GrayGhost77
- Centennial, CO
We'll be deeper than last year, even with Ty out for the first part of the season. Can't wait for the season to start.
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread
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To be fair, in the first year of Hamer we went to the elite 8…which probably gave him more leash even with the bad AdjD numbers.
The second year actually saw improvement in the efficiency numbers. But we didn’t have the same high octane offense (aka TSJ absolutely schooling everyone) to cover up defensive miscues and a senior laden team that that was nearly un-phaseable.
The 2nd year the defense looked ok on paper but I think BU knows he’s not going far in March or in the B1G with an okay defense.
But given all the variables, I think the 2 year span of this whole thing wasn’t that egregious.
what's noticeable is that in both of those seasons there was a pretty fair pattern - to start the season really great (first 2-2.5 months), then the next two months rather very bad, and at the end somewhat compatible and "okay." Whatever that's attributed to... at the end of the day the performance was nothing more than "okay" at best. BU came to terms, and made the staff adjustment.
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Maybe our 23ppg scorer missing a month of games and practices in the middle of the season
Maybe our 2 best players being injured and a swath of mono passed around the team in the middle of the season
Although I do still agree with the general argument that we needed to try something/someone different defensively this season, so I’m happy to see that come to fruition
Keonte Jones would also be a great add IMO. He seems quite a bit more realistic given Monsanto's eligibility situation.
Not everyone should be allowed to have opinions!
Are we really deeper than last year? Also, if Ty's injury is an ACL than he's going to miss the entire season not just the first part.
Definitely have more interior depth this year with Tomislav, Zvonimir, and Mirkovic vs just Tomislav and Morez last year.
I don't really see it on the perimeter though. Should have Petrovic, Boswell, Stojakovic, Humrichous, and Davis with maybe some contributions from a freshman Brandon Lee(or Wagler maybe).
Last year we had a lottery pick in Kasparis, Riley, Tre White, Boswell, Humrichous, Davis, and DGL(also thought we had Ty until opening night).
We also obviously expected Booth to be a bigger contributor when he did nothing and more from Humrichous so who knows how new additions this year will pan out.
Here's SI's structure for our team (pre-Ty injury), which I generally agree with but have a few disagreements that aren't relevant to this conversation:
Illinois Basketball 2025-26 Projected Lineup and Rotation: Live Roster Tracker
Follow any changes to Illinois on SI's projections for the Illini's starting lineup and rotation for the 2025-26 season
www.si.com
With Ty out, what's our team look like when Kylan and Petrovic rest simultaneously? We throw some combination of Fagbemi, Lee, and Wagler out there to fill the guard spots? I know recruit ratings aren't everything but these freshmen aren't at the same level as our last group.
This article post-Ty-injury lays out what I'm saying in a longer format- https://www.si.com/college/illinois/basketball/ty-rodgers-injury-illini-impact
"Simply put, if Rodgers isn’t able to return to the lineup, Illinois will be paper-thin in terms of backcourt depth and, especially early in the season, will consistently be no more than a quick pair of Boswell or Petrovic fouls away from entering panic mode."
blackdog
- Champaign
Here's SI's structure for our team (pre-Ty injury), which I generally agree with but have a few disagreements that aren't relevant to this conversation:
Illinois Basketball 2025-26 Projected Lineup and Rotation: Live Roster Tracker
Follow any changes to Illinois on SI's projections for the Illini's starting lineup and rotation for the 2025-26 season
With Ty out, what's our team look like when Kylan and Petrovic rest simultaneously? We throw some combination of Fagbemi, Lee, and Wagler out there to fill the guard spots? I know recruit ratings aren't everything but these freshmen aren't at the same level as our last group.
This article post-Ty-injury lays out what I'm saying in a longer format- https://www.si.com/college/illinois/basketball/ty-rodgers-injury-illini-impact
"Simply put, if Rodgers isn’t able to return to the lineup, Illinois will be paper-thin in terms of backcourt depth and, especially early in the season, will consistently be no more than a quick pair of Boswell or Petrovic fouls away from entering panic mode."
I doubt there is ever a time (or incredibly rare) where the coaching staff chooses to have both Kylan and Petrovic on the bench at the same time. This past year we almost always saw one of Kylan or KJ on the court at all times. They staggered their minutes well enough and they both played pretty heavy minutes too.
It doesn't hurt to insure the team against unfortunate events (foul trouble or injury). My understanding is that this is why we're looking to add one more player.
That was also the case before Ty got injured.
While true, I was led to believe that Ty had developed his game to serve as a back-up PG.
Ty was going to be a very important experienced piece for this year. We need to find someone that has experience to replace him while he recovers. We will be good no matter what. I have plenty of faith in the team and coaching staff. However, I still want us to add another depth versatile player that is a dog on defense/rebounder like Ty. It’s late but never too late for Coach to pull a rabbit out of the hat.
Someone gets it. This referring to TY as a guard is ridiculous. Unless he miraculously transformed his game over the last 12 months, he's a Sergio McLean/Lucas Johnson type. Which is not a bad thing.
I think Ty is pretty clearly a wing or even an undersized forward but I think people are correctly lamenting the loss because of how versatile he is.
He's probably the best defensive player on the roster and can guard 1-4 which can't really be said for anyone else on the team. That means he can cover up for guards being in foul trouble on the defensive end.
Offensively, he can handle the ball a bit, at least bring the the ball up the floor, and initiate the dribble hands off that they have used to initiate the offense in the half court setting.
Yeah he isn't a guard but he still can act as guard depth because he's capable of buying you time in the case of foul trouble or acting as an emergency option. Him being able to defend guards is the more important aspect of his game because the Illini do have three good passing bigs that can help run an offense in the half court setting.
And I was once lead to believe that Coleman Hawkins would play point forward, Kofi was working on his 3pt game, and Austin Hutcherson was an NBA draft pick.
Until it actually shows up in a game that counts I don't think it makes sense to bank on it.
Article re: Ty injury:
Ty Rodgers' Injury: How It Will Shake Up Illinois' Projected Rotation
The Illini may be without their go-to swingman, and forced to rely on a trio of incoming freshmen
www.si.com
From article:
After seeing this I went to look at our roster on ESPN and this was the amazing result:View attachment 42713View attachment 42714View attachment 42715
Article re: Ty injury:
Ty Rodgers' Injury: How It Will Shake Up Illinois' Projected Rotation
The Illini may be without their go-to swingman, and forced to rely on a trio of incoming freshmen
From article:
10/10, no notes.Yes, Ty is a guard. No, Ty has not, to this point, shown the ability to run point. His injury does affect our depth at the 2-3 spots, but does not affect our PG depth.
I knew Will was coming back.After seeing this I went to look at our roster on ESPN and this was the amazing result:
View attachment 42717
View attachment 42718
Yes, Ty is a guard. No, Ty has not, to this point, shown the ability to run point. His injury does affect our depth at the 2-3 spots, but does not affect our PG depth.
After seeing this I went to look at our roster on ESPN and this was the amazing result:
View attachment 42717
View attachment 42718
Yes, Ty is a guard. No, Ty has not, to this point, shown the ability to run point. His injury does affect our depth at the 2-3 spots, but does not affect our PG depth.
Yup, I don’t necessarily think he was going to play much at PG with Petro & Bos on the roster, but we are losing an able ball handler.
blackdog
- Champaign
After seeing this I went to look at our roster on ESPN and this was the amazing result:
View attachment 42717
View attachment 42718
Yes, Ty is a guard. No, Ty has not, to this point, shown the ability to run point. His injury does affect our depth at the 2-3 spots, but does not affect our PG depth.
Now that's some DEPTH
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