The conversation regarding recent recruits is very concerning to me. Someone from the class of fw, td, and se should be making contributions to this team. Are they ?? Not much.
Are we better off with our current coach than bh ? Absolutely, Yes. 100%
Is the program in a better place now than in year 4 or our previous coach ? Again, the answer is yes.
However, for whatever reason we are not getting the talent that one would think a young, "up and coming" coach with good "recruiting connections" would or should be able to attract.
Are these realistic expectations or is this as good as it gets ??
I'm fine with a Mullins extension but things need to keep improving. They've got to figure out how to get more offense out of this team without sacrificing the defense because the 238th ranked adjusted offensive efficiency isn't going to lead to any at-large chances in the future and a middle of the pack finish in the Valley if the league gets stronger.
Outside of Kennard Davis coming in who I think is going to be a great player at SIU, I'm not sure I'm very confident in the future once Domask/Jones are gone. If they can't sniff even an NIT bid with Domask/Jones, how can anyone have any confidence they can do it without them?
I don't know how many times it can be or needs to be said.. Valley teams are not going to perennial at large teams, it may happen from time to time but the game is heavily weighted to the big boys. You want to be competing at the top of the league every year and have a shot in STL every year. The occasional at large may come from time to time if that happens, but it can't be a measuring stick anymore.I'm fine with a Mullins extension but things need to keep improving. They've got to figure out how to get more offense out of this team without sacrificing the defense because the 238th ranked adjusted offensive efficiency isn't going to lead to any at-large chances in the future and a middle of the pack finish in the Valley if the league gets stronger.
Outside of Kennard Davis coming in who I think is going to be a great player at SIU, I'm not sure I'm very confident in the future once Domask/Jones are gone. If they can't sniff even an NIT bid with Domask/Jones, how can anyone have any confidence they can do it without them?
Not super worried about recruiting yet, I think the recruiting tends to point to Domask and Jones coming back.
I don't know how many times it can be or needs to be said.. Valley teams are not going to perennial at large teams, it may happen from time to time but the game is heavily weighted to the big boys. You want to be competing at the top of the league every year and have a shot in STL every year. The occasional at large may come from time to time if that happens, but it can't be a measuring stick anymore.I'm fine with a Mullins extension but things need to keep improving. They've got to figure out how to get more offense out of this team without sacrificing the defense because the 238th ranked adjusted offensive efficiency isn't going to lead to any at-large chances in the future and a middle of the pack finish in the Valley if the league gets stronger.
Outside of Kennard Davis coming in who I think is going to be a great player at SIU, I'm not sure I'm very confident in the future once Domask/Jones are gone. If they can't sniff even an NIT bid with Domask/Jones, how can anyone have any confidence they can do it without them?
The main problem with the Valley has been player retention. SIU has been great at player retention and is still a #122 KenPom team and a #110 NET team led by a bunch of Seniors. Even a slight improvement to the offense would help but they’re a bad offensive team right now and they’re wasting a good defense.
for those contemplating life after brian, keep in mind what our most recent "search committee" turned up for finalists to replace lowery.
hinson
giocoletti
mueller
I don't know how many times it can be or needs to be said.. Valley teams are not going to perennial at large teams, it may happen from time to time but the game is heavily weighted to the big boys. You want to be competing at the top of the league every year and have a shot in STL every year. The occasional at large may come from time to time if that happens, but it can't be a measuring stick anymore.I'm fine with a Mullins extension but things need to keep improving. They've got to figure out how to get more offense out of this team without sacrificing the defense because the 238th ranked adjusted offensive efficiency isn't going to lead to any at-large chances in the future and a middle of the pack finish in the Valley if the league gets stronger.
Outside of Kennard Davis coming in who I think is going to be a great player at SIU, I'm not sure I'm very confident in the future once Domask/Jones are gone. If they can't sniff even an NIT bid with Domask/Jones, how can anyone have any confidence they can do it without them?
The main problem with the Valley has been player retention. SIU has been great at player retention and is still a #122 KenPom team and a #110 NET team led by a bunch of Seniors. Even a slight improvement to the offense would help but they’re a bad offensive team right now and they’re wasting a good defense.
I know you were referencing a specific team, but if the Valley is not a 2 bid league more often than not, we messed up with expansion. The metrics to get in to the tournament, specifically the NET, are of course setup to favor the big boys but there are things the mid-majors can do to help their cause.
- They are never going to get Power 6 schools to schedule home and homes anymore. Every team needs to focus getting the 2 for 1's when they can, but even those are going to be hard to come by.
- The top mid-major conferences need to stop looking down on each other and find ways to work together to boost the top teams in their respective leagues. Top teams from those conferences need to schedule home and homes with others or get a similar challenge going like we had with the Mountain West and/or the Bracket Buster, preferably both! The opponents are determined by NET rankings at a certain point in season so the best from each conference play each other (A10, MVC, WCC, Conf USA, AAC after the departures, etc.).
- Everyone is going to have to schedule some buy games, but there needs to be a floor for overall strength of schedule set by the league.
- Start to win some freaking games in the MTEs when you get your shot (easier said than done of course)! This is directed at the MVC specifically haha.
for those contemplating life after brian, keep in mind what our most recent "search committee" turned up for finalists to replace lowery.
hinson
giocoletti
mueller
Holy 'list of losers' bobber, I think I got a nose bleed from reading these names.
