thetorch
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Posts posted by thetorch
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2 minutes ago, TheA_Bomb said:
Who has said anything personal? Via Social Media etc? I'm only on this site not social media.
Plenty of anonymous accounts troll Ford on SLU tweets and instagram.
Son only targeted accounts that make cognitive arguments, backing up claims with statistical analysis. Myself included have never attacked Ford personally. That is silly.
The son did make personal attacks.
Ford handled this well. He knows how to control the media and the story. Just wish he could control a basketball team that well. He'd be one the best coaches in college ball.
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28 minutes ago, MusicCityBilliken said:
Funny, that year I was at both SLU-Memphis games.
Jan 13th '73 game at the Mid-South Coliseum, Bill "Bumper" Parodowski got us tickets. They were hottest tickets in Memphis. We lost 60-72. We were in it most of the game but the Bills keyed on Finch and left Laurie open and he killed us.
March 3rd '73 we blew them out 70-56 in the Old Kiel. Harry Rogers went ballistic on them.
the 72-3 Billikens was probably one of the most under-rated teams ever. A shame no NCAA or NIT.
That team would have been a 6 or 7 seed with an expanded tournament format.
MusicCityBilliken likes this -
Fordham is our only chance at an A10 victory.
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19 minutes ago, wgstl said:
Uhhhhhhhhh
He didn't say he was watching current MVC hoops. Memphis was in that conference from 67-73 and they were playing some high level ball, the 73 team with Kenon and Finch lost in the national title game. No way this SLU team could hang with them.
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15 minutes ago, laker119 said:
Is it just me or does this dude look like a stud? Idk if I just had low expectations before watching the highlight vid or what
Not sure if he is a stud.
He's a 1 on 1 player. Has good %s from 3 but doesn't shoot many. He won't be able to get to the basket at will, or finish at the D-1 level. If he is a high level defender that helps. Usually these types of guys struggle being a 3rd or 4th option on a team, but aren't good enough to be a #1 option. He may just be a bigger Sincere. Not a bad player but not an all conference performer either. Hopefully the next coaching staff takes a look at him as well.
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The staff made a new offer over the weekend.
Pistol likes this -
Joe Conran knows ball. Helluva shooter in his day. Thats the sad part.
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At various points I have been all in on local recruiting but I have changed my mind on this.
I like having local players. We should recruit them. Right now we have the most beloved guy in STL hoops and he isn't getting us top area talent so this may be the best we can do.
What we need is a coach who has a system and can identify players that will excel in it that will come to SLU. Ford doesn't do this. Crews didn't do this. If a local kid fits the bill try to get him but there are many areas that we can recruit and with most of the kids all going to the same locations to play tourneys it makes it easier to recruit nationwide.
Our formula should be multiple smallish ball handling guards who can shoot with 2 active rim protectors. Fill in the rest with matchup problems, big guys who can shoot, small guys who can rebound, more shooters and take flyers on elite defenders.
We shouldn't be recruiting local or midwest just to recruit there. Our roster is filled with these type of players, local guys who don't fit in our system and end up being mismatched pieces sitting on the bench who either think they are good enough to transfer or just stay here and ride the pine.
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On 1/4/2024 at 2:14 PM, courtside said:
Thought exercise for anyone.
Without looking up or guessing names, take a look at the following career results from coaches with similar backgrounds.
If something isn’t listed, that coach doesn’t have it. It’s just a quick thought exercise. There is no trick. None are suggested to be SLU’s next coach.
Perception isn’t always reality.
SLU for example had Ken Pomeroy Ratings ratings of 14, 19, and 35 in 2012-2014. SLU hasn’t had a KenPom season in the top 50 since, and, SLU has just one season in the top 60 since those seasons.
