UNLV 89, Illinois 82 POSTGAME

[Sal Iacuzzo]

Acting like the 2018 recruiting class is set in stone is incredibly foolish. Once the coaching carousel starts moving and guys decommit and transfer we will have more options.

Patience.

 

[EJ33]

Spicy G is raw, but I've really liked what I've seen out of him. We need more of him now, IMO.

Spicy G is the kind of player we passed on in past regimes only to look longingly at the 6'9" senior center on a mid-major while scratching our heads and wondering "Where'd they find that guy?"

We need to develop big guys in basketball just like we need to develop linemen in football. I'm all for having 3 developmental bigs (i.e., 3 star type prospects with size and some athletic ability) on the roster at all times. Looks like that is what Underwood is trying to do.

Spicy G has exactly what you'd want for a guy to make an impact as a Jr/Sr - he's long, athletic, and he's got a motor. He can learn everything else.

 

[katytxillini]

Rankings

I believe the 2011 class was Weber's and was supposed to be really good.

4 of the 6 were washouts and the other two good complementary players that we needed as major players.

The other two classes didn't fare much better, though I'd agree Hill and Nunn were both high level BIG players.

2011
Tracey Abrams
Nnana Egwu
Mike Shaw
Myke Henry
Devin Langford
Ibby Djimde

2013
Kendrick Nunn
Malcom Hill
Jaylon Tate
Maverick Morgan
Austin Colbert

2015
Jalen Coleman-Lands
D J Williams
Aaron Jordan
Darius Paul

Looking at those classes and who actually played (and was productive) I would say no, It's not enough talent.

 

[yeahyeahyeah]

BU has stated that lots of the offense and defense has not been introduced to the players because they are having trouble grasping the fundamental foundational elements. OK, he wasn't that blunt but he might as well have been. I watched the MD-ILL game with a 76-year old coach who has coached at every level, winning state titles at the high school level and nattys at the JC level. His comment: "I can see what both coaches want their players to do but the kids just are not that smart. Power 5 D1 players are athletic but most would shock you at how little they truly understand about the fundamentals of the game. AAU is killing the beauty of the game and all the D1 coaches know it but there is nothing they can do about it because it has become a big money industry." We can talk about freshmen baby steps and breakout games, etc., etc., but the reality is that 90% of the D1 players are dumb. Simple plays are difficult for them to comprehend. I'll bet you those players at SF Austin were smarter than almost every player on Illinois current roster. That's why when you watch the film from BU's teams there, you get excited. But even those SFA kids could only go so far because they lacked athletes. So it really does not matter who the coach is these days; you have to stockpile top players who, hopefully, have a marginal IQ that will allow them to learn some basic plays. My gut is that the 2019-2020 year will be the year that this team begins to show consistency while also having three recruiting classes on campus (I'm not counting this year's since most of these players were recruited by JG).

against UNLV, I started to see a resemblance of the SFA offense...still have a ways to go.... saw Lucas make a backcut but then whoever had the ball didn't pull the trigger and make the pass for a high percentage shot... stuff like that

 

[westcoastillini]

Acting like the 2018 recruiting class is set in stone is incredibly foolish. Once the coaching carousel starts moving and guys decommit and transfer we will have more options.

Patience.

AMEN! There are a few fellas who really need to chill.

 

[dbeaverfg]

I would argue failure in player development, program planning (a lot of short-sighted transfers), in-game coaching, and securing depth at key positions (all of them are staff errors) are the reasons for not making NCAA tourney. The talent might be overrated but those are tourney-bound groups without a doubt (at least when they are seniors).

Making the tournament once in a while is not that hard and is doable even with some veteran 3-stars

I agree that those classes should be able to make the tournament but I just don't see them being ranked 13, 13 and 15.

 

[TCTORNADO]

I believe the 2011 class was Weber's and was supposed to be really good.

4 of the 6 were washouts and the other two good complementary players that we needed as major players.

The other two classes didn't fare much better, though I'd agree Hill and Nunn were both high level BIG players.

2011 class was RSCI #13 in the country and #2 in the B1G.

 

[alaskaillini]

2011 class was RSCI #13 in the country and #2 in the B1G.

Isn't the ranking due in part to the fact that there were 6 players in that class? Wouldn't a 3 or 4 player class with the same ranking have a far higher average level of talent?

