Illini Basketball 2017-2018

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#26      

Calvin

C
Calvin
GBPillini said:
Rob Jordan:https://twitter.com/FiberGuru1/status/852527098417864706
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That's fantastic to hear. I could never understand how we got such a sharp-shooter with good size and wound up sitting him. Not sure what the outcome will be, but it's great to know that the new staff is opening doors.

Regarding earlier posts on Finke/Black. Put me in the camp that thinks Finke will do really well under BU's coaching. Finke is smart, and he's willing to move without the ball. He's also able to shoot from outside. Seems like exactly the kind of guy who will do well in the flow of the offense. Defensively, he may have work to do, but I expect he'll improve.
 
#27      

Jack Ingram Ball Screen

J
Jack Ingram Ball Screen
Ga65 said:
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.
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Did we have 1 good interior defender/rim protector on our roster last year or returning this year? I did not see one. I totally agree with what you said about Kipper. I think he will be our "swiss army knife" next year. I hate that I just used that phrase.
 
#28      

Rad

R
Nashville, TN
Rad
OK, have held on to a little inside info for a while from someone very close to last years team (with them on a daily basis although I received third hand) --- "most players will not be disappointed if Groce is let go". I was not told why this was said but believe players were not getting the results they wanted either. As I have watched our teams the past few years I have always sensed we were not used to playing at or against high intensity based on how we responded when opponents turned up the level of defense such as late in the game and our overall inconsistent results. I think the players are about to see what it means to practice and play hard with a more tough love approach. Some will thrive and others will not. Should be interesting to watch and I believe the difference will be very noticable.
 
#30      

TownieMatt

T
CU Expat
Chicago
TownieMatt
BWBW said:
Sorry TownieMatt, but I'm a Patriot! :hand:
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xaw9so.gif
 
#32      

illiniguy24

illiniguy24
illiniguy24
Wouldn't mind seeing DJ at the 3, Kipper at the 4 and Black at the 5.

We would just never win a jump ball.


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#36      

Ga65

G
Ga65
Rad said:
OK, have held on to a little inside info for a while from someone very close to last years team (with them on a daily basis although I received third hand) --- "most players will not be disappointed if Groce is let go". I was not told why this was said but believe players were not getting the results they wanted either. As I have watched our teams the past few years I have always sensed we were not used to playing at or against high intensity based on how we responded when opponents turned up the level of defense such as late in the game and our overall inconsistent results. I think the players are about to see what it means to practice and play hard with a more tough love approach. Some will thrive and others will not. Should be interesting to watch and I believe the difference will be very noticable.
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Still believe this was JG's problem. He knew X and O's. Just never hard enough to push players. If you look at teams we defeated last year that were in the tourney, don't believe you can blame it in lack of talent. Not consistent because no discipline. That will change and we will lose some players who can't stand the heat. Will have rides for next year but have no idea where they will come.
 
#38      

ballislife17

ballislife17
ballislife17
I have seen every single player on our roster listed at least once as "a guy who will benefit from BU's system". And while I do agree that most will be much better with a good coach, the one player I don't see fitting in well is Leron Black, and here is why:

The 1-4 positions in BU's offense are very similar. The 4 needs to be able to operate out of the triple threat like a guard basically. For this reason, Leron cannot play the 4 without making enormous strides. He is not skilled enough to drive to the basket, and he is a terrible passer (I believe either his first or second season it took 20 something games for him to record his first assist). I expect Kipper and DJW to play the 4 assuming no new additions to the roster.

This leaves his only option to be effective being the 5. While I think he can play the 5, taking long jumpers and setting screens, he would still be a 6'7 five at the end of the day who will have to guard 6'10-6'11 players on the other end.

Maybe with all of these improved skill drills, Leron can develop the inside-outside game we all expected from him coming out of high school
 
#40      

kuhl84

K
Orlando, FL
kuhl84
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.
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I like the way you think.
 
#41      

ILLINIFAN2

ILLINIFAN2
Des Moines, IA
ILLINIFAN2
Rob Jordan‏ @FiberGuru1 · Apr 13

AJ's dad just tweeted:

"After one day of skill training..........WOW!"

Looks like we got a coaching upgrade, hopefully recruits notice this as well to ensure their development...
 
#42      

JudsonFTS

J
JudsonFTS
ILLINIFAN2 said:
Rob Jordan‏ @FiberGuru1 · Apr 13

AJ's dad just tweeted:

"After one day of skill training..........WOW!"

Looks like we got a coaching upgrade, hopefully recruits notice this as well to ensure their development...
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Nice!!!!

That is how he got SFA so good and turned around OSU in one year.

Turned a Ford:cool: into a Mazerati.
 
#43      

BMo79

B
BMo79
ILLINIFAN2 said:
Rob Jordan‏ @FiberGuru1 · Apr 13

AJ's dad just tweeted:

"After one day of skill training..........WOW!"

Looks like we got a coaching upgrade, hopefully recruits notice this as well to ensure their development...
Click to expand...



I took it to be bad not good news
 
#44      

Illini B-Ball Fan

Illini B-Ball Fan
Illini B-Ball Fan
ILLINIFAN2 said:
Rob Jordan‏ @FiberGuru1 · Apr 13

AJ's dad just tweeted:

"After one day of skill training..........WOW!"

Looks like we got a coaching upgrade, hopefully recruits notice this as well to ensure their development...
Click to expand...

This is nothing but good news, both for AJ and hopefully the other team members!
 
#45      

eMitch

eMitch
Quincy, IL
eMitch
BMo79 said:
I took it to be bad not good news
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You think it's more likely that someone would take to twitter to tell the world how there was no improvement after one whole day? And not be surprised at how much improvement there was after only one day?

My 8 yr old would be complaining after one day, but I think adults have a bit more long-term view than to start complaining after one day.
 
#46      

Magoo222

M
St Louis, MO
Magoo222
Is there a cutoff date by which we must have our roster finalized for a kid to play this season ?
 
#49      

kuhl84

K
Orlando, FL
kuhl84
combes said:
I don't actually think Illinois is going after Ernst hard. Not considered a high major player. Good video, though.
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Need someone. Have to get at least one 4/5 who can contribute immediately or it's going to be a long year.


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#50      

alexander58

A
alexander58
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.[/QUOT

I think Black made strides this season on understanding what he can get away with (with officials) on the court. But, with new emphasis on freedom of motion and contact under the basket, it becomes more difficult for undersized inside players to defend.
 
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