CBS isn't as kind:
Good thing they still have to play the games. Otherwise, I would be worried.
Illini Basketball 2022-2023
- Status
Good thing they still have to play the games. Otherwise, I would be worried.
MSU is a disaster right now. Not sure why they are 19th
The plus side of not being ranked highly to start the season would be that it could tee up BU to finally win a much deserved COY award.
chrisRunner7
- Spokane, WA
I enjoy listening to Gary Parrish as long as he doesn't repeat himself too much, but he is always lower on Illinois than most other rankings. He didn't have us in the top 25 before Kofi's decision, either.
Katz... I think he's secretly on the payroll, lol.
Same reason as UNC was 19th last preseason...and now with a live look-in at CBS sportsdesk:
i guess, but apart from resurrecting one of the most historic programs in NCAA history, continually elevation the talent level, instilling a cohesive culture, 2 (should be 3) tournament trips, BBT and then a BT title despite a bogus 3 game NCAA suspension and multiple medical issues [Covid, concussion x 2 (that we know of), shoulder x 2, conjunctivitis, acute appendicitis] he hasnt really done too much
Also lower back injury and hernia, Hutch. Lower leg, Trent and I think RJ had another injury that sidelined him a little while before he had the appendicitis. Also maybe BBV with the 3rd concussion as you suggested. A crazy year all in all.
Bigtex
- DFW
To the media he always speaks highly of his guys. I believe that is why there is such a high expectation of what hutch (and others) was anticipated they would contribute.
At the beginning, I suspect that there will be a non-frosh guard on the floor.
Assuming there are no more transfers (unlikely), I'd guess at a starting lineup of:
Skyy, Goode (Grandison takes this spot if he returns), RJ, Hawk, Dainja
When Dainja needs to rest, then we may get:
Skyy, Goode, Rogers, RJ, Hawk
I expect Hawk is going to get really tired splitting time at the 4-5. Time at the 5 will be at least 1.5, if not twice as wearing as time at the 4. If BBV or Lieb can play 5-10 minutes (between them), it will really help.
At the moment I see the time looking something like:
1 Skyy (30) / Epps (10) [Is there another primary ball handling option?]
2 Goode (20) / Epps/Harris (20) [whomever shows they are ready.]
3: RJ (10) / Rogers (20) / Goode (10)
4: Hawk (20) / RJ (20)
5 Dainja (25) / Hawk (10) / BBV (5) / Lieb (0)
8 deep plus 5 for BBV
If Grandison returns, he gets 30m/game.
1 Skyy (30) / Epps (10)
2 Grandison (20) / Goode (15) / Epps,Harris (5)
3: RJ (10) / Rogers (15) / Grandison (10) / Goode (5)
4: Hawk (20) / RJ (20)
5 Dainja (25) / Hawk (10) / BBV (5) / Lieb (0)
9 deep plus 5 for BBV.
Writing this out makes me understand why they want another senior ball handler, and a big. If they get the ball handler, Epps likely gets squeezed out, at least at the start. If they get another big, the minutes come from BBV, and free Hawk to play more of the 4, which lets RJ play more 3, which lets Goode play the 2 more. That too will reduce the Epps/Harris minutes.
For the thousandth time….Goode isn’t a 2 and he isn’t gonna start
skyIdub
Winged Warrior
Saving that spot for Hopkins.
So are you saying he should just transfer now, or that he’s a 3/4? I’m hoping it’s the latter, but it’s getting harder to tell (sorry, I’m having a hard time adjusting to this new world of cbb. Not your fault).
I thought Hopkins was taking Kofi's spot...???
BillyBob1
- Champaign
You can’t post anything without someone already posting it.
He's just not a 2. I think he'll see plenty of minutes next year.
I don't usually play this game, but here goes.
Skyy (27)/Transfer1 (10)/Epps (3)
Transfer2 (20)/Epps (15)/Harris (5)
RJ(25)/Ty(10)/Goode(5)
Hawk(20)/Goode(18)/Ty(2)
Dainja(19)/Transfer5(17)/Hawk(4)
Overall
Skyy - 27mpg
RJ - 25mpg
Hawk - 24mpg
Goode - 23mpg
Transfer2 - 20mpg
Dainja - 19mpg
Transfer5 - 17mpg
Ty - 12mpg
Transfer1 - 10mpg
Harris - 5mpg
I posted that earlier.
Please remember the fan board premise: "Assuming no more transfers" as we discuss this. Everything changes if we get another senior guard. I'm an armchair fan, so if you disagree with something, please provide some education with the contradiction.
How would you order Goode / Rogers / Epps / Harris for each of these (1-5, 3 is average for the position, 5 is best). If you think the number will change significantly between day 1 and mid-season, feel free to list two numbers.
| skill | Goode | Rogers | Epps | Harris | RJ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BBIQ | |||||
| Ability to create a shot | |||||
| Passing | |||||
| Handles | |||||
| Stay in front of the opposing guard | |||||
| skill I forgot to list |
I put Goode at the 2 for the start of the season for what I perceive to be a lack of better options. Is there a more suitable non-freshman 2? Please go with the premise of non-freshman for this question even if you think a freshman should start at the 2.
Starting Skye and one of Epps/Harris feels like a very rough start. It may be the later season solution. Is Rogers, a freshman who doesn't know the system, who is also a natural 3, really a better choice at the 2 at the start of the season, when put beside another freshman guard? Are Epps or Harris really ready to start on day 1?
I think some posts have said that RJ has decent handles. I took that to mean decent handles for a 3/4. Are they good enough to play the 2? If so, that leaves a lot of minutes at the 4 given that Hawk needs to help at the 5. Fill those minutes at the 4 with Goode?
Thanks for the time to provide the insider information and education 0440.
blackdog
- Champaign
Goode just doesn't have the handles or the foot speed to be a guard. Pretty much everyone on that list would be a better option to start at the 2 than him. That's not to say I'm not a big fan and I see him having a role with the team but at this point he's big body on the wing who can shoot.
Bigtex
- DFW
I could agree with these approx numbers
Not sure transfer1 quality or happy with those minutes.
If a combo who gets 25 minutes between 1&2 you leave open a Scholly and more minutes for illinois young guns.
I feel like Goode is more of a 4/3 with his rebounding ability and bulldog mentality. That combined with his shooting is gonna get him time on the floor.
I think the key to this scenario is to find a guard who can cover both the transfer1 and transfer 2 slots. Does Adam Miller have the handles for this if he gets a waiver? A 2nd tier transfer may be worse than suffering through early growth pains with our freshmen guards.
I don't think Luke will defend 2 well and RJ/ColHawk are in front of him in 3/4. He is a very good option off the bench though, instant fire. He is confident about his shooting.
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Agreed 100%. Good coaches don't try to play SFs at SG (or PFs at SF). In fact they do the opposite - they try to get as much ball-handling and quickness on the floor as possible. Which means frequently playing two PGs at the same time and playing a guy with true guard skills at the 3.
Now, hypothetically, if we were to not add another guard, Goode or RJ might have to play a bit at the 2 out of necessity, since we would only have three true guards on the roster (Epps, Clark, and Harris). But we will add at least one more guard, and possibly two, so there will be no need to play Goode/RJ out of position.
And Rodgers isn't a guard either. He's played forward basically his whole life, yet some posters are suggesting he comes out of the gate as a FR starting at guard. Maybe in a couple years, if/when he develops a reliable outside shot, we "could" play him there, but seems very unlikely as a FR.
Even though Clark and Epps are FR, they have legitimate guard skills. If we're going to start FR at guard, those two are the best candidates.
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