Illini Basketball 2018-2019
- Status
AEX
- Danger Zone
Perhaps. As another poster put it, you want your coach to be a guy that players want to follow, to the point that they're willing to run through walls for them. Maybe the stated reason guys like Black, Finke, and Ebo are leaving is because they want to start making money in the Euro pros now, or play ball with their little brother, or they want to go somewhere where they'll feel more connected with the other guys. Looking at each one individually, you can make an argument that it's about extenuating circumstances. But taken as a whole, it suggests that playing for Underwood at Illinois is not much of a draw, that guys aren't that interested in going to battle for him. And this last recruiting cycle seems to reinforce that, at least with the bigs.
Now, the situation seems different with the guards and wings for some reason. So there's certainly hope. I would love nothing more than to see them find the perfect Sr. transfer and for Kane to replicate what Ebo did last year. If we can get serviceable play at 5, I think we're in for a surprisingly good year. But right now, this team has a glaring hole at that position, which is a real shame given how strong we are from positions 1 through 3.
But man that team would sure be fun to watch
It would be awesome seeing what Lou would cook up to try to make that work.
Watching Les Jepsen dunk on us 25 times would be less awesome.
So Underwood actually got more out of the consensus 510th ranked player than Weber got out of the consensus 78th ranked player? I am actually surprised. This reinforces Eboigbodin's comment that he was happy with basketball and the decision was about his personal life. No one knows the exact reason he wants to relocate, so speculation based on lack of information is really pointless.
This also gives me encouragement that the staff knows what they are doing and should be able to develop Giorgi Bezhanishvili (365) and Samba Kane (278).
Last edited:
AEX
- Danger Zone
Strongly agree with you on that point. And I really hope Samba and Giorgi stay long enough for us to see them develop over multiple years with this staff.
Long post ahead, hodgepodge of ideas on how to try to be competitive...
4 out: Trent, Ayo, Damonte, Kipper, AJ, AG, Tev, Feliz
High post: Kane, Giorgi, Kip, Damonte (has some feel to his game that make me want to see him try it)
Matchup fun high post: Trent, Ayo, Feliz
Offensively: If our guys can hit open 3s this year, I will not be concerned as much offensively. This offense can function at a very high level with 5 guards which at this point is our best offensive lineup. I think you start with Kipper manning the high post till we switch out for favorable matchups. Why Ayo, Feliz and Trent? Getting your best players the ball in that spot is very difficult to guard. You put an aggressive scorer in there like Trent, or crafty finisher (Ayo) or facilitator (Feliz), and you can hurt some teams. Again, gotta hit the open 3s those looks can create, which can be possible because with 5 guards on the court, you’re not sacrificing a perimeter spot to expose a matchup at the high post. If Kane or Giorgi are in you’re a little more traditional and hope to get what you can. Probably some lobs to samba and some good facilitating from giorgi.
Defensively: This is where it gets creative and crazy, but mostly crazy. If I’m BU I’m offense/defense with my bigs literally the entire game. They’re not ready to help enough on offense and the worst thing that could happen at this point is an offensive foul. I’m also playing a lot of zone to save them from themselves as defensive freshman bigs. I realize that strategy is insane and not doable vs good shooters, but it’s the bed were sleeping in right now. Man when you have to. Play out full possessions all man or all zone at times, and at others in late shot clock switch zone to man or man to zone as a wrinkle to help kill those last 10 seconds. Hope to confuse the other team or make them stagnant.
If we’re in live action with 5 guards on defense I go full on Press Virginia. Speed it up like crazy and let those guys do what guards do. Hope the other team craps their pants and get a couple fast break dunks and 3s if you’re lucky. We’re gonna give up half court layups in that setup anyway, so there’s really not much difference in giving up layups off pressing if we can keep tempo and force a few turnovers. There’s enough depth to at guard to do it in spurts until you can get a big in for set defense.
The strength of our team is obviously the perimeter and by default as well, perimeter depth. Nothing about this ideal, but I figured I’d throw some ideas for fun and to be more constructive.
4 out: Trent, Ayo, Damonte, Kipper, AJ, AG, Tev, Feliz
High post: Kane, Giorgi, Kip, Damonte (has some feel to his game that make me want to see him try it)
Matchup fun high post: Trent, Ayo, Feliz
Offensively: If our guys can hit open 3s this year, I will not be concerned as much offensively. This offense can function at a very high level with 5 guards which at this point is our best offensive lineup. I think you start with Kipper manning the high post till we switch out for favorable matchups. Why Ayo, Feliz and Trent? Getting your best players the ball in that spot is very difficult to guard. You put an aggressive scorer in there like Trent, or crafty finisher (Ayo) or facilitator (Feliz), and you can hurt some teams. Again, gotta hit the open 3s those looks can create, which can be possible because with 5 guards on the court, you’re not sacrificing a perimeter spot to expose a matchup at the high post. If Kane or Giorgi are in you’re a little more traditional and hope to get what you can. Probably some lobs to samba and some good facilitating from giorgi.
Defensively: This is where it gets creative and crazy, but mostly crazy. If I’m BU I’m offense/defense with my bigs literally the entire game. They’re not ready to help enough on offense and the worst thing that could happen at this point is an offensive foul. I’m also playing a lot of zone to save them from themselves as defensive freshman bigs. I realize that strategy is insane and not doable vs good shooters, but it’s the bed were sleeping in right now. Man when you have to. Play out full possessions all man or all zone at times, and at others in late shot clock switch zone to man or man to zone as a wrinkle to help kill those last 10 seconds. Hope to confuse the other team or make them stagnant.
