St. 亚洲无码 University's new men's basketball coach Josh Schertz talks about the process of building a new team as he speaks with reporters after practice on Tuesday, June 4, 2024.
The early moments of implementing his offensive vision at St. 亚洲无码 University resulted in a lot of the problems coach Josh Schertz expected and to which he gave little thought.
鈥淚f you mess up, just keep playing,鈥 was the message he delivered in the second summer workout at Chaifetz Arena, where it is a little early to start stacking building blocks just yet.
Schertz has a full roster, from which nine players are participating in these early workouts, and only two Billikens have experience in his five-out offense that will revolve around transfer center Robbie Avila. It is fortunate for all that Avila is on hand, acting as somewhat of an assistant coach after playing two seasons with Schertz at Indiana State.
鈥淚t鈥檚 part of what I can bring to the team because I鈥檝e been in Schertz鈥檚 system for two years,鈥 Avila said. 鈥淭he biggest thing is to try to play within the system. I found a comfortable fit playing with our guys last year, so figuring out the new guys and what everyone is good at is the biggest thing, and then complementing them with how I play.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a similar experience as last year. We had five returners and nine new guys. (Transfers) were two of our better players, so I don鈥檛 see a big difference. Now we have 10 new guys, and it鈥檚 the same process all over again.鈥
The second day of summer workouts marked the start of a five-month countdown until SLU opens the season Nov. 4 against Santa Clara in South Dakota.
How long it takes for the collection of players from seven college programs and three high schools to mesh will determine a lot about the success level of the 2024-25 team.
Avila can help speed the process, as will guard Isaiah Swope, who expects to be cleared soon to practice after undergoing knee surgery immediately after the Indiana State season ended.
鈥淭he thing I talked about was coming in and having that beginner鈥檚 mindset,鈥 Schertz said. 鈥淩obbie understands at the highest level, and that鈥檚 invaluable when you have guys who understand the standards and principles. He does a great job bringing all of those values, standards, principles and knowledge to the court. Robbie and Isaiah will help expedite the learning curve. For all of these guys, it鈥檚 very different than they have ever played.鈥
The offense helped Indiana State lead the country in 3-pointers made and 2-point field-goal percentage last season.
Gibson Jimerson began learning the difference in playing with Avila during a game organized by players Monday night. They were teammates, and on one possession, Jimerson expected Avila to cut and made an errant pass as Avila popped outside to the 3-point arc.
Jimerson hasn鈥檛 had a big man at SLU in his career who could shoot 3-pointers. It鈥檚 all part of the learning curve.
鈥淗aving Robbie on the court now is awesome,鈥 Jimerson said. 鈥淗e鈥檚 the hub of the offense. He sees the game at a very high level and is talking and explaining what he sees out there.鈥
The process figures to be slow, largely because teams get only four hours per week to practice during the summer. Right now, that comes in one-hour chunks.
Three players other than Swope were not in action Tuesday: Transfer Kilian Brockhoff and freshman Max Pikaar had not completed medical testing, and freshman Dylan Warlick is out with an injury until August.
All are things that could slow the process as Avila and Swope try to infuse their knowledge.
鈥淭hey鈥檒l be frustrated because they do know so much more and are starting at a level these guys may not get to all year,鈥 Schertz said. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e great examples of guys who are able to be great teammates and help those guys. Our learning has to outpace our inexperience if we鈥檙e going to have a good season.鈥
Schertz is working on the schedule, which so far includes Wofford and Loyola Marymount at home, Illinois State on the road and Santa Clara on a neutral court. Lining up a multi-team event has not worked out, and options are being considered.
The Billikens will open Monday, Nov. 4 vs. Santa Clara in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Southern Illinois and new coach Scott Nagy will open the …
St. 亚洲无码 University center Robbie Avila takes a shot during practice on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at Chaifetz Arena. Avila, who transferred from Indiana State after SLU hired former Sycamores coach Josh Schertz to lead its program, is easing the transition by helping teach the system to Schertz鈥檚 new players.
FC Dallas forward Dante Sealy, right, pulls on the jersey of City SC forward Rasmus Alm as he dribbles downfield during first-half action Saturday, April 6, 2024, at CityPark.