Illini Basketball 2022-2023

Godard · Jun 19, 2022

Good news, bad news time:

College basketball top 25 rankings reset for 2022-23 season - Sports Illustrated

With most rosters locked in, we update our outlook for the 2022–23 season.

www.si.com

Good: somewhere in these completely meaningless rankings, the author states that IL is "my pick to win the Big Ten"

Bad: We reloaded and *dropped* 7 spots. And our league, which had 3 teams consistently in the top ten of actual rankings last year has two barely cracking the top 25 in these--I repeat--completely meaningless rankings.

At least we weren't edged out by that powerhouse that is the St Louis Billikens this time!

pruman91 · Jun 19, 2022

Baskins Tiger said:
Was just merely stating on what he would need to do, to help the folks with their hair on fire. I have all of the confidence in this team and its players.

It's a new day in college basketball. If f this team has the depth to play its "top guys" way fewer minutes and still throw out the proverbial beat down, that would impact winning way more games in the tournament. These kids all wanna be pros, well treat them like so. If a kid cant understand his talent will be needed for the long term goal of a National Championship in late March, but not necessarily for a short term goal of a League Championship, they don't have a pro mindset. Injuries and sickness plagued the fighting Illini basketball programs last year and both have put together way more resilient teams this year.

I was going to go back and edit the comment about Lieb after I posted it, but if you comment in a different thread, you apparently cant go back and edit the previous thread.

I think there is is a 10 minute time frame to edit a post

SergioKittner · Jun 19, 2022

Baskins Tiger said:
I was going to go back and edit the comment about Lieb after I posted it, but if you comment in a different thread, you apparently cant go back and edit the previous thread.

what you’re saying could be true but I saw someone else say you have like 5 minutes to edit a post before it’s locked

JacquesClouseau · Jun 19, 2022

Godard said:
Good news, bad news time:

College basketball top 25 rankings reset for 2022-23 season - Sports Illustrated

With most rosters locked in, we update our outlook for the 2022–23 season.

www.si.com

Good: somewhere in these completely meaningless rankings, the author states that IL is "my pick to win the Big Ten"

Bad: We reloaded and *dropped* 7 spots. And our league, which had 3 teams consistently in the top ten of actual rankings last year has two barely cracking the top 25 in these--I repeat--completely meaningless rankings.

At least we weren't edged out by that powerhouse that is the St Louis Billikens this time!

Last year a win over Arizona early on would have likely been enough to make us a #3 seed in the NCAA tourney.

This year, we have got to zero in early on that game with Texas and show everyone we're for real.

sully · Jun 19, 2022

Godard said:
Good news, bad news time:

College basketball top 25 rankings reset for 2022-23 season - Sports Illustrated

With most rosters locked in, we update our outlook for the 2022–23 season.

www.si.com

Good: somewhere in these completely meaningless rankings, the author states that IL is "my pick to win the Big Ten"

Bad: We reloaded and *dropped* 7 spots. And our league, which had 3 teams consistently in the top ten of actual rankings last year has two barely cracking the top 25 in these--I repeat--completely meaningless rankings.

At least we weren't edged out by that powerhouse that is the St Louis Billikens this time!

Thanks for the link! Like you mentioned, early preseason rankings for the most part are somewhat meaningless but that writer at least did his homework for the most part and offered up updates on every team mentioned.

His rankings are sure to outrage the inbred hoosier hicks in Indiana. How dare someone have the utter audacity to even consider there is a team in the Big Ten that is ranked above IU?! I mean come on, IT'S INDiNIA for crying out loud!

jrichisamazing · Jun 19, 2022

Ga65 said:
When I contemplate scoring leaders it really emphasizes the complete change in the team. Shannon and Mayer are the experienced players but not leading scorers for their teams nor were Hawk or RJ. Dain is an obviously talented offensive player but has no college experience. Skyy and Jaden have been scorers in HS but no college experience either. Trying to guess the scoring averages is tougher than guessing minutes for me.

