Illini Basketball 2022-2023

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#251      

Joel Goodson

respect my decision™
Key contributors will be the confidence BU shows in Hawk this year and who we bring in for 2023, but if I had to guess right now I’d agree. Hopefully we see Joel’s scenario 1 happen.

My primary scenario 1 is a Natty and TSJ, Mayer and Hawkins get drafted (I'm greedy, I want Skyy for 2 seasons). That would put our recruiting on a new plane (not that the current one is no bueno).
 
#253      
It just doesn't work like this anymore. You can't keep that many kids happy.

Also, with the new transfer world you have to have a spot open for a mid season wild turkey surprise.

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You realize WE are as likely to have someone transfer out mid-year as any other program. Gotta add at least one more player (preferably a PF/C) if you can. I realize a top talent is very unlikely. But we could really use someone that could give us what BBV gave us last year.
 
#254      
IMO keeping two schollies open verges on coach malpractice. This last year is a perfect example of how injuries can deplete you - we started with 14 scholarship players yet we had depth problems (especially in the backcourt) for much of the season. If you can add a PF/C who has any chance of helping, you gotta do it. Another guard wouldn't be a bad idea either, though not as worried there because guards can typically play >35 min/game if necessary.
I agree with you Combo mostly. But I believe we didn't play all our options. Melendez, Goode, and even Podz were more than able to give more than spot minutes. For whatever reason Coach chose to not play them. That's what hurt us in the end.
 
#255      
You realize WE are as likely to have someone transfer out mid-year as any other program. Gotta add at least one more player (preferably a PF/C) if you can. I realize a top talent is very unlikely. But we could really use someone that could give us what BBV gave us last year.
If there are ~100 teams from whom we might want a player, then the odds that one of them transfers out is 100x the odds that we have someone transfer out. Keeping an open scholarship for a mid-year transfer is a very good bet if few other top teams are doing it.
 
#256      
If there are ~100 teams from whom we might want a player, then the odds that one of them transfers out is 100x the odds that we have someone transfer out. Keeping an open scholarship for a mid-year transfer is a very good bet if few other top teams are doing it.

But would a mid-year transfer be eligible immediately? If so, then that evens it out. I ask because Dain had to sit out 2nd semester. Doesn’t make sense that a mid-year transfer would have to sit out, but not a summer transfer.
 
#257      
100%. Coleman has to hit those open 3's when the defense dorks him. If he does, look out for the cutters and slashers having room to operate in the lane. If he doesn't...well...
I think it helps if he CAN hit threes, but Coleman made his biggest impact down the stretch last year bringing big man hustle and energy, grabbing rebounds everyone not named Kofi seemed to have a hard time corralling, making the right pass and hitting that occasional big free throw. I don’t think he needs to be a volume three point shooter to be a major asset. Just be a high energy center who runs the floor and brings his all on both ends and we’ll be fine.
 
#258      
I agree with you Combo mostly. But I believe we didn't play all our options. Melendez, Goode, and even Podz were more than able to give more than spot minutes. For whatever reason Coach chose to not play them. That's what hurt us in the end.
BU didn't play them any less than he should have. Podz sucked on defense. Goode and Melendez aren't guards (even though we indulge them by listing as such). There's more than enough evidence that BU will play FR if they are legitimately ready.

Speaking of Melendez, do people even recognize that he was out for various health problems on and off during the season? He had an ankle injury, then had Covid, then had the appendix. By the end of the year, BU was playing him plenty.

I love the future of both Goode and Melendez, but let's not pretend they were ready to set the world on fire from the get-go.
 
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#259      
Also, CH will be more valuable at the 5 this ye Our last game ar because we have more dynamic scorers. CH will pull bigs out of the paint and we have more guys that can take advantage of that this year.
To pull big out he will have to shoot much better. Our last game the Cougars left him unguarded as a 4 where he struggled and forced us to play Goode and RJ. I hope Hawk has got up a lot of shots this off season and improves drastically be from three. I think he can.
 
