HoosierPal

Pochettino, were you watching?

If you put any faith in algorithms, T-Rank has us losing against Santa Clara, Wichita State, San Fran and Grand Canyon. Pre-season algorithms are suspect, as they rely on historical data. Those four games are our only chance at OOC Q1 games. One or two might fall into Q1 by the end of the year. So we need at least two W's there. Our home OOC, no chance at Q1. Our marquee home OOC game is ? Wofford? UMass Lowell? Quinnipiac? None of the above?

Coach Schertz agrees with you, or should I say, you agree with Coach Schertz. Last Sunday on KMOX here is what he said; You can't bubble wrap these guys and keep them on the shelf. If you are worried about injuries, you are more apt to get hurt. You have to build body armor in preseason practices and exhibitions.

Now is the time of the year when we can all guess what Schertz is thinking. We are all right, until he shows his hand. Schertz has been quoted as favoring a 7-8 man rotation. He also recently said that the starters and rotation are not set in stone on game 1. We all know that last year at Indiana State, he primarily played 7. I looked up the Sycamore's stats from the 22-23 season and they show a different picture. Eight players started 6 or more games, and 10 played 10+ minutes in the majority of the games. Another played 9.3 m/g. So he was going 10 deep in his rotation. No one will argue against Avila, Swoop and Jimerson starting, and playing 30+ minutes. Last week Schertz said on the radio that Thames was playing as well as anyone. He did have an issue with his achilles in the scrimmage. Hughes has the best 3% of the remaining players. Dotzler was with the starters in the scrimmage. Anya and Casey bring a physical big presence that no one else on the bench that will protect the lane and rebound. Johnson didn't come here to sit on the bench. That's nine players. If he stays at 7-8, one or two are left out. Going to be fun to see how this roles out. The Exhibition games probably won't tell us much, but the game in Sioux Falls will be the first indication of what Schertz is going to do.

Turner and Horvath in trouble? GK job appears to be open for Schulte or Steffen. https://prosoccerwire.usatoday.com/story/sports/usmnt/2024/10/02/pochettino-usmnt-goalkeepers-sitting-on-bench-not-allowed/75482753007/

For those with a PD subscription, be sure to read Stu's article on Anya. Schertz has him as a hybrid, but he is playing Avila's role of trigger while Robbie is on the sidelines. He was getting reps there in the summer, so this isn't new. Studied business and applied mathematics at Brown. His goal is to lead the A10 in rebounding this season. Interesting comments on running a break. Stu is putting out some good stuff. https://www.stltoday.com/sports/college/slu/kalu-anya-brings-mathematical-mind-to-slus-new-offense/article_4aba148a-80f4-11ef-96f7-af56e15fc3bd.html

Yes there is communication, but we have seen this issue before where a club (on both sides of the ocean) doesn't let a player go. Perhaps, just throwing stuff out, Schulte joins the USMNT for the second match on Oct 15. Since the MLS doesn't always line up with the FIFA windows, this is something that Pochetinno will have to learn to navigate. It might be a good thing that this happens right out of the gate.

Schulte's Columbus Crew has a match on October 15, the day of the Panama friendly. They are in a tight race with arch rival Cincinnati for second place in the Supporter's Shield. Finish in the Shield standings dictates home pitch for the playoffs. There are two matches before the Cincy match, but it will be interesting to see if releases their #1 GK for a friendly if the Cincy match is vital to their finish.

Mostly repeat of what has already been posted, but there is a minor update on Avila and Casey. Schertz compares the O’Loughlin Family Champions Center to an NBA facility. https://www.valleyhoopsinsider.com/schertz-prepping-for-his-first-slu-season/

If it's on the internet, it must be true. Either the Pac 12 and Memphis are talking, or they aren't. The Pac XYZ still doesn't have a media deal nailed down for their future configuration.

This realignment isn't going to end soon enough. I'd think twice about jumping conferences until the dust settles. Gonzaga is reportedly getting close to football level distribution of revenues. If you are a football school in the Pac12, I'd second guess that move. Football moves the money needle. On another issue, the SEC and Big 10 are meeting this week on a football scheduling alliance. The noose is drawing tighter. Once all this garbage settles down in football, the P4 focus will be turned to carving up the biggest piece of pie possible in basketball.

WCC is toast. Gonzaga to the Big East not gonna happen.

Another forecast. Most rankings that I have seen are consistent on the Top 5, with placement changing.

I'm with you on this, and my money is on AJ Casey to show the most improvement. He was a 4% (yes four) three point shooter at Miami, 1 of 22 in his two seasons. He made his sole three pointer his first season at Miami. He was 0-12 last season. If he hits two out of 20 this year, he will double his shooting average. No one else will top that improvement!