Next year's starting five.

[DeSmetBilliken]

Any chance Yarbrough could start as a small ball 4 like DE did as a freshman and senior?

I would say that is very unlikely. Yarbrough appears to be more of a perimeter oriented player, while DE was more of an inside player. I think it's more appropriate to view Yarbrough as a big guard/wing, not an undersized post player like Evans.

[Littlebill]

At 5'9", I am just sending my 6'3 guard to knock him off the ball. Seems teams did that quite effectively.

Yeah, they did the same thing with 5'9" Kwamain. What is your beef with AM? He's going to have to contribute a lot if we're going to be any good this year...

[majerus mojo]

AM is a chucker, he will have some nice nights, and probably more than a few brutal ones as well. I would think he's a lock to finish in the top 3 in scoring.. Up there with AY (we hope) and one of the bigs. I would love to see AM as more of a distributer at PG, looking to get MC etc. as many open shots as possible (I think MC should start), though I don't believe that's his game. I like the idea the idea of him coming off the bench in the Jamal Crawford/Dion Waiters heat check role, but don't envision this playing out in the immediate future given our lack of experience behind him. I'm not ruling him out as being more serviceable than that, i.e. a 2-year starter, either.

[Clock_Tower]

_{A word of caution -- there is a huge adjustment from the highschool game to the college game.}

_{Go watch any youth sporting event whereby the kids (in my example 6th grade boys) are playing alongside an older team (7th grade boys). Then watch, if you can, the 6th grade play the 7th graders and you will find not only that the entire 6th grade team will struggle against the bigger, stronger and "more veteran" competition (7th graders) as they experience less time make their move, make their pass or get their shot off but also that some of the 6th graders struggle more than others and that it really doesn't correlate along the lines of the 6th graders with the better stats (most points, most assists, best shooting percentage, rebounds, etc. ) struggle less than the 6th graders with the lesser stats. For instance, a kid used to scoring 15 to 20 ppg might get shut down completely while another kid used to scoring 8 to 10 ppg might still be productive and come closer to his scoring average.}

_{This same scenario happens at the college level. Some are suggesting that b/c certain incoming freshmen had certain stats or played "higher level" competition in highschool that they will be better at SLU on day 1. I say no. It all has to do with how well and how quickly each and every incoming freshmen are able to make the adjustment from the highschool game to the college game. Yes, our three Sophomores were not healthy the whole season, but they had a huge adjustment to make at the college level despite each have similar rankings to our incoming freshmen and they each put up impressive stats, wins, etc. in highschool similar to our incoming freshmen. RA is given a pass b/c of his injury but both MC and TL struggled - especially at defense. Remember, our frosh and sophs will largely be playing against the opposition who will be 2 to 3 years older, along with the corresponding improvement of size, strength, maturity, savvy, etc. I sure liked our graduating Seniors but I sure like them better as Juniors and Seniors than I did as Freshmen and Sophomores.}

[slufan13]

Yeah, they did the same thing with 5'9" Kwamain. What is your beef with AM? He's going to have to contribute a lot if we're going to be any good this year...

1. Kwamain wasn't 5'9. Don't care what he was listed at.

2. Kwamain was a far far far superior player.

[RUBillsFan]

You are dead wrong to think he will lead the Billikens in scoring. You are only looking at the averages but on the minutes played. AM totally deteriorated as the season progressed...so....noooo...it will not happen. At 5'9", I am just sending my 6'3 guard to knock him off the ball. Seems teams did that quite effectively.

Okay. I assume you meant "not" the minutes played. Let's try this again.

Sophomore year stats:

Evan - 7.9 ppg, 34 games, 268 total points, 852 minutes, .315 points per minute

McBroom - 7.3 ppg, 34 games, 248 total points, 730 minutes, .340 points per minute

McCall - 7.0 ppg, 33 games, 231 total points, 756 minutes, .306 points per minute

Jett - 6.5 ppg, 34 games, 220 total points, 754 minutes, .292 points per minute

So McBroom actually looks better if you go by points per minute played. Please actually look into the facts before you try to make an argument.

McBroom struggling down the stretch actually gives me more hope than if he had performed at a consistent level the entire year and wound up with the same stats. Perhaps he had a nagging injury of some kind or he ran out of gas after sitting out a year due to the transfer.