#261      
My primary scenario 1 is a Natty and TSJ, Mayer and Hawkins get drafted (I'm greedy, I want Skyy for 2 seasons). That would put our recruiting on a new plane (not that the current one is no bueno).
In no simulation do we win a title and Skyy doesn’t go 1 and done. I wouldn’t even be sad he left, he did what he came here to do. Would be Epps and Rodgers team 2023-2024. That’s my dream scenario
 
#262      
In no simulation do we win a title and Skyy doesn’t go 1 and done. I wouldn’t even be sad he left, he did what he came here to do. Would be Epps and Rodgers team 2023-2024. That’s my dream scenario
That would be a fantastic reload....copy that....
 
#264      
I agree with you Combo mostly. But I believe we didn't play all our options. Melendez, Goode, and even Podz were more than able to give more than spot minutes. For whatever reason Coach chose to not play them. That's what hurt us in the end.

I recall how Phil Jackson really opened up the Bulls' second team minutes early on, once he had the players. And those second team players were mostly young. He'd start with just home games, then expand mins slowly to the point of near breaking to test these guys and give them confidence. Then it translated to away games.

I don't think BU is anything like Phil. He's a great coach in his own right, but he is much more conservative. And this is college, not a really long season NBA. Nevertheless, I hope he learned some things from last year, and I hope that translates into better use of an even stronger bench.
 
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#265      
I think it helps if he CAN hit threes, but Coleman made his biggest impact down the stretch last year bringing big man hustle and energy, grabbing rebounds everyone not named Kofi seemed to have a hard time corralling, making the right pass and hitting that occasional big free throw. I don’t think he needs to be a volume three point shooter to be a major asset. Just be a high energy center who runs the floor and brings his all on both ends and we’ll be fine.


Agree. Coleman still needs a shot doctor to work with him on consistency of his outside shooting and free throws. His long distance shooting form sometimes had very nice mechanics with touch, especially from the corners. But too often he would bring the ball back too high and far and catapult the shot. Needs consistency to the point of not having to think too long.
 
#266      
In no simulation do we win a title and Skyy doesn’t go 1 and done. I wouldn’t even be sad he left, he did what he came here to do. Would be Epps and Rodgers team 2023-2024. That’s my dream scenario
Were these simulation for the Big10 Title, or a National Title?
 
#268      
But would a mid-year transfer be eligible immediately? If so, then that evens it out. I ask because Dain had to sit out 2nd semester. Doesn’t make sense that a mid-year transfer would have to sit out, but not a summer transfer.
I don't think that you can play at two different schools in one season. If Dain had not gotten those 9 minutes at Baylor last year he could have played for us in the second semester. I think.
 
#271      
we'd get called for all the reach-in fouls inside and for all the perimiter contact on the guards.


That's not always true. Refs go with the smooth aggressors. We have the athletes to quickly double team, make the player uncomfortable, and force a TO or uncomfortable shot.
 
#272      
But would a mid-year transfer be eligible immediately? If so, then that evens it out. I ask because Dain had to sit out 2nd semester. Doesn’t make sense that a mid-year transfer would have to sit out, but not a summer transfer.
There is far less competition for the mid-year transfer since others are not leaving a scholarship open. As such, we can get a higher quality. The mid year transfer also enables them to spend an extra 6 months with Fletch and learning the system. Each of these is a significant advantage IMO. Lesser gains are having an extra 6 months to settle into classes, and more time to bond with the existing team members.
 
#274      
We NEED another big...and I'm sure the coaches will sign one before school. CH is NOT a big.
 
#275      
There is far less competition for the mid-year transfer since others are not leaving a scholarship open. As such, we can get a higher quality. The mid year transfer also enables them to spend an extra 6 months with Fletch and learning the system. Each of these is a significant advantage IMO. Lesser gains are having an extra 6 months to settle into classes, and more time to bond with the existing team members.
I doubt this will always be holding true, if even was last time. If we had success this year because of the dynamic you stated, you can bet others will replicate it.

I don't want to sign a Vesel just to fill a spot. But I'd much rather have a guy between Lieb and Dain in ability than to have an open spot in case some mystery transfer comes available.

You play to win this year, every year. More so than ever.
 
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