I still have my fingers crossed that Mr. Benson will stay "home" and commit to the Salukis!
not hopeful I feel SIU fans are going to be disappointed ☹️ Going to suck that he will be playing for a conference rival
NJ Benson isn't going to Murray State, instead Missouri State
Quite a rough patch on the recruiting front lately, with losing Quinn (Illinois Wolves kid) and NJ Benson (local kid) to other Valley programs being the kickers.
It can certainly be overcome, but it's not been much fun on the recruiting trail, and I'm sure that goes triple for the coaching staff.
Unfortunately, this is reinforcing it's not easy to recruit to Southern these days for a variety of reasons. That said, Mullins is a no-excuses kinda dude, and they've got to figure out a way to keep the program's momentum going, on and off the floor.
I'm not gonna freak out over this despite the fact that recruiting seems to have taken a bit of a dive. Last year seems to have killed a bit of the buzz the program was generating. The current team has a lot of depth and guys that *should* be here for at least 2 more years. And if they don't fill the open scholarships, it's not the worst thing in the world given the craziness of the transfer market.
But winning is really important this season. Another .500 overall season or anywhere around it like the last two seasons and you've really gotta start questioning where the program is headed, especially given the non-conference schedule this year.
Anyways, the team has 3 offers out there for 2022 that I know of in Sami Pissis, a 6'3 guard from France; Tayshawn Comer, a 6'0 guard from Indianapolis; and Cade Hornecker, a 7'0 center from Amarillo, Texas. Hornecker would make this one feel a hell of a lot better.
I'm not gonna freak out over this despite the fact that recruiting seems to have taken a bit of a dive. Last year seems to have killed a bit of the buzz the program was generating. The current team has a lot of depth and guys that *should* be here for at least 2 more years. And if they don't fill the open scholarships, it's not the worst thing in the world given the craziness of the transfer market.
But winning is really important this season. Another .500 overall season or anywhere around it like the last two seasons and you've really gotta start questioning where the program is headed, especially given the non-conference schedule this year.
Anyways, the team has 3 offers out there for 2022 that I know of in Sami Pissis, a 6'3 guard from France; Tayshawn Comer, a 6'0 guard from Indianapolis; and Cade Hornecker, a 7'0 center from Amarillo, Texas. Hornecker would make this one feel a hell of a lot better.
Comer is being recruited by hometown Butler and others and will probably be tough to get. Of those three, he'd probably be most exciting to nab, especially since Southern could use a young PG, but a long shot.
Until this point, it seems like Mullins and Co. have been more successful recruiting high school kids than messing with the transfer portal, where there are quite a few knuckleheads, but we'll see where things go with trying to make up ground for this 2022 class.
I'm not gonna freak out over this despite the fact that recruiting seems to have taken a bit of a dive. Last year seems to have killed a bit of the buzz the program was generating. The current team has a lot of depth and guys that *should* be here for at least 2 more years. And if they don't fill the open scholarships, it's not the worst thing in the world given the craziness of the transfer market.
But winning is really important this season. Another .500 overall season or anywhere around it like the last two seasons and you've really gotta start questioning where the program is headed, especially given the non-conference schedule this year.
Anyways, the team has 3 offers out there for 2022 that I know of in Sami Pissis, a 6'3 guard from France; Tayshawn Comer, a 6'0 guard from Indianapolis; and Cade Hornecker, a 7'0 center from Amarillo, Texas. Hornecker would make this one feel a hell of a lot better.
Comer is being recruited by hometown Butler and others and will probably be tough to get. Of those three, he'd probably be most exciting to nab, especially since Southern could use a young PG, but a long shot.
Until this point, it seems like Mullins and Co. have been more successful recruiting high school kids than messing with the transfer portal, where there are quite a few knuckleheads, but we'll see where things go with trying to make up ground for this 2022 class.
Yeah Pissis has a Wichita State offer and Hornecker has some high-major interest too. He's a 7 footer or around there, I'd imagine if he's good and he doesn't commit for a little, he'll get more interest
No playing time for a freshman next year is the problem. This team will be fine. You said distant 5th. I’m not sure it is all that distant. This is a very good team. The problem is the projected top 4 could all actually be top 25 caliber teams. No seniors besides Krut leaving is huge.
No playing time for a freshman next year is the problem. This team will be fine. You said distant 5th. I’m not sure it is all that distant. This is a very good team. The problem is the projected top 4 could all actually be top 25 caliber teams. No seniors besides Krut leaving is huge.
I don't think Mullins and Co. need excuses made for them. Immediate playing time would be a challenge at any good program, including Missouri State. And D'Avanzo and Coupet will move on next year, freeing some minutes.
They got beat for Benson by Dana Ford and Mo State, period.
I agree they lost to Dana Ford and Missouri State. Not taking anything from Dana he is a great recruiter but the jury is still out on his coaching ability. This season is going to be critical in his ability to coach . Missouri State has perhaps the most talented team in the Valley, but they will be picked 3rd.
If Domask doesn't get hurt beating Butler and SIU maintains some of the momentum it built after their hot start (the assist from COVID also didn't help), I think things look a little different with the 2022 class. Talent is nice, but the bottom line is SIU has to win.
--Insert something witty here--
Everybody choosing Dana Ford these days. Not sure why.
