Just curious if anyone else has felt this way, but Domask just doesn’t seem 100% to me. Don’t get me wrong, he is giving 100%, busting his ass out there, but just seems off so far this year. He’s passing up some wide open looks (sometimes trying to make the extra pass), air balling some open looks that he does take (very unlike him), and not really finishing well around the rim.
He may still be getting his legs under him after not playing awhile…he’s had to play a lot of minutes so far this year. Just wondering if there is something still bothering him from his previous injury.
Domask has been dealing with some kind of hip injury that forced him to miss practice at least the week of the Evansville game.
Salukis have no offense from filewich or muila. I have to wonder why Ebube is redshirting.
There are different schools of thought on this one. Some say that due to the backlog of existing players, it makes sense to redshirt him and Wonders. Some say if they were good enough they would be playing. I tend to think it's partially both, but definitely lean towards the later. I believe the reality is, IF these guys were good enough (NOW) to be difference makers, they would be playing. I am not saying they won't be good down the road, but no one can convince me that any team would sit down a true difference maker for any reason other than health.
In a way, I think the best argument for playing one or both of them this year is next year, which will be a huge year for the program. Would have liked for at least Wonders (and maybe Ebube given struggles of the other bigs) to acclimate some this year so they’re more ready to be part of a championship contender next season.
Maybe it’ll work out fine in the long run. Need them both to develop into key pieces.
Things can change in Valley play but I’m not sure this team is going to have much of a chance next year, especially if Murray State is coming in. They’re 1-4 against teams equal or better than them so far and have a bad loss to Little Rock. That’s just not enough to show me they’re close to turning some kind of corner.
Now there’s plenty of time to change that but wins over SEMO & D2/NAIA teams aren’t gonna move the needle here.
I hear ya. I wanted to see a little more than we’ve seen this year so far as well. That said, they’ve been right there with just about everyone, and if they can add one or two more strong pieces and retain the key veterans, there’s reason for optimism …
It's year 3. Time to start seeing more results. This team is too talented to play so inconsistently.
Didn't see much of the game. Jones only playing 20 minutes kills us. I see Davanzo only played 2 minutes. Why? He's our only sort-of-big-guy that can score. We are really deficient on the inside against any team with big bodies in there. Nice game by Coupet. Like to see that a lot more. With Ben, Jones, and Domask all contributing offensively, we could beat anyone in the MVC. 7FTs. Screw job.
I thought Tulsa played much better than against LMU. 50% from 3. 24 FTs. Screw job.
It's year 3. Time to start seeing more results. This team is too talented to play so inconsistently.
Need a lot more talent than we have to get to the NCAAs.
SEMO on Wednesday. I think most of us know not to expect a blowout with this group.
Let’s hope Coupet can keep it going.
to beat a decent team on the road. The bigs really struggled, as did Banks. Disappointing loss.
Per their NET, they're not even a decent team (a good 100 spots below us). A disappointing loss is the understatement of the season.
If you're gonna reply to me in the forums, please quote what I wrote that you're replying to so I have a clue...thanks! 😀
to beat a decent team on the road. The bigs really struggled, as did Banks. Disappointing loss.
Per their NET, they're not even a decent team (a good 100 spots below us). A disappointing loss is the understatement of the season.
I trust the Vegas line more than anything and it had Tulsa favored by 2.5 so they’re about even on a neutral floor. It’s a game that a program that wants to turn that corner should win similar to the Northeastern loss. Both decent teams and not bad losses by any stretch but they’ve got to start winning those.
finally quit chucking up stupid 3s and get an and 1. who would have thought.
3 pointers are the great equalizer. I think this team needs to shoot more of them.
Basketball is all 3-pointers and dunks these days. And that’s ok.
The purist and old school coaches miss seeing the mid-range jump shot. I get that.
But 3s are the way to go, you get an extra point. And Southern sure as hell doesn’t score in the paint or have athletes to throw it down much.
If this team matures and learn how to close out the last 2 minutes of the first half and the last 4 minutes of a game they could easily be 7 and 2 I have confidence this team will go on a winning streak as they learn how to close out games and learn how to play with all the newcomers and people coming back from injury GO DAWGS
I should preface this by stating that my critique of individual on-court play is just that, and only that, and is in no way anything personal towards any of these kids. I know, top to bottom, each player gives their best everyday and wants nothing more than to do well and win. That said, here's some critical observations:
SIU is in dire need of better point guard play. I don't think Dalton is the answer this year and the biggest reason is not his offensive struggles, its roster composition, IMO. I think he's one of the players most hurt by SIU's lack of athleticism and scoring ability at the 5 spot. Opponents have zero respect for SIU's inside game. Dalton's lack of scoring consistency and his struggles from 3 allow teams to crowd our shooters and further negate Dalton's quickness by helping from the interior on penetration without much fear of dump-downs or alley-oops to our bigs.
