Would you rather see Mullins and staff go for broke with the highest level impact portal grad transfer such as a dominant wing or 4 man who has 1 year left or continue to balance out the classes with another high potential freshman or sophomore transfer or high school JUCO guy who could gain experience and prepare for the post Domask/Jones era?
I’m torn because I think 2023-24 is a near break or make for Mullins and staff if they are going to be here long term. A trip to the tournament could do wonders for the future of the program but then we start back to square one with not much returning in 24-25. A higher impact guy also potentially cuts into the playing time for returning guys such as D’Amico and Wonders.
Give us the best players possible in order to win. Final answer.
They don’t have to be mutually exclusive. I’ve seen a bunch of high impact players that have multiple years of eligibility hitting the portal...doesn’t mean we will get them, but they are out there. BUT if you are making me choose, give me the highest impact player that sets us up to win the league and get to the NCAA tournament. Jones and Domask both deserve that and this fan base deserves it.
Getting to the tournament will help with recruiting impact transfers the next year to replace what we lost (or try to anyway). Especially if we get there and win a game or two!
Domask was going to N. Kentucky, which made NCAA in 17 and 19, I believe. First time ever for the school.
I had never heard of that school before. They’re back this year. Third time.
So to answer your question, pull out all the stops. Win now. The future isn’t promised. It would be HUGE for recruiting to make the dance, even once.
Supporter of the Fab 4: Scottie Ebube, Foster Wonders, AJ Ferguson & Cade Hornecker.
They’re the ones that can get us where we haven’t been in 15 years.
SIU would have to hit multiple home runs in the portal to replace Domask if he leaves. He's one of the most irreplaceable players in the Valley given how much he's masked SIU's poor offense over the last 4 years.
In either case, SIU has to add scoring. If they lose just Jones, they're going to have to replace his scoring and the scoring they already need to add.
SIU would have to hit multiple home runs in the portal to replace Domask if he leaves. He's one of the most irreplaceable players in the Valley given how much he's masked SIU's poor offense over the last 4 years.
In either case, SIU has to add scoring. If they lose just Jones, they're going to have to replace his scoring and the scoring they already need to add.
Yes, they would have to replace Jones' scoring, but needless to say, he was not an efficient or consistent offensive player, especially this past year. I respect Lance's motor and tenacity a ton, and he is a lot of fun to watch when he's on, but from a strictly basketball standpoint, I view a potential Domask departure differently than Jones in terms of moving forward.
I'm sure Marcus and Lance (and Trent) have been talking, but it will be interesting if they all make the same call or there is a split decision.
SIU would have to hit multiple home runs in the portal to replace Domask if he leaves. He's one of the most irreplaceable players in the Valley given how much he's masked SIU's poor offense over the last 4 years.
In either case, SIU has to add scoring. If they lose just Jones, they're going to have to replace his scoring and the scoring they already need to add.
Everything you said about Domask was true, but he also seemed to struggle more on D this year than last, AND he turned the ball over in record numbers. That being said, I would love to have him back but agree that we MUST add another consistent scorer (or two, or three).
I'm sure I'm one of the few that would be fine if Jones and Trent move on. It would be tough to replace Jones defense, but his scoring was largely due to volume so I think it could be replaced in the portal. I am NOT saying I don't want him back, I'm saying I'd be okay with it. If Jones did come back, however, I'm sure he would be very motivated after a disappointing season.
I guess to further play my broken record, I stand by my original statement, if the players REALLY WANT to come back, I'll welcome them with open arms, if they WANT TO MOVE ON, then best of luck to them. I've seen some very exciting players in the portal. Let's not forget that neither Domask or Jones were true Mullins recruits and there could be players who actually fit Mullins system better ??????????
If Marcus comes back, the staff needs a timer. 32 minutes/game. The young man was gassed for at least the last three games of the season
If Marcus comes back, the staff needs a timer. 32 minutes/game. The young man was gassed for at least the last three games of the season
I would say apply this to Jones too. I can't help but think that part of his shooting woes resulted from his being gassed halfway through the season.
(Inflammatory political snark)
I would argue Jones needs to be on a 3-point shot limit for each half. I would let him keep shooting as long as he makes them. With a limit of 2 missed 3-pointers per half. After that, he takes a shot and he immediately goes to the bench. This might keep him from taking shots from the concession stands. Probably not.If Marcus comes back, the staff needs a timer. 32 minutes/game. The young man was gassed for at least the last three games of the season
I would say apply this to Jones too. I can't help but think that part of his shooting woes resulted from his being gassed halfway through the season.
I'm not sayin' -- I'm just sayin'!
If Marcus comes back, the staff needs a timer. 32 minutes/game. The young man was gassed for at least the last three games of the season
I would say apply this to Jones too. I can't help but think that part of his shooting woes resulted from his being gassed halfway through the season.
In looking at the game by game stats, Jones was pretty bad ALL year. In fact, after starting 4-9 (44%) vs Little Rock, he shot 22% his next 9 games. After 10 games he was shooting 26% from 3 and finished the season at 28%. Like his FT shooting last year, there was simply just something off all year.
Unpopular opinion but Jones, on a good mid major with depth, should probably be a super 6th man still getting major minutes but spelling both the PG/SG spots. He shouldn't be THE guy.
He reminds me a lot of Tony Young
If Marcus comes back, the staff needs a timer. 32 minutes/game. The young man was gassed for at least the last three games of the season
I would say apply this to Jones too. I can't help but think that part of his shooting woes resulted from his being gassed halfway through the season.
In looking at the game by game stats, Jones was pretty bad ALL year. In fact, after starting 4-9 (44%) vs Little Rock, he shot 22% his next 9 games. After 10 games he was shooting 26% from 3 and finished the season at 28%. Like his FT shooting last year, there was simply just something off all year.
LJ was a good FT shooter this year. His shooting percentage for non 3 point shots was 50.3 %
His defense was outstanding. He averaged almost 14 points a game.
I would argue Jones needs to be on a 3-point shot limit for each half. I would let him keep shooting as long as he makes them. With a limit of 2 missed 3-pointers per half. After that, he takes a shot and he immediately goes to the bench. This might keep him from taking shots from the concession stands. Probably not.If Marcus comes back, the staff needs a timer. 32 minutes/game. The young man was gassed for at least the last three games of the season
I would say apply this to Jones too. I can't help but think that part of his shooting woes resulted from his being gassed halfway through the season.
I certainly agree that Lance's 3 pt shooting was poor most games. Some games he took too many and many were ill-advised...not set, off balance, etc. However, there were a number of threes that were just desperation end-of-shot-clock heaves because in our poor offense, people stood around and we didn't have much scoring horsepower.
We relied way too much on the three when nobody was much of a three point shooter, the exception being XJ, D'Amico, and Domask.
So many times we passed up inside or midrange shots for lower percentage 3-pters.
Offense has to change.
