Illini Basketball 2022-2023

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#526      
Some schools get old/stay old and have minimal defections...such as Michigan St and Purdue. Underwood will need to figure out how to get the types of guys who won't just move on to supposed greener pastures but get loyal guys. It's very hard to do in this day and age. it probably starts with getting players in your own backyard who have a vested interest in seeing Illinois succeed...like an Ayo Dosunmu. How many Chicago area prospects have the Illini gotten since Ayo? Zero
Miller?
 
#527      

Noblesville Illini

Nappanee, IN
Jerry Seinfeld Popcorn GIF by Sheets & Giggles
My dad said it was reported that Epps punched a player.
 
#530      
agree. I think it needs to evolve to multi-year NIL deals that void if not served. So if your deal is three years at 1.5M and you can be a lottery pick after one year… go for it, but you repay the $500K (or some contractual penalty).

Or even easier, bring back the sit out year for transfers for anyone who takes NIL $.

I’m sure there are 100 reasons this doesn’t work - but would love to see incentive for staying out.
This might work in Qatar, but basic accounting states you provide a service you are paid that year.
 
#531      
I don’t get it…. We are blaming the season not on the coach or the 2 main ACs? We are saying that Tyler, Zach, and Geoff need to go? Do we really think that’s going to make a difference?
I don’t think anyone said that exactly. What am I missing here??

* I thought I saw Brad get awfully pissed at Geoff on the sidelines one night. Without knowing the dynamic. I was surprised, in a way because I thought they went way back to Western Illinois days…I realize business is business tho…obviously
 
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#532      
Hawkins needs to be an intangibles guy. Like Rodman, J. Noah, Lucas Johnson, or Damir K. If he brings hustle, intensity, motivation, takes charges, blocks shots, guards the other teams best big man, rebounds, dives for loose balls, that is enough on the plate for one player. For things like breaking the press, being a point forward, and shooting threes he needs to rely on his teammates. He is not Toni Kukoc.
He gets in trouble when he tries to be everything for the team.
The above skills, his ability to switch on defense to guards, and not getting angry when Trae Young, or whatever teammate he has, jacks up 30 shots and he doesn't get any touches on offense will get him to the NBA.

Lucas J. and Damir K. were awesome and fan favorites, despite the non-impressive box scores for anyone who didn't get to see them. But they wouldn't have been awesome if they didn't have players like Frank Williams and Brian Cook to take the star player burden off of them.
Hawkins improved drastically (maybe not statistically) the last half of the season, and I'll be the first to say that going into this season I was not a fan. He makes the team better when he lets things come to him. He's not a player who can break down someone off the dribble, nor should anyone expect him to. Unfortunately, whether because of necessity or complete breakdown of the offense he did that at times. When he plays within himself, takes advantage of mismatches, and doesn't try to do everything in one possession, he's a very good player.
 
#533      

ChiefGritty

Chicago, IL
This might work in Qatar, but basic accounting states you provide a service you are paid that year.
I was thinking something along the line of the lion's share of a year's NIL compensation being payable as essentially a retention bonus upon the passing of the transfer deadline or something like that.

But who enforces it?

The pros have thoughtful and competition-enhancing rules because they're collectively bargained with the players.
 
#537      
C Fraz is my guy …

I’ll just keep it 💯 … There’s some disconnect with this staff right now … There’s gonna be some changes …

Chester and TA from everything I’ve been told are locked in … Other positions (yes multiple) I have not heard one way or the other … Just that there’s gonna be some adjustments …
Those are the two I was worried about. Thanks 👏
 
#538      

foby

Bonnaroo Land
Hawkins improved drastically (maybe not statistically) the last half of the season, and I'll be the first to say that going into this season I was not a fan. He makes the team better when he lets things come to him. He's not a player who can break down someone off the dribble, nor should anyone expect him to. Unfortunately, whether because of necessity or complete breakdown of the offense he did that at times. When he plays within himself, takes advantage of mismatches, and doesn't try to do everything in one possession, he's a very good player.
I really hope he comes back for another year. Limit the turnovers and work on the shooting and he could be a 1st-2nd Team All B1G next year.
 
#540      
Geoff and BU seem to be buddies, I don't see a change among top 3 coaches. Hope to keep Dain and Epps
 
#542      
C Fraz is my guy …

I’ll just keep it 💯 … There’s some disconnect with this staff right now … There’s gonna be some changes …

Chester and TA from everything I’ve been told are locked in … Other positions (yes multiple) I have not heard one way or the other … Just that there’s gonna be some adjustments …
Fascinating.
 
#543      

ChiefGritty

Chicago, IL
So how does Underwood rectify it? Gently nudge one of his assistants into a low-major head gig? What assistants fit the Gentry description since there's no chance he's coming back here.
The problem is beyond his objective quality as an X's and O's mastermind of offensive basketball, which could exist in another coach, he also has such a history and knowledge base and comfort level with BU and the way he wants to do things, which can't.
 
#544      

purcy51

Nappanee, IN
I was thinking something along the line of the lion's share of a year's NIL compensation being payable as essentially a retention bonus upon the passing of the transfer deadline or something like that.

But who enforces it?

The pros have thoughtful and competition-enhancing rules because they're collectively bargained with the players.
I would think the collectives would have worked this into the contracts with the players already. Incentive type contracts.
 
#549      
The problem is beyond his objective quality as an X's and O's mastermind of offensive basketball, which could exist in another coach, he also has such a history and knowledge base and comfort level with BU and the way he wants to do things, which can't.
No doubt Gentry was a boon for BU's bench, but what I don't understand is exactly how progressive CBB is.

I mean, can't the offensive lessons from Gentry's tenure here be studied, learned, and employed by BU's staff post-Gentry?
 
#550      
Hawkins improved drastically (maybe not statistically) the last half of the season, and I'll be the first to say that going into this season I was not a fan. He makes the team better when he lets things come to him. He's not a player who can break down someone off the dribble, nor should anyone expect him to. Unfortunately, whether because of necessity or complete breakdown of the offense he did that at times. When he plays within himself, takes advantage of mismatches, and doesn't try to do everything in one possession, he's a very good player.

Last year Hawkins was a bit player. This year he had to shoulder a major load for this team. He had zero experience for that job, and it was a big adjustment. I would love to see him come back as he will be starting from where he left off this year. I would expect him to make a big jump in consistency and decision making.
 
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