Recent content by Illinicpa14

Can someone let me know when this thread stops being highjacked around USCs bench and where their 9th man is in our hypothetical rotation? Ive never seen such intense opinions on maybe the most irrelevant team to our success. And I hope they’re good - we play them at home and can get a Q1 win...

Doubt he’s playing November 10th

Maybe they can go steal one of the Michigan guys…

Seems like there’s 2 ways to mock this far out 1. Is with whose on the table and what they exist like right now if the draft was next month. 2. Trying to project and guess who takes a large step forward. In Mirks case here, that’s passing up guys that would have gone before him right now.

I also think internally they probably view Teel coming back this week and Murakami in 1-3 weeks as two big upgrades To the past months roster. For what they are doing, I also just don’t see too many difference makers in the grand scheme of things. They aren’t going to be in the Skubal...

Allstar break - he’s just starting BP and running at 80-85%

Unless it’s purely a cash dump, I wouldn’t trade anything of value this year. If you want to get a decent bullpen pieces for cheap, fine. Great first half but reality is we’re gonna need another 5-7 of these prospects to end up playing a role in this upcoming window. Not everyone playing well...

I don’t think it’s gutsy because of the paragraph you said above, he could get just about any job he wants in college…like Kentucky next year if he flames out. Billy Donovan can more/less do the same now too (yes I know his nba is regarded as positive).

I’m curious if the success of Brunson as an undersized, overlooked winner helps Braden Smith move up in the draft in the same general mold.

I think there’s been some articles about how they seek out guys they feel they can clean up shot selection from an analytics perspective. Pretty sure that’s also part of the calculus with Vaaks taking the next step.

There’s also 2 types of needs for “primary ball handler” There is the guy that initiates and runs the offense - that was wagler And there’s also the guy that can handle the ball in the backcourt with guys draped on him, break down press, break down the double teams in high leverage late game...

I think how the NIL works right now it makes sense. You fill out your roster with development pieces who don’t cost money and see if of the 3-4 of them 1-2 become helpful. If not, they leave after a year and go down a level. Think it’s also helpful to finish the roster with guys who can make...

In fairness to the other guys, the volume of the transfer portal gives underwood bites at the Apple. By this definition, Colorado state getting Carey Booth counts coming off not playing at Illinois. That said, you can clearly see the level of talent is high and even just looking at HS recruits...

I feel like his minutes are a little more a product of what the other guys end up being or not being because he’s a more known quantity at what he does or doesn’t do. Idk if the lineups and minutes can play but I’d love to see big Z get closer to 21-22 minutes; just felt him playing well...

Given the roster continuity we have to open the season alongside guys presumably knowing roles more, I’d hope for better. Besides UCONN/Duke, those teams will be figuring out their rotations and roles the first few months. I’d set realistic goal for 4-2