Illini Basketball 2022-2023
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I haven't seen Jones play except the highlights that were on that tweet. How does he compare to someone like Agbaji at Kansas? Similar career trajectory?
Dr Copejam
- The Rock
I don’t know. I’m not sold, but this definitely is intriguing.
This is my guess without transfers. Primary transfer need is at the 5. Rodgers can handle the ball and he looks to be the best defensive player among the frosh. There will be a learning curve at the point but all of these players can handle the ball and drive. Defense can be much different with the size at the 2-5 all 6’6” or taller. May look more like 88-89 with a switching man to man.
I was just wondering if Coleman or Dain was at the 5, with RJ, Grandison and two guards how the rebounding would be.
Primary transfer need is both at the 5 and at guard. I doubt BU (or just about any coach) would play a FR who's played forward his whole life at the 2. If we didn't add anyone (which seems extremely unlikely), I think it's much more likely that Skyy and Epps would both start. But again, we will add at least one more guard.
That in a nutshell is a great way to feel about Illini ball right now.
We look at all our Beloved's players though two forms of vision...
With our HEARTS, we love all the guys who choose to be here and work to bring the Illini back to our rightful place in the upper reaches of college ball.
But with our HEADS we are honest enough to see the weak spots in these player's games and know that these things had to be addressed for the team for the future.
And two substantial washouts in the Tournament clearly exposed the Illini weak spots as a tournament team.
But now that 'It's Cool Again' to come to Illinois... the Peoria Pipeline just got a whole lot wider and now covers all of America (and the World) for top talent.
Success is contagious. And the Illini floor talent pool and the blood that runs in our veins just keeps getting Bluer and Bluer.
It will be interesting to see preseason rankings given we lost basically our entire starting line up of TF, AP, DMW, Jake, Kofi.
That said while we will certainly lack experience, talent wise would should be better at every position outside of Kofi. I'm not trying to bash our former players but I honestly feel that is the case. Kofi is a huge loss though for sure. However talent wise Skyy>TF, RJ>AP, TY>DMW, Coleman>Jake. Plus that's before any transfers. I think most will pick us around 7th or so but we could be next year's Wisconsin if the young men step up and we can still add some more experience and talent in the portal. Where do you expect us to be rated preseason vs the end of it?
That said while we will certainly lack experience, talent wise would should be better at every position outside of Kofi. I'm not trying to bash our former players but I honestly feel that is the case. Kofi is a huge loss though for sure. However talent wise Skyy>TF, RJ>AP, TY>DMW, Coleman>Jake. Plus that's before any transfers. I think most will pick us around 7th or so but we could be next year's Wisconsin if the young men step up and we can still add some more experience and talent in the portal. Where do you expect us to be rated preseason vs the end of it?
I believe we will. We were a team with flaws and good teams exposed them. We had two options in scoring. Kofi and the three pointer. We had no one who could drive and get to the line. Our fast break points dried up like a old grape on the vine. Dont get me wrong, I loved last years team and this plan would work in the regular season but in tourney time, Loyola and Houston took away options. Our lack of length killed us last year. Now we will be able to drop guys on the floor that have length, can create off the dribble and still shoot the three. The lane will now be open as Dain will be mobile which will allow Hawk, Skyy, Harris, Rogers and RJ room to create. We were one of the worst teams at creating fouls and with that, we missed FTs at a alarming rate. We probably lost 6-8 points a game just by missing and 1’s and 1-1s. We got the most out of every player last year. We played hard, won the conference regular a season and got a 4 seed. We were not even suppose to be in the top 4 last year. It was Michigan, OSU, MSU and Purdue being the top 4 teams. As much as I disliked not playing the FR, we overachieved and won. Brad did work magic. Now Brad will have ”his type players” next season. Long and athletic. We will be better.
I would agree if Grandy doesn't return....Grandy returns this may need to be adjusted a little at least at the start of the season
Two wings from day one--Goode and Melendez have to start. The 4 freshmen will get increased playing time as the season progresses. Clark has to start at the point from day one.
blackdog
- Champaign
Elite runner at that. I think he was reaaaalllly stretching for something there.
This is Brad's roster of guys now. It's really weird to think about, but this roster is finally John Groce-less...
We've lost 90% of our scoring, rebounding, steals, etc.. We will not be ranked nor picked high in Big10. But I like our team and their potential!
skyIdub
Winged Warrior
Wonderful analysis Fighter, thanks. 100% agree. While the top goal is always winning the NCAA Tournament, it has not happened in my lifetime. I was in school for the 89 team and in St. Louis for the 05 team. Crushing. But I LOVE winning the Big Ten regular season, and this is a much more attainable goal. The fact that this group, with all the injuries and setbacks, achieved that is a remarkable feat. I will always remember this team very fondly.
Preseason rankings mean diddly. Iowa and Wisconsin last year are prime examples. We may lack experience but we are certainly going to be more talented everywhere but the 5
Andy Katz has us #20 without Kofi in his power 36
We are short on experience but heavy on talent. Bodes well for later in the season barring injury!
We were ranked 4th by bleacherreport with or without Kofi after Belo transferred and Clark came in.
Still a chance for JCL to transfer in.
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