bsheldon

+1. Well said.

Willie is playing ball at SLU next year, and more than likely the year after that. THis majok kid is 6'11" and seems to be a typical, young big. Not overly skilled as of yet. Just looking at his stats--he averaged about 15 minutes, 2.3 pts, 1.6 blocks, 3 rebs per game. Not great, but not bad either--against BE competition. Now, if he did come, he would have to sit a year. So, he could be a real solid backup to WR (if he sticks around) 2 years from now. Also, there are a ton of variables, not least of which is the crdibility of this rumor, but you have the play of our current bigs prgressing, and the fact that RM and this staff definitely have shown that they are not content with status quo and are alsoways trying to recruit new and hopefully better players to add to the program. so IF, and that is a big IF right now, this kid comes, there is almost no way of knowing what kind of, if any, impact he can/will have. On paper I would have to say he is a solid player and someone the coaches would like to work with. I see that he may have a huge upside, but a bit premature now.

While I agree that we may not necessarily be in dire need of another point, the guy has a 90 ranking from ESPNU. If we add another stud, that only makes the whole program better. This could transition KM to a 2--which may be a good thing as well as he shot the ball last year. Plus he is 6'2" and 200 lbs. This might allow him to guard the 2 while KM gets the one on defense. I would bet KM is much quicker. Again, we are not for sure as of yet, and there may be some more surprises that come from within the program in the next couple of weeks. The only thing for certain right now is that next year is going to be a ton of fun.

Again, I am not holding my breath for the slightest shred of validity. They were also throwing Bruce webber's name into the mix which really leads me to believe it is total BS and is just pot stirring. However, when there is $3 million a year for the taking at a major university with seemingly endlessly deep pockets and great facilities, anything is possible.

It is the link that went to the stl today article in this thread. See post #7 by Ms. Doubtfire. There is a link in that article to a Oregon site discussing this topic. It is in the comments below the article. Again, posted by an online reader. So, take with a HUGE grain of salt. But, who knows?

+1 I don't know of any signs other than just hope on this board that if a major A-10 implosion happens--that we go with the priemier teams from that conference--who just coincidentally happen to make pretty good geograiphical sense for sticking together. Other than that pure specualtion and hope, I don't know of any. But I don't know much. So...what signs are you referring to?

Did anyone read down into the comments? The Oregon AD in now in St Louis. To do what you might ask? Well the rumor being circulated is to talk to Majerus. Now, my guess is, it is total BS, butt...$3 million is on the table. So, who knows?

"It's a competitive world, just like someone on an academic scholarship has to keep his grades at a certain level to avoid losing his scholarship, someone on an athletic scholarship has to keep his skills at a certain level to retain his scholarship. I get sick of hearing about how these are just kids. Please then lets have a world where no 18 or 19 year old gets to vote, can have a full time job, get married, have a kid, join the military etc ...... 'Not only that .... here is the kicker. They are told when they sign up that it's a 1 year deal. What's so hard to understand?'" DY, Well said. I couldn't agree more.

Yeah that seems like a hard sell to me. Again, though, this guy who wrote the article is truly just speculating about what he hopes will or can happen. He seems to be a fan of the CAA. I would bet he isn't an insider at any of the major colleges nor privy to conversations that are truly going to dictate these shake ups. I am very doubtful any of it will shake out like anyone expects at this point. A major shake up IS going to happen, but who, what, where, why and how are a total guess at this point. There way too many variables to each and every school's decision--all of them taken as a whole and you have literally thousands upon thousands of real issues that would have to worked out. Oh yeah, on top of all it is that little thing about the billions of dollars that are stake in transactions of this magnitude. TV rights for the B10, B12, Pac10, and BE? Forget about it. Billions; Plural, and with a "B." And that is just the start. That doesn't take into account the dozens of other conferences that are going to effected--including the SEC and ACC also. Again, just about every conference, outside of perhaps the ivy league, is going to have some sort of shake up. Some will probably dissolve, others will be created, and some won't look anything at all like their former selves even if only half of the rumors turn out to be true. At the very least it will be interesting.

