Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

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#27      
mysterio2525
WolfpackIllini said:
So... will we be pursuing Desmond Claude now?
Do we have NIL for him?
Click to expand...
Lets Get This Party Started GIF by SPORT1
 
#29      
New Creation
Second place is 1st loser said:
It's not a matter of having the fire power. We'll score enough to win a ton of games. We have a lot of skill. If there is one issue with the offense, it's probably that we don't have a group capable of getting "greasy" buckets. Dump it in the paint, get on the offensive glass, play volleyball against the backboard until we get a lay in or funk. We got a lot of offensive rebounds last year because we shot a ton of threes and we chased down long rebounds. That was just bad offense, but helped the efficiency numbers.

Where this team is going to struggle and where the losses will mount up will be on the defensive end. Where the perimeter skill and finesse is offensively tough to stop, the flip side is that we're going to be an awful team defensively. We're not going to have a ton of lateral quickness on the perimeter, we're going to struggle keeping guards out of the lane, which ultimately puts our bigs in a tough spot. Then, while we're tall, we're not physical or overly athletic. It's going to be a very similar situation to the struggles we had versus bouncy, physical, athletic front courts. Some feel like it's Hamer(people on this board) and some feel like it's the personnel(Werner, Piper, etc). I, personally, can poke a lot more holes in the personnel versus the scheme. This team would probably benefit from playing more of a matchup zone, but that's not something that you just implement in a practice here and there. That's a full off-season dedication of perfecting it if that's going to be what you roll with. Now, you can throw a token zone in here and there as a quick change, but ultimately, you go back to your base defense, which is where the full dedication and buy in is all summer and fall long.

Like last year, we're going to win a lot of games in fashions that are just a picture of beauty. Threes will be going down, the flow of the offense will be stellar and we'll win 101-75.

Then there will be games that the offensive flow is there, but we just can make stops on defense and lose or win 92-88.

Then, there will be games where we're 4-24(after we start 3 for 3) from three and we get mauled in the pain and lose by 15.

Defense travels and is always a constant. Offense does not and is not. The NCAA Tournament last year was the perfect example of who and what this team will be. We were breathtaking versus Xavier, who was athletically in our realm, then there was Kentucky and an average Kentucky at that. They just had superior athletes and had a lot more ways to win.

IMO.....forget the firepower of this team and focus on the defense. That will determine the ceiling of this team.. JMO
Click to expand...

I agree—we have only two players who truly pride themselves on defense: Bam and Ty. Beyond them, we lack defensive players who will play meaningful minutes. Coach Underwood has clearly prioritized offense, banking on opponents missing shots rather than building a strong defensive identity. We’ll be a scary, offensively talented team, but no one will fear us defensively. If our center can nearly average a triple-double, maybe we’ll emulate the Denver Nuggets’ success.


I said this last year, and almost everyone criticized me, telling me to leave the board. Then, the season unfolded exactly as I predicted. I’m not ready to make record predictions yet—I’ll wait until the exhibition game. Last year’s Ole Miss game was a 100% accurate indicator of how the season would go. Maybe this team will surprise us and become a top-20 defensive squad. But if Hamer remains the defensive coordinator without Underwood taking over the defense, we’ll likely end up as another “what if” team. If we can be coached to play consistent defense, we’ll be dangerous. However, after the last 3-4 seasons, it’s hard to have hope we’ll be strong defensively.

Here is a defense break down of our Illini that last few seasons via AI:

The narrative around Illinois’ defense often paints them as a physically imposing team, but the stats reveal vulnerabilities, particularly in recent seasons. While they’ve historically been strong in the paint and on the boards, their perimeter defense has deteriorated, as seen in the 2024-25 season’s poor 3-point defense ranking. The late-season defensive collapses in 2023-24 and early 2025 suggest potential issues with coaching adjustments, player fatigue, or roster construction—specifically, a lack of consistent perimeter defenders. The reliance on a few key defensive players (e.g., Shannon Jr., Hawkins) without depth in defensive versatility may be a systemic issue under Underwood’s system, which has shifted toward more offensive-minded play in recent years.


I'll attach the stats to the next post.
 
