Former Illini in College Hoops

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#526      
In 8 Conference Games, Miller is averaging 9 PPG, is shooting 21.4 % on two point field goal attempts, 31.4 % on three point field goal attempts, is averaging 2.3 rebounds per game and 1.3 assists per game against 2.1 turnovers per game. His total TS% is .413. That is, to put it bluntly, pretty awful.
And the team is 1-7 in conference and the losses aren’t even close.
 
#527      
I don't fully disagree with what you say, but he is 2nd on the team in scoring (as far as I can tell.)
Not the excitement I thought he would bring to LSU.....played 23 minutes vs Tenn, scored 3 points. 37 minutes vs Auburn...5 points. Latest game 34 minutes vs Arkansas...9 points. LSU...lost last 7 in a row. LSU tied for last place in SEC.
 
#528      

Bigtex

DFW
Not the excitement I thought he would bring to LSU.....played 23 minutes vs Tenn, scored 3 points. 37 minutes vs Auburn...5 points. Latest game 34 minutes vs Arkansas...9 points. LSU...lost last 7 in a row. LSU tied for last place in SEC.
Lot of turmoil at LSU - lost most the recruits after the coach was fired. For whatever reason AM decided to stay. Started hot in preseason but conference play has been a little rough. Not sure what type of excitement he would bring to an LSU team decimated following a coaching change/scandal.
 
#529      
Lot of turmoil at LSU - lost most the recruits after the coach was fired. For whatever reason AM decided to stay. Started hot in preseason but conference play has been a little rough. Not sure what type of excitement he would bring to an LSU team decimated following a coaching change/scandal.
He's an interesting kid. I really hope he gets in the right situation next season, one way or another.
 
#530      
Lot of turmoil at LSU - lost most the recruits after the coach was fired. For whatever reason AM decided to stay. Started hot in preseason but conference play has been a little rough. Not sure what type of excitement he would bring to an LSU team decimated following a coaching change/scandal.
I’m guessing he decided to stay because moving on would mean he’d have to sit out a year.
 
#531      
Not the excitement I thought he would bring to LSU.....played 23 minutes vs Tenn, scored 3 points. 37 minutes vs Auburn...5 points. Latest game 34 minutes vs Arkansas...9 points. LSU...lost last 7 in a row. LSU tied for last place in SEC.
Saw a video of Arkansas players singling him out for contempt because of his trash talking before the game.
 
#533      
As a former Illini, Skyy Clark’s dad having trouble getting that immediate landing zone for his son or what? Maybe they are working out a deal with Last Chance U for a special NIL deal?

On a serious note I feel bad for the kid as this seems to be a prime example of parents getting in the way of their kid’s success/potential. I’m taking notes on what not to do for your kids as my daughter just turned one.
 
#534      
This is all speculation so take it for what it's worth. As recently as August of 2021 (right when he'd be starting his senior year of high school), Skyy Clark was a top 10 player in his class as determined by 247composite rankings. I think it's just really hard for a kid to reach that level of heights, and not view yourself as a superstar, future NBA one and done type. Everyone else in the world is probably telling you that, and when you're like 17 years old, well, it can be hard to stay humble. Then he had an injury, and while he was recovering, his "competition" was only getting better. From there, he slipped in the rankings a bit, wasn't quite himself coming back while working on his timing. Kentucky likely told him he wasn't going to start, so he came here, a place he probably felt he was "too good" for at one point, because we were the best available team with an opening. Got his chance, but likely had a tough time coming to grips with the fact that Jayden Epps, a guy he was always a much higher rated recruit than at the same position, was better. Probably remained in denial about. Was given a ton of opportunity, but eventually the coaching staff could say that his play just wasn't good enough to justify leaving in the starting lineup and that it was really hampering the team's ability to achieve success. Was probably told that he was going to have his role reduced. Likely one of the first times he was confronted face to face with the harsh reality, he just wasn't good enough, he wasn't that top 10 player, or even top 30 player that he was once ranked. Rather than accept it, likely blamed the coaching staff for not "using" him properly and took it to mean they were the problem not him. Culture of team-based sacrifice likely wasn't having that kind of attitude either. So he decided to leave.

Hopefully he can find a spot that is the right fit for him. I'm not trying to excuse these kids with giant egos, because at some point they do need to "man up" and accept personal responsibility and understand that sports is a meritocracy, give it enough time and nobody cares how good you were in AAU or where you were ranked as a high school junior, the best players will (before too long) play. However, I do feel bad. There's just so much hype, so much discussion, so many people in their ear telling them they're this and that, and having expectations for what they are going to become. When you have a setback that isn't your fault (injury) at a crucial point your development and all of that kind of gets derailed, it's a hard thing to deal with when you're still an emotionally immature teenager.
 
#535      
As a former Illini, Skyy Clark’s dad having trouble getting that immediate landing zone for his son or what? Maybe they are working out a deal with Last Chance U for a special NIL deal?

On a serious note I feel bad for the kid as this seems to be a prime example of parents getting in the way of their kid’s success/potential. I’m taking notes on what not to do for your kids as my daughter just turned one.
I read a report he had attended 5 different high schools? Huh?
 
