Couldn't really expect a win here, SLU is a good team on their home floor, I expected siu to play better. I know it would have been a bold move but would have liked to see cade start this game, He should have played more this season before this game, sure he will make mistakes but SLU got 4 baskets off offensive rebounds in the 1st6-7 minutes of game, and a bunch of turnovers early from senior gaurds. I expect they will play well against ISU, it's all about winning mvc conference/ mvc tournament, and it always was. An at -large would have been tough, probably needed ok state, UNLV, and a win against SLU, and not lose to s Indiana(not a good team btw). I'm excited for conference play, I think they can contend for the title
When some of these recruits are in the system longer, things will change positively. Read my response to Dools. Also realize this was always 5-6 year rebuild. You’re starting to sound like a UT fan TBH.
In the age of the transfer portal, rebuilds should happen much faster (look at Indiana State). I'm not a Barry Hinson fan and he needed to go but he didn't have SIU in an awful spot, he just couldn't put SIU over the top.
I'm fine with giving Mullins 4 years to build his program but the time to win is now. This is a good roster led by a bunch of Seniors. SIU is the 19th most experienced team in all of college basketball. Last year we complained that the COVID Seniors were the reason why SIU wasn't winning. Now SIU is that team with a bunch of old players. The time to win is now and right now I think they're the 4th best team in the Missouri Valley, which is having a down year. There are a lot of teams out there like Murray State, Illinois State, Belmont and Northern Iowa that are reloading right now that can easily blow by you in the next 2 years.
Look at Indiana State? They have a nice win at home against Drake in which they probably caught the perfect storm, and have 7 other wins built off cupcakes - their KenPom reflects that. Drake is probably better but that's it, IMO.
Our schedule was likely never setup to be an at-large possible season, as others have already pointed out, but I do agree with SalukiWorld (and others) that this year really is the time to win - it's just going to have to come in the form of a regular season championship and another at Arch Madness. The key is Arch Madness - win that, especially during a down year, and you can unlock greater recruiting potential.
Couldn't really expect a win here, SLU is a good team on their home floor, I expected siu to play better. I know it would have been a bold move but would have liked to see cade start this game, He should have played more this season before this game, sure he will make mistakes but SLU got 4 baskets off offensive rebounds in the 1st6-7 minutes of game, and a bunch of turnovers early from senior gaurds. I expect they will play well against ISU, it's all about winning mvc conference/ mvc tournament, and it always was. An at -large would have been tough, probably needed ok state, UNLV, and a win against SLU, and not lose to s Indiana(not a good team btw). I'm excited for conference play, I think they can contend for the title
Call me crazy, but beat just 2 of those 3, don't lose to USI by double-digits, take care of business the rest of the way in non-con and be in contention for the MVC title (no lower than second place finish with a good record) and SIU could've been in the NCAA bubble conversation, IMO.
I think our OOC schedule to this point has been pretty stiff ... tougher than I'd initially thought it would be. Unfortunately, SIU hasn't done enough with it for any at-large consideration, so all NCAA hopes go through STL. Fortunately, I think the level of competition so far should have these guys prepared for MVC play with a chance to compete for a title.
--Insert something witty here--
definitely would be a bubble team, and a lock for NIT, I think they can still make NIT tournament.Couldn't really expect a win here, SLU is a good team on their home floor, I expected siu to play better. I know it would have been a bold move but would have liked to see cade start this game, He should have played more this season before this game, sure he will make mistakes but SLU got 4 baskets off offensive rebounds in the 1st6-7 minutes of game, and a bunch of turnovers early from senior gaurds. I expect they will play well against ISU, it's all about winning mvc conference/ mvc tournament, and it always was. An at -large would have been tough, probably needed ok state, UNLV, and a win against SLU, and not lose to s Indiana(not a good team btw). I'm excited for conference play, I think they can contend for the title
Call me crazy, but beat just 2 of those 3, don't lose to USI by double-digits, take care of business the rest of the way in non-con and be in contention for the MVC title (no lower than second place finish with a good record) and SIU could've been in the NCAA bubble conversation, IMO.
I think our OOC schedule to this point has been pretty stiff ... tougher than I'd initially thought it would be. Unfortunately, SIU hasn't done enough with it for any at-large consideration, so all NCAA hopes go through STL. Fortunately, I think the level of competition so far should have these guys prepared for MVC play with a chance to compete for a title.
