Joel Goodson
- it's all ball bearings, nowadays
Illini Basketball 2026-2027
1st in the entire country in Offensive Rating:
Jake Davis Gives Illinois Basketball Another Dangerous 3-Point Shooter
It is easy to forget just how good Jake Davis is. That might sound strange considering Illinois is coming off a Final Four season and returns a ridiculous amount of talent, but Davis has quietly become one of the most efficient players on Brad Underwood’s roster. In fact, Davis may be one of...armchairillini.com
Davis shot 40.6 percent from three on 133 attempts last season, including 36-for-90 in Big Ten play.
3rd in the entire country in lowest turnover rate:
Perfect role player.
I honestly don't really think any of our guys are legitimate nPOY candidates just because I think there is too much talent that none of them will put up the counting stats to win it.
Wasn't Yaxel considered a finalist last season? Surely somebody could average 15 & 7
I think Anthony Davis won it averaging like 13 & 10
Saying its possible is different than saying its likely though, typical Naismith winners are averaging between 18 and 24 PPG
I think they're saying we're very balanced this year...not that we don't have stars...
Yep, and I agree with that.
I feel like if Mike puts up 18pts/8reb/4ast. We beat one of Duke or UConn. Win an outright B1G title going 17-3 or better. He’s confirmed 1st team AA and likely PoY frontrunner.
Even Keaton didn’t average 18 a game.
Mirk wasn’t even the second best scorer (Stojakovic).
The expectations have just been way over the top.
Last edited:
We do this before every season. Projecting ppg for our guys and the total is 120+.
Sort of like predicting we play an 11-man rotation.
Prior to the injury insiders were saying he may be become Underwood’s best player. Sorry if I am misremembering. But it was along those lines.
lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
There have been multiple national outlets that have tagged Mirk as their potential player of the year. He's 4th in betting odds for the player of the year. But yes, the a message board poster who said if Mirk averages a whopping 0.1 more points per game than Keaton, he would then be considered a possible NPOY, is way over the top.
Yeah the consensus from the books, coaching staff, media & players is that Mirk is going to be an All-American level player. I believe it.
Having professed to hoping that Brown proves to be a reliable diamond in the rough team player with passing, handle, and shooting skills valuable enough to be trusted when needed, I am happy to hear this "buzz".
However, after seeing tape of his play against a St. Louis team in his sr season, it was painfully obvious to me that his body was not sufficient to compete without some big time help from Adam Fletcher.
But a most recent tape shows maybe as much as 20 lbs. of muscle present that was not there before...and good for Ethan. We don't know much about his foot speed and movement in regard to defending B1G caliber guards though. Maybe he can hold his own in that regard at times which would certainly cause some "buzz".
I sense the buzz relates to the fact that Brown is proving good enough to be playable on offense this year. Against certain teams, and certain defenses (e.g. zones), that might get him on the floor. The question will be who can he guard -- is he quick enough to handle smaller/quick guys, or big/strong enough to handle bigger wings. If an opponent has a weak offensive player then you can "hide" a weaker defender against him. Against the best teams there's nowhere to hide. My guess is that bigger or more athletic guys (e.g. Williams or Morillo) might be in line for the 8th man minutes against those teams.
Good take on Brown...hope he proves valuable.
I've said for a few months now that Brown will be in the conversation for the 8th man.
Here's my case.
The staff likes shooters.
Brown is a shooter.
Proof that the staff likes shooters is in TSJ's tattoo (for all you old GTA fans out there):
Totally agree that this is a good common assessment, but then you have Keaton Wagler who still looks like a senior in high school and had his year. Now he's the exception, but I think unless you are a big, size and strength is no longer a preerquisite to be successful, especially in the shooting area we have now. I'm not saying it won't help, but I don't think it is mandatory anymore.