Illini Basketball 2018-2019

[PlayAZ]

Ok now look at it from an outsiders perspective. AJ can shoot...cool almost every team has a shooter. That's great as a complimentary piece but if AJ is playing major minutes we are probably not a top half backcourt. Feliz was supposedly the #1 Juco PG but also had very little interest from power 5 schools, so eh. Damonte could rebound. He also couldn't make a shot to save his life. Frazier is great. And freshmen are freshmen.

For all the positive things that can be said about the newcomers, there are also negative things that can be said.

ONLY IF YOUR GLASS IS EMPTY....MINE IS NOT!

 

[GortTheRobot]

If this team can finish 500 in conference, or close, we have made a HUGE jump. It's a lot to ask for, but they were close in so many games last year, it's a possibility...I put a great deal of stress of possibility.

 

[Deleted member 29907]

ONLY IF YOUR GLASS IS EMPTY....MINE IS NOT!

Agree - harsh view IMO. The assumption in that review is everyone has stood still with no progress y t y. Its difficult to play fluid when learning a new O and D - players are still thinking too much and not just reacting.

AJ will be improved, he is much more than just a shooter - probably our best, along with DW, weak side defender (which is massively necessary when we're going to need help down low). From all reports DW is now fully healthy and has made a good fr - so jump. He also has a high BB IQ (thus the rebounding and offensive boards) and plays good D.

 

[doowink]

Ok now look at it from an outsiders perspective. AJ can shoot...cool almost every team has a shooter. That's great as a complimentary piece but if AJ is playing major minutes we are probably not a top half backcourt. Feliz was supposedly the #1 Juco PG but also had very little interest from power 5 schools, so eh. Damonte could rebound. He also couldn't make a shot to save his life. Frazier is great. And freshmen are freshmen.

For all the positive things that can be said about the newcomers, there are also negative things that can be said.

I actually thought Damontes shot improved as the season went along last year...not saying he's an elite shooter, but if he continues to improve this year I think he'll be a threat from the perimeter that opponents will not be able to sag off of and help plug the lane....that's my hope anyway

 

[FiveStar]

I actually thought Damontes shot improved as the season went along last year...not saying he's an elite shooter, but if he continues to improve this year I think he'll be a threat from the perimeter that opponents will not be able to sag off of and help plug the lane....that's my hope anyway

I think I’ve posted this before but I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone with a shot that looks as good as Monte’s that consistently misses. A matter of time and reps imo and I’m assuming he got that over the summer. I expect a big jump from him this year, even if for that reason only.

 

[Joel Goodson]

I think I’ve posted this before but I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone with a shot that looks as good as Monte’s that consistently misses. A matter of time and reps imo and I’m assuming he got that over the summer. I expect a big jump from him this year, even if for that reason only.

+1

DMW is on track for a breakout season, IMO.

 

[Obelix]

I think I’ve posted this before but I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone with a shot that looks as good as Monte’s that consistently misses. A matter of time and reps imo and I’m assuming he got that over the summer. I expect a big jump from him this year, even if for that reason only.

I agree and have said the same. He is one jumpshot away from being a really complete college player, and even in his jumpshot, he has great form. His form looks great, more old school form (Jordan) than new school (Curry).

 

[CoalCity]

Agree. He has high BBIQ and instinct, long arms, hustle (Manual kids know how to hustle and play D)...and we often seem to forget that he was tearin it up before he got hurt his senior year. He was on his way to a possible Top 50 or so ranking (#56 his junior year by one service) and a strong candidate for Mr Illinois BB.

Now that he's fully recovered and with a full off season in the weight room and to work on his shot I think he's gonna be a force to be reckoned with this season.

 

[The Dave]

Agree - harsh view IMO. The assumption in that review is everyone has stood still with no progress y t y. Its difficult to play fluid when learning a new O and D - players are still thinking too much and not just reacting.

AJ will be improved, he is much more than just a shooter - probably our best, along with DW, weak side defender (which is massively necessary when we're going to need help down low). From all reports DW is now fully healthy and has made a good fr - so jump. He also has a high BB IQ (thus the rebounding and offensive boards) and plays good D.

