Aquinas

In this new transfer era every teams are going to have more holes this time of year than they have historically. Of the returning players only Thatch shot below the NCAA 3 point percent average, and he hit well above it down the stretch. Okro is really the only returning player who shouldn't take an open 3. I count Perkins as a shooter. I think its reasonable to expect this returning group to shoot well above average. The faith I have us in Fords ability to fill the holes. My optimism for the coming season is based on the quality of the returning players.

We are in a good position with a very good group of returning players and the opportunity to address our weaknesses in the transfer market and we may not have a full roster until the end of the summer. I think this is be best Billiken team that we have had in a long time. Hopefully the new additions get on campus soon. The departure of our bench means the incoming freshman will have more opportunities to play. . Yuri Collins, Yr. 3, 6’ 185#, Pos 1, Grade A+, -34 mpg, 11.1 pts/game, 45/36/81, Reb 4.1 Francis Okoro, Yr. 4, 6’9” 235, Pos 5, Grade B, 24 mpg, 10.8 pts/game, 59/0/77, Reb 8 Gibson Jimerson, Yr. 2, 6’5” 200, Pos 2-3, Grade B+, 34 mpg, 16.2 pts/game, 45/41/82, Reb 2.2 Terrence Hargrove Jr. 6’4” 215, Pos 3,4 Grade C, 21 mpg, 6.7 pts/game, 45/36/63, Reb 4.2 Javonte Perkins, Yr. 4, 6’6” 215, Pos 3,4 Grade A, 30.6 mpg, 17.1 pts/game, 47,38,87, Reb 3.9 Fred Thatch Jr., Yr 3, 6’3” 215, Pos 3,4, Grade C+, 21 mpg, 6.3 pts/game, 42/29/71, Reb 3.9 New Additions: Sincere Parker Juco, Yr. 2, 6’3” 180, Pos 2-3, 15.6 pts/game, 44/40/82 Reb 4.9 – 27 TO, 16 Asst Nick Kramer, Yr. 1, 6’4” 200, Pos 2-3, 16 pts/game, Reb 6.7 Kellen Thames, Yr.1, 6’6” 185, Pos 1-2-3, 19.2 pts/game, Reb 7.5 5.6 asst Departures: Jordan Nesbitt, Yr.1 6’6” 200, Pos 1,2,3,4, 26 mpg, 8 pts/game, 39/34,69 Martin Linssen, 6’8” 240, Pos 5, Grade C+, 14 mpg, 7 pts/game, 53/0/77, Reb 3.7 Deandre Jones, 5’11” 160, Pos 1-2 Grade C+,15 mpg, 4 pts/game 40/37/83 Reb 3.2 Markhi Strickland, Yr. 2, 6.5” 210, Pos 3-4 Grade Inc Lassina Traore, Yr. 2, 6’9” 215, Pos 5,4. Grade Inc, GP 13, 8 mpg, 2.4 pts/game, 61/0/75, Reb 2.9 Rashad Williams, Yr 4, 6’2” 185, Pos 2,1. Grade Inc GP 19, 8 mpg, 2.2 pts/game, 23/26/100 Reb .5 Andre Lorentsson, Yr. 2, 6’8” 215, Pos 4, Grade Inc GP 7, 7 mpg, 1.5 pts/game, 83/67/0, Reb .6

I see where he shot 3s at 35%. I assume from that he can hit a mid range jumper. A stretch big would compliment Okoro, if he can move his feet and play some defense. I also think Okoros progress last season over his play in Oregon, shows a big man can do well here.

My vote for most entertaining Billiken moment this year..... The Traore jig.

I dont remember which game. But Yuri had a nice look pass through his legs to Jimerson, who was behind him for the 3.

I think Yuri is super entertaining. Dunks have a wow factor, but Yuri is a magician. A lot of players can dunk with flair, but very few can thread the ball like Yuri.

If you have watched St. Peters play, you see a very small team with tenacious defense. While we have had probably the most athletic Billiken team in history, we often didn't maintain high energy defense, and I know Ford preaches it. Players sitting on the end of the bench have to play aggressive defense when they get their chances. The coaches see these guys every day. They also see their work ethic. Coaches also love players that work hard. Recruiting high-school players is always a gamble. Will the talented player mature? He says the right things, but will he do the right things? Will a player that loves street ball embrace defense and playing within a system? Will he fold in adversity or double down on his effort? Under Ford, the players on the floor are generally the ones working the hardest.

