That would have been awkward. There would have been an equal number of coaching staff as players remaining on our team.
I kid, I kid. I'll show myself out the door.
Illini Basketball 2019-2020
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That would have been awkward. There would have been an equal number of coaching staff as players remaining on our team.
I kid, I kid. I'll show myself out the door.
In some games.
Deleted member 628259
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I think that's for the best all the way around. We get to see Ayo in orange another year, he has another year to bulk up and improve his draft stock, and NBA teams get another year to evaluate him.
I used to think he would make a better 3. That is, until I realized that he can't dribble, or pass, and really isn't very good at shooting. I'm not really sure he can guard most 3s either. I always hate to rag on players, but he makes a lot of plays that are boneheaded and appears lazy at times.
There is a name on most draft lists that could've (should've according to some) really changed our season though...
Yeah, they're just dying for undersized 3s in the NBA.
Deleted member 746317
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Because I do think about the "3" as a tweener position, I think Kipper (good Kipper) can play it. If Kipper isn't going to be "good" Kipper (won't shoot, won't cut, won't play active defense and rebound), then leave the numbering system out of it - he just shouldn't have a space on the floor (see Logjam comment on player Kipper until we can't).
BU has said (and we've seen flashes) that Kipper can be a good 3pt shooter. I think we've seen Kipper to have a good jumper from the elbow and that he can drive/move around most 4-5 type players, can elevate above most 1-2 players and should be on fair footing re quickness/size/height to guard any opposing player rightly to be called a "3." If the other team is playing 3 guards, then the other team is really playing a 1 and two 2's, and Kipper as a 3/tweener might have quickness problems on D. If that's happening, then we need good Kipper to use his offensive advantages to make the opponents pay the price of putting a 2 out there to defend him. If Kipper can't make them pay for that kind of match, then put Feliz on the floor with Ayo and Trent until that match-up goes away.
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I tend to think that dribbling is a somewhat relative skill and have the impression that Kipper dribbles well enough/tight enough to do some wing slashing. Have to admit, that's just an impression and can't say I've been watching for that with him. My impression (again, an impression) is that "good" Kipper can shoot; when "bad" Kipper doesn't shoot well, I think it's because he's taking dumb shots or lazy shots ... Also think "bad" Kipper covers passing problems.
This might have been said before, but if we're not a tournament team next year it might be another few years before we are this good again. Ayo and Kofi probably wont be here in 2020-2021. Those are big holes to fill if we need to be over .500 in the big 10 to make the tournament.
I think that playing much of the season with an undersized 3 hurt us on defense, maybe not as much as our lack of size in the post but more than folks might think. If you’re gonna extend your defense and trap, it’s way more difficult to pass out of it if you have a long 6’7” guy coming at you than a 6’2” guard.
Underwood’s system will benefit from having a legit rim protector on the floor, but being able to run a 3 and 4 with mobility and length out there will make a big difference, too.
If they're gone it's good for recruiting because we're sending players to the league. I agree we may have a small window, I'm hoping for 2 years.
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I do wonder what a zone with Ayo, Alan, Tevian, Giorgi and Samba would do. Lots of length and a change of pace. Maybe when they develop.
Okay, then. You make fair points and I am on board. Kipper at the 3!
Really though, you are right that he could reasonable play against other small forwards, but I think in college, he wouldn't get that matchup too often. But yes, if he shoots like he did 17-18, then he is a much better all around player. If he can't shoot, then he is limited in what he can do.Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
99% of what's wrong with Kipper's game is in between the ears. No longer facing a continual height deficit is bound to help.
Agree that it is in his head, but didn't he play the season prior at the 4 mostly, too? He had a pretty good year. I know Black was there, but weren't most of Kip's minutes at the 4 with Black at the 5?
That would sure solve the length issue. I think that Trent would benefit from running the point with a lineup like that, he seemed to struggle against larger defenders. If you have a taller guy at the 2 and 3, it's tougher to defend Trent with size.
I'm hopeful that Samba will develop, but right now he just looks uncomfortable if he can't hang around the basket on defense. Even in a 2-3, the center needs to roam a bit. Most modern 2-3 setups have the outside baseline guys creep up quite a ways to guard the wings (see the Syracuse zone for a good example of this), which leaves the center with more responsibility to rotate out. And in a man, the center is constantly popping out to defend the high screen.
Hopefully it clicks for him. He'd be a very nice piece to add to the rotation.
Hello Loyalty,
The Illinois Basketball Managers are the #1 overall seed in the manager games tournament this year. We made it past the first round and for the next 3 days are fan voting to make it to the sweet 16. Please give us a vote on Twitter and get us to the Final Four!
The Illinois Basketball Managers are the #1 overall seed in the manager games tournament this year. We made it past the first round and for the next 3 days are fan voting to make it to the sweet 16. Please give us a vote on Twitter and get us to the Final Four!
Tacomallini
- Washington State
Seems like a good assessment. DMW has played major minutes as an underclassman on 2 crappy UI teams. In past years he'd have that time to develop in practice and be competing for major minutes as an upperclassman.
First give us a random tidbit about both the manager and D1 team. /s. Already voted.
We averaged over 93 ppg over the season. First for teams that played the minimum amount of games. We also had the largest scoring margin in the country.
Transfer talk
Hey Loyalty,
The Illini Managers are onto the Sweet 16. We're down early and need your help to get us to the Final Four. Show us some love and give us a vote.
The Illini Managers are onto the Sweet 16. We're down early and need your help to get us to the Final Four. Show us some love and give us a vote.
If Kofi is a one and done, we'll have a great year.
There is NO WAY, Kofi is first round 1 and done material! There is also very little chance that Ayo would be guaranteed first round even next year imo as well...I have always thought at best Ayo is 3 and done. We will see....Kofi might be 2 and done IF Fletched gets him slimmed out, and Giorgi gets his feet moving!
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