Illinois Basketball 2016-2017
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I'm still holding out hope that Finke can continue to bulk up and play some minutes backing up Thorne. Finke and Black playing together would compliment each other's game.
Sal Iacuzzo
- Yonkers, NY
It's really anyone's guess how often Tracy plays. I wouldn't be surprised if he plays only a few minutes a game. We really won't know what condition he is in until the season starts.
Serious Late
- Peoria via Denver via Ann Arbor via Albuquerque vi
Are you referring to the grid listed above? That was pretty much a 9 man rotation posted. 5-6-7 minutes per game aren't players expected to be in the rotation. Even with an 8-9 man rotation, some mop up minutes and spot minutes are going to be given to the other players.
I wouldn't really consider less than 10 minutes per game as part of the rotation. They'll all get playing time throughout the season, but there will be games where 2-3 of them may not see the floor at all.
Yep. This time of year, everyone seems to predict a 10-12 man rotation and 80+ ppg. It never works out that way. If we feel reasonably sure that JCL, Hill, Black, Finke, and Thorne will have big roles, that means at least three of the following will spend most of the year glued to the bench alongside Cameron Liss: TJL, Abrams, Tate, AJ, DJW, Kipper, and Mav.
At least one of the point guards will get big minutes: if Tracy is healthy and capable, he's the obvious answer. If not, either TJL gets thrown into the fire or we're forced to live with Tate's limitations. If Hill or JCL can't back up at PG, that eliminates another spot.
I see Nichols, one of Tate and TJL, and one of AJ and DJW ending up outside the rotation (as in 3-5 minutes per game in non-critical situations, plenty of DNP-CDs). Also, one of Mav, Finke, and Black will be the 8/9 man in the rotation, which probably means 5-10 minutes per game and a big man line like 3/2/0.3. Just the way it goes.
I'd take the over on 20 minutes/game for Black after the suspension even considering the rust.
IllinoisFan733
- Chicago
Better to have depth than what happened last year. As coach says: Players Play Players. It will work itself out naturally.
ILL in IA
- Iowa City
Hope your right. That means he's staying out of foul trouble and should have one hell of a stat line.
Was brainstorming what our rotation will look like now without Nunn. It's going to be interesting to see how things shake out given our depth. Here's my best guess for mins/game if everyone stays healthy:
A) Excited about that depth!
B) I believe DJW and Tate average 12+ minutes/game. I might be on an island, but I think Tate plays more minutes than Lucas.
You are not alone on that island. I think we see him feed Thorne quite a bit.
I think that Williams will play closer to 12 or 15 minutes a game… I think you can put him in at three different positions and he might be the most athletic player on the team
I think that's a real possibility. Tate wasn't exactly up to par last season. He just wasn't the same after his injury. But he will be a senior with lots of experience and that can't be overlooked. Hopefully with our depth back this year his lack of shooting won't be as much of an issue with everyone else being a threat.
Thorne is the last person that wants to see Tate in the game. Whoever is defending Tate will just leave him and double Thorne every time he touches it.
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
Huge opportunity for Jordan. Can see him getting 10-15 mpg. Really hoping the figurative light bulb turns on. Just to be clear, I'm talking about comfort level, confidence and hard work in the gym and weight room. We're a better team if Jordan blossoms and earns ~15 mpg. Kid has the tools.
That leaves JCL and Malcolm with single coverage, and it leaves Tate open to drive the lane for either a layup or a kickout. Tate is not a starter, but he does bring certain skills to the table, particularly his court vision.
If Jordan can earn 10-15 minutes per game, and does so on his own merits and not as a result of another season of injuries like this last one, Illinois could be a very good team next year. I'd like to see him earn it if only because I so appreciated his father posting on Loyalty right up until his son actually enrolled at UoI. AJ showed flashes of real skill last year.
JCL and Hill aren't wide receivers, this is basketball. Nobody double teams a guard. Tate is a senior, he is what he is. Yes he has court vision but that's it. He can't shoot, he can't finish at the rim, he's not a great defender, and he can't rebound.
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
A 1-2 punch of JCL & AJ could be lethal. Much rather have JCL playing a few less minutes, provided AJ steps up. AJ, your table is ready.
Tate finished at the rim quite often as a soph. I prefer to think last year did not happen.
I prefer to think the last 3 years did not happen.
Any chance Malcolm sees minutes at sg? Allowing more minutes for either DJW or Nichols
Definite chance. Not much difference in the 2 and 3 positions. If DJW or Kipper are playing better than AJ or our PGs, then it makes sense to play them when JCL needs a break.
EDIT: Also depends on who we are playing. Hill playing defense on some 2s might be a struggle. Just depends who the other team has on their wings.
TownieMatt
CU Expat
- Chicago
mdonsbach said:
My grid certainly isn't meant to predict a 12 man rotation. As others have mentioned, players with less than 10 min/game really aren't rotation players. Check min/game stats from previous years. It's actually surprising how many minutes non-rotation players average over the course of a season from mop-up and spot minutes.
The jury is still vary much out on DJW at this point. I think he could be a significant rotation guy off the bench, or have Nichols overtake him and be a non-factor. I have no idea, but I'm definitely pulling for him.
As for Tate, I think he'll see more minutes than TJL at the start of the season. As the season goes on however, and TJL learns to play defense, I think he'll relegate Tate to spot minutes only (assuming everyone stays healthy).
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