Want to get this up for discussion because big game tomorrow. Might edit this later with other stuff but out a laptop for now.
Drake Leaders:
Tucker DeVries 18.7 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.2 SPG
Roman Penn 10.8 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 4.1 APG, 1.1 SPG
Darnell Brodie 7.7 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 1.4 APG, 0.8 BPG
Go Dawgs!
Not a bad start at 11-4 and of the 4 losses, one should have been a W, and two could have been a W. It is the defense & reduced TOs that are winning games, yet it has been frustrating to watch, especially the substitution pattern. For example, why is JDM now getting more playing time than CR? If each got 20 minutes/game, CR would average 10 pts. & 5.5 RB, while JDM would average 4 pts & 6 RB, and it cannot be defense as CR is quicker, more agile, and fouls less. On the same subject, if TB and FW each got 20 minutes/game, TB would average 3 pts. & .5 RB while FW would average 8 pts. & 1 RB. All very strange, indeed. It seems unlikely we can win the conference or the tourney if this pattern continues.
A lot of moving parts there!Not a bad start at 11-4 and of the 4 losses, one should have been a W, and two could have been a W. It is the defense & reduced TOs that are winning games, yet it has been frustrating to watch, especially the substitution pattern. For example, why is JDM now getting more playing time than CR? If each got 20 minutes/game, CR would average 10 pts. & 5.5 RB, while JDM would average 4 pts & 6 RB, and it cannot be defense as CR is quicker, more agile, and fouls less. On the same subject, if TB and FW each got 20 minutes/game, TB would average 3 pts. & .5 RB while FW would average 8 pts. & 1 RB. All very strange, indeed. It seems unlikely we can win the conference or the tourney if this pattern continues.
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James Madison
A lot of moving parts there!Not a bad start at 11-4 and of the 4 losses, one should have been a W, and two could have been a W. It is the defense & reduced TOs that are winning games, yet it has been frustrating to watch, especially the substitution pattern. For example, why is JDM now getting more playing time than CR? If each got 20 minutes/game, CR would average 10 pts. & 5.5 RB, while JDM would average 4 pts & 6 RB, and it cannot be defense as CR is quicker, more agile, and fouls less. On the same subject, if TB and FW each got 20 minutes/game, TB would average 3 pts. & .5 RB while FW would average 8 pts. & 1 RB. All very strange, indeed. It seems unlikely we can win the conference or the tourney if this pattern continues.
A lot of assumptions. I see the point he is trying to make, but you can't take these stats in a vacuum. Some believe that Brown's defense is overrated and it is a debatable topic, but Foster can really be a liability on defense. The stats don't show that. Granted, I still want Foster on the floor because I love watching the guy shoot, but making a complete argument for playing time based on a couple of numbers is ridiculous.
I'll repeat what I threw out there in the Belmont thread: the most intriguing way to tweak the rotation may be to try Rupert at the 4 alongside Ebube or Muila for parts of games. Sure, not optimal since neither Rupert, Ebube or Muila are going to space the floor well with their shooting, but Rupert can score and does have some versatility to his game, and I think having him and one of the other bigs out there together offer more upside than continuing to give major minutes to some of the other guys who haven't done much with their opportunities.
Mullins has talked a lot about the team's depth and versatility, and it seems like it would at least be worth taking a look at what a bigger lineup could do, at least for a few minutes here and there.
A lot of moving parts there!Not a bad start at 11-4 and of the 4 losses, one should have been a W, and two could have been a W. It is the defense & reduced TOs that are winning games, yet it has been frustrating to watch, especially the substitution pattern. For example, why is JDM now getting more playing time than CR? If each got 20 minutes/game, CR would average 10 pts. & 5.5 RB, while JDM would average 4 pts & 6 RB, and it cannot be defense as CR is quicker, more agile, and fouls less. On the same subject, if TB and FW each got 20 minutes/game, TB would average 3 pts. & .5 RB while FW would average 8 pts. & 1 RB. All very strange, indeed. It seems unlikely we can win the conference or the tourney if this pattern continues.
A lot of assumptions. I see the point he is trying to make, but you can't take these stats in a vacuum. Some believe that Brown's defense is overrated and it is a debatable topic, but Foster can really be a liability on defense. The stats don't show that. Granted, I still want Foster on the floor because I love watching the guy shoot, but making a complete argument for playing time based on a couple of numbers is ridiculous.
FWIW, looks to me like Wonders has made progress with his defense and overall floor game, and I'm sure that would accelerate with more minutes. He did a nice job hustling for a long rebound in the corner against Belmont.
Interesting bit of news (at least to me), Dan Muller will be the analyst tomorrow on the TV broadcast. Didn’t realize this was his new gig.
I'll repeat what I threw out there in the Belmont thread: the most intriguing way to tweak the rotation may be to try Rupert at the 4 alongside Ebube or Muila for parts of games. Sure, not optimal since neither Rupert, Ebube or Muila are going to space the floor well with their shooting, but Rupert can score and does have some versatility to his game, and I think having him and one of the other bigs out there together offer more upside than continuing to give major minutes to some of the other guys who haven't done much with their opportunities.
Mullins has talked a lot about the team's depth and versatility, and it seems like it would at least be worth taking a look at what a bigger lineup could do, at least for a few minutes here and there.
At Saint Peters Rupert often played alongside another quality big (can't remember his name) who was a fantastic shot blocker and interior rebounder/scorer. It worked there. I definitely think its worth looking into here.
--Insert something witty here--
SIU is favored by 1
As for this game, this is a must-win. It is a MUST WIN! If SIU wants to seriously contend for a title, then defending home court against the pre-season #1 absolutely has to happen.
We never should've lost at home to Indiana State. Thankfully, the players and coaches both have grown and improved since then. Hopefully that was the catalyst that drives this team to its peak potential going forward.
--Insert something witty here--
@bleedfknmaroon25 We're just gonna have to beat the trees in their home.
Marcus Domask interview with Mike Reis:
https://siusalukis.com/watch/?Archive=6651&type=Archive
Troy D’Amico with Rodney Watson:
A chance to send the Valley preseason favorite to a 2-3 record? Yes please.
We are at home, playing with some serious Mojo and I bet we make more than four 3s tomorrow night and let's keep those turnovers at 10 or less.
