Illini Basketball 2016-2017

Illiniguy13 · Jun 7, 2016

Captain Bubbles said:
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.

I'm with ya man. I can understand why a team wouldn't take a flyer on him for not being an athletic freak, but in my eyes I still tag potential to Hill. In today's NBA game you'll take a freak athlete even if the skills are a bit raw, when taking a player as crafty and skilled as Hill with some average athleticism seems risky. Reminds me of what Mark Schlereth says on ESPN about the NFL: "We're building a league of track athletes and weightlifting stars, not necessarily sound football players". I look at Hill and I see a late bloomer. In light of the fact his lower body has gotten much stronger(5x his max squat from last year) and apparently has added some inches to his vertical, he's still just a kid. I mean, look at that baby face

He's going to get quicker, stronger and bouncier. IMO I think he's good enough where he could adjust to the pace of the game and guard NBA players down the line. I guess you'd call him a project, but I guarantee you Hill in a few years is going to be a much improved physical specimen. Will NBA teams see that potential? Maybe, maybe not. Either way I'm very curious to see what kind of player Hill becomes later in his career. How good will a 27, 28, 29 year old Malcolm Hill be??

TCTORNADO · Jun 7, 2016

MH should have declared for the NBA draft. It's strange that he didn't particularly with the new rules. He was one of the few top B1G returning players that didn't do so.

IrishIllini · Jun 7, 2016

TCTORNADO said:
MH should have declared for the NBA draft. It's strange that he didn't particularly with the new rules. He was one of the few top B1G returning players that didn't do so.

No complaints here.

:chief:

breadman · Jun 7, 2016

Illiniguy13 said:
I'm with ya man. I can understand why a team wouldn't take a flyer on him for not being an athletic freak, but in my eyes I still tag potential to Hill. In today's NBA game you'll take a freak athlete even if the skills are a bit raw, when taking a player as crafty and skilled as Hill with some average athleticism seems risky. Reminds me of what Mark Schlereth says on ESPN about the NFL: "We're building a league of track athletes and weightlifting stars, not necessarily sound football players". I look at Hill and I see a late bloomer. In light of the fact his lower body has gotten much stronger(5x his max squat from last year) and apparently has added some inches to his vertical, he's still just a kid. I mean, look at that baby face He's going to get quicker, stronger and bouncier. IMO I think he's good enough where he could adjust to the pace of the game and guard NBA players down the line. I guess you'd call him a project, but I guarantee you Hill in a few years is going to be a much improved physical specimen. Will NBA teams see that potential? Maybe, maybe not. Either way I'm very curious to see what kind of player Hill becomes later in his career. How good will a 27, 28, 29 year old Malcolm Hill be??

This and the fact that his step-back jumper was absolutely awesome to watch. I could not believe how automatic and productive just that one shot was for him.

Combo · Jun 7, 2016

I think Hill has a chance of making the NBA. Not likely as a 1st round pick where teams are looking at prototypes. But there could be a spot for a crafty, skilled player like Malcolm. Anyone remember Adrian Dantley? 6'5 and not overly athletic, but could post up players several inches taller and more athletic. He scored (I think) over 20,000 points over 15+ years in the NBA. He was the embodiment of "crafty."

Not saying Hill will have a career like Dantley. Just making the point that not every successful NBA player is a superb run-jump athlete.

Harrison Barnes, by the way, IS a super run-jump athlete.

Illiniguy13 · Jun 7, 2016

breadman said:
This and the fact that his step-back jumper was absolutely awesome to watch. I could not believe how automatic and productive just that one shot was for him.

He's got that Kobe step-back down so smooth. I remember Crispin was calling a game against Wisconsin this year, Hill grabbed a board, took it up the court and posted up Hayes right in his 15 foot sweet spot area , created space and put his signature on it. All Crispin said was "He's a pro". And speak of the devil Scott richey put up a video on news gazette talking about this, he thinks hill has a chance to get drafted if he has a good year. I think he's going 2nd round. We'll see.

