Illini Basketball 2022-2023

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#26      

Champaign Toast

C
Fan since Kiwane Garris
Champaign Toast
It's been awesome seeing Melendez having big impact games again. There seems to be some sentiment that he is a possible transfer, but I'd like to see him back next year with an improved offensive game. I still think of him as a player with great potential. I hope that he could develop some of the confident/competent on-ball shooting--step-backs and turnarounds--that Hawkins added to his game this year and that Mayer possesses, and take on more of the scoring load next year. I know it's a lofty suggestion, but I think of the Murray brothers from Iowa when I think of him breaking out at the SF position. If too lofty, Illinois Loyalty would accept him being a competent spot-up three and D guy.

Speaking of Mayer, I wonder why he hasn't been used in more pick and pop situations as a way to get an open shot. I think about Frank Kaminsky--another tall and lanky scorer--building his resume from that set.
 
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#27      

BWA

B
BWA
Champaign Toast said:
It's been awesome seeing Melendez having big impact games again. There seems to be some sentiment that he is a possible transfer, but I'd like to see him back next year with an improved offensive game. I still think of him as a player with great potential. I hope that he could develop some of the confident/competent on-ball shooting--step-backs and turnarounds--that Hawkins added to his game this year and that Mayer possesses, and take on more of the scoring load next year. I know it's a lofty suggestion, but I think of the Murray brothers from Iowa when I think of him breaking out at the SF position. If too lofty, Illinois Loyalty would accept him being a competent spot-up three and D guy.

Speaking of Mayer, I wonder why he hasn't been used in more pick and pop situations as a way to get an open shot. I think about Frank Kaminsky--another tall and lanky scorer--building his resume from that set.
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Agreed. RJ still has so much potential and he just needs to build confidence in games.
 
#28      

BuddyJ

B
BuddyJ
Champaign Toast said:
It's been awesome seeing Melendez having big impact games again. There seems to be some sentiment that he is a possible transfer, but I'd like to see him back next year with an improved offensive game. I still think of him as a player with great potential. I hope that he could develop some of the confident/competent on-ball shooting--step-backs and turnarounds--that Hawkins added to his game this year and that Mayer possesses, and take on more of the scoring load next year. I know it's a lofty suggestion, but I think of the Murray brothers from Iowa when I think of him breaking out at the SF position. If too lofty, Illinois Loyalty would accept him being a competent spot-up three and D guy.

Speaking of Mayer, I wonder why he hasn't been used in more pick and pop situations as a way to get an open shot. I think about Frank Kaminsky--another tall and lanky scorer--building his resume from that set.
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I don’t think people *want* him to transfer. I think people are more worried he will. I totally agree with you, tons of potential, and I think this year was huge for his growth. I think he’s got a great chance to step into that TSJ role.
 
#31      

Fighter of the Nightman

Fighter of the Nightman
Chicago, IL
Fighter of the Nightman
This is nothing more than a pointless exercise because I'm bored, but I was thinking how BADLY I would trade the following matchups for Big Ten play if I had a magic wand and got to do it over:

(1) Home rematch with Iowa replacing home game vs. Penn State
(2) Home rematch vs. Maryland replacing home game vs. Indiana

The first one is obvious. We played so well in Iowa City and just couldn't get the win, and I desperately want revenge. Also, Illinois/Iowa should get the same protected status as Indiana/Purdue, come at me. The second one is less important, but I am sick of Maryland owning us and they've been terrible on the road. It would have felt really cathartic to just hammer them in Champaign, haha.
 
#34      

skyIdub

skyIdub
Winged Warrior
skyIdub
spillini said:
theathletic.com

Illinois is as combustible as it is irresistible. The perfect team for madness

"This team believes," Brad Underwood insists, but a season of uneven results suggests we don't know what's next for the Illini.
theathletic.com theathletic.com
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Ha! just came in to post this very thing! Fantastic article.

One little quote about our second half last night I'll leave here:

"This is berserker Illinois. It looked like a 5 seed that’s gonna ride its overwhelming talent to the Final Four."
 
#35      

Illinir1

Illinir1
Camdenton, MO
Illinir1
During the Michigan game I was overcome with joy when the Illini drove to the paint vs. shooting 3 point shots. Here are the 2022-2023 NCAA stats for 3 point shots made percentage and 3 point shots attempted per game. Not a good look for our Illini.

