Illini Basketball 2019-2020

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#129      
One thing that's surprised me so far this year is they don't seem to be getting as open looks from schmacktown as they were last year. Team needs a lot of work but it's early, and the talent increase is obvious. IMO, we should all still feel good about this team as is. Kentucky just lost to Evansville. It's still too early for the whole its not just the loss, but how we lost argument. Kentucky fans could say the same thing, but the loss against Evansville ultimately doesn't alter their ceiling.

Team needs work on their entry passes, get a realistic game plan for Giorgi/Kofi, and figure out how to open up schmacktown.
 
#130      
Looking at turnover percentage...we were ranked ~160 last year in turnovers and this year we are ~320 (its early though I know). We are giving up the ball about 6 more times over last year. Obviously we need to fix this.

As I was looking up the stats, I stumbled on Illini football team as a top3 team in country in takeaway margin.Perhaps the bball guys could learn a little from gridiron guys?
 
#131      
My wife was there as a high school senior, born and raised in Illinois but the daughter of two IU grads. She and the parents all went to the game as part of their college visits to IU and U of I. After Nick hit the shot, she cheered and turned to her parents and said "I'm going to Illinois!!!!"

My wife has a similar story, but with Mizzou. She said ahead of Braggin Rights in ‘03 that she would choose whoever won the game. I was at UofI as a freshman, her grandparents wanted her to go to Mizzou. We won by a point, the rest is history.
 
#132      
Good news...just checked out KenPom...were #25 in luck rather than the perpetual bottom-5 like last year. Right now Minnesota is 2nd to last in that category.
 
#135      
That's gonna change if he doesn't get going

And the ones listed below, could easily go in front as well? I really hope Ayo starts playing as a 1st rounder-BECAUSE he is one...just not doing it yet.
 
#136      
Sorry. Was not sure where to post.

Any word at all on Tevian? Is he at least practicing with the team?
 
#138      
Yes he can practice....how much reps he is getting though i am not sure.
For his sake, I really do hope he is able to get things together. Obviously, it helps the team, but he's also just a kid. I can only imagine that the world of big college sports is a grinder for many of these kids - it can't be an easy life. Hope Tev comes up on the positive side.
 
#139      

I Bomb

Stylin' and Profilin'
For his sake, I really do hope he is able to get things together. Obviously, it helps the team, but he's also just a kid. I can only imagine that the world of big college sports is a grinder for many of these kids - it can't be an easy life. Hope Tev comes up on the positive side.
For sure. On the other hand, with the amount of "support" you get academically it seems like that part would be hard to screw up. But, who knows.
 
#141      

I Bomb

Stylin' and Profilin'
As Joel Goodson just pointed out, we are not North Carolina.
Rather than blatant cheating, more so I know these kids have several tutors, managers, helpers, etc. who are there to make sure they are getting the work done. I don't know how anyone could sustain the sport's requirements and still manage the work w/o all the help. But to have all that help and still not get it done? I dunno...
 
#142      
Rather than blatant cheating, more so I know these kids have several tutors, managers, helpers, etc. who are there to make sure they are getting the work done. I don't know how anyone could sustain the sport's requirements and still manage the work w/o all the help. But to have all that help and still not get it done? I dunno...
I understand and agree. Just have to poke at NC academics every chance I get.
For Tev, it would appear to me (as someone with absolutely no knowledge of what actually happened) that a violation of "academic standards" so early in the semester that results in such a serious penalty may have been a matter of some misconduct rather than merely grades. The "help" Tev gets could have both caught him and saved him from a bigger issue. But then again maybe he just bombed a test and I am reading way to much into this.
When you play a major D1 sport, the school basically owns you for 4 years - there is schooling and training nearly 12 months a year. You give up a normal college life, and you are held to a higher standard than your classmates. Tev seems to be having a hard time adjusting to that. And as a result ends up being the example for the other players. He seems like a good kid, and his troubles are minor as things go. No DV or thievery like some kids get mixed up in. Hope he makes the best of his chances and keeps his nose clean from here on out.
 
#143      

I Bomb

Stylin' and Profilin'
I can think of more than one former Illini player that could not adjust to the combination of demanding academics and demanding athletics. Who was that 5 star player we had to read about since he was in 8th grade, who didn't make it? I must have blocked his name.
Well, and on that note most recently I think it was Te'jon Lucas who said something about not sure he was up to the rigors. Seemed like a smart guy; I'm sure it's harder than it looks.
 
#144      
For sure. On the other hand, with the amount of "support" you get academically it seems like that part would be hard to screw up. But, who knows.
My Sister had a class with Luther Head, and she mentioned he had a chaperon/tutor with him when he was there.
 
#148      
Rather than blatant cheating, more so I know these kids have several tutors, managers, helpers, etc. who are there to make sure they are getting the work done. I don't know how anyone could sustain the sport's requirements and still manage the work w/o all the help. But to have all that help and still not get it done? I dunno...
These tutors do not do the work for them nor do they take the tests. They are there to help a student-athlete understand those classes that a prof or TA did not teach in a manner the particular student was prepared to comprehend. For a lot of these students, their high school background left them totally unprepared to understand a particular subject being taught. Some are being critical with absolutely no understanding of a student-athlete's background. I had a class once that was taught by the Nutty Professor. Was totally lost. Had a tutor that taught me the whole class in a one week period near the end of the semester. Not every tutor is able to do that.
 
#149      

skyIdub

Winged Warrior
After reading Dre's story and how he's handled it (and others similar to his), I have no sympathy for any kid that doesn't take this opportunity by the horns and use it to their advantage.

I hope TJ gets it, but if he doesn't....it's 100% on him.
 
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