CAHALL15 · Jun 7, 2016

IrishIllini said:
No complaints here.

The rules are different. I agree he probably should have declared and then withdrawn his name. He could have gotten evaluation from scouts and played against other NBA prospects to see where he stands.

Captain Bubbles · Jun 7, 2016

If you have watched Malcolm Hill closely, there's a lot to love about him. What stands out to me offensively is his mid-range game. It is silky smooth. He can nail those 12-15 ft. jumpers all day long.

Defensively, he can guard all five positions. From guarding point guards to bodying up the big guys such as Hammons...he's good.

Just needs to increase his explosiveness and hit the three at a higher percentage. If I had to pick an Illini player to help build my basketball team, and I was given first choice, I would select Hill.

jrichisamazing · Jun 7, 2016

Captain Bubbles said:
If you have watched Malcolm Hill closely, there's a lot to love about him. What stands out to me offensively is his mid-range game. It is silky smooth. He can nail those 12-15 ft. jumpers all day long.

Defensively, he can guard all five positions. From guarding point guards to bodying up the big guys such as Hammons...he's good.

Just needs to increase his explosiveness and hit the three at a higher percentage. If I had to pick an Illini player to help build my basketball team, and I was given first choice, I would select Hill.

Unfortunately this could be another weakness of Hill's when it comes to the NBA? These days GM's prefer a deadeye 3 pt shooter or a guy who is efficient around the rim.

Bomb Squad 217 · Jun 7, 2016

jrichisamazing said:
Unfortunately this could be another weakness of Hill's when it comes to the NBA? These days GM's prefer a deadeye 3 pt shooter or a guy who is efficient around the rim.

Livingston has been proving the value of the mid range game if you have it.

jrichisamazing · Jun 7, 2016

Bomb Squad 217 said:
Livingston has been proving the value of the mid range game if you have it.

Livingston is a PG and is also freakishly long.

Illiniguy13 · Jun 8, 2016

jrichisamazing said:
Unfortunately this could be another weakness of Hill's when it comes to the NBA? These days GM's prefer a deadeye 3 pt shooter or a guy who is efficient around the rim.

The mid-range game isn't dead.

IlliniInTexas · Jun 8, 2016

Illiniguy13 said:
The mid-range game isn't dead.

Not if you're Dirk/Aldridge, but it sure is for your 6'7 wings. Unfortunately for Malcolm, his main detriment to getting to the NBA is that he has to carry the team, and be utilized at such a high rate that he's not that efficient. To make it in the NBA without being super athletic means that you have to have a very specialized skill set, whether it's shooting (Korver, Green), or defending (Tony Allen, Igoudala).

I actually think Malcolm could be a dead on shooter if we had enough playmakers that he didn't have to be the primarily ball handler on offense. So many of his shots were isos that it doesn't really showcase his ability to perform at the next level. I think the TA drive and kick would be a perfect combo to his ability to score. Here's hoping for a full season of healthy point guards.

Ulysses Everett McGill · Jun 8, 2016

TCTORNADO said:
MH should have declared for the NBA draft. It's strange that he didn't particularly with the new rules. He was one of the few top B1G returning players that didn't do so.

Hill is very bright and I have no reason to believe he's not well-advised. Why do some think he should have gone the declaration/withdrawal route? Maybe he already knew he wasn't a first-rounder, and what scouts would tell him he needed to work on. Maybe he wanted to use the time to work under Fletcher. Maybe he didn't think it a good idea to expose his game now, and give scouts a preconceived opinion on him for next year. Maybe he values excelling in his 4th year, leading the team to the tourney, and likely garnering personal B1G honors, more than going through an exercise that would end up informing him of little more than what he already knows about how his game, as of today, might project in the NBA. I certainly wouldn't have begrudged him going through the declaration/withdrawal route at all, but also find no reason to question his choice to forgo it. JMO.