#30      
New Creation
New Creation said:
I'll attach the stats to the next post.
Click to expand...
Critical Perspective: The establishment narrative often highlights Illinois’ physicality and paint presence, but KenPom data reveals a troubling trend of late-season defensive collapses

2021-22 Season

  • Adjusted Defensive Efficiency: Specific KenPom rankings for this season aren’t directly referenced, but Illinois had a strong defensive reputation under Brad Underwood. In 2019-20, they ranked 35th in KenPom defensive efficiency, and their 2021-22 roster included defensive stalwarts like Trent Frazier and Kofi Cockburn, suggesting they likely maintained a top-50 ranking, possibly around 30th-40th.
  • Steals and Blocks: Exact numbers aren’t available, but players like Da’Monte Williams contributed to a gritty defensive style, likely averaging around 6-7 steals and 3-4 blocks per game based on their defensive approach.
  • Rebounding: Illinois was known for strong rebounding, a key defensive component to limit second-chance points. They likely averaged around 35-37 rebounds per game, with a focus on defensive boards, though exact stats aren’t provided.

2022-23 Season​


  • Adjusted Defensive Efficiency: Early in the season, Illinois ranked highly in defensive metrics, with posts noting they were No. 1 in effective field goal percentage (eFG%) defense and No. 1 in 2-point defense (allowing 36.3%) through seven games. While a season-long KenPom ranking isn’t available, this suggests a top-20 defensive efficiency ranking early on, possibly slipping to top-30 by season’s end due to inconsistency.
  • Steals and Blocks: Illinois recorded 162 blocks by February 23, 2023, averaging 5.8 blocks per game, leading the Big Ten and ranking third nationally. Steals per game aren’t specified but likely hovered around 6-7 based on their defensive style.
  • Rebounding: They ranked No. 19 in defensive rebound rate early in the season, indicating strength in securing misses, likely averaging around 36-38 rebounds per game.

2023-24 Season​


  • Adjusted Defensive Efficiency: Illinois had a season-long defensive efficiency of 98.4, which is strong (lower is better), ranking them among the top 30-40 nationally. However, in their last three games (against Iowa, Penn State, and Maryland), their defensive efficiency dropped to 113.5, equivalent to a 355th national ranking if sustained. Their overall KenPom ranking fell to 68th, the lowest since 2018-19, reflecting late-season defensive struggles.
  • Steals and Blocks: Specific numbers aren’t available, but players like Coleman Hawkins and Ty Rodgers contributed defensively. Steals and blocks likely dropped late in the season, possibly averaging 5-6 steals and 3-4 blocks per game.
  • Rebounding: Defensive rebounding stats aren’t detailed, but Illinois’ physical style suggests they maintained a solid defensive rebounding rate, likely around 35-37 rebounds per game.

2024-25 Season​


  • Adjusted Defensive Efficiency: Illinois started strong, ranking 10th in defensive efficiency on January 17, 2025, with an overall KenPom ranking of 8th. By February 25, 2025, after blowout losses to Wisconsin and Duke, their defensive efficiency fell to 34th, with an overall ranking of 22nd. Over the past 30 days (as of February 19, 2025), they ranked No. 112 in adjusted defensive efficiency, showing a significant decline.
  • Steals and Blocks: The team averages 4.4 steals per game (Kylan Boswell at 1.1 steals per game) and 4.2 blocks per game (Morez Johnson at 1.2 blocks per game), per ESPN and FOX Sports stats.
  • Rebounding: Illinois averages 39.6 rebounds per game (1st overall), with a rebounding differential of 9.4. They allow opponents to shoot 46.1% from two-point range (No. 19 nationally), showing strength inside, but their perimeter defense struggles (No. 336 in 3-point percentage defense).

