We are still weak at 2G. We really need to sign the kid from Tulane or somebody capable of scoring from that spot and guarding the opposing 2.
We are still weak at 2G. We really need to sign the kid from Tulane or somebody capable of scoring from that spot and guarding the opposing 2.
Yes despite a LOT of flexibility and, for once, height, it seems like (at least at this time) we could definitely use some experience and reliable/consistent SCORING from the 2 spot.
With the roster now set, competition for those starting spots/key bench roles at the 2 and 3 spots should be quite interesting between Miller, McGee, Stulic, Davis, Ferguson and Brown.
And that’s assuming D’Amico is at the 4, which may or may not be the case.
We now have quite a few players who play the 2 guard. Miller, Brown, Stulic and McGee all profile as SG's, although Miller can play PG, and will most likely back up Johnson next year at that position. We have 2 guys who profile as 3's in Ferguson and Davis and I would guess we could see Hensley, Stulic and McGee play the 3 at times too. D'Amico and Hensley should play the 4 with Rupert as a possibility if he develops a little more and if the staff have enough confidence in him at the 4. Rupert probably starts at the 5 with Ebube and Hornecker also playing that position. I do not want to see anyone besides Rupert, Ebube, Hornecker and possibly Hensley play the 5. I will be pissed offif I ever see D'Amico at center. I think D'Amico can develop into a 10+/- point scorer at the 4.
We need to see some player development in order to have a chance at finishing in the upper half of The Valley. My hope is the staff and the players are forced to become more dynamic on offense this season. While Jones and Domask are both talented SIU didn’t get to the post season with them and I believe that’s because SIU’s offense was pretty one dimensional.
The more interesting debate to me isn’t who starts and who plays what role, but who doesn’t play at all. Normally on any roster, you have a clear top 10-11 and 4-5 guys who aren’t likely to play at all. Out of that top 11, only 8 or 9 see significant minutes. It’s hard to see in the portal age how that shakes out because I don’t think you get a McGee, Stulic, Miller or Hensley to transfer here without promising minutes. You also don’t talk Brown into using his fifth year without the promise of a role or recruit Davis without the promise of playing from Day 1. You also have Hornecker who could’ve left but stayed so he must see a bigger role. Same for Ebube. Ferguson also is still waiting on his chance after coming here and of course you have to play your other three most experienced returners in Johnson, D’Amico and Rupert. I could see Sharp redshirting and of course the two walk-ons in Cross and Jacobs playing limited mop up roles but seeing how they use everyone else will be interesting. Lots of egos and promises to manage this year instead of just two guys you know will play 30+ minutes a game so much more opportunity to go around if you divide it up. But it’s usually hard in the flow of the game to play truly everyone regardless of how deep you are on paper.
I really hope they don't choose to redshirt Kennard or staple him to the bench like they did Cade. This is going to be a guy that's going to be really attractive to Power 5's if he hits most of our projections and those odds increase if you hold him back a year.
Mullins’ track record shows a preference to lean on veterans. Not sure that always has served him well.
He did play Domask and Jones early, though this year’s team will have more viable depth than those teams did. Hopefully Davis is another freshman who comes in equipped to make his mark right away, even amid a crowded outlook with several wing options. I think the team may need an all-freshman team type year out of him to exceed expectations.
Davis and Sharp are both tested and will have a big impact on this team.
Sharp will have to put on weight and gain strength to have a significant role next year, but he knows that and has said as much. I see Davis having a significant role right away. The reason guys like Hornecker and Wonders didn't play much was due to where they were defensively. Davis was a great defender against extremely good competition in HS. He has the kind of all around game that led to major minutes for Domask his freshman year. I don't think he will have quite the role Domask had is freshman year due to the depth of this team compared to the team Domask's freshman year, but he will have a significant role none the less.Davis and Sharp are both tested and will have a big impact on this team.
I could see either Davis or Ferguson starting at the 3 no later than mid season. Look for Ferguson to take a huge step this year. He also has the potential all around game. He was a great defender in HS. He had an adjustment to make last year with he speed of D1 coming from D2. Also, he can score in many different ways. I see Ferguson, Miller and Johnson as being 3 scorers next year.
There is absolutely no excuse for Hornecker and Ferguson not getting more minutes last year - 48 and 58 minutes respectively in 33 games. It was NOT their defense. Opportunities for these young guys to get more game experience were simply ignored. Talk about lack of development.
Even Rodney Watson was wondering why we didn't use Hornecker more.
1000 percent right you areThere is absolutely no excuse for Hornecker and Ferguson not getting more minutes last year - 48 and 58 minutes respectively in 33 games. It was NOT their defense. Opportunities for these young guys to get more game experience were simply ignored. Talk about lack of development.
Even Rodney Watson was wondering why we didn't use Hornecker more.
Should have been able to run teams ragged last year with the depth but relied on half court d (instead of press), which was good but did not really rotate bodies with one of the deepest teams in my opinion. Then on offense as usual take up the whole shot clock with offense that basically is a resting period for the opposing team. Offense was dismal, hopefully more balanced and purposeful this year. I would be grateful to see an offense that moves the ball and sets screens and get an open look. If I had to guess a starting five I would say JD at the 1, Troy at 2, Trent at 3, Trent at 4, and XJ at the 5. XJ has some power moves. Cade and Scooter will come in for a few clutch threes. In all seriousness though, I think this is a good team and I hope they mesh cause it can happen.
I do really like this team, they could potentially be a balanced monster. Forgive my starting 4 guess, it is not only useless but a result of excellent root beer. This roster is full of talent and could present challenges to top teams even outside the league. Every addition has been exciting and every player dressing has the ability to impact a game for the better.