Here's how I look at it (I know you're all holding your breath waiting to hear from me)...Frazier is a Stud. Ayo potentially could be. Lets say that since Ayo is freshman he's 50-50 (maybe that's generous). What you then look at is our quality depth. Most teams would love to have players like AJ, Feliz, and DW as your BACKUPS. IMO those guys are (roughly) average B10 guards and they are are backups.

 

[dish3]

Hey, anybody interested in getting tix to Maui Invitational who knows local residents on island: locals get early access to single game tix starting TODAY, cash only, at several Maui locations through Sat midday.
http://www.mauinews.com/sports/loca...nal-on-island-ticket-sales-set-for-next-week/
Otherwise online sales start that Fri before the tournament through their website, if there are tix left. Gotta represent and bring home a win (or 3)!!

 

[Illini Resurgence]

I was just at the bookstore and checked out the college basketball mags for this season. Street & Smith's had Illinois dead last in the BIG. Lindy's had us 13th ahead of Rutgers. At least we can't under perform those types of expectations.

 

[PtownIllini8]

Agree. He has high BBIQ and instinct, long arms, hustle (Manual kids know how to hustle and play D)...and we often seem to forget that he was tearin it up before he got hurt his senior year. He was on his way to a possible Top 50 or so ranking (#56 his junior year by one service) and a strong candidate for Mr Illinois BB.

Now that he's fully recovered and with a full off season in the weight room and to work on his shot I think he's gonna be a force to be reckoned with this season.

I think a backcourt of Trent, Ayo and Da'Monte is going to be very tough to deal with.

 

[AEX]

Hot take: each one of Frazier, Ayo, Feliz, Damonte, and AJ bring something unique and valuable to the line up and each one of them will see 20 minutes or more per game between the 1, 2, and 3 spots.

 

[OldSlowPG]

Forgot one thing - Higgs was wearing a boot on his right foot.

 

[BillyBob1]

Forgot one thing - Higgs was wearing a boot on his right foot.

He had surgery. Out about 2 months.

 

[jrichisamazing]

Hot take: each one of Frazier, Ayo, Feliz, Damonte, and AJ bring something unique and valuable to the line up and each one of them will see 20 minutes or more per game between the 1, 2, and 3 spots.

That might work but I’ll still say we’re better off if AJ’s minutes are cut. That would mean guys with more potential (Ayo, Feliz, Damonte) are stepping up and living to that potential. I love AJ because he works hard but if he’s not wide open then his shot isn’t even that good. His on ball defense isn’t great. He’s not a great ball handler and he struggles finishing at the rim.

If this team reaches its potential I would hope it’s something like AJ getting 10-15 mpg and the other 4 (Trent, Damonte, Feliz, Ayo) getting closer to 30 mpg per player in some combination.

 

[BananaShampoo]

That might work but I’ll still say we’re better off if AJ’s minutes are cut. That would mean guys with more potential (Ayo, Feliz, Damonte) are stepping up and living to that potential. I love AJ because he works hard but if he’s not wide open then his shot isn’t even that good. His on ball defense isn’t great. He’s not a great ball handler and he struggles finishing at the rim.

If this team reaches its potential I would hope it’s something like AJ getting 10-15 mpg and the other 4 (Trent, Damonte, Feliz, Ayo) getting closer to 30 mpg per player in some combination.

It's tough to say that based on not having seen how his game may have improved over the offseason. A lot of guys can have breakout senior seasons and I don't doubt at ll that it's possible for AJ given his work ethic and now having more time under the current staff. I think he's going to be much improved and a very valuable piece this year as one of our only reliable outside shooting threats.

 

[AEX]

It's tough to say that based on not having seen how his game may have improved over the offseason. A lot of guys can have breakout senior seasons and I don't doubt at ll that it's possible for AJ given his work ethic and now having more time under the current staff. I think he's going to be much improved and a very valuable piece this year as one of our only reliable outside shooting threats.

