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The obvious choice for a new name is Rams.

After the days of Brad "savings scholarships" Soderberg, I cannot believe anyone would openly advocate for NOT using available scholarships, but here we are. You don't just bring in anyone regardless of fit / personality to fill that spot, but IMO you should absolutely use it on someone. Even if Thames (or others) is a serviceable backup PG option that's still our thinnest spot on the roster, so it makes sense to target a PG with the last scholarship. Only reasonable position would be that we should leave it open for a possible mid-season transfer rather than settle for a guy who isn't likely to contribute much. Given the current transfer trend it isn't out of the question someone could become available.

I get some of the name of building changes and mascot changes but making “Colonials” out as an offensive term defies logic.

With it being the peak of offseason and a lot of discussion going on about new players roles and such I have been wanting to watch some of newcomers play. These are probably all posted on other parts of the site but wanted to compile some highlight videos of each of the new guys. Hope this gets the blue kool-aid flowing on these hot summer days! Kellen Thames: Nick Kramer: Larry Hughes Jr: Sincere Parker: Momo Cisse: Javon Pickett: Jake Forrester: https://www.instagram.com/p/CbdldX5gB7q/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

changing to Redskins?

i am not reading anyone wanting to save the scholarship. i am also not saying DONT get a point guard. but maybe if thames or a committee of wings all can handle the 5-10 minutes this will likely encompass the other roster spot would be better serve with a project player at the inside position. or maybe there is a player that will become available that will just be too good to pass up. my only point is i see no emergency "have to" scenario. as to the "saving a scholarship" scenario. we have seen xmas break transfers emerge many times before whereby it would have been nice to have had a scholarship available. again not saying save one. i just dont know if we fill a spot just to fill it. if the best we come up with is like that williams guy last year, i'd openly campaign for saving the scholarship. get a player that there is a plan for and that will help the team.

I've seen several folks here speculate that we will need a pg after this year. Why? Where is Yuri Collins going?

Ethan Horvath, thank you and goodbye. Remember to return your jersey as you leave.

Except it would really open them up to "Washington Generals" jokes.

lets close down the message board. Go home everyone.

Im not panicking. All I have been saying this entire time is that I want to use the last scholarship to get another PG, rather than pocketing that scholarship.

This is my point, Thames looks to be the ONLY backup option and he's never played. That's why we need to bring in one more. Thank you.

Busy time with training/player development, Summer ball, and some upcoming news…it’s been good to see so many people out at training and games. ………………… 2023 SLU commit Sam De Luca was named Arkansas Player of the Year, after leading her school to the state title game, during a 42 goal and 15 assist season. Her undefeated club team recently was a top 8 seed (out of 43) in the ECNL RL Regionals in Texas 2023 SLU commit Nina Preusser, voted a Captain prior to her high school season, was named First Team All State, as well as the Region Offensive Player of the Year, in the state’s toughest region. Nina, playing both up top and in the central attacking midfield, helped lead her team to the Missouri Class 4 State Runner Up Finish for the third straight season. Her team played the State’s toughest schedule, only losing in pk’s this season. That includes a 4-2 win over 2022 Illinois Class 3 State Champion Metea Valley from Chicago as well as some big game winning goals in high profile games for Nina. 2022 SLU commit Ellie Paloucek, voted a Captain prior to her season, was named First Team All State, and First Team All Region. A two way captain, and central midfielder, she helped lead her high school team to the Missouri Class 3 State Quarterfinals. Ellie and Nina will be heading to San Diego with their U19 club team for Girls Academy National Playoffs. 2023 SLU commit Maddie Sibbing was named First Team All State as well as the KC Region goalkeeper of the year. 2023 SLU commit Jordan Gary was named All Conference, All Sectional, All Region, in Illinois. She will be playing U17 ECNL national playoffs with SLU commits Autumn Jackson, Alyssa Bockius, and Lucie Schwartz in Seattle. Jordan also had a successful track season. 2022 Lauren Spaete finished up a strong high school career in Iowa and will be playing USYS club ball this Summer. 2022 SLU commit Hannah Smith (currently playing UWSL Summer ball with several SLU players) played RW and F for her undefeated ECNL Super Cup Team. (with Alyssa Bockius and Autumn Jackson) 2023 SLU commit Autumn Jackson played right wing back for her undefeated ECNL Super Cup Team. She will be playing with her U17 club team at the ECNL national playoffs in Seattle. 2023 SLU commit Alyssa Bockius played as a central defensive midfielder for her undefeated ECNL Super Cup Team. She and Autumn are U17 club teammates. Super Cup is comprised of all star teams 2022 through 2026 on one team. 3 of their Super Cup teammates separately represented the United States Youth National Team in both the UEFA Tourney in Sweden, (France, Norway) as well as the Friendlies against Germany and The Netherlands. The Super Cup team played teams throughout the Midwest as well as against a few college teams. 2022 Becca Wolterman, Taylor Krueger, Clare Nicholas, Lauren Hiatt, 2023 Eva Schreiber played club ball this Spring, and will all be competing in Seattle at the ECNL National Playoffs, as well as U23 Summer Ball for some. 2023 Macy Lutz, will be playing at the ECNL national playoffs in Seattle after finishing her club ball season. 2023 Ashley Koch was named Kansas First Team All State, and her top 10 national club team will be playing at the ECNL national playoffs in Seattle. Her club team won the U17 Midwest Conference. 2023 SLU commit Lucie Schwartz has progressed well with rehab this Spring after sustaining an injury during basketball season. Lucie is a club teammate of Autumn, Alyssa, and Jordan. Lucie, Hannah, Autumn, Alyssa, Jordan, Ellie, Ashley and Taylor, were recognized recently in the IMG rankings. SLU now has a roster/commits from Missouri, Illinois, Kansas, Iowa, Arkansas, Tennessee, Michigan, Ohio, Washington, Indiana, Florida, Utah, Colorado. In addition to those states, SLU also has recruiting targets in Texas, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York, Kentucky, Nebraska, Massachusetts among others. …………………. Peyton Bauman was hired to be the SLU Women’s Soccer Director of Operations. Peyton is a Mizzou alum, a former goalkeeper, (Dallas, Solar) and, most recently a graduate assistant at Murray State. …………………. Some Summer Ball play: Emily Gaebe, Madelyn Smith, Jess Preusser, Karsen Kohl, Lyndsey Heckel, are all playing on the new U21 WPSL team for Lou Fusz. (Lou Fusz will take over Fire & Ice next season. Former SLU assistant Bry McCarthy is a player coach with them as she also coaches their youth GA teams) Anna Lawler, Katie Houck, Lauren Phelps, Emily Puricelli, Hannah Smith, Sydney Beach, Abbie Miller, are all playing UWSL with SLSG this Summer. Emily Groark has done well with rehab and she is on track to play this Fall. Caroline Kelly and Sophia Stram are with KC Current II in WPSL. Katelyn Brinkman is with Kaw Valley. Liz Stureman is with Indiana Fire Julia Simon has been playing with Chicago Mustangs UWSL. …………………. Good luck to hard working, good teammate Gracie English, as she transfers to Missouri State and transitions back to an attacking midfielder and wing from the defensive midfield and right back positions.

