Welp, here are our scholarship players:
Elijah Elliott 6'1" Sr. G
Sheridan Sharp 6'3" So. G
Damien Mayo 6'3" Jr. G
Ali Dibba 6'4" Sr. G
Drew Steffe 6'5" Fr. G
Kennard Davis 6'6" So. G
Davion Sykes 6'6" Jr. F
Jarrett Hensley 6'8" Gr. F
Antwaun Massey 6'8" Jr. F
Tyler Bey 6'9" So. F
Rolyns Aligbe 6'9" Fr. F
Jaheem Webber 6'10" Fr. C
Jorge Moreno 6'10" Jr. C
Some sites list Mayo and Steffe as point guards, but that doesn't seem likely. Though, I guess in a pinch ya gotta do what ya gotta do.
Excellent class balance, but that hardly matters in today's landscape. Though, it's good to have some veteran guys and a couple of the underclassmen might stay three or four years.
Nice size and athleticism, and great depth. Apart from Steffe, may not be enough long range bombers. I haven't checked all the free throw percentages.
Now, who starts? Elliott and Dibba are locks, I would guess. Seems like Steffe's shooting has to be in starting line-up. And Moreno would be the most experienced post player. Do you go with bulk, length, or the best five players?
Thanks for this. Webber and Aligbe’s first names and Sharp’s last name are misspelled if you want to fix.
My early vote for a starting 5 would be Elliott, Dibba, Davis, Sykes, Hensley. But all in all, the most athletic group Southern has had in some time. And Steffe’s shooting will be needed, whether in the starting 5 or off the bench.
We definitely have an all airport team! I seriously doubt we have ever had 6 players 6'8" and taller. We are long and athletic. Let's hope some more shooters emerge besides Steffe. I am very excited about our athleticism. Can't wait to see the running Salukis hit the floor!Welp, here are our scholarship players:
Elijah Elliott 6'1" Sr. G
Sheridan Sharp 6'3" So. G
Damien Mayo 6'3" Jr. G
Ali Dibba 6'4" Sr. G
Drew Steffe 6'5" Fr. G
Kennard Davis 6'6" So. G
Davion Sykes 6'6" Jr. F
Jarrett Hensley 6'8" Gr. F
Antwaun Massey 6'8" Jr. F
Tyler Bey 6'9" So. F
Rolyns Aligbe 6'9" Fr. F
Jaheem Webber 6'10" Fr. C
Jorge Moreno 6'10" Jr. CSome sites list Mayo and Steffe as point guards, but that doesn't seem likely. Though, I guess in a pinch ya gotta do what ya gotta do.
Excellent class balance, but that hardly matters in today's landscape. Though, it's good to have some veteran guys and a couple of the underclassmen might stay three or four years.
Nice size and athleticism, and great depth. Apart from Steffe, may not be enough long range bombers. I haven't checked all the free throw percentages.
Now, who starts? Elliott and Dibba are locks, I would guess. Seems like Steffe's shooting has to be in starting line-up. And Moreno would be the experienced post player. Do you go with bulk, length, or the best five players?
Fixed! Thanks!Thanks for this. Webber and Aligbe’s first names and Sharp’s last name are misspelled if you want to fix.
My early vote for a starting 5 would be Elliott, Dibba, Davis, Sykes, Hensley. But all in all, the most athletic group Southern has had in some time. And Steffe’s shooting will be needed, whether in the starting 5 or off the bench.
I think Steffe's 4 star rating out of high school is influencing my opinion of him. Looks like you're going with the best five. People will accuse you of wanting a Mullinsesque midget line-up.
That starting lineup is athletic and long. It may appear shorter on paper, but all 5 are very athletic. Dibba and Sykes are long and play bigger than their 6'4" and 6'6" height.Fixed! Thanks!Thanks for this. Webber and Aligbe’s first names and Sharp’s last name are misspelled if you want to fix.
My early vote for a starting 5 would be Elliott, Dibba, Davis, Sykes, Hensley. But all in all, the most athletic group Southern has had in some time. And Steffe’s shooting will be needed, whether in the starting 5 or off the bench.
I think Steffe's 4 star rating out of high school is influencing my opinion of him. Looks like you're going with the best five. People will accuse you of wanting a Mullinsesque midget line-up.
Fixed! Thanks!Thanks for this. Webber and Aligbe’s first names and Sharp’s last name are misspelled if you want to fix.
My early vote for a starting 5 would be Elliott, Dibba, Davis, Sykes, Hensley. But all in all, the most athletic group Southern has had in some time. And Steffe’s shooting will be needed, whether in the starting 5 or off the bench.
I think Steffe's 4 star rating out of high school is influencing my opinion of him. Looks like you're going with the best five. People will accuse you of wanting a Mullinsesque midget line-up.
