2012 Illini Hoops Summer Workouts

[Chris Yates]

Here's an image that makes me smile:

http://yfrog.com/oe3b6gxj

AAU coach extraordinaire Mike Mullins just went up with this picture of Nnanna Egwu working out on Friday night. If the big man is working this hard, he may be our breakout player this season.

BTW, the 2012-2013 basketball team thread is closed, so I opened a new one on the subject. If there's a thread where this post belongs, please move it there, Dan. I looked carefully but couldn't find any existing thread on this general topic.

[mdonsbach]

I have impatiently been waiting for some summer interviews!

[BrooksTaylorFan]

I love the raw potential and upside in Egwu. Cannot wait to see how he develops under Groce. As bad as it was to watch Leonard's talents get wasted, you certainly won't see that happen under Groce.

[UofIChE06]

Don't forget most players make their biggest jump between Freshman and Soph yrs. That is what makes me think the team can improve even with the loss of ML. Looking for at the very least MyH and NE to make big jumps. TA made a pretty big jump midseason. DL and MS will probably need another year.

[jackman404]

I'm expecting big things from all the sophmores this year except Langford, I think he's still a year away.

[Dan]

Tyler Griffey tweets out a photo & explanation of the machine they have at Ubben that monitors/tracks/prints one's shooting percentage.

tylergriffey: Have a lot on my mind tonight. Needed to be by myself for awhile and there's no place better than the gym fo http://t.co/wrXIT45v



SamManiscalco: @tylergriffey wait that thing prints out sheets now?

tylergriffey: @SamManiscalco yea it's sick. USB port, printer. Already per programmed with all our names and such so we can see what we've done

[HeartofaChampion]

Originally Posted by Dan

Tyler Griffey tweets out a photo & explanation of the machine they have at Ubben that monitors/tracks/prints one's shooting percentage.

JG is the Tony LaRussa of CBB coaches. Statistical nut.

BTW, Ibby's shooting stats are not pretty.

[HeartofaChampion]

Groce implements 24-second shot clock in Illini pickup games

"We've got a 24-second shot clock now. That puts it into perspective for you, what our offense is going to look like," sophomore Nnanna Egwu said today. "It's fast-paced. Being able to get steals, get on fast breaks, quick outlets. And he's big on conditioning. Every player has to be conditioned, from the big men to the guards. We've all got to run and be able to run for 40 minutes a game."

Groce has said he prefers a quicker tempo. That, of course, will depend on whether the Illini can limit their turnovers while playing faster.

Klee

Surprised that PK didn't report this earlier. JG has used the short shot clock in UI scrimmages since mid/late April.

[MikeThomas4Prez]

Good. I wont miss the dribbling around for 38 seconds and throwing up a prayer 3 that used to happen ever so often

[Sure Shot]

And the further genius of it: show players, fans, and recruits that you're playing "NBA basketball"

[WizardBill]

Originally Posted by MikeThomas4Prez

Good. I wont miss the dribbling around for 38 seconds and throwing up a prayer 3 that used to happen ever so often

I thought that was the offensive set we used often!

[jhayton]

Originally Posted by WizardBill

I thought that was the offensive set we used often!

That was one in 3 trips in the second half of the season last year.

[MTILLINOIS]

Groce implements 24-second shot clock in Illini pickup games

"We've got a 24-second shot clock now. That puts it into perspective for you, what our offense is going to look like," sophomore Nnanna Egwu said today. "It's fast-paced. Being able to get steals, get on fast breaks, quick outlets. And he's big on conditioning. Every player has to be conditioned, from the big men to the guards. We've all got to run and be able to run for 40 minutes a game."

Groce has said he prefers a quicker tempo. That, of course, will depend on whether the Illini can limit their turnovers while playing faster.

Klee

I know Groce will run his style of offense but the talk of conditioning at this point is just fluf. Since year 1 of BW's time, the talk was about being conditioned and running. Conditioning in the summer time is what every coach in CB does.

[ctblaisdell83]

Originally Posted by Sure Shot

And the further genius of it: show players, fans, and recruits that you're playing "NBA basketball"

Great point about NBA. Excellent message to give recruits and also demonstrates the dedication to fast pace (as opposed to just saying "we'll run a lot more this year...")

[Kramer116]

Originally Posted by Dan

Tyler Griffey tweets out a photo & explanation of the machine they have at Ubben that monitors/tracks/prints one's shooting percentage.

The amount of shots each player has to make this summer is staggering to say the least.

Good to see Tyler working out on his own and getting better. He is going to play a big role this year.

[Mike]

So at 79%, Tyler isn't really shooting game shots is he?
Wonder what he working on.

[Illini B-Ball Fan]

Originally Posted by Mike

So at 79%, Tyler isn't really shooting game shots is he?
Wonder what he working on.

I would tend to think the coaches have them regimented in doing an assortment from different ranges, but primarily what they would be expected to shoot in a regular game at their position. Also, probably about 33% of them being free throws.

[EdgyInChina]

Originally Posted by Dan

Tyler Griffey tweets out a photo & explanation of the machine they have at Ubben that monitors/tracks/prints one's shooting percentage.

Tyler goes to the gym to be alone ? ? ?

Sooooo, that means that no one else is at the gym practicing on their own ? ? ?

That's just great.....

[UncleBob]

Originally Posted by EdgyInChina

Tyler goes to the gym to be alone ? ? ?

Sooooo, that means that no one else is at the gym practicing on their own ? ? ?

That's just great.....

Look at the time on the ticket......8:53pm on a Friday night.....I'm not too concerned.

[justsomedude]

Originally Posted by Mike

So at 79%, Tyler isn't really shooting game shots is he?
Wonder what he working on.

Sure he is, he's just not guarded.

Anyone who's ever played pick up game with a college player against regular joes has seen bad college shooters go crazy when they aren't defended. Don't get me wrong, 79% is great, but not surprising.

[Mike]

K justsomedude, you're likely correct.

[HeartofaChampion]

Very, very good read: http://www.illinihq.com/sports/illin...int-guard.html

[Illini B-Ball Fan]

Originally Posted by HeartofaChampion

Very, very good read: http://www.illinihq.com/sports/illin...int-guard.html

Agree, good stuff.

[whitesxfan2012]

Very good article HoC....thank you for the post!
Seems as if us fans better be ready for some run n gun action for the next several years. We may make some turnovers with this style. But, odds are our opponents will make more (especially in the second half) because of our great conditioning.

[Lab Rat]

Originally Posted by MikeThomas4Prez

Good. I wont miss the dribbling around for 38 seconds and throwing up a prayer 3 that used to happen ever so often

If they were praying for their shots to go in (most didn't), then maybe we need a priest/rabbi/spiritual guide/medium/minister/etc more than we do a coach.