For anyone unfamiliar with Ken Pomeroy Ratings, this is an explainer of what he does, this is a good explainer:
Coach A:
8 KenPom top 50 seasons, 5 of them were top 20. 5 times won 70% or more of league games. 3 Regular Season league titles, 4 league runner ups. 9 NCAA Tourneys. 3 Sweet 16’s. 1 Elite 8.Coach B:12 KenPom top 50 seasons. 7 were top 15 or better. 4 times won 70% or more of league games. 4 Regular Season league titles. 9 NCAA Tourneys. 3 Sweet 16’s 1 Final Four.Coach
10 KenPom top 50 seasons. 4 were top 20 or better. 4 times won 70% or more of league games. 1 league title, 2 league runner ups. 11 NCAA Tourneys. 1 Final Four.Coach
5 KenPom top 50 seasons. 0 top 20. 2 times won 70% or more of league games. 1 Regular Season league title. 2 league runner ups. 7 NCAA Tourneys.Coach E:13 KenPom top 50 seasons, 6 were top 20 or better. 6 times won 70% or more of league games. 2 Regular Season league titles, 4 league runner ups. 12 NCAA Tourneys. 1 Sweet 16. 1 Elite 8.Huh?!?!
What is the point of this?
This is why the bad post function must come back. You probably spent a great deal of time crafting this post, which is meaningless, absolutely no point to it. Is that the point you are trying to make, perception vs reality? I glossed over this post saw the format and decided to re read, it looks smart. But in reality it is the dumbest post I've seen in months.
TheA_Bomb and Slu let the dogs out? like this -
1 hour ago, Coach314 said:
Ok. I haven't been able to catch a lot of games this year but can someone give me some insight on the the thought process of starting Dalger + Hargrove alongside a freshman pg??
There are not many other options.
Our two pgs are at best A10 level backups.
Hargrove has become a solid starter level player.
Dalger is a bottom of the rotation player at the A10 level.
Doesn't make for much of a team. This is the talent Ford brought in. He has to play them.
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15 minutes ago, TheA_Bomb said:
Does Hargrove have a Covid year? Love that dude, wish he could stay and possibly play with a coach that has a clue.
He's using it now. Only Jimerson has the possibility of another playing year.
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I've been calling for Ford's head for over a year. Even the diehard Ford backers have jumped off the wagon as it falls 100 MPH off a cliff. This season was over before it started. It is obvious Ford won't be back next year, he can't be back. Hopefully Chris May is gone as well and the AD's office entirely restructured. Who do we want as our next Head Coach? An active D-1 coach, a retired legend, a high major Asst, a fired or scandal plagued former HC or a hot shot from the D-2 ranks?
My Wishlist
1. Chris Mack
2. Ben McCollum - https://theathletic.com/2798730/2021/09/01/meet-ben-mccollum-the-division-ii-coach-winning-titles-and-turning-heads-across-college-basketball/
3. Nevada Smith - https://painttouches.com/2024/01/04/the-architect-nevada-smith-and-a-journey-of-basketball-innovation-marquette/
4. Mitch Henderson
5. Josh Schertz
6. Darian Devries
7. Mark Byington
8. Mike Morell
9. Dustin Kerns
10. Will Wade
Honorable Mention - Bob Huggins
Schasz likes this -
2 minutes ago, MusicCityBilliken said:
Okay, I agree.
Who responsible putting together the OOC schedule? Usually the coach. Also, its not like the old days when had to compete with 'Disney on Ice', tractor pulls and the Blues to get a game date.
Tate puts together most of the schedule. They talked about this long break preseason. It was a huge error. Should have made put our D-2 glorified exhibition game during this layoff.
MusicCityBilliken likes this -
18 minutes ago, Cowboy II said:
-any idea on Becher's earnings at this stop?
Starters all make over 100k on their team.
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23 minutes ago, billikenbill said:
Sure don’t want The Big EZ to get down on himself. Our sloppy PG play, GibJim being ice cold, and 42% from the stripe as a team were more important factors than anything EZ did.
"Big EZ" did his best Kareem impression in the first half last night. He was yanked for not running back on defense, twice. He's been a pleasant surprise, dropping weight has really helped his play but he stews on the court by himself, doesn't join huddles, gives up on plays, and maintains a distance from his teammates. There is a reason why he has transferred so much.
billikenbill likes this -
11 hours ago, willie said:
Parks was a very good player.He and Moore were monsters on the boards. You latter day board members are always talking about all time BAD Billiken coaches. Buddie Brehmer should be in that conversation. Was told he was an alcoholic. While it is impressive to have all of those draft picks there was something like 20 rounds not the 2 of today.
