vs Eastern Illinois - 11/15/23 - 7 pm - ESPN+/Marquee Network

[PurpleRedbird]

Does ISU not provide access to the post game press conference any more? Haven't seen the links on goRedbirds.com

Oh..and how bout those Aces!

 

[DougSutton]

Echoing what some others have said...Johnny not being in down the stretch was probably my biggest head scratcher in regards to Pedon of his tenure. He played very well and I think will take the reigns as starter by the full conf slate in January.
+/- tends to be a telling stat. Here's what last night looked like.
Luke +20
Johnny +15
Kendall +10
Myles +8
Banks +8

Agree about Kinziger, he's a true point guard and plays very under control, runs the offense which is the job of a point guard and has a very smooth stroke both from behind the arc but also has a great mid range shooting touch.

My sense is that Pedon was managing the entire game and didn't have the perspective many of us fans could have during the action however after reviewing the game tape, I don't think there can be any doubt what there is to see. He's our future point guard and I believe he could and should be starting by the time conference play starts.

Perhaps him looking so go had to do with specific matchups against Eastern and he wouldn't look as solid against other opponents however my strong sense is that this kid is a gamer and is only going to get better as his confidence continues to build. He has great court vision to find the open man and at the same time, doesn't force it. His IQ is very high.

On top of that, he plays really good defense and has a strong build for how young he is. He's not as built as some older, more mature guards but he makes up for it with his footwork and intelligence, knowing where the spacing is on the floor. He has this John Stockton style of play that I absolutely love in a point guard.

 

[ScoreboardDotRace]

Johnny can shoot it from deep. The shot I’ve seen him hit in back to back games that really stood out was his pull up midrange elbow jumper.

Johnny was also oh the reviving end of at least 2 assists when he cut back door once and cut down the lane another time resulting in layups. If the rest of the team can get closer to this, they will be a lot more dangerous.

 

[cubird]

Coach P is trying to figure out rotations which has been hampered (until last night) by injuries. Hopefully, it will be set after the road trip.

 

[Popsto4]

Agree about Kinziger, he's a true point guard and plays very under control, runs the offense which is the job of a point guard and has a very smooth stroke both from behind the arc but also has a great mid range shooting touch.

My sense is that Pedon was managing the entire game and didn't have the perspective many of us fans could have during the action however after reviewing the game tape, I don't think there can be any doubt what there is to see. He's our future point guard and I believe he could and should be starting by the time conference play starts.

Perhaps him looking so go had to do with specific matchups against Eastern and he wouldn't look as solid against other opponents however my strong sense is that this kid is a gamer and is only going to get better as his confidence continues to build. He has great court vision to find the open man and at the same time, doesn't force it. His IQ is very high.

On top of that, he plays really good defense and has a strong build for how young he is. He's not as built as some older, more mature guards but he makes up for it with his footwork and intelligence, knowing where the spacing is on the floor. He has this John Stockton style of play that I absolutely love in a point guard.

That’s a good take however, I don’t see him starting at the point unless there is an injury to Banks. Banks have been solid so far this season. JK will however continue to get many minutes going forward. We as fans should know there is a mental aspect to any team and players being comfortable in there roles. Jk for one have so much confidence in himself and running the team from the point it’s fun to watch. I don’t think starting is on his mind at the moment. If it’s not broken don’t fix it I’d guess is Pedon’s mindset on JK. Look at Luke’s production yesterday, it’s weird but he may be better suited coming off the bench. I for one would start him at the wing but hey I’m no coach. Pedon is doing a great job early on . The one loss was a very winnable game. A lil more movement on the offensive end, inbound plays for buckets and a secondary fast break would do wonders for this team offensively.

 

[Popsto4]

Coach P is trying to figure out rotations which has been hampered (until last night) by injuries. Hopefully, it will be set after the road trip.

I believe the next game will have a little shorter rotation. Sure it’s only three games in but to me it’s enough of a sample size to play with.

 

[Bird Friend]

I know I'm very late to reply to this, but that is not his game. He may be over 7' tall but he's always been an outside player as much as an inside one.

Yep. And that’s pretty much what Pedon has said he expects from Lieb.

 

[MadBird]

I'm not seeing much out of Davis right now to evaluate what he can potentially bring. When he was brought in, there was talk of his versatile defense and having the ability to score at all three levels. I haven't see it yet.

I'm not gonna say "I told you so" about Jordan Davis, except maybe this once. And I hope he proves me wrong and gets it all together.

I suggested when he signed on not to expect too much. I saw him live and in person in 25 or 35 or however many home games for UW (and on TV many times too) and he isn't likely to bring much to the table, based on his past performance, IMHO. I mentioned he lost his starting spot to a skinny freshman last year (and now that kid has lost the starting position to a very decent transfer from St. John's, AJ Storr), in large part because Jordan couldn't score from even one level. He's a nice enough defensive player. He's basically a 6'4 forward. He doesn't shoot the three all that well (at least in the past).

Probably a good guy and good teammate. He'll play and help some but isn't gonna be a go-to player. I'll be glad to publicly grovel if he proves me wrong. I don't mean to pick on him.

 

[Popsto4]

I'm not gonna say "I told you so" about Jordan Davis, except maybe this once. And I hope he proves me wrong and gets it all together.

I suggested when he signed on not to expect too much. I saw him live and in person in 25 or 35 or however many home games for UW (and on TV many times too) and he isn't likely to bring much to the table, based on his past performance, IMHO. I mentioned he lost his starting spot to a skinny freshman last year (and now that kid has lost the starting position to a very decent transfer from St. John's, AJ Storr), in large part because Jordan couldn't score from even one level. He's a nice enough defensive player. He's basically a 6'4 forward. He doesn't shoot the three all that well (at least in the past).

