Illini Basketball 2019-2020

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#476      
Hoping for Jones. Sure, AG making good progress can only help us. But if Tev gets confident and consistent, he will be a beast, he has the body and the athleticism. I would love to see him play like Aaron Henry.
I hope that we are all arguing late in the season over which of them made the biggest jump! I can see both of this guys making a significant sophomore leap. If we are having that discussion we are having a very good season!
 
#477      
I agree with Tev or Alan making significant jumps, but , maybe, Giorgi makes a big jump with now having Kofi down low that will allow his paint ballet to blossom and also allow him for more garbage baskets as the D will try to keep Kofi from rebounding...

Really, I expect EVERYONE to improve as last year was exciting but didn't result into more wins than losses...I'm planning on watching selection Sunday to see where the Illini are seeded, not crying in my booze once again...
2nd year in the system for last year's newbies too.
 
#478      
Very sorry to hear this as I could make these games also... And now won't
What are you guys on about? Single game seats have not even gone on sale. If it’s important and something you’d like to attend just keep your eyes open for the single game tickets and buy them when they’re available. Right now the only seats on stub hub are season ticket holders trying to take advantage of the currently limited supply.
 
#479      

Deleted member 29907

D
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Guess I will find another way to watch the West Coast trip ILLINI this year...damn only like 6 decent tickets at Stub Hub left for GCU average $150.00 each...and Arizona the seating is even worse selection and farther away for more $$$$....damn, forcing me to drink at a bar....lol!!!
Theres always last day or minute tickets much cheaper - its way too early to be finding reasonable seats from stubhub or places like that. I mean its not Duke / MSU so I'd expect much lower prices. Stubhub sellers have plenty of time right now so they're trying to see if someone bites at a high price.
 
#480      

Deleted member 29907

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I was a bit concerned listening to Piper talk about how the staff was concerned about the defensive problems in Italy. I guess the encouraging thing is they are addressing it. Maybe Gentry is the missing piece to implement a system that's more effective.

Praise for Gentry is sky high. Hope he turns out to be all that is being said about him. I suspect long term he will be an effective recruiter, but it could take a year or two for him to develop relationships. Texas ties are always good.
I'd guess the trip in general, and heat had some impact on our D. But we also didn't have AF - who is a big time defender, and we rotated a lot. Unfortunately, due to schedule AG and TJ didn't get as many minutes last year as we would have hoped to work through defensive rotations, spacing, etc. Clearly TF, AD, KN, AF, GB, DMW aren't going to suddenly get worse on D so its probably a matter of getting the young guys up to par since we're going to need to rely on them being in the game for their Offense.
 
#481      
I'd guess the trip in general, and heat had some impact on our D. But we also didn't have AF - who is a big time defender, and we rotated a lot. Unfortunately, due to schedule AG and TJ didn't get as many minutes last year as we would have hoped to work through defensive rotations, spacing, etc. Clearly TF, AD, KN, AF, GB, DMW aren't going to suddenly get worse on D so its probably a matter of getting the young guys up to par since we're going to need to rely on them being in the game for their Offense.
We need the team defense to improve immensely. Know one bad cog can sink it but last year's defense won't cut it. Size in the front court was one problem with defense and rebounding but don't think it was the only problem.
 
#482      

illini80

Forgottonia
I'd guess the trip in general, and heat had some impact on our D. But we also didn't have AF - who is a big time defender, and we rotated a lot. Unfortunately, due to schedule AG and TJ didn't get as many minutes last year as we would have hoped to work through defensive rotations, spacing, etc. Clearly TF, AD, KN, AF, GB, DMW aren't going to suddenly get worse on D so its probably a matter of getting the young guys up to par since we're going to need to rely on them being in the game for their Offense.
To be clear, it was the staff who was concerned about the way they played defense. Yes AF is a terrific defender and we all hope Kofi can learn to be in the right place at the right time. MY concern there is if guys are driving like they have in the past, they will go at a freshman big and get him in foul trouble quick. Need to stop them before.

I really think we will see some key differences in scheme this year on D.
 
#483      
To be clear, it was the staff who was concerned about the way they played defense. Yes AF is a terrific defender and we all hope Kofi can learn to be in the right place at the right time. MY concern there is if guys are driving like they have in the past, they will go at a freshman big and get him in foul trouble quick. Need to stop them before.

I really think we will see some key differences in scheme this year on D.
More Zones, but pressure till then. We also for the most part have wingspan.
 
#484      
Holyfield was a big miss. Sub him for Jermaine and this team would have all positions covered with depth.
 
