Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
Illini Basketball 2021-2022
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Don't necessarily disagree with any of your points but last year's team was pretty special. They were a legit national title contender, #1 seed, and B1G champions (Muck Fichigan). That is a tall task to "exceed". Obviously the year ended on a sour note and that is definitely somewhere Brad and staff will want to exceed last year's team.
No harm in dreaming, but I'm not a believer. We have a talented roster, but in order to exceed last year, IMO we'd have to have a couple first round type players. This year is also a strange year because of how many teams are returning significantly more talent than they would normally, and how transfers are becoming more of a factor.
While I wouldn't suggest this is accurate, it's a good reality check on the talent level of the likely top teams. FWLIW, I think we'll be a little higher in the perseason AP --I'm expecting high teens, somewhere in the 15-20 range.
One person's opinion
Homecoming 2019
- Chicago
I know it didn't end well in the tournament, but we were 2nd in the final AP poll and Kenpom pre-tournament. That's going to be tough to top.
I’m with you. I see more offensive balance and more depth. I think we can go deep in the tourney.
I've been wondering about Kofi's lack of deals, and I wonder if it has to do with waiting on his waiver from the NCAA first.
This team will have what last year's team didn't -- tournament experience. Don't underestimate how important that is.
I've generally believed that people were overrating the value of these endorsements. Hopefully donors come in with deals regardless.
I'm curious how this is going across the country, and especially the B1G.
I'm just going to point out that last year's team was only the 4th Illini team ever to obtain a #1 seed in the tournament, before we relegate them to warm-up act.
Hard to say lack of deals when we have no idea what is going on behind the scenes. He hasn't announced any, but he's expressed that he's received a lot of interest.
I could see the thought process behind your waiver point, but I doubt it. Wouldn't make much sense for them to dictate or limit his accessibility to deals when they've made it a free for all for everyone.
I agree the deals probably aren't as lucrative as some of the hype suggested, but I'd think Kofi would command something, and I've seen a couple of the freshmen (I think Goode and Podz) post deals of some sort on social media, whereas it appears Kofi hasn't publicized anything as of yet (unless I missed something). It just feels to me like he's got to have negotiated some stuff, but maybe they're being conservative and holding back on publicizing it until they get the ok from the NCAA or something. Or maybe potential sponsors want to know for sure he's eligible before they finalize the deals. 100% speculation though on my part.
skyIdub
Winged Warrior
And get ready for the first game we lose because we may not have a last minute, zero doubt, this is happening, closer this year.
Depends on how many games Larry Scirotto is allowed to “officiate”. I’m kidding. Kinda. Well maybe not kidding actually.
I would assume, not only the company, but the staff/school would want these NIL deals being made public.
Once finalized that is
+1 Totally fine with the enthusiasm, but let's not forget this past season was an amazing team with (at least one) future NBA player. Should be interesting to see how this group comes together, and whether some of the question marks (like replacing Ayo and his leadership) play out.
Good discussion all around. Will certainly miss Ayo, but last year we also relied on 2 freshman from the get-go. This year if any freshman cracks the rotation it’s gravy. I think we should be better and more consistent earlier in the season than we were last year.
We were punched in the mouth several times in the Ohio State games and we kept swinging back. I don’t know what to call the Loyola game other than the most bizarre and disappointing Illinois basketball game that I’ve ever seen. Granted, I do think that experience and the bad taste that it left in the team’s mouth will prevent the team from losing like that again.
sacraig
- The desert
There's a difference between a game where you know you get to come back for another and one where you are really up against a wall with the season on the line. The level of pressure is so much different. I think we essentially just folded under that pressure. We didn't have anyone with experience to lift the team up. And by the way, I am in no way trying to excuse that loss. It was a terrible loss to a really good but still inferior team. Experience just matters.
Homecoming 2019
- Chicago
The freshmen will take any deal that comes their way, I'm sure Kofi has a little more say what deals he takes and how they will be structured, which I'm guessing is why it's taking a bit more time.
Not particularly worried about the finisher as Trent carried a lot of that load in his frosh year despite a bad team. He was superlative in the Mich game without Ayo. With 3 small guards size could be an issue but our quickness might be a bigger issue to defend. Trent and Belo ate up Mich because they had no match for their quickness. Plummer appears to have the same quickness. Particularly nice when you also have some size on the bench if required. Actually think this team has a higher ceiling but tough to say better than a BIG tourney champ and a no. 1 seed. Going to depend on the chemistry on defense IMO.
I definitely agree with you. I just thought that the mettle we showed in the BTT would translate somewhat into March Madness, but evidently it didn’t in any way. We are much more prepared this year. I’m sure of it.
Homecoming 2019
- Chicago
Missing out on a post season in 2020 could have been the difference in a final four run last season. Hope that last years experience is the difference maker for this season.
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