We don't, in the fall. Roster spots 11-13 are usually spring signees, when we're filling out the roster. If a guy in the fall can't get on the floor it's because there are multiple 30+ minute a game guys in front of him.

Mexico has been doing this same thing every time they play for as long as I can remember.

I understand why players do it & I understand it is extremely difficult for officials to police during the game. Therefore, I'd be totally in favor of major professional sports leagues reviewing games after the fact for flopping / embellishment and issuing fines or even suspensions for multiple egregious instances by the same player.

Until embellishment starts to get penalized in whatever sport, Players will continue to do it because they are trying to win no matter what it takes. Period.

Turner's transfer to Arsenal couldn't have come at a worse time.

nope that's just for us

This is pretty lame. I wish GW would invest the six figures they'll spend on changing names into their crap basketball program. GW is going to learn that you can never be woke enough.

ahh yes a version of godwins law. GW can do what it wants, but I'm going to call a spade a spade: this is excessive and dumb...we've gone from changing actual slurs to Colonials. It's literally a mascot of white Anglo-Saxon protestants....that might be the funniest part.

You recruit a guy and tell him he will only play if a freshman struggles? i doubt there is a long line of prospects that would take that

There's obviously a spot for young blood on the coaching staff. But it doesn't make sense to have half the coaches be relative novices. Ford, recruiter in chief (Tate), promising young talent (Forte), experience and Xs and Os (?), seems to be the recent and reasonable model.

As always Thanks for the updates and the detailed info.

Generals would make sense.

The name Brown Indians saying goodbye, I get. Same with a lot of others. Colonials certainly can be an offensive term, in a certain context. But, it really makes me wonder where this will end. Technically, Tigers kill people. Bears, lions, wildcats, and wolves have to be offensive to the families they have hurt. Anyway… Good day to be a Billiken!

Aug 12 to 21

I get your point. However, do you actually think Ford wouldn't like to bring in a back up pg that he feels gives him some security if Yuri gets hurt or if a current option can't fill the role? Of course he would, but he more than anyone here knows what he has in current players. It doesn't make sense to bring in someone who he feels would be behind what we currently have just because they've done it before. I should know this but when is the European trip? Is that this year?

An experienced pg who doesn't turn the ball over is needed on this team. You can never have too many ball handlers. We ranked 209th in offensive turnover rate last season. Next topic.

First question, Frank asks him about the back-up PG... he mentions Parker, Perkins and "if you have to" Thames. Also, mentioned the open scholarship, something like "you're always looking" Regarding Parker, Tate said don't put much pressure on him, but then compared him to Perkins.