Trends and Critical Analysis​


  • Defensive Efficiency: Illinois’ defensive efficiency has been inconsistent. They peaked early in 2024-25 (10th on January 17) but fell to 34th by February 25 and No. 112 over the last 30 days as of February 19, 2025. The 2023-24 season showed a similar late collapse (113.5 over the final three games). This pattern suggests issues with defensive consistency, possibly due to roster turnover, coaching adjustments, or fatigue. KenPom’s historical criteria for national champions (top-31 defense) indicate Illinois met this threshold in 2024-25 (as of March 9, 2025), but their late-season struggles cast doubt on their reliability.
  • Steals and Blocks: Illinois has been stronger in blocks (5.8 per game in 2022-23, 4.2 in 2024-25) than steals (4.4 in 2024-25), reflecting a focus on interior defense over perimeter pressure. Their steal numbers are underwhelming, suggesting they don’t force many turnovers through guard play.
  • Rebounding: A consistent strength, with 39.6 rebounds per game in 2024-25 (1st overall) and a high defensive rebound rate in 2022-23 (No. 19). This helps limit second-chance points, a key defensive metric, though it hasn’t fully offset perimeter defensive weaknesses.
  • Two-Point Defense: Illinois has been solid inside, allowing just 46.1% from two-point range in 2024-25 (No. 19 nationally), likely due to players like Morez Johnson and Tomislav Ivisic dominating the paint. However, their perimeter defense has been a weakness, especially in 2024-25, where they rank No. 336 in 3-point percentage defense.
  • Critical Perspective: The establishment narrative often highlights Illinois’ physicality and paint presence, but KenPom data reveals a troubling trend of late-season defensive collapses. Their perimeter defense, particularly in 2024-25 (No. 336 in 3-point defense), is a glaring weakness that undermines their interior strength. While players like Morez Johnson and Tomislav Ivisic bolster the paint, the lack of consistent perimeter defenders (e.g., after losing players like Shannon Jr.) has hurt their overall defensive profile. Brad Underwood’s shift toward an offensive focus (top-20 offensive efficiency in 2024-25) may be compromising their defensive identity, a risky trade-off for a team with NCAA title aspirations.

Trends and Analysis​


  • Defensive Efficiency Decline: Illinois’ defense has been inconsistent over the last 3-4 years. They started strong in 2022-23, ranking No. 1 in eFG% defense early on, but by 2023-24, their defensive efficiency fell dramatically late in the season (113.5 over the last three games). This trend continued into 2024-25, with a defensive efficiency ranking of No. 112 over the past 30 days as of February 2025. This suggests a pattern of late-season defensive struggles under Brad Underwood, a departure from their earlier reputation for grit and toughness.
  • Blocks and Steals: Illinois has maintained a strong shot-blocking presence, particularly in 2022-23 (5.8 blocks per game) and 2024-25 (4.2 blocks per game). Their steals have been less impressive, with only 4.4 per game in 2024-25, indicating they don’t force many turnovers through aggressive perimeter defense.
  • Rebounding Strength: Rebounding, especially defensive rebounding, has been a consistent strength. Their 2024-25 ranking of 1st overall in rebounds per game (39.6) and a high defensive rebound rate in 2022-23 (No. 19) show they effectively limit second-chance opportunities, a key defensive asset.
  • Two-Point Defense: Illinois has been solid inside, allowing just 46.1% from two-point range in 2024-25 (No. 19 nationally), likely due to players like Morez Johnson and Tomislav Ivisic dominating the paint. However, their perimeter defense has been a weakness, especially in 2024-25, where they rank No. 336 in 3-point percentage defense.
 
#32      
IllinoisssssssVarsity
Second place is 1st loser said:
It's not a matter of having the fire power. We'll score enough to win a ton of games. We have a lot of skill. If there is one issue with the offense, it's probably that we don't have a group capable of getting "greasy" buckets. Dump it in the paint, get on the offensive glass, play volleyball against the backboard until we get a lay in or funk. We got a lot of offensive rebounds last year because we shot a ton of threes and we chased down long rebounds. That was just bad offense, but helped the efficiency numbers.

Where this team is going to struggle and where the losses will mount up will be on the defensive end. Where the perimeter skill and finesse is offensively tough to stop, the flip side is that we're going to be an awful team defensively. We're not going to have a ton of lateral quickness on the perimeter, we're going to struggle keeping guards out of the lane, which ultimately puts our bigs in a tough spot. Then, while we're tall, we're not physical or overly athletic. It's going to be a very similar situation to the struggles we had versus bouncy, physical, athletic front courts. Some feel like it's Hamer(people on this board) and some feel like it's the personnel(Werner, Piper, etc). I, personally, can poke a lot more holes in the personnel versus the scheme. This team would probably benefit from playing more of a matchup zone, but that's not something that you just implement in a practice here and there. That's a full off-season dedication of perfecting it if that's going to be what you roll with. Now, you can throw a token zone in here and there as a quick change, but ultimately, you go back to your base defense, which is where the full dedication and buy in is all summer and fall long.

