SIU wrapped up the non-conference portion of the season with a 6-7 record. What does everyone think about the first non-conference run of the Bryan Mullins era?
In the short-term, no one is going to throw a parade over 6-7, and for the most part, the Salukis beat the teams they should have and lost to the teams they should have (although it would have been nice to go 2-1 in Florida rather than 1-2 and to hold the big lead against Southern Miss). But, for the most part, SIU played how most probably would have expected, given the makeup of the roster, and competed pretty well for stretches against Saint Louis and Murray on the road. The team actually kept it together without Cook better than I thought they might.
In the bigger picture, which is really what this year is about, I've been really enthused about the outlook of the youngsters, especially Domask and Jones, and it's been nice to see Davis and Dembele show some good signs recently. Add the fall signees and Harvey to the mix, and the future looks really bright, provided Mullins and Co. can bring in a couple productive bigs.
One other comment: home attendance has been fairly sluggish, IMO … hoping it picks up considerably for MVC play, especially if the team can be competitive in conference play, which I think they should be for the most part, at least at home.
As far as the S Miss game with Cook we win that came. We came apart when we couldn't handle their press. Senior Cook would not have let that happened. Very encouraged by the new guys, I think Davis is going to contribute more and more as season goes on and his minutes go up.
I think that Mullins is right on plan. He said from the beginning it was all about getting better every day. I think they are doing that. The progress from game one to where we are at now is real good. I think to some extent AC being out, and now hopefully ready for conference season, was a help to some extent though I hate to see him get injured and miss the time. Dembele not playing much early was now obviously due to still working back from the injury and so he was a mystery but from what he has shown I think he is going to really be good as the staff continue to work with him. I think he can be a real force on the boards, seems to have good hands and gets good postion. Karrington Davis appears to be a real talent, creating his own shot, making threes, and driving. Jones and Domask are obviously very good. Brown has actually played pretty good defense and will be a good piece. I am excited about the overall talent and the potential for the future.
I think they have learned from their mistakes and will continue to do so. I am excited about watching players being coached up during the game by the staff in a way that I think is great family/team style. You can see Francois has taken to the concept that he isn't just a shooter.
Overall the team working together for the common goal of winning is impressive. I am having fun watching play and learn and am excited going forward.
This is about what I'd expected. I'd hoped for something closer to 8-5 rather than 6-7, but this team didn't go into the season healthy from the start. Losing Cook in the midst of getting healthy was a huge blow as the team was trying to settle into an identity and more defined roles. So, all things considered, I'm happy with 6-7 and thrilled with the development/potential of all our young talent to this point (that includes the coaches).
Barring health concerns, I still think this team can compete in the middle of the pack in Valley play, and maybe even surprise us all with a mini run come tourney time. The more minutes Karrington Davis gets, the better this team will be. They're just better when he's on the floor (unless it's at the 5 spot, imo). I've said this earlier and I stand by it; with more playing time, Dembele is the best hope for rebounding that this team has. His development is invaluable considering the current makeup of the roster.
A final note; these young men, as others have noticed, seem to have a special bond and genuinely enjoy playing for and with each other. Its awesome to see. That rare ingredient is exactly what's needed for something special to happen. If this core stays together for the next few years ... Look out!
We're on the right path. Unfortunately, it's been so long since we've won anything substantial, the generational gap likely wont catch wind of the turn until it starts manifesting in the form of notable wins, or a winning streak. Once that happens, attendance won't be an issue. These guys are a joy to watch.
--Insert something witty here--
I feel like Trent Brown could break out any game. He plays hard defense already, and when he looks confident and settles in on offense he’s a 3-pt shooting threat.
I feel like Trent Brown could break out any game. He plays hard defense already, and when he looks confident and settles in on offense he’s a 3-pt shooting threat.
It will really open things up when he finds his shot.
Brown's offensive game has obviously not been great so far but I like the way he plays, especially on the defensive end and I think the offense will come.
Attendance will be solved with winning. Fans have suffered through 12 years of bad to mediocrity. We're essentially back to pre-Weber levels of excitement. Winning will bring people back.
I think that Mullins is right on plan. He said from the beginning it was all about getting better every day. I think they are doing that. The progress from game one to where we are at now is real good. I think to some extent AC being out, and now hopefully ready for conference season, was a help to some extent though I hate to see him get injured and miss the time. Dembele not playing much early was now obviously due to still working back from the injury and so he was a mystery but from what he has shown I think he is going to really be good as the staff continue to work with him. I think he can be a real force on the boards, seems to have good hands and gets good postion. Karrington Davis appears to be a real talent, creating his own shot, making threes, and driving. Jones and Domask are obviously very good. Brown has actually played pretty good defense and will be a good piece. I am excited about the overall talent and the potential for the future.
I think they have learned from their mistakes and will continue to do so. I am excited about watching players being coached up during the game by the staff in a way that I think is great family/team style. You can see Francois has taken to the concept that he isn't just a shooter.
Overall the team working together for the common goal of winning is impressive. I am having fun watching play and learn and am excited going forward.
I concur with your thoughts with one exception, Francois shot 47% from three at Daytona State, which ranked him at 17th in the nation. His shots were not falling at first, he is coming around though.
The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty.
James Madison
The record to this point doesn't concern me. They are getting better the more they play together and the young talent on this team gives hope for the future. As far as attendance, they let mediocrity last too long and lost long time fans. It's hard to get all of them back. When you have season tickets it becomes a habit and you plan around it. That habit was broken and they found other things to do and spend their money on. I was one of them and I did come back but I know some that haven't. Winning will bring more attendance but neither of those things will happen overnight.
