2018 Off Season Thread

[NeaforThree]

Just glad Whitman talked Trent into staying after almost cleaning out his locker for good after the NW game in December.

If true, its really crazy how Trent Frazier is pretty much the 100% inverse of Mark Smith.

Unheralded recruit vs. Huge recruit, Struggled against weak competition to start the season but blew up against legit B1G teams vs the opposite with MS, wanted to leave at the beginning of B1G play but chose to tough it out vs. wanting to leave at the end of B1G play and decided to ultimately quit.

Spooky.

 

[illini80]

Interesting comment from Scott Richie on his interview with BU. Sounded like DW is taking a real leadership role in the off season.

 

[Sizzler22]

Interesting comment from Scott Richie on his interview with BU. Sounded like DW is taking a real leadership role in the off season.

Is this interview accessible? Would like to see it or hear it. Really excited about Damonte, would think a lot of other people would be too.

 

[illini80]

Is this interview accessible? Would like to see it or hear it. Really excited about Damonte, would think a lot of other people would be too.

It was the latest Tatelines podcast. Tate was sick so Richie was sitting in for him. There is a series about the interview that is or will be in the News-Gazette. Podcast should be available on their website.

 

[yeahyeahyeah]

I also see Jones giving Kipper a serious run for his money. It will depend how good this team really is at scoring. I know Ayo can and will fill it up. Will anyone else? I don't know. If we have the points from elsewhere Kipper is going to really need to work to see starter minutes. I can't wait to see the difference of he and Jones. But if we need points we need Kip.

maybe during Kip's SR year (moreso because of Tevian's potential), not this year, because Tevian has a lot of growing up to do... IMO, Mark Smith was more ready to play the next level out of HS than Tevian does this year... Jones though has better attributes than Smith, tools that will play better in the college game. If he can harness them, and improve on the areas he needs to, I see big things.

 

[FiveStar]

Tevian Jones is listed at 6’6 200. Best case scenario he is a good 215 by the season. He’s not gonna be more ready than Kipper to start, especially because it’s most likely Kipper starts as our defensive 4. Trent, Ayo, AJ, Kip, player 5 (hopefully okoro, as it stands, Ebo) is what id bet on right now.

 

[illini80]

It'll be interesting on the defensive side. Freshman typically aren't good. KN was not good last year. Will Underwood forgo defense in favor of offense? I think we will be decent in the backcourt, but front court could still be tough.

 

[breadman]

So we have added 6 possibly 7 new guys to the BBall team for next season. Was just wondering how that compares to all the other teams in our conference. Thanks for your input because I am just too unknowing on how to do it myself.

 

[Ga65]

If ebo, Jordan and kipper all start next year we won't be any better than this year

Would agree if starting at end of season but not at beginning.

 

[Newman]

If ebo, Jordan and kipper all start next year we won't be any better than this year

It's possible that the players improve. I'm pretty sure that's known to happen from season to season.

 

[Second and Chalmers]

If ebo, Jordan and kipper all start next year we won't be any better than this year

If Kipper starts it's good news, because that means he's playing with enough consistency for Underwood to trust him with major minutes.

I wouldn't think Jordan projects for much more of a role than he had last year, but sometimes seniors surprise you.

We'll see about Ebo. Our big situation is a mystery box at the moment, but with a bit of luck that may yet be changing. Ebo still brings some good things to the table either way.

 

[Captain Bubbles]

By all accounts from the team practice;
Feliz looked like a Big Ten caliber player
Feliz looked like he has been on the team for a while
Feliz really took charge (insert El General joke) and was communicating with the his team

This is not an incoming Freshman. This kid has talent, is physically ready, and has played college for the last two years. BU has constantly talked about 3 guard lineups, with multiple guys who can handle and play off the ball on the court together. Trent was forced into the PG role due to Smith's inadequacies. Yes I can see him starting.

Totally agree with this about Feliz. I believe he'll be starting from day one. A lineup of Feliz, Trent, Ayo, Kipper and Greg looks like it as of now, yet the staff has so many options at their disposal. Only glaring thing that concerns me is the frontcourt.

 

[Second and Chalmers]

A lineup of Feliz, Trent, Ayo, Kipper and Greg looks like it as of now

That lineup would be eaten for lunch on defense.

 

[Captain Bubbles]

That lineup would be eaten for lunch on defense.

