I love the offseason. We get so excited about the potential of the coming year. I won't try and stop anyone from drinking their Koolaid, but I TRY my best to remain cautious in my optimism.
I really like the addition of Johnson. Without any other addition, his ability to distribute the ball should help Jones who can score in bunches (not to mention his D). It should also help the rest of the team. I think Newton will help in scoring more than some seem to be expecting. And I absolutely LOVE the signing of Rupert, who I feel is going to be a STUD (yes I've been wrong in the past - see Harvey/Muila).
The biggest X-factors in my opinion are Wonders and Ebube. After not being able to crack last year's rotation, both seemingly have the potential to make a huge impact.
Again, I'm trying not to get too excited over players who haven't played a single minute in the MVC, but it seems obvious to me that this is Mullins best team yet and they have a chance to make some real noise this year AND make a meaningful post-season tournament.
The last thing I wanted to add is that every one of the players that were added during the spring are all good defenders. This team could be special on the defensive end.
The last thing I wanted to add is that every one of the players that were added during the spring are all good defenders. This team could be special on the defensive end.
Yeah, even many of the guys who you’d think will be key cogs off the bench are above-average defenders. Brown, Banks, whichever bigs don’t start, etc.
By reputation, really the only guys who might be question marks at that end are Wonders and Hornecker, if he doesn’t redshirt (just because he’s skinny and a true freshman).
I love the offseason. We get so excited about the potential of the coming year. I won't try and stop anyone from drinking their Koolaid, but I TRY my best to remain cautious in my optimism.
I really like the addition of Johnson. Without any other addition, his ability to distribute the ball should help Jones who can score in bunches (not to mention his D). It should also help the rest of the team. I think Newton will help in scoring more than some seem to be expecting. And I absolutely LOVE the signing of Rupert, who I feel is going to be a STUD (yes I've been wrong in the past - see Harvey/Muila).
The biggest X-factors in my opinion are Wonders and Ebube. After not being able to crack last year's rotation, both seemingly have the potential to make a huge impact.
Again, I'm trying not to get too excited over players who haven't played a single minute in the MVC, but it seems obvious to me that this is Mullins best team yet and they have a chance to make some real noise this year AND make a meaningful post-season tournament.
Rupert is not going to be a stud, he already IS a stud!!! I would cite the Purdue game as supporting evidence.
The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty.
James Madison
I love the offseason. We get so excited about the potential of the coming year. I won't try and stop anyone from drinking their Koolaid, but I TRY my best to remain cautious in my optimism.
I really like the addition of Johnson. Without any other addition, his ability to distribute the ball should help Jones who can score in bunches (not to mention his D). It should also help the rest of the team. I think Newton will help in scoring more than some seem to be expecting. And I absolutely LOVE the signing of Rupert, who I feel is going to be a STUD (yes I've been wrong in the past - see Harvey/Muila).
The biggest X-factors in my opinion are Wonders and Ebube. After not being able to crack last year's rotation, both seemingly have the potential to make a huge impact.
Again, I'm trying not to get too excited over players who haven't played a single minute in the MVC, but it seems obvious to me that this is Mullins best team yet and they have a chance to make some real noise this year AND make a meaningful post-season tournament.
Rupert is not going to be a stud, he already IS a stud!!! I would cite the Purdue game as supporting evidence.
As a true freshman, it's extremely encouraging that he only got better as the lights grew brighter and the competition tougher.
That he played perhaps his best game of the NCAAt against THAT front-court (both offensively and defensively) certainly provides ample breathing room for optimism.
--Insert something witty here--
If SIU wins the Valley next year, Wonders and/or Ebube will probably be the key pieces why. Just have no idea what to expect from them in their first D1 season. Their only game last year came in an exhibition that wasn’t video streamed so I can’t go on anything I’ve seen.
Maybe (and hopefully) it benefits SIU down the line but I’ll stand by my thoughts that at least Wonders should have played last year just to get him acclimated to D1 basketball, especially in a season where you went .500 overall.
With the 4 players coming in, Jones, Damask, D'Amico and Brown we should not have to rely on two redshirted freshman to be the catalysts. It looks as if Marcus and Lance are gonna be able to play their true positions. Having the experience of Marcus playing bigger players as a 4 and Lance playing against quicker players as a point guard will only make them stronger at their true positions.
With the 4 players coming in, Jones, Damask, D'Amico and Brown we should not have to rely on two redshirted freshman to be the catalysts. It looks as if Marcus and Lance are gonna be able to play their true positions. Having the experience of Marcus playing bigger players as a 4 and Lance playing against quicker players as a point guard will only make them stronger at their true positions.
I’m pretty much assuming Domask and Jones are going to be good and All-MVC players. Given the loss of Mosley, Prim, Roberts, and Green; Domask has a good argument at being the Preseason MVC Player of the Year, although guessing it ends up going to Tucker DeVries.
