2012 Illini Hoops Summer Workouts

[Lab Rat]

I love the up tempo game, bring it on, 24 second clock great. Excellent observation about the NBA similarities Sure Shot!

[HsvIllini]

Originally Posted by Lab Rat

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.

Haha nice!

[Geno33]

If the machine Tyler is using is like the one my son used in High School,it has the ability to rotate or stay stationary,it rotates about 2-3 feet after every ball.

[HeartofaChampion]

Got a call this afternoon about summer workouts so far. Won't go into as much detail as past years for one reason: I'm a huge skeptic about offseason reports. I heard last spring/summer that BP was working out with a BB trainer to greatly improve his handles and shooting form and didn't see a lot of evidence that either improved all that much. Same with glowing reports about TG, DJ, the frosh, et al.

That said, here's what I was told today about specific players. He's seen some more than others depending on their schedules and his so TIFWIW.

SML: not on campus yet. Should arrive next week. Will play a big role on next year's team as the first big off the bench most likely is what I've read.

BP: can't participate in contact drills for awhile; based on summer workouts so far, buddy says BP will need to be our leading scorer and have a breakout all-B1G season for this team to have any shot at the Dance. No one else on the squad has all-conference capabilities for 2012-13.

DJ: handles look no different than prior summers, but his shooting stroke from deep looks a little more consistent and his shot isn't as flat right now. Working a ton on catch and shoot. Haven't seen him run off a down screen once since JG arrived. DJ is not particularly quick or explosive, but if he can play fewer minutes and stay healthy, he could be 1 of the top 3-point marksmen in the league, which we'll need.

TG: best shooter on the team this offseason. His shooting stats are great. Saw him drain a dozen straight 3s in one workout. Beautiful stroke. Will likely see him pick and pop a lot next season. Has been hitting the weights hard, too. Got a little more definition in the arms and shoulders. Seems extra motivated so far. New system, new coaches, last year of college. Knows this is it for him. Still not very physical in the paint in scrimmages but has done pretty well in defensive practices.

JB: jumper is still not consistent. Kind of floats sometimes. But looks quicker off the dribble. They've worked him over and over on his left hand. Looks better going left but still has work to do. With BP injured, no one can check him in scrimmages. Loves the uptempo style. Some massive dunks in transition in open gym where defense isn't always a priority. Also improving defensively. Should play many mins next year.

TA: Jumper's still too flat, but his on-ball D is great. JG and JW working him hard at lateral quickness and being disruptive on the ball. He gives whoever he guards fits in scrimmages in part because we don't have a backup PG and BP is hurt. Ballhandling looking better. Constantly pushes the ball up the floor in scrimmages. Much different mentality than SM and DMac had. No one outside of BP can keep TA in front of him.

NE: relentless worker. His workouts with DF are fun to watch. NE isn't as skilled as ML and probably never will be but not for lack of effort. Working hard at face-up mid-range J, footwork in the post and scoring over either shoulder. Takes D more seriously than anyone in open gym. Runs the floor so hard. He and ID just bash each other in the paint. TA has found him numerous times for dunks and layups. By SR year, he and TA could be a great inside-out duo.

MyH: hasn't done a lot since his injury

Not impressed with the development of DL, MS or ID. Won't share publicly his opinion on them other than ID is raw and the other two are tweeners who don't do one thing particularly well; gotta develop their niche. Said LaTulip's got a gorgeous stroke (I saw him once last winter and would concur) but needs to get a lot stronger physically and as a ballhandler

Said the scrimmages expose the team's most glaring weakness: lack of ballhandling. No one matches up well with TA in scrimmages. BP will have to handle this duty. JB sometimes plays PG opposite TA but isn't strong enough to his left yet to play backup PG. DJ isn't quick enough or solid enough with the ball. Oh and can't wait to see SML battle NE this summer and fall. Both are warriors.

[DaytonIllini]

Thanks as always HOC

[07Illini]

Originally Posted by HeartofaChampion

Got a call this afternoon about summer workouts so far. Won't go into as much detail as past years for one reason: I'm a huge skeptic about offseason reports. I heard last spring/summer that BP was working out with a BB trainer to greatly improve his handles and shooting form and didn't see a lot of evidence that either improved all that much. Same with glowing reports about TG, DJ, the frosh, et al.

That said, here's what I was told today about specific players. He's seen some more than others depending on their schedules and his so TIFWIW.

SML: not on campus yet. Should arrive next week. Will play a big role on next year's team as the first big off the bench most likely is what I've read.

BP: can't participate in contact drills for awhile; based on summer workouts so far, buddy says BP will need to be our leading scorer and have a breakout all-B1G season for this team to have any shot at the Dance. No one else on the squad has all-conference capabilities for 2012-13.

DJ: handles look no different than prior summers, but his shooting stroke from deep looks a little more consistent and his shot isn't as flat right now. Working a ton on catch and shoot. Haven't seen him run off a down screen once since JG arrived. DJ is not particularly quick or explosive, but if he can play fewer minutes and stay healthy, he could be 1 of the top 3-point marksmen in the league, which we'll need.

