Ohio State assistant Ryan Pedon to be head coach

[DaveBird10]

Ohio State also did some screens for the screener. I know we’ve been begging for more than just the high ball screen every single possession.

Also an offense based around attacking with ball and player movement? Count me in. This past year our offense was just dribble dribble dribble while the other guys stood there. Then a guy would bring his defender up allow the other team to blitz the ball screen and force a turnover.

I love hearing all of that. One thing that is becoming very clear with listening to his style of play is we don't have a lot bigs in the current program that can do a lot of that stuff.

 

[Birdswin]

I was at Redbird Arena this morning for the introduction - very well done. Many more good Redbird supporters and fans in attendance, more than I anticipated for a Monday morning. My estimate was at least 250 - maybe an outside chance at 300. MVC Commissioner Jackson in attendance as well. Larry Lyons, Dick Luedke, and John Munn as well. Yes, a handful of players were there - they have mentioned.

Thankful for the time and effort put in by AD Brennan, Asst AD Muhlhauser, President Kinzy, and our outstanding alum Doug Collins. I love the - Get our Swagger Back!!!!!

Now to work on getting past season-ticket holders back - that should be a high priority for the Athletic Department. Need to make phone calls and/or personal visits - not just email.

 

[Baltimore Bird]

I watched too and was impressed. Everything has been said already. My favorite part was the 200 mile breadbasket. That is the key to success and getting players invested and staying at ISU.
My freshman year at ISU, many moons ago. 6 new recruits.
Ronnie Jones Southern Il
Del Yarborough Chicago suburb
Randy Smithson Normal
Joe Galvin Bloomington
Robert McCoy Chicago
Larry Lowe Chicago
Add them to....Jeff Wilkins, Billy Lewis, Derrick Mayes, Rick Ferina who were all from Illinois.
Those were the days. Let's get back to them!!

 

[Adunk33]

Now to work on getting past season-ticket holders back - that should be a high priority for the Athletic Department. Need to make phone calls and/or personal visits - not just email.

I've heard from 3 former season ticket holders who all plan to renew next season after watching the introduction. Not in the capacity they previously had, but coming back nonetheless. These guys aren't moving mountains with their donation, but 10 "smaller" donors = 1 big one. Sometimes, that's how you build a fan base.

 

[sportenwood]

I will say after watching a majority of the Ohio State game yesterday the bigs touch the ball almost every possession. It makes it easy having EJ Lidell, but we’ve seen success with Loyola being big heavy when they had Krutwig. Lots of movement. If we can run anything close I’ll be a fan.

I watched pieces of the game myself and came away very concerned because everything I saw looked painfully identical to the high ball screen we ran. I'm glad you saw something different than that. Must have been when I was doing chores, etc.

 

[Brick]

I watched pieces of the game myself and came away very concerned because everything I saw looked painfully identical to the high ball screen we ran. I'm glad you saw something different than that. Must have been when I was doing chores, etc.

Virtually everyone in college basketball uses the high ball screen in some form today

 

[BirdGrad2011]

Virtually everyone in college basketball uses the high ball screen in some form today

This. Our offense was everyone standing around watching the high ball screen. Others move and do more than just the high ball screen.

 

[Brick]

Don’t disagree. Just that most teams use the high screen so way or another

 

[Chambotwenty5]

From what I was told, Fleming, Lewis and Washington were in attendance.

Interesting. Would love Fleming back as well as mcchesney. Obviously I would love Reeves, but i kind of thought this would be his last year with ISU either way. Chatman coming back would be solid too.

Most of the rest, I could take or leave returning

 

[Baltimore Bird]

I sure see some potential with Washington, but he has never been able to put it together on the court other than for a play or two.
Maybe a new coaching staff can bring that talent out on a more regular basis.

 

[Bird Friend]

Also an offense based around attacking with ball and player movement? Count me in. This past year our offense was just dribble dribble dribble while the other guys stood there. Then a guy would bring his defender up allow the other team to blitz the ball screen and force a turnover.

Oh, come on now, we didn’t always run the high ball screen. Sometimes we just skipped to the turnover.

 

[Sladerunningbear]

Oh, great, my sports-hating significant other now wants season tickets behind the ISU bench. Tired of it!

 

[Birdman85]

In the Panty article he mentions Paris Parham. Wonder if we could see a return to Normal for Parham.

 

[BirdGrad2011]

He at least briefly met with the guys in attendance.

 

[crazzymark]

200 mile recruiting radius? That means the best of the best..of what the big schools dont want or need.

 

[Adunk33]

He at least briefly met with the guys in attendance.

Those are some big smiles from the players and coach. Of course, first meeting- handshakes and cameras all around, you have to be energized. Here are the current folks in the program that have engaged with announcements on social media, which could suggest at the very least, there is some level of interest in sticking around.
Current players: Reeves, Liam, Josiah, Stadleman, Samuels, Williams, Fleming, and Lewis.
"Future" Players: Tajuan & Takai Simpkins
Current Staff: Rob Johnson.

Also sleeper name for a potential staff member... Jon Ekey. Currently Video Director under Jank at SMU but played at Illannoy while Pedon was there.

 

[RedbirdSoxFan]

Was hoping there would be some mention of the new coaching staff. I am sure he has an idea of the coaches he wants on his staff, but I hope he can ink them before the end of the season so they can get started recruiting and so that any players that are recruited know what to expect from the coaching staff.

Yep. Was always my biggest problem with Dan. He was basically allergic to Chicago. Pedon has me fired up talking about the recruiting area that we have so sorely missed out on in recent years.

Although Dan played at Illinois State he had no Chicago ties. He was an SEC guy when it came to coaching/recruiting. I know Torrey Ward was an SEC guy. That is why Dan focused more on SEC territory, more familiar/connections and not competing with other MVC coaches.
Who were the lead coaches recruiting PLee, Wills, Lynch, and McIntosh? We know how Hawkins got here. This was a class with all northern guys. Will be nice having a coach fighting for local talent.
Wondering what kind of connections Tony has with the Indianapolis area high school coaches and AAU coaches. Was Tony involved any with the recruiting? We could use an assistant that has close Indy connections.
Who would be a good assistant to get that has good ties to Chicago area coaches?
Who would be a good assistant that has good St Louis area connections?

 

[schoolsportsfan]

From what I was told, Fleming, Lewis and Washington were in attendance.

Freeman was there too

 

[Birdswin]

Although Dan played at Illinois State he had no Chicago ties. He was an SEC guy when it came to coaching/recruiting. I know Torrey Ward was an SEC guy. That is why Dan focused more on SEC territory, more familiar/connections and not competing with other MVC coaches.
Who were the lead coaches recruiting PLee, Wills, Lynch, and McIntosh? We know how Hawkins got here. This was a class with all northern guys. Will be nice having a coach fighting for local talent.
Wondering what kind of connections Tony has with the Indianapolis area high school coaches and AAU coaches. Was Tony involved any with the recruiting? We could use an assistant that has close Indy connections.
Who would be a good assistant to get that has good ties to Chicago area coaches?
Who would be a good assistant that has good St Louis area connections?

Good information and makes sense on Muller and staff. Good questions regarding Wills and other potential assistants.

 

[MadBird]

Sounded all good to me (with the exception of not mentioning the current team, in one way or another). I've posted many times about recruiting the midwest, that was music to my ears. And looking at the OSU roster over the last few years, they have done that quite a bit. I loved the bit about being the "agressors" and being physical, etc. Gonna have a team that intimidates, plays hard. Get back the swagger. Wants to get to know the former players! Build on the tradition. I'm all in at this point.