Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
sounds like Shannon has planted a flag, and that's a good thing:
I honestly don’t know what to expect as far as ranking. We’re definitely talented enough to be ranked but I think some media will let the loss of kofi and our unknowns keep us off the list for a bit.Seems about right for preseason. I think we'll start the season somewhere between 18-21 in the first AP poll
I think this tier is a bit too big, and I would say BU probably should be on the 3A tier. There are a bunch of names on this list that he has done considerably more than.Seems as good a place as any to leave this. The Athletic staffed polled a ranking of Division 1 BB coaches and BU was grouped in Tier 3.
https://theathletic.com/3619418/2022/09/28/college-basketball-best-coach-rankings-tiers/
Tier 3
COACH TEAM Randy Bennett Saint Mary's Mike Brey Notre Dame Hubert Davis North Carolina Jamie Dixon TCU Greg Gard Wisconsin Anthony Grant Dayton Chris Holtmann Ohio State Juwan Howard Michigan Dan Hurley UConn James Jones Yale Tommy Lloyd Arizona Thad Matta Butler Fran McCaffery Iowa Greg McDermott Creighton Niko Medved Colorado State Porter Moser Oklahoma Nate Oats Alabama Shaka Smart Marquette Kevin Willard Maryland Buzz Williams Texas A&M Brad Underwood Illinois Mike Young Virginia Tech
You nailed it. There's an incredible amount of buzz surrounding that week leading up to the second weekend. 82 teams have at least one sweet 16 since our last one. this is a terrible drought.Sweet 16 is a pretty big hurdle to be honest, when a team makes the Sweet 16 and moves onto the new location, there is that down period between the games with almost a whole week's worth of positive coverage and good feelings. Often just that one round R32 vs. S16 is the difference between "wow, out early, embarrassing" and the feeling of a commendable season as a whole, even though it is just the difference in outcome of a single game. Unfortunately for Illinois right now, given we haven't gotten passed R32 since 2005, it's a must have to get even more positive national goodwill towards the program/coach.
Just win and it takes care of itselfI honestly don’t know what to expect as far as ranking. We’re definitely talented enough to be ranked but I think some media will let the loss of kofi and our unknowns keep us off the list for a bit.
That’s fine. Let them sleep on us. Will we be B1G champs good? Eh. Will we be fun to watch? Yes. Will we win enough games to get to the Sweet 16? I really really hope so.I honestly don’t know what to expect as far as ranking. We’re definitely talented enough to be ranked but I think some media will let the loss of kofi and our unknowns keep us off the list for a bit.
Ty to Epps to Shannon to Mayer
And if we do, I believe I saw a stat posted on here awhile ago that this will be the first time in the History of Illinois Basketball that we will have been ranked pre season this many times in a row. And I think that magic number was only 4.Seems about right for preseason. I think we'll start the season somewhere between 18-21 in the first AP poll
I think they might be a top 25 team at the end of the day. Top 10? Color me skeptical.meh they have all the makings of a program that will take a big step, returning production from a tournament team (even if just barely), top recruiting class coming in, the best player (on paper) in the conference heading into the season... 2nd year coach.
I think we've been preseason top 25 three times in a row but never four. So, this could match our longest streak.And if we do, I believe I saw a stat posted on here awhile ago that this will be the first time in the History of Illinois Basketball that we will have been ranked pre season this many times in a row. And I think that magic number was only 4.
If I am wrong, someone please correct my wrongdoing.
We were ranked 6 out of 7 years preseason from 99-06. The one in the middle where we weren’t raked, we finished 11th at the end of the season.I think we've been preseason top 25 three times in a row but never four. So, this could match our longest streak.
Coach talks a lot about Hawks defense. And when you look at defensive stats from last year Hawks is near the top.Honest question, why?
My sense was he was an ok defender, a little bit prone (not terrible) to fouling and making some frustration plays. His length is a big plus, but not sure he has the strength or footwork to be force defensively as a 5. I could see him struggling with certain match-ups, especially fouling.