Obelix · Jun 8, 2016

TCTORNADO said:
MH should have declared for the NBA draft. It's strange that he didn't particularly with the new rules. He was one of the few top B1G returning players that didn't do so.

I think people confuse the new rule, thinking that anyone should declare, because they can. The new rule is mostly for players projecting to go in the draft, even early second round picks, or players who have the potential to become first rounders in later years. I like Malcolm a lot, he is a very good college player, but I think many on this board overestimate his status with respect to the draft at this stage. He has to improve at many difficult dimensions (e.g., quickness, athleticism) to have a chance.

Sure there are some players with over-inflated perception of the their abilities that get a dose of reality upon declaring that they are nowhere near. But most players know where they stand, and I think MH is in that category. JMO.

Konnie · Jun 9, 2016

TicketMaster has a pre-sale for the Illini game at the United Center. Here is the listed pricing:
LOWER (100 LEVEL)
US $100.00 - US $175.00
US $100.00
US $175.00

CLUB (200 LEVEL)
US $100.00
US $100.00

UPPER (300 LEVEL)
US $40.00 - US $50.00
US $40.00
US $50.00
Additional fees are applied at Checkout. Prices subject to change.

Joel Goodson · Jun 9, 2016

Konnie said:
TicketMaster has a pre-sale for the Illini game at the United Center. Here is the listed pricing:
LOWER (100 LEVEL)
US $100.00 - US $175.00
US $100.00
US $175.00

CLUB (200 LEVEL)
US $100.00
US $100.00

UPPER (300 LEVEL)
US $40.00 - US $50.00
US $40.00
US $50.00
Additional fees are applied at Checkout. Prices subject to change.

Yeah, think I'll watch on TV.

TCTORNADO · Jun 9, 2016

Konnie said:
TicketMaster has a pre-sale for the Illini game at the United Center. Here is the listed pricing:
LOWER (100 LEVEL)
US $100.00 - US $175.00
US $100.00
US $175.00

CLUB (200 LEVEL)
US $100.00
US $100.00

UPPER (300 LEVEL)
US $40.00 - US $50.00
US $40.00
US $50.00
Additional fees are applied at Checkout. Prices subject to change.

You need a code--use HOOPS

IlliniBrave75 · Jun 10, 2016

Jeremy Werner Retweeted
Te'Jon Lucas ‏@too_smoove23 9h9 hours ago
Made it to champaign

IlliniBrave75 · Jun 10, 2016

Rob Jordan ‏@FiberGuru1 Jun 8
AJ and Ben Curtis 6 Final session, headed back tomorrow. The real work begins now!

[YOUTUBE]7-TrNB2ScGY[/YOUTUBE]

Illiniguy13 · Jun 10, 2016

IlliniBrave75 said:
Rob Jordan ‏@FiberGuru1 Jun 8
AJ and Ben Curtis 6 Final session, headed back tomorrow. The real work begins now!

[YOUTUBE]7-TrNB2ScGY[/YOUTUBE]

Insert fire emoji!! Looks like AJ might have tightened up his handle a bit

t7nich · Jun 10, 2016

IlliniBrave75 said:
Rob Jordan ‏@FiberGuru1 Jun 8
AJ and Ben Curtis 6 Final session, headed back tomorrow. The real work begins now!

[YOUTUBE]7-TrNB2ScGY[/YOUTUBE]

Good stuff. His shot doesn't seem to be as "flat" as it was this past season.

illinistar · Jun 10, 2016

Who is Ben Curtis?

TCTORNADO · Jun 10, 2016

Real action was on campus this summer. I know of 3 that stayed thru Spring/Summer--Kipper and LeRon and part time, JCL.

combes · Jun 10, 2016

t7nich said:
Good stuff. His shot doesn't seem to be as "flat" as it was this past season.

It wasn't flat in high school, either. I think he had the freshman jitters and it affected all parts of his game.