Illini Basketball 2022-2023

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#101      
Now that we know who the roster is for the most part, any leaks on what we’ll be doing schematically, defensively?

I think switching 2-5 is the most likely thing we’ll see. But I wanna know what our base is? Are we denying? Are we no middle? Are we gapping?

Somebody with some knowledge help us out.
I have no knowledge but I'm assuming that BU will run the same defense he tried to run his first two years here, but now we actually have players that can do it.
 
#103      
I liked Ant's follow-up tweet saying "if (RJ) played in Max Christie or Caleb Houstan's shoes he'd be 1st round." Couldn't agree more, and gotta say that OA helped us snag another superstar before he left.
I dont really get that take by Ant on if RJ " in their shoes?."...

is he implying that Christie and Houstan have better name recognition from HS rankings?

Is it that they got more tick last year than RJ?

....clearly he thinks RJ is under ranked /appreciated, but I'm curious what he sees Christie and Houston "in their shoes" as....
Thoughts?
 
#104      

foby

Bonnaroo Land
I dont really get that take by Ant on if RJ " in their shoes?."...

is he implying that Christie and Houstan have better name recognition from HS rankings?

Is it that they got more tick last year than RJ?

....clearly he thinks RJ is under ranked /appreciated, but I'm curious what he sees Christie and Houston "in their shoes" as....
Thoughts?
That. Both had more tick opps from opening day. Had RJ been in either of those situations, per ANT's opinion, he would have been a first rounder. Just speculation on his part, but RJ now has his chance so we'll see.
 
#106      
I dont really get that take by Ant on if RJ " in their shoes?."...

is he implying that Christie and Houstan have better name recognition from HS rankings?

Is it that they got more tick last year than RJ?

....clearly he thinks RJ is under ranked /appreciated, but I'm curious what he sees Christie and Houston "in their shoes" as....
Thoughts?
Christie and houston have similar player profiles, and as you alluded to both higher ranked and player much more minutes. Both left much to be desired in terms of ability. And to add my own two cents, both shoulda stayed in school because they proved zilch this season
 
#108      
I believe he is a projected starter at Duke
I liked Jake as much as the next guy but no way Mayer isn't an upgrade. He is bigger, quicker, and has a championship ring.
I would say quite a bit better defensively too.

What I saw, Slim Jake is a very good spot up catch and shoot three point guy. He is also a pretty darn good cutter and is quick off his feet. He does not force bad passes, but has no handle I ever saw, and is not a defensive ace.

I read some curious comments from Duke fans. They thought Grandison will solidify the guard position, shore up the defense, and help settle down the young players. One out of three?
 
#111      

illini80

Forgottonia
I’m way behind on reading the board, but getting a kick out of the “Grandy transferred to Duke because he couldn’t compete for PT at Illinois” talk.
 
#112      
NBA drafts for potential not actual college performance --

Potential
7. Shaeden Sharpe - never played at KY
8. Daniels G League Ignite
11. Dieng - New Zealand
24. Beachamp - G league Ignite
27. Jovic - intl

Performance
Kofi 6'11" 1st team All American undrafted,
Ayo 6'4" 1st tam All American Bob Cousy award winner late 2nd round

Skyy does not have great athleticism. He does appear to have very good basketball ability and OK size. 6' 3". If he has a great freshman year he might go 2nd round.

First round guards from Illinois since 1970 -

Derek Harper 6'4" 2nd team AA 15 ppg drafted 11th
Kendall Gill 6' 5" , 1st team AA 20 ppg drafted 5th
Deron Williams 6'3", 2nd team AA 13 ppg drafted 3rd
Luther Head 6'3" 2nd team AA 16 ppg drafted 24th

All had great athleticism, size and basketball skills.
Did you say Skyy does not have great athleticism??? Your kidding right??? I think that you need to go watch some videos of Skyy and then come back when you know what you are talking about.
 
#114      
I would say quite a bit better defensively too.