I hope he doesn't get saddled with too high expectations. If he plays the 5, he's also following a legend.
I don’t know if I’m reading too much into this but… I don’t know if Mayer totally fits our culture. He may have been more of a “gotta grab the best white elephant gift that’s still in the pile” kinda thing.Mayer?
I know very little about him, but watched the March madness game between Baylor and North Carolina this this year. It was an incredible game. Mayer was clearly putting it all on the floor and went out with an ankle injury. Came back 10 minutes later and kept playing through it. At the time I had no idea who he was and he stood out. Now I’m pumped to have him.I don’t know if I’m reading too much into this but… I don’t know if Mayer totally fits our culture. He may have been more of a “gotta grab the best white elephant gift that’s still in the pile” kinda thing.
1. Came late during summer. I know he was finishing school but I feel like you miss some really important bonding. He also maybe could have come if he really wanted…
2. Had a snap chat story and even an interview maybe where he did say (semi jokingly) that Brad yelled too much and it hurt his feelings.
3. Now this not running hard thing.
This is total conjecture from a guy who has no inside information, but it’s just a feeling. Ill still cheer my head off for the guy. I still think he’s gonna be good for us and make a lot of plays, but is he an Every Day Guy? I think no.
I think you are.I don’t know if I’m reading too much into this but… I don’t know if Mayer totally fits our culture. He may have been more of a “gotta grab the best white elephant gift that’s still in the pile” kinda thing.
1. Came late during summer. I know he was finishing school but I feel like you miss some really important bonding. He also maybe could have come if he really wanted…
2. Had a snap chat story and even an interview maybe where he did say (semi jokingly) that Brad yelled too much and it hurt his feelings.
3. Now this not running hard thing.
This is total conjecture from a guy who has no inside information, but it’s just a feeling. Ill still cheer my head off for the guy. I still think he’s gonna be good for us and make a lot of plays, but is he an Every Day Guy? I think no.
If Luke doesn't guard the 2 better than that, we're in trouble. /sTy to Epps to Shannon to Mayer
This.I think you are.
Yup.This is total conjecture from a guy who has no inside information, but it’s just a feeling. Ill still cheer my head off for the guy. I still think he’s gonna be good for us and make a lot of plays, but is he an Every Day Guy? I think no.
I'll have to admit, I never figured that we had a preseason top 25 only 3 times in a row. Went back and checked the 80s.And if we do, I believe I saw a stat posted on here awhile ago that this will be the first time in the History of Illinois Basketball that we will have been ranked pre season this many times in a row. And I think that magic number was only 4.
If I am wrong, someone please correct my wrongdoing.
Preseason | Final | |
1983-84 | NR | 6 |
1984-85 | 2 | 12 |
1985-86 | 7 | 19 |
1986-87 | 14 | 11 |
1987-88 | NR | 16 |
1988-89 | 9 | 3 |
1989-90 | 8 | 18 |
Lots of good replies to this already.I don’t know if I’m reading too much into this but… I don’t know if Mayer totally fits our culture. He may have been more of a “gotta grab the best white elephant gift that’s still in the pile” kinda thing.
1. Came late during summer. I know he was finishing school but I feel like you miss some really important bonding. He also maybe could have come if he really wanted…
2. Had a snap chat story and even an interview maybe where he did say (semi jokingly) that Brad yelled too much and it hurt his feelings.
3. Now this not running hard thing.
This is total conjecture from a guy who has no inside information, but it’s just a feeling. Ill still cheer my head off for the guy. I still think he’s gonna be good for us and make a lot of plays, but is he an Every Day Guy? I think no.
No doubt that the fit can grow over time. I would love that.Lots of good replies to this already.
IMO ,"Elite" greatness requires everyone to lift their own game higher. If you play with Jordan, Brady, St. Cardinal (sorry Cub fans), ..... you are expected to lift your game to the level of the team. It is not a coached thing, its a team thing (Culture) that requires individual growth over time. Some don't make it, but the great do and I think Mayer is great.
I think this is a good thing for everyone.