Maybe it is just me, and maybe it is the student announcers, but I feel like this team has yet to develop an identity, particularly on the defensive end. I look forward to seeing more of a settled lineup, and hope that results in the defense getting a lot better. A DII team should not be getting so many uncontested layups against us.
Illinois 95, Lewis 51 POSTGAME (Exhibition)
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I hope that the physical development and healthy roster does give us a defensive presence which will lead to more rebounds and lower shooting % for the opposition. Mav's development is most noticeable, the gains he made from Thorne's abscence continued through the off-season.
With the return of Black, that hopefully will give us a stronger and determined team that can lead to more wins.
With the return of Black, that hopefully will give us a stronger and determined team that can lead to more wins.
And Nichols.
Captain Bubbles
- Fairfield, IL
You mean Paul McCartney, right?
trying to watch reply and they are showing the Michigan game. thats just great
Ditto... Did the soccer run late? Hopefully, it will show up after this finishes.
No idea. Im watching it till the end hoping the replay starts after.
looks like it was just pushed late. About to start
I just watched the first half of the first half, and even though we were leading by alot, I felt pretty negative about what I saw. Our post defense is still atrocious. Lewis was getting easy access to inside shots. Many didnt go down. Finke is awful on defense.
On offense, I think I saw two or three plays in 10 game minutes designed to go inside. Morgan had a nice turnaround inside 8 feet, and someone botched a pass to a cutter going down the lane. Other than that it was literally a couple of passes for a three pointer. You've got 40 minutes of real game practice and thats what you are working on? The same garbage from last year? I have not watched the rest of the game yet and I see where people said Thorne got some good chances. But I really hope we dont think we have to take the Curry approach to offense.
On offense, I think I saw two or three plays in 10 game minutes designed to go inside. Morgan had a nice turnaround inside 8 feet, and someone botched a pass to a cutter going down the lane. Other than that it was literally a couple of passes for a three pointer. You've got 40 minutes of real game practice and thats what you are working on? The same garbage from last year? I have not watched the rest of the game yet and I see where people said Thorne got some good chances. But I really hope we dont think we have to take the Curry approach to offense.
Just some quick observations.
Eventhough we are playing an undersize Lewis team, it was nice to see us pound the ball inside. We even did some nice Hi-Lo with Finke to Morgan or Thorne. We have lacked the ability to feed the inside for years.
Hill and DJ looked very impressive in their ability to take a rebound and quickly dribble up. Hill looks much faster and DJW is more aggressive. DJW still has a ways to go, but the improvement is evident.
Abrams, nice to have a PG who can dribble drive and shoot an open shot.
Once again, I don't see an 11 place big ten team out there. We are playing without Black and Nichols. Black will definitely provide solid minutes, not sure yet what Nichols will give us this year since DJW is looking very good.
One last note, Finke' ability to pass (hi-lo) and shoot from the 3's is going to cause mismatches this year. Nice to have him. Mav Morgan physical improvements have led to huge confidence improvements compared to last year.
Eventhough we are playing an undersize Lewis team, it was nice to see us pound the ball inside. We even did some nice Hi-Lo with Finke to Morgan or Thorne. We have lacked the ability to feed the inside for years.
Hill and DJ looked very impressive in their ability to take a rebound and quickly dribble up. Hill looks much faster and DJW is more aggressive. DJW still has a ways to go, but the improvement is evident.
Abrams, nice to have a PG who can dribble drive and shoot an open shot.
Once again, I don't see an 11 place big ten team out there. We are playing without Black and Nichols. Black will definitely provide solid minutes, not sure yet what Nichols will give us this year since DJW is looking very good.
One last note, Finke' ability to pass (hi-lo) and shoot from the 3's is going to cause mismatches this year. Nice to have him. Mav Morgan physical improvements have led to huge confidence improvements compared to last year.
It would have to be a Leron Black that hasn't yet played at Illinois. Finke just played 23 minutes and had 13 & 9........with zero turnovers.
Well yeah, we've only seen one year of a healthy Leron. Offense won't be the issue for Finke, it's his defense. He'll get plenty of playing time but Leron will be a better defender, rebounder, and he'll provide more energy from the get-go. I don't think it's a lock that Black is the starter but I'll be somewhat surprised if he isn't.
Would not hurt me at all if I see it, I just haven't yet. Finke does a lot of the little things that people don't see as well. His one on one defense is the weakest part of his game but his help defense is as good as anyone's on the team. That is probably because of his instincts and being a coaches kid as much as anything else. High low game with him and either of the two centers is another thing he is very good at. If Leron can get over the tag of fouling all the time (some of this is his fault and some of it is ref's looking for anything and everything to give him a foul) then maybe he can start to get in sync with the game.
BananaShampoo
Captain 'Paign
- Phoenix, AZ
I agree. This team needs better defense where it can get it and Black is going to give you more of that than Finke.
I'm sorry but I haven't seen enough of consistent play out of Black to think he will be our answer at the 4. Like I mentioned before, I like what Finke gives us at the four. He is a stretch 4 with size, and has the ability to feed the post.
If the game is back on I will see how he did on defense. Will say that exhibitions can be difficult to gauge. Either way will be glad to see Black back. Another factor will be who plays well in tandem with the centers.
The good thing is that we have them both. Good combo at the four. Finke can shoot and pass. Black is the better rebounder and better defender. He needs to stay out of foul trouble, but he is two years older than when he last played regularly so hopefully he has learned.
Not sure how Groce will substitute with them, but Thorne/Finke and Morgan/Black combos might work well. Thorne an inside player who can rebound paired with a stretch four. Morgan can move out and hit the 15 footer but not a great rebounder paired with a rebounder.
Per 40's
Finke, 14.8 pts, 7.22 rebs, 3.64 fouls, 1.91 assists, 1.85 TO's, .29 blks, .23 steals
Black 13.28 pts, 11.72 rebs, 7.63 fouls, .54 assists, 2.24 TO's, .54 blks, .88 steals
Points aren't as far apart as most would assume. Rebounds are probably about where everybody would assume.
Fouls and the assists to turnover ratio are about where I thought they would be. Surprised at the steals a little bit.
Finke, 14.8 pts, 7.22 rebs, 3.64 fouls, 1.91 assists, 1.85 TO's, .29 blks, .23 steals
Black 13.28 pts, 11.72 rebs, 7.63 fouls, .54 assists, 2.24 TO's, .54 blks, .88 steals
Points aren't as far apart as most would assume. Rebounds are probably about where everybody would assume.
Fouls and the assists to turnover ratio are about where I thought they would be. Surprised at the steals a little bit.
Yeah, I think that is how the pairing might work out to begin with. I don't think it hurts to have Leron come off the bench either as maybe the game can get into a flow and ref's won't notice he is in for a few minutes.
At the Sullivan Illini club meeting last week with Josh Whitman there, it was good to hear a story that one of the guys on the AD selection team noted while at practice a week ago Saturday. Said there were several recruits there and Leron was busting his butt in the scrimmage and JG stopped the scrimmage and asked him why he was working so hard. Leron said to get playing time. JG said "no, why are you playing so hard?" Leron said, "to get back in good graces and to play hard all the time". JG looked at him and said- "and you almost threw it all away didn't you?" and then said good job, keep it up!.....He said JG did it for the others in the room as much as he did it for Leron. Was a nice story. Whitman had not heard it either and was glad to hear it.
We all hope we see a change. In today's world we can't expect it. But, we hope he realizes just how much help he can be. He has a high ceiling no doubt.
Yup,last year's team was one of the worst defensively of all time. Unfortunately, for some of those returning guys I have not seen a drastic improvement.
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