He only fouled out in one game at illinois
Illini in the Pros (Basketball)
All while he’s able to double his earnings*
Better situation (especially given Dusty’s track record with bigs), more cash, natty, 9th overall pick. None of which likely would’ve happened if he stayed. The fact we’re still trying to prove how he’s wrong for his decision, just shows the complete inability to see the matter from his perspective.
Last edited:
This is true, but there were plenty of games that he came in during the 1st half, got 2 fouls and had to be benched, then was played the 2nd half and Brad couldn't play him down the stretch in close games because he sucked at shooting fts. There were certainly games that he should have played more because Ben was just bad that year, but it is understandable that Ben was a threat from 3 and Morez just wasn't. At the end of the day, Morez was going to be the starting 4 last year for us and he would have had more freedom to take 3s and be more of a scorer in our offense. His role would have been basically the exact same as it was at Michigan and his numbers would have been just as good for us. Him leaving was just because of money. He can say whatever he wants about Illinois, but all that stuff about not developing under Brad is just nonsense that perhaps his dad put in his head. It's quite possible if he stays his numbers are even better with us, we win the title, and he still gets drafted top 20.
Reading comprehension is at an all-time low here.
Morez at pick #9 was the highest drafted non-freshman in the country. Sure he made more free throws this year that allowed him to stay at the end of games, but seriously ... the #9 pick wasn't even just one of the better players in the conference?
Here’s the list of games Morez Johnson had LESS THAN 3 fouls and still didn’t play 20 minutes:
— Eastern Illinois (16)
— SIUE (12)
— Oakland (8)
— Maryland Eastern Shore (14)
— At Northwestern (11) (this was Ben’s most brutal game and he played 39)
— Wisconsin (13)
— Tennessee (12)
— At Washington (9)
— At Indiana (18)
— Iowa (12)
— Xavier (12)
— Kentucky (17)
Morez couldn’t sniff 26 minutes let alone 30, he was always in foul trouble or getting smoked on defense. Dunno why we can’t just accept he improved a ton as a sophomore.
Last edited:
That’s not proven to be true, anywhere. (not saying it couldn’t have happened)
I believe Damond Williams of Washington did exactly that, got sued and decided to return.
Last edited:
He averaged 5.7 fouls per 40 minutes. It was a big issue.
I see the MoReZ jOhNsOn DeFeNsE teaM has yet to rest their case.
Is this thread titled “former wolverines in the pros”?
Extremely annoying narratives here. Next topic please….
Last edited:
Great so like 1/3rd of all games, primarily in the 1st leg of the season when a freshman is getting their feet wet.
Now do the back half of the season where he was starting yet couldn’t stay on the floor.
Not for lack of trying, he gave fouling out his best effort every game but BU wouldn't let him do it
Fouls don’t automatically mean he couldn’t play 20-25 minutes. Could he reliably play 30? No. But 20+ is a doable sample and enough to work around.
The clear and obvious answer here, as it pertains to his minutes, is that he was lower on the depth chart than our other players. (doesn’t mean you HAVE to think that’s wrong either, but that’s the reason he played less, not fouls)
The clear and obvious answer here, as it pertains to his minutes, is that he was lower on the depth chart than our other players. (doesn’t mean you HAVE to think that’s wrong either, but that’s the reason he played less, not fouls)
None of us would have turned it down! What I don't like is Michigan fishing in our pond. Don't blame Mo at all....
he was 18 mpg as freshman
would imagine he could get to your 20+ number easily if he didnt foul so much
It’s 40% of his games; not 1/3rd.
Back half of the season — he did stay on the floor, and his minutes were peak in the stretch of games right before he got hurt. I’ve already said that.
But I wonder if damage had been done early in the season. May offering up a starter spot, along with increased $$ may have just been the final straw.
His per 40 stats were very good. Perhaps better than they were at Michigan (higher rebound rate at Illinois).
He just didn’t play as much.
Yep, foul trouble and consistent defensive lapses
lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
This has been reported directly by Werner.
The full story is:
Illinois made an NIL offer to Morez. Morez agreed to the offer and signed an ageeement.
Morez came back and asked for more money. Brad went to the boosters to get Morez more money. A second agreement was signed.
Morez then got a larger offer from Michigan and came back to Brad asking for an increase in compensation a third time. Brad decided not to match / exceed Michigan’s offer,
Really splitting hairs here with the 40% vs 33%, so still well less than 1/2.
Why are you so vigilant in defending Morez? We know his defense was very poor as a freshman and his foul rate was insane.
I am not sure why we keep ignoring the fact he resigned with us in late Feb (which we then increased 2x before he entered the portal).
Just like Morez’s stats were great in lesser minutes… to an extent, it’s the same deal with Andrej’s scoring numbers.
Stojakovic last season — 20.5pts per 40 minutes. Played 26.3 and averaged 13.5.
I think he gets to 32mpg next year. That would mean 16.4ppg. Also, I don’t think he shoots 24% from 3, and we’ll likely play at a slightly faster pace. Ultimately, he could easily wind up a 17ppg scorer (it’s always somebody).
It’s anything but uncommon to see guys who were great in lesser minutes/roles, have fabulous seasons simply from increased volume. Obviously he made improvements to his FT shooting and fouling, but at the end of the day, that’s what Morez was as well.
Last edited:
Ooof, well that sucks. Obviously very unfortunate from Illinois perspective.
THANK YOU
This is what we’ve been saying: he improved a ton as a sophomore (and thus played more)
Do you think that may have been because his minutes got managed when he got into foul trouble, which brought down his minutes per game? That's the entire point! When he started against Maryland and picked up 4 fouls in a total of 18 minutes, what was BU supposed to do? What about when he picked ip 4 fouls in 9 minutes vs Alabama? Fouling out is not the only, or even the primary, way that fouling impacts minutes played.
I still think the two main factors for Morez's exit are:
1. Money
2. Whatever happened with Tim Anderson
Playing time, role, and development just sound better to the press than they didn't pay my coach enough and they didn't pay me enough. I think this explanation also sheds some light on why he doesn't mind throwing shade (no matter how major/minor you perceive it to be) on the program.
1. Money
2. Whatever happened with Tim Anderson
Playing time, role, and development just sound better to the press than they didn't pay my coach enough and they didn't pay me enough. I think this explanation also sheds some light on why he doesn't mind throwing shade (no matter how major/minor you perceive it to be) on the program.