If Kipper is defending the five it will be a long season!
Illini Basketball 2018-2019
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If we get nothing out of DeLaRosa, we are in trouble. I expect him to play 15-20 minutes a game when he is cleared.
Feliz will start at the point, IMO.
Somebody did the math on a napkin a while ago and came up with 2019 before we actually get de la Rosa.
Probably Jan. Possibly late Dec.
In reality, likely the Fall of 2019 in Europe. Maybe the winter of 2020?
late arrival and possibly out of shape? Redshirt?
Isn’t he injured ?
You really don’t see Ayo starting at point? I would be concerned if he didn’t.
Deleted member 17900
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He won’t, Trent will. Ayo will start at the 2, Monte 3, Kip 4, and we’ll plug a big in at the 5. Have to like Feliz, AJ, TJ, AG off the bench.
Our bench has potential down the road, but I'm not really feeling it this season. I'm assuming our freshmen will look like freshmen, especially in the early stretch.
You are both wrong. We will start both Trent and Ayo at PG.
If Kane comes in as a freshman and plays as well defensively as Ebo would be projected to next year, that'll be a pleasant surprise. It's been discussed before, but Ebo's freshman year compares favorably to Egwu's, and he turned out to be a pretty good defensive player.
Ayo will be one of the main guys on this team.
Ayo, Frazier, Feliz at the guards. Three point guards. They will all initiate offense. I expect Ayo and Frazier on the wings to start. Williams off the bench. Jordan off the bench. Griffin off the bench. Deep on the perimeter. Jones is a future wing star but may be needed at the four with Nichols next year. Positionless basketball.
Could the lineup vary at times? Sure. Good problem to have.
Could I be way off. Of course. But I like what Feliz brings to the point. Feliz, Ayo, and Frazier are three tough hombres, too. If Williams starts knocking down shots, he will push somebody.
If that happens it means we're doing pretty bad. That being said, the entire 2018-19 season is prep for the next year IMO.
And that is because the P in PG stands for positionless.
illini55
- The Villages, FL
I'm not sure on what planet Alstork and Lucas are "good" guards. They couldn't have played for many of the Top 200 Division One schools.
I'd be willing to bet my beach house (and I have one) that there is a huge upgrade in talent this year with Ayo & Feliz. Huge.
In what world will our 4-5 positions be better this year compared to last? I know people love crapping on Finke, and Black was not a good defender, but their offensive games were better than anyone we have there this year (though I will concede Kipper is better offensively than Finke). Higgs is apparently injured, De La Rosa is out until Dec. (and recent history tells us big men coming off ACL's are no sure thing), and I refuse to think Kane can be an offensive threat his first year.
Defensively, perhaps another story, but again freshman bigs rarely come in and perform well, in any aspect. People have way too much unfounded love for sub 150 players who are going to come in and out perform 2+ year starters. Finke/Ebo/Black were not world beaters, but there value was not zero.
Defensively, perhaps another story, but again freshman bigs rarely come in and perform well, in any aspect. People have way too much unfounded love for sub 150 players who are going to come in and out perform 2+ year starters. Finke/Ebo/Black were not world beaters, but there value was not zero.
He clearly said "defensively". And while I wasn't as bag of fan of Lucas' defense as many on this board, even I would call him a plus defender.
I said defensively and I will stick by that. A lineup of Trent, Ayo, Williams, Kipper, and Kane is better defensively than we had last year. Not sure how you can't see that.
FeelYourPaign
- So Cal
Second paragraph is right. first missed key word....defense
Right, even defensively when your options are an absolute turnstile playing out of position, a guy with a bum knee, and some true freshmen, I'll believe our interior defense is non-catastrophic when I see it.
You would think you guys would learn about pontificating on starting lineups after last year......but I guess not. Maybe that's what this site is for....PONTIFICATING. Here's an idea, why dont you guys demand that your moderators hang out around Ubben during Open Gyms and open practice (I have) then you guys wouldnt have to Pontificate. Having been to practice and open gyms, most of you are out in left field about who the starters will be. Coach should have taught you guys a lesson last year...dont worry about who starts...He's not.
Kane v Finke defensively....Kane all day and twice on Sunday, and I haven't even seen him play yet!
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