Illini Basketball 2022-2023

[Calvin]

Especially with how our schedule shaped up for conference season.Have a pretty brutal noncon but should set us up well to be a serious contender at the end of the year.

We're going to miss Kofi, but Dain doesn't need to be Kofi, and we have a lot of talent everywhere else. I'm glad the non-conf is tough.

Any bets on who plays center after Dain? Is Coleman the most likely back-up with Mayer/Lieb thrown in if there's foul trouble or injuries?

 

[SummerofGeorge]

Maybe it’s the 3, 10% beers I brewed and tried for the first time tonight, but I am as more excited about this team than any other in recent memory!

 

[texillwek]

Maybe it’s the 3, 10% beers I brewed and tried for the first time tonight, but I am as more excited about this team than any other in recent memory!

 

[doowink]

Maybe it’s the 3, 10% beers I brewed and tried for the first time tonight, but I am as more excited about this team than any other in recent memory!

Me and neighbor Bob have a secret recipe ...no weak beers here

 

[drsmitty74]

Maybe it’s the 3, 10% beers I brewed and tried for the first time tonight, but I am as more excited about this team than any other in recent memory!

You know what's great? The fact that I've said that for a few years in a row!

 

[ElGran]

We're going to miss Kofi, but Dain doesn't need to be Kofi, and we have a lot of talent everywhere else. I'm glad the non-conf is tough.

Any bets on who plays center after Dain? Is Coleman the most likely back-up with Mayer/Lieb thrown in if there's foul trouble or injuries?

Dain and Coleman will share it. Maybe we add another Big. If not and the SHTF, Lieb/Mayer.

 

[Baskins Tiger]

All Lieb will have to do is defend while he is in, there is enough offensive firepower elsewhere. Unlike Dámonte, if they want to cheat off of him while Lieb is on offense, he's 7' tall and 5' from the bucket.

 

[Joel Goodson]

Intensity alert: (am assuming) Rodgers lands in CU this weekend. He's going to push RJ hard.

Heard a very positive report on Harris. Don't sleep on him.

 

[Calvin]

All Lieb will have to do is defend while he is in, there is enough offensive firepower elsewhere.

While I agree, that's easier said than done in the BIG.

 

[Ryllini]

This is probably way too early with a young team, but who is the alpha on this team? Seems like we have a bunch of straight up dogs on this squad, but who do they look to early?

 

[FinallyMadeAnAccount]

This is probably way too early with a young team, but who is the alpha on this team? Seems like we have a bunch of straight up dogs on this squad, but who do they look to early?

I feel like early, it'll be TSJ since he's without a doubt the most well proven scorer on the team right now.

Later however, I personally feel like it'll end up being Skyy/Epps or RJ.

 

[Godard]

Brad gets some flak for his hyperbole, but damn do I really eat it up every time. I love him and what he is doing for Illinois basketball. We have an edge again and Brad sets it.

I reserve judgment until I hear how he pronounces "China."

 

[Calvin]

I feel like early, it'll be TSJ since he's without a doubt the most well proven scorer on the team right now.

Later however, I personally feel like it'll end up being Skyy/Epps or RJ.

No idea, but I would think a team with this many capable guys would go into a late game situation with multiple guys having the green light. I don't know that we'll have an Ayo, where they love the pressure and can handle straight up isolation if nothing else is working. Could come down more to match-ups.

 

[DJM]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1537823399279476737

Ty Rodgers=Draymond Green

 

[ElGran]

Intensity alert: (am assuming) Rodgers lands in CU this weekend. He's going to push RJ hard.

Heard a very positive report on Harris. Don't sleep on him.

Might not play as much as the other FR at first, but upside is high.

 

[Joel Goodson]

Might not play as much as the other FR at first, but upside is high.

Might start.

 

[IllinoisssssssVarsity]

Might start.

Good Lord and he seemed like the forgotten wing in all of this.

 

[Joel Goodson]

Good Lord and he seemed like the forgotten wing in all of this.

All I know is it's gonna be a battle royale. And the presumed starters are gonna have to perform. Otherwise, one of them is going to be coming off the bench. Great problem to have.

 

[Birdus]

Lieb was listed at 220 last year. Anyone know his current weight?

 

[illinitiger]

Might start.

Likely bumping either RJ, CH or Dain to 6th man then.

 

[JacquesClouseau]

Lieb was listed at 220 last year. Anyone know his current weight?

Goode and Coleman both are listed in 2022-23 roster as 10 pounds heavier. RJ and Lieb are both listed as no change in weight. Still, Lieb looks more muscular, so it's anybody's guess.

 

[Ga65]

When I contemplate scoring leaders it really emphasizes the complete change in the team. Shannon and Mayer are the experienced players but not leading scorers for their teams nor were Hawk or RJ. Dain is an obviously talented offensive player but has no college experience. Skyy and Jaden have been scorers in HS but no college experience either. Trying to guess the scoring averages is tougher than guessing minutes for me.

 

[bdutts]

Lieb was listed at 220 last year. Anyone know his current weight?

221. Whatever it takes…

 

[Fulton County Illini]

221. Whatever it takes…

 

[JacquesClouseau]

All I know is it's gonna be a battle royale. And the presumed starters are gonna have to perform. Otherwise, one of them is going to be coming off the bench. Great problem to have.

Lol. Wow. Agree with the competition factor. But there is a problem with the antecedent in this preceding dialogue. Who are we talking about ... Ty or Sincere ? Ty is the perfect tempo changer to roll off the bench. Sincere is the official designated sleeper that nobody should "sleep" on. It's RJ's position to lose, and I'll take the early bet on RJ to start and keep it.