Illini Basketball 2022-2023

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#276      
I wonder what was promised to Skyy?

If Epps doesn’t come back, I think Underwood has to take some blame for this culture problem. He would be a big loss.
Exactly. Does this mysterious “culture” so many here seem to praise include making promises (actual or implied) to players? That’s team cancer 101, if so.
 
#277      

Big Jack

Decatur

Quite the statement from Coleman. If we improve our culture alone from this year to next we will be a better team.
Marcus Scribner Yes GIF by ABC Network
 
#278      
I think on paper, Shannon and Mayer were a coup. The stats, the accomplishments, etc., it all looked great. "What a score in the portal by Daddy Brad."

In the abstract -- I know nothing, and 0440 can tell us if I'm completely wrong; and I hesitate to accuse anyone, in this case mostly Mayer, of being selfish because people are complicated --
but it sure seems like there was probably a bit of big-timing going on, a bit of arrogance, and it was most detrimental IMO to RJ's psyche.

I really think he thought that he and CH and Goode were gonna be the guys who would lead and mentor and be deferred to and have an opportunity to grow and it would be their team.

I could imagine that if Mayer wasn't fully bought in and he exibhited alpha peacock behaviour, and that RJ was back to being a "follower" (in his mind or in reality)... that can throw a young man for a loop and effect all sorts of things in his life, including his play on the court.

(I'm not sure what to make of the Skyy situation, and I realize Shannon was kinda always gonna be "the guy") but I think if we had no Mayer and a healthy Goode, we would have had a better record, higher seed, and much fewer doubts about BU in this moment.

If I could give BU truth serum, I bet he'd say he regrets adding Mayer.
 
#280      
He was promised the keys and 💩 the bed. Then he blamed the staff for not having enough freedom offensively.
Figured that. Dude had all the freedom in the world and all he wanted to do was jack threes. Never drove into the lane; too scared I guess. Defense was very suspect as well, which can be forgiven for a offensively talented freshman, but when you add little offensively??? Good luck, but his best years may be behind him.
 
#283      
I wonder if the apparent in-season culture issues this team had will become more pervasive across the NCAA in the new world of the portal and NIL. In the past, guys may have struggled or not fully bought into a system, but they were committed to the program and still had to figure out how to fit into a role on the team. Now, when things go bad, guys can just flip a mental switch knowing they are going to enter the portal after the season anyway and tune out their coach/teammates. Whether or not it was actually Brad's fault, I think he lost some of these players months ago. So is this an Illinois thing or a broader issue with programs across the NCAA?
 
#284      
The possibility of Coleman and TJ coming back are higher than they have ever been. TJs mom might’ve prematurely leaked some stuff as well. Not saying it’s a done deal or will happen but $ talks. Brads A ok if the only guys who return are Goode, Ty, RJ along with Coleman and TJ and the incoming freshman.
If true, why'd he wait until 5 minutes left in the season to finally play this lineup?
 
#285      
I wonder if the apparent in-season culture issues this team had will become more pervasive across the NCAA in the new world of the portal and NIL. In the past, guys may have struggled or not fully bought into a system, but they were committed to the program and still had to figure out how to fit into a role on the team. Now, when things go bad, guys can just flip a mental switch knowing they are going to enter the portal after the season anyway and tune out their coach/teammates. Whether or not it was actually Brad's fault, I think he lost some of these players months ago. So is this an Illinois thing or a broader issue with programs across the NCAA?
I'm hoping it washes out after the first few years as players really only get one real "get out of jail" card. After that they sit a year if they transfer. If I recall, that sit out year counts against their total years of eligibility. Someone more knowledgeable than I can confirm or refute . . .
 
#287      
I don’t expect him to leave…but crazy things happen during the carousel and if he can get a smaller head job I’d think he’d take it

What is the general view on how he did this year outside of the ‘cruitin?
 
#290      
That's wild to me. You're a freshman coming off a busted knee and think you won't need to run an actual offense? Good Lord!

What’s even wilder is a coach giving the keys to the bus to someone like that. As 0440 says, promises and recruiting seem to go hand in hand. Sometimes it works (Ayo, …), sometimes it doesn’t (Smith, Miller, Clark, …).

I think what most fans want is guys who WANT TO BE AN ILLINI and who will bust their butts to be their best, wear the jersey proudly, and buy in to the team tradition. Find talented guys like that.
 
#291      

Big Jack

Decatur
If true, why'd he wait until 5 minutes left in the season to finally play this lineup?
Good question... I told my wife at half he needed to bench MM and start with Th and RJ or LG, CH, TJ and DD... Knew when he started MM it was over. He is horrible on defense and only worried about himself. I could see that at the beginning of the season. Funny the 2 premadonnas had the fight...makes sense
 
#292      

IlliniKat91

Chicago, IL
What’s even wilder is a coach giving the keys to the bus to someone like that. As 0440 says, promises and recruiting seem to go hand in hand. Sometimes it works (Ayo, …), sometimes it doesn’t (Smith, Miller, Clark, …).

I think what most fans want is guys who WANT TO BE AN ILLINI and who will bust their butts to be their best, wear the jersey proudly, and buy in to the team tradition. Find talented guys like that.
It's easier said than done, unfortunately.
 
#296      
Good question... I told my wife at half he needed to bench MM and start with Th and RJ or LG, CH, TJ and DD... Knew when he started MM it was over. He is horrible on defense and only worried about himself. I could see that at the beginning of the season. Funny the 2 premadonnas had the fight...makes sense
It's my number 1 frustration. I see these comments about Underwood not liking certain guys and all the crap about Mayer. If Underwood was so smart, why'd he keep playing Mayer? He's been detrimental for most of the season and his playing time didn't decrease. That's on Brad.
 
#297      
I think what most fans want is guys who WANT TO BE AN ILLINI and who will bust their butts to be their best, wear the jersey proudly, and buy in to the team tradition. Find talented guys like that.
In an ideal world yes, but how many of those guys actually still exist in 2023 college basketball? Sure, we can pay guys to make them want to be here, but that isn't really the same thing.
 
#298      
The possibility of Coleman and TJ coming back are higher than they have ever been. TJs mom might’ve prematurely leaked some stuff as well. Not saying it’s a done deal or will happen but $ talks. Brads A ok if the only guys who return are Goode, Ty, RJ along with Coleman and TJ and the incoming freshman.
What about epps?
 
#300      
It's my number 1 frustration. I see these comments about Underwood not liking certain guys and all the crap about Mayer. If Underwood was so smart, why'd he keep playing Mayer? He's been detrimental for most of the season and his playing time didn't decrease. That's on Brad.
"Promises were made"
 
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