2018 Off Season Thread

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#76      
illini62707
Northwestern, also, loses Lindsey which is a significant loss. IF, Carr, Wagner and Diop leave that would be big losses for those teams. Without Diop next year OSU would be beatable.
Mark Smith, (reading earlier) does not compare to Deron Williams. DW, was excellent ball handler, saw the floor well, and could penetrate. Also, faster and quicker than MS. Come on man, Williams was a top 5 draft choice!
I like what Illinois has coming back next year. The obvious, can they get a big man who can contribute right away on the defensive end and rebounding?
 
#77      
jrichisamazing
I think Damonte will have a big breakout season. He plays hard, rebounds, has a good looking shot (despite the low %), has PG skills, and will be a lockdown defender.

Not really sure what to think about Mark Smith. His biggest strength is using his size to finish around the rim. But he really struggles with getting to the rim. Only time will tell.
 
#78      
Illini_1979
CasualObserver05 said:
Here is the one that stands out the most to me. Might want to keep a closer eye on his projections come the start of next season.

FWIW, Kenpom has a projection of 15-16 / 5-13 right now.
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What was their projection for us coming into this year?
 
#79      
Ransom Stoddard
CasualObserver05 said:
Here is the one that stands out the most to me. Might want to keep a closer eye on his projections come the start of next season.

FWIW, Kenpom has a projection of 15-16 / 5-13 right now.
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If you're talking about a 2018-2019 projection, I don't find that on KenPom. It would also be difficult to make projections since the schedule isn't set yet.
 
#80      
PlayAZ
TownieMatt said:
There's no venue in basketball that's more conducive to upsets IMO. We should embrace the underdog role in that tournament.
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Arizona may be a possibility with no recruits as of now coming in?

Duke, they are loaded, although young, so maybe the pressure wins?

Auburn, Tough one , but winnable with their team next year.

Xavier, Loss

Gonzaga, Loss

Don't see too many opportunities for wins, but maybe some "good" losses?
 
#81      
PlayAZ
Hoppy2105 said:
Just as a thought, I decided to look up Meyers Leonard's freshman year stats and compare them to Ebo's. Here they are (per game):

Meyers
Games - 33
Minutes - 8.2
FG% - .483
Rebounds - 1.2
Blocks - .4
Fouls - 1.5
Points - 2.1

Ebo
Games - 30
Minutes - 10.6
FG% - .551
Rebounds - 2.4
Blocks - .4
Fouls - 2.1
Points - 2.2

It's interesting how similar the two seasons were. It makes one wonder if that is a common stat line for a freshman big that isn't a superstar yet has to play. (although, Meyers was the 30th ranked recruit and very close to being a 5 star according to 24/7)

I guess it could also be that Meyers had a really high ceiling (NBA) but had a sub-par freshman year?

Or maybe Greg Ebo had a really good freshman campaign and if he has even HALF the increase in production that Meyers had from freshman to sophomore it will be really good.
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:thumb::thumb: Good Post, thanks for comparision
 
#82      
CoalCity
Verified Insider said:
Man, I forgot we are playing in Maui.

The field features Arizona, Duke, Auburn, Xavier, Gonzaga, and Iowa State.

Lots of opportunities for quality wins, but that could be a rough way to start the season.
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Iowa State wow. THT and company facing off against Ayo and BU.
 
#84      
Centennial Illini
From what I have heard, Ebo realizes that he knows nothing and will do exactly what the coaches tell him to do. He is extremely coachable. I was surprised with the progress he made considering where he was in Nov.

Meyers Leonard is a little different story as we compare their freshman years. We are playing Nebraska and the Nebraska center was like a fifth year senior who had minimal talent but had spent a lot of time in the weight room. He was having absolutely no problem pushing ML 15 feet from the basket. ML becomes totally frustrated and while we have the ball in the front court turns his back on the play, takes 2 steps toward Ed Hightower (who is standing out of bounds under the basket) and with his arms outstretched starts arguing with Hightower that he is being fouled. This goes on for 2-3 seconds until Weber flies off the bench to call timeout. I always thought when I watched him on the floor that ML didn't always have his head in the game as much as you would like and wasn't quite as serious as you would like.
 
#85      
Deleted member 631370
CAHALL15 said:
KBD is a senior, Happ is a junior.

There will be some draft picks leaving, too.
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KBD is a redshirt junior / academic senior. But I think he'll go pro. Ohio State also loses Tate, so that would be a blow to them.

Miles Bridges and Jaren Jackson will go pro for Michigan State.

Wagner will probably go pro for Michigan.

Tony Carr could go pro for Penn State.

Ethan Happ could go pro for Wisconsin.
 