I really like that group’s athleticism and rebounding ability (Sykes is a good rebounder), even without a ton of height. Not sold on Hensley as a starting 5 against stronger posts, as he was bullied at times last year, but I think we’ll just have to wait and see at that position depending on how Moreno and Webber hold up against D1 competition.
Yes, but Nagy will probably play matchups sometimes. If we are up against a big back to the basket post I can see Moreno and Webber at the 5. Nagy likes to run so if Hensley or even possibly Massey at times aren't too overmatched by the opposing 5 in the half court I can see those guys playing in that scenario as they both have handles, can run the floor and play above the rim.Fixed! Thanks!Thanks for this. Webber and Aligbe’s first names and Sharp’s last name are misspelled if you want to fix.
My early vote for a starting 5 would be Elliott, Dibba, Davis, Sykes, Hensley. But all in all, the most athletic group Southern has had in some time. And Steffe’s shooting will be needed, whether in the starting 5 or off the bench.
I think Steffe's 4 star rating out of high school is influencing my opinion of him. Looks like you're going with the best five. People will accuse you of wanting a Mullinsesque midget line-up.
I really like that group’s athleticism and rebounding ability (Sykes is a good rebounder), even without a ton of height. Not sold on Hensley as a starting 5 against stronger posts, as he was bullied at times last year, but I think we’ll just have to wait and see at that position depending on how Moreno and Webber hold up against D1 competition.
Thanks for this. Webber and Aligbe’s first names and Sharp’s last name are misspelled if you want to fix.
My early vote for a starting 5 would be Elliott, Dibba, Davis, Sykes, Hensley. But all in all, the most athletic group Southern has had in some time. And Steffe’s shooting will be needed, whether in the starting 5 or off the bench.
I think those five are likely, at least at first.
A couple things -- one big difference between this years roster versus last is the length, quickness, athleticism and depth at the 1-4 positions. I'm more confident in this groups ability to gang rebound, which I believe you've also mentioned. Also, our pace offensively combinded with Hensley's ability to knock down 3's and put the ball on the deck will force the opposition to make tough personnel decisions. I'm betting coach Nagy will aim to spread teams out and wear them down defensively and in transition.
I think people also forget our last highly successful team was also extremely short. I know Falker, Shaw and Boyle were oxes, but it was strength, quickness, toughness at all 5 spots that negated any length advantages other teams might've had. A hulking 6'10"+ body at the 5 isn't needed to be successful, especially in this era.
Definitely excited for this group.
--Insert something witty here--
Like most posters, I'm very happy with the way spring recruiting has played out under less-than-ideal circumstances. We went from fears of not having enough players to fill out a roster to a situation in which one of the biggest issues might be finding enough playing time for everyone. But I'd say one of our biggest "additions" was one we expected to be a "subtraction," and that is Kennard Davis' decision to return after many weeks in the portal. I believe he will make a giant leap in '24-25 and become a superior all-around player, as well as a strong team leader, and is my pick for team MVP this season. In any case, I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do after a year of experience and how much progress he makes with a new staff.
I also believe that Nagy will at least hold his own in coaching matchups against Wardle, Jacobsen and McCollum and will match up favorably against guys like Martin, Prohm and Alexander. Two coaching situations that intrigue me are Valpo (I like Powell a lot) and UIC. I wasn't bullish on the UIC hire at first, but Ehsan did well in the portal and has admitted to learning a lot from his less-than-stellar coaching stint at UAB.
With all the newcomers to the roster and turnover within the MVC, it's still hard to predict a win total for this team or where it will finish in the conference. But I do believe it won't be anywhere near 8-24 territory.
I don't think we signed 3 monstrous Centers to sit the bench behind skinny 6'8" Jarrett Hensley. If he starts, it will be at the 4, not the 5.
I don't think we signed 3 monstrous Centers to sit the bench behind skinny 6'8" Jarrett Hensley. If he starts, it will be at the 4, not the 5.
I like Webber a lot. I believe he'll be a significant contributor, so I wouldn't be surprised at all if he ends up starting at center. There's no doubt Nagy likes his bigs as well.
What makes it curious for me is the potential to play a very fast paced 5-out fast breaking offense with no true 5 on the floor. The roster configuration certainly supports it and I think Hensley is a better player, particularly offensively, than he showed last year.
The wildcard for me is Moreno. How he will factor into all this will be interesting to see.
--Insert something witty here--
https://x.com/_LukePMartin/status/1800185705244790951?t=Z0RiE-offT6drIdkVulsHg&s=19
Luke is doing an interview with coach later today!
I think Hensley is a better player, particularly offensively, than he showed last year.
why? Last year was his 4th year in college basketball with his 3rd team and he has never been good at any point, for any of them.
I think Hensley is a better player, particularly offensively, than he showed last year.
why? Last year was his 4th year in college basketball with his 3rd team and he has never been good at any point, for any of them.
Yeah we get it dude. You can give it up already lol people would've said the same thing about XJ last year too. Oh wait, you were one of them
