Illini Basketball 2017-2018
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Deleted member 236589
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While I admire your glass half full mentality, we do still have to field a team for this upcoming season. That would leave 7 scholarship players. We would be beyond brutal this year and there are no guarantees that after losing 20+ games, which would be far more likely than winning 15 or 16, we would be able to attract the kind of talent for 2018 that would make us relevant. As you are seeing, having available scholarships is one thing, getting them filled is a mutually exclusive ordeal. Until they win, it's going to be tough. When Missouri beats us by 35, along with most the top half of the BIg 10....the sales pitch will be playing time. Much like it is right now. That's all.
Well, if JCL leaves that would be 8 scholarship players remaining. Next year's team is not final as of this point, there could well be a couple of more players. This should have little to no impact on most of the 18 targets. Most of the 18 class will commit before we play a single game next year.
GortTheRobot
- North Bethesda, Maryland
This is a serious question, not a rhetorical one meant to bash JCL: There are better basketball minds here that I hope will weight in:
Besides being a good three point shooter (when dialed in), what does JCL bring to the table? I did not get the impression the he improved much defensively, or that he was a threat to drive and score/dish. Now, he could improve markedly, and he could get more consistent with his shot, but I just didn't see a lot more than a shooter.
I'm not saying I would be happy with him gone, but I trust the staff must want something he can't provide if he is thinking about leaving.
Besides being a good three point shooter (when dialed in), what does JCL bring to the table? I did not get the impression the he improved much defensively, or that he was a threat to drive and score/dish. Now, he could improve markedly, and he could get more consistent with his shot, but I just didn't see a lot more than a shooter.
I'm not saying I would be happy with him gone, but I trust the staff must want something he can't provide if he is thinking about leaving.
Be patient guys. Still some changes that will happen. Just think of the Ole' "not too high, not too low" mantra.
Good players will be replaced with good players who actually fit. The idea of recruiting because of stars or geography is ova'.
Good players will be replaced with good players who actually fit. The idea of recruiting because of stars or geography is ova'.
I like JCL. Hoping to hear that he reconsiders, and ends up staying with the team.
Until I hear he's gone, he's an Illini in my book.
Until I hear he's gone, he's an Illini in my book.
I stated it long ago, we would have transfers. BU said he's not gonna beg anyone to come here, guessing you want to play , same thing, you better practice hard, play hard, to earn your minutes. He's not going to be your friend, he's the head coach of a very good school, looking to improve the program. If you're not interested , best find new place to hang your hat. Sounds little hard, but that is how life is .
Yes I know he did but he had to sit a full year, JT could change his mind and do the same thing but since he signed those papers he would have to sit a year.
I stated it long ago, we would have transfers. BU said he's not gonna beg anyone to come here, guessing you want to play , same thing, you better practice hard, play hard, to earn your minutes. He's not going to be your friend, he's the head coach of a very good school, looking to improve the program. If you're not interested , best find new place to hang your hat. Sounds little hard, but that is how life is .
That was my point also, BU is going to be the coach first, and your friend 2nd, he is going to worry about making a winning team, rather then letting players do what they want.
haasi
- New York
It does seem like we're at risk of having a truly bad year. If JCL goes and we don't get a couple significant additions, we've got three freshman guards, Lucas, AJ, Kipper, Black, and Finke. There's some talent, a short bench, and not much experience, even less talented experience. The only good news I guess would be lots of experience for the young guys and lots of roster spots for Underwood to fill for the future with guys who are hopefully fits.
The roster as it currently stands could have some trouble. I am waiting to see how the next few weeks shake out before I put expectations on next year. The chances are good that some grad transfers are added. It remains to be seen if they will be the ones that will have a significant impact. It is a long shot but an additional 17 might be added as well. Either way there will be a lot of playing time for the young guys. There is some talent on this roster, with one or two experienced additions next year may not be the lost cause that some are predicting.
As it stands, we will struggle to go .500. Of course, BU really turned around OSU last year. I think we have a good mix of guys in the 1-4. I think people need to pump the breaks on how impactful a guy like Alstork is going to be. Name the last truly impactful grad transfer we got (and I dont count Thorne's game and a half 'excellence').
I think people get way too excited about transfers, essentially thinking if we get a guy from a mid major school who averaged more than 15 pts a game that we will win 5 more games.
Any transfer in is a good play at this point and they probably will help us win another game or two, but they wont transform the team into an instant winner.
I think people get way too excited about transfers, essentially thinking if we get a guy from a mid major school who averaged more than 15 pts a game that we will win 5 more games.
Any transfer in is a good play at this point and they probably will help us win another game or two, but they wont transform the team into an instant winner.
I wouldn't blame JCL if he transferred....I can see how parts of his game may not translate to the new offense, and maybe Underwood isn't keen on his rebounding style on blocking someone out, but never actually jumping to grab the rebound, which seemed to happen every game last year. But until he's something other than an Illini, I'll cheer for him. If its in his best interests to be elsewhere, especially somewhere where his high school coach is now working, I wish him no ill will unless the Illini are playing that team. He's represented himself, his family, and the school with dignity.
