Northern Iowa - 12/31/2022 - 2:00 PM - Marquee

[redbirds2000]

IF I was Pedon in my first year trying to rebuild a program, I would run the system I want to run and start putting the pieces where they fit best long term. You can make small compromises but stick to your plan with conviction. You will know

1. What talent needs to be retained
2. What talent needs to be brought in
3. If your plan needs to be tweeked

If Liam, Luke, Mal, and Darius are the future of the team, then play them primarily where you see them being successful in your system long term. If Liam is a piece that causes mismatches and potential feature in your program, then start defining that role within your system. I know he hurt is ankle against Eastern Michigan but why is he not starting against UIC if he is that person? If you see Mal as a shooting guard running off screens, then play him there.

The other pieces plug accordingly ..
But within your system. If you need a big than put the one that's fits your system the best and recruit the talent for long-term success.

Instead we just seem to keep rotating pieces during games and as starters. Schmidt plays well and then he starts. Sissoko doesn't play the entire year and plays well against SIUE and he starts. Sandage plays 5 minutes one game, the next game plays well off the bench and then he starts sending Poindexter to the bench. Liam doesnt start against UIC ... his ankle looked fine that game. Lewis plays poorly against UIC and he doesnt start against UNI. We have played 15 games and it feels like we are still experimenting versus working towards a plan. I think most fans are realistic about this year and more concern about the long term sucess. I think the coach is too but I think he is probably sacricing long term success trying to achieve some small success this year.

I know the message has been be ready when your number is called, but if injury or fouls are not dictating extented rotstions, it could also be interpreted as lack of confidence in those that are playing. 9 - 11 players in the first half is way too much for this part of the season.

A lot of rambling here on my part.

I wonder if part of the 9-11 player rotation is to keep people happy? If that's the case, we probably have the wrong guy.

 

[Redbird222]

I wonder if part of the 9-11 player rotation is to keep people happy? If that's the case, we probably have the wrong guy.

The thought has crossed my mind about keeping everyone happy

 

[BirdGrad2011]

I wonder if part of the 9-11 player rotation is to keep people happy? If that's the case, we probably have the wrong guy.

Or maybe he’s trying to see who has a fit going forward? He’s repeatedly said he’s building a culture and will not cut corners. Each Muller holdover was given a chance to earn PT and so far Kendall is the only one to really do anything with it in extended minutes. Sissoko’s athleticism is too great not to see if something is there. If we are going to be a bad team then cutting the rotation down isn’t completely necessary. H, Kotov, sometimes Schmitt only play out of absolute necessity. Otherwise we are at 8-9 man rotation.

 

[DWRedbird]

I wonder if part of the 9-11 player rotation is to keep people happy? If that's the case, we probably have the wrong guy.

I don't think its to keep the guys happy, I suspect it is a combination of trying to figure out what to do with what he has and reacting to what other teams are throwing at us.

Pedon has said what offense he wants to run. Through a big man in the post. We don’t really have that so this is what we are doing.

I think we should be doing that regardless if that is the offense Pedon wants to run. Right now we are running that without moving the ball down low consistently, which leads us into this weird slow, mish mash offense where we occasionally get shots to fall. Post up Lewis or Knight, whoever draws the smaller of the two men guarding them and then run the offense out of them. When they switch defenders switch the guy posting up. Or bring in Schmitt or Andrews and post through them. If he's waiting on the perfect post to run his offense, he is either going to have to hit the transfer portal exceptionally hard in the offseason and find one or be prepared to put a mountains worth of weight on Walker's shoulders day one.

 

[SgtHulka]

Or maybe he’s trying to see who has a fit going forward? He’s repeatedly said he’s building a culture and will not cut corners. Each Muller holdover was given a chance to earn PT and so far Kendall is the only one to really do anything with it in extended minutes. Sissoko’s athleticism is too great not to see if something is there. If we are going to be a bad team then cutting the rotation down isn’t completely necessary. H, Kotov, sometimes Schmitt only play out of absolute necessity. Otherwise we are at 8-9 man rotation.

This makes more sense. Playing Johnson regularly shows he's not devoted to minutes for ships.

 

[Popsto4]

I disagree with completely blaming the system. I think part of the problem is for a lot of the shot clock we are looking for the perfect shot or drive situation then it gets late in the shot clock and sometimes it’s a great look while others it’s a forced shot or turnover from forcing action. The system creates plenty of good looks. It’s about decision making and as we’ve all pointed out the lack of a go to guy hurts.

