Illini Basketball 2017-2018

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#276      

jrichisamazing

J
jrichisamazing
FC Illiniman said:
Are saying that things never improve? I really think your saying that they aren't good , means that things can't be better. In the system they were in, standing around, not being aggressive, might have lead them to appear that way.

All the upperclassmen would probably say there is nothing they are doing now, that compares to the way it was before. This team should turn a!ot of heads , anyone who thinks this is not true, is not paying attention. ;):illinois:
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Defensively, after playing multiple years of college basketball, I think they are what they are. BU's system isn't going to magically make them faster or more athletic. While Groce had a pretty mediocre offensive system, his defensive system was pretty respectable. And if anything, you need more speed and athleticism in BU's system.

So no, I don't expect Finke and Black to suddenly be good defenders, simply because they don't have the physical traits to do it. But that doesn't mean the team can't still be much better than last year.
 
#277      

Ga65

G
Ga65
jrichisamazing said:
Finke and Black are not good defensively. Both are 2 slow to defend the perimeter, but too small to protect the rim. And Finke isn't a good rebounder either. Maybe Spicy G can be a rim protector, but I'm not expecting much more than simply showing potential. But the goal is to hopefully score enough that those weaknesses are covered up.
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Different defensive system and Finke has bulked up. May make a difference.
 
#278      

foby

foby
Bonnaroo Land
foby
Ga65 said:
Different defensive system and Finke has bulked up. May make a difference.
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I am very optimistic about Finke's all around game. I was very excited when we signed him and always had the feeling that he would grow into quite a player by his RS Jr year. Very happy he has a real shot at that thanks to BU being the coach. :thumb:
 
#279      

doowink

D
doowink
I have watched Illini basketball for years...the past decade has been the same...so many players have improved over the summer....bulked up....improved their shot...worked on their inside game....seeing the floor better....these and similar reports over the years would get my hope up and set my expectations rather high, and then see the season play out much like the previous one.....not anymore....I for one am very pessimistic......they(the players and coaches) will have to show me.....at least a few games beyond the Christmas break into the B10 schedule for me to really get excited....can these players and coach BU do it....yes they can....but I'm gonna wait for it to happen on the court before I get to excited...reports of great improvement over the summer must be followed up with results in Dec-March
 
#280      

Calvin

C
Calvin
doowink said:
not anymore
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Perfectly reasonable. I think Groce was one of those guys who talked the talk, but wasn't able to walk the walk. It's was especially confounding after that first season went so well. Who knew it was the exception?

I had plenty of doubts about Groce when he started. I have few about BU. I really believe he can coach, and I think that will put us back on the map.

That said, I expect plenty of bumps in the road. While the culture change has been excellent so far, it takes more than what we've seen to cement buy-in. When adversity hits, and it will, the young guys are going to have to grow through it. Road games in the BIG are tough. Having a turn-around at OSU after a rough start, gives me confidence he can lead these guys through things.
 
#282      

FiveStar

F
FiveStar
Ga65 said:
Different defensive system and Finke has bulked up. May make a difference.
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I agree the extra muscle can help. Hopefully he has worked his explosion chain and is more quick twitch than he has been. The concern is this is a much harder system to play in defensively. Much more extended in the half-court, with principles similar to a half court press without constant traps (more so carolina than WVA). Hard denials up the line, reading and playing passing lanes, and using extreme ball pressure to force guys weak hand/sideline/baseline.

Groce's pack line philosophy is significantly easier to play in, especially for less athletic guys. The extreme change in philosophy (aggression) plus the extreme difference in athleticism required to be successful, in combination, is my biggest worry.

I'm hopeful, but definitely in wait and see mode defensively. Offensively I have almost no concerns, except whether or not we can consistently play in transition the way BU desires.
 
#283      

bleedsorangenblue

bleedsorangenblue
C-U
bleedsorangenblue
doowink said:
I have watched Illini basketball for years...the past decade has been the same...so many players have improved over the summer....bulked up....improved their shot...worked on their inside game....seeing the floor better....these and similar reports over the years would get my hope up and set my expectations rather high, and then see the season play out much like the previous one.....not anymore....I for one am very pessimistic......they(the players and coaches) will have to show me.....at least a few games beyond the Christmas break into the B10 schedule for me to really get excited....can these players and coach BU do it....yes they can....but I'm gonna wait for it to happen on the court before I get to excited...reports of great improvement over the summer must be followed up with results in Dec-March
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This is kind of where I am at. I have felt that most years we have had the talent to compete and make the tournament but, for whatever reason, have failed to live up to expectations. Lack of quality coaching and team chemistry come to the forefront of my mind in this regard. The relationship of the team to the coach is also a major factor. I could go in to detail about how we have failed in these areas but I think most of you know the stories. Part of the appeal of basketball is that it is often the intangibles that make for a winning team. What a season looks like on paper is not always how it is going to play out.

I am excited as I have ever been for Illinois basketball to resume play. May this be the year where we exceed expectations and bring Illinois basketball back to the proud tradition of winning that was once accustomed. Should it not be, I will try to enjoy the season for what it is rather than what it is not.
 
#284      

FC Illiniman

F
FC Illiniman
Calvin said:
Perfectly reasonable. I think Groce was one of those guys who talked the talk, but wasn't able to walk the walk. It's was especially confounding after that first season went so well. Who knew it was the exception?

I had plenty of doubts about Groce when he started. I have few about BU. I really believe he can coach, and I think that will put us back on the map.

