Awful lot of this year's #13 were in there. Maybe the coincidence is he wasn't playing "the last couple years".
Illini Basketball 2016-2017
Awful lot of this year's #13 were in there. Maybe the coincidence is he wasn't playing "the last couple years".
Illinisteve25
- Champaign
Its one day into the season and have had a practice already and we don't have a full write up on how each player is doing in practice? What gives? Just kidding as long as we go injury free I will be happy...
I too was wondering why no report about the first day.
Former players returning
I saw the article today about Rayvonte Rice returning to train over the summer.
http://www.news-gazette.com/sports/illini-sports/mens-basketball/2016-10-03/rice-continues-pursue-dream.html
I was just wondering about former players that return and receive medical treatment or full use of the facilities. I understand the usefulness of doing that and don't think it's bad. I also know it is something routinely done at other programs too. I get that a private university might just have an open door policy to former players but I could see how at a public university there might be certain people who question it.
So I wonder if anyone else knows- Is there some arrangement for allowing former players to use facilities/staff/resources? And what is the criteria? Play for 2 years? 4? How long are players allowed to do it? 5 years? 10? Just while they have a professional career? What if, say, Jerry Gee hurts his foot playing pick up basketball. Can he come rehab? It seems odd to me a former player could come back and make use of personnel time and DIA resources and no one pop up with a complaint. It is a nice benefit to have and nice to do- just wondering about the logistics.
I saw the article today about Rayvonte Rice returning to train over the summer.
http://www.news-gazette.com/sports/illini-sports/mens-basketball/2016-10-03/rice-continues-pursue-dream.html
I was just wondering about former players that return and receive medical treatment or full use of the facilities. I understand the usefulness of doing that and don't think it's bad. I also know it is something routinely done at other programs too. I get that a private university might just have an open door policy to former players but I could see how at a public university there might be certain people who question it.
So I wonder if anyone else knows- Is there some arrangement for allowing former players to use facilities/staff/resources? And what is the criteria? Play for 2 years? 4? How long are players allowed to do it? 5 years? 10? Just while they have a professional career? What if, say, Jerry Gee hurts his foot playing pick up basketball. Can he come rehab? It seems odd to me a former player could come back and make use of personnel time and DIA resources and no one pop up with a complaint. It is a nice benefit to have and nice to do- just wondering about the logistics.
It is pretty customary for ex-players, especially stars, to come back to the University for an occasional visit or even have a workout with players. They do have to get permission, but the University grants them. It is a marketing tool for players/recruits as well. They do get permission, but it is not that hundreds of ex-players come back regularly every week. Players move on with their lives, so other than the occasional come back visit, it does not happen very often and does not interfere with the University programs. But all players and ex-athletes need permission and I am pretty sure Rice was granted permission as well.
Now "medical" treatment? No University will provide actual medical treatment without proper insurance to any athlete, including former and current players, faculty, etc. It is a huge liability and will not do so. So I am pretty sure Rice has medical insurance and his injury was diagnosed by a medical professional under an insurance plan. But once that happened, he obviously got permission from the University to come back and use the facilities, interact with staff, and participate in workouts. But there is no "rule" or implicit use of facilities without permission.
Now "medical" treatment? No University will provide actual medical treatment without proper insurance to any athlete, including former and current players, faculty, etc. It is a huge liability and will not do so. So I am pretty sure Rice has medical insurance and his injury was diagnosed by a medical professional under an insurance plan. But once that happened, he obviously got permission from the University to come back and use the facilities, interact with staff, and participate in workouts. But there is no "rule" or implicit use of facilities without permission.
Epsilon
M tipping over
- Pdx
Good summary of where we are now. Nothing new per se, just a good summary.
https://illinois.rivals.com/news/hoops-notebook-practice-begins-for-veteran-illini-squad
https://illinois.rivals.com/news/hoops-notebook-practice-begins-for-veteran-illini-squad
Nearly forgot how successful teams were against us from 3 point land last year. I'm aware our perimeter defense was hard to watch at times, but can't help but feel our luck can only go up in that department. I swear teams couldn't miss against us.
TownieMatt
CU Expat
- Chicago
Have to hope JCL returns quickly. That hole at the 2 is glaring without him. Especially on a squad with good depth otherwise.
