Illini Basketball 2018-2019
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Still one of my favorite (and in my top 5) Illini of all time. Also played on one of the most talented Illinois teams of all time. Too bad that season ended the way it did. People forget how talented that team was and the number of big time athletes. They were something to watch as a kid.
I, too, have not heard about this and would be interested. Anyone care to elucidate? Thanks
ILL in IA
- Iowa City
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Like I said, lofty comparison, but I think he can be good quick. Like a lot of guys, hope he can show up on the defensive end to get the trust from BU and enough time on the court. But the kid can score, looks like he can play above the rim (Malcolm didn't) but needs to add some of the fitness that made Malcolm so good. He is highly thought off based on rankings, but I think like Frazier last year coming in, being from out of state got overlooked on this board. I think Jones is overlooked here too. Just my gut feeling.
illini80
- Forgottonia
Transcript issue. Really no word on what exactly the hold up is. Seems likely there is a class in there that has to get approved by the NCAA.
Hope it's not a class on ethics.
What about Nick Weatherspoon?
Not sure if anyone else on this board was there, but I went to his public workout at the Ubben. I can't really add much detail, but I will say he has a good jumper and can finish at the rim. More of a well rounded player than a lot of recruits in the past
Hard to get excited about Shannon going elsewhere when we have Tevian and Griff coming in this year.
Agree!
Ryan Evan is saying Higgs is expected on 8/27.
University issue as opposed to NCAA issue?
I'm assuming that means that he is expected to be back with the team, not that he is expected to start classes? Might be a dumb clarification, but just want to make sure
If he needs to complete pre-college academic work to become eligible to play, you'd assume he finishes that before he rejoins the team, and thus once he rejoins the team he'd begin his college academic work, right? That seems like the implication to me, but who knows.
All I know is that I will be much less scared of what lies ahead of us if we can get Kane and Higgs eligible and on campus practicing with the team. Positive health news on De La Rosa would also be much appreciated.
I know nothing about the situation other than when he got hurt (March) and the time table for typical basketball related returns. 3-4 months is the typical window to start light work. 6ish months they are typically full go.
As long as there are no set backs, the latest he would be fully cleared is November (8 months is considered the upper limit). The real question is: When will he be fully healthy/conditioned? Most say a year. Others never recover fully (Rose and Thorne send there regards). I would assume this is a more challenging recovery for a guy who is as big as Adonis. I'm also concerned about his foul rate and fact he wasn't really lighting up the scorers sheet at a MAC team prior to the injury. My expectations are very limited.
That being said, if he can provide 10-15 mins of average 5 play come B1G time, I would be ecstatic, which I would hope is most peoples expectations.
Totally agree with this, I don't want to put expectations in an unreasonable place.
But man, he would sure help us a ton in Maui just as a large object in the way of the basket.
My fear is that our big man play this year will be a lot like our QB play in football last year. So bad that it impairs the development of other areas that DO have the necessary talent and capacity to improve. Get me Kane, Higgs, and a capable-of-playing De La Rosa and we at least give ourselves a chance.
Thanks for the response!
As far as my expectations for Adonis, it's merely that we had the room for him and he'd only be here for a year. So we took a flyer on him. If he doesn't play at all this year, well that sucks but oh well. Doesn't hurt you in the future. If he's able to come back for any amount of time, and all he offers is a warm body to give other guys a rest, then OK. You got something for relatively little. But he also can come back and be a good rebounder and defender for Big Ten play, then that would be fantastic!
As far as my expectations for Adonis, it's merely that we had the room for him and he'd only be here for a year. So we took a flyer on him. If he doesn't play at all this year, well that sucks but oh well. Doesn't hurt you in the future. If he's able to come back for any amount of time, and all he offers is a warm body to give other guys a rest, then OK. You got something for relatively little. But he also can come back and be a good rebounder and defender for Big Ten play, then that would be fantastic!
Underrating incoming players is not the typical problem we have on this board. Unreasonable expectations, sure.
ILFaninFL
- Nature Coast in Florida
What I liked last year was our disruptive defense. The only problem was that once teams figured out that if they abandoned their offense and drove on us they could win. If Adonis can swat a few guards to discourage that ... it will be a huge help. My only concern is that if his mobility is limited ... 
Here's a slew of thoughts: I worry a little for Higgs and Kane having missed summer camp with the team; but I don't doubt their talent. Excited to see the whole team together and practicing.
Recruiting losses will always hurt, but losing guys like Whitney and Shannon don't sting as much knowing we have a resurgent DMW for three more years, and get to see how Jones and Griffin develop. We are really deep at wing and guard. Maybe a lot of us don't realize that just yet. Shouldn't be surprised to lose out more often than not.
Gotta do whatever it takes (legally) to get two or three of our big targets to come. I'd take another wing as well. Two of Liddell, Cockburn, Tshiebwe, Timme, Tre Mitchell, Nnaji, and get Guerrier to buy in and we are pretty much rebuilt. Just need time to develop the young team. But given how recruiting went down for 2018 and so far for 2019, there's a bigger chance than not that most of the commits will be kids that few if any of us know about currently.
Experiences guards will make inexperienced bigs that much better.
Recruiting losses will always hurt, but losing guys like Whitney and Shannon don't sting as much knowing we have a resurgent DMW for three more years, and get to see how Jones and Griffin develop. We are really deep at wing and guard. Maybe a lot of us don't realize that just yet. Shouldn't be surprised to lose out more often than not.
Gotta do whatever it takes (legally) to get two or three of our big targets to come. I'd take another wing as well. Two of Liddell, Cockburn, Tshiebwe, Timme, Tre Mitchell, Nnaji, and get Guerrier to buy in and we are pretty much rebuilt. Just need time to develop the young team. But given how recruiting went down for 2018 and so far for 2019, there's a bigger chance than not that most of the commits will be kids that few if any of us know about currently.
Experiences guards will make inexperienced bigs that much better.
Interesting that Giorgio isn't being mentioned in this conversation. As he has been here over the summer and has a head start, my bet is he will start the first game. BU said he has great feet and stayed in front of Trent on defense but needed improvement rebounding. Maybe only as athletic as Bird though.
I'm not worried about Giorgi. If he can stay in front of Trent on defense then he'll be contributing and getting minutes. The real wild card is the question of who will fill Leron's shoes the best... We saw flashes towards the end of the year from Kipper. That's my bet.
Three most important Illini for 2018-2019: Trent, Ayo, Kipper, in that order. If Giorgi can hit the jumper and stay in front of his guy (and help on D without fouling), I bet he'll be effective when he's in there.
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