If Brian Conklin's energy during rebounds was a drug...

[bk18]

Brian Conklin's Board in the second half with 3 Temple players around him - where he grabbed it out of the air, brought it down, put the elbows out, and got the BC Roar on - had to of be my favorite rebound in billiken basketball history. His intensity blew up that arena and put everyone on their feet.

I heard he can bench RickMa with 4 x 45's on each side.

**noticed a grammatical mistake: "If Brian Conklin's energy were a drug...

[NH]

Brian Conklin's Board in the second half with 3 Temple players around him - where he grabbed it out of the air, brought it down, put the elbows out, and got the BC Roar on - had to of be my favorite rebound in billiken basketball history. His intensity blew up that arena and put everyone on their feet.

I heard he can bench RickMa with 4 x 45's on each side.

His injuries really did hurt us. His defense is really taking a step up lately.

[Quality Is Job 1]

His injuries really did hurt us. His defense is really taking a step up lately.

It would be nice, though, if he would be an offensive threat.

[OC]

Dear Brian,

*Chin the ball--do not cradle it in one arm and lead with the other elbow.

*Don't set screens (or try to take charges) with your feet far wider than his hips/shoulders. Illegal, and they call it.

*Shoot your jumper before you're on the way down--after hanging in the air momentarily. No base/power left.

Jordan could do this. You and I cannot.

*It's time to finish on the left side with your left hand. Undersized bigs, especially, can't put the ball on their inside shoulder and finish over the Allens/Harpers/Loves of the world.

Glad I could help.

[slu72]

It would be nice, though, if he would be an offensive threat.

Agreed, he needs to hit the bunnies. Granted, he's got guys hanging all over him, but somehow he's got to get that done. He missed two that I counted in the 2nd half that would have stopped the scoring drought. Donnie Dobbs did it and he was 2 inches shorter.

[GMan Alum]

Dear Brian,

*Chin the ball--do not cradle it in one arm and lead with the other elbow.

*Don't set screens (or try to take charges) with your feet far wider than his hips/shoulders. Illegal, and they call it.

*Shoot your jumper before you're on the way down--after hanging in the air momentarily. No base/power left.

Jordan could do this. You and I cannot.

*It's time to finish on the left side with your left hand. Undersized bigs, especially, can't put the ball on their inside shoulder and finish over the Allens/Harpers/Loves of the world.

Glad I could help.

Conklin does get charged with some of the dumbest fouls on the team. I do appreciate his hustle, effort, enthusiasm and appears to be a great team guy, but his results on the floor need to get better. I wish Cody liked to bang bodies as much as Brian.

[Guest BillikenReport]

I wish Cody liked to bang bodies as much as Brian.

I would guess that this summer Brian and Cody will go against each other every time the team plays pickup.

Last summer, when the team played pickup games, Conklin and Reed were the only big guys on the team, so they had to go up against each other every game. I would bet that helped Willie going into this season.

This summer, you'll have Willie, Brian, Cody, Cory Remekun, Jon Smith and Dwayne Evans as big guys battling each other.

[ACE]

I would guess that this summer Brian and Cody will go against each other every time the team plays pickup.

Last summer, when the team played pickup games, Conklin and Reed were the only big guys on the team, so they had to go up against each other every game. I would bet that helped Willie going into this season.

This summer, you'll have Willie, Brian, Cody, Cory Remekun, Jon Smith and Dwayne Evans as big guys battling each other.

And don't forget Rob Loe

I look forward to seeing how Evans compares to Smith. I imagine Evans is not the athlete or shotblocker Smith is, but that he is probably more polished offensively and hopefully stronger physically.

[Runnin'Billiken]

So to answer the question...

...If Brian Conklin's energy during rebounds were a drug...

...Then I would already have 2 Olympic Gold Medals at every distance from the 100m to the marathon.

GET SOME

[Postcard]

So to answer the question...

...If Brian Conklin's energy during rebounds were a drug...

...Then I would already have 2 Olympic Gold Medals at every distance from the 100m to the marathon.