#536      

Ryllini

Lombard
This is all speculation so take it for what it's worth. As recently as August of 2021 (right when he'd be starting his senior year of high school), Skyy Clark was a top 10 player in his class as determined by 247composite rankings. I think it's just really hard for a kid to reach that level of heights, and not view yourself as a superstar, future NBA one and done type. Everyone else in the world is probably telling you that, and when you're like 17 years old, well, it can be hard to stay humble. Then he had an injury, and while he was recovering, his "competition" was only getting better. From there, he slipped in the rankings a bit, wasn't quite himself coming back while working on his timing. Kentucky likely told him he wasn't going to start, so he came here, a place he probably felt he was "too good" for at one point, because we were the best available team with an opening. Got his chance, but likely had a tough time coming to grips with the fact that Jayden Epps, a guy he was always a much higher rated recruit than at the same position, was better. Probably remained in denial about. Was given a ton of opportunity, but eventually the coaching staff could say that his play just wasn't good enough to justify leaving in the starting lineup and that it was really hampering the team's ability to achieve success. Was probably told that he was going to have his role reduced. Likely one of the first times he was confronted face to face with the harsh reality, he just wasn't good enough, he wasn't that top 10 player, or even top 30 player that he was once ranked. Rather than accept it, likely blamed the coaching staff for not "using" him properly and took it to mean they were the problem not him. Culture of team-based sacrifice likely wasn't having that kind of attitude either. So he decided to leave.

Hopefully he can find a spot that is the right fit for him. I'm not trying to excuse these kids with giant egos, because at some point they do need to "man up" and accept personal responsibility and understand that sports is a meritocracy, give it enough time and nobody cares how good you were in AAU or where you were ranked as a high school junior, the best players will (before too long) play. However, I do feel bad. There's just so much hype, so much discussion, so many people in their ear telling them they're this and that, and having expectations for what they are going to become. When you have a setback that isn't your fault (injury) at a crucial point your development and all of that kind of gets derailed, it's a hard thing to deal with when you're still an emotionally immature teenager.
I read all of this even though snacks weren't provided and your speculation seems reasonable.
 
#537      
Miller had 20 vs very bad Texas Tech.....Tech won breaking a 8 game losing steak...LSU..8 loses in a row.
 
#538      
Miller had 20 vs very bad Texas Tech.....Tech won breaking a 8 game losing steak...LSU..8 loses in a row.
At least AM broke out of his funk.

He seems to be a product of who he’s playing. Tougher, high-Major players tend to disrupt his ability to hit from 3.

Either that, or he simply THINKS they will disrupt him.

Either way, I wonder if he will become a consistent player now that he’s late into his 2nd full year of playing.
 
#539      
Podz with 38 tonight plus 9 boards!
Thats Nice Reaction GIF by MOODMAN
 
#541      

Punesguy

Ft. Collins, CO
Grandison is averaging 16.8 minutes and scoring 4.8 pts per game at Duke. There have been a number of games where I would’ve loved to had him in the lineup. Wonder if he’s still happy with his decision?
 
#542      

DeonThomas

South Carolina
As a former Illini, Skyy Clark’s dad having trouble getting that immediate landing zone for his son or what? Maybe they are working out a deal with Last Chance U for a special NIL deal?

On a serious note I feel bad for the kid as this seems to be a prime example of parents getting in the way of their kid’s success/potential. I’m taking notes on what not to do for your kids as my daughter just turned one.
Shauna Green will be in her 17th year with the Illini as your daughter graduates HS.............just sayin'.
 
#546      
His season stats are impressive. 42% from 3, 19ppg, 8 reb. PER is over 25.
Playing Gonzaga tomorrow night. Should be able to watch it if you want to stay up that late.
I wonder if there will be any mixed feeling about leaving Illinois later. His team is fine but may not make the tournament. He's flourishing but in a lower-level setting.
He would probably be an integral part of what Illinois is doing and could have been just what they need to go over the top.
All-in-all I'd say probably not. He is getting an opportunity to show what he can do, and there was the possibility that BU just didn't believe in him.
 
#547      

pruman91

Paducah, Ky
Playing Gonzaga tomorrow night. Should be able to watch it if you want to stay up that late.
I wonder if there will be any mixed feeling about leaving Illinois later. His team is fine but may not make the tournament. He's flourishing but in a lower-level setting.
He would probably be an integral part of what Illinois is doing and could have been just what they need to go over the top.
All-in-all I'd say probably not. He is getting an opportunity to show what he can do, and there was the possibility that BU just didn't believe in him.
Would Podz have left if Trent and Damonte didn't get their super senior season ????.....How many minutes would Podz have gotten
with no TF and DFW ??????....................

When Podz did play , he didn't embarrass himself , but I will agree that BU should have played him more ......

How much would Podz have figured in to this years squad makeup ????.................Questions that will never be answered but fun to ask .............they really really are.......
 
#548      
Podz would probably be playing around 28 MPG. He'd be our best shooter if he was here. On a team that goes stagnant on offense a lot, he'd be a welcome addition. Melendez would be pretty close to fully out of rotation now.
 
#549      
I have the impression that the staff did not try all that hard to get Podz to stay once he entered the portal. Am I wrong?

Not an insider.
 
#550      

IlliniSaluki

IL metro east burbs of St. Louis
What is everyone's obsession with Podz? He had his minutes here and he never shot lights out or played exceptional defense. In the end it was his decision to leave and unless I completely missed it he was not creaned or told to leave. He is also not playing against B1G/Power 5 level of competition night in and night out. They have 1 team in that league that has done anything in the last 20 years. So to think he'd be this big scorer going against B1G defenses night in and night out is pretty naive and or just plain delusional.
 
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