Illini Basketball 2017-2018
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While I share your optimism, if not all of your enthusiasm, to expect a freshman to be our biggest scoring threat with two Big10 RS Sophs returning and the addition of a proven NCAA scoring senior is pretty short sighted. If Smith does end up being our biggest scoring threat, this season will be a huge disappointment.
I would too. I also would be surprised if Smith isn't starting from day 1, but heck, a lot of guys will get starters minutes. Five guys could split the minutes at the 1, 2 and 3 and if the split was even, each would get 24 minutes. TJL, Smith, Da'Monte, Frazier and Alstork. Obviously it won't be that even, but I see all of them playing 20+ minutes. I also think Black, Finke and Kipper get 20+ minutes. That's 8 guys playing the majority of the minutes and around 15-20 minutes/game left for the 9th and/or 10th men, mainly one of the 2 freshmen bigs backing up Finke at the 5, but this is a preseason guess. Can't wait to see them play next Friday.
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Why he is starting already even if the games don't count. It is really hard to tell about Da-Will he was our highest rated recruit till he got hurt and dropped like a rock, He could very well be the best out of the class if healthy and has his head on straight
IlliniDent
- Chicago, IL
I could easily see Black and Finke sharing the minutes at the 5 if Greg isnt ready at that spot. Would probably see Kipper at the 4 in that scenario. Not saying I don't see Finke and Leron starting but preseason may see us switch if necessary.
Still think TJL, Smith, Alstork, Black, Finke being our starters at the beginning of the season.
Kipper, DMW, Frazier, and Ebo getting minutes off the bench.
No idea where Jordan stands this year and Matic I don't think will be ready for the start of the season.
Due to being so reliant on Black and Finke in the post I could easily see us switch to small ball with only 1 of the 2 on the court for the most part.
If that happens I could see TJL, Smith, Alstork, Kipper, Finke/Black with DJW, Frazier, and whichever of Finke/Black that doesn't start
Still think TJL, Smith, Alstork, Black, Finke being our starters at the beginning of the season.
Kipper, DMW, Frazier, and Ebo getting minutes off the bench.
No idea where Jordan stands this year and Matic I don't think will be ready for the start of the season.
Due to being so reliant on Black and Finke in the post I could easily see us switch to small ball with only 1 of the 2 on the court for the most part.
If that happens I could see TJL, Smith, Alstork, Kipper, Finke/Black with DJW, Frazier, and whichever of Finke/Black that doesn't start
Peoria Illini
- Peoria, IL
Nobody mentions Aaron Jordan for meaningful minutes. Interesting. Will he be the forgotten man on the bench?
IlliniDent
- Chicago, IL
I just think no one knows what to expect from him
While I share your optimism, if not all of your enthusiasm, to expect a freshman to be our biggest scoring threat with two Big10 RS Sophs returning and the addition of a proven NCAA scoring senior is pretty short sighted. If Smith does end up being our biggest scoring threat, this season will be a huge disappointment.
I know you are not a Smith fan but that's a harsh statement to make about any kid are you sure you are on the correct forum...
I think if Smith is leading the team in scoring then he is doing what a Mr. Basketball winner should do lead a team with some very key role players that will need new roles but smh....Smith has worked hard to get where he is....
Dan
Admin
[YOUTUBE]_ReBr_Lo_rc[/YOUTUBE]
https://twitter.com/aerwin96/status/925462406956019712
https://twitter.com/aerwin96/status/925462406956019712
No slight to any others, I just think he may actually be our BEST player in this class when all is said and done. I certainly think he could have a career that has similarities to that of his fathers.
Will he be that good? Can he be that good? I think if there is a coach that can motivate and keep him engaged to get better it is our coach BU, so I am looking for that from him and expect to see it. The talent is there, the ranking was not...DMW is a player and I am damn glad we got him.
The hype is all about Smith and he warrants that, Frazier as well, but don't forget where DaMonte was before the injury...that doesn't just go away.
Yes I am a fan, wish him a long healthy career.
No slight to any others, I just think he may actually be our BEST player in this class when all is said and done. I certainly think he could have a career that has similarities to that of his fathers.
Will he be that good? Can he be that good? I think if there is a coach that can motivate and keep him engaged to get better it is our coach BU, so I am looking for that from him and expect to see it. The talent is there, the ranking was not...DMW is a player and I am damn glad we got him.
The hype is all about Smith and he warrants that, Frazier as well, but don't forget where DaMonte was before the injury...that doesn't just go away.
Yes I am a fan, wish him a long healthy career.
DaMonte will have a great career at Illinois but like every freshman on this team the hard work will pay off for those putting in the time and work....
Time will tell ...... we shall see.....
