mattcoldagelli
- The Transfer Portal
Working yourself into a lather over power rankings on Memorial Day Weekend? You guys are the easiest marks on the planet.
Illini Basketball 2022-2023
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Sounds like an everyday kind of guy.
Not in a lather. But these early rankings plant the seeds for rankings that will be coming out when it counts in 3-5 months. Those rankings start to matter in media coverage, TV game programming, program perception, recruiting, etc., etc. Irritating is all. But I should be used to it as an Illini fan. Hopefully we can break through in a big way this year and make these takes a thing of the past.
I feel like Torvik's ranking is spot on. The way I see it is Dain is going to perform better than people think. He has a big body. If he can stay injury free, he could develop pretty quickly. That's not to say that he will have some issues defensively. He will. As far as Coleman is concerned, Indiana game was a flash of what he can be. If he can average 11-7, or better that would be great. Personally, I think his ceiling is higher but that would be phenomenal. Finally a confession. I am excited about this team but still think we need a competent big (big body) back up. Finally, although I am excited about all the Freshman. I am really intrigued by Ty Rogers. I really believe that he is going to surprise some people this year. He's got handles, can rebound, pass, and DEFEND. He has great instinct and ability. He more that anyone coming in could be the glue guy that we need. If he can improve on his outside shooting, he could be really, really good. I am predicting that he will see the court early and often for this team. Go ILLINI!
Seconded on your Coleman and Dain reviews.
I’m at the point where I trust this staff to fill out a roster more than my own gut instinct. It feels like we should still add a veteran ball handler and a starting 5. But if They’re comfortable with Skyy playing a ton and the other newcomers picking up for when he needs a break I’m fine with that. Similar thought with Dain. Extremely unproven but it sounds like the staff is very much invested in him being a big minutes guy immediately. I’m fine with getting a 10-15 min backup at this point.
No one can argue that this team doesn’t have a ton of talent.
I think portal activity tells you what the staff thinks. They haven't really seriously pursued a 1. They have pursued someone to help replace Kofi.
I think Rogers will end up being one of my favorite Illini of all-time by the time he leaves the program. Hoping he lasts at least years.
When is the final roster announced? Would love to see Rogers make the team.
Wednesday or Thursday announcement.
MDchicago
- Lake Norman NC
Fyi, today is the last day to enter the lottery for 2023 Final Four tickets in Houston.
Tickets start at just over $1,000 each for all sessions and they charge you in full upon entering the lottery (refunded, less an application fee, if you you do not end up getting tickets). Doesn't work for me, but in case anyone is interested...
Tickets start at just over $1,000 each for all sessions and they charge you in full upon entering the lottery (refunded, less an application fee, if you you do not end up getting tickets). Doesn't work for me, but in case anyone is interested...
Homecoming 2019
- Chicago
247 Rank for a little insight (yes I'm that bored at work):
Ware - #6 2022
Whitmore - #10 2022
Black - #14 2022
Trimble - #27 2022
Rodgers - #48 2022
Armstrong - #55 2022
Jackson - #1 2023
Castle - #28 2023
Carlyle - #29 2023
McCain - #32 2023
Dailey - #63 2023
Garrison - #64 2023
Queen - #10 2024
See 2 posts below for guys who got cut.
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Thanks for this. I wonder what highly ranked guys got cut.
Homecoming 2019
- Chicago
Jordan Walsh - #19 2022
Xavier Booker - #4 2023
Caleb Foster - #19 2023
Bryson Warren - Unranked 2023
Haven't looked at the previous, but Walsh out of Arkansas looks to have been cut. Top 25 McDonald's AA who plays on the wing like Ty.
Fo Shizzle....we all know what came of our last U18 USA Basketball Recruit! Means something...proven and tested!
I would remind people that constructing a roster for these types of events isn't all about picking the 12 best basketball players, but rather picking the best basketball team. I won't pretend to be an expert on any of these guys' games, but you don't want a bunch of alpha/high usage players. You need guys who will buy in to a team concept and fill a role too. You can't build a team identity if everyone on the team thinks they should be "the guy".
My gut feeling is that Rodgers is around because he will defend his behind off, play unselfishly, and not pout if he doesn't get major minutes. I wouldn't read too much into whether or not he deserves to be ranked higher based on his inclusion on this team or other guys should drop because of their omission.
Still, it's an awesome opportunity to play against some very high level competition, gain some valuable life experience, as well as confidence.
sacraig
- The desert
Paging Robert Rosenthal...
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
While I firmly agree with your point, that doesn't mean that Rodgers isn't underrated.
You aren't wrong. But they also don't have to mutually exclusive. They are looking for the 12 best basketball players that make the best basketball team. I, too, would defend my behind off, play unselfishly, and not pout if not given major minutes, but nobody wants to see me attempt to play basketball.
So it still says A LOT about his skill level.
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
The vast majority of kids ranked ~50 wouldn't be sniffing their national team.
I was jonesing about being runner-up for Whitmore, but, JFC, what a recovery. I could get used to this.
Out of curiosity, I tracked where the 2018 U18 team was today, and I was blown away! 6 current NBA; additional 4 with really good college careers; and 2 starters/players but maybe not standouts yet. That's a testament to the USA selection process...
In the NBA Now:
Ayo Dosunmu
Cole Anthony
Quentin Grimes
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl
Coby White
Tyrese Maxey
NBA Radar:
Armando Bacot
Trayce Jackson-Davis
Josiah James
NBA G-League:
Matthew Hurt
College Starter:
Kamaka Hepa
Mark Watts Jr.
In the NBA Now:
Ayo Dosunmu
Cole Anthony
Quentin Grimes
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl
Coby White
Tyrese Maxey
NBA Radar:
Armando Bacot
Trayce Jackson-Davis
Josiah James
NBA G-League:
Matthew Hurt
College Starter:
Kamaka Hepa
Mark Watts Jr.
I agree that those things are not mutually exclusive. I don't really know if he is under-rated, over-rated, or properly rated. I just felt the conversation was on a trajectory to point out that he MUST be better than guys who did not make the cut.
I think the problem with Rodgers, and his rating is that the skills he is best at are often under-rated. Not being an elite shooter is really the only thing keeping him in the 50's. (Scorers tend to get the headlines and the ratings) He is really good at everything else.
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