FeelTheLovie
- Louisville, KY
He fits into the offense with those catch and shoot/one dribble pull ups. If he's confident, AJ could end up being a 6 ppg and 4 rpg guy imo.
Illini Basketball 2017-2018
- Status
He fits into the offense with those catch and shoot/one dribble pull ups. If he's confident, AJ could end up being a 6 ppg and 4 rpg guy imo.
Illinifanatic4ever
- Orange & Blue Blood in my Veins
I heard June 12th is the first summer workout date.
Only 27 days away, but who's counting?
Trent Frazier
Peoria Illini
- Peoria, IL
Got to love a coach who embraces the goal and doesn't shield his team from expectations:
Brad Underwood won’t return a double-figure scorer next season at Illinois, but he still likes his team’s chances to get to the field of 68.
“I think we should be an NCAA Tournament team next year,” Underwood said Monday on the College Hoops Today Podcast. “I like our pieces and I like our toughness and grit. I think Mark Smith, who we just signed, has a chance to be one of the best freshmen in the country. We should be right there in middle of things in the Big Ten.”
Brad Underwood won’t return a double-figure scorer next season at Illinois, but he still likes his team’s chances to get to the field of 68.
“I think we should be an NCAA Tournament team next year,” Underwood said Monday on the College Hoops Today Podcast. “I like our pieces and I like our toughness and grit. I think Mark Smith, who we just signed, has a chance to be one of the best freshmen in the country. We should be right there in middle of things in the Big Ten.”
Mike
C-U Townie
Every good guy needs a villain counterpart for an interesting story.Thought ours was Indiana, but Mizzou works too.
Bubba Eder
- Northeast Missouri
Trent already has his bags packed!!!
I'm hearing he's already here chatting it up with a certain cheerleader, lol.
Deleted member 4333
D
Guest
Yes, that is Day 1 of the second summer session. That's the day I update the scholarship grid to 2017-2018. I hope I have a few more names on the grid by then.
From what I've heard, Trent is more of a combo guard and so is MS and DW. I think we see all three get time at the 1, but our back court wont be as definied. I could see any three playing together. TJL seems to have a real gift in his court vision. Thats gonna be hard to keep on the bench. I agree we will be seeing a lot of TJL this year.
Tevo
- Wilmette, IL
I expect, as usual, that one of the factors will be defense. It's really hard to project Smith's (or Frazier's or DMW's) defensive prowess (both on and off ball) until we see them playing against D1 teams and within a team concept. I think we all expect those guys to be able to pass, dribble and score, but I for one have no idea what to expect on D -- disruption and steals, or confusion, overplaying and frustration? I know, likely something in between.
TJL, however, has already shown an ability to guard on the ball. I'm not assuming any of the new guys will necessarily outplay him in that regard, at least not right out of the chute.
Completely agree, Tejons on ball defense was one of the best on the team last year. I think Tejon gets the start at PG but I also think that MS starts next year. I'm pumped, going to be exciting watching a new coach with a new system, and new players. I also think attendance will be boosted due to the change.
Peoria Illini
- Peoria, IL
Damonte's defense prior to his injury was a strong point. Hopefully he regains that after his rehab.
Pretty much.
Really think alot are confused about how the offense will be numbered, as all used 2 guards,1center, 2 forwards When you watch BU diagram it in one of those videos posted, you see our need for alot of fast good ball handlers. Guards look to be used to pass, penetrate and cut. The post (5 or whatever number) will be moving player that will get ball and kick back out alot. All hear coach saying he will be emphasizing fundamentals, this will be important for all, the post cannot stand and hold ball. Get ball, drive or pass quickly. Our defense will be harassing and count on turnovers to set up breakouts and fastbreaks. So many are used to your setup and run plays out of set offense. Them days are over, and can't wait to see the team come November. Flying Illini 2.0.
Really think alot are confused about how the offense will be numbered, as all used 2 guards,1center, 2 forwards When you watch BU diagram it in one of those videos posted, you see our need for alot of fast good ball handlers. Guards look to be used to pass, penetrate and cut. The post (5 or whatever number) will be moving player that will get ball and kick back out alot. All hear coach saying he will be emphasizing fundamentals, this will be important for all, the post cannot stand and hold ball. Get ball, drive or pass quickly. Our defense will be harassing and count on turnovers to set up breakouts and fastbreaks. So many are used to your setup and run plays out of set offense. Them days are over, and can't wait to see the team come November. Flying Illini 2.0.
Not really. Yes, BU wants to play fast but we have to remember the opponent will want to keep us from doing that. The majority of our points will still come from half court offense.
Between what I've seen of him at clinics and videos of game film on YouTube, it appears BU has about 20 favorite halfcourt sets. Most college coaches I've seen talk about playbooks generally say they have 1000 sets ready to implement based on their personnel. This includes guys like BU and Shaka Smart who prefer transition scoring. I agree that we're still gonna see halfcourt offense.
I think where people will be surprised is that halfcourt offense doesn't always mean a slow down game. It is possible to play fast in the halfcourt. Things like cutting hard, driving hard, screening and rolling hard, and filling the next spot hard are all ways to play fast in the halfcourt. They will also all collectively wear down a defense over the course of a game, much same as pushing the tempo will. For fans, it also keeps the game interesting, much like playing in transition. We're gonna have a team that plays fast in general, in both transition and half court offense.
People just have to remember that our defensive stats will fall. But our offense is going to sky rocket compared to what we are used to. We will play fast and be fun to watch. We will average more than 80 ppg next year. Which will bode well for our NCAA tournament hopes next year and going forward.
+1 Other teams may want to run tempo, remind all of WVU/Gonzaga elite 8 game past, you may not want to run but you can't hide.
If you could illustrate Illinois basketball for the rest of your life I would appreciate it.
ChazzReinhold
Mom! The Meatloaf!
Great job Adnarel.
- Status