Roman Penn out for season

[Blers]

I generally think the expectation at Loyola is that no one is going to return. The team is loaded with younger talent that I don’t think they want to stifle/lose to transfer. We’ll likely be looking at a starting lineup of Norris, Kennedy, Senior Ryan Schweiger out of Princeton, Indiana transfer Damezi Anderson/Tom Welch, and Chris Knight out of Dartmouth (two time 2nd team All-Ivy).

Baylor Hebb has looked great when he’s out there though he’s been buried in the depth chart, Jacob Hutson looks to be a really solid replacement for Krut during limited time during what was supposed to be a redshirt year. Kaifes is starting to come on recovering from injury and Rambler fans are REALLY high on our two incoming recruits in TY Johnson (explosive guard similar to Kennedy but with a more polished shot) and Ben Schweiger (big leaper and a solid shooter on the wing. He’s also proved to be high level defender at the high school level).

With Norris, Kaifes and Anderson as 4th year juniors and the two ivy transfers as 5th year seniors we’ll maintain experience through the starting lineup while maintaining a deep bench, though it’ll be interesting to see who our ace defenders become (and there’s always 1-2 players who transfer). It will be interesting to see how the offense changes without Krutwig, I’m sure it’ll look a bit different and there could be some early bumps with so many new pieces but I’d expect this team to compete for a top 3 spot by seasons end.

I’m curious how things with Drake play out with everyone returning. With how Yesufu’s played in limited time, lots of high majors will be preying on Drakes roster as it’s going to be hard to keep him coming off the bench. Though I suppose I could see Murphy/Hemphill choosing to move on after this year instead of a sixth year in college. Like what's been discussed on here before, the summer is when we'll really know what to expect.

[tribecalledquest]

I generally think the expectation at Loyola is that no one is going to return. The team is loaded with younger talent that I don’t think they want to stifle/lose to transfer. We’ll likely be looking at a starting lineup of Norris, Kennedy, Senior Ryan Schweiger out of Princeton, Indiana transfer Damezi Anderson/Tom Welch, and Chris Knight out of Dartmouth (two time 2nd team All-Ivy).

Baylor Hebb has looked great when he’s out there though he’s been buried in the depth chart, Jacob Hutson looks to be a really solid replacement for Krut during limited time during what was supposed to be a redshirt year. Kaifes is starting to come on recovering from injury and Rambler fans are REALLY high on our two incoming recruits in TY Johnson (explosive guard similar to Kennedy but with a more polished shot) and Ben Schweiger (big leaper and a solid shooter on the wing. He’s also proved to be high level defender at the high school level).

With Norris, Kaifes and Anderson as 4th year juniors and the two ivy transfers as 5th year seniors we’ll maintain experience through the starting lineup while maintaining a deep bench, though it’ll be interesting to see who our ace defenders become (and there’s always 1-2 players who transfer). It will be interesting to see how the offense changes without Krutwig, I’m sure it’ll look a bit different and there could be some early bumps with so many new pieces but I’d expect this team to compete for a top 3 spot by seasons end.

I’m curious how things with Drake play out with everyone returning. With how Yesufu’s played in limited time, lots of high majors will be preying on Drakes roster as it’s going to be hard to keep him coming off the bench. Though I suppose I could see Murphy/Hemphill choosing to move on after this year instead of a sixth year in college. Like what's been discussed on here before, the summer is when we'll really know what to expect.

Porter has it going, that's for sure.

[Birdfan2018]

Thanks Blers! Great summary of the 2021-22 Ramblers!!!
I will attempt to give a summary of the 2021-22 Redbirds:

DJ Horne will be a Junior next season. He has already shown that he can be one of the top scorers in the MVC. I look for DJ to be one of the better players in the league next season (definitely by his Senior year).

Antonio Reeves will be a Junior next season. He has shown flashes of becoming a very good player in the MVC. His 47 points in his two games against Drake were a good indication of that.

Howard Fleming Jr will be a Sophomore next season. He is quick with above average passing skills and a excellent rebounder for a guard (helps being 6-5).

Emon Washington will be a Sophomore next season. He is a player that I think has a high ceiling. He was First Team All-State in Georgia, and was named Georgia Coaches Association Co-Player of the Year his Senior year. He moved to Atlanta from Mississippi prior to starting his Senior year (Fortunately he had already committed to Illinois State).

Dedric Boyd & Josiah Strong will both be Seniors next season. I believe with those two, Illinois State will have one of the deepest Backcourts in the Valley.

Dusan Mahorcic will be a Senior next season. He is going through what most JUCO transfers go through, learning to compete at the D1 level. I think he is starting to get it now. His 23 rebounds in the two games against Missouri State was a good sign. I anticipate a good senior season for Dusan.

Abdou N'diaye will be a R/S Sophomore next season. He is starting to establish himself as a rim protector. Lately he has fallen in love with the three point shot. Not sure if that's a good thing or not. I would prefer that he put on 10-15 Lbs of muscle this off-season and hang out down by the basket.

Harouna Sissoko will be a Sophomore next season. He gives the Redbirds some good minutes off the bench getting rebounds. He scores some, but not very consistent.

Alex Kotov will be a Junior next season. He doesn't see the court too often.

Alston Andrews will be a Sophomore next season. He also does not get significant playing time.

The two things that this years Redbird team is lacking is not having a senior on the team to provide much needed senior leadership & the absence of a Power Forward. Both of those were left vacant when Senior Keith Fisher III opted out two weeks before the season started.

