Thanks for the update! I also got this invitation but work takes precedence. This might be the biggest overall team we’ve had. Hopefully that translates to some good interior defense and rebounding. I’m eager to see how this team comes together

Thanks, Mike. My wife and I got the invitation also. We had planned to attend but I came down with a nasty, summer cold a couple days ago and I didn't think it would be a good idea to spread it around!

The invite mentioned that there would be some"insights from Les." Did he have anything to say about the team and the upcoming season?

Not as much as I hoped. talked a bit about the recruiting process, starting with retention of players (we have 7 which is highly than most), and then focusing on size, with a emphasis on foreign players since they fit the mold of height with the ability to run and space the floor. Move to the MWC was the reason for the big change in recruiting profile. Coaches introduced each player with some background and 'what to expect' discussion.

as to the coaches (there was a question regarding a positing for an assistant), the core 3 of Nocek, Metzger-Jones and Vogt were there along with the Kosich who is 'chief of staff'. we had one more coach (Fortune Jones) listed last year, so I'd guess we're looking to fill at least that role.

I'm excited to see how this group comes together. We had to get bigger and stronger in order to compete in the MWC and it looks like Les has addressed that need. We definitely have good size with 7 players listed at 6'8 and taller.

I thought it was an interesting comment from Les regarding emphasizing recruiting foreign players for their ability to run and create space on the floor. Mobile, big men who can defend in the paint but also have an extended range of shots is the trend in the modern era of basketball.

Adapting to the physicality of the college game is one of the biggest challenges that all players new to college basketball face and some folks say that it's even more challenging for new foreign players to adapt to that style of play. We saw that with Suljanović last season so I expect that there will be some growing pains while many of our new players get used to the physicality of the college game this year as well. It's going to take some time for this team to come together early on with all the new players we have on the roster but, hopefully, by the time that conference play begins, they will be a much more cohesive unit.

It's good to hear that you thought that Stokes was even stronger this year. He was unusually physical and fearless last year as a true freshman so he must be in "beast mode" now. I like the progress we saw from Suljanović last season so I'm not surprised that you feel like he has made great progress. Both he and Chappell have beautiful shots from deep. It would really be something to see if those two along with Sevilla were to catch fire from beyond the arc all in the same game.

I've always felt like Les could build something special here in men's basketball if he had the resources he needs to be competitive with the really good mid-majors which isn't easy given our academic values compared with most other good programs. It appears that the Athletics Department has made that commitment to the program as a requirement of joining the MWC and, like a space rocket being launched, we may not take off with lightening speed but I like the upward trajectory of the program.