Coach Schertz on the Radio 4/13 Sports on a Sunday Morning

[HoosierPal]

Coach Schertz, Sports on a Sunday Morning with Kevin Wheeler  3/9

Great way to finish for the seniors.  Senior night can go either way.  Sometimes guys get too emotional and can't play their best.  Gibson is leaving an incredible legacy.  Some of his numbers won't ever be challenged in modern day basketball.  His loyalty to the university and the city is the greatest part of his legacy.  He could have left but he didn't.  It would have been easy for him to leave.  Regardless of what happens next week this group has laid some good seeds about culture, resilience and how we do it together.  And Gibson has held lay that foundation.

It is hard now for freshmen to play.  Top 10 teams in country, freshmen aren't playing all that much.  Five freshmen on top 10 teams are averaging double digit minutes, and three are on Duke. Game has gotten older.  Players are staying in college longer as they can make more money in college than in foreign pro leagues.  Seniors, Kobe and Isaiah, have come in and made an impact.  Shots Swope has made at end of games is remarkable.  Kobe doesn't get same acclaim, but he does so many things to drive winning.  Those three seniors + Robbie have had to be an iron group.  They have never complained about their minutes. 

A10 Tourney, team needs to take care of the ball.  We have had trouble, in spurts.  Have to value the ball.  Biggest flaw we have is turnovers.  Duquesne does lead the league in forcing turnovers, so they had a part of our problem, but we had to be better.  21 assists were great  Made some big time free throws.  We have a small margin of error.  We have enough, if we take care of the ball, to beat anyone in the A10.

Fundamentals of the game haven't changed.  Eliminate losing by taking care of the basketball, sprinting inside your defense, protect the rim without fouling, take great shots, don't allow second chance rebounds...all are controllable.  Lock into the controllables.  In elimination time, there is pressure to perform at your peak.

LINK ADDED:  https://www.audacy.com/podcast/sports-on-a-sunday-morning-2f4a4/episodes/kevin-wheeler-josh-schertz-on-slu-basketball-gibson-jimersons-legacy-a-10-tournament-3a622

[billikenbill]

Listening to the replay of the Billiken coach’s show on the Varsity app. Love hearing Schertz talk hoops. Best part starts at the 15 min. mark if you want to save some time.

[billikenbill]

Listening to Schertz on Ackerman and he says Bills will accept an NIT bid if offered. That’s the only post-season event they’ll participate in.

[SluSignGuy]

Also said that Swope was really only practicing once a week for the last few months due to health.

[billikenbill]

48 minutes ago, SluSignGuy said:

Also said that Swope was really only practicing once a week for the last few months due to health.

As maddening as Swope could be at times with the turnovers, I hate to see the curtain drop on the Swope Show. What a clutch player.

[almaman]

between the 2 seems we have enough medical expertise & facilities within walking distance of the bell tower with SLU Wash u

[HoosierPal]

April 13 Sports on a Sunday Morning, Coach with Tom Ackerman

Still actively recruiting.  Trying to put the finishing touches on the roster.  Hope he can finish the roster by mid to late April.  Looking to add a couple of pieces. 

Otieno - when SLU prepared for Q, Schertz noted his offensive rebounds.  6'8" to 6'9".  True center offensively but can step out and shoot, not at Robbie level.  He can guard 3-5.  Great D versatility.  He blocks shots.  He can play with Robbie but can also play without.

Jones - NIU didn't have a great year but he was terrific.  Got hurt in first minute of last game and went from 1st to 3rd in MAC league scoring.  107 assists and 77 TO.  Great playmaker at 6'5".  + offensive rebounder as a guard.

Green -  Schertz recruited him in 2022 in AAU ball.  Saw him 20 some times.  But he was top 60 player, so ISU wasn't going to get him.  A smaller guard, but an incredible shooter.  All Rookie Big East first year.  Stepped away in 2nd year at X.  Got a redshirt year already.  Can handle the ball and get his shot anytime.  Small guards have to shoot off the dribble and have range.   Has similar qualities to Swope.

Brown - 6'3" guard.  At UMBC, let the league in scoring and rebounds.  21.4 and 9.6.  35% or better from 3.  + defender.  Very versatile.  Tough as Dylan Warlick.

Thames:  Doctors are working through what he is dealing with.  Some diagnosis but nothing confirmed.  Not yet to figuring out the next steps.  This is not life threatening.  But at what level can he continue to play?  Hopefully will be in uniform but he will be part of the team even if not in uniform.  "I would have looked a lot smarter last year if he had continued to play."

Trying to spread the ball handling around next season and not concentrate on Robbie/Swope for less turnovers. 

[willie]

After listening to Schertz this morning I went out and bought tickets to the final 4. Sure made them sound like All Americans. If they are half as good as he made them sound we will be pretty good.