The 2021-22 season will depend on what Coach Muller does to remedy the Power Forward situation.
With Mahorcic, Boyd, and Strong back, they will have 3 seniors, so that will no longer be a legitimate excuse.

I am confident that if the top nine players return, and the power forward position is resolved, the Redbirds can achieve a top four finish in the MVC 2021-22 season.

This is my Illinois State Redbirds Bias Opinion! Here's to 2021-22

[usmcsaluki]

Terrible news for Roman, Drake, and the Valley.

[glm38]

I generally think the expectation at Loyola is that no one is going to return. The team is loaded with younger talent that I don’t think they want to stifle/lose to transfer. We’ll likely be looking at a starting lineup of Norris, Kennedy, Senior Ryan Schweiger out of Princeton, Indiana transfer Damezi Anderson/Tom Welch, and Chris Knight out of Dartmouth (two time 2nd team All-Ivy).

Baylor Hebb has looked great when he’s out there though he’s been buried in the depth chart, Jacob Hutson looks to be a really solid replacement for Krut during limited time during what was supposed to be a redshirt year. Kaifes is starting to come on recovering from injury and Rambler fans are REALLY high on our two incoming recruits in TY Johnson (explosive guard similar to Kennedy but with a more polished shot) and Ben Schweiger (big leaper and a solid shooter on the wing. He’s also proved to be high level defender at the high school level).

With Norris, Kaifes and Anderson as 4th year juniors and the two ivy transfers as 5th year seniors we’ll maintain experience through the starting lineup while maintaining a deep bench, though it’ll be interesting to see who our ace defenders become (and there’s always 1-2 players who transfer). It will be interesting to see how the offense changes without Krutwig, I’m sure it’ll look a bit different and there could be some early bumps with so many new pieces but I’d expect this team to compete for a top 3 spot by seasons end.

I’m curious how things with Drake play out with everyone returning. With how Yesufu’s played in limited time, lots of high majors will be preying on Drakes roster as it’s going to be hard to keep him coming off the bench. Though I suppose I could see Murphy/Hemphill choosing to move on after this year instead of a sixth year in college. Like what's been discussed on here before, the summer is when we'll really know what to expect.

Is there no chance Krutwig returns for the extra year? THAT would be a game changer.

[Salukimadness86]

Terrible news for Roman, Drake, and the Valley.

I agree. After losing Mulia and Domask, SIU can relate to this. Drake has had a great season, and deserves a NCAA bid.

[Blers]

Is there no chance Krutwig returns for the extra year? THAT would be a game changer.

He recently said on a radio interview depending upon COVID and safety playing professionally he could still return, but was undecided at this time. Loyola's taken the wait and see approach all year to help keep that senior "last dance" edge . They've also been hyper aggressive on recruiting trail for upperclassman transfers, so I'm just going on assumption that they're doing that expecting folks to move on. Uguak and Hall particularly would be in their sixth years of college, I'd imagine they'd be ready to take their next steps in life. Maybe not though! I'm real bummed they haven't had the chance to play in front of a crowd, Gentile's a blast when full.

I also definitely derailed this Roman Penn thread. Probably should have moved this to a "21-22 early expectations" thread or something like that. To be clear his injury SUCKS, in my mind it was between him and Krutwig for player of the year this season, and he'll likely be my front runner going into next year.

[glm38]

I'd be willing to bet if Krutwig wants to return Loyola will accommodate him. He's a once in a generation type talent in the post.

I didn't mean to be part of derailing the topic either. Terrible news regarding the Roman Penn injury.

[BCPanther]

Is there no chance Krutwig returns for the extra year? THAT would be a game changer.

He recently said on a radio interview depending upon COVID and safety playing professionally he could still return, but was undecided at this time. Loyola's taken the wait and see approach all year to help keep that senior "last dance" edge . They've also been hyper aggressive on recruiting trail for upperclassman transfers, so I'm just going on assumption that they're doing that expecting folks to move on. Uguak and Hall particularly would be in their sixth years of college, I'd imagine they'd be ready to take their next steps in life. Maybe not though! I'm real bummed they haven't had the chance to play in front of a crowd, Gentile's a blast when full.

I also definitely derailed this Roman Penn thread. Probably should have moved this to a "21-22 early expectations" thread or something like that. To be clear his injury SUCKS, in my mind it was between him and Krutwig for player of the year this season, and he'll likely be my front runner going into next year.

AJ Green is probably going to have something to say about that...

[MSUDuo]

Is there no chance Krutwig returns for the extra year? THAT would be a game changer.

He recently said on a radio interview depending upon COVID and safety playing professionally he could still return, but was undecided at this time. Loyola's taken the wait and see approach all year to help keep that senior "last dance" edge . They've also been hyper aggressive on recruiting trail for upperclassman transfers, so I'm just going on assumption that they're doing that expecting folks to move on. Uguak and Hall particularly would be in their sixth years of college, I'd imagine they'd be ready to take their next steps in life. Maybe not though! I'm real bummed they haven't had the chance to play in front of a crowd, Gentile's a blast when full.

I also definitely derailed this Roman Penn thread. Probably should have moved this to a "21-22 early expectations" thread or something like that. To be clear his injury SUCKS, in my mind it was between him and Krutwig for player of the year this season, and he'll likely be my front runner going into next year.

AJ Green is probably going to have something to say about that...

As will Prim and Mosley...