That said, I expect plenty of bumps in the road. While the culture change has been excellent so far, it takes more than what we've seen to cement buy-in. When adversity hits, and it will, the young guys are going to have to grow through it. Road games in the BIG are tough. Having a turn-around at OSU after a rough start, gives me confidence he can lead these guys through things.
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Been watching :illinois: basketball since late 60's, we have had teams that had many talented upperclassmen returning, so we had reasons to think we had a good team in most cases, they where really good.

The thing about this group is the whole package will be new. All things considered, I think I that's the reason for optimistic outlook. My expectations might be higher than others, from what we have lead to believe, this will be a vastly improved team, and the biggest reason is one thing, THE COACH.
 
#285      

PlayAZ

P
PlayAZ
FC Illiniman said:
Been watching :illinois: basketball since late 60's, we have had teams that had many talented upperclassmen returning, so we had reasons to think we had a good team in most cases, they where really good.

The thing about this group is the whole package will be new. All things considered, I think I that's the reason for optimistic outlook. My expectations might be higher than others, from what we have lead to believe, this will be a vastly improved team, and the biggest reason is one thing, THE COACH.
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I think it might be the "expectations" from the coach to elaborate a little more.
 
#289      

EJ33

E
San Francisco
EJ33
Dan said:
Basketball practice 10-16-17
http://illinireport.info/2017/10/basketball-practice-10-16-17/
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This is a must-read article. Quotes like this have me really, really excited that we have an actual basketball coach leading this team.

When the Illini practiced zone offense, Trent Frazier skipped a pass to a verboten area of the court and Underwood stopped play to explain why that particular angle will never work. Underwood had previously, expressly forbidden this kind of pass in that particular situation. This was a teaching moment, reminding the youngsters why they’re taught what they’re taught.
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Underwood likes stats, and he heeds them. He’s also not afraid (so he says) to tell his players which among them can shoot from where, when, and in what circumstances.
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#290      

FiveStar

F
FiveStar
jrichisamazing said:
Big man coach Orlando Antigua chimed in: “Defensively you don’t have a man after the first pass. You’ve got to work harder because of that.”

Fivestar, maybe you can help us out with this quote. Does it mean we will be using some kind of matchup zone?
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I’ve seen some defensive stuff with Underwood about how he likes to keep the ball on the sideline (don’t let them reverse the ball), and make the handler go to his weak hand on the P/R. In those instances what he explains is kind of like a match up zone for the off ball guys (most helpside defense is kinda matchup zonish). He talks about their landmarks and what the most likely pass is in the given scenario so they can read and steal. The other piece is, when you’re denying as hard as we will be, a smart offense will backdoor cut. They’ll usually beat the first guy for a split second and while he recovers they cut into a helpside guy if he’s placed properly. There will be a lot of help/switch options depending on position on the court/personnel.

The basics though, a lot of people think man to man is just making sure your man doesn’t score. What it really should be is one guy giving the ball handler hell and the other 4 guys making sure he can’t score while he has it. When the ball moves, the roles change but that idea stays the same.
 
#291      

jmilt7

J
Waukegan
jmilt7
icengineer said:
I like all the quotes you mentioned. But this is my favorite,

“Do you know who’s leading this team in rebounds through all these practices?” He pointed to the quietest guy on the team. “It’s him. That’s why he’s starting on Sunday.”
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If you haven't read the article, guess who? No cheating!

There were sooo many great quotes in that article!
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Da Monte, but I am surprised no one mentioned this (Sorry if someone did and I missed it):

But if we can take him at his word, Underwood has decided on one starter for Sunday’s “secret scrimmage.” It’s Da’Monte Williams. After a spectacularly aggressive rebound in traffic, Underwood stopped play again.

“Do you know who’s leading this team in rebounds through all these practices?” He pointed to the quietest guy on the team. “It’s him. That’s why he’s starting on Sunday.”
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Secret scrimmage Sunday! Do we know who the other team is? Someone mentioned it weeks ago but I forget. Vandy?
 
#295      

FeelTheLovie

F
Louisville, KY
FeelTheLovie
How crazy would it be if Da’Monte ended up being an all big ten type guy? It's pretty clear Underwood thinks he found a home in the system with his ability/effort
 
#296      

Captain Bubbles

Captain Bubbles
Fairfield, IL
Captain Bubbles
Dan said:
Basketball practice 10-16-17
http://illinireport.info/2017/10/basketball-practice-10-16-17/
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My favorite part was this.

Greg’s bad day began when he attempted a spin move on the baseline. First of all, he stepped out of bounds, but nobody saw that. Then, he pivoted to dunk. That’s when he encountered Leron Black, whose one-handed rejection made a clapping sound like thunder, but more expressive. NO YOU AIN’T it seemed to say.

Perhaps chastened, Greg’s next offensive move saw him spin away from the basket, to launch an 8-foot fadeaway that barely grazed the rim. Underwood stopped the drill again. “You left that move at Jesuit High School.”

Antigua chastised the move as well. “You take it in there strong and pick up a foul,” he admonished.
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#298      

aluma

A
aluma
Barring some crazy injuries, I guarantee we finish above Ohio St. this year.
I also think we will finish above Iowa, Indiana, and Penn St. So the optimist in me has us finishing 8th!
 
#299      

BananaShampoo

B
Captain 'Paign
Phoenix, AZ
BananaShampoo
aluma said:
Barring some crazy injuries, I guarantee we finish above Ohio St. this year.
I also think we will finish above Iowa, Indiana, and Penn St. So the optimist in me has us finishing 8th!
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I think we finish Top 6. The talent and now the coaching will be there.
 
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