3 Point FG%:
1677899976053.png


3 Point FG Attempts per Game:
1677901999146.png
 
#36      

One Man Fast Break

O
One Man Fast Break
Illinir1 said:
During the Michigan game I was overcome with joy when the Illini drove to the paint vs. shooting 3 point shots. Here are the 2022-2023 NCAA stats for 3 point shots made percentage and 3 point shots attempted per game. Not a good look for our Illini.

3 Point FG%:


3 Point FG Attempts per Game:
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Illinois attempts the 4th most three points in Big Ten play and makes them at the 14th best clip (and you can do the math as to how many teams that leaves us better than - 0!) It's too bad we can't trade a future High 3 star recruit to a Mid-Major mid-season for a guy that shoots the three well (which are scattered all over the country). A 15 MPG mid-major transfer that can shoot 38-40 % from three would do a ton for these offensive woes.
 
#37      

BashCtIllini

BashCtIllini
BashCtIllini
So apparently Deon said Sencire is a more athletic Luther Head. I know Deon is more familiar with the team than likely any of us, but I wonder if he remembered that Luther was a 1st team All Big Ten and 2nd Team All American player, as well as a 1st round draft pick.

Now after I shook off the absurdity of the remark, I looked up the stats:

Sencire: 3.5 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 0.9 apg, 41.7% FG, 29.7% 3 pt, 23.5% FT (what the heck is up with the FTs Sencire? I think there's a fair chance I could kick them in at that rate)

Luther: 4.5 ppg, 1.9 rbg, 1.7 apg, 68.1% FG, 29.1% 3 pt, 56% FT

So as Fr, they really are comparable. Luther was playing with an injury that probably took away some of his athleticism, but the big thing is Luther really took a jump in his shooting between Fr. and Soph year. Jumped up to 74% FT and 42% 3 pt. Ended his career as a 75% FT shooter and 38% from 3. So when you take into account Luther's whole career the comparison does become a bit more out there.

That said, if Sencire can make a similar jump and add some offense, he's a monster. Luther did benefit from an outstanding team. As good as he was, he was the #3 guy on most scouting reports. My biggest concern with Sencire is his shot does not look good. It is very flat. He needs a shot doctor to work with him in the offseason. In fact our entire Fr class could use some shooting help.
 
#38      

21ChampaignSt

21ChampaignSt
21ChampaignSt
BashCtIllini said:
So apparently Deon said Sencire is a more athletic Luther Head. I know Deon is more familiar with the team than likely any of us, but I wonder if he remembered that Luther was a 1st team All Big Ten and 2nd Team All American player, as well as a 1st round draft pick.

Now after I shook off the absurdity of the remark, I looked up the stats:

Sencire: 3.5 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 0.9 apg, 41.7% FG, 29.7% 3 pt, 23.5% FT (what the heck is up with the FTs Sencire? I think there's a fair chance I could kick them in at that rate)

Luther: 4.5 ppg, 1.9 rbg, 1.7 apg, 68.1% FG, 29.1% 3 pt, 56% FT

So as Fr, they really are comparable. Luther was playing with an injury that probably took away some of his athleticism, but the big thing is Luther really took a jump in his shooting between Fr. and Soph year. Jumped up to 74% FT and 42% 3 pt. Ended his career as a 75% FT shooter and 38% from 3. So when you take into account Luther's whole career the comparison does become a bit more out there.

That said, if Sencire can make a similar jump and add some offense, he's a monster. Luther did benefit from an outstanding team. As good as he was, he was the #3 guy on most scouting reports. My biggest concern with Sencire is his shot does not look good. It is very flat. He needs a shot doctor to work with him in the offseason. In fact our entire Fr class could use some shooting help.
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Sencire might be quicker than Luther but I'm not sure how anyone could say he's more athletic. I doubt we'll be drawing up any backdoor alley oops for Sencire like we used to for Luther, for example.

That said, I do like the general comparison to Luther as long, albeit undersized, athletic and aggressive wings.
 
