Oh, you like polls too?:thumb::huh::hurl::whoo::rant:
eace:
There are pros and cons, for sure, on the polls issue.
Illini Basketball 2017-2018
- Status
There are pros and cons, for sure, on the polls issue.
I think what happened is that one season does not prove long term success. Eventually, Groce could not turn the program around. We all hope that Underwood can, but it will take more than one year to properly evaluate him. We all hope we make the tournament next year, but even if we don't, BU could be the right coach.
All indications point to staff having to go back and hit recruiting trail, transfer and or 17' players. Kids getting out for summer, see if we can get some good hard working players, that want to win. We still have time, 2 months till August. 
GortTheRobot
- North Bethesda, Maryland
While I agree with you regarding the comparison of those seasons, JG never had the kind of success at OU that BU had at SFA. I think that track record signals a difference in the level of coaching.
Too many misses didn't help
All water under bridge, that was last time were in NCAA, but there's so many times we missed because of things that happened earlier in season we could never recover from to earn bid. We all know the feeling we have in March, lose 1st rnd B1G tournament, then no dance bid. Might not be this year, although I have faith, that we have long run of NCAA tournament bids, and grab that brass Ring too.
THIS TEAM . . .THIS COACH . . . THIS YEAR. Underwood did not come hear to make the Tournament NEXT year. He has faith . . . and you should too!
ITS WE WILLWINSDAY!
TownieMatt
CU Expat
- Chicago
Updated starting five:
Te'Jon Lucas
Mark Smith
Mark Alstork
Leron Black
Michael Finke
Bench (in order of PT): Nichols, Frazier, Jordan, Williams
Te'Jon Lucas
Mark Smith
Mark Alstork
Leron Black
Michael Finke
Bench (in order of PT): Nichols, Frazier, Jordan, Williams
Hard to start Black and Finke together since we have literally no back up at the defensive 5 behind them. I do think Finke can play the perimeter in this offense though.
JCL is not yet gone. I think he starts if he stays, at least in the early season. Also, putting Black at the 4 (his logical position, but...) means you have NO ONE to sub for Finke at the 5.
This is the ideal starting 5 right now, but im not so sure we can afford to play Black/Finke together for very long. Essentially the only two players who would be remotely capable of guarding the 5.
IlliniDent
- Chicago, IL
I think:
Lucas
Smith
JCL
Alstork
Black/finke- here is where I'm not sure yet who will start.
Hoping we can redshirt Dwill
I really don't get how anyone thinks JCL would be a starter in 2017. He lost his starting job last year on a team with far less guard talent than what's coming in. Have we all forgotten the lack of defense and the consistently bad things that happened when he tried to dribble? I think he's reading the tea leaves and seeing himself deeper on the bench. Or maybe he didn't need to read the tea leaves. BU might have told him his future.
He is a better shooter than anyone who is likely to play the one or the two. With the exception of TJL, he is the only one on the team with even a minute's experience playing P5 defense. I have high hopes for Frazier, Williams, and Smith but I doubt that any of them will set the defensive world on fire from Day One. They could all be better defenders than JCL one day, bot not from the start.
I think a starting 5 of Smith/Alstork/Nichols/Black/Finke would be very versatile and able to push the ball, and our perimeter defense would be really long and athletic with no one under 6"5.. This is if we can land another big or two though...
Deleted member 8213
D
Guest
They may get some token starts together, but I agree, we don't have enough depth at this point to play Finke & Back together for more than a few minutes a game.
Believe he lost it to Tate in early season. Not sure that is any indicator.
My take: TJL
Smith
Alstork
Kipper
Black
Think this will be the core group by December, there will be many different switches, but this is group getting min's ATM. Think we be rotating guards alot , so they all get alot of minutes. I really don't see JCL around much longer, not that we kicking him out, but by his choice. Still see 2 more added to lineup. This could change with the adds we still have coming. Really like to see Agau commit.
Still wondering how Finke's foot doing?
Agree, Would like to have McIntosh and Coleby myself....Agau seems to be not even in the picture anymore?
Can someone have Mike LaTulip give Akloy Agau a call?!!
I saw there was an argument in the transfer thread about whether or not Groce left us in a better position than when he started. I thought this was a better place for that dicussion so I'm bringing it over here because it does pertain to this year's squad.
IMO I don't even understand how you could question it. The program is much healthier now than it was when Groce was hired. The wins weren't there but Underwood already has the foundation set to win and win quickly. Groce needed to address all needs from the second he was hired. All Underwood needs is a C and we could be rolling. And if he doesn't get a C this year, we still have enough talent and depth to be competitive this year and moving forward.
IMO I don't even understand how you could question it. The program is much healthier now than it was when Groce was hired. The wins weren't there but Underwood already has the foundation set to win and win quickly. Groce needed to address all needs from the second he was hired. All Underwood needs is a C and we could be rolling. And if he doesn't get a C this year, we still have enough talent and depth to be competitive this year and moving forward.
illini80
- Forgottonia
I'm so over arguing about anything to do with Bruce Weber and what condition he left the program in. I'm happy with where we are at today.
If you lose your starting job to Jaylon Tate that's a pretty good indicator that you're not contributing anything when you're on the floor.
That's what I said. The potential is there and I think the new system can only benefit him, but he has not produced like one would expect. He can certainly help and I want him to stay, but he won't make or break this season.
- Status