Illini Basketball 2017-2018

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#801      

Illini Parent14

I
Illini Parent14
FiveStar said:
I think we are further along than we showed against Eastern. It was very, VERY vanilla. Super basic sets and nothing outside basic entries. I think the breakdowns were not system based. When I finally saw the second half, there were some hero ball issues. The one time we ran spread all the way through BU put his hands up like LOOK, IT WORKS! As far as when we will really be clicking, probably Feb-BTT time. We will have been defended as many ways as possible, and the counters, and counter counters will be more incorporated. When teams have 3-4 options to guard off one look, and they know it, we're gonna have some fun. We supposedly put up 90 vs. Vandy, so at some point in that game it was really hummin.



BU has played lineups vs hi majors and in the NCAAT with no players over 6'4, and won or been in position to win. We really only need one guy who can guard a post player, whether he is 6'6 or 6'10. It's more about perimeter ball pressure to make passing difficult, either to another guard or to the post. BU's rebounding style is to gang rebound the weak side (76-80% of shots go to the weak side he says), so with more numbers, the size should be offset. I also saw vs Eastern we switched big/little A LOT. He doesn't seem to be concerned with guards guarding posts down deep.
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Great answers, FiveStar. I would like to mention that a quick look at the Eastern Illinois box score reveals that the Eastern coach played one guard 36 minutes and another guard 33 minutes--basically the whole game with a little breather. Those are the kinds of playing time numbers that one would see in a late-season, must-win conference game or a conference tournament--not in an exhibition game. Looks like he wanted to keep the ball in trusted hands for the entire game--an indication that the Eastern coach REALLY wanted to win that game. Heaven forbid one of his trusted guards got hurt in an exhibition game that didn't count.
 
#802      

PlayAZ

P
PlayAZ
Underwood made his main guy at S.F. Austin look like a superhero (the one he is always mentioning)....name escapes me....if that can happen, I believe we will feel our pains but be just fine longterm.
 
#803      

mattcoldagelli

mattcoldagelli
The Transfer Portal with Do Not Contact Tag
mattcoldagelli
PlayAZ said:
Underwood made his main guy at S.F. Austin look like a superhero (the one he is always mentioning)....name escapes me....if that can happen, I believe we will feel our pains but be just fine longterm.
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Walkup
 
#812      

ILL in IA

ILL in IA
Iowa City
ILL in IA
It sounds so simple, but I loved hearing him say, "We find the weakest defender and we pick on him".
 
#815      

Old Number 51

O
Old Number 51
Legitimate question to all,


Who will step up and lead this team?


As per BU's video clips he's wondering too....


I'm hoping Te'Jon and MF?


MS and TF as freshmen?


I'll hang up and listen as wisdom is spewed forth from Illini Nation.
 
#816      

PlayAZ

P
PlayAZ
I actually think it might come down to Mark Smith or Kipper Nichols out of all of them.
 
#817      

TheLegendaryOne24

T
TheLegendaryOne24
PlayAZ said:
I actually think it might come down to Mark Smith or Kipper Nichols out of all of them.
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Realistically

I think Kipper if he truly understood his role could be a Robert Horry type player. Can hit the open three finish around the hoop if needed but wasn't a player that was going to beat you off the dribble and create for others ;understood his role) played a significant role on a ton of NBA Championship teams.

Smith is young but has all the tangibles to create, attack and finish but can hit the open jumper as well... guards will have a hard time trying to knock him off the ball in the half court set....Trent and TJL are explosive and great in the open court but I thought they struggled a little getting into the offensive sets..IMO
 
#820      

Deleted member 236589

D
Guest
Deleted member 236589
jeremyninnes said:
Wow. The chills. So ready for this season! I L L
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I'm not real excited from a win/loss standpoint, but I am intrigued to see how they improve from month to month and how attractive the new style of play is. Those will be the biggest takeaways from this season There are going to be losses that are going to make you truly understand how bad the situation was that Underwood walked into. My hope is that by February there are going to be a few surprises that show evidence of a significant amount of progress. I also hope that the style of play translates well enough to impress recruits. That will be critical.

Underwood put it best and flat out laid it out there when he pointed out that not one person on the roster has had success at the high D-1 level. It is staggering to think about it. How bad would this team have been without Malcom Hill last year. It's going to be interesting to see who will be the guys that can handle this level of play, who will be surprises and who it will become apparent that they might be in over their heads.

So, I'm not sure excitement is the right word. Curious is more the feeling that I have at this point.
 
#821      

Sal Iacuzzo

S
Yonkers, NY
Sal Iacuzzo
We might have some struggles early, but this team will get it together by the Big Ten season begins and make the tournament.
 
#824      

illiniCA

illiniCA
DC Area
illiniCA
It will really be interesting to see where we are at each time we play MSU
 
#825      

redwingillini11

redwingillini11
White and Sixth
North Aurora
redwingillini11
Old Number 51 said:
Legitimate question to all,

Who will step up and lead this team?

As per BU's video clips he's wondering too....

I'm hoping Te'Jon and MF?

MS and TF as freshmen?

I'll hang up and listen as wisdom is spewed forth from Illini Nation.
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From what I saw at practice this summer, I think Finke's got this. Guys have to adjust and learn how to step up and be a leader in the locker room. Its not like he was the #2 guy, heir apparent last year; there were probably at least 4 other guys ahead of him last year who led the team (for better or for worse). Its taken a wake up call and a slap to the face for these guys to realize how tough this is going to be. But I truly believe they will come together to be something special, and I see Finke as the one at the center of the huddle.


Dan said:
[YOUTUBE]qt6nxOmjbI8[/YOUTUBE]
https://twitter.com/TVallese/status/927934543146946560
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Chills is right.
 
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