Indiana State at SIU (1/29)

[Wufan]

I think this was def a case of siu being a much better team then people give us credit for. We may not be wichita but we are not terrible with big wins over uni, and indiana state i think we will continue to improve. Which is generally true for the salukis in February.

I think most like the Saluki talent and coach, but when you only field half of a team (lack of bigs), it's hard to be "good".

[saluki762]

I think this was def a case of siu being a much better team then people give us credit for. We may not be wichita but we are not terrible with big wins over uni, and indiana state i think we will continue to improve. Which is generally true for the salukis in February.

I think most like the Saluki talent and coach, but when you only field half of a team (lack of bigs), it's hard to be "good".

This team is good enough to scare anyone it plays on Thursday in STL.

[NeutralObserver]

I'm not sure if:

This is a good sign for SIU's future.
This is a good sign of Indiana State's February collapse incoming.
This is just further proof that Valley teams can rarely win on the road outside of WSU.

definitely #1 & especially #2, We Sycamore fans are well versed in February collapses with this group of players, it's happening again, we're just along for the ride!

A definite under-achieving bunch in Terre Haute and has been since Odom's frosh year. Almost time for a new leader to take charge. Seem to knock off ranked BCS teams every season but can't beat the last place team in the league for the last two years?

[PowderBlue]

Under achieving is the right word. All is good when they hit 3s. They don't know how to do anything other than that consistently, though. I'm not sure if it's a coaching issue, a scouting issue, or a player issue.

Not being prepared properly to play against a zone: Coaching issue
Not understanding that Gant/Odum should be shredding every team not named Wichita: All of the above
Manhandling Notre Dame on the road: All of the above in the positive way


I think my biggest concern moving forward is a perceived lack of confidence in Lansing by people. I still think he's a good coach. Maybe I'm a little too loyal in that regard...but I've seen some of the coaches schools trot out there.

The biggest player issues:
Odum - What the heck? Have you seen a more hyped player (admittedly more by fans than media outlets) in the recent MVC who hasn't really improved over his career? Before you blow up at me fellow Syc fans, check tape. 9.3 PPG his freshman year, 12.1 this year down from just over 13 last year. 4.1 APG his freshman year, 4.8 this year. He doesn't turn the ball over as much as he has in the past, but overall it's definitely underwhelming considering some were ready to start the statue process after his freshman year.

Kitchell - A complete bust. I watched him multiple times in HS. I was so thrilled when he picked ISU over Oregon State and then didn't follow McKenna out west when he left. Boy was I wrong.

Gant - Again, what the heck? I know he can't control no one getting him the ball, but step up and get the damn ball. He should be a much bigger post influence. He's averaging 10 a game, but all I have in my mind is a 6 game stretch to start conference play last year (right after playing some real strong teams in an invite) when he averaged 12 and 6. I want that Gant back. Strong on the block. Strong on D. Spread the D for a 3 only when the opportunity really presented itself.

All that being said...the Sycs can still go 15-3 in conference play assuming a loss to WSU at home, be the 2 seed and play Sunday in STL. The talent is there...the leadership may not be (player or coach).

[uniftw]

I'm going to agree with you on Odum....

He is about half the player I thought he would be by his SR season...

[Sycamore_DevilDog]

I'm going to agree with you on Odum....

He is about half the player I thought he would be by his SR season...

How you feeling about him tonight?......and it's gonna be nice having Khristian Smith for 2 more years.

[PowderBlue]

I'm going to agree with you on Odum....

He is about half the player I thought he would be by his SR season...

How you feeling about him tonight?......and it's gonna be nice having Khristian Smith for 2 more years.

One game isn't going to change my opinion of Odum. He's been a very good player for ISU. One of the top 3 players in the last decade in my opinion (Behind David Moss and MAYBE Gabe Moore...though I could EASILY make an argument that he's only behind Moss). That being said, I can't believe he's lived up to anyone's expectations of improvement over his career...especially considering some of the comparisons that were being thrown around after his freshman year.

If Khristian can keep his grades up (an issue last year, but not anything I've read/heard about this season thankfully), I'll definitely enjoy watching him continue to progress.

[uniftw]

I'm going to agree with you on Odum....

He is about half the player I thought he would be by his SR season...

How you feeling about him tonight?......and it's gonna be nice having Khristian Smith for 2 more years.

I still feel the exact same way.

He was 3-9 from the floor and 0-3 from deep.

He isn't as good as he was as a freshman. He hasn't gotten better....I don't care if the TEAM beats UNI, that isn't going to change my opinion on him after watching him for 3.5 years now.

Remember when we all thought, after his freshman year, he'd be a run away POY in the Valley (or EASILY second behind Doug and maybe a head of Doug) Yeah...3 years later and it's one of those "Yeah...he's a good player but it's actually disappointing to see where he is at in this point in his career after where he started"

[Brian]

I'm going to agree with you on Odum....

He is about half the player I thought he would be by his SR season...

How you feeling about him tonight?......and it's gonna be nice having Khristian Smith for 2 more years.

I still feel the exact same way.

He was 3-9 from the floor and 0-3 from deep.

He isn't as good as he was as a freshman. He hasn't gotten better....I don't care if the TEAM beats UNI, that isn't going to change my opinion on him after watching him for 3.5 years now.

Remember when we all thought, after his freshman year, he'd be a run away POY in the Valley (or EASILY second behind Doug and maybe a head of Doug) Yeah...3 years later and it's one of those "Yeah...he's a good player but it's actually disappointing to see where he is at in this point in his career after where he started"

Unfortunately for Odum, he has been battling injuries since his freshman year. Plantar fasciitis, knee problems, calf problems, and back problems. He has tendinitis in both knees this year and just, within the last week or so, started practicing full time this year.

He's the least of the problems for ISU.