For better or worse, McBroom will more likely than not lead the Billikens in scoring and be our primary PG next year.

[Billiken Rich]

I'd be interested to know exactly what Billikenboy is talking about as the mysterious reason AM won't score a bunch and start at point next season....

He may be right but it seems like sleazy, character assassination by just hinting at it......

EDITED to include 05 in the AM mystery......

[STL Hoops Insider]

I'd be interested to know exactly what Billikenboy is talking about as the mysterious reason AM won't score a bunch and start at point next season....

He may be right but it seems like sleazy, character assassination by just hinting at it......

EDITED to include 05 in the AM mystery......

I think its because he helped homeless guy. He likes his players to be cold and ruthless. Since he's not giving a reason, we must let our imaginations run wild

[slufan13]

I think its because he helped homeless guy. He likes his players to be cold and ruthless. Since he's not giving a reason, we must let our imaginations run wild

Go ahead and think whatever you want.

I have reasons to think that McBroom can't lead this team. I'm not going to share them on here. I don't think he's good enough, but that's not what's making me think this.

I'll leave it at that. He needs to have a good season next year even if the freshmen come on strong from the start. Depth will be important with an inexperienced team.

[RUBillsFan]

Go ahead and think whatever you want.

I have reasons to think that McBroom can't lead this team. I'm not going to share them on here. I don't think he's good enough, but that's not what's making me think this.

I'll leave it at that. He needs to have a good season next year even if the freshmen come on strong from the start. Depth will be important with an inexperienced team.

McBroom wouldn't be my ideal choice at PG either, but IMO he is going to be the best option SLU has next year. He doesn't seem to have the leadership, discipline, defense, or ball control that Jett, McCall, and Mitchell had. However, expecting a freshman to come in and out play a guy that contributed a lot to a team that won the A10 title last year is crazy.

[brianstl]

Okay. I assume you meant "not" the minutes played. Let's try this again.

Sophomore year stats:

Evan - 7.9 ppg, 34 games, 268 total points, 852 minutes, .315 points per minute

McBroom - 7.3 ppg, 34 games, 248 total points, 730 minutes, .340 points per minute

McCall - 7.0 ppg, 33 games, 231 total points, 756 minutes, .306 points per minute

Jett - 6.5 ppg, 34 games, 220 total points, 754 minutes, .292 points per minute

So McBroom actually looks better if you go by points per minute played. Please actually look into the facts before you try to make an argument.

McBroom struggling down the stretch actually gives me more hope than if he had performed at a consistent level the entire year and wound up with the same stats. Perhaps he had a nagging injury of some kind or he ran out of gas after sitting out a year due to the transfer.

For better or worse, McBroom will more likely than not lead the Billikens in scoring and be our primary PG next year.

The reason McBroom numbers look better compared to Jett and McCall is we played at a far faster pace last season than we did during their sophomore season. We played at one of the slowest tempos in the country that year. You just can't look at the scoring numbers and minutes played and determine the McBroom was a more efficient scorer than McCall or Jett as sophomores. He wasn't. Both Jett and McCall were more efficient scorers as sophomores.

[STL Hoops Insider]

He doesnt have to play pg to start and lead the team in scoring, but if hes going to start at sg, then thst means Reynolds or Bartley is your pg. But you will need McBroom to be a top 2 scorer for this team to be successful. No one else on the team, even Ash has scored many points at the collegiate level. Hopefully Ash is Reggie Bryant part II.

[slu72]

Everytime I think of a FR at PG, I get the very disturbing image of Randy Pulley's one year at SLU. Uncontrolled drives into heavy traffic and flak flying all around him. He was an ATM TO machine. Now if one of our FR is of the KM mindset, I don't have a problem with starting a FR, but if he's not a KM type, we'll struggle. I don't like AM at PG, but he maybe our only option to start.

[slufan13]

The reason McBroom numbers look better compared to Jett and McCall is we played at a far faster pace last season than we did during their sophomore season. We played at one of the slowest tempos in the country that year. You just can't look at the scoring numbers and minutes played and determine the McBroom was a more efficient scorer than McCall or Jett as sophomores. He wasn't. Both Jett and McCall were more efficient scorers as sophomores.

Too add to this, McBroom's numbers also look better because he put up 210 shots last year as a sophomore. McCall had 189 as a sophomore and Jett had 167. So of course he'll score more points if he takes more shots. Dwayne took more shots than McBroom, but also plays a completely different position.

