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- Chicago Burbs
Tomi 17
AS 14
Kylan 13
Petro 10
Z 8
Bench 26 (Ben/Mirk/Keaton ~6-8 each, Jake/Lee making up the difference)
Yes, that’s 88 PPG.
Illini Basketball 2025-2026
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AS 14
Kylan 13
Petro 10
Z 8
Bench 26 (Ben/Mirk/Keaton ~6-8 each, Jake/Lee making up the difference)
Yes, that’s 88 PPG.
Now how many do we let up?
If I were a gambling man, would no doubt have Andrej > 15PPG.
The thing I really like is that this year's squad is made up of mature-er adult menz. Not to say that last year's team was immature necessarily, but i don't think we'll get rattled or out-toughed.
I don't think Andrej averages "just" 14 PPG
I think that is possible. This team looks to have the firepower to put up a lot of points. However, I see our opponents putting up some big numbers also.
I think AS will average at least as much as Tomi.
Z and Andrej will both average more. Z in 19 minutes (which will go up) had 8.5 last year. I think Tomislav more or less (statistically) matches sophomore year Kofi (17&9).
Tomi - 17
Andrej - 16
Kylan - 13
Petrovic - 9 (with 6+ assists)
Z - 10 (with 2+ blocks)
No matter how you put it, we’ll score a bunch and also give up a bunch. And I’d honestly much rather win 87-83 than 55-51. History has proven offense > defense (i.e. the ISU game).
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Exactly. I'm a big Morez fan and I'm a bit tired by those who act as if losing him is no big loss.
At the same time it's equally absurd to suggest Z doesn’t have his own advantages. Even if Morez makes a jump (I think he will) he'll still likely fall short in the areas you named.
We have the best 5 man in the nation.
Why? Because he did what 3,000 other kids did and have their rights to do. Don't hate the player, hate the game.
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OrangeBlue98
Iowa is not in a great spot right now (LvilleILL1)
- Des Moines, IA
But his handlers and him were never really above board with their intentions and expectations, then snuck out late in the game.
I don’t have an issue with what happened, but how it happened left a lot to be desired.
Probably makes me a bad person but I hope Mr. Johnson fails miserably at Meechigan. Have been illini since the 1970s, seen a lot over the years but Morez holds his own special place in illini lore
I don’t get a vibe that folks did not realize Morez as a significant loss…. it sounds more like the discussion is more about: How we did to replace him. We got something different and his loss might not be a big deal… we shall see!
Would you rather have..
1. Morez Johnson
Or
2. Tomi & Big Z
That’s basically what the options were from how I see it. We made the right choice.
One way to put it! Number 2 please!
Last year we were a man thin in the 4/5. We have upgraded those spots. If the work with Fletch helps Z close the gap in rebounding… I like his fit in our system better! Versatile player.
Btw…. I liked Mo! He is gone and has been replaced.
I believe we did. Johnson is a solid inside 4/5 but he fouls too much and he does not have a way to score outside of the paint. Z gives us options.
That question makes no sense. Z had just about nothing to do with Morez leaving (also committed after). Morez would've slotted in at the 4 - in many ways the Ty Rodgers spot (minus the ball handling). If your question was Morez or Ty, because of the perimeter concerns... that's a lot more applicable.
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It might make some sense: Would Z have come here simply to back up Tomi? I would expect that his minutes will come from the 4 as well. Keeping Morez might have meant a drop in minutes for Z.
I never saw Ty being in the 4 spot much.
Not sure where it was ever said Zvonimir was involved in the Morez debacle.
Z was never ending up anywhere other than Illinois, highly doubt Morez changes anything.
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Z was coming regardless of what transpired with Morez. He wanted to be with his bro. It's not necessarily the position aspect with Ty - he and Morez on the floor together is simply not a recipe for sucess offensively.
I think Ben starts.
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