 

[yeahyeahyeah]

The 800-pound gorilla in the room here is that whatever healthy games are left in Leron Black's career + Michael Finke + Spicy G, who does not have the skill level to play at this level, frankly + Kipper Nichols playing out of position + Matic Vesel, playing even further out of position + recruits we don't have = the frontcourt for the forseeable future for the Brad Underwood era.

That's a five-alarm fire. That could ruin everything. If we could trade Ayo for Conditt or Castleton right now, that would be a no brainer, despite neither player being as good.

the squeaky wheel gettin' all this grease

 

[TCTORNADO]

Isn't the ranking due in part to the fact that there were 6 players in that class? Wouldn't a 3 or 4 player class with the same ranking have a far higher average level of talent?

RSCI is more quality driven than quantity. 247 OTOH, is driven by quantity. 247 also includes transfers and 5th years whereas RSCI does not. Ironically, both had UI as #13 nationally. That 2011 class had 4 consensus top 100 recruits (Abrams, Shaw, Henry, and Egwu). To put things in perspective, we have 2 RSCI's on our whole roster now.

 

[skyIdub]

The 800-pound gorilla in the room here is that whatever healthy games are left in Leron Black's career + Michael Finke + Spicy G, who does not have the skill level to play at this level, frankly + Kipper Nichols playing out of position + Matic Vesel, playing even further out of position + recruits we don't have = the frontcourt for the forseeable future for the Brad Underwood era.

That's a five-alarm fire. That could ruin everything. If we could trade Ayo for Conditt or Castleton right now, that would be a no brainer, despite neither player being as good.

It's actually the 180 degree complete opposite of a no brainer. Thought provoking, maybe.

 

[americanoutlaw11]

No.

Yeah, I refuse to believe that was serious.

 

[Deleted member 16340]

Look, I think that a few of said last year that we would be happier with a team that hustled and left it all out on the court than watching our team, let's say play at less than 100 percent. I was one and for me it's refreshing to see the effort and growth. We have been in every game this year, Assembly Hall (SVC) appears to be working it's way back to the ho m e advantage it once was. Enjoy the ride!

 

[illinitiger]

what do 800 lb gorillas and 5 alarm fires have to do with UNLV postgame analysis?

 

[sbillini]

The 800-pound gorilla in the room here is that whatever healthy games are left in Leron Black's career + Michael Finke + Spicy G, who does not have the skill level to play at this level, frankly + Kipper Nichols playing out of position + Matic Vesel, playing even further out of position + recruits we don't have = the frontcourt for the forseeable future for the Brad Underwood era.

That's a five-alarm fire. That could ruin everything. If we could trade Ayo for Conditt or Castleton right now, that would be a no brainer, despite neither player being as good.

IMO, the issue with bigs is in the defensive end. I think we can manage offensively (and we're already managing in rebounding) without a legit post presence (although it would help). In that respect, I think Spicy G has the skill level, and athleticism, to play that role well. Just needs to develop into it.

The issue with both LB and MF (MF more so than LB) is that they don't have enough athleticism to make up for their relative lack of size in cases where an opposing team has a legit post presence.

 

[mattcoldagelli]

The issue with both LB and MF (MF more so than LB) is that they don't have enough athleticism to make up for their relative lack of size in cases where an opposing team has a legit post presence.

In terms of traditional post defense, we’ve used a combination of zone and extended pressure to avoid getting into too many true post matchup scenarios. This is great, because if we don’t do that, somebody like Brandon McCoy was likely to just set up shop and feast.

Our post defense issues have come from getting caught out of position and not being able to recover when the opponent makes the right pass. I think(hope) part of that will improve as we get more comfortable in the defense but some of it is, as you said, due to just not being physically able to do it.

 

[Second and Chalmers]

what do 800 lb gorillas and 5 alarm fires have to do with UNLV postgame analysis?

Turned out I had tickets to the Siegfried and Roy show instead

 

[PtownIllini8]

Spicy G is the kind of player we passed on in past regimes only to look longingly at the 6'9" senior center on a mid-major while scratching our heads and wondering "Where'd they find that guy?"

We need to develop big guys in basketball just like we need to develop linemen in football. I'm all for having 3 developmental bigs (i.e., 3 star type prospects with size and some athletic ability) on the roster at all times. Looks like that is what Underwood is trying to do.

