Next Years Team

Buffett1

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I am watching the UNI Belmont game right now. UNI is going to trouble because they have great young kids. Belmont also has some great young pieces. This being said I would prefer Pedon build a program from the ground up. There is a core of now veteran players here that seem to have embraced the culture. Kas, Mal, Lewis, Burford and cheese. That core just needs some help and not be expected to play at a high level for 36+ minutes a game. So I would prefer Pedon grabs a couple more freshman than transfers. Build the culture build the program.
And embrace the weight room.
 

CaliRdBrd

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I'd like to hear @Popsto4 take on this, being the dad of a current player.
I’d be willing to bet half the D1 players don’t even know what the campus looks like.

They go where they can…

1. Have a chance to get in the NBA
2. Have a chance at major NIL $
3. Have a chance at being on National TV regularly

ISU offers none of these.

Sure you’ll occasionally get the kid who is actually interested in a degree, but 99% are looking the three above.
 
P

Popsto4

Guest
I’d be willing to bet half the D1 players don’t even know what the campus looks like.

They go where they can…

1. Have a chance to get in the NBA
2. Have a chance at major NIL $
3. Have a chance at being on National TV regularly

ISU offers none of these.

Sure you’ll occasionally get the kid who is actually interested in a degree, but 99% are looking the three above.
I have to go against this just a lil bit because way less than half go to the NBA. Expectations are put on kids by the Media, Rankings, Coaches and yes even some Parents. Most kids love playing the game. Most want to go somewhere that they will have a great chance of playing. The 1%’s get to the NBA. The rest are gobbled up by the NIL and just wanting to play. Based on that I’d list the order this way.

1. Wanting to Play/Compete
2. NIL
3. NBA

Sure probably 99% ok kids want to play in the NBA or dream about it, but realistically they deep down inside know it’s more of an 99% chance they won’t.
 

ScoreboardDotRace

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So I would prefer Pedon grabs a couple more freshman than transfers. Build the culture build the program.
I’m Excited about the freshman trio they have coming in, and keep bringing in freshman that fit. However you can still build the culture and program with transfers. Loyola had significant contributions to their Final 4 and tourney teams via key transfer players.
 

Rollbirds5

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Chicago
I’d be willing to bet half the D1 players don’t even know what the campus looks like.

They go where they can…

1. Have a chance to get in the NBA
2. Have a chance at major NIL $
3. Have a chance at being on National TV regularly

ISU offers none of these.

Sure you’ll occasionally get the kid who is actually interested in a degree, but 99% are looking the three above.
I’d argue that barely any non power conference team can offer these 3 it’s not unique to ISU
 

BirdGrad2011

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2,225
I’m Excited about the freshman trio they have coming in, and keep bringing in freshman that fit. However you can still build the culture and program with transfers. Loyola had significant contributions to their Final 4 and tourney teams via key transfer players.
In my vision (which means nothing) you build around freshman and high school recruiting while supplementing with the portal/Juco.
 

ScoreboardDotRace

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In my vision (which means nothing) you build around freshman and high school recruiting while supplementing with the portal/Juco.
Agreed there. Which is why this off-season I feel we need to bring in guys from the portal/juco that can come in and start. With whatever scholarships come open.
 

TBus_Birds

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Agreed there. Which is why this off-season I feel we need to bring in guys from the portal/juco that can come in and start. With whatever scholarships come open.
Bingo. And talent is talent – I'm not hung up on where those starters come from, but I am still interested to see how RP can recruit the juco ranks since last year's transfers were all D1 guys. I think he had good results recruiting from three levels of D1 last year (high major, high MM, and low MM) so I am bullish on his recruiting this offseason now with his feet under him more.

Speaking of juco, asking for another Tyler Brown and Devaughn Akoon-Purcell isn't too much, is it? :D
 

isuquinndog

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Redbird Country
I’d be willing to bet half the D1 players don’t even know what the campus looks like.

They go where they can…

1. Have a chance to get in the NBA
2. Have a chance at major NIL $
3. Have a chance at being on National TV regularly

ISU offers none of these.

Sure you’ll occasionally get the kid who is actually interested in a degree, but 99% are looking the three above.
I think most kids don't care about national TV much outside of the NCAA tournament. No one they know besides family is watching there anyway. Every one else is on social media.
 

