Big Questions

[Redbird Recon]

If it's at IlSU - are there any Seniors to have a night for?

No

[shockem]

Those are some pretty harsh criticisms of JT Durley. Do you know him personally or are you part of the coaching staff? Taking one quote fromt he paper his freshman year and extraploating that attitude toward his entire career is a bit of a stretch. JT was a really good player his senior season and was not out of shape at all. If anything, you could say he had probems his freshamn year, but I feel like he really turned it around after that. Having a center that can make 3 pointers ona regular basis is pretty nice luxury to have.

[SycamorePsycho]

Obviously I think the Shockers will be very very good this year. I am hopeful that the Sycamores can at least be "in the hunt" for a Valley title this year and maybe just maybe win Arch Madness.

[AngryShock]

Durley was lazy even as a SR. Just not as lazy as he was as a FR and SO. His D was average at best and that's me being nice. He spent way too much time roaming the three point line and Marshall I believe even mentioned that a few times his SR season. He needed to sit his ass on the block more and pop out less. Nobody is saying he should never shoot threes or anything, but there were games where he spent more time roaming than he did on the block and that pissed a lot of people off. JT is one of those guys, much like Kyles, that had a hell of a lot more potential than they ever realized and because of that, never became the players they could have been.

[Shocker_Phi]

In response to the "Big Question" about WSU:

I think WSU will have a great Conference record, somewhere around 15 wins. BUT, with our luck in the Lou, I still don't see us winning it. But that's ok. I'm used to it. If I were to pick a team to win Arch Madness, it would be InSt and damn Jake Odum...

Here's hoping for 2 Valley teams in the big Dance again!

[ShocksRbest]

By the time Durley was a Sr (the NIT year), Durley was at least making an effort in practice (just enough to not lose his schollie), and in the weight room, but still hanging on the perimeter to see if he could get a 3 off instead of posting up. Durley was a popular guy among his teammates - much more than Stutz.

Durley reminded me a lot of former Shocker Jamie Arnold...lots of talent but wanted to do things his way. Sometimes at odds with the coach and not always the team player.

[Redbird23]

If it's at IlSU - are there any Seniors to have a night for?

No

They don't have the talent in a big like Carmichael, but I think ISU is like the 2012 ISU team with no seniors.

[Redbird Recon]

If it's at IlSU - are there any Seniors to have a night for?

No

They don't have the talent in a big like Carmichael, but I think ISU is like the 2012 ISU team with no seniors.

They might be pretty good.
They might be pretty awful.
I'm eager to see the outcome.

[Redbird23]

It sounds like Knight is like a Johnny Hill and scoring point guard, Lofton I really hope turns out to be a Tyler Brown, and we see how John Jones is as a big...should be an interesting year.

[Aargh]

It sounds like Knight is like a Johnny Hill and scoring point guard, Lofton I really hope turns out to be a Tyler Brown, and we see how John Jones is as a big...should be an interesting year.

If I would attach all the "it could happen" to WSU that you're attaching to IlSU, then I could predict that WSU would go 20-0 in the conference. Actually, I think the chances of WSU going 18-0 are better than the chances of IlSU avoiding Thursday night in St. Louis.

When you go into a season with something like 2 players who've ever seen a D1 floor, you have to think in terms of avoiding last place. Drake and SIU may give you a helping hand in that, but if it weren't for the huge problems in both those programs right now, IlSU would be a solid pick for last in the league.

I can't see IlSU finishing ahead of Loyola. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if Hinson can coach a depleted SIU roster to a finish above IlSU. We know Hinson can coach. We know Muller can run players out of the program. I think the smart money is put on SIU to finish ahead of IlSU.