Illini Basketball 2017-2018

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#830      

jrichisamazing

J
jrichisamazing
winthiscentury said:
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.
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This isn't a bad situation at all. There is talent on this roster. He already said this is the most talent he's ever had. This roster isn't a dumpster fire. If we lose it's because we're young and learning a completely new system offensively and defensively. BU doesn't have to be a miracle worker to get this team to the tournament.
 
#831      

Swamp Donkey

Swamp Donkey
Swamp Donkey
I believe we are going to lose to a team or a couple teams in the non conference schedule but we will beat a team or two in the Big season that we shouldn’t beat.
 
#832      

illiniwil

I
illiniwil
sad but true

i see a tough start. hope im wrong...by mid season Alstork's minutes will be way down... (probably no more than 5 mintes a game). He just wont work out, he'll never relax and just play... we'll be 6 games under .500 and struggling with freshamen playing 50-75% of our minutes. but relax folks, good things on the horizon. just not until next year.
 
#833      

Illwinsagain

Illwinsagain
Cary, IL
Illwinsagain
illiniwil said:
i see a tough start. hope im wrong...by mid season Alstork's minutes will be way down... (probably no more than 5 mintes a game). He just wont work out, he'll never relax and just play... we'll be 6 games under .500 and struggling with freshamen playing 50-75% of our minutes. but relax folks, good things on the horizon. just not until next year.
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Wow, can I take the over (for both Altstork's minutes and better record than 6 games under)?


ps- I am a bit light on beach houses at the moment, otherwise, I would put them up.
 
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#834      

TheLegendaryOne24

T
TheLegendaryOne24
illiniwil said:
i see a tough start. hope im wrong...by mid season Alstork's minutes will be way down... (probably no more than 5 mintes a game). He just wont work out, he'll never relax and just play... we'll be 6 games under .500 and struggling with freshamen playing 50-75% of our minutes. but relax folks, good things on the horizon. just not until next year.
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Smith - D-Wil
Frazier - D-Brown
DaMonte - Head (with a Frank Williams flavor)
Black - Powell
Kipper - Augustine (more of a scoring threat)

Oh snap hello Final Four 17-18

Alstork better get rolling ..... and just play
 
#836      

TheLegendaryOne24

T
TheLegendaryOne24
TownieMatt said:
You - drunk
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Naaaa not drunk

I thought this was public opinion forum and instead of all the negativity atleast give the season a chance but sure I'll be drunk if you think so....

There is room for plenty of players to play but who is good enough to play in the B10 and compete.....if you compete, learn and grow from mistakes the wins will come....IMO
 
#837      

IlliniDent

IlliniDent
Chicago, IL
IlliniDent
illiniwil said:
i see a tough start. hope im wrong...by mid season Alstork's minutes will be way down... (probably no more than 5 mintes a game). He just wont work out, he'll never relax and just play... we'll be 6 games under .500 and struggling with freshamen playing 50-75% of our minutes. but relax folks, good things on the horizon. just not until next year.
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#838      

IlliniDent

IlliniDent
Chicago, IL
IlliniDent
TheLegendaryOne24 said:
Smith - D-Wil
Frazier - D-Brown
DaMonte - Head (with a Frank Williams flavor)
Black - Powell
Kipper - Augustine (more of a scoring threat)

Oh snap hello Final Four 17-18

Alstork better get rolling ..... and just play
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illiniwil said:
i see a tough start. hope im wrong...by mid season Alstork's minutes will be way down... (probably no more than 5 mintes a game). He just wont work out, he'll never relax and just play... we'll be 6 games under .500 and struggling with freshamen playing 50-75% of our minutes. but relax folks, good things on the horizon. just not until next year.
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Travis-Garland-UPPERS-DOWNERS-Vol.-1-2015.png
 
#839      

Calvin

C
Calvin
illiniwil said:
i see a tough start. hope im wrong...by mid season Alstork's minutes will be way down... (probably no more than 5 mintes a game). He just wont work out, he'll never relax and just play... we'll be 6 games under .500 and struggling with freshamen playing 50-75% of our minutes. but relax folks, good things on the horizon. just not until next year.
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If we wind up 6 games under .500 then we hired the wrong coach. (hint: we didn't hire the wrong coach)
 
#840      

Calvin

C
Calvin
redwingillini11 said:
From what I saw at practice this summer, I think Finke's got this.
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What makes you think that? He's pretty far down my list of suspects.