CaliRdBrd

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Messages
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I have to go against this just a lil bit because way less than half go to the NBA. Expectations are put on kids by the Media, Rankings, Coaches and yes even some Parents. Most kids love playing the game. Most want to go somewhere that they will have a great chance of playing. The 1%’s get to the NBA. The rest are gobbled up by the NIL and just wanting to play. Based on that I’d list the order this way.

1. Wanting to Play/Compete
2. NIL
3. NBA

Sure probably 99% ok kids want to play in the NBA or dream about it, but realistically they deep down inside know it’s more of an 99% chance they won’t.
Fair enough. You would know better than me:)
 

CaliRdBrd

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In my vision (which means nothing) you build around freshman and high school recruiting while supplementing with the portal/Juco.
In an ideal world, yes. However, we’re living in the “portal world” now where any kid that you can convince to come to ISU will likely soon be gone once they develop into a respectable talent.
Tough job for a mid-major coach these days.
 

CaliRdBrd

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Messages
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I think most kids don't care about national TV much outside of the NCAA tournament. No one they know besides family is watching there anyway. Every one else is on social media.
Agree to disagree.
I would think being on a nationally televised game is a big draw.
If I’m a coach that has a number of games that are nationally televised, when I’m sitting in that kids’ living room trying to convince them to come to my program, I’m breaking out that TV schedule.
 

Baltimore Bird

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Great conversation going here......I am less sure about the national TV angle now. I watch every ISU game and I live in Baltimore. I seldom watch a game on TV. That has changed immensely in the past 5-7 years. Personally, I think the opportunity to get to the Dance is a huge motivator and works against ISU with the MVC likely being a One-Bid conference.

Next year....I think Pedon needs to clean house after the top 6-7 players (hoping they all stay) add the 3 recruits and fill every other spot from the Portal or JC ranks.
 

Adunk33

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.......you'll see a big guy that a team might play through that they (other teams) have no answer for and we've got one of those coming next year. So, I'm looking forward to seeing guys try to defend him without fouling
Coach seems to think Walker will be ready to contribute from the jump next year.

Also some really good conversation about NIL and how he will leverage it in recruiting. Pedon essentially says that he won't recruit guys that come in and say, "I need X$ to even consider coming to your school." While also recognizing that it will be a part of it. He says NIL plays more of a factor in the transfer market than HS. He's got a very realistic outlook on it.
 

redbirdron1

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Nov 12, 2017
Messages
686
Changing this up a bit as I'd like everyone's thought on the intrigue to late March thru the end of May and our Portal
business.
Somewhere in March Coach P will have to have a few difficult conversations with team members and see where their
respective heads are at in regards to returning; then Pedon must deliver some tough feedback to certain guys that it's
in their best interest to Portal out of the Birds Nest. I choose to look at this as a Win/Win for all parties.

Then.....the hunt begins for how many Portal guys or available HS guys??

This is the most exciting time of the year for me. Love the anticipation to see what Pedon and his staff can bring aboard.
And, we're also looking for an Asst. Coach I assume - possibly a situation like Coach Dak and bringing along Burford which
has worked out nicely for the Birds.

Sissoko has 2 years of eligibility left and I wonder what he plans to do - then of course there is the Staffs decision but to
be fair to the player I'd think the staff should tell everyone, "hey, this is what we r looking for to upgrade our roster" Our
Leadership being all about TRUTH as we say must be pretty candid with all parties.

At the end of the day, we had minimal depth this year while Sandage's injury really had an impact. I did feel going into
the year we were 1 guard shy with that open scholly but that's water under the bridge. Our staff must have been somewhat
naive on what skill it would take to compete in the paint to be competitive in the MVC. A clear miscalculation but who knows,
maybe nobody was interested in us besides the guys we had??? Could be.

Go Birds!
 

Birdfriend72

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Messages
1,902
I think most kids don't care about national TV much outside of the NCAA tournament. No one they know besides family is watching there anyway. Every one else is on social media.
I would want to Play in the NCAA Tournament! I don’t just want playing time on a bad team- unless I’m an average player!
 