#86      
kuhl84
TALKTOCHUCK said:
My honest assessment of the players on the team.

1. Kipper is my least favorite player on this team. He was important this season because no one would score. He isn't afraid to score. Underwood is going to fix that problem ASAP. I am fine if Kipper stays, it just means I will yell at my TV "Get back on D". "Hustle" and I have to watch him not listen to coach at least 2 timeouts per game. I think he would be better off somewhere else, but we would be better off with him.
Agree with most of this. I take exception to your point that he would be better off somewhere else. He is not a self motivated guy and needs to be pushed. The question is does BU think he is worth the effort.
2. Finke is a senior next year and we don't have a ton of people his height on the team. I think he was a reach to come to ILL in the first place and he lost playing time to Ebo. I think he should move on, I think we would be better if he stayed. In a way, he owes us for him not ending up at Valpo.
Finke would be a very good complimentary piece on next year's team coming off the bench. Depending on the composition of the team.
3. Black. Please Please Please don't move on.
Obviously!
4. Jordan. His dad reads this message board. Good kid. He will be a SR. I can't find it ever beneficial to have a senior leave for what is left over on the freshman market right now.
Agreed. Very good role player and citizen.
5. Tejon Lucas - For the benefit of the team and his career. He should move.
Probably
6. Matic - Are you guys serious that he is going to turn into something good? Really. He isn't a typical freshman, he was a FR who looked like he never played ever before. Scared to death. He was more lost than a walk on. Mistake recruit. Move on.
Yes
7. Ebo - He will grow into his best player here.
Agreed
8. Mark Smith - Will score a lot of points here. I hope he sees that.
We will see. I don't want him to leave, but there are certainly signs...
9. Da'Monte - I am so excited about his career here. He will be great here.
Feel same way. The bounce was coming back late in the season. He could end up being special.
10. Frazier - MVP MVP MVP
Has an opportunity to be really good. Can't rest on laurels. He seems like the king of kid that will keep pushing to be great.
We have 11 kids under scholarship. I think 5 leave. 5 is too many. I put the over under at 2.5 some time ago. I still think its only 3, worst case. Next season will be terrible if that happens, so why not root for every single player to come back. They committed to ILL and we committed to them.
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#87      
Ga65
Totally disagree with assessment of TeJon. Best defensive guard, best passer, and good at taking it to the basket and only backup to Trent at this point. Not sure who you think is going to replace him but it certainly won't be a freshman.
 
#88      
kuhl84
Ga65 said:
Totally disagree with assessment of TeJon. Best defensive guard, best passer, and good at taking it to the basket and only backup to Trent at this point. Not sure who you think is going to replace him but it certainly won't be a freshman.
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I like the TJL we saw at the end of the season, not so much before the suspension. He was a better player the latter half of the '17 season with Groce than he was this year prior to the suspension. I'm not saying I want him pushed aside, but it might realistically be best for both sides.

Ayo needs the ball in his hands and Frazier is capable of playing with the ball in his hands. I don't think he gets more than 10-15 mpg going forward. If he's good with that, and can accept that role, great.
 
#90      
blackdog
I think another issue with Kipper is he was being asked to do more offensively than he was really ready for. He doesn't quite have the elevation to consistently get shots at the rim through contact like he tries but there weren't many option for anyone who could create their own shots. The one thing that really impressed me though was how good of a shooter he has become. Would like to see him capitalize more on that part of his game.

Any way you look at it it would be rough to lose a soph averaging 10 a game. He's only going to get better.
 
#91      
alexander58
blackdog said:
I think another issue with Kipper is he was being asked to do more offensively than he was really ready for. He doesn't quite have the elevation to consistently get shots at the rim through contact like he tries but there weren't many option for anyone who could create their own shots. The one thing that really impressed me though was how good of a shooter he has become. Would like to see him capitalize more on that part of his game.

Any way you look at it it would be rough to lose a soph averaging 10 a game. He's only going to get better.
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It's difficult o tell whether Kipper's motor is inconsistent or the game is a little faster than his mind. He would can be a great complimentary player. I hope he stays.
 
#92      
Ga65
kuhl84 said:
I like the TJL we saw at the end of the season, not so much before the suspension. He was a better player the latter half of the '17 season with Groce than he was this year prior to the suspension. I'm not saying I want him pushed aside, but it might realistically be best for both sides.

Ayo needs the ball in his hands and Frazier is capable of playing with the ball in his hands. I don't think he gets more than 10-15 mpg going forward. If he's good with that, and can accept that role, great.
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There is a reason TeJon was starting at the end of the season. It seems to me that we ignore our defensive stats. Do not believe Ayo can replace him on defense but could be wrong. BU's defense depends on ball pressure and it is required even with a rim protector. Also not sure he can't shoot if he emphasizes it. His biggest weakness is his size which can't be coached but neither can quickness.
 