The goal right now should be to win the conference regular season which holds an automatic berth to the NIT. The goal following that would be to win arch madness and go to the ncaa tourney. Both are very possible. Drake is the clear favorite and I do not see much of a talent gap between us and Drake. In fact, I think we are a deeper team than Drake, especially when Ebube gets back.definitely would be a bubble team, and a lock for NIT, I think they can still make NIT tournament.Couldn't really expect a win here, SLU is a good team on their home floor, I expected siu to play better. I know it would have been a bold move but would have liked to see cade start this game, He should have played more this season before this game, sure he will make mistakes but SLU got 4 baskets off offensive rebounds in the 1st6-7 minutes of game, and a bunch of turnovers early from senior gaurds. I expect they will play well against ISU, it's all about winning mvc conference/ mvc tournament, and it always was. An at -large would have been tough, probably needed ok state, UNLV, and a win against SLU, and not lose to s Indiana(not a good team btw). I'm excited for conference play, I think they can contend for the title
Call me crazy, but beat just 2 of those 3, don't lose to USI by double-digits, take care of business the rest of the way in non-con and be in contention for the MVC title (no lower than second place finish with a good record) and SIU could've been in the NCAA bubble conversation, IMO.
I think our OOC schedule to this point has been pretty stiff ... tougher than I'd initially thought it would be. Unfortunately, SIU hasn't done enough with it for any at-large consideration, so all NCAA hopes go through STL. Fortunately, I think the level of competition so far should have these guys prepared for MVC play with a chance to compete for a title.
I was at last night’s game. Pretty disappointed with the result.
Negatives:
- Rebounding…the biggest reason we lost this game. They got 10 offensive rebounds and the majority of those resulted in scores. We just don’t have the bodies or won’t play the kids with the bodies (Hornecker) to keep our opponents off the offensive glass. Refs also didn’t want to blow the whistle on any over the backs. Saw a lot of Jones trying to block out Okoro…not good. Also saw a lot of players on SLU without a body on them. If you are going to play undersized, then you better sure as hell block out.
- Turnovers. We consistently turn the ball over 15ish times per game. We don’t run and gun much and we sure don’t get any offensive rebounds, so those turnovers get magnified quite a bit with this team. SLU shot the ball 11 more times than us. It’s hard to make up that difference and our defense certainly wasn’t up to the task. Some of those turnovers…my goodness. First few minutes were tough to watch.
- Coaching. Feels like Mullins is a bit stubborn with his rotations. He likes to say he wants the opponent to adjust to his lineup not the other way around. When they don’t and continue to dominate you in the paint and on the glass it’s time for you to adjust to them. Hornecker held his own for the 5 or so minutes he was in and would have been super helpful on the glass and making Collins job a bit harder in the paint. I’m not saying play him 25-30 minutes a game, but 15 certainly makes sense given your injuries at the 5. I feel bad for D’Amico because he’s obviously being played out of position. They need to figure something out with these teams that have 6’9”-7’0” 230+, because D’Amico can’t guard them and he shouldn’t have to do it.
Positives:
- XJ seems to have found his stroke. Hopefully he can maintain it and becomes a third solid scorer. TB looks to have his going too, all three of his shots looked like they we’re going down (one was 3/4 down before it spun out). If we can get some consistency from folks other than Domask and Jones, that will go a long way. I should have mentioned Rupert as well, but he missed two WIDE open bunnies yesterday that really hurt. He’s been pretty good the last couple games. His footwork is atrocious sometimes…look’s off balance when he’s backing his man down. He’s still young though and that should improve.
- The traveling Dawg Pound was louder than their student section and may have been comparable in terms of numbers. Our crowd was pretty loud too, especially when we cut it to 2 in the second half. Saw Faulker in attendance too, sure could have used him in the post yesterday.
Still a lot of season left and a lot of time to grow, but really wanted to get this game. Any hope of an at large that remained (and it was small) is gone now so focus should be on winning the MVC title and tournament. Wednesday is a big game and could go a long way towards achieving those goals.
Excellent synopsis.
For a team that used to be called Floor Burn U, we sure didn't play any defense last night.