#39      

Illinicpa14

I
Chicago
Illinicpa14
BashCtIllini said:
So apparently Deon said Sencire is a more athletic Luther Head. I know Deon is more familiar with the team than likely any of us, but I wonder if he remembered that Luther was a 1st team All Big Ten and 2nd Team All American player, as well as a 1st round draft pick.

Now after I shook off the absurdity of the remark, I looked up the stats:

Sencire: 3.5 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 0.9 apg, 41.7% FG, 29.7% 3 pt, 23.5% FT (what the heck is up with the FTs Sencire? I think there's a fair chance I could kick them in at that rate)

Luther: 4.5 ppg, 1.9 rbg, 1.7 apg, 68.1% FG, 29.1% 3 pt, 56% FT

So as Fr, they really are comparable. Luther was playing with an injury that probably took away some of his athleticism, but the big thing is Luther really took a jump in his shooting between Fr. and Soph year. Jumped up to 74% FT and 42% 3 pt. Ended his career as a 75% FT shooter and 38% from 3. So when you take into account Luther's whole career the comparison does become a bit more out there.

That said, if Sencire can make a similar jump and add some offense, he's a monster. Luther did benefit from an outstanding team. As good as he was, he was the #3 guy on most scouting reports. My biggest concern with Sencire is his shot does not look good. It is very flat. He needs a shot doctor to work with him in the offseason. In fact our entire Fr class could use some shooting help.
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I think what he’s saying for sencire is the sky is the limit to how good he can be, not that sencire is likely to be an all American.
 
#41      

bluemountain

B
bluemountain
ILLINI IN NE said:

Spot on.
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BashCtIllini said:
So apparently Deon said Sencire is a more athletic Luther Head. I know Deon is more familiar with the team than likely any of us, but I wonder if he remembered that Luther was a 1st team All Big Ten and 2nd Team All American player, as well as a 1st round draft pick.

Now after I shook off the absurdity of the remark, I looked up the stats:

Sencire: 3.5 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 0.9 apg, 41.7% FG, 29.7% 3 pt, 23.5% FT (what the heck is up with the FTs Sencire? I think there's a fair chance I could kick them in at that rate)

Luther: 4.5 ppg, 1.9 rbg, 1.7 apg, 68.1% FG, 29.1% 3 pt, 56% FT

So as Fr, they really are comparable. Luther was playing with an injury that probably took away some of his athleticism, but the big thing is Luther really took a jump in his shooting between Fr. and Soph year. Jumped up to 74% FT and 42% 3 pt. Ended his career as a 75% FT shooter and 38% from 3. So when you take into account Luther's whole career the comparison does become a bit more out there.

That said, if Sencire can make a similar jump and add some offense, he's a monster. Luther did benefit from an outstanding team. As good as he was, he was the #3 guy on most scouting reports. My biggest concern with Sencire is his shot does not look good. It is very flat. He needs a shot doctor to work with him in the offseason. In fact our entire Fr class could use some shooting help.
Click to expand...
He could also be the next Brooks Taylor. If I had to guess, he will end up closer to Luther
 
#46      

Point-Illinois

P
Point-Illinois
NarrowJ said:
Would like to see this graphic when adjusted by minutes played. Harris and Rodgers would likely be up there next to Hawkins?*

*Disclaimer: No math was performed in the creation of this post.
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Isn’t it already adjusted for minutes?

I thought +/- was based on the minutes they are in the game.

Edit: Or maybe you can adjust it to a per/40 type of thing?
 
#50      

Illini8420

I
Illini8420
NarrowJ said:
Would like to see this graphic when adjusted by minutes played. Harris and Rodgers would likely be up there next to Hawkins?*

*Disclaimer: No math was performed in the creation of this post.
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I tried doing the math. Someone correct me if I'm wrong but per 40 min in conference play I get:

Hawkins: +5.48

Epps: +5.42

Harris: +4.84

Shannon: +3.41

Rodgers: +3.26

Mayer: +2.56

Dainja: -1.39

Goode: -2.47

Melendez: -3.17

Clark: -15.42

I don't know for sure about recent games, but I figure RJ has been trending up and Epps/Dainja trending down. I've also noticed from just watching that almost every lineup we have with Hawkins-Rodgers-Harris seems to be involved in our big second half runs and this might confirm it to some degree.
 
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