"Clock, Smith tended to guard the three on defense and play the four on offense — vice versa for Ellis." This is a correct statement. As has been stated, the 4 and 5 are basically interchangeable in Rick's offense--they just rotate up and down--high to low post and set the screens out high. They may start at different places in the original set, but once it turns over a couple of times--basically the same roles. The same can be said for our 1, 2, and 3's with the exception that the 1 brings the ball up the court. The 2 and 3's are basically wings that rotate around the perimeter, along with the one after the initial entry. I am not nearly caught up in the numbers of the players on the offensive end--as it really isn't that huge of a deal. What does matter is the match-ups with the opposing teams. We now have the depth and flexibilty to not only match what they put on the floor, but to dictate to darn near every team we play. We can run CE, RL, WR, CR, BC, DE, and JS at them in various mixes and see how they react to us and which works best. We could put anywhere from 1 to 4 of those guys on the floor together at a time. Obviously, their offensive weapons may dictate our personell just a bit. Remeber, too, that we have 2 pretty decent sized guards in CS and KC--they can guard guys that are not just true wide body post guys up to 6-5 or even 6-6ish. For arguments sake here is how I see the numbers Bigs: WR 5 can be a 4 RL 4 or 5 can be a 3 CE 3 or 4 (his D needs to be better at the 4 to play a ton there) DE (total guess at this point, but seems to be a real good fit for a 3 that can play the 4 if need be) JS his game is a 4's but his frame is a 3's CR 5 can be a 4 BC 4 or 5 Guards: KM 1 can be a 2 MM 2 can be 1 JJ 2 can be 1 KC 2 or 3 can be a 1 CS 2 or 3 can be a 1 FJ 3 or 2 Bottom line to all of this is team depth and moreover, QUALITY team depth. Rick will have tons of options and flexibility. It will be fun.

Here is another way to look at it. We are talking about what is "fair"concerning the players on the team. How fair is it to: The entire student body, every fan of the program, the vendors at the Fetz, the retailers of SLU apparel, etc, for "player A" to not play well enough to merit court time. He is holding a schollie that a new recuit may be dying for and the new recruit may be a better player than "player A." Is that fair to a potential recruit? To the program as a whole? What about the players on the team that do merit court time? Wouldn't their games and potentially their ability to earn a living at the game improve if they were pushed that much harder everyday in practice by better competition? What about the coaches? Wouldn't their jobs be easier? I am sorry but we live in a capitalistic and performance based society. You perform or you no longer get to participate. Be that at Burger King, little league, NASA, or any blue-chip company in the world. Why should this be different? Also, I would wager that most of the players playing at the college level had to earn their way on to their JR high teams and then again on the JV team and then the varsity. Many players were cut along the way. They already know the rules of the game long before college: Perform or don't play. Yes there is huge money attached to the scholarship, but as has been stated, it should be looked at as a huge priveledge that is earned and not a right. If they still want to come to school here they can, just no longer free an no longer taking the place of a superior player (or one that fits the current roster better). If they aren't good enough to play here and still want to play they have to find a "lesser" team--just like in little league when a kid doesn't make the "A" team and has to play for the "B" team or go to a "lesser" league.

Hilarious. Roy, I am not so naive to think that players are not forced out. Again, it sucks for those kids, but they wanted to play ball and aren't up to snuff. Again, best players win. That is by definition competition. They chose to play and these are the rules of the game. Even for the kids that were forced out, they got a $30,000+ year of education for free. Not exactly a terrible deal. Sure, if they truly want to pursue their basketball careers they may have to go to West Eastern State, but that is how it works. By the way, some do very well in other programs. Furthermore, they are not kicked out of school, they just loose the money to pay for tuition. If they truly are committed to getting a SLU diploma instead of a elsewhere, they will have to do what thousands of us did: Pay for it. One way or another--through grants, good grades, work study, mom and pop, inheretance from great granny, working three jobs while at school etc. I hope RM keeps recruiting over every player on our roster, year after year. That is how you get better. If the current players don't improve and earn and the playing time--they may have to go. Don't be so naive to think that rick got hired to hold the hands of these kids and be nice to them--he got hired to WIN basketball games--period. For the record, the naive statement wasn't a shot at you--it is naturally how it came out of my head.

72--I would love to see that scenario come to pass--that would be fan-fricken-tastic. As much as I would love to see that happen, I don't think it would come to pass. It is just the pessimist in me. The only thing that is for sure is that ther is going to some sort of shake ups. Probably some major ones like the one you describe. Some of rumors and theories I have heard and seen speculation on are: The Big East Scenario you described in various forms (footbal revenue driven) The Pac-10 expanding and absorbing several schools from B12--TX, TT, A&M and CO have all been rumored B-10 expanding to 16 schools (where and who is a mystery, but MO is a rumored possbility) Now the CAA article which steals 4 A-10 schools Entirely new conferences being formed from a Jesuit conference, to various other midwest all basketball leagues etc. Again all specualtion, but it is fun to dream a bit about where our beloved Bills may end up. There are tons and tons of variables. I for one am very pleased with the A-10 as it stands now, of course it could be better. What ever happens I just hope we don't have to settle for a lesser conference. It is going to be an interested several years for sure.

This discussion has taken place many times over the last couple of months. Who would have ever predicted us in this situation 5-6 years ago. Times they are a changing--and for the better. Player turn over may not be the most PC, freindly, kind, or even morally correct thing to do, but it is the state of the game today. Best player wins--just as it has always been. Every single "traditional" powerhouse program has dealt with this "issue" for many, many years. It is the nature of the beast. The beast is WINNING. By all indications we need to get used to winning and its consequences. I myself, as a fan of the program, am very excited about the future--where 20+ win seasons with dance tickets are the norm and not just an anomaly. I obvioulsy don't WANT to force kids out that have made huge committments and sacrafices to the school and the program, but if you do not have the goods to play and you want floor time, you may have to go elsewhere to find it. Welcome to the the competitive world.

