Front court has to be top 4 or 5. If JCL doesn't have lingering issues due to his recent injury and two of AJ, DJW, and Kipper prove to be replacement-level players (just non-liabilities for 10-12 mpg), we have to be top 4 at the wing. Malcolm is a legit POY candidate. Our two areas of concern (not counting injuries, which you can't plan for) are PG and coaching. If Tracy is all the way back and Groce coaches at a league average level, we could have a nice year. I'm personally hoping for 10-3 non-con, 11-7 B1G, 2-1 BTT. That should produce around a #6 or #7 seed in the tournament. Win one there and the arrow is pointing up again big time.
Illini Basketball 2016-2017
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IU is 14 times on ESPN platforms and 3 CBS games.
Michigan State is doing even better, 14 times on ESPN platforms and 5 CBS games. And that does not include any ESPN3 games (IU has 2 in those 14).
Networks play to the ratings. Traditional blue blood programs always get good coverage, also with expected top teams, and also teams with top/exceptional recruits. We are none of those at the moment. As with everything else, we have to prove ourselves.
Foggy Notion
- San Francisco
And you won't really be able to watch them anyway because their stream stinks. Just say no to BTN Plus.
Or wait for the replays a couple days later.
Epsilon
M tipping over
- Pdx
Did anybody catch that Larry Brown will be featured in a UI / John Groce coaches clinic? Interesting and kinda cool.
http://fightingillini.com/sports/2015/3/24/mbb_camps.aspx
http://fightingillini.com/sports/2015/3/24/mbb_camps.aspx
Can't imagine 11-7. You did say hoping....
:deadhorse:
I get it, you don't have much hope in the team doing well this year, but come on, 11-7 isn't that much of a stretch when it comes to hoping.. Now if that was someone's expectation as our floor, I'd agree with ya.
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I could see us finishing anywhere from 7-11 to 11-7 realistically. If we win 12 in the B1G, I'll be overjoyed and quite surprised. If we lose 12, Groce is looking for a job.
My most realistic, non-kool-aid fueled prediction is 9-4 non-con, 9-9 in the B1G. Hopefully we do a little better than that. Worst case that wouldn't totally shock me is 8-5, 6-12, Groce fired, lose Tilmon. I refuse to expect that outcome, though.
unless we finish last in the big 10 Groce is going no place, IF he does it will not only be Tilmon that we lose
Yeah, no. He has to make the tournament. Pretty simple. We're on a historically bad stretch for us under him, and there has to be something to show us that he can right the ship. Tilmon is worth mentioning because he's an awesome recruit, but he's also not a program defining one. If you have to lose him to lose Groce, you don't think twice.
You have to remember all these guys will already be signed. The school has the option of releasing them but won't be required to (they should be required but that's for another day). Also, depending on who the class finishes with, this could be a historically good class for us (size+needs+rank). They'd be accepted other places obviously if they left, but they'd be leaving a talented squad behind. If we brought in the right coach X's and O's that everyone liked, there'd be some possibilities.
"Historically bad?" You must not have been a fan in the 70s. Lol
Whitman likes Groce, that's pretty obvious. If we miss the tourney, go to the NIT, have no off court issues and Groce has Tilmon, Wilkes, Frazier, Williams, Kiir, Pickett coming in, he stays at least another year, IMO.
Yes, historically bad. The only time we have ever missed the tournament 3 straight times in the expanded (48+ teams) era is right now. He won't be around if he does it a 4th, especially when it coincides with our worst attendance in 38 years. It may not be as bad as the 70s but this is by far our worst stretch of the modern era.
First of all, you've defined "well" and are applying it as though you have some sort of sacred vision that overrules what I find to be obvious limitations relative to the other teams in the league. I think the team can do "well" this year, but I look at the roster, read the latest info, look at our past, and form an opinion. Probably same as you do, but with different insights.
Speaking of, I've been watching for a lot of years, and I can tell you there have been plenty of times where I've been more optimistic than the fan base, and I can make a very good case that history gives me a pretty solid track record --if you want some prescient stories, pm me.
I think it's hypocritical to put the dead horse out there. People repeat optimistic expectations ad nauseum in their posts. I get that the board is biased --hell it's a fan forum, and I'm glad to see the support. But when you get to the point where anything less than your personal opinion or critical thoughts aren't welcome, it really dumbs down the board and takes out a lot of the fun of watching what's actually happening, how the team is developing, etc.. When expectations are unrealistic, the team looks worse than it is, you don't necessarily see the positive strides, and at times honestly, it starts to look delusional.
It's a thread about the 16-17 season, is it not?
Heck, if folks chime in or pm me to stay out of this thread, I'll refrain. Honest. Not here to bring people down --just think it's fun to get different perspectives. YMMV
We led the Nation in attendance 2 years in a row in the 70's and were top 10 three other times.
Illinifanatic4ever
- Orange & Blue Blood in my Veins
I have season tickets and drive appx. 2 hours each way to the SFC. Just wondering what distances other season ticket holders drive?
that's what im saying as well its going to take more then just missing the NCAA for Groce to be gone, if that's the only thing to get him fired he would of been gone this year, Most believe he is only still here do to the chance of him getting a big class, well I would say he is in on more top players for next year then this so I just can not believe not making the NCAA would make JW want to start looking for someone new
And if we don't?
$7/tickets are not helping Groce's case.
Joel Goodson
- ties will be resolved
I know this as likely as getting my dogs to stop barking or my kids to clean up after themselves, but can we table the Groce getting canned talk until at least some (preferably, at least half) results are in? Pretty much everyone who's paying attention is well aware the team needs better results this season. That's a given.
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