Illini Basketball 2023-2024

john1952 · Jul 2, 2023

Quote du jour

Ty Rodgers gets straight to the point: 'I'm playing point guard'

Illini sophomore Ty Rodgers discusses the opportunity in front of him to play point guard this season.

247sports.com

“I believe it’s going really well for me,” he said. “As I grew up, I always trained to be a point guard. To have those ball handling skills and just being able to pass. I feel like through high school, I played a lot of point guard. Just what I do, it just shows. For me, it’s learning how to run the offense and breaking things down a little bit better. Just keying in and watching film every day. I love the role. I love a challenge. I feel like I can do it. I’m happy. I’m excited about it.”
Ty Rogers

combes · Jul 2, 2023

PasadenaIllini said:
I feel differently. I think Deron was the best. I think Bruce Douglas was second best and Dee Brown after that. I would put Frank after those 3.

Derek Harper is the best point guard in my time as a fan. Such a great athlete. 15 year NBA career.

I have Deron second.

Then Bruce Douglas (left Illinois as the all time Big Ten leader in steals and assists. Big Ten MVP.)

Frank. Clutch gene.

Then Dee. He was much better when he played the two with Deron at the point than he was as a senior.

Kiwane Garris.

In his great years, I consider Ayo a two.

fulton steamer · Jul 2, 2023

combes said:
Derek Harper is the best point guard in my time as a fan. Such a great athlete. 15 year NBA career.

I have Deron second.

Then Bruce Douglas (left Illinois as the all time Big Ten leader in steals and assists. Big Ten MVP.)

Frank. Clutch gene.

Then Dee. He was much better when he played the two with Deron at the point than he was as a senior.

Kiwane Garris.

In his great years, I consider Ayo a two.

This is exactly my order. I love them all for various skills but for a pure point guard I would pick Derek Harper every time.

2020 Final Four · Jul 2, 2023

The most fun to watch and the most clutch was Frankie Williams. Deron and Dee had great NBA Carrers but I like FW as the best College player.

2020 Final Four · Jul 2, 2023

I forgot about Ayo, he was the greatest finisher I have ever seen.

MTPeoria · Jul 2, 2023

combes said:
Derek Harper is the best point guard in my time as a fan. Such a great athlete. 15 year NBA career.

I have Deron second.

Then Bruce Douglas (left Illinois as the all time Big Ten leader in steals and assists. Big Ten MVP.)

Frank. Clutch gene.

Then Dee. He was much better when he played the two with Deron at the point than he was as a senior.

Kiwane Garris.

In his great years, I consider Ayo a two.

Great to see you on here today! I've missed seeing your posts.

21ChampaignSt · Jul 2, 2023

I think Dee gets unfairly penalized for playing alongside Deron, not having a pro career, and having a poor senior season after breaking his foot...by the way, he was still 2nd Team AA his senior year.

He's the only Illinois player to be top 5 in points, 3p%, assist, and steals. Only Illinois player to be B1G POY and Defensive POY in the same season. One of five multiseason All Americans in school history.

The other argument I see a lot is he wasn't a pg. I disagree. While he was very effective off the ball, he was still 100% a pg. Again, that just gets overshadowed because Deron was also amazing and became the best pg in the NBA for a time.

Not only is Dee a top 5 pg, IMO, but a top 5 player period.

WyattEarp · Jul 2, 2023

2020 Final Four said:
I forgot about Ayo, he was the greatest finisher I have ever seen.

To be fair…not so much before he got Fletched

Illinimobile · Jul 2, 2023

MDchicago said:
100%. Number 11 out of all NCAA players since 1995 in career win shares. Career Win Shares Link

And Number 1 in the B1G Men’s Big Ten Basketball Career Win Shares

rtbritt · Jul 2, 2023

Ga65 said:
How do you know Dain can’t shoot from there? Seen video of him shooting from outside and not bad. BU doesn’t let him shoot from outside and maybe for good reason but also no one since Ayo taking a mid range shot either.

If BU doesn't let him shoot from outside, then he isn't a threat to shoot from outside, and the D plays him as such. Even if we had evidence from practice and such that he was an amazing shooter, but he never shot them in a game, it does not change my point.