Excellent point on the final four teams. I dare say (with no real research) that the vast majority of the teams that make it that far were real good "team" teams and had at least a couple of guys who have played and grown together for at least a couple of years. The brass ring is a bit different for a program like KY and SLU over the past decade. Getting a one and doner for a program like slu has been for the last ten years would have been a great thing for the program--a trip to the dance and their brass ring. Just getting to the dance isn't that big deal for KY, winning it all is their brass ring. So, your point is perfect if KY truly becomes even more of a one and done prgram (if that is possible) they may never get their brass ring. For many other teams, though, they might get their brass ring by getting a one and done-r.

I gotta side with Johnny on this. Willie was awesome last year and will only get better and may one day (2 years from now) interest some NBA scouts, but not quite yet. Willie was one of the better bigs in the A-10 for sure and perhaps a top 50 guy in all of college basketball. That said, Willie, and Cory for that matter, will both be able to push and help Loe in his development. Heck, the Conk can definitely help toughen him up. If you can regularly score against those three down low--you are one heck of a college level player. Darn near any NBA big would do so regularly and easily. Luckily for us SLU plays college basketball. I am excited to see what Loe really does bring to the table. By all indications he is going to be a great addition to the team and can start contributing from day one.

I hope you are correct. Let's hope he also has the work ethic it takes to become and remain successful at the D1 level--He should already be training for next season now--conditioning, weight training, ball skills, shooting drills, etc. Let's hope he truly is the 3 we have all been wanting for some time. I can't wait for next year. It's going to be fun.

The year Larry was here was really fun--especially the timing of it. We had a 2 great years in 94-95 and 95-96 and then we had a break there. His arrival re-piqued the diminishing interest in the program. Of course I would love to have a player or two of that caliber on the team every year--almost assured a dance ticket and more than likely a victory or two or three in the dance. However, I would much rather have players come into the program like WR did--an underweight, slightly uncoordinated, and definitely underdeveloped freshman and work his way up the ranks. His transition from year one to year two was phenomenal. I am excited to see what years 3 and 4 bring. I would love to see his game continue to improve in leaps and bounds and watch him become a true NBA first rounder after his senior season. Then of course do this simoultaneously with player after player over and over...in a perfect world. I still think I could/would be a fan of the program if we were to magically become like a KY--an entirely new and different batch of players every single year. Year after year of one and dones. You would still have some role players to watch develop--although not nearly to the extent--as most of them won't be nearly as invovled in the games as a whole team of "non NBA-ers." Plus, you would be a top 25 team almost every year, which is always fun. Again, I really like the way RM is building this program and if things continue to grow as we expect them to, hopefully we are in the discussion as a realistic place to go for some of the nation's top players and hen hopefully we start landing some of these. Then, we may have some one and dones. Again, not ideal, but I wouldn't complain if Brandon Knight would have said SLU instead of KY yesterday.

Yeah, I emailed him and told him that we didn't have a single second of floor time played by anyone except sophomores and freshman. He emailed me back and said he was excited for the Bills. He lived in St Louis during the peak of spoonball from 94-98 and got to see some of our best years.

Our depth and available options is the most beautiful about what next year is going to bring. RM not only has many, many line-up options, but many QUALITY line-up options. We should be able to match up with just about anyone defensively. We only had a couple of games where we had some defensive match-up problems last year. With the addition of another big and CE's and hopefully DE or even JS's ability to guard a 3 we should be real, real solid on the D. Heck we forget that KC and CS are both good sized guards and could hang with 6-4 6-5ish guys if they are not wide body post players. If they have beef down low we always have the "Conk" and Cory came a very long way this year and had some terrific games down the stretch. I know I am rambling again, but bottom line, I think RM will have the ability to dictate the match-ups to the other team and not the other way around. It is is going to be fun.

Is this true? Does anyone have any info on this?

Sorry about the Type-O. It is fixed now.

Having depth and options definitely has to have RM drooling just a bit to get the season started. Beyond just having bodies, we have many QUALITY options. Think about the next group of guys that you don't even have starting: KC, CS, CR, JS, JJ, & BC--those guys would compete nicely with many of the starting line-ups that SLU has put on the floor over the past 20 years. This doesn't even consider the new kids RM has coming in--we really don't know how well MM or DE are going to take to his system and the speed of the D1 game, but both look like the real deal. Heck, we could add FJ to the mix as well. I bet we will see many different mixes of line-ups--all with varying skill sets, strengths and weaknesses. The value of shooting bigs absolutely adds to the complexity and flexibility of all of those options. One thing is for sure--it will be fun to watch.

Thanks a ton kcbill--great time killer while here at work. Plus I got to see the newest Bill play against very good opposition--although about 3/4 speed for the most part. Still awesome stuff. He looks like the real deal Thanks again for the videos. Good stuff.

That would be great.