At least with basketball a few players can make a difference. There are players on this team that could contribute if the right players are added. That means some of them will have to play somewhere else next year to make room for these additions.So, what do we think about next year? I'm assuming Kennard will stay and lock down the 3-spot again. And Elliott should be back at PG. Those are your Team Leaders. We have a high-scoring freshman combo guard (Luke Walsh) coming in, who should push Steffe for playing time at the 2G. And I'm actually looking forward to Aligbe and Webber battling it out at the 5.
After seeing Pauliukonis play live, I can tell you he's nowhere near ready to step in for Hensley. I'll be surprised if he doesn't redshirt. Is Davion Sykes our starter at the 4? Antwaun Massey? I'd still like to see us sign Kash Polk.
Dibba and Hensley have exhausted their eligibility. And it looks like Bey has already quit or won't be back. Sharp has performed admirably, but with his lack of offense I don't see much PT for him once Elliott returns. That leaves Mayo and Moreno, neither of whom has shown much in my opinion.
So, do we yank scholarships? Otherwise, we only have 1 or maybe 0 left. My feeling is that doesn't allow for much improvement. What do others think? What's our most glaring need? And how do we address our shortcomings? Is there hope?
Have to embrace the portal and find NIL money for major overhaul and the head coach has stated he doesn't like this process so unlikely for him to push players out but they may leave on their own so could be growing pains for a couple of years till he gets who he wants and they stay or embrace the dark side for a quick turn around and any recruit or player who blows up won't be here long anyways mid majors will die a slow death unless something changes
Players are essentially on 1 year contracts at this point. Players can and will be pushed out for a season as bad as it's looking.
The NCAA has past or will pass a rule stating that athletes have 5 years. No more redshirts. So as we have been non existent in this league (according to some) we are going to be just an average team for years to come. Without NIL big time money. We are going to get average talent that will keep us in the middle to lower end of the league. Until. We start paying players (NIL). 500k or more we are just have to accept the fact we are not going anywhere anytime soon in the postseason.
@kiwiball I beg the question. You seem to know a lot about nothing, have you been speaking with Dogu or Salukibballfan ? You certainly have a way with grammar. Enjoy your bashing of SIU basketball, you seem to have an axe to grind for whatever reason. Take a long walk today along the river banks. Thank you kindly, and May God Bless.
"In Nagy, I STILL Trusty"
Go Dawgs!
I don’t think EE can return. That injury is severe. Hope I’m wrong.
i have no axe to grind with SIU or their basketball program. I have been following and listening/watching SIU BB for over 55 years. I have seen the highs and the very lows of SIU. When I first started watching the players played for the university. Nowadays they are playing for NIL money where some players are at their 3rd school in 3 years. Now there is nothing wrong with the NIL MONEY. There should be some sort of accountability/regulations in place for student athletes. Unless we start paying them $100k or more we are going to get average players and will be the middle of the road team With no possibility of getting to the post season for years. That is the fact of this modern day college basketball. We are not elite and will never be back to the glory days. Facts matter and I don’t live in a panacea of thinking we will be better anywhere in the near future. Just saying what I have observed over the last 55 years of watching college hoops.