GET SOME

Brian Conklin = Stubby Clapp or Joe McEwing. He's a white guy that hussles with limited skills.

[ARbilliken]

I can see Conklin getting much better in the offseason. He has a great frame, he just needs some more work against skilled players. I think if he starts battling with some of the new guys this summer, watch out for him next year. It will be good for him to go up against CE, who is pretty light on his feet for 6'8", 240. BC just needs more confidence with his shot, and he will be a bigger influence next year when rickma calls his number. I want to see more rebounds like that from him these next few games though!!

[brianstl]

Conklin getting in foul trouble didn't help the cause last night.

[Guest BillikenReport]

I look forward to seeing how Evans compares to Smith. I imagine Evans is not the athlete or shotblocker Smith is, but that he is probably more polished offensively and hopefully stronger physically.

I agree with your assessment of Evans vs. Smith. That is what I am expecting.

[TheChosenOne]

I can see Conklin getting much better in the offseason. He has a great frame, he just needs some more work against skilled players. I think if he starts battling with some of the new guys this summer, watch out for him next year. It will be good for him to go up against CE, who is pretty light on his feet for 6'8", 240. BC just needs more confidence with his shot, and he will be a bigger influence next year when rickma calls his number. I want to see more rebounds like that from him these next few games though!!

You see a lot of upside in Conklin?

[slu72]

I can see Conklin getting much better in the offseason. He has a great frame, he just needs some more work against skilled players. I think if he starts battling with some of the new guys this summer, watch out for him next year. It will be good for him to go up against CE, who is pretty light on his feet for 6'8", 240. BC just needs more confidence with his shot, and he will be a bigger influence next year when rickma calls his number. I want to see more rebounds like that from him these next few games though!!

I'd like to see BC work on the 10-15 footer and the bunnies over the summer. If he can nail those on a consistent basis, ala the Shaw kid from SIU, he'll get a lot more playing time next year. And keep in mind CE probably didn't get a steady dose of the really strong athletic types he's going up against now on a nightly basis.

[Postcard]

You see a lot of upside in Conklin?

I hope I'm wrong but I don't. He just seems to lack finesse. I hope he develop into a 10pt 6rebound kind of guy. That would go a long way for this team.

[ACE]

I agree with your assessment of Evans vs. Smith. That is what I am expecting.

I would like to see us use more of a prototypical small forward next year. I think it could really help with the rebounding. Cody will get better, but does not appear to be a great rebounder. I think what we miss most from losing Liddell was his rebounding. He was an excellent rebounding 3.

[BACKHANDtheRICAN]

I would like to see us use more of a prototypical small forward next year. I think it could really help with the rebounding. Cody will get better, but does not appear to be a great rebounder. I think what we miss most from losing Liddell was his rebounding. He was an excellent rebounding 3.

We also lost Liddell's tireless work effort...he always gave 125% on the court.

[Guest BillikenReport]

I would like to see us use more of a prototypical small forward next year. I think it could really help with the rebounding. Cody will get better, but does not appear to be a great rebounder. I think what we miss most from losing Liddell was his rebounding. He was an excellent rebounding 3.

It's certainly possible you will see more of a prototypical small forward next season. Evans could be that guy. Or Smith.

If the Billikens are able to get the JUCO small forward they are recruiting, he IS that guy -- 6-6/6-7 with the ability to knock down 3-pointers or go inside and crash the boards.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Smith start at SF (or basically be like the PF with Ellis playing more on the wing as the SF) and Evans redshirt next season. I expect Jon Smith to come back much stronger and more ready to contribute offensively next season.

I think Evans will be able to contribute right away next season but might get lost in the numbers crunch with so many players and such little playing time available to them. I'd rather see SLU redshirt him and develop him for the following season than see him play minor minutes off the bench.

SLU will be able to mix and match with lineups even more next season -- use the three-guard lineup including Salecich/McCall? or go big and have Smith or Ellis as the small forward.

[Guest BillikenReport]

You see a lot of upside in Conklin?