Beating a dead horse here, but we all know why SIU can't rebound or guard the paint. Starting a 6'7" Small Forward at C makes no sense. Hornecker has played great every time he's been used. As someone mentioned he's 7'0". 😉 And of course there's Rupert, who's also an upgrade over D'Amico.
Way too many turnovers for an experienced team. Even Domask made some horrible passes last night.
Positives were Xavier Johnson and our fans.
I know SLU is good, but if I'm supposed to be happy about a 13 point loss that never really was all that competitive, count me out.
Finally, I bleed Saluki Maroon and I love the Mullins brothers both as people and coaches. But if Bryan continues to start a line-up that includes D'Amico and Brown, I'm going to lose interest really fast.
I don't get how some on here are so upset after this loss, including some that assumed they would lose prior to the game. "We" knew we had to play at our best to beat a St Louis team that will almost assuredly make the NCAA or NIT tournament. And we didn't do that. Domask had 4 TO's. Jones shot 3-11 (1-4 from 3pt) and had 3 TO's. This was a true road game where this team has historically not done well, including when we were considered a very good team.
Did I want to win this game? Of course, but I figured it would be an "L". To me, the biggest game of the year is coming up Wednesday. Indiana St hasn't just been winning, IF YOU WATCHED their games you would see they are for real. If SIU wins that game (and I don't care if it's close, in 4 OT's or whatever), they will likely win the next 4 after that and go into the meat of the conference schedule on a nice run. AND.......... I think this team can/should be Murray and Belmont, setting up a huge matchup against Drake (at home mind you).
I hate to put too much pressure on one game bc anything can happen in sports, but if SIU wins Wednesday, I think we see this team put together a VERY good stretch of basketball and we can remain in the hunt for the conference championship.
I agree about Hornecker. If we have already burnt his possible red-shirt then he needs more minutes.
In defense of BM, when Ebube returns I'm hoping there is a trickle down effect... TD gets more minutes as a 4 and MD spends most of his 39.5 min per game as a 3, which will allow LJ and XJ as the 2 and 1 respectively. Hopefully limiting Brown and Banks minutes to giving breathers to the starters. I still believe Brown and Banks can contribute when needed, just not as 25-30 min guys.
Foster Wonders had a +1 in a game where you gave up 85 points. Can't tell me him playing more than 10 minutes would have hurt SIU more there.
Thought Domask had maybe his most noticeable bad defensive game as a Saluki. Billikens were just attacking him all game.
Where and when is JD Muila ??
Where and when is JD Muila ??
Mullins has said he's week to week. Seems to be a similar situation to Trent Brown last year. I wouldn't be shocked if they're targeting the stretch where they play Alcorn State, a D2 team, Chicago State, and SEMO as a soft landing for a return.
Also, as a previous poster stated, we got hammered on the inside again. That is why we lost. Our guard play has improved somewhat. However, we will never be where we want to be without a better inside presence, plain and simple.
Also attended this one. Agree with quite a bit of what has already been posted.
Collins on SLU is a classic example of someone who makes the guys around him so much better. Hard to deal with a team getting NBA-caliber point guard play on their home floor, but it’s a bit demoralizing to lose by double figures when you get a bonus outburst from Xavier Johnson.
The team as things currently stand is not good enough to reach preseason goals or make postseason play. So, whether that’s shaking up the lineup and rotation, accelerating the development of the young guys, getting healthier, or some combination, hopefully the coaches have a vision for getting this team to another level in the next 2-3 months, or it’s going to be another lackluster season … this time with a senior-led team.
The team as things currently stand is not good enough to reach preseason goals or make postseason play. So, whether that’s shaking up the lineup and rotation, accelerating the development of the young guys, getting healthier, or some combination, hopefully the coaches have a vision for getting this team to another level in the next 2-3 months, or it’s going to be another lackluster season … this time with a senior-led team.
I think this is the frustration with others and I. Yeah, SIU has a great win against Oklahoma State and a bad loss to USI and the rest has gone as expected but they just don’t look like a team that’s about to go on a run in Valley play right now. Maybe getting Ebube and Muila back helps and players develop but this team has so many guys that only contribute on one end of the floor that get major minutes. I just don’t see this team winning consistently like that.