Moore was 22nd, Dees 25th, Niemann 42nd. All those guys would be drafted today under the current two round system. Orms was 96 but ended up with 3 times as many NBA minutes as the other 3 combined.
billiken_roy likes this -
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My grandfather scouted for SLU in the 40s, 50s and 60s and Richie Parks was one of his favorite STL players he ever saw.
While SLU had some black players before Parks, Parks was the first black star at SLU, some of that was that he was allowed to play, instead of just being token black guy on the bench but he was a powerful PF. Musclebound in the mold of the late 70s and early 80s NBA enforcer types. Inside the paint he was unstoppable and was the best Billiken rebounder until Bonner.
Bennington recruited him to SLU. His reputation among blacks in the area was not great but Parks wanted to stay home and he and his HS coach, James Price, wanted him to become the first hometown black star. As was the custom with many private schools at the time, Bennington didn't let Parks star. He was relegated to rebounding and setting screens so the white guys could shoot. I don't know if Bennington was really racist or just going with what was accepted at the time. Bennington recruited a big man right after Parks from Maplewood, Matthew Aitch. When he flunked out of SLU Bennington sent him to Moberly and then took him with him to Michigan St where he was all Big 10 performer. Hard to believe he'd do that if he was really a big racist.
My father told me he remembers he was 14 or 15 and the Billikens played Bobby Knight and Coach K in the NIT Park's Jr year. The announcers talked up Parks as the real threat on SLU, even though he was just a role player. My father didn't think Parks was good at all. My grandfather quickly informed him the announcers were right and were probably fed their talking points by Coach Knight.
Parks senior year Brehmer became coach and let Parks off the leash. He had one of the best single seasons in Billikens history going for an 18 and 12 year. The MVC was a powerhouse, Cincy went to the elite 8 and 5 of the 8 teams including SLU were ranked at some point in the season. People piss on Buddy Brehmer but SLU played 26 games that season, 16 opponents were ranked during the season. A juggernaut of a schedule. Parks was the 2nd best big in the conference, only bested by somebody named Wes Unseld. Parks went toe to toe with Unseld at Kiel and beat him, SLU also knocked off Cincy when they were top 5 that year.
Parks was drafted by the Cincinnati Royals in the NBA draft but they cut him and he played for a semi pro company team. The year after he made the Pittsburgh Pipers, playing in a reserve role behind Connie Hawkins, and won an ABA title. The Pipers brought him back the next year but while Parks was back home he got into a car wreck at Grand and MLK. His knees were destroyed. He came back to play but team doctors said his career was over.
Parks life took a downward spiral after that. Multiple jobs, divorce, and alcoholism. He moved back in with his mother in his childhood home. By the time of his death he had become the neighborhood drunk. The 49er bar was home to him and the regulars knew to put up with the huge man's drunken antics. The night of his death a couple who didn't know Parks came into the bar. Parks hit on the woman and physically assaulted her. The couple fled the bar with Parks in pursuit. A fight between the man and Parks ended in Parks being shot 5 times.
A tragic ending but Parks was one of the all-time greats and a true trailblazer at SLU, succeeding as a Billiken despite the many obstacles in his way.
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3 hours ago, 3star_recruit said:
Piggybacking on the grading theme of Wiz's analysis, this is where we've been and where we hope to go. My grades are slightly different but in general agreement with Wiz.
Mid-Nov:
B- (With Parker in the lineup)Early Dec:
C- (Without Parker in the lineup)
Mid Dec:
C (With Ezewiro in the lineup but Meadows, Thames and Hughes hampered by health issues)
Early Jan:
C+ (With a healthy Meadows and Hughes)
Mid Jan:
B- (With a 75% Parker in the lineup and a healthy Thames)
Early Feb:
B (With a 85% Parker in the lineup)
Late Feb:
B+ (With a 95% Parker in the lineup and the freshmen playing like sophomores)
The hope is we can defend home court in January and stay above .500 in conference until Parker returns to form. If he can, we've got a chance to win 4-5 road games as well. That's the only realistic route to a top 4 finish, IMO.
A team playing B+ ball by conference tournament time is dangerous enough to make a run. Let us pray for the injury bug to buzz off.
