Illini Basketball 2022-2023

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#701      

JSpence

Evansville, IN
Think there is a large sentiment among fans of needing to give minutes so guys don’t transfer...

TLDR - no such thing as not enough minutes.

I don't think that's the case with the fans, here. If I'm wrong, I agree that the sentiment is unproductive. With that said, that is not the issue with this situation.

Until we learn otherwise, we should operate under the assumption that there is such a thing as not enough scholarships. In order of priority, next year's team could really use a big guy, an experienced backup PG, and a shooter. There are now just two spots left. Filling that third priority absolutely closes the door on getting one of the other two.

If a good PG will want to commit, the staff can't say no to that. If there is even a decent chance that they'll fill that priority #2, then taking priority #3 now or later is a big risk to being able to satisfy the most obvious and pressing need.

I would hope that the staff bites the bullet and welcomes an Illini back into the fold. However, I recognize that while it is an emotional no-brainer with plenty of upside, there are practical downsides to it as well.
 
#702      
Right now Dainja is really the only known 5 / post player. Looks like Hawkins added some strength and maybe he can play there? In my mind he is more of a face up 4 who can play some 3. Mayer is a 3 who can be a face up 4. Slim Jake is pretty much another face up 4. We do need a depth piece 5.
 
#703      
Is there an updated scholarship grid? I just wonder how many years some of the new guys have, is Hutch gone, etc.
 
#704      
Look everybody, we are making Michigan nervous!


Serious question: at what point do we reach "too many cooks" status? Would this team be better with more development and less additional superstar talent?
 
#705      

sacraig

The desert
Look everybody, we are making Michigan nervous!


Serious question: at what point do we reach "too many cooks" status? Would this team be better with more development and less additional superstar talent?
"Would we be better with less talent?"

Chris Rock Reaction GIF
 
#708      
Not to belabor the point, but here are the two deepest college teams in recent memory (one and done era) that I can think of

2008-09 UNC: https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/north-carolina/2009.html; 7 players that appeared in an NBA game
2014-15 Kentucky: https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/kentucky/2015.html; 9 players that appeared in an NBA game

Both are also among the best college teams in the KP era (UNC +31.14; Kentucky +36.91)

Here are what their lineups looked like in close games

UNC 79-76 W over Virginia Tech ACC QF: https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/boxscores/2009-03-13-virginia-tech.html
UNC 70-73 L against Florida State ACC SF: https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/boxscores/2009-03-14-north-carolina.html

Kentucky 68-66 W over Notre Dame Elite Eight: https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/boxscores/2015-03-28-kentucky.html
Kentucky 64-71 L against Wisconsin Final Four: https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/boxscores/2015-04-04-kentucky.html

Even with these historically good teams, when it got down to it in tight meaningful games, there were still just 7 that played regularly with 8th or 9th guys that would play sparingly.

Really like our team next year but in no way are we "too deep" especially with the possibility of injury, and we already have a designated "13th man" on scholarship.
 
#709      
There is the concept of not enough basketballs to go around. Also, you can have good talent, but lack a good mix of talent.

As far as superstars, I don't think we have any of those. We do have three freshmen who are ranked in the top 50 in their class; one is a borderline 5 star.
 
#711      

Ransom Stoddard

Ordained Dudeist Priest
Bloomington, IL
If Grandison wants to play pro ball, being a bench player doesn't help his financial prospects. I'd love to see him stay, but its a dollars and sense thing for him, and best of luck to him--I've enjoyed watching him play.
 
#713      
Most likely the lineup will flex and blend. Maybe we should be talking about "starters' minutes" rather than starting lineup.
 
#714      

JSpence

Evansville, IN
Really like our team next year but in no way are we "too deep" especially with the possibility of injury, and we already have a designated "13th man" on scholarship.
You put "too deep" in quotes, though nobody on this site has used those words. I've read every basketball post since Mayer's commitment and haven't even seen that sentiment, unless you count a few downers hand-wringing about RJ possibly becoming unhappy, and that got shut down immediately.

I can appreciate the research work, but... who are you talking to here? Are you making an argument?
 
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#715      
You put "too deep" in quotes, though nobody on this site has used those words. I've read every basketball post since Mayer's commitment and haven't even seen that sentiment, unless you count a few downers hand-wringing about RJ possibly becoming unhappy, and that got shut down immediately.

I can appreciate the research work, but... who are you talking to here? Are you making an argument?
Notion that there isn't a spot for Grandison, particularly that rolling would be more preferable.
 
#716      
There is the concept of not enough basketballs to go around. Also, you can have good talent, but lack a good mix of talent.

As far as superstars, I don't think we have any of those. We do have three freshmen who are ranked in the top 50 in their class; one is a borderline 5 star.
Skyy is not a borderline five!!! The only reason he dropped in the rankings was due to an injury.If my memory serves me correctly at one time he was ranked as high as 13th
 
#718      
Look everybody, we are making Michigan nervous!


Serious question: at what point do we reach "too many cooks" status? Would this team be better with more development and less additional superstar talent?

I don’t see any superstar talent on this team. Have you seen the rosters of Duke, Kentucky, or even Arkansas? We’re not even close to those guys.

We absolutely could use more talent, especially at the 4/5.
 
#721      
If you watched the interviews with Coach, Leib, Hawkins, Goode, and RJ, you saw and heard Coach say that he likes to keep a scholarship or two open. He said that you can't play everybody, so sometimes they leave. People making that argument have an excellent source. I would be on that side except I saw the Illini unable to man the point guard position with a point guard, due to injuries AND COVID! A guy doesn't have to be sick not to play, he only has to test positive.

I've switched teams. I'm on the 2 PGs aren't enough. 2 centers aren't enough. How good is Lieb? IDK. Can he fill in and do a decent job? IDK We don't even know how good Dainja is. Can someone other than Clark and Epps play the point and do a good job? IDK

As bad as I hate to do it, I am going to trust the staff to add or not add a 1 and a 5. Normally I tell them what they should be doing, but I haven't seen most of the team play except highlights. I haven't seen their lowlights.

The staff is not off the hook BTW. Mid season I may still tell them that they should have seen enough to know that they needed to add or not add and they made the wrong choice. Actually I probably will.

The good news is that they pay zero attention to my advice or complaints.
 
#722      
Right now Dainja is really the only known 5 / post player. Looks like Hawkins added some strength and maybe he can play there? In my mind he is more of a face up 4 who can play some 3. Mayer is a 3 who can be a face up 4. Slim Jake is pretty much another face up 4. We do need a depth piece 5.
Hawkins is definitely not a 3.
 
#723      
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