This, right now, is the deepest team in SLU history. I think Ford feels like he owes Thames, Thatch, and the current players, to disprove their ability to play the point before adding more depth. Just to be clear, Thatch was our best backup PG at the end of this season. He can’t bring the ball up the court alone, but he can take his man to the basket and look for a kick out, or other pass. Perkins can do that as well. That is really what we need from a backup. If Thames shows he can really handle the point, issue closed.

-I would guess, and this is a guess and a hope, that CFord is using the summer workouts, practice prior to going to Europe and the travel games to see who gets these backup pg minutes -I hope the games from Europe are avaialble, would be great to watch some ball in the summer

no one was ever saying anything to cause that response.

100% agree. I was never saying im worried we haven't found someone. All im saying and have been saying is that I hope we use our last scholarship on a PG or CG.

For anyone who is curious, Thames lead Pattonville in assists last season at 3.7 per game. He was also their top scorer.

-I read Courtside's update and it sure appears like CKatie has a stacked roster and expectations should be high, stay healthy and hungry Ladies

I'm a big fan of Ford's recruiting, but I wish he'd take a page from Majerus and have a variety of quality ballhandler options. I liked the versatility: he had a roster of KM, MM JJ and KC - any one of them could run the point and at minimum reliably handle the ball. I understand the need is currently not as a great with a top pure pg like Collins on the roster, but just one of the type of versatile combo guards I mention above would be very helpful on this roster.

I understand it will be hard and a tall task for the staff, but I think its still a necessary addition to the team. Im not looking to add players to get our assists numbers up. Perk, Pickett etc can pass it, sure. I'm talking about getting a player who can handle the point for 6,7,10 minutes against a good team if Yuri fouls out or gets in foul trouble(this happens more than a lot of people on this board realize). Im looking for a player who could play along side Yuri and handle heavy pressure against the few teams we see do that. We don't have anymore on our team currently that has shown that they can do that at this level. It seems people are thinking that we just need someone who can dribble for 1:30 while yuri gets a quick water break, once.

Thames would also have to compete against Perkins, who averaged about 2 apg two years ago and Pickett, who averaged about 2 apg last year. IMO, the floor is Deandre Jones. Bringing in some guy who averaged 3 apg game as the primary ball handler on a low major team is no improvement over what we already have. Practically any of the guards on our team could do that. The coaching staff has been looking for months for a decent player who is willing to take on a severely reduced role. No dice yet and it's understandable why. All of our prospective recruits know who Yuri Collins is.

Seems I should have just waited a bit and a lot of this work would have been done for me. The roster on SLUBillikens.com now includes links social media for the returning players https://slubillikens.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster

You're satisfied with unproven players. I'd like to get as many players in and let them compete, but ok.

One game that stands out w/Jones was v VCU. He and Yurimania played a lot of minutes together and we beat them rather handily. Two good ball handlers will be needed against pressing teams. If Yuri’s the only one he’ll get hammered and tired. We just need to find a guy who can relieve some of the pressure he’ll be faced with.

Thames had an early offer from SLU, he certainly wasn’t brought in to just fill a roster spot. It seems like the one with a “small major” mentality is you... I, unlike you apparently, trust in our coaches ability to assess talent.

We face Havoc only once or twice a year. Most of the time we see token pressure on the ball as it is brought up court. That isn't an issue. The issue is running the offense. When Jones was running the show, it wasn't the same as with Collins. A few times Thatch handled that task of running the offense, and resetting the offense when the play fell apart. So will the second string Sr transfer PG from Eastern Illinois know our offense better than Thames or Thatch. I'd rather go 20-12 with Thames/Thatch than go 20-12 with PG Eastern Illinois.

Love the show each week, thanks for putting in so much effort on it.

So with Javonte, Gibson, Fred, Parker, Pickett and Hargrove on the wing you guys think it will be hard for Thames to give Yuri a 5-10 min breather in which all Thames has to do is bring the ball up, initiate the offense with a pass and play solid defense?

im sure you are being sarcastic but there was no reason to believe the freshman yuri was going to turn out as good as he has. i felt he was too small and wouldnt be good at all. he sure showed me. but again the point is the fandom here isnt giving thames a chance.

Again it doesn't matter if the only PG we can get averaged 2 points 2 assists a game, its better than what we have currently. This is not to say Thames cannot be a better solution once the season starts, but why are we gambling on a frosh who seems to be positionless at this point in time. Along with Thames your other options are in the same boat, or have a history of injuries. Give me someone who has handled the point in D1 basketball. I don't need some glorified stat line to go with it.

https://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/page/bracketology/ncaa-bracketology-projecting-2023-march-madness-men-field Lunardi has dayton as a 5 seed, SLU as a 7 seed, and Loyola first 4 out