The way they have been playing I thought we would see
TJL
Smith
DaMonte
Black
Kipper/Finke
Illini Basketball 2017-2018
- Status
The way they have been playing I thought we would see
TJL
Smith
DaMonte
Black
Kipper/Finke
That sounds like three chords and the truth to me.
My final preseason prediction is that this is going to be a rough first season. Players are either Groce's or freshmen and that means they are lazy and play slower. Therefore this season will be about learning how to run the offense/defense and how to hustle each play. This is a culture season.
And.....Alstork was the best player on the court. Williams was about 9th best.
Not a knock on Williams. Long season and he will be good, but we really need Alstork to continue his good play.
Illwinsagain
- Cary, IL
If you look at the guards in the 80's, I think they would have a pretty good argument that they were better. Especially if you count Anderson, like Luther, as a guard. Loved all of them.
BananaShampoo
Captain 'Paign
- Phoenix, AZ
Hell yeah. There's a guy who really cares about his kid's well being and long term future instead of using their kid as an extension of their ego (looking at you Lavar Ball).
Sighs....such a breath of fresh air from a parent, a kid being/showing some humility throughout, and a different viewpoint than me, me, me, I am entitled.
I wish nothing but the best for the family and this nice young student/athlete!
:thumb:skyIdub
Winged Warrior
I can easily see AJ becoming one of those players that everyone on the team respects for the type of work ethic he displays along with the patience and devotion to the team, then he becomes a leader as a senior. Maybe a Steven Bardo comparison, but a shooter? Not sure if that's a good comp, but I really want to see him become that kick out option for the shooting threat that would really make this offense deadly!
Ransom Stoddard
Ordained Dudeist Priest
- Bloomington, IL
Sorry to go a bit OT, but LaVar has been awfully quiet since his kid got busted for lifting Chinese sunglasses. Apparently no one told these kids they can buy 90% accurate knockoffs on the street for about 1/10th the price (or less).
IlliniDent
- Chicago, IL
Or that with the amount of money they are about to make that shop lifting a pair of sunglasses is absurd
I have watched Michigan State, Purdue, The Terps, Mizzo, Rutgers, Minn. and NW and from a hoop and coaching stand point the team I was most impressed with was Minn but I think they are all very beatable...someone on here said the MSU is going to mop the floor with us....I think they are a good ball club with a lot of good talent but again their guard play is suspect...we are missing an athletic big but I think Finke and Black are going to answer the challenges night in and night out but both need buckets to go early to get them going....
I think Kipper is a quiet sleeper but has to buy in to the BU system and let it work for him...
EIU is an alright team (lost to WIU last night) I think they got some momentum and made a few shots late...good luck to them but they are not better than the Illini and we won't see them ... I'm watching the progression of the B10 schools and waiting....(saw Northwestern lose last night). We are not talking about the B10 with the Fab 5 and the Flying Illini where there was a clear cut B10 Powerehouse running the conference
I think Kipper is a quiet sleeper but has to buy in to the BU system and let it work for him...
EIU is an alright team (lost to WIU last night) I think they got some momentum and made a few shots late...good luck to them but they are not better than the Illini and we won't see them ... I'm watching the progression of the B10 schools and waiting....(saw Northwestern lose last night). We are not talking about the B10 with the Fab 5 and the Flying Illini where there was a clear cut B10 Powerehouse running the conference
Think it’s pretty big for perception from many angles.
1) Major conference opponent with a recognizable name
2) Seem like they should be better than they’ve been in their recent history
3) in state and based in our most desired recruiting area
4) Chicago media perception
5)Were supposed to win so if we do nobody will care, if we lose we open ourselves up to all kinds of bad publicity which affects 3+4
I'm guessing they'll wait until 2nd semester just in case any intriguing midseason transfers pop up.
There is no upside to the DePaul game for us. They have been bad for so long that they are not even a topic of discussion outside Illinois. So, if we win, big deal... we beat a bad team. If we lose, we will likely fall out of any discussion as well unless we do the things necessary to get back in.
ILL in IA
- Iowa City
I think Jason Goff on 670 had the best take on this. How dumb do you have to be to think that the front court of UCLA can walk into a shop in China and not have eyes on them the entire time they are in the building. They are watching every move you make.
What are the odds of 2 "intriguing midseason transfers popping up"?
ILL in IA
- Iowa City
Big picture I tend to agree with this. But I think right now because of where the program has been and BU taking us in the right direction, this is an important game. We can talk all we want on here about understanding where this thing is going with a good coach ect....but for in state media to get on board with things, we need to win. Take care of business, and they will love us again.
I have not lived in Chicago for years but when I get back for the holidays I listen to the Score. I guess it always seems like Illini sports are not mentioned all that much or at all, but I remember in 2005 being out in the burbs and the bars were packed with Illini fans and Illini clothing.
ILL in IA
- Iowa City
Not super high, but its 100% sure we hammer the staff IF 2 intriguing midseason transfers pop up and Liss is holding one of the ships.
ILL in IA
- Iowa City
And in 2005 670 the score made room for their own version of Illini pre and post game hoops before and after all the tournament games. Goff and Abbatacola have mentioned many times one of their favorite shows they were a part of was after the Sweet 16 comeback. All they did was take calls from Illini fans after the game for like 4 hours. Illini Hoops owned that city in 2005. They love the Illini when they win, and they hate on them when they loose. Illinois doesn't get the benefit of the doubt like some schools from the local cowtown media only showing everything in a positive light. Its just been too long since we were a winner to remember the good times.
Isn't it a bit late to give him a ship for this semester? That would likely involve the U refunding money to him. As for next semester, there is no reason to decide before January.
- Status