Illini Basketball 2022-2023

[sacraig]

What’s even wilder is a coach giving the keys to the bus to someone like that. As 0440 says, promises and recruiting seem to go hand in hand. Sometimes it works (Ayo, …), sometimes it doesn’t (Smith, Miller, Clark, …).

I think what most fans want is guys who WANT TO BE AN ILLINI and who will bust their butts to be their best, wear the jersey proudly, and buy in to the team tradition. Find talented guys like that.

No one is born just wanting to be an Illini for the sake of being an Illini unless you are willing to have our team be made up of a bunch of legacies and Champaign Centennial grads.

You have to convince people to want to be an Illini.

 

[SeattleSlim]

It's easier said than done, unfortunately.

Yes, but for the money they’re being paid they need to do the hard work and git’er done.

 

[OrangeAndBlue]

"Promises were made"

Nonsense.

 

[Illini in Italy]

Not until the bitching has concluded

2036?

 

[IlliniKat91]

2036?

Seems light by about 5000 years

 

[SeattleSlim]

In an ideal world yes, but how many of those guys actually still exist in 2023 college basketball? Sure, we can pay guys to make them want to be here, but that isn't really the same thing.

Don’t know how many exist but we only need ten or so.

 

[BackThatPassUp]

In a vacuum, there is ZERO reason for Epps and Dain to leave.

The fact that it is more likely than not we lose both speaks volumes.

Unpopular opinion but I'm more than comfortable if dain left. He doesn't hit the glass as well I'd like nore is he effective as a rim protector.

Plus his offensive style of play is becoming more dated every day. He has to be able to at least hit from the free throw line extended to become more of a threat.

 

[FloridaMan]

Nonsense.

If you say so. Just a theory based on CH's postgame comments.

 

[pruman91]

Yeo. Both of their stocks are not as high as they were at the start of the season or even in the middle. TJ's mom was telling people that he will likely come back at the btt. Think all of those guys are back plus Sencire. Lots to take place though, I will keep y'all updated.

you know bro , I really started thinking there might be a good chance of TSJ coming back as at the post game presser he corrected himself twice by adding " WE " instead of " I " as far as following coaches instructions......

For the last 3-4 weeks Dain had a look on the bench like he was fed up with all bench time he was getting.......
Epps evidently can't handle hard coaching as he had his head down when in the huddles during a game and he did bump shoulders with BU in that one huddle ......I never did see or understand him refusing to go back in the NU game ......
Harris possibly not returning is a head scratcher..........But head scratching is par for the course this year.........

welp , time for my meds and some vittles.............keep us updated guys , that's why we pay you so much............lol.....

 

[Flyin' Illini]

@illini0440 @LvilleILL or @Indy Illini Fan since you 3 seem to be the brain trust how can Dain go into the portal again after going into it a year ago? Would he not need a release from the Brad?

Are the rules any different because he never played a game for Baylor prior to entering the portal the first time?

 

[illini0440]

"Promises were made"

Naw. Mayer has talent. The frustrating part of coaching is you have to roll with the potential that the talent brings when all else is equal.(if that makes sense)

 

[illini0440]

If you say so. Just a theory based on CH's postgame comments.

Fun fact. CH and Mayer are the closest in the team

 

[SeattleSlim]

No one is born just wanting to be an Illini for the sake of being an Illini unless you are willing to have our team be made up of a bunch of legacies and Champaign Centennial grads.

You have to convince people to want to be an Illini.

Same holds true for any team, no? We all feel the same frustration here. Money appears to play a (more?) significant role now, but this “promise” crap won’t play out well if you want a good team. Just ask Hawkins.

 

[blackdog]

Plans are for him to not have to contribute until he’s an upperclassman

Does he know that?

 

[sacraig]

Same holds true for any team, no? We all feel the same frustration here. Money appears to play a (more?) significant role now, but this “promise” crap won’t play out well if you want a good team. Just ask Hawkins.

That's my point: the talented kids usually don't latch onto a school early. You can't limit the pool to kids who grew up dreaming of the Illini or we are doomed. You have to convince them.

 

[Flyin' Illini]

You can't limit the pool to kids who grew up dreaming of the Illini or we are doomed.

That's crazy talk. Many of us still have a full four years of eligibility remaining!

 

[WyattEarp]

That's crazy talk. Many of us still have a full four years of eligibility remaining!

 

[SeattleSlim]

That's my point: the talented kids usually don't latch onto a school early. You can't limit the pool to kids who grew up dreaming of the Illini or we are doomed. You have to convince them.

Yeah, I never implied that a kid needs to grow up wanting to play for the beloved. If the target kid doesn’t already have that love, the recruiters need to bring it about … and the coach needs to nurture it once they’re on board.

We’re all tired. Still basketball to watch and opening day is less than 2 weeks away.

Best to all.

Slim out

 

[Illini in Italy]

YEAH! I got 6'4, 280 lbs. of slow, 66 year old arthritic, surgically repaired die hard Illini basketball player who can clear 8 sheets of hard stock paper with his jump just ready to lay it on the line for the beloved!

 

[Idea Gardener]

CH's comments are interesting. It's sort of putting the coaches on blast. But it's also not wrong. There are discussions here he might come back. I can't tell if his comments are coming from a place of frustration because he wants to protect the culture, or a "screw it, I'm done here.". For any player who's draft stock went down mid season after a few years at the program, I would expect them to explore other college options too.

Why would Lieb transfer? I thought his whole idea was to get an Illinois degree. If not, why spend this year at Illinois if you could get play time somewhere else?

Personally, based on how much drama there was this past year, I'm okay with a reset focused on culture and buying in.

Side note: Why did Epps refuse to go back in NW? I must have missed that.

Last thought: I really want RJ to come back. He and Goode can be great together next year.

 

[RockfordIllini]

Meh

I really hope Sencire comes back. Raw offensively of course but I happen to believe playing hard is a skill and I think he is easily our most skilled in that dept, and that’s with Ty on the team.

I would always have a spot on my roster for a kid that played that hard. He basically forced his way into a role with no offensive game whatsoever by sheer force of will. And how many games did he flip with his energy? Definitely UCLA and NW and I know there’s a few that I’m forgetting.

Lastly, if nothing else he’s got to be a great practice player. You know you’ve got to bring it every day or else Sencire will whip your ***.

Not saying he will be all BIG someday, but he’s far from a meh player in my book.

 

[NarrowJ]

Side note: Why did Epps refuse to go back in NW? I must have missed that.

He was 0-for shooting the ball with a bunch of turnovers and the guy he was guarding (Buie) had 35 points with like 14 minutes remaining in the game. The kid had to be at his lowest point, basketball-wise.

 

[ILLFAN67]

I would sure like to see Dainja back based on his potential. He’s still basically a freshman in playing time. I liked how Epps played in the middle of the season but he had not played well since Northwestern and his attitude didn’t look great. Liked Sincere’s hustle and play but he need to improve dramatically on offense as does Ty. I really don’t want to see another huge roster makeover but I guess that’s the world we live in. Instant gratification with NIL and transfer freely now.

 

[Illini8420]

If both Hawkins and Shannon come back, I’d expect us to be very good next year. Like a top 10 team, assuming they keep developing. I think it’s a big what if at this point though.

 

[Heisenbobble]

If both Hawkins and Shannon come back, I’d expect us to be very good next year. Like a top 10 team, assuming they keep developing. I think it’s a big what if at this point though.

Without knowing which transfers Underwood lands and which players leave, it's impossible to predict how good next year's team will be.