2025-26 ROSTER

[ACE]

In his post-game comments Schertz talked about "overhauling" the roster this offseason. More athleticism is what he kept going back to. The current roster is not good and there is a lot of uncertainty with some injured players. A lot of work needs to be done. Next year will be a 15-man roster. Here is how it stands heading into portal season...

1) Avilla

2) Anya - Good defender and rebounder, but limited offensively. Got a lot more playing time than originally planned due to Casey and Thames injuries. Hopefully he goes down to about 15-18 mpg next year. Still a valuable player

3) McCottry - Rough around the edges, but the upside is very exciting. Athletic and versatile. I think Schertz should have given playing time sooner when Thames went down, but he did get valuable experience down the stretch. A key player heading into next season, gotta keep him. With a bigger role, he should really help our defense.

4)  Thames - Who knows. I hope they figure out what the deal is. I feel bad for the kid. I really liked the potential he flashed early in the season. I will feel much better about the roster if he returns and is back at 100%.

5) Dotzler - Another injury question. Not really sure what we have since he didn't really play much. I would like to see him back.

6) Casey - You can learn a lot of by listening to Schertz interviews. In the preseason, he would often talk about Thames and Hughes (returning players) - of course he said positive things about all the players, but he talked a lot more about Thames in glowing terms than Hughes.. that's when I figured he wasn't very high on Larry. In the same way, he would often talk about the two new transfer bigs at the same time (Anya and Casey). He was much more positive about Anya. This is a long way of saying, even before the injury, I don't think Casey was going to have a big role. Now with the injury, I'm fine if we free up the scholarship.

7) Warlick - I think he's a good "glue guy" to keep in the system for a while - I think Schertz likes him, although he doesn't have the "athleticism" Schertz has talked about needing on the roster. I hope he stays, but not crushed if he leaves.

8  Pikaar - I liked the potential he flashed in the William Woods game, but then again it was William Woods. On the season averaged just 1 ppg and 1 rbg. With the lack of depth, there were opportunities for Max to get some PT, and Schertz didn't give it to him. I'm fine seeing what he can do in year two, but Schertz is bringing in two other skinny bigs next year. I think if Schertz believed in his upside, there was an opportunity for more minutes throughout the season, especially with all the injuries on the roster.

9) Brockhoff - I just don't see anyway he's coming back. If he couldn't get playing time on this depleted roster, it's not likely to happen in the future.

10) Hutson - He had a big HS season, he could be a nice scorer off the bench. The kid seems like a winner

11) Laczkowski - Seems like a little shorter Pikaar type player. I never expect tall skinny freshmen to contribute their first year and just hope I'm wrong

12) Kerr - Same expectation for tall, skinny freshmen

13) Open

14) Open

15 Open

I see a minimum of 4 available scholarships and as many as 7. 

 

[wgstl]

There will be at the very least 4 imo, I'd guess 5.  As for Laczkowski to me he is a taller Jimerson.  Kerr is more of a skinny Robbie. 

[Lord Elrond]

A lot of skinny kids. Feed them some sandwiches and get them in the weight room

[TheChosenOne]

9 minutes ago, Lord Elrond said:

A lot of skinny kids. Feed them some sandwiches and get them in the weight room

The thing I appreciate with Schertz is that he fully acknowledges the deficiencies of the team’s performance and now that includes the lack of athleticism on the roster. I was often quite taken by how unathletic and weak our guys looked this season with some having questions about their overall fitness level. That needs to be an area of emphasis this summer. I sometimes wonder if the team were healthy how big of a concern this would have been, but obviously going forward we need more strength and athleticism throughout the roster.

[3star_recruit]

I think the major difference between Pikaar and Kerr is that Kerr actually has a post game.  There's a chance for him to jump over Pikarr and Warlick if he can pick up a few pounds before he gets to campus. 

[gobillsgo]

IMO we need to be adding AT LEAST 5 transfers that can compete at an A10 level. At least 2 probably need to be considered “Stars” at this level, with the remaining three at least serviceable in a bench role.  We can’t have the same issue with depth that we had this year. 

[BigMacSLU88]

42 minutes ago, gobillsgo said:

IMO we need to be adding AT LEAST 5 transfers that can compete at an A10 level. At least 2 probably need to be considered “Stars” at this level, with the remaining three at least serviceable in a bench role.  We can’t have the same issue with depth that we had this year. 

They at least need to be able to compete at the Sun Belt level.

[billikenfan05]

2 hours ago, 3star_recruit said:

I think the major difference between Pikaar and Kerr is that Kerr actually has a post game.  There's a chance for him to jump over Pikarr and Warlick if he can pick up a few pounds before he gets to campus. 

Pikaar is a guard. Guys with Pikaar’s size skill and mobility don’t grow on trees. I would keep him and let him go to the Robbie Avila Big Man Academy this summer. 

