The oatmeal seems so misplaced with the other items in his bowls. Like I know what it brings nutritionally and I’m a fan of it myself. But not in those combinations lol
Illini Basketball 2022-2023
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well, if he can back it up.
I hope Dain can be consistent with that 18-22ft jumper in game situations. If so he may have a breakout season. The young man has a super quick first step for a big man and can dish the rock really good. I can actually see him initiating some offense. His drive and kick is gonna get us a ton of open shots. He could make us harder to guard as a team then when we had Kofi.
Department of Redundancy Department, how can I assist with your need for assistance?
Injuries happen...
If I stand on a chair.
You know what? You're absolutely right!
He’s not laterally quick enough the guard 2s.
He doesn’t create his own shot well enough.
Could that change over the course of his career? Obviously yes. But right now he definitely can’t be a shooting guard.
It’s not even fair to him to create this expectation right now. Let’s let him get a full year in the rotation where he can play to his strengths in significant minutes, before we start throwing other things on him.
Govoner Vaugn Fan
- New Orleans
Might be an Andy Kaufman.
We really don't know how much he can create his own shot being that it looked like he just pretty much stuck to the game plan. I can understand that with the short leash the freshman were given. I do agree with you that playing the 2 would not be a good spot for him. Strictly a 3/4 type of player.
Why would we play him there? He is bigger than RJ. I think he could do it in a pinch, but I think he will be most effective in the Granderson role.
MadtownIllin
- Madison, WI
Lucas Johnson prototype?!
I'm not really sure why there isn't more excitement about Dain. A highly rated recruit out of HS, he was obviously out of shape. The progress we've seen with Fletch already has been impressive. I'm super excited to see what he can do this year.
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100% agreed. Well, he "could" play the 2 - it just wouldn't be ideal. Good coaches don't play SFs at SG. They do the opposite - they play PGs at SG and SGs at SF, and SFs at PF. The idea is to get more quickness, ball-handling, and shooting in your lineup.
Of course, you always have fans who fantasize about having the tallest lineup possible. Tall is certainly a good thing, but not if one doesn't have the requisite skills for the spot. Goode's best spot (by far) is the 3. His second best spot is the 4. He could play the 2, but it's not where most good coaches will want to put him.
Similarly, Rodgers's best position right now is probably the 4. If he develops a consistent outside shot, you can start talking about him playing the 3, and yes, even possibly the 2. He does look to have good handles and looks pretty damn quick, although that's from H.S. tape. Whether he can do it at the college level is yet to be seen.
The kid may be inconsistent for a while but in the end, we will be in good hands. He is going to be really good.
illini80
- Forgottonia
He’s very skilled in the video’s. I’d like to see how that translates when he’s closely guarded, but what I really need to see before I get too excited is how well he defends and if he can stay on the floor.
Maybe you are just jesting but let's see what he does this year before starting to compare him to either of the Hall Of Famers. If he can have a decent year with 13 and 6, that would be a big step forward. Do I think he has pro potential? Maybe but then again, we will see. Things happen. Look at Belo. He could still break out but again-we will see.
Good point, and it leads me to another reason I'm excited. With the semester he got to practice and Underwood's hyper focus on that side of the ball, he should have a pretty good idea of what's expected from him on the defensive end already. Not saying it couldn't be a concern, but definitely less of a concern than if he was a fresh incoming transfer.
JFGsCoffeeMug
BU:1 Trash cans:0
- Chicago
Yeah, he was definitely joking. Nearly all references to Larry Bird on here are part of a joke.
I think some people aren't going to get too keyed up based on the last highly regarded transfer big although one should have nothing to do with the other
illini80
- Forgottonia
Very rational and I agree. Videos w/o a tough defender (or w/o anyone guarding him) don't mean a lot.
He wasn't really that highly rated - around #90 if I remember correctly.
That said, I'm cautiously optimistic. I think him already having a semester practicing with BU and the team is a good thing.
blackdog
- Champaign
His final rating was #91 but this was his scouting report out of HS by Jerry Meyer:
"Has a wide, space controlling-frame at 6-9. Conditioning has been an issue in the past. Has nimble feet and a highly skilled game. Good athlete but not overly explosive. Proficient back-to-the-basket scorer who can also face up and shoot or drive from outside. Very comfortable with the basketball and has a feel for passing. Strong rebounder. Defending on perimeter can be a challenge. Good positional interior defender who can also block shots. Has potential to play in the NBA. Improving his conditioning is critical."
So he has always been skilled but conditioning was holding him back. Now the conditioning and explosiveness have improved so I think there's good reason to be excited.
I miss the good old "positionless" basketball days....
“Positionless” shouldnt be taken literally.
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