TG: best shooter on the team this offseason. His shooting stats are great. Saw him drain a dozen straight 3s in one workout. Beautiful stroke. Will likely see him pick and pop a lot next season. Has been hitting the weights hard, too. Got a little more definition in the arms and shoulders. Seems extra motivated so far. New system, new coaches, last year of college. Knows this is it for him. Still not very physical in the paint in scrimmages but has done pretty well in defensive practices.

JB: jumper is still not consistent. Kind of floats sometimes. But looks quicker off the dribble. They've worked him over and over on his left hand. Looks better going left but still has work to do. With BP injured, no one can check him in scrimmages. Loves the uptempo style. Some massive dunks in transition in open gym where defense isn't always a priority. Also improving defensively. Should play many mins next year.

TA: Jumper's still too flat, but his on-ball D is great. JG and JW working him hard at lateral quickness and being disruptive on the ball. He gives whoever he guards fits in scrimmages in part because we don't have a backup PG and BP is hurt. Ballhandling looking better. Constantly pushes the ball up the floor in scrimmages. Much different mentality than SM and DMac had. No one outside of BP can keep TA in front of him.

NE: relentless worker. His workouts with DF are fun to watch. NE isn't as skilled as ML and probably never will be but not for lack of effort. Working hard at face-up mid-range J, footwork in the post and scoring over either shoulder. Takes D more seriously than anyone in open gym. Runs the floor so hard. He and ID just bash each other in the paint. TA has found him numerous times for dunks and layups. By SR year, he and TA could be a great inside-out duo.

MyH: hasn't done a lot since his injury

Not impressed with the development of DL, MS or ID. Won't share publicly his opinion on them other than ID is raw and the other two are tweeners who don't do one thing particularly well; gotta develop their niche. Said LaTulip's got a gorgeous stroke (I saw him once last winter and would concur) but needs to get a lot stronger physically and as a ballhandler

Said the scrimmages expose the team's most glaring weakness: lack of ballhandling. No one matches up well with TA in scrimmages. BP will have to handle this duty. JB sometimes plays PG opposite TA but isn't strong enough to his left yet to play backup PG. DJ isn't quick enough or solid enough with the ball. Oh and can't wait to see SML battle NE this summer and fall. Both are warriors.

I live for these updates. Thank you - it seriously made my Friday.

Unfortunately, this isn't as rosy as I'd hope. We really need NE to take a big step forward. I am still very high on MyH. He was terribly under utilized last year and really filled it up in limited minutes.

[justsomedude]

Thanks HoC. Just of note, Tyler Griffey talked today on connectfm about competing against SML and Klee has given reports on him in practice so he must be on campus.

[256ILLINI]

Like everybody said, thanks for that update HOC, this is the most boring time of the year.

After watching Langford play high school ball several times, I knew it would take a while for him to develop.

His biggest problem was that he wasn't much of an attacker, and when you don't attack much against high school players in Huntsville, you have a long ways to go if you want to do it in the Big Ten.

Groce has a reputation for running an attack style offense, so I think Langford's got the right coach. I just hope he doesn't transfer

[HeartofaChampion]

Originally Posted by justsomedude

Thanks HoC. Just of note, Tyler Griffey talked today on connectfm about competing against SML and Klee has given reports on him in practice so he must be on campus.

Good to know, JSD. My buddy talked his friend a couple of days ago, and his friend said SML was home for a wedding and to visit family before coming to campus after the 4th. He didn't mention seeing him play yet. I'll text my buddy to try to find out more.

[HeartofaChampion]

Originally Posted by 07Illini

I live for these updates. Thank you - it seriously made my Friday.

Unfortunately, this isn't as rosy as I'd hope. We really need NE to take a big step forward. I am still very high on MyH. He was terribly under utilized last year and really filled it up in limited minutes.

Not having BP or MyH at full strength for much of the early summer hasn't helped. They're probably our 2 most skilled and talented offensive players in terms of both skill and athleticism. Same with the lack of ballhandling with 1 PG on board. And we don't have any star players on this roster. BP has maybe the talent to do it, but it hasn't happened yet. We have some pretty good parts, but as many have noted, we lack in certain key areas, and we're not particularly strong in any one area. We do have some athleticism to work with, but we're not overflowing with great athletes, either, and we don't have 1 speed-burner on the entire roster, either. New staff has its work cut out for it.

[justsomedude]

I know at first he wasn't coming until July, but then it was reported he was here early June with the rest of the guys. Maybe he was just here for part of June session since he likely didn't need classes.

[HeartofaChampion]

^^^^ Got a text back. You're right. He traveled home for a wedding and to visit family. I assumed he wasn't on campus yet and incorrectly filled in the blanks. Hopefully he'll play a lot of ball in July. A lot of staff take vacation time from mid-May thru the Fourth.

[Redbirds33333]

Thanks HoC...Appreciate it.