I wish there was a stat out there that tracked how many players score double figures in a single game (maybe there is but I've never seen it). I could legitimately see us put some games together this year where we have 7 guys in double figures, maybe even 8. And I'm guessing that's pretty rare in college bball.

Combo · Jun 19, 2022

Godard said:
Good news, bad news time:

College basketball top 25 rankings reset for 2022-23 season - Sports Illustrated

With most rosters locked in, we update our outlook for the 2022–23 season.

www.si.com

Good: somewhere in these completely meaningless rankings, the author states that IL is "my pick to win the Big Ten"

Bad: We reloaded and *dropped* 7 spots. And our league, which had 3 teams consistently in the top ten of actual rankings last year has two barely cracking the top 25 in these--I repeat--completely meaningless rankings.

At least we weren't edged out by that powerhouse that is the St Louis Billikens this time!

I think it's a very fair ranking, both for us and other Big Ten Teams.

Sure, we "reloaded", but we also lost an awful lot. And in case you hadn't noticed, there are some loaded teams out there (in a change of pace, none from the Big Ten).

I like how BU and staff have reloaded and I'm intrigued by how this group could progress, but I think most expectations on this forum are out of whack. Though I concede that's what fans generally do.

sacraig · Jun 19, 2022

Combo said:
I think it's a very fair ranking, both for us and other Big Ten Teams.

Sure, we "reloaded", but we also lost an awful lot. And in case you hadn't noticed, there are some loaded teams out there (in a change of pace, none from the Big Ten).

I like how BU and staff have reloaded and I'm intrigued by how this group could progress, but I think most expectations on this forum are out of whack. Though I concede that's what fans generally do.

I would tend to agree with you. Michigan was loaded last year and stunk. We have a great team on paper and based on potential but the team still needs to jell. Having said that, I've got a lot more confidence in Underwood to facilitate that than I would have in Howard.

CV Illini · Jun 19, 2022

Illini_05 said:
Today is Father’s Day! That means our guy Kofi should be receiving a letter from his son, little Hunty, and Brad should be receiving something nice from Baby JuSlap! Yknow the boys in AA have to treat their fathers in Champaign nicely!

Hunter........and many others.

SCMART Illini · Jun 19, 2022

With all the reloading, this is a completely different team and kind of difficult to anticipate our "best" player next year. Who do you think it will be overall? top scorer? best defensive stopper?

FinallyMadeAnAccount · Jun 19, 2022

SCMART Illini said:
With all the reloading, this is a completely different team and kind of difficult to anticipate our "best" player next year. Who do you think it will be overall? top scorer? best defensive stopper?

Top scorer either RJ or TSJ imo
Best defensive stopped either Mayer or TSJ
Overall Player maybe TSJ

illiniswish09 · Jun 19, 2022

North Carolina in Champaign for ACC/B1G Challenge. Orange Out. 8pm tip. Please and thank you.

Goldtop · Jun 19, 2022

sacraig said:
I would tend to agree with you. Michigan was loaded last year and stunk. We have a great team on paper and based on potential but the team still needs to jell. Having said that, I've got a lot more confidence in Underwood to facilitate that than I would have in Howard.

And then made a deeper run in the tournament than any other Big Ten team.

Combo · Jun 19, 2022

Goldtop said:
And then made a deeper run in the tournament than any other Big Ten team.

Which, unfortunately, isn't saying much!

hoopsfan47 · Jun 19, 2022

Success this coming season, as I stated on this board on April 30, really depends on how the coaching staff can get this talented bunch to play together and for the name on the front of the jersey as well as figuring out how to best maximize what each of these talented athletes can contribute to team success. Every one of us should know that regardless of program and coach, that task is far from a given....but it is certainly a more welcome task and predictably a more interesting one for Illini fans to watch than JG and his rosters. So much depends on Mayer and his front court running buddies....CoHawk and Dainja. And who knows what and if BU will be adding to join Lieb in front-court support? June speculation, especially with the portal transfers and overseas options that can drop into to mix at any time, is an exercise in futility most of the time.

But one, most important, good thing for all my fellow Illini hoops fans, Illini basketball is back!!

