Illini Basketball 2016-2017

Serious Late · Jun 14, 2016

TCTORNADO said:
Kipper Nichols will surprise a lot of people with his speed and versatility. He will probably start off as the team's best front court defender. Of course, that's not saying much.

Hopefully! It is unlikely that a redshirt freshman starting his college career during the B1G season will surprise, but that would be great! Personally, I wouldn't expect anything from Kipper next year, but it would be awesome if he made a meaningful contribution next season.

Adnarel · Jun 15, 2016

7yearillini said:
He's really big in Finland

No, that's DJ Richardson.

TCTORNADO · Jun 15, 2016

Adnarel said:
No, that's DJ Richardson.

DJ=MVP and member of Finnish national championship team.:thumb:

TCTORNADO · Jun 15, 2016

whovous said:
Was he accepted?

Are you talking about Tilmon to Althoff??

Illiniguy13 · Jun 15, 2016

Can anyone think of other major programs out there(maybe specifically programs also targeting some of our top guard prospects) that have a guy similar to Dee on staff for recruiting/player development purposes? I know some former players here and there will join the staff of their alma mater, but seems pretty rare for someone his age relatively fresh out of their pro career. Also please correct me if I'm wrong, but the way I'm reading the recent visits of Ayo&Marquise Walker and the positive things they're saying about Dee being on staff is that he will basically act as a coach for our future lead guards. Is that accurate? Does the "player development" aspect mean he can actually coach our future recruits in practice?

urbanite · Jun 15, 2016

Illiniguy13 said:
Can anyone think of other major programs out there(maybe specifically programs also targeting some of our top guard prospects) that have a guy similar to Dee on staff for recruiting/player development purposes? I know some former players here and there will join the staff of their alma mater, but seems pretty rare for someone his age relatively fresh out of their pro career.

He's a full-fledged assistant, and his playing career doesn't match Dee's, but Jon Scheyer comes to mind.

midastouch11 · Jun 15, 2016

Illiniguy13 said:
Can anyone think of other major programs out there(maybe specifically programs also targeting some of our top guard prospects) that have a guy similar to Dee on staff for recruiting/player development purposes? I know some former players here and there will join the staff of their alma mater, but seems pretty rare for someone his age relatively fresh out of their pro career. Also please correct me if I'm wrong, but the way I'm reading the recent visits of Ayo&Marquise Walker and the positive things they're saying about Dee being on staff is that he will basically act as a coach for our future lead guards. Is that accurate? Does the "player development" aspect mean he can actually coach our future recruits in practice?

The one that pops to mind is Danny Manning with Kansas. After he retired from the NBA he had a non assistant role for a few seasons and was able to work with the big men.

I believe on campus he's allowed to work with the players, although it probably won't be during official practice but in individual workouts.

Adnarel · Jun 15, 2016

TCTORNADO said:
DJ=MVP and member of Finnish national championship team.:thumb:

Following him on FB is an absolute blast. He posts highlights and stuff.

Epsilon · Jun 15, 2016

Malcolm Hill noted as 11th top senior this upcoming season, based on the criteria mentioned in the article...

http://m.bleacherreport.com/article..._medium=share&utm_campaign=web-des-art-top-22

rcjord1 · Jun 15, 2016

I see somethings never change

https://youtu.be/qaLzeOE-8C4

Joel Goodson · Jun 15, 2016

rcjord1 said:
https://youtu.be/qaLzeOE-8C4

Thanks for posting the clip. I'm looking for a breakout season from this Jordan fella. ;-)

Illiniguy13 · Jun 15, 2016

http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb...stat=stl_per_g&c4comp=gt&c4val=1&order_by=pts

He's somethin alright

whovous · Jun 15, 2016

TCTORNADO said:
Are you talking about Tilmon to Althoff??

No, JCL to COB. The previous writer said they were issuing acceptance letters yesterday.

At some point in the past, someone suggested JCL would transfer if not accepted.

Illinimobile · Jun 16, 2016

TCTORNADO said:
DJ=MVP and member of Finnish national championship team.:thumb:

http://www.pjstar.com/sports/201603...res-his-desire-to-nurture-local-talent?page=1

uofi09 · Jun 16, 2016

Do any players redshirt this year?

Right now there NO scholarships available for the 2018 class. IF Morgan and/or Tate redshirt this season, that opens 1 or 2 scholarships for the 2018 class.

Redshirting DJ Williams OR Aaron Jordan would also help balance out the classes

What are the chances that
Morgan and/or Tate Redshirt
AND
Williams OR Jordan Redshirt

Or any other combination?

Joel Goodson · Jun 16, 2016

uofi09 said:
Do any players redshirt this year?

Right now there NO scholarships available for the 2018 class. IF Morgan and/or Tate redshirt this season, that opens 1 or 2 scholarships for the 2018 class.

Redshirting DJ Williams OR Aaron Jordan would also help balance out the classes

What are the chances that
Morgan and/or Tate Redshirt
AND
Williams OR Jordan Redshirt

Or any other combination?

Morgan and Tate: no chance
DJW and Jordan: barring injury, very doubtful

IlliniDent · Jun 16, 2016

Joel Goodson said:
Morgan and Tate: no chance
DJW and Jordan: barring injury, very doubtful

Agreed unless one of AJ or DJW ends up far down the depth chart, then I could see a redshirt or a transfer after the season. I think it is far more likely a player from 2017 class redshirts.