SgtHulka

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Joined
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Messages
6,936
Changing this up a bit as I'd like everyone's thought on the intrigue to late March thru the end of May and our Portal
business.
Somewhere in March Coach P will have to have a few difficult conversations with team members and see where their
respective heads are at in regards to returning; then Pedon must deliver some tough feedback to certain guys that it's
in their best interest to Portal out of the Birds Nest. I choose to look at this as a Win/Win for all parties.

Then.....the hunt begins for how many Portal guys or available HS guys??

This is the most exciting time of the year for me. Love the anticipation to see what Pedon and his staff can bring aboard.
And, we're also looking for an Asst. Coach I assume - possibly a situation like Coach Dak and bringing along Burford which
has worked out nicely for the Birds.

Sissoko has 2 years of eligibility left and I wonder what he plans to do - then of course there is the Staffs decision but to
be fair to the player I'd think the staff should tell everyone, "hey, this is what we r looking for to upgrade our roster" Our
Leadership being all about TRUTH as we say must be pretty candid with all parties.

At the end of the day, we had minimal depth this year while Sandage's injury really had an impact. I did feel going into
the year we were 1 guard shy with that open scholly but that's water under the bridge. Our staff must have been somewhat
naive on what skill it would take to compete in the paint to be competitive in the MVC. A clear miscalculation but who knows,
maybe nobody was interested in us besides the guys we had??? Could be.

Go Birds!
I think were still working the HS Senior class for possibilities. A freshman 2 and strong bulky 4 would be nice. That or juco. If we can't get sufficient quality that route then pour a big mug of red bull and and work the portal till your eyes bleed. I thinks majority of the south end of the bench move on, and should. We need a juco or portal 1 and 5 regardless. If Schmitt, Andrews , Kotov, Petrakis and Sissoko all return we won't make a significant move up. Of those, I'd be ok with Sissoko returning. Hope all the walkons return.
 

MadBird

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Messages
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Location
Madison, Wisconsin
Couple thoughts . . . .

It seems to me, over the long haul, with comments from many different posters on the board, "we" tend to overlook the potential improvements that players can make over the years. A lot of folks seem to expect freshmen to be able to contribute from day one, and whatever talent they show is their ceiling. I like to think some guys can and will improve. Even for more experienced guys. So just because a guy is a soph or even a junior and isn't a big contributor, there is still hope that the light bulb will go on and they'll find what it takes and turn a corner.

I still think Sissoko has some potential. Seems to me he had his "dimmer bulb" go up a little this year - he gave some more quality minutes than last year. He's gotta learn to stay on the floor. He's no help on the bench. He could use a few more pounds.

I fully expected Schmitt to come back this year "ripped", adding 10-15 pounds of muscle in the weight room, bouncing around, grabbing some boards, etc. Very disappointed he wasn't more help. Not sure if he's got the "heart" so to speak. He's coordinated, seems to be aware on the floor, but he sure doesn't seem to engage or fight under the basket or "crash" the boards - well, you all know what I'm saying.

Petrakis had some track record coming in - I've pointed out before, last year at WCU, he started 30 games, averaged 23 minutes per game, 8 points and 3+ rebounds per game, and led the team with 58 treys and 34% from the arc. Oh and 25 blocks. I gotta believe Pedon and company thought they would get that out of him this year, at least, and so his performance this year was a big disappointment. He's not a strong inside player, but I sure thought he'd be able to defend the 5 spot at least this year. Not sure what to think about his next year.

We gotta get stronger. Knight and Lewis played with some strength inside, some, but for the most part we get beat up inside. You all know this. We need "strong with the ball" at all spots, on offense and defense. SIU, MSU, BU, UNI, Valpo, Belmont - Birds looked like little girls vs. all of them. And not just strong but EXPLOSIVE - gotta go hard.

I've had no problem with Poindexter this year, I think he's done a fine job initiating the offense. He can't do it all on his own. Could we use a "real" point guard? Yes, for sure definitely. Burford, geez when he gets into the lane with that little 12 footer, he's awesome. I like his game, for the most part, needs to get his head into it a little more.

McChesney - not sure how much he has to give. He needs to get bigger and stronger, obviously. He seemed to kind of plateau this year, wonder if he hit the wall with the international play last summer and then his injuries. If he could only get to 220, 225 lbs, what a load he'd be.