Combo · Jun 19, 2022

hoopsfan47 said:
Success this coming season, as I stated on this board on April 30, really depends on how the coaching staff can get this talented bunch to play together and for the name on the front of the jersey as well as figuring out how to best maximize what each of these talented athletes can contribute to team success. Every one of us should know that regardless of program and coach, that task is far from a given....but it is certainly a more welcome task and predictably a more interesting one for Illini fans to watch than JG and his rosters. So much depends on Mayer and his front court running buddies....CoHawk and Dainja. And who knows what and if BU will be adding to join Lieb in front-court support? June speculation, especially with the portal transfers and overseas options that can drop into to mix at any time, is an exercise in futility most of the time.

But one, most important, good thing for all my fellow Illini hoops fans, Illini basketball is back!!

It's been back for a few years now. And your statement about coaching is like saying water is wet. Coaching matters. Talent matters.

Combo · Jun 19, 2022

Joel Goodson said:
https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1538367402437656576

Is that Epps? I'm sort of surprised to see that as a number of recruiting "experts" described him as a below-the-rim player.

JMoser16 · Jun 19, 2022

Combo said:
Is that Epps? I'm sort of surprised to see that as a number of recruiting "experts" described him as a below-the-rim player.

Epps got the bunnies. I can't wait to see how good Skyy looks after this summer. Fletch really is a vital asset to the program

DMark59 · Jun 19, 2022

FinallyMadeAnAccount said:
Top scorer either RJ or TSJ imo
Best defensive stopped either Mayer or TSJ
Overall Player maybe TSJ

We have two players who can score as easy as breathing and both of them are freshmen!!! Skyy and Jayden are wired to score anytime they want to. As I have said previously Skyy was a top fifteen ranked recruit before he got hurt and Mr.Epps has been that alpha dog every time that he has stepped on a court.Gentlemen there will be no denying our four freshmen,they are here to play and wreak havoc whenever they step on the court

Noblesville Illini · Jun 19, 2022

Combo said:
Which, unfortunately, isn't saying much!

I'd like to see our Illini actually get to play a non top 10 team in the 2nd round. First time the NCAA did that, I could call it an accident. But twice now, it's a pattern. Better not see Houston again for a 4/5 matchup. This is getting old. UM had an easier road IMHO.

I know, I know, what if we're a 7 seed? Then, that would make sense. But, we haven't been 7 seeds the last 2 years.

Noblesville Illini · Jun 19, 2022

Combo said:
Is that Epps? I'm sort of surprised to see that as a number of recruiting "experts" described him as a below-the-rim player.

He'll be jumping like Keith Smart with a 40 inch vertical with Fletch soon enough. Not ready to go as far as #BheBheHops yet.....

47.1"

Mobi · Jun 19, 2022

Combo said:
Is that Epps? I'm sort of surprised to see that as a number of recruiting "experts" described him as a below-the-rim player.

He looks more below the ring for his highlights. While that dunk above is somewhat impressive, a lot of players can do better.

IllinoisssssssVarsity · Jun 19, 2022

Noblesville Illini said:
He'll be jumping like Keith Smart with a 40 inch vertical with Fletch soon enough. Not ready to go as far as #BheBheHops yet.....

47.1"

The way he hung up there for a minute is what always gets me.

Brosky · Jun 20, 2022

With these players, I'm trending to agree with Underwood's recent remarks about playing "positionless" basketball. It's more like the NBA and a departure from the traditional template of permutation of players on the floor.

jrichisamazing · Jun 20, 2022

I'm still a little skeptical on how many players play and how fast we will end up playing. I hope we see it happen, where we are flying up and down the court and 9 or 10 guys are subbing in and out. And I think BU would love to play that way too.

But it would be really freaking easy to throw a team of TSJ, RJ, Mayer, CHawk, and Dain out there and just grind teams away. I would think a lot of opponents would struggle to score 60 on that group.

I will be really interested to see how creative BU and staff gets this offseason.

Illini Basketball 2022-2023

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