Leaders are vocal, they are an extension of the coach on the floor, and they demand accountability and respect. For that reason, they're typically one of your best players, if not the best guy on the team. They're going to be out on the floor in crunch time, and likely playing over 30 min/game.
 
#842      

icengineer

I
Southern Illinois
icengineer
Quote:
Originally Posted by redwingillini11 View Post
From what I saw at practice this summer, I think Finke's got this.
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So Calvin, you've seen practices also?

Calvin said:
What makes you think that? He's pretty far down my list of suspects.

Leaders are vocal, they are an extension of the coach on the floor, and they demand accountability and respect. For that reason, they're typically one of your best players, if not the best guy on the team. They're going to be out on the floor in crunch time, and likely playing over 30 min/game.
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And this is your take on what you've seen?
 
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#843      

TCTORNADO

TCTORNADO
TCTORNADO
Tickets for the Dynegy Shootout/Lou Henson honoring game on Dec. 16th @ UC against New Mexico State go on sale @ Ticketmaster today @ 10:00 am CST.
 
#845      

illinitiger

I
illinitiger
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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I think whoever masters the system first and has fire can lead. I felt like TJL was an emerging leader last year. Given Finke's pedigree I would expect him to be a prime candidate also. After they all master the system, I would expect the player with most on court passion and fire to be the "leader". We will see how it plays out.
 
#846      

Illini Resurgence

Illini Resurgence
Illini Resurgence
AnticipatedSerendipity said:
The Dee, Deron, Luther Comparisons happen a lot, however Smith and Frazier certainly show a lot of similarities. We a replicate of the '05 team. But Smith, Frazier, Damonte, Ayo are going to be just as good.
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I thought this was interesting - RSCI top 100 rankings:

2017 and 2018 class
#90 Smith
#24 Ayo
Unranked - everyone else

2002 class
#19 Dee
#48 Deron
#78 Augie
#86 Aaron Spears!
Unranked - Luther
 
#847      

TownieMatt

T
CU Expat
Chicago
TownieMatt
Illini Resurgence said:
I thought this was interesting - RSCI top 100 rankings:

2017 and 2018 class
#90 Smith
#24 Ayo
Unranked - everyone else

2002 class
#19 Dee
#48 Deron
#78 Augie
#86 Aaron Spears!
Unranked - Luther
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Take rankings with a grain of salt, but this point is that fans overhype every freshman class. Objectively, we're got a promising group of young guards, but that Dee, Deron, Luther group is the best group of guards we've ever had. To say this group will be that good is very wishful thinking (to be polite).

Rankings wise, this group is closer to the Paul, Richardson, Bertrand class — which was a very talented group that should have had more success.
 
#849      

tpbradley

tpbradley
tpbradley
illiniwil said:
i see a tough start. hope im wrong...by mid season Alstork's minutes will be way down... (probably no more than 5 mintes a game). He just wont work out, he'll never relax and just play... we'll be 6 games under .500 and struggling with freshamen playing 50-75% of our minutes. but relax folks, good things on the horizon. just not until next year.
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After reading this post, I suddenly want to close all the blinds and listen to Counting Crows... but just the sad, whiny songs.
 
#850      

Illiniguy13

Illiniguy13
Illiniguy13
tpbradley said:
After reading this post, I suddenly want to close all the blinds and listen to Counting Crows... but just the sad, whiny songs.
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Lol...if we start out rough in the BIG10, I'll be singin with ya. "It's been a long December, and there's reason to believe... maybe this year will be better than the last."
 
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