A thought about the offense, the scheme. I'm not sure if Pedon's offense is the Ohio State offense. I'm assuming it is, for the most part. This business about "playing through the post" - if you watch OSU, they set up pretty much like ISU does. They (OSU) don't play thru the low post, but rather set the 5 up around the FT line. He sets a pick, or receives the ball and hands off, and then there's motion from the wings, and at times the post will roll down the lane. But they kind of keep the low post clear for motion to the hoop. So, while we need some better inside play, stronger inside play, I'm not convinced Pedon's offense is necessarily set up for a traditional low post offense.

I'm not picky, like most of you, where we get the strength - juco, portal, HS - but we gotta get a couple guys with size and strength who wanna get after it. A nice PG and someone who can stroke it would help (I'm not sold on Kasubke, altho his stats tell me I should be happy with him).

Onward and upward.
 

Redbird Alum 2004

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Joined
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Messages
4,424
Couple thoughts . . . .

It seems to me, over the long haul, with comments from many different posters on the board, "we" tend to overlook the potential improvements that players can make over the years. A lot of folks seem to expect freshmen to be able to contribute from day one, and whatever talent they show is their ceiling. I like to think some guys can and will improve. Even for more experienced guys. So just because a guy is a soph or even a junior and isn't a big contributor, there is still hope that the light bulb will go on and they'll find what it takes and turn a corner.

I still think Sissoko has some potential. Seems to me he had his "dimmer bulb" go up a little this year - he gave some more quality minutes than last year. He's gotta learn to stay on the floor. He's no help on the bench. He could use a few more pounds.

I fully expected Schmitt to come back this year "ripped", adding 10-15 pounds of muscle in the weight room, bouncing around, grabbing some boards, etc. Very disappointed he wasn't more help. Not sure if he's got the "heart" so to speak. He's coordinated, seems to be aware on the floor, but he sure doesn't seem to engage or fight under the basket or "crash" the boards - well, you all know what I'm saying.

Petrakis had some track record coming in - I've pointed out before, last year at WCU, he started 30 games, averaged 23 minutes per game, 8 points and 3+ rebounds per game, and led the team with 58 treys and 34% from the arc. Oh and 25 blocks. I gotta believe Pedon and company thought they would get that out of him this year, at least, and so his performance this year was a big disappointment. He's not a strong inside player, but I sure thought he'd be able to defend the 5 spot at least this year. Not sure what to think about his next year.

We gotta get stronger. Knight and Lewis played with some strength inside, some, but for the most part we get beat up inside. You all know this. We need "strong with the ball" at all spots, on offense and defense. SIU, MSU, BU, UNI, Valpo, Belmont - Birds looked like little girls vs. all of them. And not just strong but EXPLOSIVE - gotta go hard.

I've had no problem with Poindexter this year, I think he's done a fine job initiating the offense. He can't do it all on his own. Could we use a "real" point guard? Yes, for sure definitely. Burford, geez when he gets into the lane with that little 12 footer, he's awesome. I like his game, for the most part, needs to get his head into it a little more.

McChesney - not sure how much he has to give. He needs to get bigger and stronger, obviously. He seemed to kind of plateau this year, wonder if he hit the wall with the international play last summer and then his injuries. If he could only get to 220, 225 lbs, what a load he'd be.

A thought about the offense, the scheme. I'm not sure if Pedon's offense is the Ohio State offense. I'm assuming it is, for the most part. This business about "playing through the post" - if you watch OSU, they set up pretty much like ISU does. They (OSU) don't play thru the low post, but rather set the 5 up around the FT line. He sets a pick, or receives the ball and hands off, and then there's motion from the wings, and at times the post will roll down the lane. But they kind of keep the low post clear for motion to the hoop. So, while we need some better inside play, stronger inside play, I'm not convinced Pedon's offense is necessarily set up for a traditional low post offense.

I'm not picky, like most of you, where we get the strength - juco, portal, HS - but we gotta get a couple guys with size and strength who wanna get after it. A nice PG and someone who can stroke it would help (I'm not sold on Kasubke, altho his stats tell me I should be happy with him).

Onward and upward.
You are right. Guys can improve and we will see one Thursday.
 

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