UncleBob
- San Clemente, CA
So best finish in Groce era......He hopes you're right
I think we all hope he's right.
Illini Basketball 2016-2017
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I think we all hope he's right.
Me too. Wisky has pretty much their entire team back. My pick to win the B1G.
According to Fletcher, Malcolm Hill is up to 225lbs and has added 2-3 inches to his vertical leap this off season. Expects to add another inch or two by August.
I'm more concerned about the quickness of his feet and desire to play defense.
In general Malcolm Hill is the least of my worries this upcoming season, but if he is adding inches to his vertical at this point I would think that would be a plus for quickness of his feet as well.
The original article mentioned that lateral speed was a main emphasis. That helps vertical leap as well so those stats are mentioned because they are easier to measure gains.
Hill was the best and most versatile defender on the team last year.
Yeah I don't understand the knock on Hill's defense from this board. As far as I'm concerned he's a solid defender. Not an elite defender, but solid. Typically guards the opposing team's best player. I remember in particular he defended Nigel Hayes well last year and gave jashean tate all sorts of problems. Always good for a block ppg and a steal or two.
I think some people see a player who plays better offense than defense, and they read that as 'bad/lazy defender'.
Hill's defense is good. His offense is outstanding.
Yep, he really improved on that end of the court.
IllinoisFan733
- Chicago
Malcolm played a ton of minutes last year, and had to play as the back-up #4 due to all of the injuries, so he obviously wore down as the season went on.
Next year's team is very deep at the big position (having MT, MM, MF, LB, DJW, and KN) and Malcolm won't be FORCED to play out of position as well as 35-40 minutes per game.
Unless another wave of injuries hits the team like last year.
I must confess that I'm starting to develop a man crush on Adam Fletcher. He just is so good at what he does. It seems that all of his pupils, even those that are older, see improvements under him in both strength and explosiveness. Then you couple that with his diagnostic tools in injury prevention and it's a homerun hire.
I think his defense has improved and strength training/conditioning will help on that front. I would not say that his offense is outstanding. He lacks the athleticism and quickness in 1-on-1 matchups, he has compensated developing a step back move to create space, but he has been called with the arm push a few times. Hill needs space to get his shot off and it is hard for him to just get away with a step back move against top defenders. Obviously, a really good B1G/college player, but if his offense was outstanding he'd be a sure thing at the next level.
I think it is nitpicking to argue either way here. His offense is clearly really good, as he averaged 18 points or whatever it was. He also had to start offense and get assists some this year. If he were more of an explosive athlete to go along with his offensive skill, he'd be a sure thing at the next level.
On maybe one of the worst overall defensive Illinois teams of all time.
Jeremy Werner @JWernerScout 3h3 hours ago
2016 PG Te'Jon Lucas (@too_smoove23) is officially listed on the #illini roster. Will wear No. 3 http://www.fightingillini.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6680&path=mbball …
2016 PG Te'Jon Lucas (@too_smoove23) is officially listed on the #illini roster. Will wear No. 3 http://www.fightingillini.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6680&path=mbball …
Captain Bubbles
- Fairfield, IL
I may be the lone guy on here, but I believe Hill will play at the next level. I see Hill's game in Harrison Barnes of Golden State.
Barnes also had a 38 inch vertical and has a 7ft wingspan. There certainly is a lot to like with Hill and if I were nitpicking, I would want to see him shoot the three ball a little bit better in addition to his explosiveness. He could make a case for a second round pick, however.
Yes, but to insinuate that he is a liability on defense is very inaccurate.
Summer Session 2 starts next Monday, so that would make sense.
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