Illini Basketball 2025-2026

Status
Not open for further replies.
#351      
Brosky
The bigger question is, will Ben get starters' minutes?
 
#352      
Brosky
IlliniHardwood said:
Frustrated Clint Eastwood GIF
Click to expand...
Get off my lawn.
 
#354      
ImGonnaBeILL
Ben played so much better off the bench. Look at his splits

If they look at the #s as they say they do, he won't be starting
 
#355      
RabidDawgClassic
ImGonnaBeILL said:
Ben played so much better off the bench. Look at his splits

If they look at the #s as they say they do, he won't be starting
Click to expand...

But then again, so did Z. 🤷🏼‍♂️

People here act like players don’t improve from year to year. I have no idea whether that will be the case with Ben, but it’s faulty to assume this year’s results will be a carbon copy of last year’s.
 
#356      
Fighter of the Nightman
PasadenaIllini said:
I could see Brad keeping Ben for the second unit just because he hasn't played as well as our five best players.
Click to expand...
On this note, there could be reason to believe Ben would do a lot better as an option off the bench. I would argue the following are both clearly true:

1) Ben has shown the ability in his career to be a good 3-point shooter, and he brings great effort.
2) His 3-point shooting was disappointing last season, and his results weren’t what this program should expect from a starter.

Maybe coming off the bench relieves some pressure and allows him to be more of a “fresh” 3-point threat?
 
#357      
Guest
In regards to the speculation about starters, I think all, or most, agree that there are four players who will definitely start: KB, MP, AS, and TI. So, there is just the one position left with three players who could start: ZI, BH, and DM. Unless Mirkovic turns out to be really good in the Fall practice, I don't think he will start (at first), basically, because I think it will take him longer to figure out the game, the Illini offense and defense, etc. However, he may be a starter toward the end of the season. Just depends on how good he becomes. Maybe a Will Riley trajectory. So, it would depend on how BU wants to utilize Big Z. Spell Tomi? Or start at the 4? Or even a combination of the two. Or something else altogether that I haven’t thought of. Even if he is used to give Tomi a rest, I think they both will play at the same time for a good portion of the game. Or, as pointed out in other posts, BH may get the nod if he has improved a lot. So, basically, who knows (except BU, of course)?
 
#358      
Bigtex
Guest said:
In regards to the speculation about starters, I think all, or most, agree that there are four players who will definitely start: KB, MP, AS, and TI. So, there is just the one position left with three players who could start: ZI, BH, and DM. Unless Mirkovic turns out to be really good in the Fall practice, I don't think he will start (at first), basically, because I think it will take him longer to figure out the game, the Illini offense and defense, etc. However, he may be a starter toward the end of the season. Just depends on how good he becomes. Maybe a Will Riley trajectory. So, it would depend on how BU wants to utilize Big Z. Spell Tomi? Or start at the 4? Or even a combination of the two. Or something else altogether that I haven’t thought of. Even if he is used to give Tomi a rest, I think they both will play at the same time for a good portion of the game. Or, as pointed out in other posts, BH may get the nod if he has improved a lot. So, basically, who knows (except BU, of course)?
Click to expand...
If Z starts he might be the first one to the bench get a couple of minutes and then right back into the game replacing Tomi.
 
#361      
Bigtex
#364      
Fighter of the Nightman
For anyone planning your Champaign trips, these were our early season Big Ten games (green) that were sandwiched in between our other non-conference games (red) the past few years:

2025-26
Friday 11/28 vs. UConn (New York, NY)

Saturday 12/6 vs. Tennessee (Nashville, TN)

Monday 12/22 vs. Missouri (St. Louis, MO)

2024-25
Thursday 11/28 vs. Arkansas (Kansas City, MO)
Friday 12/6 at Northwestern
Tuesday 12/10 vs. Wisconsin
Saturday 12/14 vs. Tennessee

2023-24
Friday 11/24 vs. Western Illinois
Saturday 12/2 at Rutgers
Tuesday 12/5 vs. FAU (New York, NY)

2022-23
Tuesday 11/29 vs. Syracuse (Big Ten/ACC Challenge)
Friday 12/2 at Maryland
Tuesday 12/6 vs. Texas (New York, NY)
Saturday 12/10 vs. Penn State
Saturday 12/17 vs. Alabama A&M

2021-22
Tuesday 11/29 vs. Notre Dame (Big Ten/ACC Challenge)
Friday 12/3 vs. Rutgers
Monday 12/6 at Iowa
Saturday 12/11 vs. Arizona

So I am guessing we will get one Big Ten game between UConn and Tennessee ... guessing between Monday 12/1 to Wednesday 12/3 so we can have enough time between road trips? However, it wouldn't surprise me if we didn't have a second one (similar to 2023-24), as it looks like finals week starts Monday 12/8, and those Big Ten games are usually wrapped up well before mid-December. Maybe we'll have a Big Ten game during finals week, but I guess I would be kind of surprised? Lol.
 