Spicy G has exactly what you'd want for a guy to make an impact as a Jr/Sr - he's long, athletic, and he's got a motor. He can learn everything else.

Excellent post, but maybe just 2 development bigs and one who is more ready to go.

 

[Tophe]

No no, the Big Ten ones.

The Big Ten prediction for Top 3 for 2010-11 was Michigan State, Ohio State and Purdue.

 

[Calvin]

Our post defense issues have come from getting caught out of position and not being able to recover when the opponent makes the right pass. I think(hope) part of that will improve as we get more comfortable in the defense but some of it is, as you said, due to just not being physically able to do it.

I've adjusted my expectations down for this season because of this. We play aggressively on defense, as though we have depth, which we don't. The foul disparity is probably not ever going to be as bad as it was with UNLV, but I do think we'll see a couple more games where we run thin or run out of options.

Btw, as long as I see these guys fighting, improving, and not giving up, I'm ok with a rough season. (well, not really, but what am I gonna do?).

 

[Oldtoysrock]

I think it will be easier for other newcomers to pick system up when they are mixed with veteran mentors who know system (all of the returning players). right now the player who knows system best is a walkon.

Hard not to say shoulda coulda in these last 4 games. I do believe we can compete with this group of players...we've shown it. Discipline corrections and this is a very good team. we dont need a 7' saviour 5 or 4 star, IMO.

After watching our 3 freshmen guards last night...I'm not just optimistic but almost giddy on what we will do in year 2 and 3 of this transformation.

From what I’ve seen, I’m excited about the upcoming Big Ten season. I mean we’ve been in, and could’ve won every single game were it not for all the stupid mistakes. Unlike last year, nobody’s run us out of the gym, and other than Michigan State, I don’t see anybody that can.


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[Oldtoysrock]

2 things.

1 Does ESPN really not know how long a Basketball game lasts. Please you flilpin idiots, schedule the games without the overlaps. I am tired of missing half the game beacause you think they only last 2 hrs.



2. I watch basketball for the game. If I want to watch celbrity interviews I would have Jimmy Kimmel or one of those other such shows I never watch on. I tuned in to watch a game.



Sorry, rant over.

+1000%


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[Oldtoysrock]

You'd trade a five star guard, the favorite for Mr. Basketball in the state, a probable McD All American and a player from the MIF....for two projects



Boy....I'd love to be a GM dealing with you.

I agree.. I almost dropped the dentures (I don’t have), when I read that. I’d be more concerned if we didn’t have who I believe is one of the most brilliant tacticians in all of coaching, in BU. I mean, he’s never missed the tournament as a head coach, and I still believe this year won’t be his first. I know I’m probably in the minority and confess to drinking a bit of Kool-Aid, but as long as the players believe they can win ANY game, which by their fight, I think they do. The team will clean up the mistakes and BU will make the necessary adjustments to overcome our talent limitations. I mean, could anyone foresee us coming back from 22 points down at Maryland, whose coach said we’re likely the toughest defense they’ll face all year? Or how about having our undersized over-matched team out-rebound the top rebounding team in the nation at THEIR place (or down the street, but let’s not split hairs)?

I also like the fact that as easy as it would’ve been to blame the loss on the foul discrepancy, the team never did. While partially true, letting the thought enter the discourse, would be counterproductive. I like the fact that it was never raised, except by the Fanbase. Call me crazy, but I continue to believe that BU won’t let this team miss the tournament, because he sees what they can become with a bit of tweaking. There’s too much fire in those eyes, and he hates to lose.

 

[Calvin]

I know I’m probably in the minority and confess to drinking a bit of Kool-Aid, but as long as the players believe they can win ANY game, which by their fight, I think they do. The team will clean up the mistakes and BU will make the necessary adjustments to overcome our talent limitations.

Please be right

 

[dsg]

Things like this gives me hope....

Illini Stats & Notes‏
@IlliniStats

Replying to @IlliniMBB @Mark_Smith_13 and 2 others
True freshmen combined for 43 points at UNLV, the most by a freshman class since scoring 52 vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff 11/27/2002 (Brown-14, Augustine-12, Wilson-11, Spears-8, Williams-7). The 43 points were the most by a freshman class in a road game since at least 1979-80.