#93      
alexander58
jrichisamazing said:
I think Damonte will have a big breakout season. He plays hard, rebounds, has a good looking shot (despite the low %), has PG skills, and will be a lockdown defender.

Not really sure what to think about Mark Smith. His biggest strength is using his size to finish around the rim. But he really struggles with getting to the rim. Only time will tell.
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Damonte seems to possess some of his dad's instincts and that can't be taught.
Smith has been a typical freshman . He takes one step up and takes two steps back. To this point in his life , I'm sure everything has come easy to him. I hope he stays and overcomes his freshman struggles.
 
#94      
kuhl84
Ga65 said:
There is a reason TeJon was starting at the end of the season. It seems to me that we ignore our defensive stats. Do not believe Ayo can replace him on defense but could be wrong. BU's defense depends on ball pressure and it is required even with a rim protector. Also not sure he can't shoot if he emphasizes it. His biggest weakness is his size which can't be coached but neither can quickness.
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I absolutely acknowledge his defensive ability.

I would suggest that DW or TF will be able to handle the on ball defense next year as well as TJL did the last several games this year. Either paired with Ayo would accomplish more than what TJL brings, at least by the time the B1G season arrives.

TJL absolutely can contribute to the team. By agreeing with Chuck, my point is that it might be in both parties long term interests to part ways.
 
#95      
Ga65
We scored 72 pts/game this year vs 67 last year and allowed 77 vs 69 last year. That is an increase of 8 pts per game. I just have a problem with devaluing defensive players for incoming players with good offensive stats. Certainly we need better post defense but we still need on the ball defense. Maybe we get it from the new freshmen but not right away. Do believe DaMonte will be very good as his athletic ability is sneaky good but will need him to replace Alstork.
 
#96      
helppitch
Ga65 said:
Totally disagree with assessment of TeJon. Best defensive guard, best passer, and good at taking it to the basket and only backup to Trent at this point. Not sure who you think is going to replace him but it certainly won't be a freshman.
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Ditto
 
#97      
jrichisamazing
blackdog said:
I think another issue with Kipper is he was being asked to do more offensively than he was really ready for. He doesn't quite have the elevation to consistently get shots at the rim through contact like he tries but there weren't many option for anyone who could create their own shots. The one thing that really impressed me though was how good of a shooter he has become. Would like to see him capitalize more on that part of his game.

Any way you look at it it would be rough to lose a soph averaging 10 a game. He's only going to get better.
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I think the ultimate goal is to have Kipper play most of his minutes as a 3. We could really dominate the glass with Kipper at the 3, Black at the 4, and an improved Ebo or transfer at the 5.
 
#98      
Ga65
GolfFan1 said:
I don't know which 3 guards will start, but Ayo will be one of them. We have not had a talent like him since Dee and Deron. Ayo is taller and quicker than TJL.
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Assuming it will be Trent, Ayo, Kipper, Black, and Ebo/(hopefully)Kane. However we don't know the progress of others. Mark and DaMonte could make huge progress and maybe we will have Jones or Fletcherized mean Matic.
 
#99      
jrichisamazing
Abdur-Rahkman averaged 4 ppg and shot under 30% from 3 as a freshman. His soph year he shot 36% from 3 and 8 ppg. As a senior he is shooting 40% from 3 and almost 13 ppg. And he also drives the ball, finds open teammates, and rarely turns it over. I think Damonte will have a similar career here.
 
#100      
FC Illiniman
Ga65 said:
We scored 72 pts/game this year vs 67 last year and allowed 77 vs 69 last year. That is an increase of 8 pts per game. I just have a problem with devaluing defensive players for incoming players with good offensive stats. Certainly we need better post defense but we still need on the ball defense. Maybe we get it from the new freshmen but not right away. Do believe DaMonte will be very good as his athletic ability is sneaky good but will need him to replace Alstork.
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Nothing against Alstork, but think we will have no problem replacing. His attitude and mental toughness, cost us some games. Not sure , but I wouldn't be surprised if he was part of turmoil in the locker room. Someone said before he committed to us, hopefully he won't be a problem. His good defense was an asset, everything else we could have done without.
Smith, Williams and Kipper will be just fine, here's hoping they will be here to show us. Nothing set in stone, nor will any of players on the team spots. BU has some tough choices, and he has already shown he will pull the trigger. We had won 3 more games, we would still be playing.;):illinois:
 
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