[slufan13]

Everytime I think of a FR at PG, I get the very disturbing image of Randy Pulley's one year at SLU. Uncontrolled drives into heavy traffic and flak flying all around him. He was an ATM TO machine. Now if one of our FR is of the KM mindset, I don't have a problem with starting a FR, but if he's not a KM type, we'll struggle. I don't like AM at PG, but he maybe our only option to start.

McBroom will absolutely start out the season as the main PG and he'll probably play a ton of minutes, but I really think that by the heart of conference play, either Reynolds or Bartley will be contributing significant minutes at PG. I expect McBroom to start the whole season, but I think the minutes will be pretty even by February.

[RUBillsFan]

The reason McBroom numbers look better compared to Jett and McCall is we played at a far faster pace last season than we did during their sophomore season. We played at one of the slowest tempos in the country that year. You just can't look at the scoring numbers and minutes played and determine the McBroom was a more efficient scorer than McCall or Jett as sophomores. He wasn't. Both Jett and McCall were more efficient scorers as sophomores.

This argument seems to make a little bit of sense. I'm not trying to argue McBroom is as good or better than McCall & Jett overall, just that as sophomores they were similarly good at scoring. I don't want to have to renew my KenPom subscription to check your assertions.

Efficiency can be at least partly attributed to shooting %s

McBroom - overall .352 3pt .349

Jett - overall .467 3pt .333

McCall - overall .423 3pt .348

Evans - overall .460 3pt .346

Seems like you've got a good point. I don't think you can compare Jett & Evans % because their shots were likely mostly at the rim or wide open 3s because they didn't shoot many. McBroom's % are a lot closer to McCall's, but McCall was better. I still think McBroom will lead the team in scoring, but based on these %s it looks like he is only efficient at being 3 pt gunner and will need to improve at scoring other ways if the Billikens are to be successful.

[kwyjibo]

Too add to this, McBroom's numbers also look better because he put up 210 shots last year as a sophomore. McCall had 189 as a sophomore and Jett had 167. So of course he'll score more points if he takes more shots. Dwayne took more shots than McBroom, but also plays a completely different position.

While I appreciate Brian trying to use advanced statistical reasoning to make his point, this is far more valid point: McCall and Jett had better efficiency (or more exactly better Efficient Field Goal Percentage). Brian's point does NOT change McBroom's statistical advantage as McBroom has a higher point possession after accounting for Tempo (the difference in Tempo is a valid adjustment it is just that this team only had 7% more possessions per game than 2 years ago while the differences in points per minute is 11% or more).

I also think outside of statistical analysis the context matters. McBroom was a pretty peripheral option and while he may do better as a more important option it is also reasonable to wait to see what he can do with tougher defensive matchups. I think he will have some high scoring games next season and I certainly hope that he finds some consistency but I expect if teams need to shut him down they will some of the time.

[RUBillsFan]

I'll also throw out there that McBroom is an excellent FT shooter. Therefore, in close games he will likely be adding quite a few extra points at the end of games that will boost his scoring average.

[bauman]

I'll also throw out there that McBroom is an excellent FT shooter. Therefore, in close games he will likely be adding quite a few extra points at the end of games that will boost his scoring average.

Speaking of FTs, does anyone have any info on the 3 incoming guards and AY, regarding FT %s. It would be nice if they were all 75%+. I shuddered last year at the end of games when we had to have JJ in as a target for opponents to foul. AM sure came through for us in that aspect of the game.

[Zink]

What depth? Glaze lost his starting spot and the ogher guys have barely played. Im sure DE wasnt projected as a small ball 4 either, but he was phenomenal in that role

Glaze is one of two seniors on the team and will absolutely get minutes at the 4 this year, like it or not. Lancona became a rotation piece by the end of last year and by most accounts looked like he belonged out there. Agbeko's season was derailed by injury, but his size and strength give him a significant edge over Yarbrough - a lot of us thought Reggie was our best frosh before last year. And these reasons don't even include the most important one - Yarbrough is a slasher/shooter. He did get points inside, but they were usually in transition, on a drive, or after an offensive board. Not to mention that it took a couple of years for Evans to hone his post game to a point that he was a real inside threat. It takes quite a bit of skill and savvy to play the way Evans did for us.

