@siudawgs I think part of this is that most of this board was wayyyy too optimistic about Foster this year. I tried adding my two cents that he wasn't likely to play much but a lot of people were projecting him to start and the hype train became too much. He's got talent but guys like him for other programs in the Valley didn't start taking off until their later years in the program.
@siudawgs I think part of this is that most of this board was wayyyy too optimistic about Foster this year. I tried adding my two cents that he wasn't likely to play much but a lot of people were projecting him to start and the hype train became too much. He's got talent but guys like him for other programs in the Valley didn't start taking off until their later years in the program.
If Wonders weren't playing because SIU's perimeter shooting and overall guardplay was so loaded, I'd be more inclined to agree with your post, but that's not the case. Trent Brown is still getting minutes, they could reduce the amount of time Johnson and Banks are in at the same time, etc. He just hasn't earned the coaches' confidence, which in February of his second year in the program is not great.
And I call BS on "guys like him" not taking off until late in their careers. Outside shooters aren't like bigs who need 2-3 years in the weightroom to make an impact (look at Landon Wolf at UNI this year, Cade Tyson at Belmont ... hell, I believe SIU's own Shane Hawkins canned seven 3-pointers as a freshman in an NCAA game against the 'Cuse).
If he were a true freshman, I'd feel differently, but the redshirt year was supposed to get him ready. Giving up on Wonders, definitely not, but a bit concerned ... yes.
@jabman62 I love your positive demeanor, and I absolutely agree with you! One full month of this season left! LOL!
For those folks comparing the 2015-16 22 win season by the former coaching regime in year four, to this years year 4 squad. Plain silly. Here is a fact from that season. Former coach scheduled an extremely weak non-conference season to get to 22 wins, which resulted in zero post season tournaments. In fact, the players turned down the opportunity to play in the CIT, or perhaps it was the CBI. The only P5 school we played smoked us by 25 at the Yum Center in Downtown Louisville. The MVC was a much weaker conference that particular year, and was dominated by The Shockers of WSU who finished 16-2, followed by Evansville at 12-6 and SIU at 11-7. If the MVC was so much stronger that year, why didn't multiple schools make the NCAA or NIT Tournaments? Some folks want to compare apples to oranges, which I love both so very much, but do some research if you please! LOL!
GO DAWGS!!!
I try to stay positive as there is enough negativity on thus site already the people who disagree probably think it is constructive criticism but always making suggestions on the moves during the game rubs me the wrong we aren't at practice or as close to the team as the coaches I believe they have a better pulse than us fans in the stands I appreciate the passion but I defer to the coaches@jabman62 I love your positive demeanor, and I absolutely agree with you! One full month of this season left! LOL!
For those folks comparing the 2015-16 22 win season by the former coaching regime in year four, to this years year 4 squad. Plain silly. Here is a fact from that season. Former coach scheduled an extremely weak non-conference season to get to 22 wins, which resulted in zero post season tournaments. In fact, the players turned down the opportunity to play in the CIT, or perhaps it was the CBI. The only P5 school we played smoked us by 25 at the Yum Center in Downtown Louisville. The MVC was a much weaker conference that particular year, and was dominated by The Shockers of WSU who finished 16-2, followed by Evansville at 12-6 and SIU at 11-7. If the MVC was so much stronger that year, why didn't multiple schools make the NCAA or NIT Tournaments? Some folks want to compare apples to oranges, which I love both so very much, but do some research if you please! LOL!
GO DAWGS!!!
The 2016 team played the 214th ranked schedule in the country on KenPom, the 2023 team is currently playing the 215th ranked schedule in the country.
The main difference is the Valley was much stronger in 2016, Wichita was the #13 team by KenPom, Northern Iowa was #67, Evansville was #72.
The 2016 team played a horrible non-conference schedule where they picked up most of their wins though.
@siudawgs I think part of this is that most of this board was wayyyy too optimistic about Foster this year. I tried adding my two cents that he wasn't likely to play much but a lot of people were projecting him to start and the hype train became too much. He's got talent but guys like him for other programs in the Valley didn't start taking off until their later years in the program.
I hope I’m wrong but from his demeanor on the bench I seriously doubt he is here next year.
@barkeep-1967 Hey barkeep, do you think the last four years would give Mullins a vertical opportunity or do you think he would leave for a horizontal? Loyola? I simply don't see a lot of bigger programs knocking on his door yet.
I personally would try to resign him. Still a very young man. This was his first HC gig. We are not where I had hoped to be after four years. However, I still see a potential large upside. At this point, he's as good as it gets being a good SIU/basketball program/community/family man ambassador. These qualities alone give him additional time in my book.
I'm not sayin' -- I'm just sayin'!
To be clear, I was talking about regular season wins. It would be extremely lucky (improbable) for them to accomplish that after these 2 losses. Here's hoping YOU are right.
5 and 2 finish will be 22 wins and 14 conference wis
Absolutely possible !!!!...........just not probable based on NET and recent trends.
Trend will be reversed on Sunday against MOST
I think it's quite possible we finish the season with just one more loss (at Drake) and tie for first in the MVC.
I'm not optimistic about winning the MVC tournament though. (unless we can somehow find our outside stroke)
We all make a living from one another’s ignorance.
The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty.
James Madison
This is where I am... I think Bryan Mullins potential is through the roof, if the program has any hope of resurrecting anything close to what it used to be, he is the one.@barkeep-1967 Hey barkeep, do you think the last four years would give Mullins a vertical opportunity or do you think he would leave for a horizontal? Loyola? I simply don't see a lot of bigger programs knocking on his door yet.
I personally would try to resign him. Still a very young man. This was his first HC gig. We are not where I had hoped to be after four years. However, I still see a potential large upside. At this point, he's as good as it gets being a good SIU/basketball program/community/family man ambassador. These qualities alone give him additional time in my book.
I think it's quite possible we finish the season with just one more loss (at Drake) and tie for first in the MVC.
I'm not optimistic about winning the MVC tournament though. (unless we can somehow find our outside stroke)
I think they have a shot at still winning the Valley and, depending on the draw, a shot at the tourney title. Their percentages from three have actually been pretty good the past 4 games outside of Bradley (38.5%, 38.5%, 40.7%, 29.4%). If they are able to hang around that 35%+ range I feel good about their offensive punch. I think the key to the winning streak was all about taking care of the basketball, solid defense, and rebounding.
