Illini Basketball 2023-2024

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#226      
Remember last year when people were certain Sky was was going to be our leading scorer, all Big10 and possible one and done. We all know how that worked out. While I love Ty I don't see this plan of him being our primary pg working out. I believe in Brad and would love it if it did but I think this is a case of more risk than reward. When our pg situation fell apart last year Ty did get some time there. While serviceable no one said he was the answer to our pg problem. That's why we went hard after RJD and Williams for a backup plan. There was nothing coming out from the staff that Ty was in the plans as a back up pg let alone the starter. He needs to be on the floor as a 3 or 4 like one of our other posters mentioned. I do feel he can bring the ball up safely with not many turnovers to start the offense but what we needed is a pg that will put the defense on there heels. Maybe DGL will over achieve for us as much as Sky fell short. I think we could have a really good year if he can be our Braden Smith. I would hate to have another year of our success being limited by our point gaurd play.
 
#227      
Yea. I’m excited about Ty, but scared having him as our main option. There’s also a reason he was the freshman playing the least at mid season.

He did pick it up toward the end of the year. Hopefully he’s learned a lot from that.
 
#231      
He doesn't have to be an elite point guard just one that can run the offense. There is much more involved than shooting. Belo was a terrible shooter when hexwas playing his best.
Belo is a quick true PG and was at least a threat to shoot in the lane. From 3 he did struggle but was a threat to shoot it. He was fine from around10 to 12 feet. I don't recall Ty even attempting a 10 foot shot. Plus, Ty is not a true PG but may be our best option until DGL gets adjusted. DGL or another PG will eventually move past Ty in that role. It just may or may not be this season. When that happens Ty will play a position better suited for his skill set. Shooting was a major issue last season. We have added some and we need at least two but preferably more on the floor at the same time to help spread the floor and many other reasons. I also stand by my comment that the best B10 PGs are a threat to shoot and score from at least 2 if not all 3 levels. Ty can score at the rim and should get much better at that. He can cause some issues doing that.
 
#232      
I don't think we have either. However, I doubt he will ever is a player that teams will be afraid to leave open . I loved the defense Harris brought and I am a fan of his. However I expect his PT to decrease vs last season.
One data point doesn't prove a case, but the same thing was said about Chester. Took a while, but he was a competent shooter his senior year.
 
#233      
Soooooo many good things with the team going into this season.

How about just looking at the Super Seniors;

TSJ - First Team All-B1G. Avg 17.2p 4.6rb, 2.8a, 1.3st. Has played in 114 games and started 84. 1449 career points.

QG- 131 games and 85 starts in the ACC and PAC12. 1280 careers points and 757 rebounds.

Domask - Would have been 4 time All-MVC if not injured soph year. 106 games all starts. 16.7p 5.8rb 3.8a last year. 1615 career points 564 rebounds 356 assists.

Harmon- 2years at Utah Valley played in 58 games with 43 starts. Led team with 14.0p last year.

So maybe that's not good enough for you?

Add in a now Senior Coleman Hawkins who (Love him or Hate him) should be poised to have his best season. He's played in 91 games with 47 starts.

Then there's Dain. Avg 9.5p 5.5rb 1.2bl in his 1st full season of college hoops. 33 games and 21 starts last season.

Luke Goode who was rumored to be penciled in as a starter before he went down with his injury.

And Sencire......gotta love Sencire. He played in 33 games with 7 starts.

And Ty....... yup, gotta love Ty too. 33 games but no starts.

So it's really hard to imagine that this team with all this talent, depth and experience doesn't at least go to the tournament and win one. (But I'm betting more than one)

Yeah, not to mention the 2 freshmen.

And, for the record, that's 493 total starts in D1. I think that's quite a few.
Love this. So many of our wins under Coach Underwood could be attributed to not panicking and staying composed when we're down or after a bad loss. Game experience, age, and experience in Coach's system is going to win us several games that we would have lost last year.
 
#234      
Soooooo many good things with the team going into this season.

How about just looking at the Super Seniors;

TSJ - First Team All-B1G. Avg 17.2p 4.6rb, 2.8a, 1.3st. Has played in 114 games and started 84. 1449 career points.

QG- 131 games and 85 starts in the ACC and PAC12. 1280 careers points and 757 rebounds.

