Illini Basketball 2017-2018

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#1      

TownieMatt

T
CU Expat
Chicago
TownieMatt
Hi Loyalists!

Discussion of next year's team (roster, rotation, projections, etc.) seems to be spread out in a few separate threads so I thought I would create a new thread to cover it.

To kick things off, I'll give my rotation if the season started tomorrow (thank goodness it doesn't) in order of descending PT at the position:

PG - Te'Jon Lucas, Trent Frazier
SG - Jalen Coleman-Lands, Trent Frazier, Aaron Jordan
SF - Kipper Nichols, DJ Williams
PF - Leron Black, Kipper Nichols, DJ Williams
C - Michael Finke, Leron Black

Guessing Da'Monte Williams redshirts given the injury situation.
 
#2      

PlayAZ

P
PlayAZ
TownieMatt said:
Hi Loyalists!

Discussion of next year's team (roster, rotation, projections, etc.) seems to be spread out in a few separate threads so I thought I would create a new thread to cover it.

To kick things off, I'll give my rotation if the season started tomorrow (thank goodness it doesn't) in order of descending PT at the position:

PG - Te'Jon Lucas, Trent Frazier
SG - Jalen Coleman-Lands, Trent Frazier, Aaron Jordan
SF - Kipper Nichols, DJ Williams
PF - Leron Black, Kipper Nichols, DJ Williams
C - Michael Finke, Leron Black

Guessing Da'Monte Williams redshirts given the injury situation.
Click to expand...

The roster will look drastically different in less than 2 months imo, Williams is almost assured of a red-shirt being, I thought I saw mentioned somewhere rather recently, that he had begun running? Only a few months away, so anything could happen, but I agree with red shirt.

Jordan seemed so much better coming out our high school? Can BU and staff get him confident and slashing?

Williams is unfortunately what seems as the player with the look. If you see him out, "Ah that kid is a baller", when you see him play...no so much? Ton of talent, doesn't seem to know how to use it? Can OA get in his head and convince him he should OWN other players at his position?

Finke is what he is...limited rebounder, spot up shooter, another Brad LoHaus?

Black, will benefit the most out of all in BU system...he his a GREAT rebounder, he will get more aggressive and dare I say average a double double possibly? He has the skill set in this system to do it?

Lucas/Frazier will be Batman/Robin running this team...they seem as if they will feed of each others energy. Love to have them both representing the ILLINI!!

JCL just has to shoot, the movement alone will create much better opportunities for him..gotta make them.

Nichols is the wild card, has I could see him moving around and playing up to 4 positions at times, much more possible than Williams imo...

Should be fun to see the progression of a few players that seemed to be stunted in the past?:chief:
 
#3      

Peoria Illini

P
Peoria, IL
Peoria Illini
I see Black (if he can stay out of foul trouble) and Nichols loving this offense and doing well. DJW as well, if he can get comfortable and confident. Finke in the high post can be effective as well.

What I want to see also is more finishing stronger at the rim. Did Illinois finish dead last in the NCAA in the number of dunks for the season? How many times did we just lay it in, instead of finishing strong?

Guard wise, all of our guards should do well in this offense. TJL with his running floater should love it.
 
#4      

combes

C
combes
Here is my new ideal scenario for next year if nobody leaves and we add Smith, Ernst and Johnson:

C Finke, Ernst
F Nichols, Black
G Johnson, DJ Williams, Jordan
G JCL, Frazier, Da Williams
G Smith, Lucas

Bragg redshirting.
 
#5      

champaignchris

C
champaignchris
Not that it matters too much, but I think Black is more the 5 and Finke the 4. At least as the roster is currently constructed.
 
#6      

PlayAZ

P
PlayAZ
combes said:
Here is my new ideal scenario for next year if nobody leaves and we add Smith, Ernst and Johnson:

C Finke, Ernst
F Nichols, Black
G Johnson, DJ Williams, Jordan
G JCL, Frazier, Da Williams
G Smith, Lucas

Bragg redshirting.
Click to expand...