There was a stretch of a few games where AJ was our best player last year. That gets overlooked, in part because it didn’t happen toward the end of the season and wasn’t sustained. Even so, AJ shot over 46% from beyond the arc for the year and was much more to the team than just a “good shooter.” I’m excited to see what he can put together for his last year, especially with a better grasp of the system.

It’s also worth noting that BU doesn’t play guys tons of minutes. Seven players averaged 19 minutes or more last year, with AJ averaging 20.

 

[jrichisamazing]

It's tough to say that based on not having seen how his game may have improved over the offseason. A lot of guys can have breakout senior seasons and I don't doubt at ll that it's possible for AJ given his work ethic and now having more time under the current staff. I think he's going to be much improved and a very valuable piece this year as one of our only reliable outside shooting threats.

It’s always possible but it’s pretty true that upperclassmen are what they are. Specifically guards. Who are some examples of guys with mediocre first 3 years and then breakout senior year? I don’t think the llist is too long.

There was a stretch of a few games where AJ was our best player last year. That gets overlooked, in part because it didn’t happen toward the end of the season and wasn’t sustained. Even so, AJ shot over 46% from beyond the arc for the year and was much more to the team than just a “good shooter.” I’m excited to see what he can put together for his last year, especially with a better grasp of the system.

It’s also worth noting that BU doesn’t play guys tons of minutes. Seven players averaged 19 minutes or more last year, with AJ averaging 20.

Only 32% from 3 in conference. That’s a pretty big drop off. What else do you think he is good at? He plays hard, shoots decently, I didn’t see much else he was above average at.

 

[IndyIllini2]

As far as current players, Ayo and Tevian were really impressive. Griffin also hit several long threes.

 

[Greensboro]

Who are some examples of guys with mediocre first 3 years and then breakout senior year?

The first one I remember was Quinn Richardson, basically never in the rotation & played quite well as a senior. Different case, but the whole Hester, Turner, Heldman team stepped it up, in particular Turner went from 10 ppg to >17

What else do you think he is good at?

Defense, rebounding, and leadership

 

[BananaShampoo]

The first one I remember was Quinn Richardson, basically never in the rotation & played quite well as a senior. Different case, but the whole Hester, Turner, Heldman team stepped it up, in particular Turner went from 10 ppg to >17

Defense, rebounding, and leadership

More recently, Warren Carter, Chester Frazier, Luther Head came into their own as Seniors.

 

[combes]

The recruits scrimmaged with the team. It was not an intense scrimmage. As usual, the teams went out of its way to feed the recruits. Ayo got the ball to Oscar a lot. Guys like Feliz and Williams barely looked at the basket. They were content to let the recruits get theirs.

Giorgi was very entertaining. He hit two long threes early and played to the crowd as he ran down court. Kane showed some skill but needs to get much stronger. Had a couple of nice moves and can actually catch the ball.

Tevian Jones is really good. Hits shots, drives, dunks. Ayo is a stud.

Anyone specific you want to know about.

I’m going over tomorrow to watch the team scrimmage. My guess is that it will more competitive than the “recruit run” today.

 

[618MattD]

The recruits scrimmaged with the team. It was not an intense scrimmage. As usual, the teams went out of its way to feed the recruits. Ayo got the ball to Oscar a lot. Guys like Feliz and Williams barely looked at the basket. They were content to let the recruits get theirs.

Giorgi was very entertaining. He hit two long threes early and played to the crowd as he ran down court. Kane showed some skill but needs to get much stronger. Had a couple of nice moves and can actually catch the ball.

Tevian Jones is really good. Hits shots, drives, dunks. Ayo is a stud.

Anyone specific you want to know about.

I’m going over tomorrow to watch the team scrimmage. My guess is that it will more competitive than the “recruit run” today.

Would love to hear your insight on the scrimmage tomorrow. Based on today, what is your expectation of the team for this upcoming season?

 

[combes]

Would love to hear your insight on the scrimmage tomorrow. Based on today, what is your expectation of the team for this upcoming season?

Today was too relaxed to judge much.