next year at the same time.

I see Mal as more of a combo guard. I think Burford and his improvements will have him at the 1 next year, Mal 2, Luke/Pence 3, Lewis, Transfer Big. A transfer wing would be a great fit too.

Thanks for your perspective. You experience this game in a different angle than we all do.

 

[Popsto4]

Jackie and Phil both had the build of power forwards, but were forced to play the five. Pairing with a legit big would have worked wonders for them (Jackie even had some three-point touch!) - which is why I wish Threloff had stuck around and gotten his 10-15 boards per game as a Redbird instead of at NIU.

Kendall Lewis needs a true dominant five around him rather than a doppelgänger of what he already is: he’s about Jackie’s height, but slightly more of Phil’s build.

He actually reminds me of both Tony Lewis and Kellen Thornton, which causes me to mess up his name constantly.

I agree with Lewis needing a true big on the blocks. If so, Lewis would get much cleaner looks around the basket for sure. That will also give our passers cleaner looks down low. So yeah I believe things will be different next year.

 

[RedbirdSoxFan]

I agree with Lewis needing a true big on the blocks. If so, Lewis would get much cleaner looks around the basket for sure. That will also give our passers cleaner looks down low. So yeah I believe things will be different next year.

Ben Krikke? Not a fan of players transferring within conference, but since the precedence was set back with Donavan Clay, I can live with it.

 

[TIMMY]

There's gotta be kids who Pedon knows and recruited who will be looking for minutes next year. Maybe they're at Ohio State right now.