Adding Black and Nichols eventually to the lineup will definitely have a positive effect on the team and game results.
Adding Black and Nichols eventually to the lineup will definitely have a positive effect on the team and game results.
Bold prediction! I think you might be right.
Where would you put the other key ingredient of the team - coaching staff - on this above/below average scale?
Based on what we've seen, probably 10th or so. I don't think Groce is an abysmal coach, though. I think he can win with talent.
These preseason predictions are silly. They rightfully talk a lot about Malcolm, Tracy, and Thorne, but JCL is a throw-in and no one's even thinking about Leron. Those two guys were top-40 players and in the McDAA discussion as preps. If all goes well, they'll probably be our 2nd and 3rd (or 4th) best players and well above replacement level in the B1G.
Maybe I'm hitting the kool-aid too hard with the season arriving, but here's how I see it (assuming no major injuries):
PG - Abrams - around 8th best starter in the conference at his position
SG - Coleman-Lands - 4th or 5th
SF - Hill - 1st; one of the top 4 overall players in the B1G and a potential All-American
PF - Black - around 6th
C - Thorne, Jr - 4th or 5th
Bench
PG - Tate/Lucas - average backups compared to the competition
SG/SF - Jordan/Nichols/Williams - average
PF - Finke - above average
C - Morgan - above average
Maybe I'm overly optimistic, but I think we're running average to slightly below average at PG and way above average everywhere else. We're loaded on the wing and we've got lots of scoring and rebounding down low. I'm really only worried about shooting off the bench and defense in the lane. Otherwise, we're an obvious top-7 team.
I think fans and pundits alike are subconsciously correcting toward the negative based an irrational expectation of bad luck. It's like a gambler getting skittish after a series of bad hands.
http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/bracketology
Pre-season bracketology and Illinois is nowhere to be seen. Not even in the last four byes, last four in, first four out, next four out. 7 B1G teams.
Going to have to prove a lot of people wrong, or a lot of us are going to be proven wrong.
These preseason predictions are silly. They rightfully talk a lot about Malcolm, Tracy, and Thorne, but JCL is a throw-in and no one's even thinking about Leron. Those two guys were top-40 players and in the McDAA discussion as preps. If all goes well, they'll probably be our 2nd and 3rd (or 4th) best players and well above replacement level in the B1G.
Maybe I'm hitting the kool-aid too hard with the season arriving, but here's how I see it (assuming no major injuries):
PG - Abrams - around 8th best starter in the conference at his position
SG - Coleman-Lands - 4th or 5th
SF - Hill - 1st; one of the top 4 overall players in the B1G and a potential All-American
PF - Black - around 6th
C - Thorne, Jr - 4th or 5th
Bench
PG - Tate/Lucas - average backups compared to the competition
SG/SF - Jordan/Nichols/Williams - average
PF - Finke - above average
C - Morgan - above average
Maybe I'm overly optimistic, but I think we're running average to slightly below average at PG and way above average everywhere else. We're loaded on the wing and we've got lots of scoring and rebounding down low. I'm really only worried about shooting off the bench and defense in the lane. Otherwise, we're an obvious top-7 team.
I think fans and pundits alike are subconsciously correcting toward the negative based an irrational expectation of bad luck. It's like a gambler getting skittish after a series of bad hands.
I think this would be a good post to rethink right before the start of the Big Ten when we have had a chance to see a lot more games. I do think TJL gives us something we haven't had for a good while , and that's a kid who can really pass the ball. It could be a good or bad thing depending on if guys can adjust to the fact he will get them the ball at any time.
http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/bracketology
Pre-season bracketology and Illinois is nowhere to be seen. Not even in the last four byes, last four in, first four out, next four out. 7 B1G teams.
Going to have to prove a lot of people wrong, or a lot of us are going to be proven wrong.
C'mon, give Tate credit for the one thing he's REALLY good at
Lucas made a couple of passes I have never seen Tate make. However, they were not handled by the receivers.
Tate is a good passer, no doubt. Lucas will be better, imo.
It may take time for the scoring to come, but it's promising to see the court vision and passing already on display. Cory Evans said TJL was a top 5 passing point guard in the 16' class :thumb: looking that's definitely his strength.
And his jump shot is already light years ahead of Tate regardless of what we'll see in game this year
I don't think he's taken a jump shot yet.
Exactly
Exactly
I don't think he's taken a jump shot yet.
While this comment is premature on TJL, I think it's worth noting that bball is in many respects a game of efficiency, and efficient players take higher percentage plays. Another way people say it, is that a guy plays within himself. If TJL plays within himself, that should serve us well. Plenty of experienced players to work the ball to mean he can be an opportunistic scorer.
While this comment is premature on TJL, I think it's worth noting that bball is in many respects a game of efficiency, and efficient players take higher percentage plays. Another way people say it, is that a guy plays within himself. If TJL plays within himself, that should serve us well. Plenty of experienced players to work the ball to mean he can be an opportunistic scorer.