Tomi’s complete lack of development is frustrating. The fact he can’t get a damn rebound to save his life really hurts us.
Texas Tech 84, Illinois 78 Postgame
I've actually thought Tomi has looked significantly better in the low post the last two years than he did as in is first.
However he just isn't in that position very much.
The olds can and will pay the ticket prices and those prices aren't coming down. NIL is contingent on those seats being filled at a premium and donations. We're not a program that has bags of money coming in to create a nice balance. What's needed vs student experience don't align. Until we get around that, premium seating for those giving the most money will be the priority.
Kofi's game doesn't translate and we all know that.
I agree we are not Big Man U. Obviously.
We aren't Guard U or Point Guard U either. A school like Kentucky has a literal line of NBA All-Stars come through there.
Was just having some fun with a Mirk GIF because it just seemed like your post was a continuation of your full-on repertoire of chicken little stuff you've been posting since the Texas Tech game.
Look forward to your balanced, glass half full posts following the Duke and UConn games.Kofi's game doesn't translate and we all know that.
I agree we are not Big Man U. Obviously.
We aren't Guard U or Point Guard U either. A school like Kentucky has a literal line of NBA All-Stars come through there.
Was just having some fun with a Mirk GIF because it just seemed like your post was a continuation of your full-on repertoire of chicken little stuff you've been posting since the Texas Tech game.
“This is why we schedule these games.”
Coming on the heels of the 2025 embarassment at Duke and 0-3 vs. UConn in last 3 seasons, I’m glad we’ll all be able to draw on the positives of playing tough opponents in tough environments without our best player.
This board is going to have a rough 2.5 months till our next chance at a marquee win vs. USC in late January.
Or the fact that there’s a 50/50 chance he gets stripped on a backdown.
Way too negative and not fully embracing the spot we're in. If Brad knew that Mirk AND Davis wouldn't be available, this game isn't scheduled for the first week in November and Duke wouldn't be scheduled at all.
We started three freshmen which, I promise you, wasn't the plan. The young guys, outside of QC, were clearly shook. We had 18 year olds playing against 5th year guys. Not ideal.
No announcer was befuddled by what we were doing. They continually linked it back to the amount of time we had freshmen on the court in game 3 of their college careers. Morillo and Zens were CLEARLY overwhelmed and Brown was totally out of his element early on. When they shortened the rotation in the second half, development went out the window, but the game tightened up.
You're really overanalyzing a situation that isn't that difficult to absorb to anyone with a reasonable expectation of a scenario where our All American is in a boot and a critical starter with a ton of experience is in a sling. Playing that level of competition is one thing. Dropping a true road game on these kids head, this early, is another thing all together. Again.....this wasn't the plan going in.
We'll win big tomorrow, but quite honestly, I would expect another rough ride @Duke. UCONN at the UC will be the first marquee game where the bar can be fairly judged.
Alabama we went 13/22, which isn’t good by any stretch, but way better than 8/19.
We probably win if we shoot that Alabama percentage.
It is pretty astounding how Tomi was so much better two years ago. What the hell happened? He's fine, but he's just a guy now. Nothing special. And Z. Yeesh.
think what happened was the teams got better, other guys took usage/shot attempts
maybe evan miya is drunk but he has tomi 6th in the country in bpr rating (he claims to have over 120 division one teams subscribed to his site)
three point percentage went down 4% pts last year but two point percentage went up 11% pts free throw percentage went up 3% pts
he also fought through multiple illnesses and injuries last year
i dunno he's averaging almost double his career assist numbers so far this year
Be honest: it’s just the shooting.
…..
Tomi shot 35.7% from 3pt in 2025.
Last year, that percentage dropped to 31.3%.
If he shoots 35% again, I don’t think anyone will be complaining.
….
Z is the same thing. He shot 37.6% at Arkansas.
Last year he was 28%. But most of all, he’s 3 for his last 39.
I think everyone will love Z if he replicates his Arkansas percentage.
Tomi seems to be the Loyalty punching bag.
He’s been on 3 teams thus far, one went to the tourney and won a game, the other a final four, and this year TBD obviously.
Each year, we have played drastically different. The names and styles have changed around him, yet he’s been able to adapt and produce.
he’s gonna go down as one of the all time winners here. And the luxury he’s afforded the staff to adjust (gasp!) has been wildly invaluable.
He’s not perfect, but as a player, if I took a backseat so other guys could shine, and the team win, only for my fanbase to constantly go at me… let’s just say there’s some toughness to that
He’s been on 3 teams thus far, one went to the tourney and won a game, the other a final four, and this year TBD obviously.
Each year, we have played drastically different. The names and styles have changed around him, yet he’s been able to adapt and produce.
he’s gonna go down as one of the all time winners here. And the luxury he’s afforded the staff to adjust (gasp!) has been wildly invaluable.
