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.
I think much of the fan base has been conditioned to accept veteran guys playing decent to major minutes and scoring very little, under the defense-first program philosophy. Brown, Banks, D’Amico, etc.
The limits of that approach are evident in the results. And this is generally a good but not elite defensive team.
After the Indiana State game the schedule softens and some of those young guys will likely get more opportunity to show what they can do. Here’s hoping they show enough to change a status quo that hasn’t been good enough to get where we all want to go.
Maybe some of the players are better defensively than some of the ones not playing. But, none of them are Faulker, Shaw, Tatum, Young and Mullins. I don't see the defense of some of them being good enough to make up for their lack of offense and size limitations.
I just watched the game again and while JD has obvious limitations and Ebube has played in only one game, I believe these 2 would have made a difference specifically in this one.
To date, only one major blemish on the record, against USI. This weeks' game against Indiana State is going to be a HUGE one.
Did people ever actually watch Muila last year? He was routinely the worst player on the court at both ends. It was embarrassing how overmatched he was.
I love Mullins but he is being stubborn not playing CH more in these games where we are getting hammered inside.
we are 111 in sagarin. a win vs SLU would have been nice, but would not have moved us up that much. mid majors not in the top 50 are not getting past the committee. don't think there is any scenario where we get into the top 50, even with a win yesterday and going undefeated in the league. the only path to the tourney is arch madness. been that way for awhile now for this league.
we are 111 in sagarin. a win vs SLU would have been nice, but would not have moved us up that much. mid majors not in the top 50 are not getting past the committee. don't think there is any scenario where we get into the top 50, even with a win yesterday and going undefeated in the league. the only path to the tourney is arch madness. been that way for awhile now for this league.
I didn't ever think SIU had a shot at an at-large unless they went full Drake from 2020 where they just blew everyone out and dominated in the Valley. The problem is, I don't see a path for the Salukis to get an NIT bid either without winning the Valley. It's been 14 years since a postseason tournament (including the NIT), that's unacceptable.
we are 111 in sagarin. a win vs SLU would have been nice, but would not have moved us up that much. mid majors not in the top 50 are not getting past the committee. don't think there is any scenario where we get into the top 50, even with a win yesterday and going undefeated in the league. the only path to the tourney is arch madness. been that way for awhile now for this league.
Drake will test your premise there if they can finish their noncon strong (still have SLU, Richmond, Mississippi State) and win the regular season but not Arch Madness. It’s hard but not impossible to get an at-large in the current landscape. Drake actually got an at-large a couple years ago.
I know people are down on D'Amico right now, but until he can play his natural position I think it's hard to pass judgement. He's doing his best to play a position he's not physically equipped to play.
One of the areas I was hoping he would exploit while playing the 5 was knocking down outside shots to force the opponents 5 to guard him at the 3 point line. This would open up driving lanes for our guards and Domask when he goes to post up his guy. He's yet to do this consistently so the opponents 5 man just sags off and is still able to clog the lane. You lose all the benefit on offense of having a "stretch 5" and are vulnerable on defense as a result. I think this is what Mullins was looking for too, running that 5 out style of offense and likely what he means when he says he wants the other team to adjust to him...forcing them to play a smaller quicker guy at the 5 to match up with D'Amico or getting beat from outside consistently. But again, if your guy isn't forcing their hand, you better adjust to them and he's shown little willingness to do so against the stronger teams.
Cade Hornecker needs to play more minutes in order to be effective in conference play. He has something that we have not seen in awhile at the 5 position and that is the ability to face up and hit mid range jumpers.
@siu_2011 I also thought Cade was suppose to be a 3 point shooter. We are not using all our weapons, kind of baffling.
Salukies will keep improving. Holding home court is a must Wednesday night. SLU....have to wait and see...weakness...coaching...discipline...maybe finish 14-4 in conference or maybe even 13-5.
Salukies will keep improving. Holding home court is a must Wednesday night. SLU....have to wait and see...weakness...coaching...discipline...maybe finish 14-4 in conference or maybe even 13-5.
Not to nitpick, but....
We've got 20 conference games, starting this year. Yeah, it's hard for me to look at, too. Having been 18 games for so long.
