Valid point. I think the only two programs in the league that you can pretty much pencil in as contenders year in and year out regardless of who suits up for them are Michigan State and Wisconsin. Programs like Maryland and Iowa haven't quite earned that reputation yet, although the media tries to grant them that reputation prematurely.
Illini Basketball 2016-2017
Valid point. I think the only two programs in the league that you can pretty much pencil in as contenders year in and year out regardless of who suits up for them are Michigan State and Wisconsin. Programs like Maryland and Iowa haven't quite earned that reputation yet, although the media tries to grant them that reputation prematurely.
EfremWinters84
- S. Carolina
Here are my way-too-early scoring predictions for the season:
17 Hill
12 JCL
9 Thorne
8 Black
6 Finke
6 Morgan
5 AJ
5 Abrams
4 DJW
3 Lucas
2 All Others
----
77 Total points per game (a rather lofty total)
I hope Lucas surprises me and ends up being a double digit scorer. I'm really anxious to see who's going to step up this year. Go ILLINI!
17 Hill
12 JCL
9 Thorne
8 Black
6 Finke
6 Morgan
5 AJ
5 Abrams
4 DJW
3 Lucas
2 All Others
----
77 Total points per game (a rather lofty total)
I hope Lucas surprises me and ends up being a double digit scorer. I'm really anxious to see who's going to step up this year. Go ILLINI!
He's had a lot of time to practice...curious to see how it translates into games.
And he'll be shooting FTs at the end of games too.
the national
- the Front Range
Agreed. I personally have a lot of confidence in Abrams because of his maturity. B/c of his injuries, he's spent a lot of time listening to his body. It might take a few game to shake off the rust but in the end you'll see him play within himself and be a solid contributor. This detail may not always show in the stats but I suspect we are going to get a good season out of him.
Wondering if we may see some of TA at the 2 while TJL plays point. On the floor coach and better defensively than JCL. Think there can be some very interesting mixes for defensive purposes and to cause opposing team match-up problems. Like to see defensive pressure on the ball at all times. Need to use the depth available and spend some fouls early in the season to gain some experience on how the game will be called. This team should be able to compete with any team and win if they have a good game and they have learned to play defense.
Jon Rothstein @JonRothstein 23h23 hours ago
Illinois guard Jalen Coleman-Lands (hand) has been fully cleared for all basketball related activities, per John Groce.
Illinois guard Jalen Coleman-Lands (hand) has been fully cleared for all basketball related activities, per John Groce.
Excellent news!
I will try to be patient with Tracy as the season starts since it's been an eternity since he's played actual minutes. But hopefully by the time the better non-conference foes come calling, he'll be a real asset to this team.
It depends on what you mean by "much higher." Just because Abrams is shooting similar to Malcolm in drills where they are both not being guarded does not mean he's going average the same as Malcolm. A worse shooting Abrams did average 10ppg, but he also didn't quite have the other scoring threats around him either.
There is no doubt in my mind that he will be the best Illini PG on the court since Tracy Abrams.
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Setting the bar really high there!
USA Today projects us 12th
in the nation or in the Big 10?
Illinifanatic4ever
- Orange & Blue Blood in my Veins
We are basically getting no respect which has to be earned.
I mean, you can gain that respect through hype, but look at it from an outsider's perspective. Various combinations of this roster have been terrible over the past three years and Groce has no track record of anything other than mediocrity.
We're making preseason predictions based on the narrative turn many of us believe the Groce era is about to take. It's conclusion-first thinking, even if it's a well-argued, high-information conclusion. Neutrals do a ranking and are just reacting to the fact that we've done absolutely nothing to give anyone faith that we're going to out compete Maryland or Iowa or Purdue or Michigan or whoever. Everything they have seen refutes that conclusion.
Plays that were drawn up which would likely have worked with the missing players. Substitution patterns that were formed by having a depleted roster.
Plays work better with more talent.
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
+infinity
That's utter B.S. With the pieces Groce had to work with last year, it wouldn't have mattered whether he listened to Larry Brown, John Wooden or the Dalai Lama.
I'd be curious to know why JG would draw up plays for players he didn't have (at the time he drew up the play)?
He drew up plays that work. Lesser players aren't successful as often as better players. Percentage of success is lower. Fans remember the unsuccessful ones.
It's really pretty simple. You have to have players to be successful at a high rate.
The only good thing about last year is that players got court time who will make up our bench this year. That should make us better, especially since several of those were very young.
It's really pretty simple. You have to have players to be successful at a high rate.
The only good thing about last year is that players got court time who will make up our bench this year. That should make us better, especially since several of those were very young.