Domask - Would have been 4 time All-MVC if not injured soph year. 106 games all starts. 16.7p 5.8rb 3.8a last year. 1615 career points 564 rebounds 356 assists.

Harmon- 2years at Utah Valley played in 58 games with 43 starts. Led team with 14.0p last year.

So maybe that's not good enough for you?

Add in a now Senior Coleman Hawkins who (Love him or Hate him) should be poised to have his best season. He's played in 91 games with 47 starts.

Then there's Dain. Avg 9.5p 5.5rb 1.2bl in his 1st full season of college hoops. 33 games and 21 starts last season.

Luke Goode who was rumored to be penciled in as a starter before he went down with his injury.

And Sencire......gotta love Sencire. He played in 33 games with 7 starts.

And Ty....... yup, gotta love Ty too. 33 games but no starts.

So it's really hard to imagine that this team with all this talent, depth and experience doesn't at least go to the tournament and win one. (But I'm betting more than one)

Yeah, not to mention the 2 freshmen.

And, for the record, that's 493 total starts in D1. I think that's quite a few.
Great stats. We have come a long way baby ! From missing the tournament every year to Contending for Big Ten Championships. Next, long run in Tournament. As Loren Tate says, "Keep knocking on the door and it will finally open. "
 
#236      
if Gibbs-Lawhorn can give us -10-15 mpg of quality play, that could be enormous
That would be good but even better that his expectation is at this level and not at a Skyy high level, so he can be satisfied knowing the best is yet to come and he doesn't transfer because he didn't play more.
 
#237      
Minnesota Vikings Football GIF
Minnesota Vikings Football GIF
People, don't let yourselves get drug into this. We have some serious talent on this team. We had freshman playing point last year, made the tournament. Now we have experience and more depth. Lets just keep these guys healthy.
 
#238      
Teams will most likely go under the screen and sag way off of him because of no outside shot. I’d make him shoot outside 12ft+ until he shows he can hit those.
Going under with 4 poppers on the floor?
 
#240      
BU has pieced together a deep,talented team minus a proven PG.Roster seems ideal fit for BU pressing style defense and fast break offense.Playing fast should lessen need for half court sets and play to the skills of our inexperienced PG'S. ILL!
 
#245      
Yes...Rogers defender should/most likely will go under the screen and dare him to shoot outside. I was only talking about his defender. Having shooters doesn't affect that at all.
I’m sure that’ll happen a lot but drop coverage has its own disadvantages when the screeners are capable shooters, and almost everyone on the roster is this year.
 
#246      
BU has pieced together a deep,talented team minus a proven PG.Roster seems ideal fit for BU pressing style defense and fast break offense.Playing fast should lessen need for half court sets and play to the skills of our inexperienced PG'S. ILL!
Between TJ, Buck, DGL, and Hawk they have some serious speed. Will be interesting to see if they use that kind of combo in a press. Just like to see the defenses change up to keep the opponent out of their rhythm.
 
#248      
I’m sure that’ll happen a lot but drop coverage has its own disadvantages when the screeners are capable shooters, and almost everyone on the roster is this year.
That's only true if the screener's defender has to hedge until Rodgers' defender can get through the screen. If Rodgers' defender goes underneath, the screener's defender will just stay with his man...pick n pop is nullified. Again, I was only referencing Rodgers in this scenario. And let me just say...I love the way Rodgers plays the game. I think they'll have to run some different actions to get him in a position to attack the rim where he has a significant advantage.
 
#250      
That's only true if the screener's defender has to hedge until Rodgers' defender can get through the screen. If Rodgers' defender goes underneath, the screener's defender will just stay with his man...pick n pop is nullified. Again, I was only referencing Rodgers in this scenario. And let me just say...I love the way Rodgers plays the game. I think they'll have to run some different actions to get him in a position to attack the rim where he has a significant advantage.
Yeah, drop coverage opens up a lot of stuff besides a mid-range pull-up. I'm sure Rodgers will enjoy having Dain's big ol' caboose seal off two defenders and open a path to get into the lane. Once the ball gets that deep and the d rotates you can do a lot of different things. It'd be great if he could develop a decent mid-range shot but it's not like he's gonna stand at the top of the key scratching his head while the rest of the team plays 4 on 5...
 
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