Aquinas

NIL has has become one of the top factors in players choosing schools and in coaches taking new jobs. I think it is also a top factor in a conference selecting a new school. A winning history was previously the best indicator of future performance. Players and coaches were attracted to it. But now, a winning history pales in comparison to NIL money. If a school has a good year, their team gets decimated at the end of the season, if they don't have the NIL budget to keep them. Conferences want winning schools, because winning schools generate revenue. This presents SLU with an opportunity to overcome our greatest weakness in appealing to the Beast. Instead of needing years of winning, we may be much more appealing, with a strong NIL budget and a current winning program, on a trajectory of future winning seasons.

Celebrity fans are good for the program and there isn't much better that a celebrity NBA player. My personal opinion is that he took a hard look at SLU, but we were not easy to choose that year. When he shows the Billikens love, that is a very good thing. Companies pay a lot of money to have an NBA star endorse their products.

Does anyone know when SLU updates the height, weight and pics for the current roster? I think they did physicals about 2 wks ago.

That's fun.

Good thoughtful article. I can see Thames landing that 3rd guard spot, but its a horse race. Basically any of these guys could break out. It appears Schertz brought in guys who have the potential to play big roles.

It is wonderful to have a coach with a plan, a system, a history of making it work and the discipline to get it done.

I think they are positioned at least as well as the incoming guards, not named Swope. I am still not sure what Thames is capable of doing or how big he actually is. His 3 pt% was good last year, but his FT% was bad. Is he 6'5" or 6'7"? I think he has the greater potential of the two. I think they fit Schertz system well and they will make improvements in efficiency. The minutes they played last year, position them to take big steps up.

I decided to look at the total division 1 minutes and points scored by our current team. Total minutes available - 200. Total by this team 216, Total points 84 Adjusted to 200 minutes that would be 78 points a game, BEFORE Schertz starts coaching the team. Player Min Points Avila 31 17 Brockoff 8 3 Casey 9 2 Anya 27 10 Jimerson 36 16 Thames 19 6 Swope 33 16 Hughes 23 7 Johnson 26 6 Dotzler 4 1 216 84

My understanding is that it was a medial meniscus tear (cartilage), that didn't stop him from playing. No rods or screws.

Avila, Swope and Jimerson almost certainly have 3 spots locked down. Casey or Anya have to be favored to take the forward position. Leaving stiff competition for the last guard spot and backup minutes. The players that get comfortable with Schertz system first, and produce in practice will start to separate themselves from the pack.

Any info on the injury to warlick?

Sorry spell check got me.

One of the coaches that Schertz brought in is an expert in the no 3 zone also called the no fun zone. Schertz praised the coach as an Xs and Os servant so I'm thinking Schertz will adopt that zone.

He called Max a guard, and that is consistent with his previous statements. He has said Max isn't heavy enough to defend bigs, certainly not this year and maybe not in 2 years. The thought of him on the floor as a guard, would make for a very big lineup. He shoots 3s well. The typical wing is 6'5". A 5-6" height advantage is not something players typically give up to a 3 pt shooter. The real question, is he quick enough to defend guards.

