My main problem with the redshirts is SIU needs to start winning eventually. They've been a .500 team for 4 years and haven't played in a postseason tournament in 14 years now. In my opinion, Wonders/Ebube redshirting last year impacts this year because it might take them a month or two to fully get up to speed to D1 Basketball, something that might not have been a problem had they even played a little last year. And maybe the same for Hornecker next year.
It's a big risk but if SIU does start winning and they're able to retain the redshirts for the full 4 years they're eligible, they'll likely be one of the premier mid-majors given how tough retention is these days.
If the coaches and players think they NEEDED to redshirt than I feel it was the best move. As I've posted multiple times, Foster himself said he was not ready and was surprised by the speed of the game.
My opinion is, after more than a full year PLUS of practicing with the team, and assuming they players are good enough, they shouldn't need much, if any, time to get up to speed. They were highly regarded recruits. So if they struggle, I won't be pointing to the fact that they redshirting as much as I'll be concerned if they were as good as everyone thought they would be. Remember, despite my concerns about his defense, I was very high on Wonders before last year.
@insaluki What other criteria would you use for how you think a player would perform in a game other than, well... practice? I know the difference in a practice player and a game player. I've seen it. But since Hornecker obviously hasn't played in a college game, I don't understand what other metric you would use for determining if he is ready.
Recruit rankings can be overvalued (see Lowery years with that Top 50 big we had who I can't remember) as much as they're undervalued (see many of the impact players we've had), and this might just be a case where the 3 star ranking was in place due to his rare height.
If I'm coach, I wouldn't take any chances with a redshirt, even if you know he's got a long ways to go and likely will not play; you need to keep 7 footers on the roster.
However, I think we're splitting hairs with redshirting and the potential effect of a kid leaving:
If a kid is not truly ready to play, then:
- Gets redshirt, doesn't play, could leave.
- Doesn't redshirt, still doesn't or barely plays, could leave.
If we leave a redshirt off Cade, and he's not ready, then he could leave under the same reasoning as if he redshirted so he could go find more playing time.
I have no insider info, but in my observations of college players in the past, i would expect him to redshirt. 90% of guys his hight and build are not ready for the college game straight out of high school. It takes a year of hard work in a weight room and in the gym to build up the strength and foot speed it takes to play at this level. I know nothing of Cade's game other than he is tall and the few videos ive seen of him, but based off what i've seen and past experiances with players his size, i would expect a redshirt, and be surprised if he did not.
While I think it's always fair to question coaches, as they are certainly not perfect, I think they are in the best position of anyone to determine whether or not a player should redshirt. Sure, some of us may have been lucky enough to catch a practice or watch some video on the players, but the staff has watched these players closely every day since they got on campus. I also think the players have an idea based on their first few months practicing whether or not they are readay. And of course, there is always the bigger picture, i.e. circumstances. I've heard the phrase "all in" thrown about, and while I want to get to the tourney as much or more than anyone, I'm 100% more for the sustained success of the program.