Having zero true 5s kills a lot of what we want to do on both ends of the floor. I love Liam’s game but he’s far more of a 4 than a 5. Same with Lewis, Petrakis. Kotov and Sissoko never developed under Dan and it’s clear now they aren’t skilled enough. Schmitt is a great kid with a great attitude but isn’t cut out for this level.

Yes it’s never one particular thing to point to but some deserves more pointing than others. If it’s known the 5 here really doesn’t exist as what we want It to be then why not implement an offense having their rolls changed to setting more screens for the wing and the shooters? Doing so with the 4 won’t allow them to turn it over so much by starting penetrating too far out? I’m just saying I don’t believe the offensive scheme fits the talent of the team. In all a actuality it’s kind of handicapping some much needed offensive skills that the team do have.

 

[Popsto4]

IF I was Pedon in my first year trying to rebuild a program, I would run the system I want to run and start putting the pieces where they fit best long term. You can make small compromises but stick to your plan with conviction. You will know

1. What talent needs to be retained
2. What talent needs to be brought in
3. If your plan needs to be tweeked

If Liam, Luke, Mal, and Darius are the future of the team, then play them primarily where you see them being successful in your system long term. If Liam is a piece that causes mismatches and potential feature in your program, then start defining that role within your system. I know he hurt is ankle against Eastern Michigan but why is he not starting against UIC if he is that person? If you see Mal as a shooting guard running off screens, then play him there.

The other pieces plug accordingly ..
But within your system. If you need a big than put the one that's fits your system the best and recruit the talent for long-term success.

Instead we just seem to keep rotating pieces during games and as starters. Schmidt plays well and then he starts. Sissoko doesn't play the entire year and plays well against SIUE and he starts. Sandage plays 5 minutes one game, the next game plays well off the bench and then he starts sending Poindexter to the bench. Liam doesnt start against UIC ... his ankle looked fine that game. Lewis plays poorly against UIC and he doesnt start against UNI. We have played 15 games and it feels like we are still experimenting versus working towards a plan. I think most fans are realistic about this year and more concern about the long term sucess. I think the coach is too but I think he is probably sacricing long term success trying to achieve some small success this year.

I know the message has been be ready when your number is called, but if injury or fouls are not dictating extented rotstions, it could also be interpreted as lack of confidence in those that are playing. 9 - 11 players in the first half is way too much for this part of the season.

A lot of rambling here on my part.

This post makes so much sense to me for real. I e said all along the team hurts offensively because 1. Mal is playing but out of position, 2. too many players trying to attack or create their own shot too far out causing turnovers, 3. Other than Liam bigs take too many perimeter shots from our top perimeter shooters. 4. Try your best defensive lineup to start a game. 5. This team do t have enough roll players and finally, bigs setting screens should be second nature.

 

[Redbirdfan06]

This post makes so much sense to me for real. I e said all along the team hurts offensively because 1. Mal is playing but out of position, 2. too many players trying to attack or create their own shot too far out causing turnovers, 3. Other than Liam bigs take too many perimeter shots from our top perimeter shooters. 4. Try your best defensive lineup to start a game. 5. This team do t have enough roll players and finally, bigs setting screens should be second nature.

We don’t have enough role players? The entire team is made up of role players. Some role players better than others. We don’t have a go to wing or big.

 

[Bird Friend]

We don’t have enough role players? The entire team is made up of role players. Some better role players than others. We don’t have a go to wing or big.

Maybe it's we don't have the right role players.

 

[Loyl2u]

20 TO and inability to stop #1 on the high post drop in the 2nd half cost the Birds the game tonight. Like UIC, UNI & everyone else now will be coming after our point, but a lot of those turnovers came from 6’7”+ guys On the wings Who don’t really handle the ball well and we are asking them to dribble drive?? Managing TOs means they need to be a more deliberate and yes, may need to modify offensive sets To help whoever plays the point to get the offense started. I thought tonight would have been a good opportunity for Birds to try going bigger and still have decent defensive matchups against some of the UNI lineups. I’d loved to have seen McCheese, Lewis & Sissoko on the floor together with Mal and Sandage. Also, might have been able to deal with #1+dropping through lane more effectively.