Like last year, we're going to win a lot of games in fashions that are just a picture of beauty. Threes will be going down, the flow of the offense will be stellar and we'll win 101-75.

Then there will be games that the offensive flow is there, but we just can make stops on defense and lose or win 92-88.

Then, there will be games where we're 4-24(after we start 3 for 3) from three and we get mauled in the pain and lose by 15.

Defense travels and is always a constant. Offense does not and is not. The NCAA Tournament last year was the perfect example of who and what this team will be. We were breathtaking versus Xavier, who was athletically in our realm, then there was Kentucky and an average Kentucky at that. They just had superior athletes and had a lot more ways to win.

IMO.....forget the firepower of this team and focus on the defense. That will determine the ceiling of this team.. JMO
Click to expand...
Lack of athleticism is a legitimate concern. It’s almost like we don’t even try to get athletic dudes.

If our defense can be anything, we can be really good, cause the offense should be rolling.
 
#34      
CoalCity
WolfpackIllini said:
So... will we be pursuing Desmond Claude now?
Do we have NIL for him?
Click to expand...
His skillset seems pretty similar to Andrej. I think the only guy Illinois would drop a big bag on at this point would be Will if he gets bad feedback at the combine. What's KU's roster look like, seems like a guy Self could find a spot for
 
#36      
PepeSilvia
IllinoisssssssVarsity said:
Lack of athleticism is a legitimate concern. It’s almost like we don’t even try to get athletic dudes.

If our defense can be anything, we can be really good, cause the offense should be rolling.
Click to expand...
I mean the team two years ago with basically all athletes outside of Domask but even he was strong and had good positional size(he also moved better than he gets credit for).

There was no reason for that teams defensive efficiency to be that bad and they could definitely turn it on at times which makes me think it was a coaching issue.

The one thing they were truly missing was a rim protector but even without that they should have been better than 80th in the country per Kenpom.
 
#37      
NarrowJ
Obviously I've been paying attention to B1G additions with the roster tracker spreadsheet, but I also can't help but notice the adds by other notable programs.

I think with the 'COVID years' players cycling out, that roster quality is way down across the country and not only in the B1G. Looking at the current B1G rosters, there are going to be a lot of really bad teams in conference this season. Lot of programs stripped thin and the portal is also lacking as far as impact players. There are a few left, but mostly what is out there is just going to be roster-filler types. Once you get past the top 6-7 available players there just isn't much out there to be had that is going to vault expectations for a program by adding these players. There also isn't the same large number of guys in the draft who will be coming back to college as there have been in year's past. You also have guys like Nate Bittle, Yaxel Lendeborg, Danny Wolf who likely stay in the draft.

We've done extremely well this offseason given the lack of available portal talent. You see a program like Kentucky adding a guy like Reece Potter (7'1 215lb center who averaged 6 ppg at a low major last year), Alabama adding a guy like Keitenn Bristow (another unimpressive low-major guy) or St Johns adding Handje Tamba (1.7 ppg at a low-major and sat out last year) and that is fairly telling, to me. Those are only a small handful of examples, but this is happening and will be continuing to happen the remainder of the offseason as power conference teams have to pick from what's left in what is now a pretty talent-bare portal. Also, I do realize Kentucky does have a pretty good roster overall, but I also wouldn't label it as 'super impressive' for the money they apparently spent. We don't appear to have reached with any of our targets this offseason, and now time will tell, but that's my honest feeling with the additions we have.

Will be real interesting to see what power conference rosters look like in a few months after teams have finished filling out rosters.
 
