Love it! If he tries this from the FT line, would he be the first? That stroke looks good and beats the around-the-world-behind-the-back approach.
Illini Basketball 2023-2024
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Hal Greer of 76ers used to shoot jump shots for free throws. Said you only practiced one shot and it reinforced his jumper. Don't know anybody with a turn around jumper for free throws.Love it! If he tries this from the FT line, would he be the first? That stroke looks good and beats the around-the-world-behind-the-back approach.
With all the talk and talk and talk and talk about whether Shannon and/or Hawkins are coming back and whether or not we are getting Ray J, Tyger or Yuri, I think what I am most excited about is seeing Amani Hansberry in an Illini uniform. I think the kid is going to be special and am I more excited for him than I was Rodgers last year due to the 3 point shooting and the incredibly wingspan. I really can't wait for 2024 to see him and Morez together.
Gotta love Buck
The Galloping Ghost
- Washington, DC
When RJ left, it felt like a gut punch. I was legitimately bummed and posted about my sadness here. I still foolishly have that romantic view of college basketball. I love seeing our players grow, fight, and become better people and players during their time here. It's why I'm drawn to the sport. I realize I’m holding on to an outdated concept and I’ll be forced to evolve, but thankfully, at least this year, I can keep my sentimentality.
Getting Coleman back for his senior year and seeing him hopefully become the player we know he can be. TSJ showing he truly cares about the place he transferred into, just like I did when I transferred to Illinois many years ago. They want to be here. Adding them to Goode, Ty, Sencire, and Dain. It's continuity. And it feels like this is a squad that can take care of unfinished business. If last year's team felt a little bit like a band of mercenaries, this one feels like an actual team that’s been through tough times and is now ready to fight for each other. And then there are several promising 5th-year seniors and two freshmen to get to know. I’m excited. I'm hopeful. I can't wait for the start of the season and to experience the highs and lows with you all.
Getting Coleman back for his senior year and seeing him hopefully become the player we know he can be. TSJ showing he truly cares about the place he transferred into, just like I did when I transferred to Illinois many years ago. They want to be here. Adding them to Goode, Ty, Sencire, and Dain. It's continuity. And it feels like this is a squad that can take care of unfinished business. If last year's team felt a little bit like a band of mercenaries, this one feels like an actual team that’s been through tough times and is now ready to fight for each other. And then there are several promising 5th-year seniors and two freshmen to get to know. I’m excited. I'm hopeful. I can't wait for the start of the season and to experience the highs and lows with you all.
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Plus year 2 Rodgers and Buck defensively
InDaAZ
- Eugene, Oregon
DeonThomas
- South Carolina
| # | Player | Position | Ht | 2023-24 | Rotation |
| 1 | Dainja, Dain | C | 6'10 | JR | Start |
| 2 | Hawkins, Coleman | F | 6'10 | SR | Start |
| 3 | Guerrier, Quincy | F | 6'8 | SR | Start |
| 4 | Hansberry, Amani | F | 6'7 | FR | |
| 5 | Goode, Luke | G/F | 6'7 | JR | x |
| 6 | Shannon, Terrance Jr. | F | 6'6 | SR | Start |
| 7 | Rodgers, Ty | F | 6'6 | SO | x |
| 8 | Domask, Marcus | F | 6'6 | SR | x |
| 9 | Harris, Sincere | G | 6'4 | SO | x |
| 10 | Harmon, Justin | G | 6'5 | SR | x |
| 11 | Morreti, Niccoli | G | 6'2 | FR | |
| 12 | Gibbs-Lawhorn, Dra | G | 6'3 | FR | |
| 13 | TBD | PG | Start |
One way to view our rotation next spring.......with lots and lots of options!
Loyalty.... While my excitement runs high with the return of TSJ and Coleman, it is only matched by my disappointment that a starting line up and "minutes breakdown" hasn't been posted. 
/s
/s
Don’t think you’ll see Dain, Hawk, and Guerrier on the court at the same time very often.
illiniswish09
- Northwest Suburbs
Five seniors… Potentially six by end of week… I LIKE THAT
Who will start? That is an interesting discussion of which I have traditionally refused to get involved. However, there are three milestones that will tell us much about this talented team....Opening Game, Jan. B1G first game, and NCAA tournament...if earned. There will be 11 players on this team expecting to get an opportunity in one of those milestone games...maybe 12 if DGL surprises and is able to play both ends.