I really like what Conklin brings to the table.

In the next two seasons I think you'll see the Conklin that you've seen at times this year, the guy who comes off the bench, does a little bit of everything, provides some toughness and intangibles. I don't think he'll ever be a big-time scorer, but I think he'll do a lot of things to help the team win games.

Conklin will probably never get the credit he deserves for being a leader on this team. He has done quite a bit to help the three freshmen forwards last summer when they arrived on campus and throughout the season. Look how much he helped Cody Ellis try to adjust to everything when it was Ellis who was going to take minutes away from Conklin.

[ACE]

It's certainly possible you will see more of a prototypical small forward next season. Evans could be that guy. Or Smith.

If the Billikens are able to get the JUCO small forward they are recruiting, he IS that guy -- 6-6/6-7 with the ability to knock down 3-pointers or go inside and crash the boards.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Smith start at SF (or basically be like the PF with Ellis playing more on the wing as the SF) and Evans redshirt next season. I expect Jon Smith to come back much stronger and more ready to contribute offensively next season.

I think Evans will be able to contribute right away next season but might get lost in the numbers crunch with so many players and such little playing time available to them. I'd rather see SLU redshirt him and develop him for the following season than see him play minor minutes off the bench.

SLU will be able to mix and match with lineups even more next season -- use the three-guard lineup including Salecich/McCall? or go big and have Smith or Ellis as the small forward.

It would be nice to be able to redshirt both Remekun and Evans, if they land the juco kid. Eleven players, who are all useful, would seem to be enough. It sounds like the juco kid, in addition to being able to shoot from the outside, can finish around the basket, something we are lacking. With the exception of Willie dunking and little baby hook shots that he has been getting better at, we don't have an abundance of good finishers.

[b.hayes]

I really like what Conklin brings to the table.

In the next two seasons I think you'll see the Conklin that you've seen at times this year, the guy who comes off the bench, does a little bit of everything, provides some toughness and intangibles. I don't think he'll ever be a big-time scorer, but I think he'll do a lot of things to help the team win games.

Conklin will probably never get the credit he deserves for being a leader on this team. He has done quite a bit to help the three freshmen forwards last summer when they arrived on campus and throughout the season. Look how much he helped Cody Ellis try to adjust to everything when it was Ellis who was going to take minutes away from Conklin.

+1

[Postcard]

We also lost Liddell's tireless work effort...he always gave 125% on the court.

I don't get you're constent badmouthing of TLIII. He was one of the best Billikens of all time.

[jimbofive]

I really like what Conklin brings to the table.

In the next two seasons I think you'll see the Conklin that you've seen at times this year, the guy who comes off the bench, does a little bit of everything, provides some toughness and intangibles. I don't think he'll ever be a big-time scorer, but I think he'll do a lot of things to help the team win games.

Conklin will probably never get the credit he deserves for being a leader on this team. He has done quite a bit to help the three freshmen forwards last summer when they arrived on campus and throughout the season. Look how much he helped Cody Ellis try to adjust to everything when it was Ellis who was going to take minutes away from Conklin.

i was watching him during halftime warmups - either he's extremely gay or just loves getting everybody fired up. he smacked EVERYBODY on the team on the ass, was chest-bumping like crazy. too bad it didn't make a bit of damn difference. but he's got heart, that's for sure.

[Runnin'Billiken]

i was watching him during halftime warmups - either he's extremely gay or just loves getting everybody fired up. he smacked EVERYBODY on the team on the ass, was chest-bumping like crazy. too bad it didn't make a bit of damn difference. but he's got heart, that's for sure.

He loves getting everybody fired up. He is always the first one out of the locker room going into the tunnel, always yelling, bumping, jumping around. He has also used my calves for balance while stretching a couple times. Whatev. Even if he doesn't become a starter or a big minutes guy, he is very valuable to the team. He can be that upperclassmen leader who provides an occasional spark, motivates the team, and creates the kind of team chemistry you need to get on a roll and to bounce back after some tough times. That's what I expect to see out of BC.