The number of first team votes were published. TSJ got 1. One of the other third team members got 0. The others got more.
Illini Basketball 2023-2024
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Not sure where to post this. I haven't seen any responses on the board about the announcement that Terrance is on the 3rd Team All-American. While that is certainly a great achievement, I thought he would be a 1st Team All-American. Is that not consistent with what others were thinking? Also, any reason why this doesn't seem to be being discussed?
Joel Goodson
- how was I to know, she was with the Russians too?
yeah, this is gonna be sacrilege to some (many?), but Shannon is better than late-stage Illini Ayo (yeah, the play different positions, so not exactly apples to apples. but both were alphas and usually the best player on the floor). screw the awards.
also, Shannon should be exhibit 1 in later stage development. he's massively better than he was when he got here.
also, Shannon should be exhibit 1 in later stage development. he's massively better than he was when he got here.
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
You can make an argument that Shannon is more valuable, with defense being a major reason.
Both were the most terrifying transition player in the country, done in very different ways (as was Dee Brown in a third different way, we are Fast Break U)
But in terms of which guy I would want to have the ball in his hands in a clutch moment, the sort of MJ hero-ball discourse of who is "better", it's definitely Ayo. Unreal half-court bucket-getter in crunch time.
How about he scores another 200 points or so.
Joel Goodson
- how was I to know, she was with the Russians too?
It's a fun debate and the bold rings true. Yet, in the college game, I think TSJ is an even bigger cheat-code than Ayo was. He is simply impossible to guard. He is too big, too strong, too fast, too good.
Joel Goodson
- how was I to know, she was with the Russians too?
both can be true. I agree that Shannon is an even larger impact player than Ayo was. but Ayo was game-on-the-line, clutch city
The big difference is that it is still a fast break for TSJ when two guys beat him down the floor.
Chad Fleck
- Eureka, IL
Listening to LaTulip from today's podcast. It is making me really appreciate the style of play that allows this team to work as a unit. Some observations:
* Shannon doesn't always attack the boards, because he is leaking out to get a pass to go for a break. I like this much of the time, because it allows him some rest for those breaks. He also is usually guarding a high-impact player and it has him really buckling down and running through a lot of screens. The man can't do everything and keep appropriate energy. I think it's good he's not crashing the boards all the time because of his style of play.
* LaTulip compared Domask to a middle-reliever in baseball. I might call him a 7/8th inning pitcher who can close sometimes when needed. Domask being able to do this allows Shannon, and all the other players, to rest on offense. When he can do his booty ball, the offense kind of stagnates. Normally, that would really annoy me. But when Domask gets going, it's obviously effective. Then everyone else can just spread out and wait to cut if Marcus needs a cutter, or shoot if someone doubles and the ball gets moved around. This style of play allows legs to keep fresh, and it also seems to lull the defenders to sleep and tends to cause lazy block-outs. Furthermore, Rodgers can play some booty ball when needed as well.
* Shannon doesn't always attack the boards, because he is leaking out to get a pass to go for a break. I like this much of the time, because it allows him some rest for those breaks. He also is usually guarding a high-impact player and it has him really buckling down and running through a lot of screens. The man can't do everything and keep appropriate energy. I think it's good he's not crashing the boards all the time because of his style of play.
* LaTulip compared Domask to a middle-reliever in baseball. I might call him a 7/8th inning pitcher who can close sometimes when needed. Domask being able to do this allows Shannon, and all the other players, to rest on offense. When he can do his booty ball, the offense kind of stagnates. Normally, that would really annoy me. But when Domask gets going, it's obviously effective. Then everyone else can just spread out and wait to cut if Marcus needs a cutter, or shoot if someone doubles and the ball gets moved around. This style of play allows legs to keep fresh, and it also seems to lull the defenders to sleep and tends to cause lazy block-outs. Furthermore, Rodgers can play some booty ball when needed as well.
This BTT has to have the "Brad & staff can't adjust mid-game" crowd in shambles. Multiple KEY adjustments in games and come from behind wins. Along with multiple buckets off BLOBs....Brad must be reading the board 
Joel Goodson
- how was I to know, she was with the Russians too?
hopefully, Ty can really up his booty ball game this offseason. while he may never have MD's touch, I have no doubt that a booty ball weapon, if not a monster, is quite possible
I think we may under-rate TJ in this regard, because we haven't been behind late very often. Thie team has had a tendency to turn it up in the last 7 minutes of a game and turn what had been a close game into a relatively easy looking win. Ayo made some amazing game winners, inside 10 seconds of game time. If I recall correctly, we've only had two game winning shot attempts this season. One Marcus missed at the end of regulation in the NW loss (also TJ's 1st game back), and the other was Justin's desperation drive at the end of the Penn State debacle, when we had no time to set anything up. We won or lost every other game by at least 5.