Ernst would start over Finke imo, D Williams a red-shirt also.
 
#7      

Obelix

Obelix
Obelix
TownieMatt said:
PG - Te'Jon Lucas, Trent Frazier
SG - Jalen Coleman-Lands, Trent Frazier, Aaron Jordan
SF - Kipper Nichols, DJ Williams
PF - Leron Black, Kipper Nichols, DJ Williams
C - Michael Finke, Leron Black
Click to expand...

Not enough talent to be considered an NCAA team, although, contrary to previous year, PG is not the problem.

We need some additions, so it remains to be seen how the 2017 class ends up.
 
#8      

combes

C
combes
PlayAZ said:
Ernst would start over Finke imo, D Williams a red-shirt also.
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Could happen, I guess. I think Finke is perfect for the new system. Perhaps Ernst and Finke would start together. I would just like to get that roster and let the cards fall where they may as far as the lineup and rotation. I would even take Bruninga if someone leaves.
 
#12      

combes

C
combes
Jack Ingram Ball Screen said:
Am I the only one who doesn't see Finke and Black being on the court at the same time? The offense is about movement. Finke has brick feet. I think both him and Black together would slow it down.
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You could be right about them not playing together, but I think Finke will thrive in this offense.
 
#15      

Ga65

G
Ga65
I would expect to see a rotation in pos 1-3 that includes TJL, TF, JCL, MS, and CJ. Parts basically interchangeable. 4-5 Would be MF, LB, KN, and TBD. Mix and match per opponent match ups. If we land MS and CJ this team will be capable of winning any game. Players not mentioned would have to significant improvements to gain significant BIG time. (Assuming DaW is redshirted.)
 
#17      

FiveStar

F
FiveStar
Jack Ingram Ball Screen said:
I think he could at the high post position. I don't think he is athletic enough to play a stretch 4 on the wing in this particular offense (Assuming its ran the same way as OSU and SFA).
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I think Finke compares pretty favorably to Jacob Parker, who played inside and outside, but was GREAT the high post. However, we NEED Finke to be usable on the perimeter, especially when he and Leron are in the game together.
 
#19      

FiveStar

F
FiveStar
Peoria Illini said:
I hope that's a good WOW! Would be interesting to know what drills and stations they have set up for these guys.
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The twitter picture on the main page looks to be a drive and drift drill. With the offense so elevated on the court, the baselines are wide open, and that is definitely one of the most relevant drills for this offense.
 
#20      

combes

C
combes
Jack Ingram Ball Screen said:
I think he could at the high post position. I don't think he is athletic enough to play a stretch 4 on the wing in this particular offense (Assuming its ran the same way as OSU and SFA).
Click to expand...

Which is why I had him playing center. From the high post, he can shoot it and is an outstanding passer.
 
#21      

Jack Ingram Ball Screen

J
Jack Ingram Ball Screen
combes said:
Which is why I had him playing center. From the high post, he can shoot it and is an outstanding passer.
Click to expand...

Do you feel comfortable with Leron running around on the wing while Finke is at center? From what I have seen (and there is an entire summer to change this) I don't think that fits Blacks game at all. And I know the roster isn't filled yet, but I would imagine those two would spell each other. And I get I am making a ton of assumptions about the roster that will probably be different in 2 months.
 
#24      

Ga65

G
Ga65
I can't see Black defending centers. Offense is not our largest problem but Black did not impress me defensively. It seemed to me that Kipper was much better defensively. Not nearly as high on Black's flexibility as some. He is a great rebounder but Not a defensive stopper.
 
#25      

Ubermensch

Ubermensch
BOOM! Feed my ego.
Ubermensch
Epsilon said:
Can't help but to think that that is a comparative reaction to the last staff's practices.
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Could be. But Dad also has a point of reference wrt college practice vs. HS and AAU practice. Personally, I have very little doubt there's been an upgrade in practice and skill development. I don't anticipate Underwood spending much time doing Navy SEAL training.
 
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