Wow. Looking at that tape of QC, all I can say is let's enjoy him while we have him.
Illini Basketball 2026-2027
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blackdog
- Champaign
Looks like he plays passing lanes well and when he get the ball watch out. Going to be some fun moments at SFC this year!
Also nice pump fake and with his hops he can jump into contact and still finish over defenders. Add more strength to him and wow.
Baby Jordan?
You can be fast and efficient. See Alabama.
We actually started last year playing relatively fast. We were a little more aggressive about looking for fast break opportunities. But the bigger driver behind the fast tempo was taking shots earlier in the half court.
Then Keaton came along and we realized the most efficient thing we could do is just put the ball in his hands and let him work. Given enough time, we knew the defense would make a mistake before Keaton would.
I don't think Vaaks is quite as methodical as Keaton. In fact, he led a pretty fast offense last year. So, that alone will increase our tempo relative to last year.
We actually started last year playing relatively fast. We were a little more aggressive about looking for fast break opportunities. But the bigger driver behind the fast tempo was taking shots earlier in the half court.
Then Keaton came along and we realized the most efficient thing we could do is just put the ball in his hands and let him work. Given enough time, we knew the defense would make a mistake before Keaton would.
I don't think Vaaks is quite as methodical as Keaton. In fact, he led a pretty fast offense last year. So, that alone will increase our tempo relative to last year.
How is December 4th, 2027? https://fightingillini.com/news/202...return-game-the-following-season-in-champaign
Yeah there’s not much more of an “efficient” shot than an easy run-out lay up… (2 on 1, 3 on 2) Our guys can all dribble pass and shoot…and fill lanes. You don’t have to have Jesse Owens and Carl Lewis-level athleticism for that.
Brad wants to play that way; anywho.
And if you look at Vaaks & Coleman and Andrej…and Lincoln and even others…it makes sense. That’s why I said a couple months ago I thought we’d try to be more of an “opportune break” kinda team this year.
I’m not talking spray and pray type stuff.
Brad’s prolly not gonna go full Westhead…and completely change the calculus.
Everybody needs to quit acting like things aren’t gonna change a little from year to year. When has that ever happened? How many mid season overhauls have we seen now? How many times have we assumed guy:B is gonna slot in such and such slot…precisely the way guy:A was the year prior; only to be utilized differently? It’s kinda ridiculous we keep acting like that isn’t going to happen.
When have we ever not changed things? The personnel changes… I would be worried if we weren’t also making changes.
(To his credit…Brad isn’t a “system” type coach.)
Our record is the only #s I care about.
Thanks. Well said. I chuckle when I hear people say "Brad wants guys who....." History tells us that he'll work with the talent he gets and adjust accordingly. He's not locked into any type of player and he's won with a variety of guys.
Our Alabama game was over 80 possessions.
Alabama is always looking to run, and we were trying to run with them. The team we were in that game was completely different than the team we became a month later.
Yes, and our points per possession was not very efficient.
Georgi says hold my beer…..
Brad doesn't just tinker with his approach - he overhuals it almost yearly depending on the strenghths/weaknesses of his players. That's a pretty rare quality in the coaching world. I'm guessing many would argue that it's better to be more stubborn and stick with one style.
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Well you both do not understand....POSTING WITH COMMON SENSE OR INTELLIENCE IS NOT WELCOME HERE!!
He's European but was a domestic recruit out of New Jersey
If he can produced against our final 4 roster returnees from last season, I'm sure he'll be fine against the rest of the big ten, and ncaa for that matter.
I-L-LI believe if you're the best team you don't care who you play! We'll beat whoever they put in front of us!
I-L-LHomecoming 2019
- Chicago
Its been almost 10 years and we still can't get it right!
The origin of BU's international recruiting was a Vesel that sailed across the Atlantic from Slovenia.
Moretti wore #11 but was not a top 35 recruit.
lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
Since you said this exact same thing in June:
Here was my favorite response:
Here was my response showing that we've had efficient offenses while playing decently fast:
And once it was pointed out to me that offenses have changed since then and that the #3 offense in ‘24 would’ve been merely the #10 offense last year (as if a top 10 offense is no longer good), I pointed out that other teams played fast last year and still had very efficient offenses:
Therefore, there is not an “inverse correlation” between speed and efficiency. It just depends on the personnel you have.
Obviously you have to have the personnel to play fast - we didn't last year, but if Vaaks and Coleman can play fast and limit turnovers we have the folks to do it this year - it also leads to more open threes which would be good for this team.
DeonThomas
- South Carolina
Q. Coleman -- based upon our early "peeks" I think he's going to be quicker, faster and more athletic than Wagler. He will be in the starting lineup no later than game #5. Also predicting he will not reach Keaton's prolific 3-point shooting efficiency, even though he's going to be equally adept at creating his own shot via the step-back, or getting into the paint at will.
As a team, our overall guard play just might exceed what was on the floor this past season from an OFFENSIVE perspective (primarily Vaaks + Coleman). Not sure we're going to match Boswell's defensive contributions, however.
As a team, our overall guard play just might exceed what was on the floor this past season from an OFFENSIVE perspective (primarily Vaaks + Coleman). Not sure we're going to match Boswell's defensive contributions, however.
See: Alabama. Year after year, top 5 or 10 in tempo. Year after year, top 5 offense
Based on early peaks + his FIBA performance, I would be shocked if he didn’t start every game this year.
RabidDawgClassic
- Los Angeles, CA
That's right. So Vesel crawled, Moretti and Perrin walked and Tomi and Mirk ran.
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