Don’t get why you keep saying Muila isn’t good when SIU was constantly better when he was on the court. The main problem is he’s not great on offense and there wasn’t enough offense around him
Not great=BAD. Couldn't play in last 5 minutes of a half, because if the opponent wants the ball, just foul J.D. His major strength was attacking the basket for rebounds, but since he was the only Saluki doing it, he was easy to block out.
“The best thing about freshmen is that they become sophomores.”
-- Al McGuire
I dont hate Muila. But he is a guy who should be a 5 minute a game spell player. 10 at most. Which teams need. But he shouldn't be starting for you(nor should he even be the first frontcourt player off the bench).
Over at EvanMiya.com, Filewich is ranked as a 3 star transfer. 19th ranked in the Valley below Jawaun Newton from Evansville. 510th in Division 1 right now out of the 1000+ players in the portal.
@salukiworld SIU just reached out.
I am not up to speed in portal terms, what does that mean?
The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty.
James Madison
This post is intended for those who argue that we were/are better with Filewich on the court. You aren't arguing against anyone on this board. You are arguing against the coaching staff.
The coaching staff said, in so many words, that this kid's contribution DID NOT MAKE THE PLAYERS AROUND HIM, OR THE TEAM, BETTER. How did they say it? Playing time.
Look at the stat sheet game by game. He played the most minutes against the teams below us in the final conference standings and played virtually none against the teams above us. The teams above us had better/good players at the 5 position. The teams below us had worse/bad players at same. Why were his minutes allotted in this manner? He simply can't/couldn't compete, and be successful, at this level against good players. Physically he has a ridiculous low vertical, short arms, slow feet and seemingly minimal basketball instincts. As for scoring. Only against the bad players and simply ineffective against the better. Passing. When looking at a player and evaluating his passing, don't look at the passes he makes. Look at the passing opportunities he misses. Clearly a below average passer.
Should Filewich be shot, hung, and then thrown off a bridge? No! But at least he should be told where he stood with the program. He was. And he is leaving. And I don't think the coaching staff hosed him. The coaching staff did make a mistake when they recruited him. Now they are trying to get him into a situation where he will actually play.
We should thank Filewich for his contributions and wish him well. We all do.
And to Muila. He has much better physical attributes. The physical advantages are the only reasons he started over Filewich. I too hope Muila is no higher than second, or even in the third rotation at the 5. If so, then we will be a better team. I wouldn't mind seeing him in the third rotation at the 4 in certain situations. Mostly to use his fouls. Very little scoring and not being available at the end of half and game, due to his lack of foul shooting, should keep his minutes minimal. His main value will be in practice.
I was told by someone at the university a couple of weeks ago, that Filewich was not going to be offered a scholarship for next year. This person is not in the athletic department. At the time, didn't know if it was simply a rumor. But he is leaving. Obviously due to what he was told at a year end review. One simply cannot argue that he wasn't recruited over.
Thanks and good luck.
I'm not sayin' -- I'm just sayin'!
Not current players but former Salukis Tyler Smithpeters and Dawson Verhines are coaching. Smithpeters is an assistant at John A. Logan and Verhines is the head coach at Woodlawn High School.
Wow what a post .🤐 Can’t wait to see what barkeep 🤔
I don’t like it but I also can’t argue it. I’m sorry it did not work out. I really liked the kid and his mother on Twitter seems very bright. I wish him nothing but the best in his future and thank him for being a saluki
PS: there is zero chance they pulled his scholarship. That is just silly to think.
Honestly, recruiting has to be better. The first class was great with Jones and Domask but Jones was held over from the previous staff (granted they get credit for developing him). And they get credit for Barret Benson, who was a huge reason that first season went as well as it did.
If Banks leaves, your entire 2nd class (and it was a big one) except Verplancken and Muila will be gone within 2 years. Eric Butler was an early commit with Banks and couldn't even get on the floor in garbage time.
It feels like SIU could have had a bit more success the last 2 years if scholarships were being used better. Jakolby Long? He was hurt last year but ended up averaging 4 points per game this year at Bethune Cookman as a 6th year Senior.
While I agree recruiting has to be better but the staff won some recruiting battles for these kids it is not like we were the only ones who wanted them and everyone was excited when you recruit kids and hope they develop these things happen hopefully some of the recruiting of people continues to be on the upswing and you find a sleeper who develops for your system
Filewich played hard when he was on the floor. He just didn't have the athleticism to compete against better post players. That being said, it seems like he was a great teammate. I wish him nothing but the best.
Wondering where our points will come from in the low post next season. Mulia is not a scorer. Hornecker is likely going to be a project, which leaves Ebube. Hopefully after the redshirt, he's ready to step in and provide some scoring and rebounding.
I also agree with many that the recruiting has to improve if this program is going to compete for an MVC championship. The coaching staff is going to have to win some serious recruiting battles and as some have said, probably get lucky and find those diamonds in the rough.
@jabman62 not sure we can take the time to develop players going into Mullins’s 4th year. Really don’t care who we beat out for recruits either we are doing a poor job of evaluating talent or have not had enough wins on the recruiting front. The FACT is Mullins needs a few wins in the transfer portal and I am sure Mullins knows that. Still think he can win here but next year is critical and I am sure he knows that too.
Filewich played hard when he was on the floor. He just didn't have the athleticism to compete against better post players. That being said, it seems like he was a great teammate. I wish him nothing but the best.
Wondering where our points will come from in the low post next season. Mulia is not a scorer. Hornecker is likely going to be a project, which leaves Ebube. Hopefully after the redshirt, he's ready to step in and provide some scoring and rebounding.
I also agree with many that the recruiting has to improve if this program is going to compete for an MVC championship. The coaching staff is going to have to win some serious recruiting battles and as some have said, probably get lucky and find those diamonds in the rough.
For those hoping that Ebube helps this team offensively, I ask you to be cautious with your optimism. I watched nearly every game of his senior season and while a very intimidating physical presence he was (in high school) and did get his points, I would not consider him to be a scoring center. A majority of his points come on layups, dunks, etc. I would say that he has more potential to become a scorer than say Muila, but during his first year, I don't see him being a focal point like Filewich was when he did get on the floor.
@jabman62 not sure we can take the time to develop players going into Mullins’s 4th year. Really don’t care who we beat out for recruits either we are doing a poor job of evaluating talent or have not had enough wins on the recruiting front. The FACT is Mullins needs a few wins in the transfer portal and I am sure Mullins knows that. Still think he can win here but next year is critical and I am sure he knows that too.
+ 100