We have 3 solid starters in Avila, Swope and Jimerson. After that we have Hughes Thames, the transfers and freshmen with question marks. So I decided see what the ISU starters, did in their first year under Schertz, as compared to the previous year. I believe all those players were rated 2 stars out of high school. Our current freshman each have at least one 3 stars rating. Avila came in under Schertz as a freshman. Conwell Kent and Swope transferred from other schools and Larry was a freshman at ISU the year before Schertz arrived. I have bolded the first year under Schertz: Robbie Avila Freshman under Schertz – A solid first year for an 11-20 team. Followed by a big jump last year. 2022 Min 21, Pts 11, FG% 54, 3P% 34, FT% 71, Asst 1.6 2023 Min 31, Pts 17, FG% 54, 3Pt% 39, FT% 81, Asst 4.1 Julian Larry Freshman at ISU before Schertz. He had a modest improvement in points, but a big improvement in efficiency. He never became a big scorer, but was very efficient. He made another step up in efficiency in his second year under Schertz. 2020 Min 20, Pts 4, FG% 31, 3P% 27, FT% 68, Ast 1.6 2021 Min 30, Pts 5.7, FG% 48, 3P% 35, FT% 82, Ast 2 2022 Min 26, Pts 7, FG% 59, 3P% 46, FT% 82, Ast 3.3 2023 Min 34, Pts 11, FG% 52, 3P% 46, FT% 78, Ast 4.8 Ryan Conwell Transferred as Soph from USF. Big jump in everything, in year one (last year). 2022 Min 19, Pts 5, FG% 34, 3P% 30, FT% 82, Ast 1.9 2023 Min 34, Pts 17, FG% 48, 3P% 40.7, FT% 85, Ast 2.5 Jayson Kent Transferred as Jr from Bradley. His Pts and Min dropped, Efficiency improved. His big jump came in the following year (last Yr). 2021 Min 20, Pts 7, FG% 38, 3P% 26, FT% 64, Asst .5 2022 Min 15, Pts 5, FG% 47, 3Pt% 27, FT% 80, Asst .4 2023 Min 30, Pts 13, FG% 64, 3P%37, FT% 84, Asst .6 Isaiah Swope Transferred as a JR from Southern Indiana, Ohio Valley Conf: He had a big freshman year at Southern Indiana, then some of his numbers dipped a little. Some of that is probably better competition and some a knee problem that required surgery at the end of this last season. 2022 Min 32, Pts 16, FG% 46, 3P% 42 FT% 74, Asst 3.5 2023 Min 33, Pts 16, FG% 43, 3P% 36, FT% 74, Ast 2.1 So how will each of the new players respond to Schertz? Most players improve from one year to the next, but the improvements under Schertz in efficiency numbers, are very impressive. At least one of our transfer power forwards, needs to step up and then probably 2 guards.

I don't recall a season with more new faces. I have listed the players by position to make it easier to see how this might come together. Yes, a point guard might be a shooting guard, there are no positions yada yada yada. The freshman I have listed at the bottom. We don't know real heights and weights on them. One of them could surprise us. I am not projecting anything in this opening post, just player info so there is a quick reference at the beginning of this thread. The Schertz quotes come from SLUbillikens.com. Centers: Robbie Avila 6’10”240 Jr, Center, 31 Min, 17 Pts, 7 RB, 3Pt% 39, FT% 81, Asst, 4.1, Stls .67, Indiana State– Missouri Valley, Shertz: “Makes everyone around him better.” Kilian Brockoff 6’9” 225, SO, Center, 8 Min, 3 Pts, 1.5 RB, 3pt% 38, FT% 57, Asst .3, UC Santa Barbara – Big West, From Germany Schertz: “He fits us systematically with his combination of size, skill and the ability to think the game.” Powe Forwards: A J Casey 6’9” 221, JR, Forward, 9 Min, 2 Pts, 2 RB, 3Pt% 0, FT% 59, Asst, .3 Stls .1, Miami – ACC, Schertz: Can play with a big and operate as small ball 5. Defensively can guard 1-5. Kalu Anya 6’8” 215, JR, Forward, 27 Min, 9.6 Pts, 7.4 RB, 3Pt% 27, FT% 51, Asst 1.7, Stls 1.2, Brown-Ivy League, Schertz: ‘possesses the physical attributes and lateral quickness to guard 1-5.” Wings: Gibson Jimerson 6’5” Sr, 215, Guard/Wing, 36 Min, 16 Pts, 2.9 RB, 3Pt% 36, FT% 86, Asst 2.1, Stls .66, Billikens-A10 Kellen Thames 6’5” 205, SO, Guard, 19 Min, 6 Pts, 3.7 RB, 3 Pt% 36, FT% 55, Asst .8, Stls .9, Billikens-A10 Shooting Guards: Isaiah Swope 5’10” 170, SR Guard, 33 Min, 16 Pts, 3 RB, 3Pt% 36, FT% 74, Asst 2.1, Stls 1.3, Indiana State, Schertz “His quickness and shooting are at elite levels and is one of the best scorers in all of college basketball.” Larry Hughes II 6’4” 185 Jr, Guard, 23 Min, 7 Pts, 2.7 RB, 3 Pt% 35, FT% 77, Asst 1.5, Stls 1.1 Billikens-A10 Point Guards: Kobe Johnson 6’3”, SR, Guard, 26 Min 6 Pts, 2 RB, 3pt% 28, FT% 79, Asst 2.2, Stls.55, West Virginia, Big 12 Schertz: “His combination of great lateral quickness, instincts and length gives him a chance to be an elite defender for us.” Josiah Dotzler 6’3” 185, SO, Guard, 4Min, 1 Pts, 0 RB, 3Pt% 18, FT% 60, .2 Asst, .3 Stls, Creighton – Big East, Schertz: I recruited him out of high school. Freshman: Max Pikaar 6’11” 205, FR, Power Forward, Double/Double, 3Pt% 40, FT% ? Netherlands - Sunrise Christian Academy (Kansas) Schertz – Can handle, pass and shoot at the highest levels Defensively can guard 1 – 4. On3 3 star Amari McCottry 6’6” 215, FR, Guard Wing, 22 Pts, 9 RB, St. Thomas More, 247 3 star, Schertz: “His size, skill and explosiveness are all at the very highest level.” Dylan Warlick 6’5” 210, FR, Small Forward, 20 Pts, 11 RB, Edmond North High, Edmond OK, 247, Rivals and ESPN 3 star, physical player. Schertz "Dylan is a unique player with an equally unique mindset that is the engine of his elite competitive motor.”

