We added a year of experience and chemistry to guys like Shannon, Hawkins, Goode, Harris, Rodgers, and Dain. We only lost Mayer and Epps who were both head cases and didn't follow the offense. We bring in Quincy, Harmon, Domask, and possibly Williams. It's possible Hansberry sees minutes. And Goode should be healthy after missing significant time last year. I'd say that's nice improvement!
Illini Basketball 2023-2024
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Illini in Indiana
- Indiana
Wow, we have a lot of talent and guys with team GAS (Give A $hit). Last year maybe not so much.
What I would love to see is Ty Rodgers develop as PG (not all by himself-Harris, DGL), his size and knack for the game would make our Illini tough to match up with. He could average 6-8 rebounds a game
What I would love to see is Ty Rodgers develop as PG (not all by himself-Harris, DGL), his size and knack for the game would make our Illini tough to match up with. He could average 6-8 rebounds a game
You are absolutely right the core pieces of the team knows what the coaching staff wants and what is expected. This will make practices more effective.
Transfers we have coming in have experience and don’t seem like head cases
The Spain trip should help build chemistry and I have a feeling TSJ and Hawkins will be more empowered as leaders of the team
I am interested in seeing how much improvement our underclass players will have. I think 1 or 2 will make a huge leap
Why would you take a player whose strength is rebounding and inside scoring and try to make him a PG? Rebounding is way way down the list of important skills for a PG. If you want to convert one of our forwards to a PG, Domask would likely be a better (though not very good) option. At least he can shoot from the outside and is somewhat accustomed to playing on the perimeter.
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
Rodgers is a great passer and has a knack for making the right decision repeatedly. He's not a PG, but he's definitely a facilitator.
To get our best five players on the floor. If Domask turns out better than Guerrier, then I’m with you. But if not, we make lemonade out of lemons with Ty at PG by getting our best five out there. (If Domask > QG, Rodgers can start at ‘forward’ with Domask at PG as you said).
Chad Fleck
- Eureka, IL
Sure keeps me more entertained if they are fighting to win the conference. That's my ultimate goal here.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
You might be right … but I literally can’t fathom what would possess someone to go to the trouble of creating an account to post ten pessimistic posts in a row in a 48-hour span where our best two players jointly announced they were returning.
Honestly...I don't agree. As long as we are healthy, we are a top 3 team in B10 and elight 8 in March.... right it down...call me the Mayor.
band camp
- STL City
Write on mayor.
splitter
- and not Nebraska
I don’t want Ty as a pg. I watched the 1st version of that with Sergio McClain and it didn’t work. Ty is a wing who can pass and finish. Let’s not try and make him into something he’s not. Can’t handle the ball that well and can’t shoot free throws. He will improve in both this yr but not enough to be a pg.
splitter
- and not Nebraska
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
Your honest opinion? Based on...? You're paying?
Here's my honest opinion.... Brad will field a highly competitive team that no one will want to play. We will kick butt and take names. If there are 5-8 teams better that our guys in the Big 10, I'll be HUGELY surprised. two deep in virtually every position with highly experienced successful players, maybe a little light at the beginning of the year at PG.
With Brad's capable leadership WE WILL PREVAIL, if history is our guide.
What is your "honestly" derived supposition based on? Certainly not historical facts.
(Welcome by the way, as you joined yesterday!)
As a donor. Yeah my money does in fact pay him. He’s currently the 7th highest paid coach in the country… are we getting ROI on that? Up for debate. We’ve heard the “nobody wants to play us” mantra before. It’s a lot of coach speak. I will agree to disagree with brads capable leadership. I think you forget where we finished in the big ten last year. We shall see but going into the season with this PG room is just bad. I’ll eat crow if I’m wrong but this is a trend now with brad since Ayo. He can’t land and develop a lead guard to the next level. That’s the buzz people are telling recruits.
(And thank you. Been a member for a while but restarted on a new account)
Don’t be so dramatic
Illini in OC
In. The. Alley.
blackdog
- Champaign
Tied with the 4th best record? You say that like its a horrible thing in an incredibly competitive conference. And with a mostly brand new team that almost had a big midseason collapse. Obviously the NCAA tourney record is not where we want it to be but BU has a pretty stellar regular season record the last 4 years.
4th best record in a conference that routinely doesn’t compete in March. First round exit in BTT and a poor showing in the NCAA. Regular season wins are great. But at the end of the day it really doesn’t matter. Nobody gives out banners, rings or trophies for wins against Minnesota in January. It’s not a horrible thing to finish 4th but when you are a top 7 paid coach in CBB the expectations gotta be a little higher.
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