[MusicCityBilliken]

2 hours ago, ACE said:

In his post-game comments Schertz talked about "overhauling" the roster this offseason. More athleticism is what he kept going back to. The current roster is not good and there is a lot of uncertainty with some injured players. A lot of work needs to be done. Next year will be a 15-man roster. Here is how it stands heading into portal season...

1) Avilla

2) Anya - Good defender and rebounder, but limited offensively. Got a lot more playing time than originally planned due to Casey and Thames injuries. Hopefully he goes down to about 15-18 mpg next year. Still a valuable player

3) McCottry - Rough around the edges, but the upside is very exciting. Athletic and versatile. I think Schertz should have given playing time sooner when Thames went down, but he did get valuable experience down the stretch. A key player heading into next season, gotta keep him. With a bigger role, he should really help our defense.

4)  Thames - Who knows. I hope they figure out what the deal is. I feel bad for the kid. I really liked the potential he flashed early in the season. I will feel much better about the roster if he returns and is back at 100%.

5) Dotzler - Another injury question. Not really sure what we have since he didn't really play much. I would like to see him back.

6) Casey - You can learn a lot of by listening to Schertz interviews. In the preseason, he would often talk about Thames and Hughes (returning players) - of course he said positive things about all the players, but he talked a lot more about Thames in glowing terms than Hughes.. that's when I figured he wasn't very high on Larry. In the same way, he would often talk about the two new transfer bigs at the same time (Anya and Casey). He was much more positive about Anya. This is a long way of saying, even before the injury, I don't think Casey was going to have a big role. Now with the injury, I'm fine if we free up the scholarship.

7) Warlick - I think he's a good "glue guy" to keep in the system for a while - I think Schertz likes him, although he doesn't have the "athleticism" Schertz has talked about needing on the roster. I hope he stays, but not crushed if he leaves.

8  Pikaar - I liked the potential he flashed in the William Woods game, but then again it was William Woods. On the season averaged just 1 ppg and 1 rbg. With the lack of depth, there were opportunities for Max to get some PT, and Schertz didn't give it to him. I'm fine seeing what he can do in year two, but Schertz is bringing in two other skinny bigs next year. I think if Schertz believed in his upside, there was an opportunity for more minutes throughout the season, especially with all the injuries on the roster.

9) Brockhoff - I just don't see anyway he's coming back. If he couldn't get playing time on this depleted roster, it's not likely to happen in the future.

10) Hutson - He had a big HS season, he could be a nice scorer off the bench. The kid seems like a winner

11) Laczkowski - Seems like a little shorter Pikaar type player. I never expect tall skinny freshmen to contribute their first year and just hope I'm wrong

12) Kerr - Same expectation for tall, skinny freshmen

13) Open

14) Open

15 Open

I see a minimum of 4 available scholarships and as many as 7. 

 

Ace, good breakdown and pretty much agree.

I am a little more positive on the incoming freshmen. Hutson is the one that intrigues the most. Leading scorer on a Michigan state champion HS team is nothing to sneeze at.

Since Avila said he's returning & McCottry would be the only 2 I would be really heartbroken if they picked up and left. Anya also is worth having him stay. If Pikaar does the work over the summer, he could become very valuable-will see. Agree about Brockhoff, I don't see us carrying 4 bigs if Pikarr stays. Casey and Dotzler, I have no opinion.

The few weeks after March 24th is going to be important on trying to replace Swope and Jimmerson. BTW, if we had a team MVP, I would have given it to Swope.    

[billikenfan05]

21 minutes ago, MusicCityBilliken said:

Ace, good breakdown and pretty much agree.

I am a little more positive on the incoming freshmen. Hutson is the one that intrigues the most. Leading scorer on a Michigan state champion HS team is nothing to sneeze at.

Since Avila said he's returning & McCottry would be the only 2 I would be really heartbroken if they picked up and left. Anya also is worth having him stay. If Pikaar does the work over the summer, he could become very valuable-will see. Agree about Brockhoff, I don't see us carrying 4 bigs if Pikarr stays. Casey and Dotzler, I have no opinion.

The few weeks after March 24th is going to be important on trying to replace Swope and Jimmerson. BTW, if we had a team MVP, I would have given it to Swope.    

McCottry all but confirmed he was returning in his post game comments.

[TRN]

The new roster allows for 15 players max, and all can be scholarship players.  We should take 7-8 new players minimum.  Build length and athleticism through the portal. Get players that are mature already so you don’t worry about beefing them up. Any walk on can be made a team manager if they want to stick around. They shouldn’t be kept and count against the roster number. This is SLU’s major sport it’s time to start acting like it and improve the team.  

There were plenty of guys on ASU’s team last night I’d take over ours and I guarantee they did not cost a lot of NIL.  So, that excuse is unwarranted, it’s up to the staff to identify complimentary players to fit the system and compete better.  We can’t be fielding teams where the opposition is destroying us on the offensive glass.  We have to finish at the rim and our offense needs players that pose a threat and don’t limit us.  