3 Point % is an offensive stat, not a defensive one.
http://kenpom.com/blog/offense-vs-defense-3point-percentage/
If you are worried about perimeter defense, just look at the 3 point attempts. That's what the defense can control more.
http://kenpom.com/blog/offense-vs-defense-threepoint-attempts/
http://kenpom.com/blog/offense-vs-defense-3point-percentage/
If you are worried about perimeter defense, just look at the 3 point attempts. That's what the defense can control more.
http://kenpom.com/blog/offense-vs-defense-threepoint-attempts/
You are much more likely to make a wide open 3 than a contested one.
Yep, especially with Nichols out for the first 11 games. JCL should be back for the opener. A little thin on the front line for the first few games with Black out.
Looking like this for the opener:
C Thorne, Morgan
F Finke
G Hill, Williams
G JCL, Jordan, Austin
G Abrams, Tate or Lucas
Lots more depth when we get all players back:
C Thorne, Morgan
F Finke or Black
G Hill, Nichols, Williams
G JCL, Jordan, Austin
G Abrams, Lucas or Tate
DJW will move to the 4 before Black and Kipper return. Hill and JCL will play major minutes with Jordan covering the spare minutes. But Finke will need a backup and that will be DJW.
Well that's kind of the point. Not many players will take a contested 3, more likely to drive, pass or step further out and take an "open" 3.
Yep, that could happen if he is playing well. If Jordan is playing well, Hill could slide down there since he is very familiar with that position. That would leave JCL and Jordan on the wings.
Hopefully, Williams can handle the minutes there so Hill doesn't have to do that, but it is another option.
Exactly. Good perimeter defense results in no three point attempt, not a missed three point attempt.
I'm not saying we played good perimeter defense last year, but the reliance on the shooting percentage is misplaced.
TownieMatt
CU Expat
- Chicago
Good defense results in forced three point attempts at the end of the shot clock, which results in lower 3PT%.
Actually, good defense forces teams to take 2 point jump shots, the worst option available. Read the articles bob linked.
Agreed. Worst shot is a late shot clock contested 2 pt jump shot. Good defenses chase guys off the 3 point line while clogging the lane. Hard to do but by far the most effective D.
One thing to keep in mind with rice working out in champaign this summer is that he's from champaign, so it would make sense for him to work out here while he's home. Other players come back to their school from time to time, but spend most of their off season working out at a gym wherever they live. Well, for rayvonte, champaign fits both of those criteria, thus we see him more often
Captain Bubbles
- Fairfield, IL
I feel better about this year's team than last year's. Veteran leadership and experience is higher than last season. The loss of Nunn will hurt, but shouldn't damper Illinois' chances of finishing in the top five/seven of the Big Ten and competing in the NCAA Tournament -- IF ALL of them are healthy.
I'm torn. Obviously, going into last season was one thing, and what happened was different. I've attempted to look at it from different angles to talk myself into greater optimism.
I tick off the pros:
Thorne was gone most of the season and he was a match-up problem early. Average defender IMO, but a plus rebounder, and a real threat in the post that would draw attention. If he had good position, he could finish, and he had decent recognition and passing out of double teams. I think he'll be fun to watch.
Kipper - I'm excited to have him. My expectation is he'll give us some intangibles we were missing. I'm not expecting we'll get a lot of offense, but some, along with a physical style of play. Would be so much better to have him all season.
PG - I think we'll be weak again, but better than last year. Lucas will make freshman mistakes, and that's ok. His only task is to improve, not save us. If Tracy is able to play as well as we hope, we could be ok.
Hill - He's our best player, and I think he'll be better. Love how he's really developed his strength.
Cons:
Loss of Nunn. He could really shoot it.
Injury to JCL, Black's suspension, although I'm not expecting either to be much of an issue when it comes down to it.
How bad we were last season. We need to improve a lot to get from where we were to where we want to be (solidly in the dance). We'll get no favors from the top teams....or the middle ones.
We really won't know much until we see them on the court --lotta changes from last season, and it's hard to know if a team will develop an identity during practice.
Not a bad list but I think you missed one good pro. The freshmen to sophomore leap could be big for this team. Considering all of the playing time they received last year that could be a considerable benefit.