Probably a good guy and good teammate. He'll play and help some but isn't gonna be a go-to player. I'll be glad to publicly grovel if he proves me wrong. I don't mean to pick on him.

I believe he’s big enough @ 6”4 to get some buckets going down hill. Like Pence I see it as more of a confidence thing with him. This team need to be finding more ways to get easy buckets going to the rim and not always by posting up or offensive rebounds. Someone have to step up their game big time against Long Beach to give the team a chance. Sure you can win by committee but it sure would be nice for someone to turn into that guy.

 

[RedbirdSoxFan]

I know I'm very late to reply to this, but that is not his game. He may be over 7' tall but he's always been an outside player as much as an inside one.

How many 3’s did he attempt/make in his years with the Illini.

 

[DoubleDeuce]

But yes, I like all of you, would prefer him to work on post play and efficiency around the rim.

We like you too.

 

[crazzymark]

Sloppy win over a 200's ranked team. Will be a long season if this type of play continues.

 

[cpacmel]

“I shot the ball a lot in high school, a decent amount of threes,” he said. “That wasn’t my role (at Illinois). That’s something I would like to add that back into my game. I had aspirations of being a pro coming to Illinois. A bigger role (at ISU) is the best way to get there.”

Lieb motivated to excel in new role with ISU men's basketball after transfer from Illinois

With Illinois State men's basketball season quickly approaching, Illinois transfer Brandon Lieb is prepared to handle a role far different from the one he had with the Fighting Illini.

www.videtteonline.com

Fit over frame​

At 7-foot-1, it is easy to look at Lieb's build as his greatest asset. But the senior from Deerfield, Illinois, has been building his game to ensure his talent stands out even more than his height.

"I've been working on my shot a lot with me, Coach (Rob) Judson. Tweaked it a lot. And I think I'm more confident than I've ever been shooting it," Lieb said.

Pedon noted Lieb's shooting ability as a key point in his game.

"He has an ability to step out and shoot. He is very skilled for a guy his sized. He's not big and bulky. There's advantages and disadvantages to go with that, but I think it's an advantage for his versatility because he's able to move a lot more fluid," Pedon said.

 

[ISU86]

Sloppy win over a 200's ranked team. Will be a long season if this type of play continues.

hopefully our level of play trends upward so the volume of crazzy takes trends downward

 

[isuquinndog]

“I shot the ball a lot in high school, a decent amount of threes,” he said. “That wasn’t my role (at Illinois). That’s something I would like to add that back into my game. I had aspirations of being a pro coming to Illinois. A bigger role (at ISU) is the best way to get there.”

Lieb motivated to excel in new role with ISU men's basketball after transfer from Illinois

With Illinois State men's basketball season quickly approaching, Illinois transfer Brandon Lieb is prepared to handle a role far different from the one he had with the Fighting Illini.

www.videtteonline.com

Like I said

 

[Redbird222]

He mentioned in his commitment article that he was to reintroduce that part of his game that he didn't get to explore. Pedon has said he doesn't mind Brandon taking those shots as long as they're good ones. To Brandon's defense, they've all be wide open threes....

But yes, I like all of you, would prefer him to work on post play and efficiency around the rim.

I guess my biggest issue with Brandon's 3 shot selection is they seem to be when he is winded or tired. They have been short. I am guessing he is much better stepping into the 3. Foster's 3 just doesn't look good.

 

[stats]

Lieb averaged 1 two-point attempt per game at U of I and 0 three-point attempts in college, so that stat says very little. I don't see Pedon setting up any plays to get Lieb a 3 point shot. I do see situations where it will be advantageous for him to shoot the three. Maybe if it will keep the defense from cheating or also even if the shot clock is running out. Let's face it when you are 7'1 outside the arc, it almost always a free shot.

 

[Scipio]

Sloppy win over a 200's ranked team. Will be a long season if this type of play continues.

Yes, it was not an attractive outing. And yes; it’s probably going to be a long season. As I’ve said to other fans, we didn’t fall to the bottom of the MVC overnight. We’re not going to get back to respectability overnight. As Coach Pedon says; long term project. I’m seeing hope for the future. I’m seeing a competitive team. That’s what I’m looking for this season. Progress and competitiveness.

 

[Baltimore Bird]

I came away a bit more discouraged than encouraged after the EIU game. EIU is not good and will likely lose 20+ games, but was within 4 points in the last few minutes AT ISU. I am hoping the lack of playing as a unit, Mal being sick and playing 10+ guys will all play into us getting better. The offense just does not seem to click. This was the case last year with the lack of assists and is the same this season. Some have said that is because players did not make shots. That is always going to be the case, so I am not giving that much credence. I was encouraged by a smaller amount of TO's, JK (more minutes please) and our rebounding is very good. Lieb, Foster and Lewis make for a strong contingent on the boards. I look forward to Monday and hope to see us play much better. GO BIRDS!

 

[Redbird222]

Very early but Kenpom has us at #194 in rankings. Last year we were 289 overall. Some other current year rankings:

#183 in offensive efficiency
#184 in defensive efficiency

Other MVC Teams Kenpom Ranking

76 - Drake
79 - Bradley
97 - Indiana St
103 - Northern Iowa
131 - Missouri St
152 - SIU
174 - Murray St
180 - Belmont
187 - UIC
194 - Birds
289 - Evansville
337 - Valpo

I am surprised Evansville is this low