Universally, when a Bird went to the bucket tonight, EVERYONE else stood at the 3 point line, felt a lot like last year. I thought early on this season that they’d addressed this, feels a little like they’ve regressed here . Multiple guys who played more than 20 minutes and didn’t score more than 2 points tonight, standing all night out at the 3 point line when others drive the lane. Maybe a couple of those missed layups could have been converted with more than 3 total O-bounds.

work in progress & come on, don’t we all remember Lloyd Phillips

 

[Popsto4]

I believe we have a PG coming who will fill the bill, maybe not next year, but definitely coming. I believe we have a post coming who will fill the bill, definitely not next year, but eventually. I believe we have a wing coming who will fill the bill, probably not next year, but eventually. We have a stretch-4 who can spread the D, but he needs to add strength/muscle. We do not have a sniper, a spot up shooter (yes, Mal might be one and Luke might be one, but I’m not yet convinced). Burford is a slasher who needs to improve his 3-pt shooting to make slashing more effective. We do not have a defensive stopper.

As I said about this team: “We play hard, but we play dumb. Frankly, there's nobody on this team willing to be THE leader on the floor. We have nobody on this team that can take over a game. We have nobody on this team we can count on to be the defensive stopper. We throw soft passes, dribble high, and run soft screens . . . and nobody knows how to use a screen to get open.”

Recruiting-wise . . . We need a good ready-to-play post player with 2+ years of eligibility. If Pedon wants to run the offense thru the post, we need a guy who fills that role. We need a true PG for next year who can fill the gap to Kinziger. Pedon also needs to decide if he wants to commit to competing next year or committing to rebuild the program with a look to the following year.

I‘d be fine with losing or releasing Petrakis, Kotov, Schmitt, and Sissoko. The first three have shown me nothing I feel can’t be replaced with much better. I love Sissoko, but he just cannot figure out how to play D. UNI ate him alive on the defensive side. Athleticism can only take him so far.

If I’m going to be really honest, Cheese is the only player on the roster I would hate to lose after this season. I believe the rest of our players are “easily” replaceable.

You may not be convinced as a spot up shooter and I see your point. I believe Colton is better at that than anyone on the team. Ik Mal is tough shooting it either way, particularly off the bounce and screens. A part of it is I don’t think any one player on the team have a green light to just let it fly either. If there were a true pg on this team even without a true big the offense would be more capable of ha I g all the kids in their right position. Mal is shooting 17/34 from 3 during the last 8 games. I’d say that’s pretty darn good. That’s only 4.25 attempts per game. Biased or not plays should be ran for him more often. He should be taking at least 8 attempts per game. Luke and Mal are tied for 3rd in conference 3pt %. There’s been enough of a sample size to know the top shooters on this team. Ik that’s only a part of the total game but man it’s important to the team that those two with Liam getting there share of attempts regulars game in game out.

We don’t have enough role players? The entire team is made up of role players. Some role players better than others. We don’t have a go to wing or I see it differently

 

[Popsto4]

It’s ok to see it differently. My definition of a role player is exactly this. A player of two in the starting line up that have a simple and specific job to do. Rebound, hit the offensive glass and get put backs, lock down their best perimeter scorer, set screens for shooters and so forth. We have too many in whichever 5 is on the floor that wants to get buckets. That’s a great squad if a team have that type of talent. When they don’t you get what we’re seeing. It’s not a knock against any of the kids it’s just the game of basketball.

 

[Popsto4]

It’s ok to see it differently. My definition of a role player is exactly this. A player of two in the starting line up that have a simple and specific job to do. Rebound, hit the offensive glass and get put backs, lock down their best perimeter scorer, set screens for shooters and so forth. We have too many in whichever 5 is on the floor that wants to get buckets. That’s a great squad if a team have that type of talent. When they don’t you get what we’re seeing. It’s not a knock against any of the kids it’s just the game of basketball.

Oh and honestly Liam with 20+ more pounds cans definitely be more of a force on the floor. He’s that one kid of the bunch with his next level length can have a soils career even at the next level for real. He’s definitely not a roll player. Talking about guards now. Look at that shooter for UNI he’s a tool player and his major roll is to be their shooter. It’s ok and fine to be a roll player in any position, kids just need to embrace that roll.

 

[Redbirdfan06]

Oh and honestly Liam with 20+ more pounds cans definitely be more of a force on the floor. He’s that one kid of the bunch with his next level length can have a soils career even at the next level for real. He’s definitely not a roll player. Talking about guards now. Look at that shooter for UNI he’s a tool player and his major roll is to be their shooter. It’s ok and fine to be a roll player in any position, kids just need to embrace that roll.

Born from uni is much more than just a shooter. He would be by far our best guard if he was on isu. Jacobson will have a hard time keeping that kid from getting poached by power 5 teams.

