John Groce press conference
Dan
Admin
First workout as an #Illini this afternoon for @too_smoove23.
https://twitter.com/IlliniMBB/status/743546709733740544
https://twitter.com/IlliniMBB/status/743546709733740544
Wow on Groce's comments about Nichols: "He has exceeded mine(Groce) and the staff's expectations." "he has the utmost respect of his teammates for how hard he works". He stayed on campus for both Summer session I & II. Groce pointed out that he could play some 2, thus showing maybe the most versatile guy on the team.
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
Sounds great. To consider playing Nichols at the 2, his outside shot has to be good, at a minimum. Don't know if he'll actually see time there, but he doesn't sound like a deep bench warmer to me.
What's with the 90 degree camera angle?
His outside shot is the weakest part of his game. He was only 3 of 19 from 3 pt in AAU, however when he started at St. Ed's as a freshman he was a PG. Once again versatility is the key to his game.
LOL, that's probably Rob's camera take. If you see another camera angle and Rob is in the background he looks like he had a real rough night and I mean rough.
I can't hear the question where JG says: 'I'm not going to go there'... anybody know what that was ?
At work so I can't listen, but perhaps something about Nunn? Or asking about recruiting? No idea.
He took Nunn's question and the one about the extra ship head on.
Rob asked, "Who was the head coach last night." He was asking about who made the comments to Groce that the basketball team looked really good.
Illinidreamin
- Paris, IL.
He was asking who the coach was that came and said that Groces players were more intense.
sacraig
- The desert
What were these comments, exactly? I am sure it's been discussed here somewhere but I couldn't find it.
IlliniDent
- Chicago, IL
It really wasn't an important part of the interview. It simply was Groce saying that a coach who has seen the team plenty said in simplified terms that the team always practices hard but he has never seen them as intense as they are playing now.
It could be a very interesting year if this team plays all season with a chip on its shoulder. I have to say I find that thought very appealing after some of the listless efforts we suffered through last year.
IlliniDent
- Chicago, IL
O absolutely, but people were wondering about the comment as if it was some big piece of information.
It'd be nice to see his outside shot improve, but just looking at his frame he'd be a big mismatch at the 2 and i'd give him the green light to attack the basket/defender at will
I don't recall if there was official word, but the roster lists him as a redshirt sophomore.
They might not have applied for the medical hardship yet since his case is pretty clear cut and can be done anytime in the next 2 years. The process is through the Big Ten and it's possible that the team won't even make a public announcement.
Pretty much a full house on the bench now, which is good, but unfortunately, there will have to be a few that get minimal playing time, bummer. Will be an interesting year to see who competes the most and has the most success.
The big question for our Illini team this year will be the same... Health. Two point guards are hurt and not yet full speed, one a sixth year senior who hasn't played in a game in two plus years and a 6th years senior who had a bad knee and is over weight. Those three players will determine our fate... And Groce's