Illini Basketball 2023-2024

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#526      
I seem to remember that Sencire got to the rim numerous times early in games and had trouble converting and then was either subbed out or stopped looking to drive. I thought his handle was decent enough to get to the rim where hopefully he’ll be more composed this year and have a softer touch.
He missed 2/3 dunks early on. Think he was embarrassed.
 
#530      
How quickly one NCAA Tournament loss clouds our perception of what was by far and away the best team in the Big Ten last year. They have the best player in the country returning from a team that won the regular season title by 3 games + the Big Ten Tournament title. I don’t know in what world Purdue is “probably more middle of the pack than top 3.” They are going to be the clear favorite to win again with MSU the only other team you could reasonably argue has a chance.
I meant their guard play is middle of the pack. Purdue is the preseason favorite though I think MSU is a very strong 1b and way better built for March.

Also, I do think Purdue has improved a bit and on paper Loyer and Smith should be better as sophomores(though that's not always true) they might still have a worse record than last year because I think they overachieved a bit. They were 5-1 in one possession games in conference.

Towards the end of the season, I think teams figured out how to guard Smith and Loyer and exposed them a bit then FDU's quickness absolutely embarrassed them.

Still on paper they're the favorite but it wouldn't surprise me at all to see them not win the Big10 or even finish 3rd or 4th.
 
#531      
Of the four guys you mention in second to last paragraph, 3 of those guys were on the team for last year’s loss to Purdue. In that game Smith scored 15 — 5 over his season average and 2 more than that matchup nightmare TSJ. And Harris played 21 minutes, so I guess he didn’t spend much time on Smith.

I like our chances against Purdue, but doesn’t seem like your take is supported by the numbers.
I mean both Smith and Loyer have the huge advantage of playing with Edey that's going to get you a ton of open looks and easy assists and having Edey to help defend when they get blown by on defense and Illinois had no shooters to kick to.

But the point still stands that neither of them can guard Shannon and Harris is the only guy that Smith is capable of guarding because Harris isn't that good offensively. If Illinois runs out Shannon, Rodgers, Goode, Domask, and Coleman then Smith is going to have to guard a 6'6 guy.

Also last year's game, Shannon was hamstrung by Mayer going 1-10 from three. Illinois really should have won that game they really outplayed Purdue they just pissed it away by coming out incredibly flat.
 
#532      
Sincere will be our 4th option at pg. He will likely play less. He will be behind Ty, DGL, and Harmon. This is the B10 its different that the mix tape. Sincere shot 18 percent from three in B10 play and he only took open shots which is a good thing. From the line he was 4 for 21. Those should only go up but how much is realistic. Another concern is assist vs TO. He had 29 assist and 21 turnovers. Next year he may play more 2 with all three guys leaving but I imagine we add at least one shooting 2 in the portal that starts i don't expect Ty or Harris primary position to be PG next season and ideally it wasn't the plan for this season. I hope DGL blows up .. Harris will play even less at the two being behind TSJ, Domask, & Harmon with TSJ playing over 30 minutes. I get why folks like his energy and D I do too but he isn't a B10 starting PG.
I disagree but thanks for sharing. You may be right but I think that would be foolish. Share the time. Get him in.
 
#538      

One of my biggest concerns for the team. How often does a player have significant improvement in FT shooting or 3 pt shooting? It's one reason I could see DGL getting minutes as secondary PG at the start of the season, but earning a lot more minutes, crucial minutes at the end of games, later in the season. Door is open IMO --not sure how it will play out.
 
#543      

sacraig

The desert
He's a freshman, there will be ups and downs.....but the talent he has in sky high...Think he can be one of our best guards in a while in the years to come. Him and Mikey Lewis would pair really well together
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#545      
I would buy some stock on DGL before the bandwagon starts here soon

Will be curious how he responds after inevitably dealing with adversity this season. All is well in the offseason, and sounds like he’s having one of the best summers on the team. His attitude and response to riding the pine in January after he goes under on a screen is where we’ll see his full potential. But by all accounts, DGL being a serviceable freshman PG at minimum is a good hedge to the Ty experiment and raises our floor.
 
#546      

pruman91

Paducah, Ky
I would buy some stock on DGL before the bandwagon starts here soon
yep.........glad I got in on the IPO...........(Initial Public Offering)..................I called last summer about this time the same thing on Sincere.............I think DGL will have more return than Sincere because of his offense.......If he can come close to Sincere's defense then we will have a hefty return on our investment................JMHO.............
 
#547      
yep.........glad I got in on the IPO...........(Initial Public Offering)..................I called last summer about this time the same thing on Sincere.............I think DGL will have more return than Sincere because of his offense.......If he can come close to Sincere's defense then we will have a hefty return on our investment................JMHO.............
I agree...but I'm in a quandry....is the glass half empty or half full.....some on here are worried that Ty will have trouble handling the ball and staying with quicker guards....some are worried that DGL doesn't weigh enough (reportedly 180#) and will struggle handling bigger stronger guards, fighting through screens etc....some think that Harmon hasn't enough experience against high caliber guards to compete....some think that Harris can't shoot, and will be lucky to make a dozen FT's all season long.....these are all questions to be answered...but each of these guards bring certain skills to the team that could and I think will give other teams match up problems....rather than being limited to one certain type of guard style or play... we have several guards with different skills that I think puts us in a very good position going into this season....JMO
 
#549      

pruman91

Paducah, Ky
I agree...but I'm in a quandry....is the glass half empty or half full.....some on here are worried that Ty will have trouble handling the ball and staying with quicker guards....some are worried that DGL doesn't weigh enough (reportedly 180#) and will struggle handling bigger stronger guards, fighting through screens etc....some think that Harmon hasn't enough experience against high caliber guards to compete....some think that Harris can't shoot, and will be lucky to make a dozen FT's all season long.....these are all questions to be answered...but each of these guards bring certain skills to the team that could and I think will give other teams match up problems....rather than being limited to one certain type of guard style or play... we have several guards with different skills that I think puts us in a very good position going into this season....JMO
I think you answered your quandry-ness with the bold above..........I would rather make my own mind up instead of letting someone else tell me what will be this coming season.......We are all armchair QB1's but I think I have gained some traction in my 71 yrs on Earth and am a pretty good evaluator of talent when it comes to BB , FB and baseball........

Your assessment of our plethora of different skill set's regarding our guards lead's me to agree with your stance on our guards.....We have a roster of individuals bringing their own unique talents to the squad........it is BU and staff's responsibility along with the players to achieve a much higher chemistry than last season.......

I have faith that Ty OR one OR all of the other guards will handle the PG duties and if it takes all of them to do it , then so be it........We have a much more balanced team with the new transfers and each one of them bring something different from last season......

Now is the time for unbridled hope that we will be a success and make it to the vaunted second weekend.......But why stop there ????

I can dream big time dreams............I really really can.........................Can you , Illini Nation ??

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Nuns can dream , so why can't I ??..........................

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That pruman91 is such a Muggle..........................he really really is...............................
 
#550      
He's a freshman, there will be ups and downs.....but the talent he has in sky high...Think he can be one of our best guards in a while in the years to come. Him and Mikey Lewis would pair really well together
Why did Purdue back out from him?
 
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