He's made some nice aggressive plays on O recently. When you have a good base in most facets of the game - especially, to me, the handles at his size - it's not hard to hope for something special later on, as he gains experience and matures physically. For right now, I've liked what I've seen lately. Groce pointed out the only bright spot he saw at MSU was DJ's play. DJ's and AJ's length have been a factor the last few games in our improved defense too, IMO.
Illinois 84, Purdue 70 POSTGAME
He's made some nice aggressive plays on O recently. When you have a good base in most facets of the game - especially, to me, the handles at his size - it's not hard to hope for something special later on, as he gains experience and matures physically. For right now, I've liked what I've seen lately. Groce pointed out the only bright spot he saw at MSU was DJ's play. DJ's and AJ's length have been a factor the last few games in our improved defense too, IMO.
BirdDog9048
The Chief Lives
- Chicago, IL
This entire paragraph could have been written two years ago about Malcolm and look where he's at now. Since he's an inch or two taller, DJW could be that much better. I'm not saying he will definitely be as good as Malcolm (hard to predict that Malcolm was going to be as good as Malcolm is... lol), but the potential is definitely there for him to dominate the B1G in a couple years.
Very true, and DJ is not only longer, but a better athlete than Malcolm is right now without 2 years in the strength and conditioning program.
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I think he is a fine athlete; he just isn't elite. And I think his ceiling is fine and he could develop into a rather good BIG player. I just don't think he will ever be as good as say JCL. So I don't know why his ceiling would be higher. I was just asking. I wasn't trying to say he wasn't going to be any good.
DJ has never been the same scoring threat that Hill has been throughout HS and college. I don't see DJ ever being a prolific scorer like Hill can be. There is potential for DJ to be a solid player but his upside is not that of Hill's
I agree, but he has upside in many other areas that Hill did not as a freshman as well
DJW has indeed great potential and skillset. However, he has always had that. I've watched him in many games in HS as well, and even early in his career he would have a few plays here and there where you would just say "wow, imagine him as a senior, how good would this player be." Yet, even as a senior, he would not play a consistent game but would still have those plays here and there where people would salivate over his potential. So the fact that he has had a few really nice plays is no surprise. At least to most who had watched him in many HS games.
There are many players, literally thousands, who could make some plays here and there and look as good as LeBron or Curry. Yet, they can't do it consistently. Highest ceiling than any Illini freshman ever? Hmm... that's a bit too much. Even on this team, as a college player, Finke may give anyone (including DJW) a run for his money. But DJW does have great skills, no doubt about that.
I think he is a fine athlete; he just isn't elite. And I think his ceiling is fine and he could develop into a rather good BIG player. I just don't think he will ever be as good as say JCL. So I don't know why his ceiling would be higher. I was just asking. I wasn't trying to say he wasn't going to be any good.
JCL will always be the better shooter and may end up as the better scorer as he is a pure shooting guard. He could maybe be a fine pg one day but that's it. if we're talking potential/ceiling he's undersized at that position as a pro prospect. There's no way you could use him in as many ways as you could Williams if things pan out
I think DJW is a very exciting player and not because of athleticism or scoring but because he has the ability to be a stat stuffer. 10 points 7 rebounds and 5 assists, along with 2 steals and 2 blocks could be his potential. That stuff is fun to watch just ask Mich st. (Draymond Green and Denzel Valentine)
There is no doubt this kid has a high ceiling. I cannot wait to see how he progresses further along this season and the next few years. But the key with DJ and other players, is just be consistent with their play. This is a very good, with potential of being a great, freshman class.
ILL in IA
- Iowa City
While they are different players for sure, I have always hoped DJW can be Illinois version of Georges Niang at Iowa State. Players have very different body types from where they came into college at. Niang has lost weight and gotten in much better shape and is 6'8 230, DJW needs to put it on at 6'7 200. But I see the potential game changer Niang is as a 6'8 player who can rebound and start a break, or get a big man our on the wing and take him off the dribble, distribute, or finish at the rim. I think DJW would be considered a better athlete between the two. If DJ can develop an outside shot with some consistency there wont be much on the court the guy can't do. I know there were some big if's here, but I do think he can become that type of player for Illinois.
Pretty small sample size though...1 (UAB?); so haven't won many with both in the same lineup as well.
Foggy Notion
- San Francisco
I think that's the point.
I didn't say that we would have won all those games. But a healthy Thorne with a healthy Nunn would make us much more dangerous. Thorne is not a star but he is a good low post player. Teams have to respect that, and the defense would have to collapse some. Even if it was another foot or two, it would open up the outside shooters more. Thorne in the middle with Hill, Nunn, JCL and even Finke on the perimeter is a much better offense.
Jabber Jabber
- Champaign, IL
That's a lot of hyperbole based on an uncontested baseline dunk and decent defense.
DJW could turn out to be a very fine player. He could also wind up spending most of his four years in the O&B on the pine. It is very hard to predict which DJW will ultimately show up. Still, if he flips the switch one day...
karmapoliceman
- STL, MO
Glad I wasn't able to bet on this game, as I would for sure have taken PUR minus the 9.
Even gladder I would have been proven wrong.
This is certainly a win off which to build. Saw consistent effort from start to finish and we didn't fade whenever it appeared Purdue was starting a run.
Even gladder I would have been proven wrong.
This is certainly a win off which to build. Saw consistent effort from start to finish and we didn't fade whenever it appeared Purdue was starting a run.
ILL in IA
- Iowa City
Nothing is a given, but I have hope that if DJW is getting playing time already, he is showing Groce that he is getting after it in practice. I like his chances if can keep doing that.
Wasn't too long ago, probably before the Michigan game that JG made it a point on the pregame show to mention that DJ was really coming on in practice and was pushing for more time. I heard it at the time, just don't remember which pre game it was. Kind of like lunch yesterday, I forget what I had then too. It was good though.
Ransom Stoddard
Ordained Dudeist Priest
- Bloomington, IL
Probably this morning around 1am. They usually do the full replay inside of 24 hours, although there are probably exceptions to that. I don't see anything else on the schedule.
Oh, I have hopes as well. He is getting PT at least in part because the team is so short-handed, but he did some very nice looking things against Purdue.
My concern is with the reports that he has been doing "nice looking things" since early in his HS career, only to periodically disappear for games at a time. That is why I say I hope he "flips the switch" sometime. When he is on, he is a very exciting player to watch.
frozenrope9190
- Aurora, IL
He's your least favorite Illini ever because he cried? Men can cry when they're upset, it's OK. Men making flagrant fouls when they're upset, not OK.
What I appreciate the most about DJ's game is that it has a pretty natural flow to it. One play that comes to mind is that he grabbed a rebound and then immediately looked up court and without thinking passed the ball cross half court. Most players his size would usually hold the ball and look around for a ball handler.