Depends on how quickly we can adapt. We saw OSU go from a likely bottom finish, to being a top 3 team in the big 12 last year based on their last third performance. If we can switch it on early Jan., a top 6 finish is likely, but I think we settle at 8th. As always, the 6-9 positions are pretty volatile in the B1G.
Illini Basketball 2017-2018
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Depends on how quickly we can adapt. We saw OSU go from a likely bottom finish, to being a top 3 team in the big 12 last year based on their last third performance. If we can switch it on early Jan., a top 6 finish is likely, but I think we settle at 8th. As always, the 6-9 positions are pretty volatile in the B1G.
Top 6 and Underwood is B1G COY.
SampsonRelpenk
- Edwardsville, IL
Best McColley piece I've ever read. I am PUMPED.
BananaShampoo
Captain 'Paign
- Phoenix, AZ
Maybe. We'll see what other teams in the B1G do, but no doubt I expect we will surprise a LOT of people this year. That's how confident I am in our coach and our players. :thumb:
The polls is based off a team that lost Malcolm Hill and will run the same stuff as last year. New Sheriff in town, by the time B10 starts the team should be able to run the offense well. I'm hoping we use 10 man rotation and run team to the ground like BU Sam Houston team ran West Virginia out of the gym in the NCAA.
BananaShampoo
Captain 'Paign
- Phoenix, AZ
Sam Houston? You mean Stephen F Austin?
Serious Late
- Peoria via Denver via Ann Arbor via Albuquerque vi
I am pretty certain we end up in the bottom half of the B1G. That said, I am guessing we return to our eternal destiny, the #8/#9 morning game. That would be a reasonable upgrade from where the media has us. I feel like I should know better than to ever expect us to exceed the media's projections by now, but I am really hoping Underwood's coaching proves a genuine difference-maker.
Counting on the Underwood factor to come through for us!
Counting on the Underwood factor to come through for us!
I do think the overall talent of this Illinois roster is better than what Underwood had at OSU. However, Underwood had an NBA point guard on that team and one other player that could be a nice D-league or overseas player. Alstork might be talented enough to make the D-league and is definitely capable of playing overseas, that's about it from this years class. I do think most people will underestimate Illinois mostly because of the youth we will play and our lack of post depth.
Future Walk-On
- Peoria, IL
If we have 1 freshman just blow everyone away and as a team magically shoot amazing from deep that would :thumb:
It's really hard to sit here and be like "we are getting 12th in the BIG"
Wow. So sad. Thanks John Groce. Thanks for nothing.....
Whitmans Sampler
- Eastern Iowa
2 thumbs up for McColley's work here! Detailed and insightful
I read this sentence and smiled. And then the rest of the article just got better and better.
This is going to be a good year.
Dan
Admin
Illini hosting Indiana State in closed scrimmage Sunday
https://scout.com/college/illinois/...g-Indiana-State-in-closed-scrimmage-109078214
https://scout.com/college/illinois/...g-Indiana-State-in-closed-scrimmage-109078214
If we have 1 freshman just blow everyone away and as a team magically shoot amazing from deep that would :thumb:
It's really hard to sit here and be like "we are getting 12th in the BIG"
Well free m the big read looks most of the freshman are on the treadmill or in the doghouse...but not a lot but good for D-Will glad he's progressing...
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So I guess you will also have to thank Groce when we do overachieve and finish in the top half of the B1G, right? He didn't win enough games here, but you have to admit he set us up well enough to remain optimistic.
To me talent wise, Bruce had us 6 ft underground, Groce climbed us out of the grave and back to level, and now it's BU's turn to get us flying again.
Remember every now and then when we talk about how mean and grumpy Tom Izzo is, and wonder why any athlete would ever want to play for him? I guess we can't do that anymore.
The real question is whether or not BU whines to the refs as much as Izzo does?
The real question is whether or not BU whines to the refs as much as Izzo does?
FeelYourPaign
- So Cal
Remember every now and then when we talk about how mean and grumpy Tom Izzo is, and wonder why any athlete would ever want to play for him? I guess we can't do that anymore.
The real question is whether or not BU whines to the refs as much as Izzo does?
I expect that he will, with the key difference being that I will think BU is right
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Would it really be all that crazy? Maybe to some people because for some reason he seems to have been completely forgotten and the odd man out to some. He has the ability to be a game changer on both sides of the ball. Underwood is simply starting to back up what some of us never doubted. I've now heard Underwood say that he is the best passer on the team, has a chance to be elite defensively, can slow the game down better than most freshmen and now that he's leading the team in rebounds. I mean, seems like he can do it all and he is incredibly physically gifted as well. I would not be surprised at all if he is a 4 year starter.
That is a very good question but if D-Will is finding his way into the starting five then I'm guessing Illinois Mr. Basketball is sitting...
Remember every now and then when we talk about how mean and grumpy Tom Izzo is, and wonder why any athlete would ever want to play for him? I guess we can't do that anymore.
The real question is whether or not BU whines to the refs as much as Izzo does?
Mean, apparently yes. But so far BU comes across as pretty upbeat and positive. We'll see if that holds when a reporter shoves a mic in his face after a 10 point loss.
It could be Lucas or it could be that we are starting 4 guards which isn’t outside the realm of possibility with BU.
With hearing the practice recap, this exactly what we will be. BU is not the team's friend, he is the coach. Something we have been missing for a long time. A real hard coach.
It wouldn't completely surprise me for Lucas to sit I guess. I'm fine with alstork or smith playing the point. But if I was a betting man, I would put my money on Damonte not starting as Conference play approaches. No offense to him. (I can say whatever I want when I say that
)It wouldn't completely surprise me for Lucas to sit I guess. I'm fine with alstork or smith playing the point. But if I was a betting man, I would put my money on Damonte not starting as Conference play approaches. No offense to him. (I can say whatever I want when I say that
Pretty big line-up with Smith/Alstork/D-Will/I'm going with Black/Finke.... No knock to TJL (tough player) ..... That line up would be a nightmare for defenses.... Lots of room to switch on the defensive end.....just an opinion...
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