Slow part of the offseason, so I'll throw this out here: let's assume Domask and Jones, in whatever order, are the team's top two scorers this season, as most would expect. Who do you think will be the team's third-leading scorer?
There are several guys who could be in that mix but no one else who has been a consistent 12-plus PPG scorer at the D-I level (I guess Coupet was pretty close at Little Rock). If Domask and Jones have the type of years they're capable of, Southern might not need a consistently strong third scorer as long as various guys step up as needed in different games, but it would be great if someone had a breakout-type year offensively to take some scoring pressure off Domask and Jones.
What makes projecting this question especially tricky is there is a lot up in the air about playing time and rotations with such a deep roster this year. So, it could go several different ways, but I'll say Filewich because he showed a really nice scoring touch around the basket and you have to think he'll be even more of a load after a full offseason of training/conditioning. The question with him is how many minutes he'll get with Muila and Ebube also in the mix at the 5 (and that's assuming D'Avanzo plays at the 4), but other possibilities for this face similar playing time challenges (although I think Coupet will see plenty of minutes based on his experience and length on defense). Really interested to see how it all plays out ...
FOSTER WONDERS
I don’t doubt Wonders can score at a healthy clip. The question will be how he handles the other parts of the game and whether he’ll be on the floor enough, at least early on, to put his scoring prowess to good use.
I’d guess it comes down to playing time. I don’t think Coupet came to SIU to sit on the bench so I’d go him. Also think Harvey and D’Avanzo are in the running here.
I’d guess it comes down to playing time. I don’t think Coupet came to SIU to sit on the bench so I’d go him. Also think Harvey and D’Avanzo are in the running here.
Harvey is going to have to make strides, especially defensively, if he’s going to be a regular part of the rotation this year IMO. I see him and Verplancken as having somewhat similar games, and I’m not sure there will be enough minutes for both of them with some of the additional pieces in the backcourt mix this year.
I’d guess it comes down to playing time. I don’t think Coupet came to SIU to sit on the bench so I’d go him. Also think Harvey and D’Avanzo are in the running here.
Couoet’s playing time will not be dependent upon what he wants, it will depend on what he does on the court. I am also thinking Foster Wonders, ala Kent Williams and Marcus Domask. Both of his parents played D1 basketball, he has a high basketball IQ, and shoots lights out. I just have a good feeling about him. Could be, and probably am wrong, but hey, it’s a high grade problem! Go Dawgs.
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James Madison
I am expecting big things from Dalton Banks he can offensive rebound and can get steals on defense
I am expecting big things from Dalton Banks he can offensive rebound and can get steals on defense
Dalton was so impressive in spurts last year. It's rare to see a guard with his athleticism at SIU. I think with a full, normal college offseason, he's gonna make major strides this year.
Interesting question. Last year it was Harvey at 9.7 averaging 23 minutes per game. Verplancken, Brown, and Banks all averaged more minutes and the closest to Harvey was Verplancken at 7 per. I expect all three to be better this year, but surely their minutes will go down with a full healthy roster. I think we undervalued Harvey’s scoring last year…mostly because of his defense (at least I did anyway). All that is to say, Harvey is the man to beat in my eyes.
I think with little information about the freshmen it would be hard for me to pick one of them. Like someone said previously, I think the staff brought in Coupet to play this year, whether or not he starts I would expect him to get 20-25 minutes a game at least. He averaged just over 10 per at 30 minutes at Little Rock, so his scoring volume is still under that of Harvey. D’Avanzo should be more prepared for D1 competition from the jump, so I think he should have a good year too, but honestly don’t see his numbers going up much. Filewich is not a big scorer this year IMO so who else is there?
Gun to my head, I would say Coupet, but I really think it is a toss up.
Fun to have a discussion with so many options something unheard of a few years ago
Coupet will have the best shot minutes-wise due to his experience, versatility, height and athleticism. He'll comfortably slot in anywhere from the 2-4 spots within a multitude of lineups SIU could run out. If he taps into some of that unrealized potential, he may even challenge Jones in the PPG department. With all of SIU's shooters, the floor should really open up for him.
Don't discount Harvey. I think he really struggled with his confidence after a hot start. If he's fixed some of his issues on the defensive side, he'll be a strong candidate too.
Verplancken is my dark horse here. Oozing talent. After a year getting acclimated to D1 speed, he could end up claiming a lot of minutes and push averaging double figures, particularly if Harvey's defense won't allow him to remain on the floor.
I don't think this will be Filewich, or any of our three-headed monster at the 5. I believe minutes will be distributed here so evenly that it'll be unrealistic for either of the three to score more than about 5-6 per. I do hope they inhale rebounds though and provide SIU with that physical presence they so desperately need.
It'll be fun to see how it plays out. This team is so deep, nothing will surprise me.
--Insert something witty here--
FOSTER WONDERS
Only 3rd highest scorer? I thought you were high on him. 🤣 🤣 🤣
An absolute beast of a question !!!! A lot of good answers for sure and only hindsight will tell us who was right. Playing time is going to cut into a lot of players chances (i.e. Filewich, D'Avanzo, etc). I think the "winner" will come from this group, in no particular order, Harvey, Verplancken, Coupet, Muila and Wonders. Muila, if healthy, is going to make it VERY difficult to keep him off the floor, despite the obvious talent in Filewich and Ebube. Wonders has an incredibly high ceiling scoring wise, but we were saying the same thing about Harvey last year. A Mullins coaches team is going to DEMAND high effort, and skill, on the defensive side of the ball. And that will become even more apparent this year with a deeper bench. Players that cannot keep up defensively are going to see a lot of bench time. Since it's kind of weak to give so many players, I'll go outside my comfort zone and say that Wonders offensive ability will make up for any POTENTIAL weakness on D and he will be in the Top 3 scoring.
I'm torn between Foster Wonders, Ben Harvey, Ben Coupet, and Kyler Filewich. For now, I'm choosing Filewich. I think he gets more minutes than some are predicting.
