Michael Finke, Te'Jon Lucas transferring from Illinois

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#102      
Best of luck to both Finke and Lucas. Thank you for your years as an Illini.

Go Illini
 
#104      
Ah, I really hate to see Te'Jon go. That's too bad. Having him and Frazier on the floor at the same time was fun. Two quick guards.

Finke, I saw coming, interview with Jeff notwithstanding. I had time to prepare myself for that. Disappointed given our threadbare big roster, but expected.
 
#105      

Tacomallini

Washington State
Does anyone think he should be commended? The quicker we move on from substandard talent the better.

I'll take the bait here! Yes, wins will help us collectively forget all.

Black hurts, but nothing could be done about it.
Vesel was an emergency fill last year, no hard feelings where I'm at if he stays or goes.
Smith didn't pan out, at least right away, wish him luck. Had he stayed it out, I'd be pulling for him to succeed as an Illini.
Finke and Lucas hurt though, and imo could be decent role players off the bench for any B10 team. I'm sure others will argue that, but them's my 2 cents.
I like Underwood. Like where we're heading. Still feel some pain over THT, Finke, and Lucas though and need me some IllinoisLoyalty therapy to get me to November.
 
#106      
I have mixed feelings about this. I do feel like we need bigs with more of a killer instinct and strength than what Finke has historically shown, but on the other hand, we also really need bigs in general and he was a legit threat when he was knocking down threes.

Best of luck to him.

When Ebo started to take some of his minutes it was a revelation that we needed to recruit over him. Good person but to get back to being a top program we need to upgrade talent quickly.
 
#107      
As Rutgers looks forward to securing the last spot in the B1G for the 2018-19 season as well...Illinois says: "Hold my beer!"
 
#108      
These were all mutual. It was decided that the culture couldn't be built with the current mindset and makeup. I said it after the season that these guys would be gone. I was told after the season there was a real possibility Kip would also be gone. That decision has a lot to do with him already transferring.

They think they can push this cultural change through faster this way. I don't fully agree but we will see how it plays out.
 
#110      
Can you imagine being on campus being recruited with 2 major announcements that guys are leaving? :eek: Timing may not be so great here.

That & someone was saying Underwood was in NY over the weekend through this evening. Rough week.
 
#111      

illini80

Forgottonia
These were all mutual. It was decided that the culture couldn't be built with the current mindset and makeup. I said it after the season that these guys would be gone. I was told after the season there was a real possibility Kip would also be gone. That decision has a lot to do with him already transferring.

They think they can push this cultural change through faster this way. I don't fully agree but we will see how it plays out.
I'm confused on what you are saying about Kipper. He will stay because he has already transferred or that decision is still up in the air?
 
#112      
It's not a full answer to that question, but we can be pretty sure that we would not have stood pat with just Ayo in the fall if the staff had seen this coming.

It's a shame. Someone is out there who is going to be a stud who might otherwise have been ours if we'd known.

Disagree. Went after several bigs and missed. I would take Giorgi and Kane over Conditt and any other instate 18' bigs. THT was a weird situation. The player I wished we landed was Landers Nolley, but T Jones had similiar size and ability. Also going after players who weren't available before like Ramey.
 
#113      

illini80

Forgottonia
IMO the worst part about all the transfers out, is we will be starting from scratch again without the veterans to help teach the young guys. It could be a very long season unless there are some rabbits hiding out there.
 
#114      
Have trouble seeing how this will help us next year. Hope I am wrong but wiped out 4/5 starters from last year. New people to learn the system and compete at Maui?.
 
#115      

audie

The Great Northwest
I'll take the bait here! Yes, wins will help us collectively forget all.

Black hurts, but nothing could be done about it.
Vesel was an emergency fill last year, no hard feelings where I'm at if he stays or goes.
Smith didn't pan out, at least right away, wish him luck. Had he stayed it out, I'd be pulling for him to succeed as an Illini.
Finke and Lucas hurt though, and imo could be decent role players off the bench for any B10 team. I'm sure others will argue that, but them's my 2 cents.
I like Underwood. Like where we're heading. Still feel some pain over THT, Finke, and Lucas though and need me some IllinoisLoyalty therapy to get me to November.

I'm with you, Tacoma!

I've been a Illini basketball fan for fifty years, and I'm wondering if there's ever been a bigger exodus in the history of the program (over a 2-year span). I find it disheartening when players like Black and Finke and Lucas leave after putting their hearts and souls into the team. Like you, I understand Leron leaving to move on with his life as a professional. Te'Jon leaving is a tough one for me. He seemed like a guy that was making the most of his talents and brought that full-out defensive attitude that I thought Underwood valued so much. He was often the spark for this year's team. He also saw the court and made passes that nobody else could. I'll miss him and hope he does well wherever he winds up.
 
#116      
I don't know how I feel about this if players are working hard are still committed n are forced out. .I think it sucks but it's big business ...go illini
 
#117      
I thought TJL could do some nice things in this system. Saw him as a quality backup pg.
 
#118      

I Bomb

Stylin' and Profilin'
Each case is probably a little bit different. Sorry to see these guys go. The staff has their work cut out for them. Curious to see how it all turns out.
 
#119      

the national

the Front Range
I do agree with this 100%, I understand not everyone likes this but needed to blow this up. But we didn't run off great players at all. Sure, some were ok pieces potentially but we needed a complete infusion of talent.

I agree too. As unfortunate as it is, the team was in terrible shape and seemed to be backslide all year. We needed to dismantle the Ship. The players knew it, the coaches knew it, most of the fans could see it. It just wasn’t going to work.
 
#120      

Larken24

Florida
Kinda makes me wonder if there is something going on in the basketball culture at Illinois
 
#122      
These were all mutual. It was decided that the culture couldn't be built with the current mindset and makeup. I said it after the season that these guys would be gone. I was told after the season there was a real possibility Kip would also be gone. That decision has a lot to do with him already transferring.

They think they can push this cultural change through faster this way. I don't fully agree but we will see how it plays out.

I must say Ward is spot on in his analysis.
 
#124      

audie

The Great Northwest
jackass comment.

Totally agree.
Hope poster leaves.

How is it a jackass comment?
Aaron Jordan has been a perfect representative of the University. Hard worker, great teammate. How can you think there is no room for him in our program?

:illinois:
 
#125      
I'm confused on what you are saying about Kipper. He will stay because he has already transferred or that decision is still up in the air?



I believe he’s saying that if he hadn’t already transferred once he would have probably been gone by now.


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