[Groundhogday]

Originally Posted by HeartofaChampion

Not having BP or MyH at full strength for much of the early summer hasn't helped. They're probably our 2 most skilled and talented offensive players in terms of both skill and athleticism. Same with the lack of ballhandling with 1 PG on board. And we don't have any star players on this roster. BP has maybe the talent to do it, but it hasn't happened yet. We have some pretty good parts, but as many have noted, we lack in certain key areas, and we're not particularly strong in any one area. We do have some athleticism to work with, but we're not overflowing with great athletes, either, and we don't have 1 speed-burner on the entire roster, either. New staff has its work cut out for it.

Many won't want to hear it, but this team will have to grind out victories with defense: (a) stop the other team from scoring; and (b) generate some transition baskets from steals. With the possible exception of Griffey, this team doesn't appear to have any weak links defensively, decent size overall and good-if-not great athleticism. Hopefully by rotating enough, we can wear teams down and find a way to squeeze out some late-game victories without scoring a lot of points.

[illynifan34]

Originally Posted by Groundhogday

Many won't want to hear it, but this team will have to grind out victories with defense: (a) stop the other team from scoring; and (b) generate some transition baskets from steals. With the possible exception of Griffey, this team doesn't appear to have any weak links defensively, decent size overall and good-if-not great athleticism. Hopefully by rotating enough, we can wear teams down and find a way to squeeze out some late-game victories without scoring a lot of points.

If Nnanna has trouble not fouling, the 5 position could be a weak link defensively.

[combes]

Originally Posted by illynifan34

If Nnanna has trouble not fouling, the 5 position could be a weak link defensively.

We were saying the same thing about Leonard last year.

[illynifan34]

Originally Posted by combes

We were saying the same thing about Leonard last year.

And he got better. Notice the IF. I really hope and think that Nnanna will figure it out.

[Groundhogday]

Originally Posted by illynifan34

If Nnanna has trouble not fouling, the 5 position could be a weak link defensively.

I think that between Egwu, McLaurin and Griffey, we will be okay at the 4-5 positions. I don't know why Egwu would be more foul prone than any other center. He isn't as athletic as Leonard, but more athletic than most Big 10 centers.

[justsomedude]

Not to get greedy, but any mention on how Rice looks?

[Philly Boy]

As HoC noted, most of the summer workout reports over the years suffer from being overly optimistic. This one was way different, and I fear it portends ill. If the guys don't look so hot in workouts, when they're not facing actual game-like defending, color me plenty worried.

Very little development, same weaknesses. Need to count on BP for scoring and [shudder] secondary ballhandler. Granted, he and Henry were not there; but at this point, without miraculous strides yet unanticipated, I don't see how this is gonna translate into any better than the bottom third of the conference.

[Mike]

Originally Posted by Philly Boy

As HoC noted, most of the summer workout reports over the years suffer from being overly optimistic. This one was way different, and I fear it portends ill. If the guys don't look so hot in workouts, when they're not facing actual game-like defending, color me plenty worried.

Very little development, same weaknesses. Need to count on BP for scoring and [shudder] secondary ballhandler. Granted, he and Henry were not there; but at this point, without miraculous strides yet unanticipated, I don't see how this is gonna translate into any better than the bottom third of the conference.

So you think our players haven't improved this summer?

If HOC's source is to be believed (not saying they are not) my take away is that we have made some nice strides, but have a long way to go in specific areas. This sounds like a a brutal and honest assessment to me, not some flowery propaganda about how talented we are. What's most interesting in my mind is that if correct, procuring (or developing) great point guards should make us dangerous, and is perhaps our number one priority.

[Mike]

Originally Posted by justsomedude

Not to get greedy, but any mention on how Rice looks?

He looks strong!
Yeah, an update on RR would be nice. Hoping he becomes a beast of a 3.

[HeartofaChampion]

Originally Posted by Mike

He looks strong!
Yeah, an update on RR would be nice. Hoping he becomes a beast of a 3.

Not sure why my buddy didn't mention RR. I'd guess it's because he's more interested in the guys who will likely play in next year's rotation. He did say RR spends as much time in the gym as any other player, which has been reported by PK and others, and is built like a middle linebacker yet has quick feet and can get up and down the floor pretty well. He had heard when RR transferred here that the coaches want him to lose about 20 pounds and spend a ton of time fixing his outside shot fwiw.

[PeoriaSteve]

Originally Posted by DaytonIllini

Thanks as always HOC

+1, thanks HOC!

[Philly Boy]

Originally Posted by Mike

So you think our players haven't improved this summer?

If HOC's source is to be believed (not saying they are not) my take away is that we have made some nice strides, but have a long way to go in specific areas. This sounds like a a brutal and honest assessment to me, not some flowery propaganda about how talented we are. What's most interesting in my mind is that if correct, procuring (or developing) great point guards should make us dangerous, and is perhaps our number one priority.

I didn't notice the nice strides or improvement in the report, and obviously didn't come away with the same overall impression that you did. I hope you are right and I'm wrong. We can agree the assessment was brutally honest.