So how are we feeling now?

[Redbirdwarrior]

After what I have to say is among the most incredible three weeks in recent offseason program history, the lineup, staff and overall program looks suddenly, potentially very solid.

Let's review:

5/1- Muller fills vacant assistant coaching opening with University of North Dakota HC, Brian Jones.
5/8- Matt Hein graduates and transfers from program.
5/13- Chris Duhon resigns and is replaced with Indiana St Ast HC, Marcus Belcher
5/14- Harouna Sissoko (2* 6'7'' SF) signs with 4 years of eligibility
5/17- Antonio Reeves (3* 6'4'' SG) signs with ISU. Reeves is widely known as the best player on Chicago Simeon's 2018-19 roster and is a 4A All State selection. ISU's first Simeon signing since Kenyon Smith in 2009.
5/18- Ricky Torres (JC 6'2'' PG) transfers from WSU to ISU. Was a first team 2017-18 JC All American at PG.


Now lets add this into the following of what we already have:

Guards:

D. Boyd (JR?)
Z. Copeland (SR)
J. Hillsman (R-SR)
M. Chastain (JR)

Forwards:
K. Fisher (JR)
A. Ndaiye (R- FR)
T. Bruninga (R-SO)
R. Idowu (SO)

I think you have yourself a SQUAD here and, even though I have not seen them, I want to assume they will play better team ball than MY's tenure here. None of these guys are on NBA radars, and that is, IMO a very good thing. There won't be any showing off. I expect lots of passing and defense plus a much increased shooting percentage.

I, for one, am now REALLY excited to see how this goes.

 

[Bird Friend]

I believe . . .

Boyd = R-SO
Fisher = R-SO (if waiver given for missing frosh season due to injury)

 

[PurpleRedbird]

I feel the same way about ISU as I do my Aces. On paper I can see the talent and depth. How they gel and how rusty are the transfers will tell the story. I think Boyd is going to be the surprise of the bunch. I see ZC and him making for a pretty solid set of guards.

The new assistant coaches probably have me the most excited.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

[TIMMY]

I would feel better about everything if I knew T.B. was 100%.

 

[Redbirdwarrior]

As much as I hate to say it, this team will probably be better just by addition by subtraction.

The Chris Duhon experiment was... bad. I was REALLY excited about that signing, but I just don't think he gave a shit about the college game or the young men he was working with at all. Further, Keyshawn Evans was flat out bad last year. He was below a replacement level player. Plus with MY gone, you no longer have someone who is as important to the team but so undisciplined in a position of leadership.

Fayne will be impossible to replace this year, but overall- I think the team is probably a net gain already.

 

[SoCalRedbird]

Great post / thread, Redbirdwarrior. Now that you've summarized the month of May, I'm feeling much more optimistic heading into next year. [emoji109]

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[Baltimore Bird]

I am always encouraged by the signees and my koolaid is currently very Red. I really like what I am seeing/reading. We need to reduce turnovers, play smarter, shoot 3's better and block shots on defense. Can we do those things with a new team? Time will tell. Here's hoping!

 

[HT59]

After what I have to say is among the most incredible three weeks in recent offseason program history, the lineup, staff and overall program looks suddenly, potentially very solid.

Let's review: :text-+1:

5/1- Muller fills vacant assistant coaching opening with University of North Dakota HC, Brian Jones.
5/8- Matt Hein graduates and transfers from program.
5/13- Chris Duhon resigns and is replaced with Indiana St Ast HC, Marcus Belcher
5/14- Harouna Sissoko (2* 6'7'' SF) signs with 4 years of eligibility
5/17- Antonio Reeves (3* 6'4'' SG) signs with ISU. Reeves is widely known as the best player on Chicago Simeon's 2018-19 roster and is a 4A All State selection. ISU's first Simeon signing since Kenyon Smith in 2009.
5/18- Ricky Torres (JC 6'2'' PG) transfers from WSU to ISU. Was a first team 2017-18 JC All American at PG.


Now lets add this into the following of what we already have:

Guards:

D. Boyd (JR?)
Z. Copeland (SR)
J. Hillsman (R-SR)
M. Chastain (JR)

Forwards:
K. Fisher (JR)
A. Ndaiye (R- FR)
T. Bruninga (R-SO)
R. Idowu (SO)

I think you have yourself a SQUAD here and, even though I have not seen them, I want to assume they will play better team ball than MY's tenure here. None of these guys are on NBA radars, and that is, IMO a very good thing. There won't be any showing off. I expect lots of passing and defense plus a much increased shooting percentage.

I, for one, am now REALLY excited to see how this goes.

 

[HT59]

I believe . . .

