Depth is very good if we have good subs for our best players like Jones and Domask. Those guys have been playing too many 40 minute games--and sometimes 45. (Jones) I think it wears a player down by the end of the season and can lead to illness and injuries.
Men's Basketball Spring 2021 GPA = 3.603
Go Dawgs.
The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty.
James Madison
From Hefferman:
"Marcus has been working out with us. He'll be able to practice with us as long as there are no setbacks by June 7th," Mullins said. "J.D., he won't do contact practices right away with us in June, but he's able to do non-contact and individual workout."
While some teams in the Valley lost prominent players — Valparaiso lost Donovan Clay to Missouri State and Indiana State lost forwards Jake LaRavia (Wake Forest) and Tre Williams (Duquesne) — SIU hung onto all five starters from last season's 12-14 club. D'Avanzo came back for a sixth year, and the Salukis return their core from Mullins' first recruiting class, Domask and guards Lance Jones and Trent Brown, for a third year. Filewich and guards Ben Harvey and Steven Verplancken Jr. all started 16 of 26 games.
"It's a big challenge to them, as well, and now it's a time to kind of separate ourselves and continue to be uncomfortable these next four or five months, before the season starts, to see how much better we can get as a program," Mullins said. "I'm looking forward to it. I'm going to challenge the returning guys to kind of take ownership of the program moving forward, now that they've been in the program for more than a year, and some of these guys two years."
Mullins did not recruit Lance Jones, but does deserve credit for keeping him as he has turned out to be a major factor in the program's turnaround.
Unrelated to basketball but:
@salukiworld Sekou is a good dude.
The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty.
James Madison
If I am looking at this correctly, Sekou will have been at SIU for 4 years at the completion of the 21-22 season. I realize he has more student-athlete eligibility left but academically he should be close to completing his degree this year.
18-19 Redshirt
19-20 Redshirt Freshman - played 10 games season ending injury
20-21 Redshirt Sophomore
21-22 Redshirt Sophomore - Covid make up year
TGHT
The Game Honors Toughness!
Warning: The jersey numbers worn in this practice video are not the players roster number. 😉
https://twitter.com/SIU_Basketball/status/1407414356913053696
TGHT
The Game Honors Toughness!
Warning: The jersey numbers worn in this practice video are not the players roster number. 😉
https://twitter.com/SIU_Basketball/status/1407414356913053696
I saw Dembele in that video, so that should end any speculation he is quitting basketball. We have 14 scholarship players, so not sure why we were still reportedly making offers for 2021. Coupet Jr. took our last scholarship for 21-22. I like that we have crazy depth at the 5 for once.
TGHT
The Game Honors Toughness!
Warning: The jersey numbers worn in this practice video are not the players roster number. 😉
https://twitter.com/SIU_Basketball/status/1407414356913053696
I saw Dembele in that video, so that should end any speculation he is quitting basketball. We have 14 scholarship players, so not sure why we were still reportedly making offers for 2021. Coupet Jr. took our last scholarship for 21-22. I like that we have crazy depth at the 5 for once.
I'm guessing they didn't find a right fit. I wouldn't be shocked if this is Dembele's last year given the amount of recruiting they're doing for 2022, I'm sure he's due to graduate anyways this year since he's been there for so long. Maybe he'll stay on with the team in some capacity.
TGHT
The Game Honors Toughness!
Warning: The jersey numbers worn in this practice video are not the players roster number. 😉
https://twitter.com/SIU_Basketball/status/1407414356913053696
At roughly 0:46 you can see Ebube. Dang, we haven't seen a wide body like that since . . . umm?
(Inflammatory political snark)
TGHT
The Game Honors Toughness!
Warning: The jersey numbers worn in this practice video are not the players roster number. 😉
https://twitter.com/SIU_Basketball/status/1407414356913053696
At roughly 0:46 you can see Ebube. Dang, we haven't seen a wide body like that since . . . umm?
Nice spin move by Ebube on Verplancken starting at 0:30 also!! He will be a load for any opponent!
Sekou is a Sport Administration major so you make a good point. He might be a good Grad Assistant candidate next year.
https://siusalukis.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/sekou-dembele/4831