#365      
kmunt09
I thought I remember hearing something about a 2 year exhibition with Bradley.

I wonder if that fell through, and was replaced with ISU?
 
#371      
RollChief
I-L-L 1318 said:
Brad ain't scared to schedule that's for sure
Click to expand...
I think the names are intimidating at face value but we have 0 true road games in the non-con and most of these teams have deficiencies we can exploit this year:
  • Texas Tech – weak at the 4/5 besides JT Toppin, turnover with replacements are from mid-majors.
  • Alabama – Thin in the front court, unproven scoring from full starting 5
  • Uconn – Thin in the front court
  • Tennessee - Thin in the front court, unproven scoring from full starting 5
  • Miznozz – unproven scoring
These are quick takes based on minimal research using Torvik/Kenpom/ESPN so curious for other opinions but it seems like 9-2 non-con is pretty achievable after 8-3 with last year's schedule/roster.
 
#372      
PasadenaIllini
Fighter of the Nightman said:
On this note, there could be reason to believe Ben would do a lot better as an option off the bench. I would argue the following are both clearly true:

1) Ben has shown the ability in his career to be a good 3-point shooter, and he brings great effort.
2) His 3-point shooting was disappointing last season, and his results weren’t what this program should expect from a starter.

Maybe coming off the bench relieves some pressure and allows him to be more of a “fresh” 3-point threat?
Click to expand...
It depends upon how you define effort. The image in my brain of Ben getting the ball ripped away from his hands repeatedly during multiple games last season is a tough one to make go away.

But last season aside, I'm 100% in favor of merit-based minutes allocation. If reports are correct that Ben has added significant strength and muscle mass, Ben shows a better nose for the ball in the 4 role, he nails 3s more consistently, and Mirkovic has some growing pains adapting to the college game, then Ben definitely should be the first guy off the bench.

My issue is when someone says so and so should get playing time just because they're a veteran. Everyone should be given the playing time they earn.
 
#373      
alaskaillini
Bigtex said:
If Z starts he might be the first one to the bench get a couple of minutes and then right back into the game replacing Tomi.
Click to expand...
Z is likely going to be the primary alternate to Tomi at C. If they both play 20-30 minutes per game - Tomi on the higher end with Z on the lower - then that leaves a lot of minutes for other players at the 4 - maybe 30 (BU trying to play Z and Tomi together may be like his trying to play Coleman and Dain together - talked about it more than he did it). You could start Z at the 4 but someone else is going to play the majority of time there. I think either Z or Ben starts early in the early season and maybe Mirk works himself into the mix later. The only wild card in that is if Wagler really comes on and BU decides to play small ball (or if Jakstys contributes at the 5 which I don't think many are predicting). For all we know BU might just start Ben just to troll a lot of you on here - he seemed to appreciate what Ben gave him last year (especially the no TOs lol) until Will came out of his slump. I am looking forward to seeing how this plays out.
 
#374      
sacraig
RollChief said:
I think the names are intimidating at face value but we have 0 true road games in the non-con and most of these teams have deficiencies we can exploit this year:
  • Texas Tech – weak at the 4/5 besides JT Toppin, turnover with replacements are from mid-majors.
  • Alabama – Thin in the front court, unproven scoring from full starting 5
  • Uconn – Thin in the front court
  • Tennessee - Thin in the front court, unproven scoring from full starting 5
  • Miznozz – unproven scoring
These are quick takes based on minimal research using Torvik/Kenpom/ESPN so curious for other opinions but it seems like 9-2 non-con is pretty achievable after 8-3 with last year's schedule/roster.
Click to expand...
Neutral site is the best approach for these kinds of games. I'd you win, it counts more than a home win. I'd you lose, it hurts less than a home loss. You can do a new one each year. The team gets good experience against a good noncon team. Fans and TV like it.

Wins all around, even if you lose.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back