He’s not perfect, but as a player, if I took a backseat so other guys could shine, and the team win, only for my fanbase to constantly go at me… let’s just say there’s some toughness to that
It's interesting how many internet commenters say Tomi is bad, but then the coach turns around and says that he was outstanding and his leadership was incredible. Also, the guy continues to show up on NBA draft boards. It's really confusing, I'm not sure who to believe....
In all seriousness, it's almost like people don't watch the games and just stare at the ESPN app stats. The guy is all over the floor making winning plays or setting the table for others. We've watched him make countless plays in important moments that swing momentum or bring us back into a game. What is the barometer for success? To go out and get 25 and 12 while also shooting 35% on volume for three? I don't think you'll find another big in CBB that can do that.
It's like the BH thing all over again. I'm not sure why some fans always need a target to throw negativity at...
Edit: I'm not necessarily being critical of anyone here asking the question of where the development is, it's a fair question but definitely arguable, to @EmeraldCityIllini 's point about how consistently flexible he's been, and could go down as an all-time winner here. The thing that I can't wrap my head around is being a fan-hater like this YouTube comment. It's almost like you're setting yourself up to have to keep hating on a guy just to vindicate your crappy take.
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lol It counts but not as in a "look we develop big men" People want to get to the league. We have yet to shown we can put a big in the league
Skimmed through this thread so apologize if already mentioned but regarding rebounding, there is a lot to say about physical strength. Especially in the lower body. Certainly being several inches taller than others, like the twins, will get you some rebounds (assuming Z is even near the basket). However, lower body leverage is huge. It is why Bam was so effective against many players much taller than him…he had such a strong base and used it well.
You gotta counteract the negativity haha it's so easy to be a hater but Brad has said countless times how tough this guy is, how much he works and how he's the first guy in the gym every day. If this guy is putting this much effort into willing the team I love to succeed, then you have to show some love. Hopefully the positive comments make their way to these guys as much as the negative ones do.
I again hope the players do not read Loyalty, Reddit, Instagram, YouTube, etc…
Because I can’t imagine wanting to suit up for the Orange & Blue sometimes with how our fanbase talks about them.
Because I can’t imagine wanting to suit up for the Orange & Blue sometimes with how our fanbase talks about them.
I’ve aired my frustrations. There are plenty of positives. We all know Quentin Coleman is insanely talented, but there is more to it than that. He is a fighter, he competes like few guys I’ve ever seen, and he leaves absolutely everything he has on the floor. Injuries and literally vomiting on the floor and he kept coming back and fighting like his life depended on it.
Lincoln Williams is far from a perfect player, but that guy plays HARD! That’s all I ask. Some other dudes need to watch and learn and up the intensity and fight and just general competitive fire.
Do that and everything will be fine.
Lincoln Williams is far from a perfect player, but that guy plays HARD! That’s all I ask. Some other dudes need to watch and learn and up the intensity and fight and just general competitive fire.
Do that and everything will be fine.
Amen, good sir. I probably need to stay away from Loyalty if we lose to Duke AND UConn. 1-1 sounds like paradise right now.Nothing to disagree with here
Saying a player hasn't progressed doesn't have to be a personal shot, though I think it should be worded appropriately. It comes with the territory in NCAA or pro sports.
I don't know what EvanMiya is smoking (probably just sample size as previously discussed), but Torvik thinks he's declined (these are PRPG!/D-PRPG):
2024-5: 3.8/3.7
2025-6: 3.3/3.3
2026-7: 1.7/3.6
His 2pt% increased from his 1st to 2nd year, offsetting his drop in 3pt% to result in similar TS% and ORTG, but it isn't enough this year (plus, while a small sample size, he also hasn't gotten to the line as much or made his free throws).
Over the 3 years his defensive rebounding has seen a dramatic decline (22% -> 17% -> 10%), and that's certainly a concern since our defense needs all the help it can get.
I don't know what EvanMiya is smoking (probably just sample size as previously discussed), but Torvik thinks he's declined (these are PRPG!/D-PRPG):
2024-5: 3.8/3.7
2025-6: 3.3/3.3
2026-7: 1.7/3.6
His 2pt% increased from his 1st to 2nd year, offsetting his drop in 3pt% to result in similar TS% and ORTG, but it isn't enough this year (plus, while a small sample size, he also hasn't gotten to the line as much or made his free throws).
Over the 3 years his defensive rebounding has seen a dramatic decline (22% -> 17% -> 10%), and that's certainly a concern since our defense needs all the help it can get.
Ya, it’s definitely not worded appropriately a lot of the time.
I’d definitely give the LaTulip and Werner pod a listen today talking about his defense.
I also admittedly am really struggling on understanding how a lot of fans came out of that game and immediately point at Tomi as the culprit - like what.
Like I said we still need his defense and rebounding.