Basically it seems that people don't think he will come back from these injuries. I think the team will have a better option at the 1 spot with Tracy there than we have had for the past three years.
Illini Basketball 2016-2017
Basically it seems that people don't think he will come back from these injuries. I think the team will have a better option at the 1 spot with Tracy there than we have had for the past three years.
I have honestly not seen a single person who has said that they do not believe that Tracy will be back from his injuries, let alone "people." That still would not be bashing, but you may want to quote people and posts.
On the second part, I think you mean 2 years, because 3 years ago Tracy was indeed the PG
As far as "expectations," I have seen a couple of posts on this thread (illynifan34, illini80) mentioning that they find it hard to believe that Tracy would come back better, but that is hardly bashing as well. I have not seen Tracy, so not sure what to expect, but I'll include myself in that group. I think it is very hard for a senior to have two of basketball's most serious injuries, miss 2.5 years, and come back better. I have been involved in basketball my entire life, with quite a few athletes, and it is just extremely hard. Especially with two such injuries b2b. So it has nothing to do with people not wanting Tracy to come back better, just the reality that it is extremely hard with lower chances given the injuries and long period of inactivity from competitive college games. Personally, if Tracy gives this team leadership and stays healthy enough top play in all games, that will be a tremendous boost and better PG play than in the last two seasons. Does not have to be better, and I do not expect better, just not fair or realistic to expect better IMO.
Newman, I have not seen Tracy personally yet. Person I trust his judgement did see him in last two scrimmages. He told me Tracy moves without visible effect from injuries, seems confident, a little rusty shooting the ball, hard to evaluate beyond that, as they tend to not go full speed/intensity in scrimmages yet, players tend to pick their spots (understandably so). I do not remember reading, stronger, faster, or more explosive than before, but possible to have missed it. If Tracy is stronger, faster, more explosive, with a better shot, that indeed describes a "better" player.
Yeah I'm not making the point that he's a better player or a better shooter. I'm making he point that the numbers prove he is stronger and jumping higher. Both of those add up to being more explosive while also, most likely, carrying over to his speed. I'm only talking measurable athletic qualities, which has been the subject of many posts about athletes returning from achilles injuries. In those areas only, the numbers don't lie.
I do not disagree with what you said, I just pointed out that both posters questioned the totality of parameters (including explosiveness, shooting) that constitute a "better" player, rather than Fletcher's numbers. I do not believe any of those two posts questioned Fletcher's numbers.
There is no doubt that Fletcher's numbers are legit. But they tend to focus more on strength and jumping. Explosiveness IMO includes many other elements beyond Fletcher's number's. Personally, I have no doubt or lower expectations with strength and jumping for Tracy. He should be fine on those, and I think he will provide leadership as well. The most difficult parts IMO are the psychological effect of injuries, lateral movement, explosiveness, effect of long period of inactivity from competitive basketball, and shooting.
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Yeah I feel you. I think your last sentence is why Id go ~20 minutes per game for Tracy early. There's gonna be a lot of rust to get off physically. That only comes off my playing in games. However, I think he needs to go out there and complete games for his psychological state and confidence. When he knows he can do it mentally, the physical part will follow.
Newman I have to share your contrarian view, I don't know what Tracy we will have. I would gladly take the one we had two years ago, I thought his game was coming along. With the layoff and injuries comes the mental aspects of the game and fear of re-injury.
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
None of us do. Yes, gladly take the 2 years ago version. Anything past that is gravy. Encouraging accounts thus far, but that means little. Really, really hoping Abrams body holds up, he deserves to go out with a bang.
Well, as far as TnT goes, it looks like Adam has helped to address some of the toughness part. With Thorne and Black back and the new look of this team, I'm expecting much better rebounding numbers this season. Get this team into some decent rebounding drills and look out Sparty?
Hopefully the togetherness will be there too. It would be nice to see the Illini play some good team basketball this season.
I'm expecting this team to be in the Top 25 going into B1G play (or at least knocking on that door). We'll likely know by the end of January where it all stands. Should be a lot of hungry seniors on this team. It would be a crime to have MH play four years at Illinois and not see a single NCAA tourney game. Gotta believe they're going to fight hard to make sure that doesn't happen and if they care anything at all about JG, how could that happen?
Go Illini!
Hopefully the togetherness will be there too. It would be nice to see the Illini play some good team basketball this season.
I'm expecting this team to be in the Top 25 going into B1G play (or at least knocking on that door). We'll likely know by the end of January where it all stands. Should be a lot of hungry seniors on this team. It would be a crime to have MH play four years at Illinois and not see a single NCAA tourney game. Gotta believe they're going to fight hard to make sure that doesn't happen and if they care anything at all about JG, how could that happen?
Go Illini!
Last year we had major weaknesses at the PG play and the Big Men play. With the weak PG play we had little offense, poor shooting, and overall didn't command the position (playmaking=assist). With the injuries to our big men we saw a drop in rebounds, poor interior defense, and poor shotblocking.
With the return of Abrams and the addition of TJL and Clayton Jones I see this position getting a little stronger. I also see us masking this position by using Malcolm and JCL to begin plays at the top of the key.
I see a huge improvement in the big men department if everyone stays healthy. Thorne and Black will form a solid college PF/C tandem. Maverick is much improved and I expect Finke to continue his solid play.
With the return of Abrams and the addition of TJL and Clayton Jones I see this position getting a little stronger. I also see us masking this position by using Malcolm and JCL to begin plays at the top of the key.
I see a huge improvement in the big men department if everyone stays healthy. Thorne and Black will form a solid college PF/C tandem. Maverick is much improved and I expect Finke to continue his solid play.
I love Clayton Jones. He has been a tough cookie since on the court since I first met him. That said, Clayton Jones is a walk on. Walk ons do not play unless something has gone terribly right or terribly wrong.
HoopCity
- Huntsville, AL
I thought he looked pretty good at the scrimmages, bet he competes.....
Even if he looks good in scrimmages he will not play over TJL, who needs to develop for our future, unless TJL is injured or just plain awful.
Maybe he'd have the ability to play over Tate, but he won't, especially early in the year because Tate is just so much further ahead in the system and experience at this point. At the time where these three become equals or near equals, TJL plays over all.
All this said, I again want it to be clear that I love Clayton Jones. I just don't see it happening.
Would that be considered a Love Jones??
Well played.
Jones has JC experience and appears to have a good shot. From what I've seen of his video he is more of a preferred walk-on. Will see, I was just pleasantly surprised.
frozenrope9190
- Aurora, IL
Or a Basketball Jones /CheechandChong
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
First day of practice. Very high hopes (within reason) for this season.
Dan
Admin
Tracy Abrams on start of Illini hoops practice: 'A blessing to be in this position'
http://www.scout.com/college/illinois/story/1713211-abrams-a-blessing-to-be-in-this-position
http://www.scout.com/college/illinois/story/1713211-abrams-a-blessing-to-be-in-this-position
Lucas eager to begin practice
http://www.news-gazette.com/sports/...ll/2016-10-02/lucas-eager-begin-practice.html
http://www.news-gazette.com/sports/...ll/2016-10-02/lucas-eager-begin-practice.html
That will definitely pump ya up for the start of the season.
icengineer
- Southern Illinois
I wish more of those clips were from the last couple of years....