The Redbirds are under a new coach and a new regime. The “glory days” have been long gone in Normal, Illinois but with newly hired coach, Tim Jankovich, we could be seeing those days in the very near future.
Coach Jankovich has stated that he will impliment an uptempo system allowing his players, use their athletic ability, and allow his guards to create…a system similar to Kansas’. Plays will be ran but it is more of a freestyle offense exploiting mismatches. It’s a style that will let the players play. There is no doubt that this system will indeed benefit the players at ISU as they are very athletic and good at breaking down defenders.
With Boo Richardson and Emmanuel Holloway at the point, the ‘Birds are in good shape. Both point guards are capable shooters and are good at penetrating to the basket and creating. There will be a lot of dump downs to the inside in which players such as Brandon Sampey (who I believe is the best interior player on the team) and Dimna Odiakosa will profit a great deal if they can finish the play. When the dump downs are taken away, it allows for the point guards to dish to the shooters: Dom Johnson, Brandon Holtz, and Sead Odzic. All three have proven they are lights out shooters and should be great role players in the system. When penetration is cut off by help defenders look for wings Anthony Slack and Bobby Hill to capatilze on cuts with high flying finishes. 6’3’ Osiris Eldridge may be the one to capatilze most as he is a skilled and athletic player that is best in one on one situations. Expect him to lead the way for the Redbirds this season with a ton of big scoring nights and electrifying high flying plays! When you add in last season’s leading scorer Levi Dyer to the equation, it only gets more dangerous offensively.
Defensively, ISU has a chance to be one of the best in the Valley. They have all the athleticism and ability and if Coach Jankovich can install the right principles in them and stress the importance on that end of the floor, they will be very good.
Overall, I think the Redbirds have a great chance to finish near the top of the Valley. Honestly, they may be the most athletic and talented team along with Bradley but have been very misguided in the past. With a new coach at the helm they may be able to turn their ship around in a hurry. Though it will be very tough for them to win the Valley, especially with (what is now becoming a national power house) the Salukis of Southern Illinois, don’t count them out of the race!
As far as recruiting goes, Jankovich has done a great job already. He's landed what was thought of to be a "sure-fire" high major player in Decatur Eisenhower's Jeremy Robinson. He's also in very good shape with 6'0" combo guard Keyon Smith of Simeon, 6'7" swigman Tyler Storm of Geneseo, and 6'3" Iowa State point guard transfer Dodie Dunson (who is currently at Vincennes JC).
The new style has people excited about ISU and recruits flocking to see what all the talks about. The coach ability of Coach Jankovich will lure in the prospects while the facilities, the location, and the support of the ISU campus should complete the sale on the players.
There's no reason that ISU shouldn't steal high major recruits every season as it is centrally located between three major cities: Chicago (2 hours), St. Louis (2.5 hours), and Indianapolis (3 hours).
I and many others are excited about the future of ISU basketball. Time will tell how the program will be but it is shaping up to be a good reign under Tim Jankovich.
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