Illini Basketball 2022-2023

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#201      
Hmmm, special praise from the AC for CH and DD, the two who are probably doubted most from a few on here. It's impossible to know at this point what this team will look like on the court, but with so much talent the sky's the limit. This is the best I have felt about an upcoming Illini team since the Flyin Illini. Thank you Coach Underwood!
You must have missed 2005
 
#203      
I don't think you can substantiate these two, but there are some things that Hawkins does better than Ty and vice versa. The point I'm making is that all things considered Ty is a better player than Coleman.
Hard to compare the relative quality of two players when basing the comparison on one playing Ecuador and the Dominican Republic and the other playing Indiana and Iowa.
 
#204      
Hard to compare the relative quality of two players when basing the comparison on one playing Ecuador and the Dominican Republic and the other playing Indiana and Iowa.

100%. I like the Rodgers addition, but the kid has not played a minute of college ball. We have no idea how his play will transfer at this level. The competition you're watching is awful.

We do know he works hard and is tough as nails, which helps.
 
#205      

Joel Goodson

respect my decision™
100%. I like the Rodgers addition, but the kid has not played a minute of college ball. We have no idea how his play will transfer at this level. The competition you're watching is awful.

We do know he works hard and is tough as nails, which helps.

He played at the highest AAU level for a very high caliber team and he was a standout. He killed it for Thornton. Sure, the FIBA competition is weak, but the quality of his team is very high and he's shining.

He's pretty damn good already.
 
#208      
Someone mentioned Ty filling the DMFW void in their heart. I am in full support of that because that hole is gaping.

As for CoHawk, the dude is going to be just fine. If he is “worse” than Ty then we are going to be really really good.

It’s my dream we put teams through 40 minutes of hell with full court pressure and in your face defense. We have the athletes now to out run anyone and create havoc everywhere.

Yeah, yeah but Underwood’s first couple seasons! Go look at those rosters and now look at this one.

Oh Yeah GIF


We are going to be good. Maybe not B1G champs good, but second weekend of the NCAA Tournament good.
 
#209      
caine, we were there at the tailgate tour in Rockford as well and noticed the same thing. Coach said that Dainja might have the best handles of anyone on the team, and that we shouldn’t be surprised to see him bringing the ball up. He even used the term point center. He also said lots of NBA scouts were asking about Hawkins at a conference last week. Said that they all think he has a high ceiling. Said that all the guys have been in the gym as many as three times a day on their own. Said Coleman has been putting in the work getting thousands of shots up, which is what he needs to. Geoff seemed very excited about the enthusiasm and work ethic of the young guys. Both he and Chester were very impressive as they answered questions from the fans. Deon did a great job as MC, and Josh was outstanding when he spoke and answered questions. His passion is palpable. By the way, Illinois has the best AD in the country, in my opinion. This classy DIA event was awesome, with free tee shirts, coozies, and Illini hot sauce, opportunities to get not only photos and autographs, but talk one on one with these guys. If you have a chance to go, I suggest you take advantage.
:illinois:-L-L
I was there. Everything chiefini says is true and right on.

I only add that someone, probably Deon, alluded to Chester's little encounter with Eric Gordon in 2008? Got a rise from the audience.

Great event, great free food! I came for the food, but was more than happy to digest the remainder of the program.

I emailed Josh today thanking him and everybody for the stop in Rockford and the job he and coaches/staff/players are doing. I even predicted a bowl game for Illini next season. As for Illini basketball, I said "sky's the limit".

Hope so.
 
#210      
I think it’s hilarious that we literally had more people in our fan base tempering expectations heading into 2020-21 than IU fans doing the same heading into next year … even though we were coming off of a second place Big Ten finish, had a much younger stars (i.e., could reasonably expect more improvement) and also had a great class coming in. IU literally was the ninth best team in a 14-team conference and got SMOKED in the First Round.

Guess who else “returned a lot” from a mediocre team and got decent hype for it?? The 2010-11 Illini. IU will likely be better than them due to (A) a weaker Big Ten and (B) better freshmen … but watch their top 10 ranking and “Big Ten favorite” status turn to a 7-seed real quick, folks. ;)
 
#211      
I feel like people on here seem to forget Hawkins brought the ball up at times last year. While I am not advocating for that, I am using it to point out that as versatile as people say Rodgers is, Hawkins is just as much.

In my eyes, dude has 3 things to work on to be a legit NBA prospect.

1.) develop a consistent shot, especially from deep
2.) stop fouling so much
3.) most importantly, get his attitude fixed and his head in the game so he can stay on the court

A lineup on the court of:
TSJ
RJ
Mayer
Hawkins
Dainja (substitute Ty for Dain of you want)

That has to be one of the most switchable lineups in college basketball. The only question mark is Dain and Ty cause we havent seen them against college competition yet. If you think that, then throw in Goode. My point still stands. Hawkins is as versatile as Rodgers, and should, and probably will, start.
 
#213      
I feel like people on here seem to forget Hawkins brought the ball up at times last year. While I am not advocating for that, I am using it to point out that as versatile as people say Rodgers is, Hawkins is just as much.

