I know, which is why I said that was the reference I heard — my confirmation of the reference that the poster I replied to said. The rest of reply was a comment on the jjniner’s post that got the discussion started, when he listed the four scholarship freshmen and Payton and asked if someone left because Payton and Harris — or Rodgers, depending on which 3 you think BU was referencing — weren’t mentioned.
Illini Basketball 2022-2023
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If Indiana is the best team in the Big Ten this year, this conference will not be good. Did anyone doing rankings this year watch them in the tournament? They had to win a play in game and were down at least 30 the entire 2nd half against a 5th seed St. Marys team. They looked awful and that is being generous.
Way-too-early 2022-23 Big Ten basketball power rankings
With the NBA Draft deadline in the rearview mirror, Saturday Tradition looks ahead with way-too-early Big Ten basketball power rankings.saturdaytradition.com
1. Indiana (21-14, 9-11 Big Ten in 2022)
What I like: Indiana returns 78.1% of its production from last season, which is 2nd-best among power-conference programs. Likely Big Ten preseason Player of the Year Trayce Jackson-Davis is the biggest chunk of that production, which helps even further.On top of that experience, Mike Woodson signed the nation’s 8th-ranked recruiting class.What I don’t like: Indiana’s returners weren’t particularly adept at shooting. The Hoosiers were 200th nationally in 3-point shooting and 233rd in free-throw shooting. Someone has to step up from outside.
2. Illinois (23-10, 15-5)
What I like: Brad Underwood isn’t content to let this be a rebuilding season in Champaign. The Fighting Illini were aggressive in the transfer portal, adding Texas Tech guard Terrence Shannon Jr. and Baylor wing Matthew Mayer. The Big 12 was the best top-to-bottom conference in the nation last year, so those guys will boost the IlliniI also like Illinois’ potential with Coleman Hawkins as their primary big. Kofi Cockburn was a dominant force as a traditional post, but Hawkins can score from all over the floor. This could be a very exciting offense to watch.What I don’t like: Underwood hasn’t shown himself to be all that fond of freshmen, but a freshman will hold the keys to Illinois’ ceiling. 5-star point guard Skyy Clark will be entrusted with replacing Trent Frazier and Andre Curbelo running the Illini offense. It’s a big ask. His adjustment will determine whether the Illini compete for the B1G title or fall down a few notches.
3. Rutgers (18-14, 12-8) What I like: Yeah, that’s right. Rutgers. Other than Indiana, the Scarlet Knights are the only Big Ten team returning 3 players who were all-B1G honorable mention or better last season.One of those players, Paul Mulcahy, will be better suited as Rutgers’ primary point guard than he was playing off the ball with Geo Baker. Mulcahy and alley-oop machine Clifford Omoruyi will have all-B1G seasons. Caleb McConnell is likely to repeat as Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. Look for incoming transfer Cam Spencer to also have a major scoring impact shooting from long range.What I don’t like: Baker and Ron Harper Jr. were 2 of the best players in program history. Replacing just 1 of them would have been tough. Steve Pikiell has to replace both. Clearly, I’m betting that he will.
4. Michigan (19-15, 11-9)
What I like: The Wolverines were a cut above everyone else in the league heading into next season — until freshmen Moussa Diabate and Caleb Houstan both decided to stay in the NBA Draft. There’s a chance Michigan’s fall will be even more precipitous than I’ve indicated, but having Hunter Dickinson back should prevent that.
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
would have been perfect had you left off the [end sarcasm]
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
Piper, free article:
Enough of the pointed criticism regarding these pointless arguments
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
Match point...............................
theNewGuy
- Dallas, TX
Point taken
Point Illinois! For any net nuts out there
billybaroo
- Pebble Beach, CA
texillwek
🔶🔹🔸🔷
ahh the good ol Xavier Club Chair
One scheduled exhibition. Doesn't that mean we have one super secret I could tell you but then I'd have to kill you game? Anyone know the plan? I promise not to tell.
haha, appreciate your perspective but i'm good with it as is. more a commentary on how black/white discussions have been on Rodgers role. between watching his play in FIBA where he was almost always the best facilitator/initiator when he was on the court and BU's comments, i think we all will be surprised at how the team looks when things are humming
I L L
Not a freshman. Not Hawkins. Not Melendez. Not Goode. Not Lieb. Not Dainja. Lol
I wonder what the big line-up is with Shannon as the PG, I imagine it included Coleman, Mayer, Melendez and possibly Dainja or to provide more outside shooting Goode. It could possibly include Rogers as well. Rogers not the outside shooter but sounds like a ball handler, possibly can have Shannon, Coleman, Melendez and Mayer be outside threats with this line up.
Regular line up believe will be Skyy as PG, Shannon as SG, Coleman PF, Melendez WF and Mayer PF. The other possibility is Dainja starts against certain match ups (true center). Believe Goode and Rogers will be off the bench and play similiar to starters. As much as I think we can play 10 players in a rotation it seems most coaches max out at 9. Epps has been a scorer at every level and I have always been impressed with Sincere speed and hops.
Regular line up believe will be Skyy as PG, Shannon as SG, Coleman PF, Melendez WF and Mayer PF. The other possibility is Dainja starts against certain match ups (true center). Believe Goode and Rogers will be off the bench and play similiar to starters. As much as I think we can play 10 players in a rotation it seems most coaches max out at 9. Epps has been a scorer at every level and I have always been impressed with Sincere speed and hops.
GrayGhost77
- Centennial, CO
That leaves Mayer?
Hmmm, if I'm understanding right, not the answer I was expecting.
lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
That's how I interpreted it
God dang Westlake
sacraig
- The desert
Losing the mullet sapped his energy level?
Illinivek23
- Gurnee
Maybe a Big 12 rivalry carryover?
Poor TSJ...all those muscles and he still needs two arms to hold up the remote. Good to know I have superior physical ability over his NBA-level talent in at least one area of life. Practice makes perfect.
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