SIU desperately needs consistent performances from Jones and Domask if they want to compete at a higher level. The D also needs to take a big step forward. Happy to get the win, but this team is going to have to really turn it up if they want to compete with Colorado.
There are very few players on SIU's schedule, or even in the country, that can stop Jones one on one. He is just that quick. To think he scored 22pts and did not shoot well from 3 when he normally is out best shooter, goes to show you that he can take over a game. We know Domask can do the same thing. The more I see Coupet play, the more my thoughts are confirmed, that he is going to add key elements to this team (length, defense, athleticism, etc). And lastly while it WAS the Jones show in the 2nd half, I really thought Muila was also critical. His D and quickness is something this team simply didn't have last year down low. Please don't get me wrong, I absolutely love Filewich and know he is an important player, but in my honest opinion (and that's all it is), I think this team has a higher ceiling with Muila on the floor. All in all, I got what I expected tonight, a victory. I still expect to lose to Colorado, but if this team plays like they have shown in spurts so far, they CAN beat them.
Have a great weekend ALL.
Muila moves his feet well on defense and plays hard. He will be a helpful piece. Would like to see more dunks and less one-handed FTs from him going forward …
I’ve seen glimpses of what this team can be (10 minutes in Arkansas and the second half tonight). If we can play that way on offense the majority of the time and our defense picks us up for the rest, SIU will go places this year.
IF Coupet and Muila are both on the floor, this is a very good defensive team.
It appears the rotation is tightening up, and included in that gift basket is the freshman redshirt for Wonders and Ebube. Not a bad thing.
--Insert something witty here--
SIU desperately needs consistent performances from Jones and Domask if they want to compete at a higher level. The D also needs to take a big step forward. Happy to get the win, but this team is going to have to really turn it up if they want to compete with Colorado.
The defense the first 10-12 minutes of the second half looked pretty good. More of that, please.
I’ve seen glimpses of what this team can be (10 minutes in Arkansas and the second half tonight). If we can play that way on offense the majority of the time and our defense picks us up for the rest, SIU will go places this year.
IF Coupet and Muila are both on the floor, this is a very good defensive team.
It appears the rotation is tightening up, and included in that gift basket is the freshman redshirt for Wonders and Ebube. Not a bad thing.
Yes, the rotation tightened up in a hurry this week. Safe to say Bryan didn’t want to start the season 0-2. 😀
Muila, Coupet and Verplancken will play a lot of minutes this year.
Bryan Mullins postgame:
https://siusalukis.com/watch/?Archive=5871&type=Archive
Mullins said D'Avanzo was out because of injury (ankle)
Lance Jones postgame:
https://siusalukis.com/watch/?Archive=5872&type=Archive
Jones, Domask, and Mullins with the media:
As good as Lance Jones was last year, the one part of his game I said needed to improve was finishing at the rim. So far he's 11-11 from 2 this year. If he shoots 3's like he did last year and shows an ability to get to the rim and finish, he'll be unguardable.
Sometimes, you just need a W to get yourself goin. Hopefully this gets the team going in the right direction. We’ll find out a lot next week
Bow Em
I was at the game tonight, AP will not finish 8th in the OVC. They'll be top 5, and possibly top 3. Their 4 star freshman center is a beast. Duke was obviously looking at him, as he is from NC and AP's 1st year coach was a Duke assistant for the last 19 years. AP has great athletes and several big time transfers. I will be following Little Rock and AP for the rest of the year. By the way, Little Rock beat a D2 tonight 115-51, and the D2 had 30 turnovers! I think both Little Rock and AP are decent teams.
We showed we can be a good team in the 2nd half tonight. Verplancken was impressive. Banks played great defense, even though he didn't score. Jones was incredible in the 2nd half. Domask came around in the 2nd half too. I think the rust is wearing off. Muila adds good interior D and rebounding. He and Filewich will compliment each other and give teams completely different looks at center. I really like Coupet's game. He has a high basketball IQ and has a nose for the ball and rebounding. Harvey's poor defense has him in the doghouse. I think Wonders and Ebube may both redshirt, barring injuries. Wonders has a huge learning curve coming from a very low level of basketball in the UP of Michigan. D'Amico looks like he belongs on the court at this level. He has good handles at 6'7" and I think his PT may end up going up a little as the year goes on.
SIU sold 5000 tickets, but there was probably only 3500 in the building. Students did show up well again, despite having a 5 day weekend!
I'm much more optimistic for this team after the 2nd half tonight. Colorado isn't that good, and if we play well we can give them a game. Go dawgs!!!!
I wouldn't be too worked up about Ebube and Wonders not playing.
They both are just at crowded positions. With Wonders it is a healthy Brown, Coupet, Verplancken, and Harvey. With Ebube it is Filewich and Muila.
While redshirting isn't all that common right now it is not unheard of.
I thought the dunk by Marcus made a statement. He had been playing very tentatively at LR and in this game until that dunk. To me it said “I’m back boys”. Go Dawgs.
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James Madison
As others have said, the rotations have tightened and I’m happy with that.
Give Harvey light spells because he can’t defend MVC guards.
Redshirt Ebube and Wonders if need be. I’m fine with that. The present day basketball culture has become so enamored with freshman that everyone has forgot…they’re freshman. Give D’Amico some of Harvey’s minutes if he needs jerked after a couple hiccups.
More of Jones, Verp, Coupet, Domask, Muila. That’s your lineup to win ballgames and run and defend teams outta the gym.
bonus: Edwardsville State lol you fucking fools.
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As others have said, the rotations have tightened and I’m happy with that.
Give Harvey light spells because he can’t defend MVC guards.
Redshirt Ebube and Wonders if need be. I’m fine with that. The present day basketball culture has become so enamored with freshman that everyone has forgot…they’re freshman. Give D’Amico some of Harvey’s minutes if he needs jerked after a couple hiccups.
More of Jones, Verp, Coupet, Domask, Muila. That’s your lineup to win ballgames and run and defend teams outta the gym.
bonus: Edwardsville State lol you fucking fools.
Plus, don't forget Brown.
March on triumphantly!