[AlumniFan]

Okay. I assume you meant "not" the minutes played. Let's try this again.

Sophomore year stats:

Evan - 7.9 ppg, 34 games, 268 total points, 852 minutes, .315 points per minute

McBroom - 7.3 ppg, 34 games, 248 total points, 730 minutes, .340 points per minute

McCall - 7.0 ppg, 33 games, 231 total points, 756 minutes, .306 points per minute

Jett - 6.5 ppg, 34 games, 220 total points, 754 minutes, .292 points per minute

So McBroom actually looks better if you go by points per minute played. Please actually look into the facts before you try to make an argument.

McBroom struggling down the stretch actually gives me more hope than if he had performed at a consistent level the entire year and wound up with the same stats. Perhaps he had a nagging injury of some kind or he ran out of gas after sitting out a year due to the transfer.

For better or worse, McBroom will more likely than not lead the Billikens in scoring and be our primary PG next year.

The interesting point about your stats is that Evans, Jett and McCall did not put up their numbers on a team with five seniors starting, hence more limited scoring options to take away their opportunities relatively speaking. That makes me think McBroom may actually be better than those stats suggest.

[Billikenboy]

This argument seems to make a little bit of sense. I'm not trying to argue McBroom is as good or better than McCall & Jett overall, just that as sophomores they were similarly good at scoring. I don't want to have to renew my KenPom subscription to check your assertions.

Efficiency can be at least partly attributed to shooting %s

McBroom - overall .352 3pt .349

Jett - overall .467 3pt .333

McCall - overall .423 3pt .348

Evans - overall .460 3pt .346

Seems like you've got a good point. I don't think you can compare Jett & Evans % because their shots were likely mostly at the rim or wide open 3s because they didn't shoot many. McBroom's % are a lot closer to McCall's, but McCall was better. I still think McBroom will lead the team in scoring, but based on these %s it looks like he is only efficient at being 3 pt gunner and will need to improve at scoring other ways if the Billikens are to be successful.

Guess I did not have to argue my point it was done for me. Yeah, AM did shoot it often but I am sure that was based on what the team needed this year which was instant offense from him. I have no issues with AM, just do not see him as a true PG and more of a specialist 2 guard. Where so many see him starting as the PG ahead of real PGs we are bringing in is not happening. Crews goes big to make us more competitive!

Question now is who is the walkon going to be? I am hearing something but will wait to see if it happens.

[AlumniFan]

Question now is who is the walkon going to be? I am hearing something but will wait to see if it happens.

Matt Dickey....?

[slu72]

Matt Dickey....?

Guess I did not have to argue my point it was done for me. Yeah, AM did shoot it often but I am sure that was based on what the team needed this year which was instant offense from him. I have no issues with AM, just do not see him as a true PG and more of a specialist 2 guard. Where so many see him starting as the PG ahead of real PGs we are bringing in is not happening. Crews goes big to make us more competitive!

Question now is who is the walkon going to be? I am hearing something but will wait to see if it happens.

Cameron Beidscheid?

[Aquinas]

Glaze – Most improved player.
Every year, experience is the most underestimated attribute in forecasting starters or playing time. Even looking at this past season, the 4 spot was wide open and we had 2 very promising freshman to fill the spot, yet for various reasons their contributions were very modest.

Point – McBroom, 2G – Ash, 3 - Glaze, 4 - Tanner, 5 - Manning.
Glaze has already been passed by Tanner at the 4 spot. Glaze lacks the skills and range to score against a 4, but if Tanner can stretch the floor, Glaze could do a lot of damage posting up against the other teams 3. He could actually have a big year. Last year we were hurt because our 3 and 4 spots were both inside players, neither Dwayne or Glaze could stretch the floor. Encouraging opponents to zone or cheat inside.
Crawford would make a great pairing coming off the bench with with Agbeko, as Crawford can stretch the floor as a 3 and Adbeko has the potential to go one on one inside against opposing 4s.
Tanner I think will split time between the 4 and 5 role and get a lot of minutes. Most 6'11" bigs don’t contribute much as freshmen and because Tanner can stretch the floor, I think he will be the first option at the 5 spot. To have a good season, we really need Manning to have a big year and stay out of foul trouble.
Like it or not at least one and probably 2 of the freshmen guards will play early and often. The one that best takes care of the ball and plays defense will jump in front of the others and could be starting by March.