SLUMedBilliken15

I really like Fred Thatch. Glad he is a part of Team Blue and think he is an important part of the team and can play a significant role coming off the bench, but I am not bullish on Thatch... Thatch prides himself on defense (which is a great attribute), but in my opinion, he fouls way too much to be effective. Also, he has not done near enough to prove to me that he can be a dependable offensive threat/"scorer."

My thoughts on our current schedule below. I really really like the schedule. I am all for playing other competitive mid majors especially if we can't get Power 5 conference teams to schedule us. Of note, Barrtorvik ranks below are projections for next season and KenPom ranks are from the end of last season. 11/20 vs. Mercer (Barttorvik -160, KenPom - 131) - Buy Game and hopefully easy win for the Season opener to work out any kinks - I am not opposed to an easy game to start the season 11/23 vs. Buffalo (Barrtorvik -80, Kenpom -77) - top 100 neutral site game against a very competitive non-power conference team. (Their Head Coach is Jim Whitesell). I like this game. Good winnable neutral site game. (Of course, I would love a better early season tournament....) 11/24 vs. IL State/SFA in Cancun (IL State Barrtorvik -189, Kenpom -198/SFA Barrtorvik -319, Kenpom -151) -I'm not excited about this game, especially as an early season tournament game... Both of these teams have been relevant in their conferences in recent years, but doubt they will be this year. Championship game of our early season tournament? Ugh.... Oh well... If this is the only part of the schedule I'm not excited for, I'd say it's a pretty good schedule. 11/30 at Boise State (Barrtorvik -68, Kenpom -61) - Top 100 away game against a very competitive mid major. I also really like this game. Good winnable road game. 12/22 vs. Drake in Las Vegas (Barrtorvik -60, Kenpom -55) - Top 100 game against a very competitive mid major. I also really like this game. Another Good winnable neutral site game. TBA vs. Auburn (Barrtorvik -18, Kenpom -60) - Good Power 5 conference team. Home court advantage gives us a chance. Any time we can get a potential top 25 power conference team into Chaifetz is a scheduling coup. TBA vs. UAB (Barrtorvik -87, Kenpom -102) - Good Conference USA team. Should be a top 100 team. I really like this game and think we can win. TBA vs. Boston College (Barrtorvik -136, Kenpom -148) - I know others won't be as excited as I am, but I really like this game too. Jesuit school from a Power 5 conference. Once again, any time we can get a Power 5 team into Chaifetz is a good game. TBA @ Memphis (Barrtorvik -10, Kenpom -31) - I really like this game. I think this will be our toughest game of the year. Memphis has had huge success in recent years recruiting with Coach Hardaway. I think we have a chance.

Has Jordan Goodwin officially decided not to come back? I haven't seen that anywhere yet other than this post. Source?

Maybe Russell will decommit from SEMO again and join the team as a walk-on?

LIKE: CBB: The Billikens, Butler, Kansas State, Vanderbilt, Any A10 team, Any non-conference team the bills beat that season, Any team Majerus used to coach for, Any Jesuit school including Gonzaga, Any decent mid major team. NBA: Celtics (Marcus Smart, Jayson Tatum, coached by Brad Stevens) MLB: Cardinals NFL: None NHL: Blues MLS: STL City, Atlanta United

I will miss Jacobs. Best of luck to him. I always root for Ball State. Majerus' old stomping grounds.

Anyone know what is going on with Coach Stuen? Will be praying for him and his family.

Dayton likely near the top as well with all the talent they are bringing in.

The following were rated by at least 1 site as a 4 star: (Includes 4 star transfers and players who never played. There may be more.) Jordan Goodwin Hasahn French Francis Okoro Jordan Nesbitt TJ Hargrove Cartare Gordon Javon Bess Adonys Henriquez Dion Wiley

Yuri, Goodwin, Nesbitt, Perkins, Okoro Thats my guess... Just a guess though

Lasalle was the most recent A10 team to reach the sweet 16 and Fordham has the best media market. I agree that both of these teams are currently horrid, but I doubt the A10 will drop them anytime soon.

Thanks!

I can't find the game on my fox sports go app. Anyone else having this problem?

I wanted to bring this thread back to life. Great job by Ford and staff adding the NC State game. Ford's in game coaching and adjustments at half and throughout the game last night against NC State shows that he can be a good in game coach with the right personnel. Coach Ford gets an A+ for his time at SLU. Not many coaches could have turned SLU around as Ford has done.

I think Ford and co have done a great job of consistently scheduling power 5 teams that are beatable. Remember not many A10 teams can schedule and consistently win against power 5 teams like we have for the past 4 years: 2020: LSU 2019: Boston College & Kansas State 2018: Seton Hall & Butler 2017: Virginia Tech I think more important than just scheduling good games is scheduling good winnable games. This year we can beat anyone, but overall I think Ford gets an A+ for scheduling.