Brown's offensive game has obviously not been great so far but I like the way he plays, especially on the defensive end and I think the offense will come.
Attendance will be solved with winning. Fans have suffered through 12 years of bad to mediocrity. We're essentially back to pre-Weber levels of excitement. Winning will bring people back.
Based on playing time plus his comments, it seems like Mullins likes Brown quite a bit. Like others, I expect that Brown's shot will come around in time, but I'm probably a little more skeptical than some about his long-term upside, based on size/athleticism. I do think at a minimum that, with his positive intangibles, he can help the team in some capacity ... we'll just have to see how large of a role it will be and who the other options are around him. I would say that for now, with Cook coming back and Davis starting to come on, I'd expect his minutes should decrease quite a bit in the coming weeks, unless he starts draining 3s left and right.
The record to this point doesn't concern me. They are getting better the more they play together and the young talent on this team gives hope for the future. As far as attendance, they let mediocrity last too long and lost long time fans. It's hard to get all of them back. When you have season tickets it becomes a habit and you plan around it. That habit was broken and they found other things to do and spend their money on. I was one of them and I did come back but I know some that haven't. Winning will bring more attendance but neither of those things will happen overnight.
This is very true and even applies to the lesser traffic on the message board compared to when fans were in the habit of investing (emotionally and time-wise) in Saluki basketball a decade back.
And you can also throw in that half of the student body has disappeared over the past 20 years or so, which doesn't help, either.
I do think Mullins will put a product on the floor that Saluki fans will enjoy and take pride in ... hopefully that's enough to make inroads at replenishing the fan base over the next few years.
good starting point, they are growing as a team.
Now to the valley, win your home games and half your away games, win regular season.
Brown's offensive game has obviously not been great so far but I like the way he plays, especially on the defensive end and I think the offense will come.
Attendance will be solved with winning. Fans have suffered through 12 years of bad to mediocrity. We're essentially back to pre-Weber levels of excitement. Winning will bring people back.
Based on playing time plus his comments, it seems like Mullins likes Brown quite a bit. Like others, I expect that Brown's shot will come around in time, but I'm probably a little more skeptical than some about his long-term upside, based on size/athleticism. I do think at a minimum that, with his positive intangibles, he can help the team in some capacity ... we'll just have to see how large of a role it will be and who the other options are around him. I would say that for now, with Cook coming back and Davis starting to come on, I'd expect his minutes should decrease quite a bit in the coming weeks, unless he starts draining 3s left and right.
Trent Brown reminds me quite a bit of Loyola's Ben Richardson (key defensive specialist during their final four run), except with more offensive potential. I know on the surface, Brown was recruited for his three point marksmanship, but his defense and willingness to get his hands dirty has been a pleasant surprise and is likely the reason why he's getting so much playing time currently.
--Insert something witty here--
Brown's offensive game has obviously not been great so far but I like the way he plays, especially on the defensive end and I think the offense will come.
Attendance will be solved with winning. Fans have suffered through 12 years of bad to mediocrity. We're essentially back to pre-Weber levels of excitement. Winning will bring people back.
Based on playing time plus his comments, it seems like Mullins likes Brown quite a bit. Like others, I expect that Brown's shot will come around in time, but I'm probably a little more skeptical than some about his long-term upside, based on size/athleticism. I do think at a minimum that, with his positive intangibles, he can help the team in some capacity ... we'll just have to see how large of a role it will be and who the other options are around him. I would say that for now, with Cook coming back and Davis starting to come on, I'd expect his minutes should decrease quite a bit in the coming weeks, unless he starts draining 3s left and right.
Trent Brown reminds me quite a bit of Loyola's Ben Richardson (key defensive specialist during their final four run), except with more offensive potential. I know on the surface, Brown was recruited for his three point marksmanship, but his defense and willingness to get his hands dirty has been a pleasant surprise and is likely the reason why he's getting so much playing time currently.
I'll keep an eye out for Brown's defense; it would be great if he could become a quality two-way player. He certainly needs to get in the weight room, like most freshmen. There are too many times when he has allowed the opponent to get to offensive rebounds in his area, but I suppose that's been a team-wide issue.
Brown's offensive game has obviously not been great so far but I like the way he plays, especially on the defensive end and I think the offense will come.
Attendance will be solved with winning. Fans have suffered through 12 years of bad to mediocrity. We're essentially back to pre-Weber levels of excitement. Winning will bring people back.
Based on playing time plus his comments, it seems like Mullins likes Brown quite a bit. Like others, I expect that Brown's shot will come around in time, but I'm probably a little more skeptical than some about his long-term upside, based on size/athleticism. I do think at a minimum that, with his positive intangibles, he can help the team in some capacity ... we'll just have to see how large of a role it will be and who the other options are around him. I would say that for now, with Cook coming back and Davis starting to come on, I'd expect his minutes should decrease quite a bit in the coming weeks, unless he starts draining 3s left and right.
Trent Brown reminds me quite a bit of Loyola's Ben Richardson (key defensive specialist during their final four run), except with more offensive potential. I know on the surface, Brown was recruited for his three point marksmanship, but his defense and willingness to get his hands dirty has been a pleasant surprise and is likely the reason why he's getting so much playing time currently.
I'll keep an eye out for Brown's defense; it would be great if he could become a quality two-way player. He certainly needs to get in the weight room, like most freshmen. There are too many times when he has allowed the opponent to get to offensive rebounds in his area, but I suppose that's been a team-wide issue.
He’s really aggressive on defense without being over-aggressive and getting 3 fouls in 3 minutes. You can tell he’s learning a ton from Mullins.