#38      
Dr Copejam
New Creation said:
Critical Perspective: The establishment narrative often highlights Illinois’ physicality and paint presence, but KenPom data reveals a troubling trend of late-season defensive collapses

2021-22 Season

  • Adjusted Defensive Efficiency: Specific KenPom rankings for this season aren’t directly referenced, but Illinois had a strong defensive reputation under Brad Underwood. In 2019-20, they ranked 35th in KenPom defensive efficiency, and their 2021-22 roster included defensive stalwarts like Trent Frazier and Kofi Cockburn, suggesting they likely maintained a top-50 ranking, possibly around 30th-40th.
  • Steals and Blocks: Exact numbers aren’t available, but players like Da’Monte Williams contributed to a gritty defensive style, likely averaging around 6-7 steals and 3-4 blocks per game based on their defensive approach.
  • Rebounding: Illinois was known for strong rebounding, a key defensive component to limit second-chance points. They likely averaged around 35-37 rebounds per game, with a focus on defensive boards, though exact stats aren’t provided.

2022-23 Season​


  • Adjusted Defensive Efficiency: Early in the season, Illinois ranked highly in defensive metrics, with posts noting they were No. 1 in effective field goal percentage (eFG%) defense and No. 1 in 2-point defense (allowing 36.3%) through seven games. While a season-long KenPom ranking isn’t available, this suggests a top-20 defensive efficiency ranking early on, possibly slipping to top-30 by season’s end due to inconsistency.
  • Steals and Blocks: Illinois recorded 162 blocks by February 23, 2023, averaging 5.8 blocks per game, leading the Big Ten and ranking third nationally. Steals per game aren’t specified but likely hovered around 6-7 based on their defensive style.
  • Rebounding: They ranked No. 19 in defensive rebound rate early in the season, indicating strength in securing misses, likely averaging around 36-38 rebounds per game.

2023-24 Season​


  • Adjusted Defensive Efficiency: Illinois had a season-long defensive efficiency of 98.4, which is strong (lower is better), ranking them among the top 30-40 nationally. However, in their last three games (against Iowa, Penn State, and Maryland), their defensive efficiency dropped to 113.5, equivalent to a 355th national ranking if sustained. Their overall KenPom ranking fell to 68th, the lowest since 2018-19, reflecting late-season defensive struggles.
  • Steals and Blocks: Specific numbers aren’t available, but players like Coleman Hawkins and Ty Rodgers contributed defensively. Steals and blocks likely dropped late in the season, possibly averaging 5-6 steals and 3-4 blocks per game.
  • Rebounding: Defensive rebounding stats aren’t detailed, but Illinois’ physical style suggests they maintained a solid defensive rebounding rate, likely around 35-37 rebounds per game.

2024-25 Season​


  • Adjusted Defensive Efficiency: Illinois started strong, ranking 10th in defensive efficiency on January 17, 2025, with an overall KenPom ranking of 8th. By February 25, 2025, after blowout losses to Wisconsin and Duke, their defensive efficiency fell to 34th, with an overall ranking of 22nd. Over the past 30 days (as of February 19, 2025), they ranked No. 112 in adjusted defensive efficiency, showing a significant decline.
  • Steals and Blocks: The team averages 4.4 steals per game (Kylan Boswell at 1.1 steals per game) and 4.2 blocks per game (Morez Johnson at 1.2 blocks per game), per ESPN and FOX Sports stats.
  • Rebounding: Illinois averages 39.6 rebounds per game (1st overall), with a rebounding differential of 9.4. They allow opponents to shoot 46.1% from two-point range (No. 19 nationally), showing strength inside, but their perimeter defense struggles (No. 336 in 3-point percentage defense).

