Illini Basketball 2025-2026

Status
Not open for further replies.
#701      
IlliDan
Mobi said:
That's what I meant. He can play C but there are no minutes. So he will have to defend at 4. A drop coverage candidate. Haha!
Click to expand...
Kinda depends if the 4 is able to shoot.Those players that have size and able to shoot well,defend are easy to find NBA,you act like most teams are laced with studs at the 4.
 
#702      
Combo
Mobi said:
That's what I meant. He can play C but there are no minutes. So he will have to defend at 4. A drop coverage candidate. Haha!
Click to expand...
If it's a quick 4, may have to use Ty at the 4. The PF spot could very well be by committee this coming year. We all know Kylan, Andrej, and Tomi are starters. And it appears Petrovic will either start or play starter minutes. However, at PF, you've got Mirk, Ben, Ty (will also play SF and maybe a bit of PG), and Z (mostly a C but will get time at PF also).
 
#705      
ptgrd23
Nobody cares about preseason rankings - see Indiana and Kansas last year

What matters is how we finish.

My hope:

B10 top 3 finish
BTT make finals
NCAA 4 seed or better
Sweet 16 or better

I think this roster is old enough and talented to have a good chance

1. Two quality 7 footers centers - Tomas and Big Z
2. Proven scorer - Andrej, and Jr backup Jake
3. Veteran good defender 2G - Kylan, Ty
4. Multiple options at 4 - Mircovic, Ben H, Ty, and Big Z
5. 22 year old new PG - Mihailo, Kylan as proven backup ball handler
6. two freshman SG's

Key questions that will determine season
1. Can we shoot 3's at 35% NCAA avg
2. Can we defend with our limited athleticism
3. Will there be good chemistry between newcomers and returning
 
#707      
NarrowJ
EmeraldCityIllini said:
Interesting point.

Most national media would probably pick flory over big t… but I think I might go big t. Bidunga is nice though.
Click to expand...

No kidding

Bidunga will turn away a ton of rim opportunities on defense, but what is he on offense? A guy who will catch a lob and shoot 53% from the line?

Tomi might go 18/10/4 this year with no mono and healthy foot/ankle.
 
#708      
1m4tr
Mirk’s release is slow but he’ll likely be the fifth option on offense if Ty isn’t in the game at the same time. He should get open looks where getting his shot off won’t be an issue. I’d rather him be slow and methodical rather than rushed and hurried. With the way Tomi passes, Mirk could get some looks in the paint where he can body his defender and get some easy looks. I’m excited about our potential for different looks that we can give. If Mirk can be a competent defender, his minutes will come. Domask could teach him a thing or two this summer.
 
#712      
PepeSilvia
Combo said:
He could play C, but PF is his position. And Tomi and Z will take virtually all the minutes at the 5. He's 6'8 w no shoes and 250 lbs and long arms.
Click to expand...
6'8 barefoot is plenty big to be a college center tbh.

Coleman Hawkins and PJ Hall both measured in at 6'8.25 last year at the combine. JT Toppin measured in at 6'7 barefoot.
 
#713      
Combo
PepeSilvia said:
6'8 barefoot is plenty big to be a college center tbh.

Coleman Hawkins and PJ Hall both measured in at 6'8.25 last year at the combine. JT Toppin measured in at 6'7 barefoot.
Click to expand...
That was my point. You "could" definitely play C, but with Tomi and Z, he probably won't.
 
#720      
zentrails
JKR said:
If you compare their stats from the last year that each played, I don't think that you can argue that Ty was significantly better than Ben. Each had strengths and weaknesses:
Click to expand...
Ben is 6'9" Ty is not, apples and oranges IMO
I'm really glad we have both although I sure hope both are coming off the bench for us
 
#722      
Mobi
IlliDan said:
Kinda depends if the 4 is able to shoot.Those players that have size and able to shoot well,defend are easy to find NBA,you act like most teams are laced with studs at the 4.
Click to expand...
Only worry about the teams who have good PFs. Truthfully I am not that worried since we have other 4 options.
 
#723      
HensonHall71
PepeSilvia said:
I don't think his play style is necessarily conducive to an impressive highlight reel but we are talking about a 6'9 250lb physical big with an incredibly smooth jumper.

Why would you not want him? The twins aren't exactly the most physical players so the frontcourt really needs someone like Mirkovic that can bang. I think there might be certain matchups where his foot speed gets exposed defensively if he's forced to guard quicker players on the perimeter but hopefully he can offset that by punishing those smaller/quicker players on the boards and inside offensively.
Click to expand...
I agree with this- if he brings us what Morez did last year on the boards, plus a little more offense being able to hit baseline jumpers, it’s a big win

We don’t need Mirk to be a dynamic offensive player just a good cutter, rebounder and keep teams honest with his outside shot and he appears to be all of that
 
#724      
PleaseMakeABowlGame
Mirkovic is more of a long term project. For this upcoming year I think there’s a solid argument for taking Ben as the more quintessential piece (as Werner and Piper mentioned on their show)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back