This isn't the type of thing that typically happens at programs like Illinois where coaching change is the norm. New coach comes in, he wants his own guys. Look at Dee Brown, how long did he last? At that, Dee wasn't coaching. He was a glorified PR guy. Deon has been begging to come back since he quit playing professionally. He checks all of the boxes that you outlined above and he is top three in career points, rebounds and blocked shots. His alma mater won't give him the time of day. There are probably several former players who would like the chance. Bill Self hired a former Illini player - to Kansas. Bruce Weber hired one, but to Kansas State. Lou hired former players from his previous stops to Illinois. If we ever have a coach who sticks around for 15 or 20 years, you will likely see some of his guys come back to help out.
Illini Basketball 2018-2019
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This isn't the type of thing that typically happens at programs like Illinois where coaching change is the norm. New coach comes in, he wants his own guys. Look at Dee Brown, how long did he last? At that, Dee wasn't coaching. He was a glorified PR guy. Deon has been begging to come back since he quit playing professionally. He checks all of the boxes that you outlined above and he is top three in career points, rebounds and blocked shots. His alma mater won't give him the time of day. There are probably several former players who would like the chance. Bill Self hired a former Illini player - to Kansas. Bruce Weber hired one, but to Kansas State. Lou hired former players from his previous stops to Illinois. If we ever have a coach who sticks around for 15 or 20 years, you will likely see some of his guys come back to help out.
Allen Iverson voice....."Coaching, Coaching, you guys talkin' bout Coaching!" AJ is getting drafted just like everybody else mentioned on this board (" hope we keep him for atleast 2 years"). He will then go to the league and make steph curry retire. He will lead the league in scoring his rookie year and make the Olympic team!!!
Thats exactly how some of you sound when you are spewing flatulence.....crack me up!
Does Deon want to come back to be an assistant? Or does he want to come back and be the head coach?
Well, if given a choice, he would surely take the head job but he isn't ready for that at this point. He does have some coaching experience at Lewis and Clark and at UI Chicago. He'd hold a clipboard and pick up towels if it got his foot in the door.
Yikes pops.
So all of those glowing attributes that I assigned to your son are flatulence? OK, got it! Most parents would be proud to have their son described that way.
"some of you" if you put yourself in that category....oh well. Like i said, the opinions reflected here (GOOD or bad) has no affect on me or my son.
From someone who watched practice the other day: Samba is not ready right now to get significant PT. Giorgi is our starting center and apparently incredibly athletic. Alan Griffin much more athletic than advertised. Ayo is elite. AJ is the best cutter BU has ever had in his offense.
Referees in every practice(trying to cut down on fouls) and we are just long and athletic everywhere. BU wants to crank up the defensive pressure and says if a team comes in against them without very talented guards its going to be a very long night for them.
Referees in every practice(trying to cut down on fouls) and we are just long and athletic everywhere. BU wants to crank up the defensive pressure and says if a team comes in against them without very talented guards its going to be a very long night for them.
Deleted member 746094
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Sounds like some have been to practice. Damonte was very explosive at Manual before his knee. Has he gotten that back? This would be a huge boost to his game as it is what made him tough to guard in high school.
AEX
- Danger Zone
Encouraging stuff. Just out of curiosity, who else do they have playing center? If Giorgi starts and Kane is not ready for significant playing time, who is currently healthy and will be available to eat up the rest of those minutes when the season starts?
Thanks for sharing. I'm definitely ready to get this season going and see this group in action. Anything in particular that you saw as impressive about Giorgi to name him a starter, or is it more of the fact that someone has to start there?
This rings true. I think it will lead to a "feast or famine" type scenario for our team this year. Teams with a shallow or inexperienced backcourt will get clowned by us. Teams with the horses to run with our guards will wear us down and pound it inside to clown us.
Deleted member 8213
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Good, bring on Miznoz.
Good stuff. Thanks for the share. The fun thing about recruiting is if Giorgi comes in and contributes right away then the misses aren’t as important.
Dan
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Illini Media Day
Friday, October 5th
9:00am CT Brad Underwood press conference live on fightingillini.com
B1G Media Day
Thursday, October 11th
Trent Frazier & Aaron Jordan are the Illini player representatives
8:00am CT coaches press conferences live on BTN & BTN2Go
I understood the brace was simply preventative and specially fitted to DMW. Has anyone heard otherwise?
Underwood said that in the opening day of practice interview, but with Coach Speech I wouldn't have really expected anything different.
I expect Griffin to make LOTS of buckets.
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
I'm not a big comparison guy, but if Giorgi turns out that well (Augie-lite? gulp), that's fantastic. Yes, am well aware that it's way too premature to be making projections.
WRT bringing in refs, early and often: great call.
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