Trends and Critical Analysis​


  • Defensive Efficiency: Illinois’ defensive efficiency has been inconsistent. They peaked early in 2024-25 (10th on January 17) but fell to 34th by February 25 and No. 112 over the last 30 days as of February 19, 2025. The 2023-24 season showed a similar late collapse (113.5 over the final three games). This pattern suggests issues with defensive consistency, possibly due to roster turnover, coaching adjustments, or fatigue. KenPom’s historical criteria for national champions (top-31 defense) indicate Illinois met this threshold in 2024-25 (as of March 9, 2025), but their late-season struggles cast doubt on their reliability.
  • Steals and Blocks: Illinois has been stronger in blocks (5.8 per game in 2022-23, 4.2 in 2024-25) than steals (4.4 in 2024-25), reflecting a focus on interior defense over perimeter pressure. Their steal numbers are underwhelming, suggesting they don’t force many turnovers through guard play.
  • Rebounding: A consistent strength, with 39.6 rebounds per game in 2024-25 (1st overall) and a high defensive rebound rate in 2022-23 (No. 19). This helps limit second-chance points, a key defensive metric, though it hasn’t fully offset perimeter defensive weaknesses.
  • Two-Point Defense: Illinois has been solid inside, allowing just 46.1% from two-point range in 2024-25 (No. 19 nationally), likely due to players like Morez Johnson and Tomislav Ivisic dominating the paint. However, their perimeter defense has been a weakness, especially in 2024-25, where they rank No. 336 in 3-point percentage defense.
  • Critical Perspective: The establishment narrative often highlights Illinois’ physicality and paint presence, but KenPom data reveals a troubling trend of late-season defensive collapses. Their perimeter defense, particularly in 2024-25 (No. 336 in 3-point defense), is a glaring weakness that undermines their interior strength. While players like Morez Johnson and Tomislav Ivisic bolster the paint, the lack of consistent perimeter defenders (e.g., after losing players like Shannon Jr.) has hurt their overall defensive profile. Brad Underwood’s shift toward an offensive focus (top-20 offensive efficiency in 2024-25) may be compromising their defensive identity, a risky trade-off for a team with NCAA title aspirations.

Trends and Analysis​


  • Defensive Efficiency Decline: Illinois’ defense has been inconsistent over the last 3-4 years. They started strong in 2022-23, ranking No. 1 in eFG% defense early on, but by 2023-24, their defensive efficiency fell dramatically late in the season (113.5 over the last three games). This trend continued into 2024-25, with a defensive efficiency ranking of No. 112 over the past 30 days as of February 2025. This suggests a pattern of late-season defensive struggles under Brad Underwood, a departure from their earlier reputation for grit and toughness.
  • Blocks and Steals: Illinois has maintained a strong shot-blocking presence, particularly in 2022-23 (5.8 blocks per game) and 2024-25 (4.2 blocks per game). Their steals have been less impressive, with only 4.4 per game in 2024-25, indicating they don’t force many turnovers through aggressive perimeter defense.
  • Rebounding Strength: Rebounding, especially defensive rebounding, has been a consistent strength. Their 2024-25 ranking of 1st overall in rebounds per game (39.6) and a high defensive rebound rate in 2022-23 (No. 19) show they effectively limit second-chance opportunities, a key defensive asset.
  • Two-Point Defense: Illinois has been solid inside, allowing just 46.1% from two-point range in 2024-25 (No. 19 nationally), likely due to players like Morez Johnson and Tomislav Ivisic dominating the paint. However, their perimeter defense has been a weakness, especially in 2024-25, where they rank No. 336 in 3-point percentage defense.
Click to expand...
GIF by FirstAndMonday
 
#41      
ImGonnaBeILL
Defensively (presuming no changes in scheme)
Tomi = Tomi
Ty > Tre
Andrej > Will
Boswell = Boswell
Petrovic << KJ (Petro's quickness will be fun to watch offensively but think he'll get lit up like a Christmas tree on the other end. Ty gives you another multi-positional defender to hide Petrovic on that end)

Anyone outside Ty starts at the 4, I'd think it's a downgrade from Tre defensively. And a large one playing alongside Tomi. Frankly I think it could be disastrous.

I don't think anyone doubts the Illini will score points whomever is starting at the 4. Bigger question is will they stop/outscore anyone if Ty's not starting there
 
#42      
80'sIllini
Combo said:
Right. I guess by firepower I meant athletic talent. We are quite unathletic, which will make defending a challenge. The only plus athletes I see are Ty and Z (I don't know about the 2 incoming FR).
Click to expand...
KB is a plus athlete and perimeter defender. Ty is not really tall enough to contain a skilled and athletic 4 who may be 6'8"+ but he can guard a 3 quite well.
 
#43      
Rich
How deep is BYU's wallet?
 