I have no idea who the starters will be in that Jan. opener or the NCAA tournament. But for the first time, I think I have a good idea who will take the floor for the Illini in the season opener.
DD, Hawk, Goode, Shannon, and RayJ if he commits.
Likely this team is one of the top 10 Div. 1 teams in the country in age and games started. As to who gets to play 15+ minutes I have no idea as it will be a dog fight all year and will change according to the opponent. One thing for certain, if you cannot hit 70% from the FT line, your minutes will be hard to earn....and that means I am intensely interested to see if Harris, Ty, and DD can get there as I truly admire their games otherwise. They need help...correct help...from a coach who knows how to elevate their FT performance....and I sincerely hope they find it.
I have no idea who the starters will be in that Jan. opener or the NCAA tournament. But for the first time, I think I have a good idea who will take the floor for the Illini in the season opener.
DD, Hawk, Goode, Shannon, and RayJ if he commits.
Likely this team is one of the top 10 Div. 1 teams in the country in age and games started. As to who gets to play 15+ minutes I have no idea as it will be a dog fight all year and will change according to the opponent. One thing for certain, if you cannot hit 70% from the FT line, your minutes will be hard to earn....and that means I am intensely interested to see if Harris, Ty, and DD can get there as I truly admire their games otherwise. They need help...correct help...from a coach who knows how to elevate their FT performance....and I sincerely hope they find it.
They could easily be the oldest and most experienced. Not just to 10.
The locks to start are Shannon and Coleman, and we’ll pencil in RayJ/mystery PG/Harmon as another lock since we’ll need a PG.
Feels pretty open right now, but here are IMO the most likely options, in no order:
PG-Shannon-Domask-Guerrier-Hawkins
PG-Shannon-Rodgers-Guerrier-Hawkins
PG-Shannon-Guerrier-Coleman-Dainja
lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
I’ll go
RayJ
Domask
TJ
CoHawk
Dainja
Guerrier/Rodgers first two off the bench.
Followed by Goode/Buck
Harmon is probably the first guard off of the bench, before Harris
Rotational Roster + last years production
RayJ Dennis: 19.5ppg, 4.3rpg, 5.8apg
Terrence Shannon Jr: 17.2ppg, 4.6rpg, 2.8apg
Marcus Domask: 16.7ppg, 5.8rpg, 3.8apg
Justin Harmon: 14ppg, 3.8rpg, 2.9apg
Coleman Hawkins: 9.9ppg, 6.3rpg, 3apg
Dain Dainja: 9.5ppg, 5.5rpg, .5apg
Quincy Guerrier: 9.0ppg, 4.6rpg, 1.0apg
Luke Goode: 4.0ppg, 1.6rpg, .4apg
Sencire Harris: 3.7ppg, 2.1rpg, .9apg
Ty Rodgers: 3.3ppg, 4.0rpg, 1.0apg
TOTAL: 106.8ppg, 44.1rpg, 22.1apg
Keep in mind, that includes guys like Ty, Sencire & Luke who were 4th or 5th options on the floor to score, freshmen or coming back from injuries…….If I added just Ty in Big Ten Play, or Sencire post-Skyy…the numbers probably get inflated significantly….
How would that compare to last year? Or the year before? Or our #1 seed year in terms of experience/production on a roster?
Last year (11-9 Big Ten, 9 seed):
Shannon: 10.4ppg, 2.6rpg, 2.0apg
Mayer: 9.8ppg, 5.0rpg, 1.0apg
Hawkins: 5.9ppg, 4.3rpg, 1.5apg
Melendez: 3.8ppg, 1.7rpg, .7apg
Goode: 2.0ppg, 1.8rpg, 0.5apg
Skyy, Ty, Sencire, Jayden, Dainja: 0ppg, 0apg, 0rpg
Totals: 31.9ppg, 15.4rpg, 5.7apg
2021-22 (Big Ten Champions, 4 seed):
Cockburn: 17.7ppg, 9.5rpg, .2apg
Plummer: 13.6ppg, 2.2rpg, 1.0apg
Frazier: 10.2ppg, 2.7rpg, 2.7apg
Curbelo: 9.1ppg, 4.0rpg, 4.2apg
Williams: 5.5ppg, 5.3rpg, 1.7apg
Grandison: 4.6ppg, 3.4rpg, 1.3apg
Hawkins: 1.4ppg, 0.8rpg, 0.4apg
Goode, Melendez DNQ
Total: 62ppg, 27.9rpg, 11.5apg
2020-21 ( #1 Seed, B1G Champions)
Ayo Dos: 16.6ppg, 4.3rpg, 3.3apg
Cockburn: 13.3ppg, 8.8rpg, .6apg
Frazier: 9.1ppg, 2.2rpg, 1.9apg
Giorgi: 6.8ppg, 4.8rpg, 1.6apg
Grandison: 13.9ppg, 5.0rpg, 2.9apg
Williams: 2.8ppg, 3.6rpg, 1.3apg
Miller, Curbelo DNQ
TOTALS: 62.5ppg, 28.8rpg, 11.6apg
So…..