What happens when everyone elses freshman play like sophomores?
Just a silly cliche that means nothing.
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1 hour ago, stmdragons said:
The only schools that I remember him interviewing with were Illinois State and Green Bay this past offseason. I’m sure there were others, but I can’t imagine any P6 schools would roll the dice on a DII guy.
McCollum hasn't received any P6 offers. Most of his offers are from MVC and MAC schools like Buffalo & Evansville.
Slu let the dogs out? likes this -
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5 hours ago, Lord Elrond said:
From Rhodey, a guy who’s never wrong:
Player: Allen III, RayBall, JimmyBilau, JosaphatBrown, TysonDubsky, ConnorEstevez, CamFoumena, Jeremy Fuchs, DavidGreen, DavidHouse, JadenKortright, LuisMontgomery, ZekSmith, JamesonStewart, RoryWeston, BrandonWright, Always Go
5Always Wright-
- Position
- Guard
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- Height
- 6-3
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- Weight
- 178
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- Class
- Sophomore
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- Hometown
- Carthage, Mo.
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- High School
- Joplin (NE Oklahoma A&M)
He has a younger brother, All Wright. Also a standout hooper.
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9 hours ago, BJK said:
Dalger is absolutely one of our best, if not our best, defenders. That is a fact. Do you not watch the games? Like actually watch what is going on off the ball? He often has the toughest assignment. Gets steals (not last night) and is consistently a physical presence that disrupts the other team’s offense in many ways. I get upset sometimes at his inability and lack of desire to pass outside when he he gets triple teamed in the lane but his defense keeps him in the lineup and any offense that he produces is a bonus. If he could improve his court vision and calm down on offense while looking to pass more we would benefit greatly.
I don't like dogging on players. I typically don't. I won't let other posters make players into something they aren't.
Many posters have said Dalger is TO prone, loose with the ball, sloppy. His TO rate is one of the best in the NATION. He may take ill advised shots but he's not sloppy and he doesn't turn the ball over. He could stand to have some better shot discipline but he gets to the line and converts on offense. As a 3rd option on the court he's not bad.
Meanwhile his defensive clout has been extremely exaggerated. There is no defensive metric that Dalger stands out at on the team. He's at best behind 2 or 3 other rotation players and at worse at the bottom of the rotation. SLU is a very bad defensive team, we are not in the top 300 teams in the country. Historically bad. With Dalger on the floor vs off, we are 0.001 better defensively. He is not a difference maker on defense no matter how many times you say it. Still this season we have a limited amount of games, and he's been playing out of position. Last season at Tulsa Dalger was one of the worst defensive players in the NATION. You don't go from that to a good defensive player in one season, despite Highmark calling him an All A10 performer on defense on the call (BTW according to the metrics Dalger is not a top 50 defensive player in the conference much less top 5). Again I welcome if anybody has a metric where Dalger is excelling at or a stats website that shows different numbers than what I'm seeing from Kenpom, synergy, and sbunfurled I'd love to see it.
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56 minutes ago, billikenbill said:
Here’s what happened:
The Billikens won a hard-fought and generally well-played game. The other team has good players and they got hot from the floor. The also took excellent care of the ball.Our two prime defenders, Eze and Dalger got into foul trouble and missed important mins. As a result, rhe other team’s star players excelled in the second half.
Basketball is a game of runs. They had theirs, TJ had his.
End of story.
Oh, and save the whining for your podcast, which I’m losing interest in very quickly.
If your basketball IQ tells you Dalger is one of our prime defenders than most of the podcast goes well over your head. Better off not listening.
I can suggest a couple books you could read about defensive theory that may enlighten you. DM me.
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Jimerson foul was genius. Perfect play.
Note: Billiken Coaches Show Debut 1/8/24
in Billikens.com Main Board
Posted
The more I re read the interview the less I like it.
His kid attacked no one who personally attacked Ford.
Their father may be in the public eye but Ford could give them a "better life" and go coach HS ball. He made a choice to have a high profile career and all the perks with it.
Then he calls out fans to come talk to him at Humps. If I go up there how long into trying to discuss all the holes in our defense before Ford kicks me out of his bar.