I'm not sayin' -- I'm just sayin'!
for those contemplating life after brian, keep in mind what our most recent "search committee" turned up for finalists to replace lowery.
hinson
giocoletti
mueller
Holy 'list of losers' bobber, I think I got a nose bleed from reading these names.
Ugly list for sure. Of those three, sadly, Muller probably would have been the best choice. At least he could recruit decently before his program got stale/exposed at ISU.
I think they should extend probably at the end of this season. While I have complained about the bigs not playing enough, I have faith in what he is doing and am glad he is our coach.
There is always the transfer portal to help fill in the holes and I am afraid it is here to stay and whoever does it best will be able to win the conferenceI'm fine with a Mullins extension but things need to keep improving. They've got to figure out how to get more offense out of this team without sacrificing the defense because the 238th ranked adjusted offensive efficiency isn't going to lead to any at-large chances in the future and a middle of the pack finish in the Valley if the league gets stronger.
Outside of Kennard Davis coming in who I think is going to be a great player at SIU, I'm not sure I'm very confident in the future once Domask/Jones are gone. If they can't sniff even an NIT bid with Domask/Jones, how can anyone have any confidence they can do it without them?
for those contemplating life after brian, keep in mind what our most recent "search committee" turned up for finalists to replace lowery.
hinson
giocoletti
mueller
Holy 'list of losers' bobber, I think I got a nose bleed from reading these names.
Ugly list for sure. Of those three, sadly, Muller probably would have been the best choice. At least he could recruit decently before his program got stale/exposed at ISU.
I think Torrey Ward was the one pulling the strings in recruiting for Mueller. After his tragic death, they just haven't been the same program or at least once his recruiting classes graduated.
In terms of Mullins, he's probably earned an extension. Attendance at the Banterra Center is as consistently good as I've seen it since the end of the Lowery era and the student engagement has been great. And while there hasn't been the postseason appearances we should all expect yet, Mullins is bringing in good character guys that are good in the classroom and they've been able to retain their talent thus far.
We've got to start expecting postseason basketball in the 2nd contract though whether it's the low-bar of the NIT or returning to the NCAA's.
- I think a 2 year extension would be reasonable. Would really like to see at least a NIT postseason. I thought siu would have been better in his 4 years so far, but I think he has done enough to get a small extension
For those who say "Valley teams" will never consistently make the tournament, I offer Gonzaga, Saint Mary's, BYU, etc. as just some examples. I also, more importantly, offer Iona. They were a school most people outside their conference hve never heard of...they hire a PROVEN coach (regardless of what his character is) and have made either the NCAA or NIT both years since he took over and are well on their way to making it a 3rd straight this year.
It is ABSOLUTELY difficult, yes, but certainly not impossible. Had Bruce Webber or Matt Painter stayed at SIU long term, knowing that it was never going to happen, imagine the string of success this team might have had.
I believe Mullins does have that same potential. If Mullins stays long term and can IMPROVE his recruiting (bolster the coaching staff, and to a lesser extent other areas, than this team can consistently be fighting for an NIT and/or NCAA bid annually. I also would be willing to bet that within 2 years, very possibly next year, the MVC will start mixing in multiple bid years. I think Belmont is going to be really good going forward and I think that SIU, as long as they can RECRUIT for the post Domask and Jones era, can be the same. I try very hard not to get too excited about a particular recruit, but Davis has all the makings of the next Saluki fan favorite. And I completely understand SalukiWorlds concern of what this team looks like post D & J, but if SIU can continue to WIN the next 2 seasons, he can get the right players, especially in this transfer portal world we currently live in.
I'm hoping this team still has a ton left to celebrate this season, but I am brimming with confidence on what this team will do next season and beyond, if they can recruit the right players.
For those who say "Valley teams" will never consistently make the tournament, I offer Gonzaga, Saint Mary's, BYU, etc. as just some examples. I also, more importantly, offer Iona. They were a school most people outside their conference hve never heard of...they hire a PROVEN coach (regardless of what his character is) and have made either the NCAA or NIT both years since he took over and are well on their way to making it a 3rd straight this year.
It is ABSOLUTELY difficult, yes, but certainly not impossible. Had Bruce Webber or Matt Painter stayed at SIU long term, knowing that it was never going to happen, imagine the string of success this team might have had.
I believe Mullins does have that same potential. If Mullins stays long term and can IMPROVE his recruiting (bolster the coaching staff, and to a lesser extent other areas, than this team can consistently be fighting for an NIT and/or NCAA bid annually. I also would be willing to bet that within 2 years, very possibly next year, the MVC will start mixing in multiple bid years. I think Belmont is going to be really good going forward and I think that SIU, as long as they can RECRUIT for the post Domask and Jones era, can be the same. I try very hard not to get too excited about a particular recruit, but Davis has all the makings of the next Saluki fan favorite. And I completely understand SalukiWorlds concern of what this team looks like post D & J, but if SIU can continue to WIN the next 2 seasons, he can get the right players, especially in this transfer portal world we currently live in.
I'm hoping this team still has a ton left to celebrate this season, but I am brimming with confidence on what this team will do next season and beyond, if they can recruit the right players.
This echoes a lot of my thoughts as well. Bryan Mullins is the right guy to lead SIU basketball. His biggest flaws are that he's still young and green. That can certainly be overcome.
The fact that he's an alum and is so passionate/loves the university, the area, and the basketball program is an immeasurably valuable intangible.
I'm also thrilled that he never sells short his expectations for excellence. Its contagious. From time to time, his players even hint at the ultimate goal being a national championship. He's the antithesis of the previous coach.
--Insert something witty here--