TJ's 3 pointer and subsequent steal (assisted by Marcus) in the B1G tournament championship, after Wisconsin tied it inside two minutes, show he's not one to shrink when things get tight.
After this regular season, the align, I are 10th all-time in AP poll appearances…
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That would certainly be great. I'd feel better about his chances if he could shoot free throws better. If you can't shoot those, you probably can't shoot a fadeaway, and if you can't shoot a fadeaway, the defender just needs to keep you from pivoting under/around him. So he has a lot of work to do on his shot.
Domask is special with his combination of footwork, ability to make constested/fadeaway jump shots, and strength/size/touch around the rim. It takes a double team or Edey camping under the basket to stop him.
Joel Goodson
- how was I to know, she was with the Russians too?
Rodgers has good footwork, albeit not in the same league as Domask (elite). Ty also has spin moves that are really good. He's missed a lot of bunnies. Needs to cut those way down. His FT percentage is up dramatically from freshman year. This is a work-in-progress, to be sure, but comfort and experience sometimes help a ton. That's what I'm hoping for here. One thing's for sure, we know work isn't an issue.
Very true. At this rate, he'll be above 85% next year
Before the Illini take the court in the great Tournament just ahead, I want to say...
To Coach Underwood,
Thank you for coming to the U of I all those years ago.
Thank you for restoring the Illini Basketball program to the high and elite level where it should always be.
Thank you for your tireless work in leading and mentoring young men at a critical time in their lives... to be better basketball players and to be better human beings.
Thank you for looking ahead and seeing how you can further build the Illini program and in finding players that can fit in and energize the team and program in the years ahead.
Thank you for being a steady hand in the whirlwind and chaotic environment that is major college basketball.
Thank you for understanding the great roundball tradition in the State of Illinois and honoring that with your work and words.
Thank you for the great regular and Big Ten tournament season we’ve all just seen and enjoyed.
And thank you for leading Ilini Nation into this... the greatest time of the year for any and all roundball fans around the World.
Thank you... and best wishes in the great Fighting Illini pursuit of the biggest and greatest trophy yet that can be added to the Illini trophy case.
And to Illini Nation... thank you for your passion for this sport and for this team. Your level of interest and energy for this great game is unmatched by any fan base... anywhere in the World.
Yes, it's a Game. But it is also so much more...
To Coach Underwood,
Thank you for coming to the U of I all those years ago.
Thank you for restoring the Illini Basketball program to the high and elite level where it should always be.
Thank you for your tireless work in leading and mentoring young men at a critical time in their lives... to be better basketball players and to be better human beings.
Thank you for looking ahead and seeing how you can further build the Illini program and in finding players that can fit in and energize the team and program in the years ahead.
Thank you for being a steady hand in the whirlwind and chaotic environment that is major college basketball.
Thank you for understanding the great roundball tradition in the State of Illinois and honoring that with your work and words.
Thank you for the great regular and Big Ten tournament season we’ve all just seen and enjoyed.
And thank you for leading Ilini Nation into this... the greatest time of the year for any and all roundball fans around the World.
Thank you... and best wishes in the great Fighting Illini pursuit of the biggest and greatest trophy yet that can be added to the Illini trophy case.
And to Illini Nation... thank you for your passion for this sport and for this team. Your level of interest and energy for this great game is unmatched by any fan base... anywhere in the World.
Yes, it's a Game. But it is also so much more...
It appears TSJ will have to have a first and second team in the remining two All-American teams to be certain of being a consensus All-American Second Team player (although 2 second teams would probably be enough). His performance at the B1G tourney and the fact that he is poised to become the all-time single season scoring leader at Illinois despite missing 6 games should be enough, absent the off court issues. I'm hoping they just consider the basketball. Would like to see his jersey hanging.
JFGsCoffeeMug
BU:1 Trash cans:0
- Chicago
Does anyone know why these awards are timed like this? Why is SN announcing their teams before conference tournaments are over? And why is the AP announcing theirs before the NCAA tournament even begins?
Aren't these meant to be total season awards?
Aren't these meant to be total season awards?
I don't know if I have ever seen Ty shoot a jump shot outside the paint? If he has, it is not many.
He's 0 for 0 from 3. Hopefully, by next season, he has the confidence to at least attempt one. He's such a good athlete, I have a hard time believing he can't get to 30%... He'd still be considered a non-shooter, but they'd have to respect him a little.
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