I agree it isn't good news. I think we were a player short of dancing this year. By that I mean that we needed 4 players playing at a B grade or better. I would give Yuri an A+, Gibson a B+, and Okoro a B- as he closed out the season. I think Nesbitt was a C. Trade Nesbitt for Perkins and we are dancing. If Parker is a C+ or better, we will have a good team.

We don't know who is in his ear, or how he is doing in school. He had a one and done vision coming out of high school and may still think its possible. To be candid I thought he was the biggest disappointment of the season. He has potential to burn, but has been far from dominant. He also doesn't have a div 1 body let alone an NBA body. He needs to hit the weights, improve his shooting and work on his game. He barely out rebounded Yuri. If he put in the work, he could have the breakout season that he needs.

I dont have any problem with a coach taking a chance on a 6'8" shooter.

I agree. Players sitting out a year for non injuries, usually takes a month, or more of game play to return to their former a level of play. An injured player takes longer. I will be very happy if he is up to full speed by conference play.

I think the opportunity is better than that. The closest we have to a player who can defend a 4, is Perkins. Who isn't a great defender and is non-committal. We had 6'3" Thatch defending 4s, because our wings struggled. Depending on matchups, a good big would pick up minutes even when Okoro is on the floor.

We should be 7 point favorites at home.

TJ deserves a lot of credit for his improved outside shooting. His ball handling however is rough. I think the key to more minutes is rebounding. We need Hargrove and Nesbitt to develop a hunger for rebounds and loose balls.

I dont think its a zero sum game, where adding Perkins back into the line up, means a redistribution of the same total points. They will be capable of putting up significantly more points per game. If the starting lineup is Okoro, Perkins, Nessbit, Jimerson and Yuri, who do you double? Who do you name as the player who has to be shut down? The Bills could present a half court nightmare for defenses. If we find the open man, we will get better shots. Teams can't cover everyone and Perkins and Gibson don't need much space.

Yuri is going to play 35+min per game and he's back next year. Our greater need is full-time scoring threat and rebounder. I would like to see Nesbitt gain a better understanding of when to shoot and when to pass, in addition to grabbing rebounds.

I would like to see Gibson extend his range, but that might be more of a summer project. What would help most would be for another teammate or 2 requiring 2 defenders. I think the best candidates are Nesbit and Okoro. If we can keep playing games, we are at the part of the season where a highly rated Freshman or a player who sat the previous year, find another gear. find another gear.

In an attempt to get back to basketball. In this new year, I would like to see Jimmmerson extend his range. I was impressed with the distance on some of the 3s Auburn made. They appeared to be 2 full steps beyond the line. Defenders instinctively are just looking to guard the line.

We don't always agree, but we are Billiken family. Merry Christmas!

Does anyone know what the story is with Williams?

My ideal is probably an inch or 2 taller, but otherwise I agree with you. He will likely be the best forward we have next year barring a new addition or surprising development of an existing player. I was hoping to see significant improvement in his rebounding this year with his emphasis on physical development. His natural inclination is to score but it really looked like he was focusing on rounding out his game. I think he is in good hands with coach Ford and the rest of the staff. I think he has shown maturity in the way he has handed his career at SLU.

He is in a tough spot. He needs to recover from the injury, then rebuild his body and regain his skills. Typically players that sit a year, needs a couple of months of game play to regain their previous quality of play. I dont know his academic status, another free year of education could help him academically. The degree is for life, but as he just experienced, basketball skills can disappear in an instant. Assuming he returns to his previous level of play, its a big boost for the Billikens. I know he isn't an ideal forward, but he will strengthen our flexibility, especially if we lose Linsen.

Rammer and Earl were giddy describing Yuri's no look pass between his legs behind him to Jimerson who drains the 3 Please if one of you has the ability and opportunity to post the short clip of that, it sounds like Yuri's record game summed up in one play.

I live in the free state of Florida, where vacine mandates are banned. In this state you can attend one of the many theme parks or an Orlando Magic bb game without proof of vaccination or mask requirement. So does Florida have the highest covid case counts in the country.... No, to the contrary, when I looked 2 wks ago, Florida had the LOWEST case count by population in the country. The following is anecdotal evidence, I happen to be in a hospital ER right now with my mother. I just asked a nurse about the number of Covid patients in the ER... There are no covid patients in the ER.

Mizzou fell to 150 in Sagarin, last in the SEC. They are going to get killed in the SEC this season. I have to agree that we benefit from Martin staying there. He has a crazy record at Mizzou. On one hand, 2 ncaa appearances in four seasons. On the other hand, 2 going on 3 losing seasons and this is shaping up to be the worst.