AFAIK, we're down to Miller and Sharp. We can at least get the ball down the floor with 2 point guards.
AFAIK, we're down to Miller and Sharp. We can at least get the ball down the floor with 2 point guards.
Stulic still has a year of eligibility according to the press release when we signed him
On the Morehead State/Illinois broadcast, Spradlin made it an effort to say they don't play slow but "deliberate and efficient"
On the Morehead State/Illinois broadcast, Spradlin made it an effort to say they don't play slow but "deliberate and efficient"
He also said that part of that designed style of play was a direct result of losing their best player, the conference player of the year, prior to the start of the season.
I don’t get the facination with a guy who did not even win the OVC until the two best teams left. This two teams have done what in the Valley ?
Totally agree. I'll take a wait-and-see, but I have no opinions about Spradlin except I hope the new coach is someone with a more impressive resume.
And their best player has played all 40 minutes the last 5 games.
am I missing something here ?
I don’t get the facination with a guy who did not even win the OVC until the two best teams left. This two teams have done what in the Valley ?
Totally agree. I'll take a wait-and-see, but I have no opinions about Spradlin except I hope the new coach is someone with a more impressive resume.
I don't know what candidates you have in mind that have a great resume that's attainable for SIU. Because the backup option might be an assistant coach for an 0-18 SEC team. I wouldn't hate a Smithpeters hire but he doesn't have a better resume than a guy that's built a program that's currently playing an NCAA Tournament game.
I have news for everyone, there are no secret amazing offenses.... Get dudes that can put the ball in the basket. It's that simple.
That is incorrect. Its not that simple. Your only accurate point is that there's no "secret amazing offense".
Of course, you need players that can score, but its the coaches job to design an offense, preferably with multiple actions to counter expected defensive looks that play to the strengths of those players expected to put the ball in the basket. And that should be consistent no matter time, score, situation.
Its obvious some coaches are better at this than others.
Agreed. I think the Josh Schertz experience in Terre Haute (101 last night!) illustrates that coaching can heavily influence how an offense looks and performs.
I will push back on some who are emphasizing the need for a bunch of set plays. It's good to have some in your back pocket, but an over-reliance on set plays doesn't work as they're often taken away by well-coached teams.
That's a great point. Set plays are situationally good if they're practiced well enough, but if your offense is bogged down with too many, or overly complicated, it'll take players right out of their natural flow. The general term for this is "overcoaching."
You need some, often out of a timeout when you're in a scoring drought, but don't have a Tony Bennett offense.
Mullins' offense rarely had cutters to the basket, too little movement without the ball, not nearly enough screening on the perimeter by other than the big, etc. etc. His players (Ebube) usually turned the wrong way on a pick and roll (back to the ball - pass to the back of the head). Don't only screen for the dribbler, blah, blah... Lots of "fundamental" issues on offense.
I don’t get the facination with a guy who did not even win the OVC until the two best teams left. This two teams have done what in the Valley ?
Totally agree. I'll take a wait-and-see, but I have no opinions about Spradlin except I hope the new coach is someone with a more impressive resume.
I don't know what candidates you have in mind that have a great resume that's attainable for SIU. Because the backup option might be an assistant coach for an 0-18 SEC team. I wouldn't hate a Smithpeters hire but he doesn't have a better resume than a guy that's built a program that's currently playing an NCAA Tournament game.
Smithpeters not. If they're going to fire Mullins and Howard, then come up with more money and get a more proven coach.
I don’t get the facination with a guy who did not even win the OVC until the two best teams left. This two teams have done what in the Valley ?
Totally agree. I'll take a wait-and-see, but I have no opinions about Spradlin except I hope the new coach is someone with a more impressive resume.
I don't know what candidates you have in mind that have a great resume that's attainable for SIU. Because the backup option might be an assistant coach for an 0-18 SEC team. I wouldn't hate a Smithpeters hire but he doesn't have a better resume than a guy that's built a program that's currently playing an NCAA Tournament game.
Smithpeters not. If they're going to fire Mullins and Howard, then come up with more money and get a more proven coach.
Who can SIU get that's more proven? Spradlin is currently coaching an NCAA Tournament game on my TV and they're beating #3 Illinois.
And their best player has played all 40 minutes the last 5 games.
am I missing something here ?
No he hasn't lol broadcast was wrong. Look it up. He did play 37 mins or more every game during their conference tournament. And averaged 24 points a game while doing so
I didn't realize Mark Freeman was still on Morehead's roster but didn't play this year due to injury. He was the OVC Player of the Year last year and came over from Illinois State. He'd easily get a medical redshirt.
I don’t get the facination with a guy who did not even win the OVC until the two best teams left. This two teams have done what in the Valley ?
NO one questioned the excitement of hiring Mullins, despite having no head coaching experience, arguably ONLY based on the fact that he played basketball here.
Regardless, let me answer your question. First here are the results over the past 4 years:
2021: 23 wins and played in NCAA tournament (with Murray and Belmont)
2022: 23 wins (made it to the OVC tourny championship (with Murray & Belmont)
2023: 22 wins and played in the NIT
2024: 26 wins and are playing in the NCAA tournament.
This may be in the OVC but winning often translates amongst conferences, look at McDermott, Altman, etc for examples.
On top of that, his most recent media conference and his interview that just happened (while, again, in the NCAA tournament) has sold me on him. I would be very happy if he was our next head coach!
Boy, Morehead State is an oldddd team