While I share your optimism, if not all of your enthusiasm, to expect a freshman to be our biggest scoring threat with two Big10 RS Sophs returning and the addition of a proven NCAA scoring senior is pretty short sighted. If Smith does end up being our biggest scoring threat, this season will be a huge disappointment.
I look at it 180 degrees differently. Finke, Black, & Alstork are relatively proven players and will be solidly successful. With that as a premise, if Smith is our biggest scoring threat this season, we will be very successful.
skyIdub
Winged Warrior
Clearly you don't know. If you had read the beginning of my statement, it said I share the optimism for Mark Smith. I am a huge fan.
Perhaps I should clarify. IMO if Smith is our biggest scoring threat it means that returning players are not performing at the level they should to ensure success in the BIG.
To expect that a freshman is going to come into the BIG and immediately become our biggest scoring threat is unreasonable optimism. I encourage you to explore the historical statistics of similar players.
I am 110% on the side of Mark Smith blowing up in his first year, but I am also realistic and reasonable. :thumb:
GortTheRobot
- North Bethesda, Maryland
I would too, but my bartender has kids to put through college.
Having the 7-second rule to get a shot off on offense, plus playing a tenacious defensive scheme on the other end, we may very well be looking at a 9-10 man rotation on this team. Think how quickly a person gets winded sprinting up and down the court at that pace, so AJ may just be that someone getting meaningful minutes, and I guess we'll find out starting Nov 10th.
I thought Jordan is the second best perimeter defender of us (the best is KN). But DaMonte may just recover and jump out to be really good defensively...
I don't know how you could say that when Jordan has rarely played. But I thought Tejon was the best on ball defender last year, and it wasn't even close IMO. BU has already praised his defense. He's going to be the perfect defensive PG for BU's pressure system.
Just a thought and only a thought if DaMonte is as good on D as he has been proclaimed wouldn't that move him to the front to pressure the ball and put Smith in the rotation three legit perimeter scorers (Smith/Alstork/DaMonte) .... just a thought I like TeJon but I think DaMonte gives us (5) legit scoring threats IMO....I have been wrong before
Clearly you don't know. If you had read the beginning of my statement, it said I share the optimism for Mark Smith. I am a huge fan.
Perhaps I should clarify. IMO if Smith is our biggest scoring threat it means that returning players are not performing at the level they should to ensure success in the BIG.
To expect that a freshman is going to come into the BIG and immediately become our biggest scoring threat is unreasonable optimism. I encourage you to explore the historical statistics of similar players.
I am 110% on the side of Mark Smith blowing up in his first year, but I am also realistic and reasonable. :thumb:
But who is Smith really competing with? Black and Finke aren't really scorers, if they get over 13/game I'd be surprised. Tejon isn't a scorer. Kipper has the potential, but he's definitely not a pure scorer.
So out of the upperclassmen the only real scoring competition for Smith is Alstork. And he's taking a big step up in competition so there's no guarantee that he can score like he did at Wright St.
But I guess it depends on what the argument is. If we are talking best scoring ability, like who would you go to if you have to get a bucket then I think it's definitely between Alstork and Smith, maybe throw Frazier in the mix as well. If the argument is who will lead the team in pts/game then you're right it is unlikely to be Smith, not because of his scoring ability, but because there is a lot of competition at the guard spots so he might not get enough opportunities to score.
That could probably work at times, but is DaMonte fast enough to stay in front of smaller/quicker guards? Most of what I've read and heard praised about his defense is his length and physicality. Lucas has the ability to hound even the quickest of PGs up and down the court.
At the practice that i saw it definitely seemed like Tejon was BU's favorite player. He was constantly praising his effort and decisions. He made comments along the lines of Tejon being the only one who wanted to be a starter, or that if his teammates would play like him they could win some games. I'm sure part of that was for motivation, both Tejon and the other guards, but I wouldn't be surprised if he leads the guards in minutes.
From watching the last yrs team play a lot of the focus was built around M. Hill which it should have...the D is going to be key but Ok. St. could also put the ball in the hoop as did WV and SC (similar style D) .... I think the high pressure D is key but at some point and time some scoring is going to need to take place...it doesn't have to be Smith ... jury might still be out in Alstork at this level (has the best chance) from experience but talent wise I think all the freshman guards are just as talented as Alstork....
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
That hype video is the best thing ever. Given our instate recruits and chip on our shoulder about our rather unheralded history, it HAS to be Illinois against the world.
This freshman class seems similar to the JCL, AJ, DJW class, but with more upside. When that class was incoming, this board was almost split evenly on who would have the best career here. This class is pretty similar. Smith, Frazier, or DMW each have the potential to be the poster child for Illini basketball the next 4 years. Maybe we'll get lucky and all 3 turn out to be stars.
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