If we’re in live action with 5 guards on defense I go full on Press Virginia. Speed it up like crazy and let those guys do what guards do. Hope the other team craps their pants and get a couple fast break dunks and 3s if you’re lucky. We’re gonna give up half court layups in that setup anyway, so there’s really not much difference in giving up layups off pressing if we can keep tempo and force a few turnovers. There’s enough depth to at guard to do it in spurts until you can get a big in for set defense.
The strength of our team is obviously the perimeter and by default as well, perimeter depth. Nothing about this ideal, but I figured I’d throw some ideas for fun and to be more constructive.
Pretty tough case for Mr Battle to the best Illini 4 of all time. Heck, he wasn't even the best one named, "Kenny." Compare his numbers to Ken Norman. Except for steals his predecessor comes out well ahead. If you can count either Brian Cook or Deion Thomas as a power forward the issue is even less clear.
MadtownIllin
- Madison, WI
Grinnell game plan?
Deleted member 186590
D
Guest
I agree with this - BU is going to have to get creative and putting in a 40 minutes of Heck type of gameplan would make sense this year. Very athletic long armed team that could create a lot of turnovers. I don't think that was his style at SFA or OK St., those teams were more about clogging passing lanes and offensive efficiency.
But, the sign of a good coach is adopting the style based on personnel and this team calls for all out chaos!
Would also be good for recruiting- players like to play in that style.
Do you really feel as if Ebo is or would have been a better player than our recruits or even who would possibly get? I mean I dont wanna bash the man he seems to be a good young man I'm sure but outside of 5 feet how many shots did Ebo make and if he did at what percentage? Was he an elite rebounder or free throw shooter that you would trust in late games? The players we have coming in or will have would have jumped him if not right away it wouldnt have been long and he left. He was strong strong man but limited offensively bigtime. I just dont see what all this over reaction is about. I wish him the best but good grief people act like we lost Black or Meyers. Its not even close and shows a lack of faith in our recruits and whether we can attract a transfer that could give us at least what he could have. I have more faith in things I guess and my glass is not half empty. I am not upset at all over this. I think both Kane and Geo showed more ability than he has and we can still add a transfer.
Did Kane come in last week and scare the daylights out of Ebo? Maybe they moved the treadmill closer to the purse check outside the locker room? Just asking, seems we looking for reasons why a guy who took up basketball 5 years ago, has decided he wants to leave something he totally loved last year at this time. Was it time commitment, effort , and attitude? This guy was not highly recruited gang, UIC and William and Mary were is offers, committed to UIC because of Chin, then left because of same. Not sure BU can be blamed for his change of heart, but you damn well bet BU made him change his mind. Either you will play his way, or you will not play. We will get another big, I'm sure with a bit of effort, he fit right in and replace Ebo just fine.
No kidding! 100%! Black is the one person wexwill miss by the time B10 gets here and who knows we may have another surprise like TF
And if AF, TF, or even Geo are left open from 3 or at the line they are much more likely to make it I am over having players that cant shoot the ball other than a dunk or put back and cant make a free throw over 70%.I like where the program is headed. Ayo is the best recruit since Dee Brown. Samba Kane is a true 7 footer and Tevian Jones is 6'6" wing, not to mention the best PG in JC Andres Feliz. This team is so far ahead of last year it is not funny. Look at the positives. This team will be better than last year and next years class could feature another 5 star. When was the last time the Illini landed back to back 5 star players ? I cannot remember any since Lou Henson days. Keep the faith. :thumb:
Tacomallini
- Washington State
Just getting caught up on Loyalty, so forgive if this has already been shared. Did you see a BU interview posted somewhere about Ebo leaving?
Foggy Notion
- San Francisco
But it's somewhat comforting that it's also the least cruel and dangerous place in the known universe, eh?
Known to whom?
This or Kane might just be a lot better than he is. Replacing ebo is not difficult, improving ,on? Maybe but not impossible. Let's see where Ebo ends up, that might be the big indicator of what the hell actually was the real reason. Let's see where he transfers, if anywhere at all.
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
Maybe Kane is better than Ebo. I certainly hope so. But Kane isn't going to play 30 minutes, much less 40. We have a gaping void at the 5. I'm not flipping out, but our staff needs to fill that void rather quickly. I'm hopeful that they will do just that.
Hands Malone
- Quad-Cities, IL
My guess is you're right. Might not be who everyone thinks but I expect 2 of the 3 scholarships spots will be filled.
Not small at the guards. In fact I'd have to think if we played a team with a taller backcourt or longer arms.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
Saw on Instagram that we’re playing a B1G opponent at the UC...? Sorry, but I’m not a fan. “More tickets sold” literally only helps us if it’s Illini fans, at least in Chicago.
AEX
- Danger Zone
Stellar? I think we watched 2 different players! I liked Ebo, was excited to see what he was going to do this year, but I seriously doubt his play wouldn't be duplicated with any above average big player. He has decided to transfer, which means he will no longer play here. He was not an outstanding player, might be, but not on this team. Last year was only the 6year he played basketball, he has family living in another country, and I don't think his desire was in it. Let's see where he transfers to.:hand:
All you have to do is look at his numbers. For a freshman big, they were very impressive. As I mentioned before, Ebo’s advanced metrics were better than Egwu’s in his best year. Why do you think that is?
I’ll take the numbers over your eye test. And I’ll bet my beach house against yours that neither Samba nor Giorgi have a better avg ORtg and DRtf this year than Ebo did last year.
Hopefully Georgi can give us 15-20 mpg at the 5. I don't see him getting into a ton of foul trouble but I don't see him being a better defender than that chair that replaced Matic.
- Status