We now have Hair & Gogels.

2024 Billikens: Updated with Dylan Warlick, I identified him as a small forward. I didn't find a 3pt%, though video shows him shooting 3s. I saw one site listing him as 6'6" and 215, also saw him listed as a power forward. I am always suspect of high school player's heights. I look forward to SLU posting the height/wt of the team, especially the freshman. Gibson Jimerson 6’5” Sr, 215, Guard Wing, 36 Min, 16 Pts, 2.9 RB, 3Pt% 36, FT% 86, 2.1 Asst, .66 Stls, Billikens-A10 Robbie Avila 6’10”240 Jr, Center, 31 Min, 17 Pts, 7 RB, 3Pt% 39m FT% 81, 4.1 Asst, .67 Stls, Indiana State– Missouri Valley, Shertz: Makes everyone around him better. Isaiah Swope 5’10” 170, SR, Guard, 33 Min, 16 Pts, 3 RB, 3Pt% 36, FT% 74, 2.1 Asst, 1.3 Stls, Indiana State, Schertz His quickness and shooting are at elite levels and is one of the best scorers in all of college basketball. Larry Hughes II 6’4” 185 Jr, Guard, 23 Min, 7 Pts, 2.7 RB, 3 Pt% 35, FT% 77, 1.5 Asst, Billikens Kellen Thames 6’5” 205, SO, Guard, 19 Min, 6 Pts, 3.7 RB, 3 Pt% 36, FT% 55, .8 Asst, .9 Stls, 1.2 Stls, Billikens Josiah Dotzler 6’3” 185, SO, Guard, 4Min, 1 Pts, 0 RB, 3Pt% 18, FT% 60, .2 Asst, .3 Stls, Creighton – Big East, Schertz: I recruited him out of high school. A J Casey 6’9” 221, JR, Forward, 9 Min, 2 Pts, 2 RB, 3Pt% 0, FT% 59, .3 Asst, .1 Stls, Miami – ACC, Schertz: Can play with a big and operate as small ball 5. Defensively can guard 1-5. Kalu Anya 6’8” 215, JR, Forward, 27 Min, 9.6 Pts, 7.4 RB, 3Pt% 27, FT% 51, 1.7 Asst, 1.2 Stls, Brown-Ivy League, Schertz: Can guard 1-5. Kobe Johnson 6’3”, SR, Guard, 26 Min 6 Pts, 2 RB, 3pt% 28, FT% 79, 2.2 Asst, .55 Stls, West Virginia Kilian Brockoff 6’9” 225, SO, Center, 8 Min, 3 Pts, 1.5 RB, 3pt% 38, FT% 57, .3 Asst, UC Santa Barbara – Big West, (From Germany) Freshman: Max Pikaar 6’11” 205, FR, Power Forward, Double/Double, 3Pt% 40, FT% ? Netherlands - Sunrise Christian Academy (Kansas) Schertz – Can handle, pass and shoot at the highest levels Defensively can guard 1 – 4. Amari McCottry 6’6” 215, FR, Guard Wing, 22 Pts, 9 RB, St. Thomas More, 247 3 star, Schertz: His size, skill and explosiveness are all at the very highest level. Dylan Warlick 6’5” 210, FR, Small Forward, 20 Pts, 11 RB, Edmond North High, Edmond OK, 247 Rivals - 3 star, physical player

It going to be fun watching this develop.

