The Vidette: A detailed look at Ryan Pedon's approach to the offseason for ISU men's basketball

[ISU86]

A detailed look at Ryan Pedon's approach to the offseason for ISU men's basketball

"Shooting."

www.videtteonline.com

 

[redbirds2000]

If no one was asked to leave, that tells me Pedon believes the returning group can get us to the NCAA! I'm looking forward to Selection Sunday next year!!

 

[MadBird]

If no one was asked to leave, that tells me Pedon believes the returning group can get us to the NCAA! I'm looking forward to Selection Sunday next year!!

Not sure if you're being sarcastic or humorous? Do you read between the lines? Do you think his answer would be "Sure, we've got some bums I'm looking to kick out and I'm gonna give them the heave ho next week?"

He said:

"I think it's fluid for any program in the country," Pedon said. "Do I anticipate having more than that (one)? Potentially. Possibly. One thing I do feel good about is the communication I've had with the players in truth. I always want to be very transparent, and I want them to do the same."

"I want them to position themselves to follow their dreams. And if they feel like that's here, great. And that would be really exciting. If they feel like that's maybe somewhere else — I'm not here to convince guys to stay here. I'm here to present them with real facts and my thoughts and give them perspective," Pedon continued.

He said he "potentially/possibly" anticipates having an opening. He wants to be transparent. He's not here to convince guys to stay here. Present them with "real facts and thoughts and give them perspective". Such as, it was rough last year and I don't really see you getting much time next year. I'm reading between those lines that he's going to have some frank conversations with some guys. Maybe I'm too hopeful.

 

[redbirds2000]

Not sure if you're being sarcastic or humorous? Do you read between the lines? Do you think his answer would be "Sure, we've got some bums I'm looking to kick out and I'm gonna give them the heave ho next week?"

He said:



He said he "potentially/possibly" anticipates having an opening. He wants to be transparent. He's not here to convince guys to stay here. Present them with "real facts and thoughts and give them perspective". Such as, it was rough last year and I don't really see you getting much time next year. I'm reading between those lines that he's going to have some frank conversations with some guys. Maybe I'm too hopeful.

My understanding is that these conversations have already occurred. I would not bank on "I don't really see you getting much time next year" will send someone into the portal.
Coach: "I really don't see you getting much playing time next year."
5th Year Senior: " I knew that. I don't see anywhere else I can go and play. I'll just stay here. Collect a little NIL. Travel with the team. Hang with the team. Take the scholarship. Thanks for being honest coach. I'll see you next fall!"
Remember, he said he wasn't pushing anyone out. So if they decide to stay, they get to stay is how I read that.

However he does it, we need significant additions to this roster to be a NCAA team. Who knows? Maybe some of these guys are "retiring" from bball and he knows that already.

 

[TIMMY]

"The problem with keeping kids who can't play is you lose the kids who can play." - Timmy

 

[Redbirdfan06]

You can’t have a Sissoko situation next year with players where the guy wants to be here and just takes up a bench spot, but is never in the coaching staffs considerations to get playing time.

You also can’t just roll out basically the same roster as last year with some freshmen additions and think your 4th and 5th year seniors are going to get a lot better.

 

[ChiRedbirdfan]

"The problem with keeping kids who can't play is you lose the kids who can play." - Timmy

YES SIR!! Same in the corporate world. Leave the poor performers hang around and the high performers get frustrated and leave. Pedon better have those difficult conversations and be frank.

 

[ChiRedbirdfan]

Not sure if you're being sarcastic or humorous? Do you read between the lines? Do you think his answer would be "Sure, we've got some bums I'm looking to kick out and I'm gonna give them the heave ho next week?"

He said:



He said he "potentially/possibly" anticipates having an opening. He wants to be transparent. He's not here to convince guys to stay here. Present them with "real facts and thoughts and give them perspective". Such as, it was rough last year and I don't really see you getting much time next year. I'm reading between those lines that he's going to have some frank conversations with some guys. Maybe I'm too hopeful.

Agree here except I hope pedon is much more assertive than passive with his communication.

 

[Hamdonger]

"The problem with keeping kids who can't play is you lose the kids who can play." - Timmy

I might add...the kids whom the Coach won't play in his system.

 

[ISU86]

Devil's advocate: perhaps (?) HCRP is using this approach as a differentiating factor when compared to other programs (let's face it, we are not currently swimming in NIL or prestige). Preach and practice team, stability and "family".

I have no issue with that (in theory), but he is banking heavily on him and his staff's evaluation and retention abilities (especially in this day and age, that is a constant uphill climb).

 

[DoubleDeuce]

Devil's advocate: perhaps (?) HCRP is using this approach as a differentiating factor when compared to other programs (let's face it, we are not currently swimming in NIL or prestige). Preach and practice team, stability and "family".

I have no issue with that (in theory), but he is banking heavily on him and his staff's evaluation and retention abilities (especially in this day and age, that is a constant uphill climb).