If a #1 seed, B1G champion type season is a rotation that was previously 62.5ppg/28.8rpg/11.6apg…..
Then what should we make of 106/44/22?
RayJ Dennis: 19.5ppg, 4.3rpg, 5.8apg
Terrence Shannon Jr: 17.2ppg, 4.6rpg, 2.8apg
Marcus Domask: 16.7ppg, 5.8rpg, 3.8apg
Justin Harmon: 14ppg, 3.8rpg, 2.9apg
Coleman Hawkins: 9.9ppg, 6.3rpg, 3apg
Dain Dainja: 9.5ppg, 5.5rpg, .5apg
Quincy Guerrier: 9.0ppg, 4.6rpg, 1.0apg
Luke Goode: 4.0ppg, 1.6rpg, .4apg
Sencire Harris: 3.7ppg, 2.1rpg, .9apg
Ty Rodgers: 3.3ppg, 4.0rpg, 1.0apg
TOTAL: 106.8ppg, 44.1rpg, 22.1apg
Keep in mind, that includes guys like Ty, Sencire & Luke who were 4th or 5th options on the floor to score, freshmen or coming back from injuries…….If I added just Ty in Big Ten Play, or Sencire post-Skyy…the numbers probably get inflated significantly….
How would that compare to last year? Or the year before? Or our #1 seed year in terms of experience/production on a roster?
Last year (11-9 Big Ten, 9 seed):
Shannon: 10.4ppg, 2.6rpg, 2.0apg
Mayer: 9.8ppg, 5.0rpg, 1.0apg
Hawkins: 5.9ppg, 4.3rpg, 1.5apg
Melendez: 3.8ppg, 1.7rpg, .7apg
Goode: 2.0ppg, 1.8rpg, 0.5apg
Skyy, Ty, Sencire, Jayden, Dainja: 0ppg, 0apg, 0rpg
Totals: 31.9ppg, 15.4rpg, 5.7apg
2021-22 (Big Ten Champions, 4 seed):
Cockburn: 17.7ppg, 9.5rpg, .2apg
Plummer: 13.6ppg, 2.2rpg, 1.0apg
Frazier: 10.2ppg, 2.7rpg, 2.7apg
Curbelo: 9.1ppg, 4.0rpg, 4.2apg
Williams: 5.5ppg, 5.3rpg, 1.7apg
Grandison: 4.6ppg, 3.4rpg, 1.3apg
Hawkins: 1.4ppg, 0.8rpg, 0.4apg
Goode, Melendez DNQ
Total: 62ppg, 27.9rpg, 11.5apg
2020-21 ( #1 Seed, B1G Champions)
Ayo Dos: 16.6ppg, 4.3rpg, 3.3apg
Cockburn: 13.3ppg, 8.8rpg, .6apg
Frazier: 9.1ppg, 2.2rpg, 1.9apg
Giorgi: 6.8ppg, 4.8rpg, 1.6apg
Grandison: 13.9ppg, 5.0rpg, 2.9apg
Williams: 2.8ppg, 3.6rpg, 1.3apg
Miller, Curbelo DNQ
TOTALS: 62.5ppg, 28.8rpg, 11.6apg
So…..
If a #1 seed, B1G champion type season is a rotation that was previously 62.5ppg/28.8rpg/11.6apg…..
Then what should we make of 106/44/22?
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chrisRunner7
- Spokane, WA
Chase Audige also gone for Northwestern... he stayed in the draftI'm just happy Kobe Brown won't be playing for Mizzou in the Braggin Rights game
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