 

[redbirds2000]

Born from uni is much more than just a shooter. He would be by far our best guard if he was on isu. Jacobson will have a hard time keeping that kid from getting poached by power 5 teams.

Lol...I was about ready to reply the same thing. Did OP just label Born as a "role player"?? Born is a top 3 guard in the MVC, if not #1.

 

[Hamdonger]

Got some thoughts and observations, like a lot of folks here, they don't all fit together, contradict each other, etc.

Me to a T. Especially when I see my face in a mirror. We can't all be Fabio's like Tpguy.

 

[Popsto4]

Born from uni is much more than just a shooter. He would be by far our best guard if he was on isu. Jacobson will have a hard time keeping that kid from getting poached by power 5 teams.

That may very be true but once again picture him in our offensive sets I’m telling you man it does make a difference in the game of basketball.

 

[Popsto4]

Got some thoughts and observations, like a lot of folks here, they don't all fit together, contradict each other, etc.

We've got folks on the board who want a shorter bench. And then some who want to see more from Schmitt and Petrakis.

We've got folks who want who want to see less passing around the perimeter, less "sharing" the ball, who want guys to "hunt their shots" and be more selfish, and then folks who say the problem is the team is too selfish, or at least some players are.

I have been surprised, disappointed, by the number of just plain old ugly air balls tossed up in the last couple games. Nice open three from 20+, guys line it up, and toss up an 18 footer. Ouch.

My thought is that the movement of the ball around the perimeter has been much better this year, much more "with purpose" (as Coach Donewald liked to say), quicker rotation. But when the ball finds an open shot, it has to be drained.

I was hoping to see Sissoko get some more PT, and he's had some and he's contributed. But he can't control himself on D very well, or at least for a long period of time. I like him in the starting line-up for the tone he sets, but he might be better off the bench so that he can "pace" himself for 5-7 minutes to rack up his 2 fouls.

I feel like/hope Schmitt could be useful in "small" doses, 5 minute stint. Not sure he's a 20 minute a game man for us, but seems like he can give us something.

We're talking about the offense "running through the post". Thing is, I don't think Pedon is necessarily saying "the low post", down in the blocks, so to speak. He's got the "post" guy up at the top of the key, taking a pass, handing off, setting a pick or two, then rolling down the lane. Sissoko can do that, so can Schmitt. So could Knight and Lewis. I'm thinking Ohio State, they had our friend from Belleville play a lot of high post and now Zeb Key does that. Not that we have anyone in that mold at this point.

I don't wanna single anyone out, but I gotta say I thought we'd get a hell of a lot more out of Petrakis. Was hoping he'd at least be able to D-up on the other team's 5, much less hit some 3's and jumpers from the FT line - see paragraph above. He averaged 22 mins/game, 8 points p/g and was leading 3 point shooter at W.Carolina last year, both number made and %.

Burford, the player who makes you pull your hair out - move him from the point so he can "create" his shot, and he's got some good moves, but then TO's, bad shots, etc. If he could be more consistent, we'd really be someplace. I think he can get there.

The season stats are there for both Lewis and Knight - but then, you look at a game like yesterday and say, helloooo, anyone home?? Several games this year those two have been outgunned by the likes of UNI, UIC, Northwestern State, etc. Outworked. Getta get after it every game, come on guys.

I'm not that hung up on the point guard situation. Yes, would be nice to have a "real" PG. Poindexter's doing fine, Burford and Sandage can pitch in and help just fine. Altho we have a crap load of TO's, I don't see that as a reflection on the PG situation - Lewis and Knight and Burford are the leaders in that category.

Overall, I like what's going on, I like what Pedon's doing, I think he's letting folks figger it out, he's trying to figger it out - these guys are all new to him, he's gotta figger out who he can trust, who can do what the best, etc. Gonna take some time. We look better but the results aren't coming yet.

I did think going into the season we were pretty much set at 1 with Burford. If that was the case I think the season would be very different at this point and time.

 

[DWRedbird]

I did think going into the season we were pretty much set at 1 with Burford. If that was the case I think the season would be very different at this point and time.

I think if we were running up tempo like Burford wants to play we'd likely be ok with him at the 1. Our style doesn't match his, and he is too fast for it.

 

[BirdGrad2011]

Lol...I was about ready to reply the same thing. Did OP just label Born as a "role player"?? Born is a top 3 guard in the MVC, if not #1.

Born is in his 3rd year in the UNI system. He’s not a sophomore like UNI claims.