InDaAZ · Jul 2, 2023

Methinks I caught a quick glimpse of the Cottage Cheese…

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1675203035188846593

OB positive · Jul 2, 2023

In my lifetime the best point gaurd to wear an Illinois uniform is Frank Williams. He could dominate games seemingly at will. If he had one fault it would be he was to unselfish at times. I think sometimes he felt he was doing to much and not letting the other players get involved. He may not have had the professional career of some of the others but in college he was the best imo.

Illini in Italy · Jul 2, 2023

2020 Final Four said:
I forgot about Ayo, he was the greatest finisher I have ever seen.

I loved Ayo, and he was a savior at an important time for our program. But I'd invite you to watch some highlights of the '89 Flyin' Illini. Gill, Battle, Liberty - all premier finishers in the NCAA all time IMHO.

illini55 · Jul 2, 2023

There’s an Illini/Indiana game from 1989 right now.

Shockey19 · Jul 2, 2023

Illini in Italy said:
I loved Ayo, and he was a savior at an important time for our program. But I'd invite you to watch some highlights of the '89 Flyin' Illini. Gill, Battle, Liberty - all premier finishers in the NCAA all time IMHO.

Feel like he may have meant Ayo was the best finisher of games he’s ever seen (most clutch), rather than best finisher at the hoop.

WyattEarp · Jul 2, 2023

WyattEarp said:
To be fair…not so much before he got Fletched

Edit: Awh…did you mean closer at the end of games…like was suggested.

My bad. I’ll give ya that.

splitter · Jul 2, 2023

BretMyBeachHouse said:
This would be a fun stat.

Efrem was incredible.

Maybe everyone should put a stick of gum in their sock. Wonder if Efrem still does.

BRucks · Jul 2, 2023

2020 Final Four said:
The most fun to watch and the most clutch was Frankie Williams. Deron and Dee had great NBA Carrers but I like FW as the best College player.

Frank made it look easy. In fact, he was sometimes accused of slacking off. I don't think that was the case - he simply made it look easy.

Qdog59 · Jul 2, 2023

2020 Final Four said:
I forgot about Ayo, he was the greatest finisher I have ever seen.

Then you never seen Frank play!!

Noblesville Illini · Jul 2, 2023

Newmark4thFloor said:
PutHarris on Ty. If Ty survives then he's golden.

Youre Not Wrong Peter Porte GIF by Paramount Network

BRucks · Jul 2, 2023

combes said:
Derek Harper is the best point guard in my time as a fan. Such a great athlete. 15 year NBA career.

I have Deron second.

Then Bruce Douglas (left Illinois as the all time Big Ten leader in steals and assists. Big Ten MVP.)

Frank. Clutch gene.

Then Dee. He was much better when he played the two with Deron at the point than he was as a senior.

Kiwane Garris.

In his great years, I consider Ayo a two.

A little before your time but Uncle Harry had a good one named Paul Judson.

pruman91 · Jul 2, 2023

BRucks said:
Frank made it look easy. In fact, he was sometimes accused of slacking off. I don't think that was the case - he simply made it look easy.

HRF was ELITE................................Smooth as silk....................

Boskydell · Jul 2, 2023

BRucks said:
Frank made it look easy. In fact, he was sometimes accused of slacking off. I don't think that was the case - he simply made it look easy.

Yes, there was the Billy Packer ( RIP ) dogging game, and the regional final vs AZ when 6'7 Richard Jefferson completely dominated him on both ends of the court.

HensonHall71 · Jul 2, 2023

Joel Goodson said:
agree with a lot of this, but Frank is a glaring omission and Harper wasn't a good shooter until his last season. FWLIW, I'd probably slot Frank in as #3, but it's close between him and Harper. Also, Garris deserves a mention: at least as good as Bardo. as always, YMMV

But he played like a dog- j/k- You’re right I forgot to include Frank- he’s #3 ahead of Douglas in my mind

Rap47 · Jul 2, 2023

HensonHall71 said:
But he played like a dog- j/k- You’re right I forgot to include Frank- he’s #3 ahead of Douglas in my mind

Is that the game when if an illini player moved it was a foul?