lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
I love the new pieces BU has brought in, but is anyone else just a little bit sad that we aren’t going to see what the team would’ve looked like this year with Belo, Ace, Grandy, & Podz?
Illini Basketball 2022-2023
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sacraig
- The desert
Not really. I am fully committed to this year's bounce house!
Yep, besides Ace. Guy started every game for a 1 seed as a freshman and left, didn't want to be here.
lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
Yep, I understand. For me, it’s hard to get excited about a team that I don’t even know. And a big part of the reason I love watching college ball is watching the guys grow and develop over the span of a few seasons (like we’re seeing now with Hawk).
I’m sure I’ll fall in love with this team over the course of the year.
it's a new era, I miss when you could generally count on guys to be here for their whole career outside of the ones that couldn't get off the bench for 2 years and taking a sitout year was worth it, but having a player like Shannon Jr. will make me more cool with it
the national
- the Front Range
It’s maybe splitting hairs but TSJ will continue to make jumps in his game here at Illinois even though it’s our first go-round with him on the team. We have the benefit of being able to watch him closely this season while in the past I would have watched highlights. (save the occasional tune-in). This is will be a jump year for him.
uofi7477
- Silver & Gold Vandals
No, not me.
blackdog
- Champaign
Because I know @Fighter of the Nightman was asking for it on the football side they announced last night that the Syracuse game is going to be a stripe game
In the case of Belo, I just remember how excited he was when he committed to the Illini. I think he had at least one more official visit to take after the Illinois visit. I believe it was to Miami which many thought was the main competitor to Illinois for his commitment. He was eating lunch with the team and he said he just felt at home and comfortable with the team and it felt like family so he canceled the visit to Miami and committed right then and there, more or less. I don't know, it just seems kind of a shame that it didn't work out considering how excited he was and how he felt like this was almost home for him. But maybe I am over-romanticizing it.
Besides the coolness and funness factors, when’s the last time we could field a usable lineup that all could dunk the basketball? We’ve legit got 7 or 8 dudes that can do it with ease, I think we’ve had years where maybe 3 guys were capable of it.
My observation is that our freshman will grow immensely over the next month. I like Dain. His play is complimentary of our style and he moves very well with and without the ball. What a pickup! We have a very talented and deep team. If everyone plays in the confines of their role and we continue to cut down on turnovers and make free throws, we will win a lot of games this year.
I also wish Belo would have worked out for us. I think OA was a big reason why things didn't work out. He was pretty much his uncle. I only wish the best for Belo.
I haven't seen any news about a possible date of return. Was there an "official" timetable mentioned anywhere? Just curious and, of course, interested in what the experts have said.
nope
Whitmans Sampler
- Eastern Iowa
How many years of eligibility does Dain have left? 2 after this year?
After watching Harris in both the exhibition and last night - my dream is for him to take it to the rack, and yam it it on Edey. He seems fearless enough to try it.
More likely to be stuffed by the rim than Edey.
Just kidding, I’m super pumped to see more of Harris. Hopefully his D keeps him on the court.
As much fun as the last few years of Illini ball has been... this year should top them all.
Why? Versatility of talent. Depth of talent on bench. Excitement in the packed stands. The Winning Culture now fully established. Stations like The Fan 590 carrying the glory of Illini roundball deep into the Show Me State and Southeast Iowa.
Having so many guys with so much ball sense and with so many ways to use them... this Squad is a Coach’s delight. Not to mention us fans.
It will take time for the young guys to get ready for the full challenge of Big Ten ball, and to fit all these great pieces together. But that’s what ball is all about. Assembling the Pieces... and then watching them fit and grow into a Sweet Floor Delight.
The Orange shall burn brightly over the Prairie State and Nation even as the days grow shorter and the air gets crisper.
Why? Versatility of talent. Depth of talent on bench. Excitement in the packed stands. The Winning Culture now fully established. Stations like The Fan 590 carrying the glory of Illini roundball deep into the Show Me State and Southeast Iowa.
Having so many guys with so much ball sense and with so many ways to use them... this Squad is a Coach’s delight. Not to mention us fans.
It will take time for the young guys to get ready for the full challenge of Big Ten ball, and to fit all these great pieces together. But that’s what ball is all about. Assembling the Pieces... and then watching them fit and grow into a Sweet Floor Delight.
The Orange shall burn brightly over the Prairie State and Nation even as the days grow shorter and the air gets crisper.
Scroll down a bit for Illinois comments
"Coleman Hawkins (23 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, two steals, one block, zero turnovers, five 3-pointers) won't ever admit it publicly, but this new-look team and transition-heavy approach suits him so much better than last year's team."
"Coleman Hawkins (23 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, two steals, one block, zero turnovers, five 3-pointers) won't ever admit it publicly, but this new-look team and transition-heavy approach suits him so much better than last year's team."
illini.culture IG
- Grand Rapids, Michigan
Link to Coleman Hawkins and TSJ highlights from last game:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CktuYmwJN3V/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet
https://www.instagram.com/p/CktuYmwJN3V/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet
Now with a good stroke and a fast (enough) release 3 pointer, I am really intrigued by how people will defend ColHawk at the perimeter. He was doing exactly what I hoped him to do and some more. TSJ is very good. He can do it all. The pull-up 3 pointer off the Hawkins screen is a beauty. RJ, Clark, and Mayer have not even turned on. This team has high ceiling. I just hope Mayer is not bothered by anything.
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3 after this year, Illinois is the one to apply for the medical redshirt.
If ColHawkins keeps hitting threes like that, he makes everybody better by opening up the lane. I am probably getting ahead of myself here but I can see him drafted in 1st round.
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