WVBilliken

I was never much into soccer, was a basketball and baseball guy in HS. Played indoor soccer for a number of years. That's a neat game. But this 0 - 0 stuff for outdoor soccer game after game loses me. But then again, not really a soccer guy. But makes me tune out ESPN+ almost everytime ..... I was a student at SLU in the early 70's. Now that was exciting. Watched those guys win 3 National titles. Still friends with a few of the guys on those great Billiken soccer teams.

Gonzaga to Pac 12 https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5809454/2024/10/01/gonzaga-pac-12-conference-realignment/

Actually for most all ESPN+ basketball broadcasts of SLU basketball, I get the Billiken broadcast team for home games, for away games the opponents broadcast team.

Thames only took 36 threes, but made 13 ..... 36.1%. I like Thames's chance at playing significant minutes. He can shoot, and boy, can the young man attack the basket. If he can hit the 3 consistently, he is a great fit in Schertz's offense.

That is good news. Thames is heck of an athlete, think he can be a star. Hope Schertz and his staff can bring out his potential.

Just curious .... anyone know if Ford is still living in St. Louis? Anyway, my guess is Travis ends up doing TV analyst work.

Welcome Luke Laczkowski! Seems they have court smarts, can shoot the "rock", and have size and mobility ..... all three of SLU's commits. I love Schertz's recruiting strategy. SLU needs one more HS recruit, a big, quick, ball-handling guard that can pass and shoot.

So I read that the roster limit for NCAA Division 1 men's and women's basketball teams will be expanded to 15 players for the 2025–2026 academic year. This is an increase from the current limit of 13 players. So with 3 graduating seniors + 2 new spots there will be at least 5 new players next year. I would expect a couple transfers as well at the minimum. So recruiting should be real interesting. I was surprised when Schertz said he planned to sign 3 or 4 HS kids this Fall. Now I understand why he can do this with roster expansion ..... still expect at least one or two high quality transfer guards being signed with the end of eligiblity for Swope, Jimerson & Johnson.

So who is SLU looking at Mineral Area College?

I watched a fair amount of WV basketball last year. Kobe Johnson has it in him to be a decent 3 point shooter with better shot selection. He's a good ball-handler and plays good, tough D. Got him penciled in as a starter.

I've seen him listed as heavy as 200 lbs. See MaxPreps below. https://www.maxpreps.com/ok/owasso/owasso-rams/athletes/jax-kerr/bio/?careerid=fughbuh031rqa

Looks like a perfect fit for Schertz's offense. You not need a great athlete to play the 5 in his offense. The kid has size, he's a shooter and appears he is a plus athlete who plays smart on the court. Looks like a keeper to me.

SLU will have a solid returning group next year if all 5 of our Juniors come back (Avila, Hughes, Thames, Anya, Casey). May be a good year to deveop a few frosh. But losing 3 guards in Jimerson, Swope, and Johnson. Would like to see Shertz bring in at least one transfer guard.

Which one .... Edwardsville or Carbondale?

Drinking that blue kool-aid. https://tenor.com/view/mike-valenti-jim-costa-kool-aid-cash-the-ticket-971-gif-27232563

My guess ... the staff is passing on Luke. Thinking they are aiming for a higher level & taller/quicker recruit.

Not a surprise to me. He's a 6 foot point guard in a league that more and more is having 6'7, 6'8 guys running the point. There is zero pressure on the guy bringing the ball up the court. So why have a little guy ball handler unless he is amazingly quick and is a great shooter? Yuri isn't that guy. He has almost zero chance of ever making the NBA IMO.

That's a P5 sized team ...... like it.

SLU cannot compete with the P5's for high level HS kids. But in the portal Schertz got Casey a top 50 guy out of HS, Anya, Dotzler, Brockofff .... all nice looking prospects. Oh, and this year he had 10 scholarships to give, and only took 2 high school kids. You can't recruit transfers right now, so the only prospects they can look at this time of the year are HS and maybe JC kids. So of course you keep looking, you might find a high level kid who can make a difference and wants to go mid-major/SLU.

So SLU has 3 scholarships to fill for sure, all guards (Jimerson, Johnson, Swope). Likely given today's transfer rules we lose a couple of others. Given the recent level of the players in the transfer portal, I don't see Schertz taking more than one HS kid, if he has only 3 to give. With Avila, Casey, Anya, Hughes, Thames, all juniors it would make sense that Schertz would want to solidify that group with a couple of proven guards. If say there are 5 scholarship openings, then maybe Schertz brings in a second HS kid. But in no way do I see more than 2. Like I said, the transfer pool will once again likely be loaded and if SLU has NIL money to compete for transfers, then the high school guys will be passed on.

Long way to go, but I'd take either. But 6'5" versus 6'2" .... I'd take the taller of the two if all else is about equal. And Zobrist appears to have a slightly higher level offer list at this point .... SLU, Loyola Chicago, Bradley, Illinois State, Indiana State, Miami-Ohio, etc. But having seen neither .... I put my trust in Schertz to take the right guy.

Seems SLU would not want both Walsh and Zobrist ..... if so, I'd take the 6'5" guy. But what do I know ....... LOL. But if Schertz has only say 4 or 5 spots to fill this time around, then don't see a need for 2 players with the same skill set with somewhat limited ball handling skills.

247 say yes ..... https://247sports.com/player/luke-walsh-46143733/

I think both will play decent minutes but don't see either as starters.

Maybe he doesn't want to live in Lalaland. Oh, and he doesn't need the money, and he is on or near the top of the heap in the college basketball. LeBron will turn 40 this year, and although a very good player, he's not what he was. Maybe Hurley does not need the pressure that comes with trying to coach a bunch of "divas".