Illini Basketball 2018-2019

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#1,476      

Second and Chalmers

S
Second and Chalmers
Desert Illini said:
As a fan, what is the point of that? It is not something good to finish 14-18. I want to feel good about my team. If that entails some unrealistic expectations, so be it. There is no harm in it and it FEELS GOOD to think that way.
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I was miserable watching the team last year because I had thought we were going to be better.

My expectations are rock-bottom for this year, so in the event we do better than that, even if we're still a pretty poor team overall, I will be happier than I was last year. I'm looking to grab a hold of anything that looks like real progress.

On the other hand, if we're 2-10 in football again I am going to be crestfallen and really have my belief in Lovie shaken.

Blind optimism is not happiness. WINNING is happiness. Tough to blame Illini fans for forgetting that when we are unequivocally the single worst sports program in the nation over the past decade-plus, but it's the truth.
 
#1,479      

mattcoldagelli

mattcoldagelli
The Transfer Portal
mattcoldagelli
TALKTOCHUCK said:
There is no way that you actually watched the games last year. You are using stats to make things worse than they were and it is weird considering you are an Illini fan. We will win more games next year no matter why you say.
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This is so lame.

To echo S&C's point he's made here and in many other threads, if you are here, now, posting and following things like offseason workouts and recruiting in June of 2018...you are the hardest of hard core Illinois fans.
 
#1,480      

PtownIllini8

P
PtownIllini8
mattcoldagelli said:
This is so lame.

To echo S&C's point he's made here and in many other threads, if you are here, now, posting and following things like offseason workouts and recruiting in June of 2018...you are the hardest of hard core Illinois fans.
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As the kids say these days, "Word!"
 
#1,482      

SKane

SKane
Tennessee
SKane
Obelix said:
A few thoughts addressing multiple posts:

1) Wisconsin just having Ethan Happ (who is not really a true C either) does not mean that Wisconsin was strong in the frontcourt and their overall inside game. It just actually proves that you need a lot more than one really good player in the frontcourt/inside game.

2) Even if a team had a strong inside game (which Wisconsin did not), but not a good backcourt and failed, does not mean that the opposite will be true either, being very successful having strong PG play but no inside game. That is some faulty logic.

3) While I have said many times that Illinois will be much improved at 1-3, does not mean that Illinois will be so dominant at those positions versus the rest of B1G and other good team to compensate for the lack of frontcourt/inside game. Frazier is good and Ayo (who I have seen probably more than most) will be good. But no current player (other than TF in just 1 of 2 polls) even made honorable mention in the B1G. It is not that SF is a position of strength either that will mask critical gaps at 4/5 and overall inside game.

4) Being hopeful and being unrealistic are two totally different things. Some posters have totally unrealistic expectations and make totally unrealistic predictions. Yet, when things do not work out, they say "we all knew" we were not going to be good last year. That "we all knew" is not genuine as predictions from last year show. I actually doubt if even a few (if any) predicted 4 B1G wins last year.

5) Being a fan and supporting the team during games does not mean that you have to be delusional, yet calling delusional other fan bases with unrealistic expectations. Mirrors, glass houses, etc.

6) Independent of what fans think, no unbiased analysts will pick the Illini given current roster (with Kane) with no additions as an NCAA team. For the Illini to make the NCAA, or even compete for it, we will have to exceed expectations by A LOT, with unexpected positive contributions from multiple players. Current roster and talent level need significant upgrades at critical positions. That is why a very strong 2019 Fall recruiting class is as important, or more important, that the season itself.
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This os an excellent summary. I am going to add one other point. Nothing that I have seen so far indicates that BU is a dominant coach as compared to the other coaches in the conference.

It is common for fans to look just at their team and decide that it will be better for whatever reason(s). The problem is that most of the other teams are also getting better.
 
#1,483      

skyIdub

skyIdub
Winged Warrior
skyIdub
mattcoldagelli said:
This is so lame.

To echo S&C's point he's made here and in many other threads, if you are here, now, posting and following things like offseason workouts and recruiting in June of 2018...you are the hardest of hard core Illinois fans.
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What if you are doing all of this while drinking your protein shake from a 10 year old 32oz Chief cup, wearing orange boxer briefs while smelling the finest of scents from your Illinois Scentsy wax warmer (rare)?

Oh man, I just read this and I'm going outside.:illinois::tsk:
#wewilldosomethingproductivetoday
 
#1,491      

sacraig

sacraig
The desert
sacraig
EJ33 said:
This does a good job of allaying those fears about our interior defense. :eek:
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What, were you afraid that we might actually have an interior defense and then this video put those fears to rest?
 