I do have a question, not sure if anyone knows. I'd assume players who have used up their eligibility are working out, continuing to work on their game trying to get better for whatever pro prospects may be in front of them, whether in the US or overseas. How does that work logistically where there is a coaching change. I'd think it would just be a little weird. Underwood seems to want to embrace past players, and has talked positively about last years seniors and their leadership...just curious if anyone knew how that worked out over the last couple months.
I do have a question, not sure if anyone knows. I'd assume players who have used up their eligibility are working out, continuing to work on their game trying to get better for whatever pro prospects may be in front of them, whether in the US or overseas. How does that work logistically where there is a coaching change. I'd think it would just be a little weird. Underwood seems to want to embrace past players, and has talked positively about last years seniors and their leadership...just curious if anyone knew how that worked out over the last couple months.
I stated it long ago, we would have transfers. BU said he's not gonna beg anyone to come here, guessing you want to play , same thing, you better practice hard, play hard, to earn your minutes. He's not going to be your friend, he's the head coach of a very good school, looking to improve the program. If you're not interested , best find new place to hang your hat. Sounds little hard, but that is how life is .
With 8-9 players (1 coming off an ACL injury) on scholarship next year, I am not opposed to begging the right players to come to U of I. Hard to play up tempo with no subs.
I think most believe we will add at least 2 more , 3 if we get lucky , hopefully 2 6-7 or bigger, but had we only played the right 8 or 9 the last year we would of been better off. Well if it was the right 8 any how
I think JCL's shooting fits in any offense. Underwood has some counters for 3s that I think JCL could eat on, and I also think he'd be really dangerous in transition. His handling and finishing at the rim needs improvement though. Defensively, I thought JCL really made some strides as the season went on. Unfortunately, he doesn't seem seem to have the measurables play an on the line, up the line, denying style off the ball. I also don't think he's quick enough to guard other teams point guards. Heightwise, he'd probably have to. I can see him being exposed by the other teams primary ball handler without the immediate help provided by a packline. It would still hurt to lose him, we need guys who can play d1 basketball, and he can. But as you said it would be understandable.
Really, really like JCL. Hope he sticks around.
Agreed! For those pessimists already projecting that Mizzou will beat us like a drum this year with all of that tall talent, just remember that we now have a real basketball coach who can actually coach, not just recruit. Last year Underwood took a not very tall or talented 12-20 team and after starting the conference 0-6, proceeded to turn it around and win all but 3 of his remaining conference games, losing only to ranked #6 Baylor by 3, #24 Iowa State by 3 and top ranked #1 Kansas by 5 to finish the Conference season at 9-9. Does anyone think that JG, BW or Cuonzo Martin could have done that? This team will make the NCAA Tournament. Book it.
Haven't seen much discussion about our 4 walkons that could be used as a possible subs in a game where we might be short on players, if necessary; or are they just tokens for practice sessions only and the last few seconds of a 40-minute game as mopups? Of course they probably won't be used since that is not the norm.
Regarding Chin vs Heirman, there hasn't been a poll for a couple days, so let's do one (not).
Regarding Chin vs Heirman, there hasn't been a poll for a couple days, so let's do one (not).
foby
- Bonnaroo Land
:thumb: BOOOOOOOOOOOM
No, a financial aid tender is not binding for the student. He is not "stuck" until he enrolls in or begins classes (not 100% clear which it is.) Kipper Nichols both signed an NLOI and attended part of summer classes, which is why he had to sit out, as he was considered a transfer student (all must sit out for 1 yr except grad transfers.)
That said, the general thrust is right, Tilmon is not leaving Mizzou for Illinois.
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icengineer
- Southern Illinois
:hurl::whoo::rant:Deleted member 16340
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My mothers birthday is December 8th and I was born 9 months later....
I will never be able to get that thought out of my head now. Thanks alot alaskaillini!
Thanks to both of you...my mother's birthday is in June, mine in March:huh: Thanks for that!
Yes.
In his first season, Brad Underwood led OSU to 20-13 season, while starting 0-6, the NCAA tournament and #10 seed, and first round exit (round of 64) in a close game to #7 Michigan.
In his first season, John Groce led the Illini to 23-13, while starting 2-7, the NCAA tournament and #7 seed, won his first round game, and lost in second round (round of 32) to #2 Miami in a close game ending on a bad out of bounds call.
And while OSU was gaining a healthy Jawun Evans from a freshman year full of injuries, the Illini were losing Meyers Leonard to the NBA lottery.
So yes, John Groce did it, pretty comparable first years and accomplishments. That season alone you quoted does not prove that either Groce or Underwood are better, neither would it mean that we are guaranteed to make the tournament next year. But even if we don't, it would not mean that BU is not a good coach. Whether BU succeeds and takes the Illini back to prominence is something that we can all evaluate 4-5 years from now.
Not only do I stand corrected about JG, but your reminder of the bad out of bounds call against Miami also reminds me of what might have been Groce's finest moment as the ILLINI head coach: his post game speech in the locker room to a distraught ILLINI team that night after that brutal call and close loss. What happened to THAT John Groce???
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