Lunch...yummy!

 

[Captain Bubbles]

I love the fact that it SEEMS that we all of sudden have so many more options for quality players/lineups....wait and see to be honest. That said the frontcourt really doesn't bother me as the wing positions are all athletic and long which BU wants...their size/abilities should help make up for a thinner frountcourt, until it rounds into shape.

Kane is the answer with Giorgi banging down low as well.

I honestly think it's hard to predict the starting five as of now. Today's game is all about matchups. So many options, which is a good problem to have. Definitely need another frontcourt player, then that will help with the depth down low.

 

[Captain Bubbles]

I think if georgi plays anything more than matic minutes we will be in big trouble. Well we may anyways. Team does not look very good on paper but I do believe the the returning players + Ayo can make magic happen.

All it takes is a team to get red hot and make the plays. The game is full of emotion.

 

[Second and Chalmers]

I think Da'Monte is going to surprise a lot of people here. He'll take the biggest step IMO.

 

[haasi]

I love the fact that it SEEMS that we all of sudden have so many more options for quality players/lineups....wait and see to be honest.

It “seems” that way because we haven’t seen any of them yet. New unseen guys means your stratospheric hope doesn’t need to be checked. As you say, wait and see. Even if we had multiple five stars coming in I’d reserve judgment (although I’d be pretty psyched)





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[haasi]

I think Da'Monte is going to surprise a lot of people here. He'll take the biggest step IMO.

Damonte becoming a quality big ten starter would be a great step forward. Seems attainable. good athlete, solid size at his position, good motor, seems like he has reasonable b-ball IQ, slowed development last year coming off injury.

I think next year he could become a lockdown defender and solid offensive piece- but needs a lot of skill development still.


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[illiniCA]

I think Da'Monte is going to surprise a lot of people here. He'll take the biggest step IMO.

I agree with this....

I also don't think we are going much better than last year. There is no replacing Leron and it takes bigs a few years to develop.

 

[ILL in IA]

I think Da'Monte is going to surprise a lot of people here. He'll take the biggest step IMO.

Agree. Even if he didn't develop from a skill standpoint, (not saying this will be the case, but from a worst-case pov) what he can do athletically being another year removed from injury/rehab can add a lot to his game.

I think because of the injury/rehab, he was a jump shooting below the rim player last year. With strong legs, I think he can get a good first step and slash.

 

[nwebb1]

Agree. Even if he didn't develop from a skill standpoint, (not saying this will be the case, but from a worst-case pov) what he can do athletically being another year removed from injury/rehab can add a lot to his game.

I think because of the injury/rehab, he was a jump shooting below the rim player last year. With strong legs, I think he can get a good first step and slash.

He still looked like a better vertical athlete than smith even off a year injury.

He had a nice tip dunk one game if i remember right.

Im not sure smith threw down a dunk all year.

 

[Peoria Illini]

I think Da'Monte is going to surprise a lot of people here. He'll take the biggest step IMO.

Especially with the way that Underwood spoke about him the other day. I also feel that Greg E will surprise people here as well. Many folks are penciling him in just to hold down the 5 until Kane surpasses him, but I think he'll be better than most expect on here as well.

Picking the starters will be difficult. But I do think this season we won't have as much dropoff coming off the bench if guys like Griffin and Jones can fill it up like we hope they can.

 

[FiveStar]

I think Da'Monte is going to surprise a lot of people here. He'll take the biggest step IMO.

Yeah I could see him starting over AJ in my earlier projected lineup. I think AJ’s senior leadership earns him the nod early in the season though. It was interesting in an NG article I read, BU was praising both for their leadership.

Here’s what I like about all this, it’s hard to pick starters. Guys will have to fight and claw and work. Even if it’s not the highest level of talent competition within the team yet, competing makes you better anyway. And that, is exactly what we need.

 

[Ga65]

I agree with this....

I also don't think we are going much better than last year. There is no replacing Leron and it takes bigs a few years to develop.

Loyola went a long way with an unathletic freshman center. A lot of teams play freshmen who are effective. GBez looks physically ready and 6'7" (per Illini roster) Jones is a tremendous athlete who will add strength by Nov. I am assuming these guys will be here in June and have 5 mos with Fletch. That said it is very difficult to predict the starters at this point. It may be more chemistry than talent and hopefully a lot more about defense than just scorers.