We will have 1-2 slots open in 2018 just by playing averages on people leaving and there is a very good chance we don't fill all 6 spots in 17 with freshmen (may have a 5th year transfer join that pool). If 1 player leaves between now and then and we have 1 5th year in '17 then we already have 2 spots available.

Also, If we get 6 freshmen, someone is going to be left out on playing time and someone will most likely leave by the end of it all.

For now you recruit '18 like any other class.

urbanite · Jun 17, 2016

IlliniDent said:
Agreed unless one of AJ or DJW ends up far down the depth chart, then I could see a redshirt or a transfer after the season.

And really, I don't know how one of them could end up too far down the depth chart. Assuming Nichols doesn't play the first semester, we've got only 11 scholarship players for that portion of the season; 10 at the very beginning when Black will be out. In such a situation, I'll be shocked if someone is held out for a redshirt.

Abrams/Tate/Lucas
JCL/Jordan
Hill/Austin
Finke/DJW
Thorne/Morgan

CAHALL15 · Jun 17, 2016

IlliniDent said:
Agreed unless one of AJ or DJW ends up far down the depth chart, then I could see a redshirt or a transfer after the season. I think it is far more likely a player from 2017 class redshirts.

We will have 1-2 slots open in 2018 just by playing averages on people leaving and there is a very good chance we don't fill all 6 spots in 17 with freshmen (may have a 5th year transfer join that pool). If 1 player leaves between now and then and we have 1 5th year in '17 then we already have 2 spots available.

Also, If we get 6 freshmen, someone is going to be left out on playing time and someone will most likely leave by the end of it all.

For now you recruit '18 like any other class.

Groce alluded to class balance in his press conference. I think you pick some guys at each position for 2017 and if those top 2-3 options don't commit, you roll them to 2018. I do think getting at least one big in 2017 might be necessary since we lose Morgan and Thorne.

Joel Goodson · Jun 17, 2016

CAHALL15 said:
Groce alluded to class balance in his press conference. I think you pick some guys at each position for 2017 and if those top 2-3 options don't commit, you roll them to 2018. I do think getting at least one big in 2017 might be necessary since we lose Morgan and Thorne.

Definitely need at least 1 big in '17. One can consider Pickett our first '18 commit, as he's a for sure redshirt candidate. I can see rolling one ride over, but not more.

Greensboro · Jun 17, 2016

Joel Goodson said:
Definitely need at least 1 big in '17. One can consider Pickett our first '18 commit, as he's a for sure redshirt candidate. I can see rolling one ride over, but not more.

Agree on the big, I think we would like 2. I expect we will be shopping hard for a mid year transfer big for one of those. I would be surprised if we end up rolling over 2 scholarships to 2018 as well, I think it is possible if we miss, but it won't be the plan. If we get the opportunity to fill up with our top targets like Goodwin, Lewis, John, Tilmon, ... we will.

CAHALL15 · Jun 17, 2016

Greensboro said:
Agree on the big, I think we would like 2. I expect we will be shopping hard for a mid year transfer big for one of those. I would be surprised if we end up rolling over 2 scholarships to 2018 as well, I think it is possible if we miss, but it won't be the plan. If we get the opportunity to fill up with our top targets like Goodwin, Lewis, John, Tilmon, ... we will.

I think it's possible to roll at least 2 scholarships to 2018 if Groce really does view them "like gold." There are some no brainer guys you take for 2017, but let's say worst case scenario and you strike out on your top wings and guards and now you're looking at let's say McKinley Wright and another wing we have yet to offer, I'd assume you roll that to 2018. If recruiting these past few years has taught me anything, it's that nothing is guaranteed regardless of available playing time.

Edit: Sorry Dan. This probably belongs in the recruiting thread.

IlliniDent · Jun 17, 2016

urbanite said:
And really, I don't know how one of them could end up too far down the depth chart. Assuming Nichols doesn't play the first semester, we've got only 11 scholarship players for that portion of the season; 10 at the very beginning when Black will be out. In such a situation, I'll be shocked if someone is held out for a redshirt.

Abrams/Tate/Lucas
JCL/Jordan
Hill/Austin
Finke/DJW
Thorne/Morgan

Agree but no chance I see Austin getting many minutes with AJ, DJW, and Kipper available.

Obelix · Jun 17, 2016

CAHALL15 said:
I think it's possible to roll at least 2 scholarships to 2018 if Groce really does view them "like gold."

Illinois won't roll scholarships over, unless they completely strike out, even with lesser ranked players. We have missed the NCAA tournament 3 years in row, Nunn is gone, and we further lose Hill, Abrams, Thorne, Mav, and Tate. We need players, even if that means you roll the dice with more players in hope that some of them pan out. If they don't, they will be replaced.

urbanite · Jun 17, 2016

IlliniDent said:
Agree but no chance I see Austin getting many minutes with AJ, DJW, and Kipper available.

The depth chart I posted was for the very beginning of the season, when both Black and likely Nichols won't be available. I'd be really surprised if Austin doesn't get minutes in those games.

Illini Basketball 2016-2017

M tipping over