#1,494      

Newman

N
Newman
foby said:
With GB as the only big all summer, they will be very skilled in playing extra-small ball.
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Problem is that they'll look good in practice but will get a reality check when they first play a team with good interior defense. It would be in their best interest to schedule a secret scrimmage against a team with a loaded frontcourt. You gotta do something to somewhat replicate the physicality that we'll face in a game with better post players. Might mean throwing Fletcher in and see them try to box him out or having certain players have a role to hit extra hard when they're driving to the basket.
 
#1,495      

BRucks

BRucks
BRucks
TALKTOCHUCK said:
I agree with the above. I want to add two things.
1. Underwood complained that his players last year did not care about winning when the moment got tough. I believe he was saying they had the wrong mentality.
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I missed that one. Would you happen to have a link?
 
#1,496      

hoopsfan47

H
hoopsfan47
SKane said:
This os an excellent summary. I am going to add one other point. Nothing that I have seen so far indicates that BU is a dominant coach as compared to the other coaches in the conference.

It is common for fans to look just at their team and decide that it will be better for whatever reason(s). The problem is that most of the other teams are also getting better.
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These statements are based on sound judgement, good observations, rational and correct thinking and reasoning, rational and well organized thought, and are most likely spot on.

THERE IS NO PLACE FOR SUCH POSTING ON THIS BOARD!!!:)
 
#1,497      

RickBB

R
RickBB
PtownIllini8 said:
As the kids say these days, "Word!"
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Actually, it's mostly 30 something and 40 somethings saying "Word". I have no idea what the kids are saying these days!

And while I disagree with S & C a fair amount....I definitely don't doubt his fandom....a cant believe there is as much activity on this board as there is....we all have a sickness. At least this is the only board I check any more.
 
#1,498      

IllFanInMi

I
Guest
IllFanInMi
RickBB said:
Actually, it's mostly 30 something and 40 somethings saying "Word". I have no idea what the kids are saying these days!

And while I disagree with S & C a fair amount....I definitely don't doubt his fandom....a cant believe there is as much activity on this board as there is....we all have a sickness. At least this is the only board I check any more.
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The obvious sentiment on this board is that nobody really knows how next year will play out. Optimism outweighed pessimism last year, but unfortunately pessimism won to the tune of a 14-18 record.

What is clear to me is that the roster turnover and 6 new faces that BU recruited will tell us much more than the roster Bu basically inherited last year. Position gaps are clear and I would bet the staff wishes there was more balance, however; BU is making a mark on the type of player he feels will succeed in his system.

All we can do is see how next year plays out and if BU is on the path to winning his way. If we see improvement in record, or performance the needle is pointing up, but if the opposisite occurs, then serious questions about BUÂ’s ability are justifiable.
 
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#1,499      

sacraig

sacraig
The desert
sacraig
To be honest, even if our record isn't any better this year, given the turnover, I'd still be optimistic about the program if I see a steadily improving team throughout the year and more instances of players jumping out of the gym. In other words, evidence of the team actually being coached up throughout the year as well as evidence of improved athleticism would be a good step in the right direction.

Of course, I am still sorely hoping for a tournament appearance.
 
#1,500      

illinitiger

I
illinitiger
IllFanInMi said:
The obvious sentiment on this board is that nobody really knows how next year will play out. Optimism outweighed pessimism last year, but unfortunately pessimism won to the tune of a 14-18 record.

What is clear to me is that the roster turnover and 6 new faces that BU recruited will tell us much more than the roster Bu basically inherited last year. Position gaps are clear and I would bet the staff wishes there was more balance, however; BU is making a mark on the type of player he feels will succeed in his system.

All we can do is see how next year plays out and if BU is on the path to winning his way. If we see improvement in record, or performance the needle is pointing up, but if the opposisite occurs, then serious questions about BU’s ability are justifiable.
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Watching that video with Gorgi... I thought I was watching a quicker M. Morgan, (Gorgi moves well...not just on dance floor).

Stated by others but some advantages we have this year...
1. assistants are settled/know what BU wants
2. most of the team is on campus (save Kane)
3. a few players are seasoned in the system.

On last year compare....with
1. alstork and Matic moving in August
2. assistants searching for housing, moving household goods and family, starting recruiting and trying to cram on figuring out BUs system last summer
.......last years team was at a big disadvantage.

BL, regardless of position shortfalls, we have players and asst coaches on campus that have a season under their belt knowing what BU wants to implement.

Call me "skeptically optimistic". I think seasoning for some players and for the asst coaches could make a big difference, but not ready to call this a tourney team yet.



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