Roster stability is a novel approach in this day and age...the question is whether it's is outdated and archaic or the desired state that's difficult to attain. My sense is there maybe a couple guards bail, at most.

 

[dpdoughbird06]

Roster stability is a novel approach in this day and age...the question is whether it's is outdated and archaic or the desired state that's difficult to attain. My sense is there maybe a couple guards bail, at most.

- Pedon has always said this group has a solid bond.

- Other than JK, who could conceivably attract significant NIL attention? And even in his case, a sophomore year that builds on what he showed as a freshman puts him squarely in position for a B1G call-up.

- Do bottom of the roster guys get any NIL at our level, or is it front-loaded to keep the stars?

- I commented on Mahorcic elsewhere that six schools in six years seemingly makes for a transcript nightmare. Between being comfortable with teammates and friends around campus, and working towards a valuable degree (at least you’d hope, since relatively few Valley players go pro), outside of the top players wouldn’t the default option be to stay - even if a player puts his name in the portal?

 

[Aggie]

The bond thing may be ok but does it get you to the dance. The Jordan, Pipen, Rodman, and the rest had issues with each other but they did win 72 games and a championship. How long does a young man who has won all his life want to stay with a losing program. But then again as fans we have stuck around for 30, years.

 

[MadBird]

It's funny, watching the tournament -- all these commentators end up talking about teams with "experience", teams with older guys, Kentucky got "ripped" for having too many freshman on the floor that couldn't hold up to the pressure, Oakland has the 27 year old guy blah blah blah. Duke last night had the senior go off for 30 points. So everybody - especially the "big dogs" - is scrambling for the freshmen and giving them immediate PT, but at tournament time, they're giving props to the teams that have experience playing together and sending out experienced leaders. And of course the portal allows to stock up on "experience" right off.

Hard to know.

 

[Redbird222]

It's funny, watching the tournament -- all these commentators end up talking about teams with "experience", teams with older guys, Kentucky got "ripped" for having too many freshman on the floor that couldn't hold up to the pressure, Oakland has the 27 year old guy blah blah blah. Duke last night had the senior go off for 30 points. So everybody - especially the "big dogs" - is scrambling for the freshmen and giving them immediate PT, but at tournament time, they're giving props to the teams that have experience playing together and sending out experienced leaders. And of course the portal allows to stock up on "experience" right off.

Hard to know.

These days the P6 can take your next year juniors/seniors since they do not need to sit. The advantage the mid majors had in the past was experienced and close teams that had played together against more talented but less experienced teams. That is going by the wayside with so much movement at levels.

 

[redbirds2000]

- Pedon has always said this group has a solid bond.

- Other than JK, who could conceivably attract significant NIL attention? And even in his case, a sophomore year that builds on what he showed as a freshman puts him squarely in position for a B1G call-up.

- Do bottom of the roster guys get any NIL at our level, or is it front-loaded to keep the stars?

- I commented on Mahorcic elsewhere that six schools in six years seemingly makes for a transcript nightmare. Between being comfortable with teammates and friends around campus, and working towards a valuable degree (at least you’d hope, since relatively few Valley players go pro), outside of the top players wouldn’t the default option be to stay - even if a player puts his name in the portal?

All the scholarship players receive NIL at ISU. The top 2 in 23-24 were Burford and Lewis. In 24-25, of the returning players so far, it will be JK and Foster.

 

[Bird Friend]

You can’t have a Sissoko situation next year with players where the guy wants to be here and just takes up a bench spot, but is never in the coaching staffs considerations to get playing time.

You also can’t just roll out basically the same roster as last year with some freshmen additions and think your 4th and 5th year seniors are going to get a lot better.

Actually, I think you can “think” your 4-5th year guys are going to get a lot better. Pedon has to set the expectation for the players to put in the work. The hard part is that coaching staff can’t observe them doing so, except for a few “working” sessions. This is where a developmental coach, hired by the NIL consortium specifically to work on player development, would help. Again I point to the progress Reeves made with his two stints declaring for the draft. Significant progress is possible.

 

[Aggie]

All the scholarship players receive NIL at ISU. The top 2 in 23-24 were Burford and Lewis. In 24-25, of the returning players so far, it will be JK and Foster.

So are you saying Foster for sure is coming back, or maybe more like sticking around for his last year?

 

[redbirds2000]

So are you saying Foster for sure is coming back, or maybe more like sticking around for his last year?

I'm saying he was made an offer. Whether it was good enough, time will tell?

 

[Aggie]

All the scholarship players receive NIL at ISU. The top 2 in 23-24 were Burford and Lewis. In 24-25, of the returning players so far, it will be JK and Foster.

So the guys that basically rode the bench contributed very little in the way of success and a free ride at a university is not enough? Maybe people running the NIL could let a few know if they want NIL they may have to go somewhere else??? Use the money to pay for the best seven or eight you can get, let the others ride it out. I can see a $1,000 for incidentals but everyone on a sub 500 team got NIL?