I will project Casey ahead of Anya, though it's potential vs experience at a lower level.

2024 Billikens: Updated with Kilian Brockoff. One scholarship to fill. Gibson Jimerson 6’5” Sr, 215, Guard Wing, 36 Min, 16 Pts, 2.9 RB, 3Pt% 36, FT% 86, 2.1 Asst, .66 Stls, Billikens-A10 Robbie Avila 6’10”240 Jr, Center, 31 Min, 17 Pts, 7 RB, 3Pt% 39m FT% 81, 4.1 Asst, .67 Stls, Indiana State– Missouri Valley, Shertz: Makes everyone around him better. Isaiah Swope 5’10” 170, SR, Guard, 33 Min, 16 Pts, 3 RB, 3Pt% 36, FT% 74, 2.1 Asst, 1.3 Stls, Indiana State, Schertz His quickness and shooting are at elite levels and is one of the best scorers in all of college basketball. Larry Hughes II 6’4” 185 Jr, Guard, 23 Min, 7 Pts, 2.7 RB, 3 Pt% 35, FT% 77, 1.5 Asst, Billikens Kellen Thames 6’5” 205, SO, Guard, 19 Min, 6 Pts, 3.7 RB, 3 Pt% 36, FT% 55, .8 Asst, .9 Stls, 1.2 Stls, Billikens Josiah Dotzler 6’3” 185, SO, Guard, 4Min, 1 Pts, 0 RB, 3Pt% 18, FT% 60, .2 Asst, .3 Stls, Creighton – Big East, Schertz: I recruited him out of high school. A J Casey 6’9” 221, JR, Forward, 9 Min, 2 Pts, 2 RB, 3Pt% 0, FT% 59, .3 Asst, .1 Stls, Miami – ACC, Schertz: Can play with a big and operate as small ball 5. Defensively can guard 1-5. Kalu Anya 6’8” 215, JR, Forward, 27 Min, 9.6 Pts, 7.4 RB, 3Pt% 27, FT% 51, 1.7 Asst, 1.2 Stls, Brown-Ivy League, Schertz: Can guard 1-5. Kobe Johnson 6’3”, SR, Guard, 26 Min 6 Pts, 2 RB, 3pt% 28, FT% 79, 2.2 Asst, .55 Stls, West Virginia Kilian Brockoff 6’9” 225, SO, Center, 8 Min, 3 Pts, 1.5 RB, 3pt% 38, FT% 57, .3 Asst, UC Santa Barbara – Big West, (From Germany) Freshman: Max Pikaar 6’11” 205, FR, Power Forward, Double/Double, 3Pt% 40, FT% ? Netherlands - Sunrise Christian Academy (Kansas) Schertz – Can handle, pass and shoot at the highest levels Defensively can guard 1 – 4. Amari McCottry 6’6” 215, FR, Guard Wing, 22 Pts, 9 RB, St. Thomas More, 247 3 star, Schertz: His size, skill and explosiveness are all at the very highest level.

I think Schertz saying that he is looking for Avila's back up, is a clear sign that plan A, is to play Casey/Anya with Avila. Avila is a nightmare to defend and requires double teams as works toward the basket. Another big cutting to the basket, gives Avila a big target and they either get a clear path or one defender to beat. I think Casey will emerge as the better of the two. He has legit size and athleticism. He also played with Avila before college and that likely played a role in him choosing SLU. Avila will look for him. He will also help a lot defending the post. Avilas weakness is that he is slow and not athletic. Casey strengths help cover that weakness. In my view Schertz gets an A, for roster construction. It was painful to watch Ford bring in starters that had the same weakness. For example, Goodwin, French, Bell and Yuri all had limmited shooting range. Some improved over time but it was an uphill battle, trying to score inside, against teams, that packed in their defense and dared SLU, to take outside shots. Schertz has a plan and I thing it is for 2 bigs on the floor.

This is the kind of player Majerus loved. Have our 3point shooting bigs pull the defending bigs away from the basket, then have a guard like this post up against their guards.

It is probably a plus when pitching potential NIL donors.

Schertz hired Phil Gaetano from Merrimak, a team recognized for their zone defense. It's been called the no 3 zone or no fun zone. In any event, Shertz described Geatano as an Xs and Os servant. It makes me wonder if we will be running the no 3 zone?