sacraig
- The desert
So you use "unpopular" social media sites? That seems to defeat the purpose.
Illini Basketball 2021-2022
- Status
Just a polite term for sites I don't use.
Be sure to collect your participation trophy on the way out.
illini80
- Forgottonia
They are my pick (after us) to win the B10. I don’t think anyone will be sleeping on them. They were expected to be really good and living up to it. I’ll be satisfied if we can split with them. If we sweep, just pencil us into the final 4.
They either have Trevion or Edey on the floor at all time. Rarely/never at the same time.
It is interesting that they are not able to run their best 5 players at the same time due to this.
Neither are great floor spacers. Williams has a great feel for the post and he’s prob the best passing big man in college
Edey is just a humongous human being. His rapid development was a pleasant development for Purdue.
PU is looking good.
It is interesting that they are not able to run their best 5 players at the same time due to this.
Neither are great floor spacers. Williams has a great feel for the post and he’s prob the best passing big man in college
Edey is just a humongous human being. His rapid development was a pleasant development for Purdue.
PU is looking good.
sacraig
- The desert
I've got so many thoughts that I've gotta get some of em out, so here goes:
This team has so much potential which is what has made these last couple games so excruciatingly painful.
A leader has to emerge, and I agree with some other posters on here that it has to be super senior Trent. He may not be the most talented on the team, but he must remain 100% focused out there, which will inspire everyone else's effort with the effort he puts in on the defense regardless of what he's bringing on offense.
That being said, our seniors need to bring more on the offensive side. Trent, Jake, and DaMonte are three grown men out there, and they need to understand that while they might not be "elite" slashers, if they refuse to probe the defense and get into the lane for layups/fouls, we are in for an ugly season. (Hutch and RJ realized this and both got to the line almost immediately after checking in, and then got wide open looks from 3 because of the respect they earned. Hutch chose not to take his open looks for some reason, but they were there.)
When Belo gets more help from his teammates, things will settle down for him. With 0 probers around him, he has no room and has to force everything. He needs to cut the silly technicals out, and I am also in the head space that its inexcusable for him to casually walk the ball down like he did over and over again last night while losing. There's a difference in playing fast and playing out of control. He doesn't have to play slowly to not make mistakes, just understand when to attack and when to facilitate. He'll keep learning and get better and better because he's just a sophmore.
Lastly, I just want to see more energy from this group as a whole. They don't seem to have bought in yet as an entire team, and I think the biggest way this has been shown is watching the bench. Last year without fans these kids were their own energy well. Every single guy was loud and proud and up and active on the bench, providing such a spark. This year they looked checked out on the bench, with only the freshmen getting up to support. That's gotta change, and when it does, I think we'll start to see an improved product on the court follow.
This team has so much potential which is what has made these last couple games so excruciatingly painful.
A leader has to emerge, and I agree with some other posters on here that it has to be super senior Trent. He may not be the most talented on the team, but he must remain 100% focused out there, which will inspire everyone else's effort with the effort he puts in on the defense regardless of what he's bringing on offense.
That being said, our seniors need to bring more on the offensive side. Trent, Jake, and DaMonte are three grown men out there, and they need to understand that while they might not be "elite" slashers, if they refuse to probe the defense and get into the lane for layups/fouls, we are in for an ugly season. (Hutch and RJ realized this and both got to the line almost immediately after checking in, and then got wide open looks from 3 because of the respect they earned. Hutch chose not to take his open looks for some reason, but they were there.)
When Belo gets more help from his teammates, things will settle down for him. With 0 probers around him, he has no room and has to force everything. He needs to cut the silly technicals out, and I am also in the head space that its inexcusable for him to casually walk the ball down like he did over and over again last night while losing. There's a difference in playing fast and playing out of control. He doesn't have to play slowly to not make mistakes, just understand when to attack and when to facilitate. He'll keep learning and get better and better because he's just a sophmore.
Lastly, I just want to see more energy from this group as a whole. They don't seem to have bought in yet as an entire team, and I think the biggest way this has been shown is watching the bench. Last year without fans these kids were their own energy well. Every single guy was loud and proud and up and active on the bench, providing such a spark. This year they looked checked out on the bench, with only the freshmen getting up to support. That's gotta change, and when it does, I think we'll start to see an improved product on the court follow.
Illinivek23
- Gurnee
Thanks for these thoughts - agree with everything.
What are they needing to buy into? The new pecking order without Ayo, AM and Georgi? Everything else is essentially the same, except the transfers and frosh
I’m obviously no insider, so I can’t pretend to know exactly what’s going on behind the scenes, but my guess is a combination of:
1. Lack of a true leader/pecking order - I think some of the older guys are deferring too much to the young stars. Too much standing around waiting for Kofi and Belo magic.
2. Potentially the transfers not being as happy with their roles as they could be after hearing all their hype this summer/fall.
Most likely more 1 than 2, and ultimately I think it all gets ironed out. Tonight would be a great night to get their first big team win as a cohesive unit.
Has anyone bought anything from this store? Wondering if the quality of the jerseys is any good?
Fantastic lengthy piece in the Athletic with inside look on Illini bball the last week, everything going on and everything Underwood is trying to do:
theathletic.com
What’s ailing Illinois? Three days behind the scenes with an Illini team trying to rediscover its joy
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The film finishes on Sunday night inside a conference room at the Downtown Marriott, and Illinois coach Brad Underwood has a message that he wants his players thinking about when they go to bed. “It’s time to go be great again,” Underwood says, repeating the line so it...
theathletic.com
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
Coleman's growth plates were wide open, lol:
We've had a lot of good guy, supportive dads and Rod Hawkins certainly belongs in that group.
We've had a lot of good guy, supportive dads and Rod Hawkins certainly belongs in that group.
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
JFGsCoffeeMug
BU:1 Trash cans:0
- Chicago
I don't want Trent to win this award, because he might get whistled for taunting when saying the word "class" during the acceptance speech. Can't risk it.
Illini in Indiana
- Indiana
Sorry from my simplistic POV. Pretty amazing!!
But I think our Illini have moved from a 2 to a 4 on my scale, in the past couple years.
Possible 5 with a couple more good years.
Your thoughts?
But I think our Illini have moved from a 2 to a 4 on my scale, in the past couple years.
Possible 5 with a couple more good years.
Your thoughts?
I like it. Not sure what the distinction between 4 and 5 is though.
What is the difference between 4 and 5? Are there many elite teams that are not P5 (Gonzaga and Nova?)
danielb927
Orange Krush Class of 2013
- Rochester, MN
Maybe they mean “elite in the context of one P5 conference” for 4 and “elite nationally” for 5?
What are we thinking here? Papi and DB talking the starting PG role?
That and probably how Dee dealt with the pressure of the starting job at such a basketball-crazed university. I think our fans came down a bit hard on the kid. Although, my opinion of this is purely conjecture. I’m just connecting the dots on him not playing, while insiders have mentioned he isn’t injured.
- Status