#485      
Holyfield was a big miss. Sub him for Jermaine and this team would have all positions covered with depth.
I think with Holyfield we’d be looking at an E8 team. As it is we should still easily make the tournament for the first time in years.
 
#487      
I still think Verdonk is going to be a factor at the 4 spot. Seems to have solid bball skills along with a big ten physique
I totally agree. I also went and looked ar the last couple NBA drafts and how many international players were selected. Many of whom never even played in the US.. I also wonder of those that did play and also those didnt play here that where selected in the draft ever rated as it pertains to college recruiting? I bet those that never played high school here like Verdonk were not. IMaybe some where but many were not and were never heard of by these websites. Maybe Verdonk.is one of those guys. I hope so.
 
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#488      

Joel Goodson

respect my decision™
I still think Verdonk is going to be a factor at the 4 spot. Seems to have solid bball skills along with a big ten physique

As do I. Great recovery after losing Holyfield. That said, Holyfield will most likely have a much larger impact this season. And our failure to land him illuminates our current recruiting (i.e., not where it needs to be, lol).
 
#489      
I think with Holyfield we’d be looking at an E8 team. As it is we should still easily make the tournament for the first time in years.

I had/have a hard time seeing any realistic incarnation of this team past S16 (but I also think we get there). But so much of a tournament where you only need to win once to advance is matchups/injuries, so you just never know.
 
#490      
Would be happy with Kipper's 2017-18 stats of 4.2 rebounds and 10 points in 19 minutes. That would do a lot to fill in the minutes not covered by Giorgi and Kofi.
 
#491      
Would be happy with Kipper's 2017-18 stats of 4.2 rebounds and 10 points in 19 minutes. That would do a lot to fill in the minutes not covered by Giorgi and Kofi.

Yeah I think we’d all take that in a heartbeat
 
#492      
I still think Verdonk is going to be a factor at the 4 spot. Seems to have solid bball skills along with a big ten physique
How are you evaluating his basketball skills? Are there tapes or stats somewhere?
 
#493      

Deleted member 10500

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Yeah I think we’d all take that in a heartbeat
Kipper has an incredible skill set and has shown that he can dominate when he is focused. I am VERY optimistic that he will have the mental side of his game in order and surprise a ton of people this year. Could be the orange kool-ade, but I don't think so. Ayo + Giorgi are going to stay on his back / lead the team from a mental standpoint. Couple that with BU softening his approach a bit and I like the way the stars are lining up for him
 
#494      

jmilt7

Waukegan
Didn't know where to put this (or even if it needed to be "put" somewhere).

ANONYMOUS $2 MILLION GIFT ADDS TO UBBEN RENOVATION PROJECT

Former Illini basketball player apparently

Fund is now at 3 million, just short of the 30 million needed ;).

Sorry for the all caps but that was the way the headline was and I was too lazy to re-type
 
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#495      

chiefini

Rockford, Illinois
Didn't know where to put this (or even if it needed to be "put" somewhere).

ANONYMOUS $2 MILLION GIFT ADDS TO UBBEN RENOVATION PROJECT

Former Illini basketball player apparently

Fund is now at 3 million, just short of the 30 million needed ;).

Sorry for the all caps but that was the way the headline was and I was too lazy to re-type

Thank you, whoever you are! Guessing maybe Eddie Johnson enjoyed his HOF weekend! #IlliniForLife
 
#496      
Who on the team is going to make the biggest leap from last year? What do you think?
Although i think everyone should improve with more experience in the system. I feel AG will improve but Tev is who i expect the most from. Him missing those 8 games hurt him but we saw what he can do in the Maryland game. I think he can do even more. Had i seen a glimpse of that from AG i would list him at the level too but i feel Tev is the most likely to make that jump on a consistent basis.
 
#499      
I was there at Ubben saturday for about an hour & my thoughts are: Kofi is a BEAST, Giorgi is the best guy ever & hardest worker, Ayo will be a stud this year, & Griffin/Tev looked better to me offensively than anyone else. Williams' confidence in his outside shot looked to be nonexistent, sorry to say, as did Kippers'. Trent looked distracted but had his moments.
 
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#500      
I was there at Ubben saturday for about an hour & my thoughts are: Kofi is a BEAST, Giorgi is the best guy ever & hardest worker, Ayo will be a stud this year, & Griffin/Tev looked better to me offensively than anyone else. Williams' confidence in his outside shot looked to be nonexistent, sorry to say, as did Kippers'.

This might be a hard question to answer if you have no previous observation for comparison, but does Kofi look leaner or move more fluidly than you expected?
 
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