[okay]

I would really like to have an enforcer type of player. Someone who can bully the opposing skinny bigs and make you think twice about contesting a rebound. Basically someone like George Masons Jalen Haynes this season
AJ Casey I think has potential to fill that role and we will have to see if his health issues will allow him to play. 

[3star_recruit]

2 hours ago, gobillsgo said:

IMO we need to be adding AT LEAST 5 transfers that can compete at an A10 level. At least 2 probably need to be considered “Stars” at this level, with the remaining three at least serviceable in a bench role.  We can’t have the same issue with depth that we had this year. 

If 2 of them are injured to start the season, we will have exactly the same issue with depth we had this year.  We haven't had a healthy start to the season in about 4 years now.

[wgstl]

49 minutes ago, okay said:

I would really like to have an enforcer type of player. Someone who can bully the opposing skinny bigs and make you think twice about contesting a rebound. Basically someone like George Masons Jalen Haynes this season
AJ Casey I think has potential to fill that role and we will have to see if his health issues will allow him to play. 

Im a more physical player than AJ Casey. 

[RiseOfTheBillikens]

Not sure who will be on the roster but if Chris May is still leading the Adept nothing will change.

Fire Chris May. Save SLU athletics.

[cheeseman]

Why do I get the idea that Coach is working the big donors for NIL not May.

[Brighton]

4 hours ago, wgstl said:

There will be at the very least 4 imo, I'd guess 5.  As for Laczkowski to me he is a taller Jimerson.  Kerr is more of a skinny Robbie. 

Hopefully he’s the anti-Jimerson against Dayton, VCU, and Loyola.

[WVBilliken]

2 hours ago, billikenfan05 said:

Pikaar is a guard. Guys with Pikaar’s size skill and mobility don’t grow on trees. I would keep him and let him go to the Robbie Avila Big Man Academy this summer. 

Pikaar is no way a guard.  Yes he can handle the ball a bit, but he is a zone busting big.  He can shoot it and hopefully has enough ball-handling skill that eventually he can fake the 3 then take it aggressively to the rack.  20 pounds of muscle and a summer in St. Louis, not back in Europe .... might do him wonders.

[NextYearBill]

Bring in 10 new faces. 7 rebounders, 3 ball handlers. Done. 

[billikenfan05]

2 minutes ago, WVBilliken said:

Pikaar is no way a guard.  Yes he can handle the ball a bit, but he is a zone busting big.  He can shoot it and hopefully has enough ball-handling skill that eventually he can fake the 3 then take it aggressively to the rack.  20 pounds of muscle and a summer in St. Louis, not back in Europe .... might do him wonders.

He was billed as a wing. Sorry. 

[TRN]

19 minutes ago, WVBilliken said:

Pikaar is no way a guard.  Yes he can handle the ball a bit, but he is a zone busting big.  He can shoot it and hopefully has enough ball-handling skill that eventually he can fake the 3 then take it aggressively to the rack.  20 pounds of muscle and a summer in St. Louis, not back in Europe .... might do him wonders.

Yeah, players need to be in STL during the offseason, no debate for younger players.

The training they get overseas is not the same.

[willie]

1 hour ago, cheeseman said:

Why do I get the idea that Coach is working the big donors for NIL not May.

I am not trying to be overly cute but Why?

[thetorch]

The wishlist of most posters is one that a P5 school with a 20 mil NIL budget would blush at.  Get realistic please.

The key for success now for a mid major is recruit, develop, retain.  The transfer market is only an auxillary.  If you use it for more than that you will be burned.  Look at all the good players Ford ran off that "weren't good enough" and then who he brought in to replace them.

Everyone points to the success stories in the portal, Drake, Utah St, etc.  I can count on one hand the teams at our level who do this successfully every year.  I can count 50-75 schools who fail and end up losing talent and being worse. 

[slu72]

Pitino said St John’s NIL was $4 mil and the 2 players that made his team were not paid all that much. Point being you can be successful in the portal ay a reasonable amount. Just find some hidden gems. Our biggest need is two guards that can hit 3s, penetrate, and take care of the rock.  Of course who doesn’t need those types. We don’t need the BEST ones, just 2 who can compete at the A10 level. We may already have 1 in McCottry. Find another. Another type needed is the long desired Bonner clone. A muscular  quick type that won’t be bullied. Again don’t need the best in the portal just one who can flourish in the A10. Pair that PF type with Avila you’d have a really effective inside out game. As of today we have 2 players who can compete in our conference, Avila and McCottry. I’d add Kellen but who knows what his health situation is. If he’s back at full speed great we got the wing position covered. Then we need at least 2-3 bench guys. One should be a sniper. A backup big. A defensive stopper. 

[BrettJollyComedyHour]

1 hour ago, thetorch said:

recruit, develop, retain. 

The portal and NIL has made this impossible for mid-majors with any success.