What I saw, Slim Jake is a very good spot up catch and shoot three point guy. He is also a pretty darn good cutter and is quick off his feet. He does not force bad passes, but has no handle I ever saw, and is not a defensive ace.

I read some curious comments from Duke fans. They thought Grandison will solidify the guard position, shore up the defense, and help settle down the young players. One out of three?
Veteran/steady players are very valuable. Duke is lucky to have Jake whether he plays 25 or 10 min/game.
 
#115      

illini80

Forgottonia
Ok, who is he going to guard? How gassed will he be chasing said player up and down the court?
Edey is not going to be guarding out to the 3 pt line and if we are a great 3 pt shooting team he’s not going to hurt us. If guys are trying to drive the lane on him because we aren’t hitting 3’s, that’s a problem. Edey is probably not ever more than a 20 minute per game player, but he averaged 14.5 pts and 7.7 rebounds last year in that time so to think he’s a non factor isn’t realistic imo. Who will play the other minutes will be interesting. I don’t think Berg will be ready, so they may play smaller in the other minutes. Painter always has a competitive team so I expect nothing less even with their roster losses.
 
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#116      
Edey is not going to be guarding out to the 3 pt line and if we are a great 3 pt shooting team he’s not going to hurt us. If guys are trying to drive the lane on him because we aren’t hitting 3’s, that’s a problem. Edey is probably not ever more than a 20 minute per game player, but he averaged 14.5 pts and 7.7 rebounds last year in that time so to think he’s a non factor isn’t realistic imo. Who will play the other minutes will be interesting. I don’t think Berg will be ready, so they may play smaller in the other minutes. Painter always has a competitive team so I expect nothing less even with their roster losses.
My point was that it is not a zero sum game tilted in Edey's favor. The problems he presents to us is negated by the problems we present to him.
 
#117      
Edey is not going to be guarding out to the 3 pt line and if we are a great 3 pt shooting team he’s not going to hurt us. If guys are trying to drive the lane on him because we aren’t hitting 3’s, that’s a problem. Edey is probably not ever more than a 20 minute per game player, but he averaged 14.5 pts and 7.7 rebounds last year in that time so to think he’s a non factor isn’t realistic imo. Who will play the other minutes will be interesting. I don’t think Berg will be ready, so they may play smaller in the other minutes. Painter always has a competitive team so I expect nothing less even with their roster losses.
Don’t think you need to get him more than 10-12’ away as he is too slow to recover back to the basket and think Dain will be effective from that range. Would like to think Hawk would also but he certainly didn’t take that shot last year. Not worried about Edey on defense but our defensive system against him will have to be completely different and believe it will be.
 
#118      
Don’t think you need to get him more than 10-12’ away as he is too slow to recover back to the basket and think Dain will be effective from that range. Would like to think Hawk would also but he certainly didn’t take that shot last year. Not worried about Edey on defense but our defensive system against him will have to be completely different and believe it will be.
We will deny and bring help if he catches it deep. We will have enough lengthy athletes to make those passes risky. Basically, we will do to them what everyone tried to do to Kofi. Force Edey to be a playmaker.
With Ivey in Detroit, it should be a lot easier for the defense to recover from a double team.
 
#119      

skyIdub

Winged Warrior
When you have the length an athleticism that this team appears to have, if you are doing it right....guys like Edey will be in foul trouble by the 12 min mark of the 2nd half.
 
#123      
But it’s true?

They’re bringing him in to start at Duke. He was not guaranteed that here.
Yup—he serves a different purpose there. There’s no doubt in my mind we would’ve been a better or at the very least deeper team with Grandy back.

That being said, he probably plays similar minutes on either team. I think it’s also true he has a better chance to showcase his abilities on that roster just given what Duke is whether anyone here would admit it or not.

He should be able to step in and be a grounding force for an extremely young team. We don’t need that here. Everything else he offer is obviously beneficial to both teams but it’s that extra security that makes him more valuable on that team.
 
#125      
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