I am still mystified as to why there isn't a better working relationship between the two schools. Pls chime in if you have a take on the history (good or bad) of the two schools' relationship.
And for the future:
Kyle Smithpeters has had some real success there as head coach. Tyler Smithpeters is now an assistant and if that weren't enough, Greg Starrick is the AD! It is hard to imagine a better receiving end for a mutually beneficial relationship.
What sort of actions/events activities would help?
How about preseason MBB double header at the arena?... Or a joint regional fundraiser similar to Black out Cancer?
If you have ideas, again, chime in.
History repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce.
-Karl Marx
I'll take a stab at this.
1. I don't think there is any real connection between JALC and SIU other than geography. And really, why should there be? The truly big-time players we would be after aren't really from the area and would not have any impact on attendance in the way that a local high school kid would.
2. Similarly, an impact player, who is likely not from the area, might be champing at the bit to GTFO out of here. If a kid who is really good has the opportunity to either play closer to home or for a big(her)-time program, he is likely to opt for that over SIU. Such a player is likely attending Logan, a quality program, in the hope of raising his value on the market precisely to get OUT of this area.
3. The Starrick connection might be the real reason there is no connection rather than a pipeline: The NCAA is a funny beast, and I wonder if there could be some perceived conflict of interest that both parties just don't want to touch with the proverbial 10-foot pole. I'm just speculating, of course, but that seems very much like the sort of b.s. you wouldn't want to risk with the NCAA.
I always thought Lowery in his later years and Hinson were kind of lazy recruiters; there HAD to be some reason it didn't occur to those guys to not drive five miles, right?
4. There are likely multiple reasons but if I had to guess, it has mostly to do with #3. But really, why SHOULD we be any more interested in a kid from John A. than someone like Pippen, say, from some weird JC down here that I always think surely just exists to be a college basketball minor league franchise. (I have driven past that place many times: it's kind of...odd. 😄)
I really don't know. I'm just not sure it matters where your JUCOs come from unless they're a much-beloved local kid who didn't qualify.
(Inflammatory political snark)
I'll take a stab at this.
1. I don't think there is any real connection between JALC and SIU other than geography. And really, why should there be? The truly big-time players we would be after aren't really from the area and would not have any impact on attendance in the way that a local high school kid would.
2. Similarly, an impact player, who is likely not from the area, might be champing at the bit to GTFO out of here. If a kid who is really good has the opportunity to either play closer to home or for a big(her)-time program, he is likely to opt for that over SIU. Such a player is likely attending Logan, a quality program, in the hope of raising his value on the market precisely to get OUT of this area.
3. The Starrick connection might be the real reason there is no connection rather than a pipeline: The NCAA is a funny beast, and I wonder if there could be some perceived conflict of interest that both parties just don't want to touch with the proverbial 10-foot pole. I'm just speculating, of course, but that seems very much like the sort of b.s. you wouldn't want to risk with the NCAA.
I always thought Lowery in his later years and Hinson were kind of lazy recruiters; there HAD to be some reason it didn't occur to those guys to not drive five miles, right?
4. There are likely multiple reasons but if I had to guess, it has mostly to do with #3. But really, why SHOULD we be any more interested in a kid from John A. than someone like Pippen, say, from some weird JC down here that I always think surely just exists to be a college basketball minor league franchise. (I have driven past that place many times: it's kind of...odd. 😄)
I really don't know. I'm just not sure it matters where your JUCOs come from unless they're a much-beloved local kid who didn't qualify.
(Inflammatory political snark)
It is REALLY hideous to try to proofread on this site from a phone; it's really buggy and annoying, and I eventually gave up. Apologies for all the typos.
(Inflammatory political snark)
1. I don't think there is any real connection between JALC and SIU other than geography. And really, why should there be? The truly big-time players we would be after aren't really from the area and would not have any impact on attendance in the way that a local high school kid would.
I agree that there's not really a local connection to JALC like there is high schools around the area but the idea of having them play a doubleheader at the Arena is actually pretty interesting. It would build JALC's brand value in Carbondale at least and give their players a chance to check out the facilities and community. No idea if this is even possible though when it comes to the NCAA.
The players at JALC have to want to go to SIU. I think it's that simple. Some of those guys get recruited by the big money schools. It's not up to Smithpeters. I'm sure if BM and staff want to watch their games or talk to their players, they can.
And I'm darn sure Greg Starrick wants nothing but the best for SIU.
this is a dead horse that keeps getting kicked.
it likely won't happen anytime soon because smithpeters wanted the head job here.
second, mullins is recruiting kids that are very good in the classroom. not to stereotype but that isn't always the case with juco players.
third, we don't need to sign players just because they happen to play at jalc. it doesn't make any sense.
fourth, bryan did just fine putting together his first with little notice and the first contact ever coming weeks before the signing period. no need to go chasing after guys at a local juco just because.
Craving a McBride Special!
What I said had nothing to do with where Starrick's loyalties lie. It was about what it might LOOK LIKE to the NCAA, which is not always the most rational body on the planet.
(Inflammatory political snark)
this is a dead horse that keeps getting kicked.
it likely won't happen anytime soon because smithpeters wanted the head job here.
second, mullins is recruiting kids that are very good in the classroom. not to stereotype but that isn't always the case with juco players.
third, we don't need to sign players just because they happen to play at jalc. it doesn't make any sense.
fourth, bryan did just fine putting together his first with little notice and the first contact ever coming weeks before the signing period. no need to go chasing after guys at a local juco just because.
Thank you.
(Inflammatory political snark)
What I said had NOTHING to do with where Starrick's loyalties lie. It was about what it might LOOK LIKE to the NCAA, which is not always the most rational body on the planet.
100%. i have no doubt that contact with an athlete pushing SIU would be a violation. greg is a donor.
Craving a McBride Special!
...it likely won't happen anytime soon because smithpeters wanted the head job here....
Kyle and Tyler Smithpeters were in the Banterra Center with several members, if not all, of the John A. Logan Men's Basketball team to watch the Drake game on January 19, 2020. They were all sitting in section 111.
...it likely won't happen anytime soon because smithpeters wanted the head job here....
Kyle and Tyler Smithpeters were in the Banterra Center with several members, if not all, of the John A. Logan Men's Basketball team to watch the Drake game on January 19, 2020. They were all sitting in section 111.
Jonah Jackson on Drake went to Logan
I generally don't know what Smithpeters is expecting if he thinks he should get the head coach job. He's great at what he does at JALC but how many JUCO head coaches actually jump to Division 1 as head coaches with no D1 experience?
...it likely won't happen anytime soon because smithpeters wanted the head job here....
Kyle and Tyler Smithpeters were in the Banterra Center with several members, if not all, of the John A. Logan Men's Basketball team to watch the Drake game on January 19, 2020. They were all sitting in section 111.
Irrelevant.
They were there to watch a former teammate.
...it likely won't happen anytime soon because smithpeters wanted the head job here....
Kyle and Tyler Smithpeters were in the Banterra Center with several members, if not all, of the John A. Logan Men's Basketball team to watch the Drake game on January 19, 2020. They were all sitting in section 111.
Irrelevant.
They were there to watch a former teammate.
Not sure what is irrelevant.
Kyle had one former teammate on the Saluki bench and Tyler had two former teammates in the game for the home team.
I would agree that the John A. Logan Sophomore players were there to watch their former teammate. Not so sure what the Freshmen players were watching.
….. Not so sure what the Freshmen players were watching.
Their iPhones.
Go Dawgs!
