Countdown continues, in only 3 weeks Southern will be at the SFC for game #1. 
Illini Basketball 2017-2018
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Yeah, this line gave me pause. Given Underwood's past and time at Western, I think he really does appreciate that Illinois is a powder keg of a basketball school overdue for another blast. He's certainly doing his part in sprinkling lighter fluid around by landing Smith + Dosunmu. Get a solid big and we're really going to turn heads starting in '18-'19 (if we haven't already done so this year, which I still think is not just possible, but likely).
I pretty much agree with these expectations....however I think if everyone returns for the 18-19 season....I think we make a run for the B10 title...not saying we win it but we go down to the last couple of conference games with a chance of winning it.....then make some serious noise in the B10 and Ncaa tourneys....oops there I go setting expectations high again....I gotta quit doing that
Peoria Illini
- Peoria, IL
I think you'll find we have a solid big in Big Greg! He may not do a lot this year, but he will start to blossom next season. He will more than bridge the gap after Finke and Leron are gone.
Dan
Admin
Illini Closed Scrimmages:
vs Indiana State on Sunday, Oct. 22nd
at Vanderbilt on Sunday, Oct. 29th
https://scout.com/college/illinois/...g-Indiana-State-in-closed-scrimmage-109078214
https://twitter.com/GoodmanESPN/status/921352498618748929
vs Indiana State on Sunday, Oct. 22nd
at Vanderbilt on Sunday, Oct. 29th
https://scout.com/college/illinois/...g-Indiana-State-in-closed-scrimmage-109078214
https://twitter.com/GoodmanESPN/status/921352498618748929
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Maybe the Rev can suit up one more time for the O&B
Peoria Illini
- Peoria, IL
:clappy:
Dan
Admin
According to the seating chart the visiting bench is around section 105-106. Tickets are on sale at the WF ticket site now but not sure if you can get tix there, might have to try alternatives such as stubhub, vividseats, etc. And you could always ask the Illini ticket office if they have any available from their allotment behind the bench, which I believe is rare but worth a shot.
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Jon Rothstein names Mark Smith one of the 20 nationally freshman that are under the radar. Goodwin and Garza are on the list too. Geo Baker of Rutgers is on it, also.
https://www.fanragsports.com/20-under-the-radar-freshmen-to-watch-for-in-17-18-cbb-season/
https://www.fanragsports.com/20-under-the-radar-freshmen-to-watch-for-in-17-18-cbb-season/
I posted that a few days a go and thought it was great national ink for the Illini program and
Thor015 replied
"Small Mark Smith mention:"
I know this is a silly question but its a closed scrimmage which means it probably wont be streamed anywhere?
It will not be streamed. There is a very good chance we won't hear any results at all, although rumors can always leak.
And results don’t mean much in these anyway. They are usually not full games. There are starts and stops with coaching going on. There are specific situations set up for teams to work on. No real substitution patterns. A “score” may leak out, but it may not mean a lot. We beat West Virginia(iirc) badly in one of these and it had little bearing on the season for either team.
Combes
I just want to know if the freshman belong and can they play in the B10 even with the starting and stopping there will be a clear pic of who belongs and who doesn't...ISU is a mid major and there should be like okay ISU is just out classed...
I know for a fact these (2) scrimmages will provide a clear picture of who can play at this level...Alstork included
Scrimmages never prove anything. Just like playing cupcakes in the non-con, all they can do is show a players potential. Jaylen Tate is proof. He looked like he "belonged" in so many non-con games. We all know what happened once conference play started.
He was a safe pair of hands where we couldn’t get any scoring. A nice back up who was starting. :noidea:
I saw a practice this week and the freshman bigs have a way to go. Matic looked exhausted mentally and physically with an hour left in practice. Greg struggled with the mental side; defensive assignments, offensive plays/reads, being able to take hard coaching. The freshman guards looked better for sure, but still had some mistakes. Underwood said he won't do anything to prepare specifically for the scrimmage, but that it's just a chance to run stuff against guys who don't know what's coming.
Think Matic is still trying to get into shape, missed all that time summer working out with Fletcher. Hopefully he can get his wind and stamina. The scrimmages will be good to see where we are at for staff. Hopefully we get some insight as to what happens. Ready for games to start.:thumb:
Wont be your typical game tmrw. These things are for the coaches to break things down against another teams defense or for the coach to work on defense. One team my stay on offense for 10 mins. Its just a way for coaches to see where there team is.
Tevo
- Wilmette, IL
Like a whole mess of talented freshmen becoming sophomores, and literally everybody else on the team coming back, more experienced and now intimately familiar with Underwood's schemes and each other? That might set the table for a “leap”.
Let’s win today! Start of something special.
I remember when D-Will came here, and he had a lot of hype from certain guys --not just because he was top-50 (roughly), but also because they loved his size, killer instinct, PG skills, etc. I told myself, he's still gonna make freshman mistakes. And he did.
I guess all I'm trying to say is these guys are not D-Will, there are a lot of freshmen/new faces, and each of them is gonna make their share of mistakes. We're on the ground floor, but it should be exciting to see a team on the rise. If you can enjoy the process, this could be a fantastic season, assuming we're back in the dance, and holding our own in conference. If you're expecting us to contend for the conference title, you might be in for disappointment. I really don't expect us to catch up to the leaders in one off-season.
I guess all I'm trying to say is these guys are not D-Will, there are a lot of freshmen/new faces, and each of them is gonna make their share of mistakes. We're on the ground floor, but it should be exciting to see a team on the rise. If you can enjoy the process, this could be a fantastic season, assuming we're back in the dance, and holding our own in conference. If you're expecting us to contend for the conference title, you might be in for disappointment. I really don't expect us to catch up to the leaders in one off-season.
I know a lot of talk is about the spread offense that Coach Underwood runs but Illini Nation hasn't seen the style of defense that the Illini will play this year. They are still in the learning stage in practice but once they figure it out..... and Damonte is a beast playing this defense.
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