But SIU is going to need a third scorer and I’m not sure where it’s coming from right now. It might be Newton but I expect a bit of a step down in scoring now that he gets a huge team upgrade and playing with Domask & Jones. It might have to be Wonders.
With the 4 players coming in, Jones, Damask, D'Amico and Brown we should not have to rely on two redshirted freshman to be the catalysts. It looks as if Marcus and Lance are gonna be able to play their true positions. Having the experience of Marcus playing bigger players as a 4 and Lance playing against quicker players as a point guard will only make them stronger at their true positions.
I’m pretty much assuming Domask and Jones are going to be good and All-MVC players. Given the loss of Mosley, Prim, Roberts, and Green; Domask has a good argument at being the Preseason MVC Player of the Year, although guessing it ends up going to Tucker DeVries.
But SIU is going to need a third scorer and I’m not sure where it’s coming from right now. It might be Newton but I expect a bit of a step down in scoring now that he gets a huge team upgrade and playing with Domask & Jones. It might have to be Wonders.
I think it is more likely that the "other" needed scorer(s) will come from different players on different nights. Newton can and will score double digits on certain nights, Banks can, Brown can, Rupert can, etc.
With the 4 players coming in, Jones, Damask, D'Amico and Brown we should not have to rely on two redshirted freshman to be the catalysts. It looks as if Marcus and Lance are gonna be able to play their true positions. Having the experience of Marcus playing bigger players as a 4 and Lance playing against quicker players as a point guard will only make them stronger at their true positions.
I’m pretty much assuming Domask and Jones are going to be good and All-MVC players. Given the loss of Mosley, Prim, Roberts, and Green; Domask has a good argument at being the Preseason MVC Player of the Year, although guessing it ends up going to Tucker DeVries.
But SIU is going to need a third scorer and I’m not sure where it’s coming from right now. It might be Newton but I expect a bit of a step down in scoring now that he gets a huge team upgrade and playing with Domask & Jones. It might have to be Wonders.
I think it is more likely that the "other" needed scorer(s) will come from different players on different nights. Newton can and will score double digits on certain nights, Banks can, Brown can, Rupert can, etc.
BINGO!
The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty.
James Madison
I’m sick of seeing Ebube and Wonders referred to as “not good enough to make the rotation last year.” That’s NOT the only reason kids are red-shirted! Darren Brooks was a redshirt for God’s sake. He went on to become Valley MVP.
Having seen both players in practice, I can tell you Wonders is by far the purest shooter on the team. And Ebube is a physically dominating player in the paint. We can all second guess why the staff decided to give them both a year of development, but it’s certainly not because they aren’t good players capable of making a big splash in the MVC.
This is a solid basketball team, Could be a great basketball team if the work is put in. Fasten your seatbelts. It is going to be a sweet ride.
I am sure this is the new reality of college sports, but I don't have a clue who is on this team now. I know a couple of transfers came in (but I don't remember who they are) and Verplanken and Filewich left. Is that it?
I am sure this is the new reality of college sports, but I don't have a clue who is on this team now. I know a couple of transfers came in (but I don't remember who they are) and Verplanken and Filewich left. Is that it?
Outgoing transfers: Filewich (to Wofford) and Verplancken (to Weber St.). There is unconfirmed speculation that Harvey is moving on because SIU is one over on scholarships and he makes the most sense, with his medical situation and having graduated.
Incoming recruits (not including last year’s redshirts): 7-foot Texas high schooler Cade Hornecker, George Mason transfer PG Xavier Johnson, Evansville grad transfer guard Jawaun Newton, DII wing transfer AJ Ferguson and Saint Peter’s big man transfer Clarence Rupert. Ferguson and Rupert both have three years eligibility left, Johnson has two.
Here are some questions that I am interested in.
1. We added 2 great passers in Johnson and Rupert, but no great scorers (that we know of). Can this impact the scoring problem? Does it have a major impact in the ability to get great looks from guys such as Brown, Wonders, Newton, Jones, etc... I think it will, and it will make those guys look like better players.
2. How good are the freshman? Hornecker had the best offers of any player we've seen in the Mullins era except possibly Domask. How good is he right now? Where does he compare to Edube (Yes, I know, they probably have very different skill sets)? Is Wonders ready to contribute?
3. If healthy, can Domask compete for player of the year? I know we need to win more to have players in that conversation, but I think we can be up there with the best teams.
Regarding #2, Hornecker is quite different from Ebube in that he is taller, but slender. Ebube is most likely the biggest player we have ever had, and that includes Roland Roberts. Hornecker has a jump shot out to 3 point land. Hornecker is more of a finesse player than what I think we will see in Ebube. I can see Ebube backing guys into the paint and just dunking over them, or getting doubled and kicking the ball out. Hornecker is also a good passer.
Rolan Roberts was built like a brick shithouse but he was generously listed at 6’6”. He couldn’t have been more than 6’5”.
The biggest hoss I can remember having was Eugene Teague. He was a monster.