Lance also is not the answer at PG. If he's primarily bringing the ball up 30+ minutes a game, he's too much of a turnover liability. He best serves SIU playing off the ball for roughly equal the amount of possessions he brings it up to start the offense.
The 5 spot ... is killing us ... again. Kyler is not the answer, and personally, he was one of the recruits I was least impressed with when we signed him. I mean, who did we beat out when we signed him? There wasn't much interest there, IIRC. He did pretty well offensively as a freshman big being thrown into the fire last year, but struggled mightily on the defensive side. SIU had no chance against teams with interior size and athleticism. This year he's struggling a lot on both ends and its hard to watch.
Muila is a niche player. He's a nice piece defensively, but can't score. He can't be a Falker-type and play 30 minutes a game. D'Avanzo can score some, but is nonexistent defensively.
I love Coupet, and in some ways, he may very well be our most important player. If SIU hopes to compete for a league title next year, they HAVE to find a way to replace him with an athlete of similar size and skill. Not an easy task.
I have a man-crush on Troy D'Amico! Not much more I can say here except I'm super excited to see him really take off when he starts consistently scoring. Stud in the making.
With what I know as a fan, which isn't much concerning the redshirting of Wonders and Ebube, from what I do know and see on the court, I do question it. Neither of those kids have to be "world-beaters" to help us. We're getting eaten up on the interior, and maybe a 5-8 minute infusion of a raw but very large and athletic Ebube changes that some. Maybe Foster's ability to knock down a timely 3 when we've hit stretches of going cold from distance changes the dynamic, particularly while depth has been an issue due to injuries. In this day and age, redshirting only makes sense to me if you as a coach are 99% certain the redshirting player isn't going to see any meaningful minutes at any point. 15 years ago? Sure, its a little different. Now? I think the risk of losing that player prematurely via transfer far outweighs the reward.
Anyway, sorry all for the long post. Just had some extra time on a Sunday and wanted to get my observations and thoughts outta my head.
--Insert something witty here--
Solid analysis I think you are selling Kyler way short though.
I should preface this by stating that my critique of individual on-court play is just that, and only that, and is in no way anything personal towards any of these kids. I know, top to bottom, each player gives their best everyday and wants nothing more than to do well and win. That said, here's some critical observations:
SIU is in dire need of better point guard play. I don't think Dalton is the answer this year and the biggest reason is not his offensive struggles, its roster composition, IMO. I think he's one of the players most hurt by SIU's lack of athleticism and scoring ability at the 5 spot. Opponents have zero respect for SIU's inside game. Dalton's lack of scoring consistency and his struggles from 3 allow teams to crowd our shooters and further negate Dalton's quickness by helping from the interior on penetration without much fear of dump-downs or alley-oops to our bigs.
Lance also is not the answer at PG. If he's primarily bringing the ball up 30+ minutes a game, he's too much of a turnover liability. He best serves SIU playing off the ball for roughly equal the amount of possessions he brings it up to start the offense.
The 5 spot ... is killing us ... again. Kyler is not the answer, and personally, he was one of the recruits I was least impressed with when we signed him. I mean, who did we beat out when we signed him? There wasn't much interest there, IIRC. He did pretty well offensively as a freshman big being thrown into the fire last year, but struggled mightily on the defensive side. SIU had no chance against teams with interior size and athleticism. This year he's struggling a lot on both ends and its hard to watch.
Muila is a niche player. He's a nice piece defensively, but can't score. He can't be a Falker-type and play 30 minutes a game. D'Avanzo can score some, but is nonexistent defensively.
I love Coupet, and in some ways, he may very well be our most important player. If SIU hopes to compete for a league title next year, they HAVE to find a way to replace him with an athlete of similar size and skill. Not an easy task.
I have a man-crush on Troy D'Amico! Not much more I can say here except I'm super excited to see him really take off when he starts consistently scoring. Stud in the making.
With what I know as a fan, which isn't much concerning the redshirting of Wonders and Ebube, from what I do know and see on the court, I do question it. Neither of those kids have to be "world-beaters" to help us. We're getting eaten up on the interior, and maybe a 5-8 minute infusion of a raw but very large and athletic Ebube changes that some. Maybe Foster's ability to knock down a timely 3 when we've hit stretches of going cold from distance changes the dynamic, particularly while depth has been an issue due to injuries. In this day and age, redshirting only makes sense to me if you as a coach are 99% certain the redshirting player isn't going to see any meaningful minutes at any point. 15 years ago? Sure, its a little different. Now? I think the risk of losing that player prematurely via transfer far outweighs the reward.
