Illini Basketball 2026-2027

[MULEDOG35]

Of course… that’s why they’re in the NBA.

Tomi has struggled with the conditioning aspect and being able to play major minutes, without being gassed. Now that he’s put on even more weight, that’ll only become more apparent.

It further solidifies Z’s significance to our roster.

Yes, but he’s a starting center in the NBA. Its a different level of basketball.

The proof is in the putting with Tomislav. It was already a weakness; it just became an even bigger weakness.

The bigger issue is the foot-speed. It’s a big issue when it comes to our frontcourt.

The proof is in the putting

If his PUTTING is as good as mine, we will be good.

If the proof is in the PUDDING, maybe we can be concerned.

Just sayin.

 

[RabidDawgClassic]

Tomi won't be able to cross 25 min/game at. 280 pounds. He'll be even slower.

My god, dude! Do you have to find the negative in everything???

 

[Fighter of the Nightman]

My god, dude! Do you have to find the negative in everything???

Some people think that being pessimistic is inherently more intellectual than being optimistic … so it’s a habit to which they subconsciously cling, IMO. Not saying that’s PMABG, but MAN is he consistent.

 

[NarrowJ]

But the difference is with Tomi, it was already a pre-existing weakness. From that standpoint, it’s not going to get any better, and probably likelier to become an even greater weakness.

But the minutes aren’t where I’m concerned (unless Z gets injured).

He’ll be even slower than he was previously, and footspeed is going to be a problem with our frontcourt as a whole.

How was it a pre-existing weakness? He played 27 mpg and 26 mpg across two seasons. He would’ve played more last year if we didn’t have a backup of Z’s caliber.

Adding muscle doesn’t automatically make you slower. Fletch did this purposefully. You posts read like he was hanging out with Matt Mayer drinking monsters and eating cheese poofs, and less like he’s a pro-level athlete on a state-of-the-art nutrition and physical fitness program.

 

[ChiTown]

Jake Davis, who’s actually played with Tomi in practice, has said he’s in better shape than last year.

Coach David Williams, who’s been to a summer practice, said Tomi’s moving better than last year:

Illinois Basketball Update: The Illini Could Be LOADED This Season

I on the Illini · Episode

open.spotify.com

Why do you have to bring common sense into this discussion?.

 

[LvilleILL1]

Tomislav is in fantastic shape. Moving a lot better than he was last year while also putting on some muscle.

He's been one of the biggest positive talking points.

 

[mysterio2525]

Jake Davis, who’s actually played with Tomi in practice, has said he’s in better shape than last year.

Coach David Williams, who’s been to a summer practice, said Tomi’s moving better than last year:

Illinois Basketball Update: The Illini Could Be LOADED This Season

I on the Illini · Episode

open.spotify.com

in just the small sample size of videos from this summer, both mirk and tomi look in better shape. we will see how that continues but neither were really here or healthy last summer so I'm optimistic. tomi was set to have a break out last year it got delayed but I think at the end of the season he was playing his best ball.

 

[lstewart53x3]

My god, dude! Do you have to find the negative in everything???

The thing too, a lot of the negativity, whether here or nationally, is around things that aren’t even that big of concerns.

Things I’m not concerned about:

— Whether or not our 9th man can give us 5 minutes and 2 points a game.

— Whether or not we have a lead guard.

— Whether or not Tomi can play 25+ minutes a game.

Things I am concerned about:

— Whether or not our defense can get enough stops in shootout type games like the two Wisconsin games and the Nebraska home game last year.

 

[WhereDoWeStandWithStorr?]

The thing too, a lot of the negativity, whether here or nationally, is around things that aren’t even that big of concerns.

Things I’m not concerned about:

— Whether or not our 9th man can give us 5 minutes and 2 points a game.

— Whether or not our lead guard is too tall.

— Whether or not Tomi can play 25+ minutes a game.

Things I am concerned about:

— Whether or not our defense can get enough stops in shootout type games like the two Wisconsin games and the Nebraska home game last year.

2 points per game from the 9th man, across let's say 75% or more games - is very valuable.

If we can get that from Williams or Morillo (whoever ends up 9th), then I'd be alot more comfortable about our depth.

Like I've said, the job of the 9th man is to not be unplayable.

We did not have that last year, and that lack of depth showed when we were missing key pieces (not even going past 6 guys in an overtime game).

___

Defense - as long as we protect the rim we'll be fine. And we have the biggest team in the country to make that happen.

Wisconsin had the best backcourt in the country. It's understandable that they gave us problems (they did the same to Michigan).

Nebraska was a bad offense, and made lucky shot after lucky shot.

 

[Uihoop2023!]

My god, dude! Do you have to find the negative in everything???

If only Tomi played for USC

 

[the juiceman cometh]

My god, dude! Do you have to find the negative in everything???

Let's be fair here, I've seen him be very positive at times...about USC.

 

[KingWolf11]

 

[Det_Illini_fan]

Tomi won't be able to cross 25 min/game at. 280 pounds. He'll be even slower.

My god, dude! Do you have to find the negative in everything???

Tomislav is in fantastic shape. Moving a lot better than he was last year while also putting on some muscle.

He's been one of the biggest positive talking points.

PleaseMakeABowlGame you sly SOB! This was all just 4D chess so that we could get nuggets of reassuring intel from the insiders all along, wasn’t it?? You little minx!

/s and joking aside, nah fam Tomi is going to be in beast mode. Can’t wait for him to float like a butterfly and sting like a bee in the paint this season!

 

[blackdog]

But the difference is with Tomi, it was already a pre-existing weakness. From that standpoint, it’s not going to get any better, and probably likelier to become an even greater weakness.

But the minutes aren’t where I’m concerned (unless Z gets injured).

He’ll be even slower than he was previously, and footspeed is going to be a problem with our frontcourt as a whole.

Its a pre-existing weakness because he had a mono and injuries that kept him from working out....