Illini in the Pros (Basketball)

[EmeraldCityIllini]

The way Dusty May is talked about I’d think he coached Kevin Durant, Lamarcus Aldridge, and Chris Bosh.

Michigan was awesome because of defense, and sitting here parsing through Morez shooting 34% from 3 on 1 attempt per game as this some huge gotcha on play style is dumb - we were literally better than them offensively, and Mirk was a better offensive player as a true freshman than Morez as a sophomore.

Ironically, if you wanna talk about play style benefits compared to Illinois, the defensive fit is far more compelling than this bizarre “he wanted to be Danny wolf!” Bs.

 

[CoalCity]

Can we start talking about pods again?

This is a joke. Please do not start talking about him.

Go punch yourself in the face for bringing that name up

 

[WhereDoWeStandWithStorr?]

What did Dusty develop a reputation for going into last year?

Are we just talking about Danny Wolf?

Was referring to his player acquisition tactics / tampering

 

[WhereDoWeStandWithStorr?]

Morez could hardly stay on the floor in a ton of games (fouls).

He only fouled out in one game at Illinois. There were games where he didn’t have fouls, and didn’t play much.

Truth is, he was the 7th man on that team, when he probably should’ve been 4th or 5th.

Hence, if he wasn’t elated about his role, I think that’s fairly reasonable. If it was more $$$, that's reasonable too because Michigan was a better fit for him to develop.

 

[the juiceman cometh]

Ben played 25.9 minutes/game in 24-25. His numbers were: 7.6pts, 3.8rebs, 0.9ast, 1.5 fouls

If Morez played 25.9 minutes/game, his numbers would be: 10.2pts, 9.8rebs, 0.4ast, 3.7 fouls

Added a relevant stat.

 

[WhereDoWeStandWithStorr?]

Added a relevant stat.

He only fouled out in one game at illinois

 

[PleaseMakeABowlGame]

Hence, if he wasn’t elated about his role, I think that’s fairly reasonable. If it was more $$$, that's reasonable too because Michigan was a better fit for him to develop.

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.

 

[AnnaMay]

He only fouled out in one game at illinois

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.

 

[iFlyBy]

The fact we’re still trying to prove how he’s wrong for his decision

Reading comprehension is at an all-time low here.

 

[orangem]

Morez was already one of the better players in the B1G.

This is a bit of a stretch... an absolute rebounding machine sure

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?

 

[GForce]

These reporters need to ask him, 'If Illinois was bad for your development, as you say, why did you sign an NIL deal to return and not put your name in the portal?'

 

[Fly Illini Fly!]

Added a relevant stat.

Morez could hardly stay on the floor in a ton of games (fouls).

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)

 

[NarrowJ]

Morez played less because there were others playing over him. But we can scale production for minutes, by looking at per 40 stats.

…..

Ben played 25.9 minutes/game in 24-25. His numbers were: 7.6pts, 3.8rebs, 0.9ast.

If Morez played 25.9 minutes/game, his numbers would be: 10.2pts, 9.8rebs, 0.4ast.

…..

Mirkovic played 29.5 minutes/game. His numbers were: 13.3pts, 8.0rebs, 2.5ast.

If Morez played 29.5 minutes/game, his numbers would be: 11.7pts, 11.2rebs, 0.4ast.

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.

 

[Fly Illini Fly!]

These reporters need to ask him, 'If Illinois was bad for your development, as you say, why did you sign an NIL deal to return and not put your name in the portal?'

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.

 

[NarrowJ]

He only fouled out in one game at Illinois. There were games where he didn’t have fouls, and didn’t play much.

Truth is, he was the 7th man on that team, when he probably should’ve been 4th or 5th.

Hence, if he wasn’t elated about his role, I think that’s fairly reasonable. If it was more $$$, that's reasonable too because Michigan was a better fit for him to develop.

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….

 

[NarrowJ]

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)

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.

 

[CoalCity]

He only fouled out in one game at illinois

Not for lack of trying, he gave fouling out his best effort every game but BU wouldn't let him do it

 

[PleaseMakeABowlGame]

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)

 

[Illinirog1970]

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.

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....

 

[EmpoweredIllini]

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)

he was 18 mpg as freshman

would imagine he could get to your 20+ number easily if he didnt foul so much

 

[Fly Illini Fly!]

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.

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.

 

[Fly Illini Fly!]

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?

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.

 

[NarrowJ]

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]

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.

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,

 

[NarrowJ]

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.

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).