Anyway, sorry all for the long post. Just had some extra time on a Sunday and wanted to get my observations and thoughts outta my head.
I agree with everything you said. While I do appreciate his hustle and hard work, Kyler has been the biggest disappointment so far. Last year he found ways to score but this year he tries to go straight up against athletic bigs which ends in a blocked shot. Both Kyler and Muila need to watch video of Randall Faulker.
I should preface this by stating that my critique of individual on-court play is just that, and only that, and is in no way anything personal towards any of these kids. I know, top to bottom, each player gives their best everyday and wants nothing more than to do well and win. That said, here's some critical observations:
SIU is in dire need of better point guard play. I don't think Dalton is the answer this year and the biggest reason is not his offensive struggles, its roster composition, IMO. I think he's one of the players most hurt by SIU's lack of athleticism and scoring ability at the 5 spot. Opponents have zero respect for SIU's inside game. Dalton's lack of scoring consistency and his struggles from 3 allow teams to crowd our shooters and further negate Dalton's quickness by helping from the interior on penetration without much fear of dump-downs or alley-oops to our bigs.
Lance also is not the answer at PG. If he's primarily bringing the ball up 30+ minutes a game, he's too much of a turnover liability. He best serves SIU playing off the ball for roughly equal the amount of possessions he brings it up to start the offense.
The 5 spot ... is killing us ... again. Kyler is not the answer, and personally, he was one of the recruits I was least impressed with when we signed him. I mean, who did we beat out when we signed him? There wasn't much interest there, IIRC. He did pretty well offensively as a freshman big being thrown into the fire last year, but struggled mightily on the defensive side. SIU had no chance against teams with interior size and athleticism. This year he's struggling a lot on both ends and its hard to watch.
Muila is a niche player. He's a nice piece defensively, but can't score. He can't be a Falker-type and play 30 minutes a game. D'Avanzo can score some, but is nonexistent defensively.
I love Coupet, and in some ways, he may very well be our most important player. If SIU hopes to compete for a league title next year, they HAVE to find a way to replace him with an athlete of similar size and skill. Not an easy task.
I have a man-crush on Troy D'Amico! Not much more I can say here except I'm super excited to see him really take off when he starts consistently scoring. Stud in the making.
With what I know as a fan, which isn't much concerning the redshirting of Wonders and Ebube, from what I do know and see on the court, I do question it. Neither of those kids have to be "world-beaters" to help us. We're getting eaten up on the interior, and maybe a 5-8 minute infusion of a raw but very large and athletic Ebube changes that some. Maybe Foster's ability to knock down a timely 3 when we've hit stretches of going cold from distance changes the dynamic, particularly while depth has been an issue due to injuries. In this day and age, redshirting only makes sense to me if you as a coach are 99% certain the redshirting player isn't going to see any meaningful minutes at any point. 15 years ago? Sure, its a little different. Now? I think the risk of losing that player prematurely via transfer far outweighs the reward.
Anyway, sorry all for the long post. Just had some extra time on a Sunday and wanted to get my observations and thoughts outta my head.
Interesting post and some good points in here. Leading up to the season, I actually thought the 5 position would be a strength this year, with a three-headed monster of Muila/Filewich/Ebube. Well, Muila has proven to be a pretty one-dimensional defensive energy guy (which has some value), Filewich has regressed from his freshman play and Ebube is redshirted. I know D'Avanzo's limited minutes have mostly come at the 5 as well, but to me his value would be more as a 4 who can stretch the floor, as he's in no way a rim protector, but he's still not shown much of an outside shooting touch and D'Amico is outplaying him for minutes.
I do think Mullins had made progress establishing a defensive identity with this group, which is encouraging, but offensive firepower (partially due to the aforementioned inside woes) and athleticism remain a little light. I'm a little concerned that they have one or two too many guys who, at least at this point of their careers, are known as hustle/intangible types but either don't look to score with any regularity or haven't yet shown the ability (Banks, D'Amico, Muila, even Brown when he's back, etc.). So much pressure right now on Domask and Jones to carry the load offensively, and they're not always up to it. It was pretty discouraging to lose yesterday even on a rare day when someone else (Coupet) stepped up big.
Very much agree with your point about needing to bring in another quality athlete (or two!) with some length for when Coupet departs.
This team plays hard, has a decent amount of talent and hasn't really been blown out of the gym by anyone, so it could be much worse, but what we've seen so far hasn't been enough if the Salukis would like to be more than just decent this year.
Solid analysis I think you are selling Kyler way short though.
Not super high on Filewich but we've completed mishandled him this year. Last year he played best when we fed him the ball and he was able to kick the ball out to open shooters. Now when he's in it's like the guards barely look for him. Which backs up the point that this team desperately needs a point guard