In my eyes, dude has 3 things to work on to be a legit NBA prospect.

1.) develop a consistent shot, especially from deep
2.) stop fouling so much
3.) most importantly, get his attitude fixed and his head in the game so he can stay on the court

A lineup on the court of:
TSJ
RJ
Mayer
Hawkins
Dainja (substitute Ty for Dain of you want)

That has to be one of the most switchable lineups in college basketball. The only question mark is Dain and Ty cause we havent seen them against college competition yet. If you think that, then throw in Goode. My point still stands. Hawkins is as versatile as Rodgers, and should, and probably will, start.

Hate to interrupt you size fantasies, but at least one of Skyy or Epps will be on the court at all times.
 
#216      
I feel like people on here seem to forget Hawkins brought the ball up at times last year. While I am not advocating for that, I am using it to point out that as versatile as people say Rodgers is, Hawkins is just as much.

In my eyes, dude has 3 things to work on to be a legit NBA prospect.

1.) develop a consistent shot, especially from deep
2.) stop fouling so much
3.) most importantly, get his attitude fixed and his head in the game so he can stay on the court

A lineup on the court of:
TSJ
RJ
Mayer
Hawkins
Dainja (substitute Ty for Dain of you want)

That has to be one of the most switchable lineups in college basketball. The only question mark is Dain and Ty cause we havent seen them against college competition yet. If you think that, then throw in Goode. My point still stands. Hawkins is as versatile as Rodgers, and should, and probably will, start.
I’ve been blasted several times for offering that exact same lineup. People see no point guard and assume no handling. I agree handling is a question mark in that lineup, but only because WE haven’t seen these guys play together. Dain has been called a point center by our assistants, we’ve seen Hawkins play point forward, TSJ has done it in the past, rodgers clearly has that skillet. And it’s not like Mayer/RJ are bad handlers. So we might be able to get it done by committee with a lineup like that, which I would be very excited about for the defensive reasons you state.
 
#217      
I’ve been blasted several times for offering that exact same lineup. People see no point guard and assume no handling. I agree handling is a question mark in that lineup, but only because WE haven’t seen these guys play together. Dain has been called a point center by our assistants, we’ve seen Hawkins play point forward, TSJ has done it in the past, rodgers clearly has that skillet. And it’s not like Mayer/RJ are bad handlers. So we might be able to get it done by committee with a lineup like that, which I would be very excited about for the defensive reasons you state.
People are talking about ball handling when the question really is about court vision. From this point on, with our high level of recruiting, we're apt to field teams with 3 out of 4 guys with plus handles at the non-PG position. All the best teams do.

The question is who can be the playmaker.
 
#218      
"Hate to interrupt you size fantasies, but at least one of Skyy or Epps will be on the court at all times."

The implied question is who will bring the ball up against their ball hawking point guard? The answer is anyone not guarded by their ball hawking point guard! The question should be "Who is their point guard going to defend in the half court?". Not saying this will be the norm but to say that a true point guard will be on the floor at all times is short sighted.
 
#222      
"Hate to interrupt you size fantasies, but at least one of Skyy or Epps will be on the court at all times."

The implied question is who will bring the ball up against their ball hawking point guard? The answer is anyone not guarded by their ball hawking point guard! The question should be "Who is their point guard going to defend in the half court?". Not saying this will be the norm but to say that a true point guard will be on the floor at all times is short sighted.
I believe El Gran is mostly correct, but there may be anywhere from 5 percent or less of the time that we don't choose to have Skyy or Epps in. Throwing in defensive wrinkles at certain points of the game can keep a team guessing and change momentum. If you're looking at a need for turnovers and transition basketball, I can see Ty, CoHawk, RJ, TSJ, and Mayer in there.

Then there are times when we can't choose. Such as Skyy in foul trouble and Epps tired/overmatched.
 
#224      
caine, we were there at the tailgate tour in Rockford as well and noticed the same thing. Coach said that Dainja might have the best handles of anyone on the team, and that we shouldn’t be surprised to see him bringing the ball up. He even used the term point center. He also said lots of NBA scouts were asking about Hawkins at a conference last week. Said that they all think he has a high ceiling. Said that all the guys have been in the gym as many as three times a day on their own. Said Coleman has been putting in the work getting thousands of shots up, which is what he needs to. Geoff seemed very excited about the enthusiasm and work ethic of the young guys. Both he and Chester were very impressive as they answered questions from the fans. Deon did a great job as MC, and Josh was outstanding when he spoke and answered questions. His passion is palpable. By the way, Illinois has the best AD in the country, in my opinion. This classy DIA event was awesome, with free tee shirts, coozies, and Illini hot sauce, opportunities to get not only photos and autographs, but talk one on one with these guys. If you have a chance to go, I suggest you take advantage.
:illinois:-L-L
I am very excited out the possibilities for this team, but if Dainja has the best handles on the team (unless he’s talking love handles) then this team is in trouble.
 
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