IlliniDent
- Chicago, IL
Kinda doubt with this fast paced of an offense we will see 7 but 8 seems more likely. I think we could become 9 but would need someone to really step up
Illini Basketball 2017-2018
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Kinda doubt with this fast paced of an offense we will see 7 but 8 seems more likely. I think we could become 9 but would need someone to really step up
Yeah, but tempered by the fact there is still something like 49 days remaining to tip off. Oh, why does October have to have 31 days? Why don't they all have 30 days like Sept? Stupid October.
As of right now Mark Smith is the best scorer on this team. I think Alstork will come along but coming into a new system will take a few weeks to get comfortable and he needs have a new trust for teammates since last year he carried a really big load. Fine looks pretty solid everywhere on the floor. Putting in this system as this point for Underwood is ALOT of 3 on 3 work and a ton of reps. Most of these guys are still very raw with this system and have to figure out how important spacing is. I am sure by the end of October they will be getting very comfortable. They will have 2 closed scrimmages that should tell the coaches a lot about progress, and I am sure by then they will look much different than they do now.
Do you know when these closed scrimmages are? Thanks.
From seeing very limited gym time Mark Smith to me looks like the most dominant offensive threat so far, my opinion only but didn't really seem close. The dude is so quick off the dribble and can pull up in the lane and rise up and score as well. I was very impressed. Not sure exact dates of closed scrimmages but I know they are playing a middle of pack SEC team, I would guess based off coaching relationships is how this was worked out. Just like Groce used to scrimmage Dayton knowing their staff well. Can't remember the 2nd scrimmage partner, pretty sure a lower tier team. I also agree I think Alstork will become a good scorer for us. My personal opinion is that Aaron Jordan will definitely be in the mix for minutes, fairly impressive. Maybe he just had a good day, who knows? Greg O. has a big ten body, at some point I expect that dude will be a terrific player for us.
Thanks for the report, LIW!
Cool! Thanks.
Oh boy, mystery teams. That should keep this thread active. Who? When? Results? Excitement.
Piper/Werner starting list for most important players
http://scout.com/college/illinois/Article/Most-important-Illini-basketball-players-for-2017-18-season-9-Aa-107768742
http://scout.com/college/illinois/Article/Most-important-Illini-basketball-players-for-2017-18-season-9-Aa-107768742
The scrimmage teams may be public knowledge, I really don't know. Every NCAA team is allowed 2, and all must be absolutely closed to everyone is a stipulation.
Is there a listing of all the players or just Aaron, D-Will and Vessel for this thread listing...
mhuml32
- Cincinnati, OH
While great for Mark Smith's long-term projectability, this would be a bad sign for the 2017-18 team's prospects.
Not sure where this coming from ,as I do think Mark Smith will be big ten freshman of the year. I'm glad we had someone that went open practice, that gave us insight to what is going on. Hope Combes has time to check in to these practices, as his reports are very detailed and pretty much coach speak terms.
Alstork will be just fine, and a 9 man rotation is not out of the question.
My 2 cents
I don't actually think it would be a bad sign at all. I am not sure a lot of people realize exactly how good Mark Smith could be this year. Not a lot of guards in the Big Ten will be strong enough to keep him in front, I feel very good about Mark Smith. Only my opinion. This team will be the best conditioned team in the Big Ten without question. Loved seeing Alstork leading the pack in some wind sprints!
icengineer
- Southern Illinois
While this would certainly be true, we need to remember that when the observation was made Alstork had only been on campus a very short time. Even as of today he hasn't been around long enough, nor practiced enough, to have any sort of comfort zone established with the rest of the guys. I don't think they've even had a regular practice session together.
Alstork will be a good player because of experience
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I think even the people that are excited about Mark Smith are going to be shocked at how good he is. He's never even had a full year of basketball conditioning until now (played baseball around 240 lbs). The one thing I'll mention that I haven't seen mentioned on here is his intensity. For as nice of a kid as he is off the court, he is ultra competitive on the court. So on top of all of his physical tools he also gets REALLY fiery on the court. I can't wait for the fans to see this kid play.
Joel Goodson
- ties will be resolved
Very excited to see Smith play. Very bullish on him. Think the biggest question is can he be consistently great from the jump? Doubtful, but that's an impossible standard. But, yeah, I think he's gonna be shredding.
DB11Headband
- Chicago Burbs
Truly believe that MS will be the best player we've had since Dee/Deron when it’s all said and done. Obviously a very lofty expectation, but I think he’s going to be special. I think he’s only going to continue to improve under our staff; call me crazy, but I can’t wait to see his career unfold.
Deron and Dee are both Illin Legends with a very good Luther Head joining them.
I think someone else said this in another post but Smith is only dedicating his time and effort to playing basketball and strictly basketball.
Here is were I think Smith will be special right out the gate. Smith is super athletic and is a huge competitor its super tough to even get a bid to the NCAA tourney but to get to the championship game says a lot about Deron/Dee so Smith has some work to do but I think he will leave it all on the court day in and day out/night in and night out!
I am intrigued to see how they handle Matic, no doubt he does not look physically ready for Big Ten basketball and I think he may struggle defensively. However, kid seems smart and can really shoot it, I have a feeling he will see some minutes where we have another strong Big on the floor and maybe just giving guys a blow for 2-3 min at a time.
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