#44      
Altuve27
Is a assistant coaching change/addition still a thing once Aderson’s contract comes off the books?
 
#47      
Illini92and96
New Creation said:
Critical Perspective: The establishment narrative often highlights Illinois’ physicality and paint presence, but KenPom data reveals a troubling trend of late-season defensive collapses

2021-22 Season

  • Adjusted Defensive Efficiency: Specific KenPom rankings for this season aren’t directly referenced, but Illinois had a strong defensive reputation under Brad Underwood. In 2019-20, they ranked 35th in KenPom defensive efficiency, and their 2021-22 roster included defensive stalwarts like Trent Frazier and Kofi Cockburn, suggesting they likely maintained a top-50 ranking, possibly around 30th-40th.
  • Steals and Blocks: Exact numbers aren’t available, but players like Da’Monte Williams contributed to a gritty defensive style, likely averaging around 6-7 steals and 3-4 blocks per game based on their defensive approach.
  • Rebounding: Illinois was known for strong rebounding, a key defensive component to limit second-chance points. They likely averaged around 35-37 rebounds per game, with a focus on defensive boards, though exact stats aren’t provided.

2022-23 Season​


  • Adjusted Defensive Efficiency: Early in the season, Illinois ranked highly in defensive metrics, with posts noting they were No. 1 in effective field goal percentage (eFG%) defense and No. 1 in 2-point defense (allowing 36.3%) through seven games. While a season-long KenPom ranking isn’t available, this suggests a top-20 defensive efficiency ranking early on, possibly slipping to top-30 by season’s end due to inconsistency.
  • Steals and Blocks: Illinois recorded 162 blocks by February 23, 2023, averaging 5.8 blocks per game, leading the Big Ten and ranking third nationally. Steals per game aren’t specified but likely hovered around 6-7 based on their defensive style.
  • Rebounding: They ranked No. 19 in defensive rebound rate early in the season, indicating strength in securing misses, likely averaging around 36-38 rebounds per game.

2023-24 Season​


  • Adjusted Defensive Efficiency: Illinois had a season-long defensive efficiency of 98.4, which is strong (lower is better), ranking them among the top 30-40 nationally. However, in their last three games (against Iowa, Penn State, and Maryland), their defensive efficiency dropped to 113.5, equivalent to a 355th national ranking if sustained. Their overall KenPom ranking fell to 68th, the lowest since 2018-19, reflecting late-season defensive struggles.
  • Steals and Blocks: Specific numbers aren’t available, but players like Coleman Hawkins and Ty Rodgers contributed defensively. Steals and blocks likely dropped late in the season, possibly averaging 5-6 steals and 3-4 blocks per game.
  • Rebounding: Defensive rebounding stats aren’t detailed, but Illinois’ physical style suggests they maintained a solid defensive rebounding rate, likely around 35-37 rebounds per game.

2024-25 Season​


  • Adjusted Defensive Efficiency: Illinois started strong, ranking 10th in defensive efficiency on January 17, 2025, with an overall KenPom ranking of 8th. By February 25, 2025, after blowout losses to Wisconsin and Duke, their defensive efficiency fell to 34th, with an overall ranking of 22nd. Over the past 30 days (as of February 19, 2025), they ranked No. 112 in adjusted defensive efficiency, showing a significant decline.
  • Steals and Blocks: The team averages 4.4 steals per game (Kylan Boswell at 1.1 steals per game) and 4.2 blocks per game (Morez Johnson at 1.2 blocks per game), per ESPN and FOX Sports stats.
  • Rebounding: Illinois averages 39.6 rebounds per game (1st overall), with a rebounding differential of 9.4. They allow opponents to shoot 46.1% from two-point range (No. 19 nationally), showing strength inside, but their perimeter defense struggles (No. 336 in 3-point percentage defense).

