B1G Next Year

#51      
Personally I would be disappointed by third or fourth. Next year may be our best shot with Dre and maybe Ayo leaving.

If our program takes a step back because our backup PG graduates, we are in a world of trouble.
 
#54      
Wisconsin loses it's by far best player in Happ and you expect them to be better?

I'm actually in the camp that thinks Wisconsin won't really drop off that much/at all even though they lose Happ. Losing Happ means they can go back to playing the swing offense that they can't play since Happ is complete black hole in the paint. Reuvers is more of the big man they've had in the past who can step out and shoot 3's if needed. I'd expect a heavy dose of the typical strong defense and a more dynamic looking offense led by their guards (Trice, Davison, King) next year. I'm not saying they'll be better, but they're top 5 in the conference right now this year and I'd expect them to be right there again next year.
 
#55      
I'm actually in the camp that thinks Wisconsin won't really drop off that much/at all even though they lose Happ. Losing Happ means they can go back to playing the swing offense that they can't play since Happ is complete black hole in the paint. Reuvers is more of the big man they've had in the past who can step out and shoot 3's if needed. I'd expect a heavy dose of the typical strong defense and a more dynamic looking offense led by their guards (Trice, Davison, King) next year. I'm not saying they'll be better, but they're top 5 in the conference right now this year and I'd expect them to be right there again next year.
If history has proven one thing, it is do not underestimate Wisconsin.
 
#56      
Really think things bode well for the ILLINI next year....I would say Top 3-5 is definite possibility for us with our recent improvement.

AJ does alot of little non stat things for us...amazing kid.
DLR is rounding into a servicable big that we won't have (at least not the experience portion)

The rest of the team is going to be markedly improved and Griffin is starting to show signs as well....

Top 3 for sure for us!
 
#57      
IF nobody leaves, and IF Kofi comes in and can give us 20 strong minutes a game, and IF our current roster all improve a bit with another year under their belts, we SHOULD be above .500 in the BIG and make the Dance.
 
#58      
I am hoping next season is similar to 2003-2004 for Illinois. Those guys did what these guys are doing now and found out how to win late in the season (Won 14 of 15 before losing to Duke in S16). They were all sophomores and juniors which will be similar to Illinois next year and I don't think a ranking in the 15-25 range and a win or two in the tourney is unreasonable. If we add someone like Whitney or even Christian Brown our starting lineup has to be Top 4 at least in the BIG if not higher.
 
#61      

Deleted member 29907

D
Guest
I'm actually in the camp that thinks Wisconsin won't really drop off that much/at all even though they lose Happ. Losing Happ means they can go back to playing the swing offense that they can't play since Happ is complete black hole in the paint. Reuvers is more of the big man they've had in the past who can step out and shoot 3's if needed. I'd expect a heavy dose of the typical strong defense and a more dynamic looking offense led by their guards (Trice, Davison, King) next year. I'm not saying they'll be better, but they're top 5 in the conference right now this year and I'd expect them to be right there again next year.
While I never discount them as they (at least in the past) have seemed to find some killers at their perimeter. However, Happ leads the team in points, rebounds AND assists. I don't see how they don't take a step back next year. If they could execute a better offense this year and win more games I would assume they would do that now. I don't think they are running things through Happ and letting him be a black hole just because, rather they feel that is their best odds of success.
 
#63      

Deleted member 643761

D
Guest
Just saw that Illinois will participate in the Emerald Coast Classic in Ft. Walton Beach, FL in 2020. Just a great venue to see a game. Great field: , Oregon, Florida, , and Iowa State.
https://twitter.com/AlexHalsted/

P>S. The 2020 field is merely 4 teams--Florida, Oregon and Iowa State--but still a quality field.
They used the block I on the sign. :)

Plenty of story lines there, especially if THT is still around.
 
#65      

illini80

Forgottonia
(I guess) it's fun to speculate, but we really have little idea who will be on many of the rosters, including ours, next season so don't take any of this too seriously. :)
 
#66      
Just saw that Illinois will participate in the Emerald Coast Classic in Ft. Walton Beach, FL in 2020. Just a great venue to see a game. Great field: , Oregon, Florida, , and Iowa State.
https://twitter.com/AlexHalsted/

P>S. The 2020 field is merely 4 teams--Florida, Oregon and Iowa State--but still a quality field.

I'm gonna try and make this tournament and Tucson as well for that one game also.
 
#68      
illini.JPG


BTW, This is a pretty accurate view of who we can be next year...... we are back !!!
 
#69      
If you guys are going to be disappointed with 3rd in the Big 10 you may want to join the fandom of Duke, KU, or UK. We will finish this year with a losing record. A jump from that to a big ten championship is something that has probably never been done and that’s the expectation?
 
#70      

BananaShampoo

Captain 'Paign
Phoenix, AZ
If you guys are going to be disappointed with 3rd in the Big 10 you may want to join the fandom of Duke, KU, or UK. We will finish this year with a losing record. A jump from that to a big ten championship is something that has probably never been done and that’s the expectation?
I believe we nearly did it about ten years ago. The year we were tied for 2nd with a core of Chester, DMac, Tisdale, and Meacham.
 
#71      

Deleted member 11241

D
Guest
If you guys are going to be disappointed with 3rd in the Big 10 you may want to join the fandom of Duke, KU, or UK. We will finish this year with a losing record. A jump from that to a big ten championship is something that has probably never been done and that’s the expectation?

Well, in 98-99 we finished last in the conference with a 14-18 (3-13) record and the following year finished 4th at 22-10 (11-5). I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility to make a big leap. Especially with how well we are closing out this season. Yeah, we may finish with a losing record this year, but we are not going to finish in last place in the conference
 
#72      

Deleted member 11241

D
Guest
I believe we nearly did it about ten years ago. The year we were tied for 2nd with a core of Chester, DMac, Tisdale, and Meacham.

In 07-08 we finished tied for 9th with a record of 16-19 (5-13). Following year finished tied for 2nd 24-10 (11-7)
 
#73      
Stifled with Happ? As good a passer as he is? 2000 points and 1000 rebounds, only the 4th guy in the B1G ever! Nope...

Further stats on Happ....before Monday Happ had 121 assists. The next best on Wisconsin had 57! Oh, BTW, Iverson is a senior as well. No way the Badgers are top 3 in the B1G.
 
#74      
Just saw that Illinois will participate in the Emerald Coast Classic in Ft. Walton Beach, FL in 2020. Just a great venue to see a game. Great field: , Oregon, Florida, , and Iowa State.
https://twitter.com/AlexHalsted/

P>S. The 2020 field is merely 4 teams--Florida, Oregon and Iowa State--but still a quality field.

I really want to play--and beat--Iowa State. My mother-in-law's family is all Iowa State, and they know I am Illini, and lately they've been nice but I know there's a bit of condescension. That needs to be fixed. :cool:
 
#75      
Well, in 98-99 we finished last in the conference with a 14-18 (3-13) record and the following year finished 4th at 22-10 (11-5). I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility to make a big leap. Especially with how well we are closing out this season. Yeah, we may finish with a losing record this year, but we are not going to finish in last place in the conference

I wholeheartedly believe we could get 4th! Or 3rd! And I would be freakin ecstatic for both. My comment was directed to those that said 3rd in conference would be a disappointing season. That’s crazy talk IMO.