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2019-2020 Predictions Thread
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<blockquote data-quote="alaskaillini" data-source="post: 1481582" data-attributes="member: 531679"><p>Calvin, don't really like to minimize AJs contribution. He and his father were one of the all time great class acts in college basketball, not just Illinois basketball. Because of our weak frontcourt last year, his contribution was even more important. But in terms of this year's team, if AJ had returned, he would have had a far less important role in terms of leadership and on court time, and a far less effect on the team's success. All the time he played at 4 with ALDR or Kip at 5 would be taken by Giorgi, Verdonk, AG, Tev or Kip. No longer will we have to play such small ball. Regardless of how many rebounds AJ got, playing a 6'5" G at the 4 is problematic. We are even more strong in the backcourt this year, so I think your concern about the effect of the loss of AJ should be mitigated by the added strength of this year's front court compared to last. This factor, coupled with what appears to be an easier schedule, should give fans the expectation of a significant jump. We shall see.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Don't think anyone here disagrees with your evaluation of AJ's character. This discussion, at least from my viewpoint, is directed at the comparative strength of this year's team without AJ to last year's team with AJ. The question is the relative strength of those two teams as a whole with the additions of Kofi and Verdonk and a year of experience for the returners versus having AJ. I think that adding Kofi and Verdonk and a year of experience significantly outweighs the loss of one player, in this case AJ (we also lost Samba but he did not contribute much last year). I understand that you remain unconvinced at this point. Those of us who are convinced are relying in part on the expectation that between Kofi and Verdonk, we will get 20-30 minutes of positive contribution to the team.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="alaskaillini, post: 1481582, member: 531679"] Calvin, don't really like to minimize AJs contribution. He and his father were one of the all time great class acts in college basketball, not just Illinois basketball. Because of our weak frontcourt last year, his contribution was even more important. But in terms of this year's team, if AJ had returned, he would have had a far less important role in terms of leadership and on court time, and a far less effect on the team's success. All the time he played at 4 with ALDR or Kip at 5 would be taken by Giorgi, Verdonk, AG, Tev or Kip. No longer will we have to play such small ball. Regardless of how many rebounds AJ got, playing a 6'5" G at the 4 is problematic. We are even more strong in the backcourt this year, so I think your concern about the effect of the loss of AJ should be mitigated by the added strength of this year's front court compared to last. This factor, coupled with what appears to be an easier schedule, should give fans the expectation of a significant jump. We shall see. Don't think anyone here disagrees with your evaluation of AJ's character. This discussion, at least from my viewpoint, is directed at the comparative strength of this year's team without AJ to last year's team with AJ. The question is the relative strength of those two teams as a whole with the additions of Kofi and Verdonk and a year of experience for the returners versus having AJ. I think that adding Kofi and Verdonk and a year of experience significantly outweighs the loss of one player, in this case AJ (we also lost Samba but he did not contribute much last year). I understand that you remain unconvinced at this point. Those of us who are convinced are relying in part on the expectation that between Kofi and Verdonk, we will get 20-30 minutes of positive contribution to the team. [/QUOTE]
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2019-2020 Predictions Thread
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