Boyd = R-SO :text-+1:
Fisher = R-SO (if waiver given for missing frosh season due to injury)

 

[HT59]

I feel the same way about ISU as I do my Aces. On paper I can see the talent and depth. How they gel and how rusty are the transfers will tell the story. I think Boyd is going to be the surprise of the bunch. I see ZC and him making for a pretty solid set of guards.

The new assistant coaches probably have me the most excited. :text-+1:

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

[HT59]

:text-+1:
As much as I hate to say it, this team will probably be better just by addition by subtraction.

The Chris Duhon experiment was... bad. I was REALLY excited about that signing, but I just don't think he gave a shit about the college game or the young men he was working with at all. Further, Keyshawn Evans was flat out bad last year. He was below a replacement level player. Plus with MY gone, you no longer have someone who is as important to the team but so undisciplined in a position of leadership.

Fayne will be impossible to replace this year, but overall- I think the team is probably a net gain already.

 

[DannyCooksey]

We can hope for improvement from Copeland, Chastain and Rey. They are the closest thing to certainties on the roster (let that sink in). We kinda know what they are as players and hopefully they build on and improve upon what they already are.

The rest of the roster is all questions marks for me. I don't see anything there that makes me feel like this is a strong team. We have 8 players (possibly 9) we are counting on heavily that either haven't played division 1 basketball in over a year-----or never at all.

Boyd
Fisher
Hillsman
N'Diaye
TB--coming off a series of serious foot injuries
Reeves
Horne
Sissoko
Torres--nobody knows if he will play next year
possibly one more player.

We can hope for improvement from the 2 assistant coaches. Just trying to look at things realistically and honestly. This is year 8 and this is not how a coach in his 8th year should be building a roster. At least not in my opinion.

 

[WoodlandWarrior]

The trip to Italy will be huge in providing acclimation for all the new players. I sincerely hope the offense changes from last year

 

[Adunk33]

The trip to Italy will be huge in providing acclimation for all the new players. I sincerely hope the offense changes from last year

It will. It left with Duhon.

 

[Baltimore Bird]

Do the incoming freshmen get to go to Italy?

 

[ChiRedbirdfan]

Do the incoming freshmen get to go to Italy?

I know a P5 program had all returning as well as new roster players for the upcoming season make the trip so I would assume that is common practice.

 

[Trey_Guidry4three]

After what I have to say is among the most incredible three weeks in recent offseason program history, the lineup, staff and overall program looks suddenly, potentially very solid.

Let's review:

5/1- Muller fills vacant assistant coaching opening with University of North Dakota HC, Brian Jones.
5/8- Matt Hein graduates and transfers from program.
5/13- Chris Duhon resigns and is replaced with Indiana St Ast HC, Marcus Belcher
5/14- Harouna Sissoko (2* 6'7'' SF) signs with 4 years of eligibility
5/17- Antonio Reeves (3* 6'4'' SG) signs with ISU. Reeves is widely known as the best player on Chicago Simeon's 2018-19 roster and is a 4A All State selection. ISU's first Simeon signing since Kenyon Smith in 2009.
5/18- Ricky Torres (JC 6'2'' PG) transfers from WSU to ISU. Was a first team 2017-18 JC All American at PG.


Now lets add this into the following of what we already have:

Guards:

D. Boyd (JR?)
Z. Copeland (SR)
J. Hillsman (R-SR)
M. Chastain (JR)

Forwards:
K. Fisher (JR)
A. Ndaiye (R- FR)
T. Bruninga (R-SO)
R. Idowu (SO)

I think you have yourself a SQUAD here and, even though I have not seen them, I want to assume they will play better team ball than MY's tenure here. None of these guys are on NBA radars, and that is, IMO a very good thing. There won't be any showing off. I expect lots of passing and defense plus a much increased shooting percentage.

I, for one, am now REALLY excited to see how this goes.

Looks to be going in the right direction, but with caution. I just hope we hit on these transfers because if they are bad then it will be uphill the next 3 years.

 

[ChiRedbirdfan]

Agree with Warriors comments about addition by subtraction being the first big step towards improvement. The fact that we have virtually no returning guards (i do not consider Chastain a true guard) from last year's team is a big step forward, the fact that we no longer have MY and his ability to distract from the mission and his inability to lead is a big step forward, and the fact that we have some new coaches is also a big step forward. Whether we actually improve inow is up to the current coaches and players.

 

[TIMMY]

Do the incoming freshmen get to go to Italy?

yes. gotta be enrolled and through the clearing house.

 

[WoodlandWarrior]

In full agreement with ChiRedbird. All excellent points!