Trends and Critical Analysis​


  • Defensive Efficiency: Illinois’ defensive efficiency has been inconsistent. They peaked early in 2024-25 (10th on January 17) but fell to 34th by February 25 and No. 112 over the last 30 days as of February 19, 2025. The 2023-24 season showed a similar late collapse (113.5 over the final three games). This pattern suggests issues with defensive consistency, possibly due to roster turnover, coaching adjustments, or fatigue. KenPom’s historical criteria for national champions (top-31 defense) indicate Illinois met this threshold in 2024-25 (as of March 9, 2025), but their late-season struggles cast doubt on their reliability.
  • Steals and Blocks: Illinois has been stronger in blocks (5.8 per game in 2022-23, 4.2 in 2024-25) than steals (4.4 in 2024-25), reflecting a focus on interior defense over perimeter pressure. Their steal numbers are underwhelming, suggesting they don’t force many turnovers through guard play.
  • Rebounding: A consistent strength, with 39.6 rebounds per game in 2024-25 (1st overall) and a high defensive rebound rate in 2022-23 (No. 19). This helps limit second-chance points, a key defensive metric, though it hasn’t fully offset perimeter defensive weaknesses.
  • Two-Point Defense: Illinois has been solid inside, allowing just 46.1% from two-point range in 2024-25 (No. 19 nationally), likely due to players like Morez Johnson and Tomislav Ivisic dominating the paint. However, their perimeter defense has been a weakness, especially in 2024-25, where they rank No. 336 in 3-point percentage defense.
  • Critical Perspective: The establishment narrative often highlights Illinois’ physicality and paint presence, but KenPom data reveals a troubling trend of late-season defensive collapses. Their perimeter defense, particularly in 2024-25 (No. 336 in 3-point defense), is a glaring weakness that undermines their interior strength. While players like Morez Johnson and Tomislav Ivisic bolster the paint, the lack of consistent perimeter defenders (e.g., after losing players like Shannon Jr.) has hurt their overall defensive profile. Brad Underwood’s shift toward an offensive focus (top-20 offensive efficiency in 2024-25) may be compromising their defensive identity, a risky trade-off for a team with NCAA title aspirations.

Trends and Analysis​


  • Defensive Efficiency Decline: Illinois’ defense has been inconsistent over the last 3-4 years. They started strong in 2022-23, ranking No. 1 in eFG% defense early on, but by 2023-24, their defensive efficiency fell dramatically late in the season (113.5 over the last three games). This trend continued into 2024-25, with a defensive efficiency ranking of No. 112 over the past 30 days as of February 2025. This suggests a pattern of late-season defensive struggles under Brad Underwood, a departure from their earlier reputation for grit and toughness.
  • Blocks and Steals: Illinois has maintained a strong shot-blocking presence, particularly in 2022-23 (5.8 blocks per game) and 2024-25 (4.2 blocks per game). Their steals have been less impressive, with only 4.4 per game in 2024-25, indicating they don’t force many turnovers through aggressive perimeter defense.
  • Rebounding Strength: Rebounding, especially defensive rebounding, has been a consistent strength. Their 2024-25 ranking of 1st overall in rebounds per game (39.6) and a high defensive rebound rate in 2022-23 (No. 19) show they effectively limit second-chance opportunities, a key defensive asset.
  • Two-Point Defense: Illinois has been solid inside, allowing just 46.1% from two-point range in 2024-25 (No. 19 nationally), likely due to players like Morez Johnson and Tomislav Ivisic dominating the paint. However, their perimeter defense has been a weakness, especially in 2024-25, where they rank No. 336 in 3-point percentage defense.
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I ran your AI readout through AI and this is what it returned.

"Illinois will get lots of points from numerous players named "Ic", two of which appear to be the same person. Comrade Brad becoming fluent in Slavic obscenities will be a key to motivating the team"
 
#48      
ptgrd23
AAU a waste of time. No defense, passing or player development.

It all depends how Tryan spends his time. European players practice all week and have only 1 game per week. If Tyran does skill development all week he will improve.

JMO- AAU has been a terrible development for college basketball. Makes kids into prima donna's who only care about stats. When they played with same HS teams for 4 years the HS coach cared about winning, team work, player development and HS academics.
 
#50      
foby
Illini92and96 said:
I ran your AI readout through AI and this is what it returned.

"Illinois will get lots of points from numerous players named "Ic", two of which appear to be the same person. Comrade Brad becoming fluent in Slavic obscenities will be a key to motivating the team"
Click to expand...
Nothing about cigarettes? AI still has so much to learn.
 
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