There were some links posted (by Dan?) to youtube interview a few days ago. The background showed non-stop free throw practice going on at multiple hoops. I think one of the shooters was Dainja (back left). I couldn't identify the other one (back right, not visible most of the time).
Illini Basketball 2023-2024
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At what spot is Harmon getting all these minutes? He is not at the 2 or 3. TSJ will play extensive minutes at the 2. We are deep at the 3. In practice Harmon was not playing PG at all. So where do you see Harmon getting all these minutes and over who? There will be a few backing up TSJ and the top 2 PGs. Maybe you are right but I think he will battle Harris for those minutes. I tend to lean towards Harmon vecayse he can shoot it better. Harris has strengths too. It will be interesting to see what happens.
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Sencire said in a short video interview yesterday he is putting up 1000 shots and 100 free throws every day so these guys are aware of what they need to work on.
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Sincere has to get minutes, he will be a highly coveted transfer if he isn't happy with his development.
Not sure he is doing what he needs in order to get minutes....especially at crunch time. I would have him shooting 600 FT and 500 shots. FTs are his weakness....his shot, though far from reliable, is much closer to acceptable.
So who are you benching at PG? Because TSJ will own 35 a game at the 2. We need Goode and our new shooters at the 3. With all due respect to Harris. I see a much higher ceiling in DGL and DGL appears to be first off the bench behind Ty. I wouldn't be shocked at all if DGL is out starting PG before the year is over. Maybe some of you see Harris over DGL or Ty at PG. I don't. Unfortunately, someone has to sit unless our rotation is 10 or more which I doubt.We all know what will get you on Daddy Brad's floor....
Sencire's got that in spades. If he starts shooting/scoring efficiently.....you know he's getting 20mpg.
skyIdub
Winged Warrior
Lol....DGL could set the world on fire at PG....and if he can't guard....he won't see 20mpg. We all know this. Brad has literally shown us every year.
And then this place dissolves into Tevian Jones, Alan Griffin...et al should be getting more minutes because they can shoot/score.
Did we not learn? I am definitely not the only one that watched Skyy and Epps generate offense....and continually enrage Daddy Brad.
To clarify...I am fully on board with DGL forcing his way into the lineup...but we all saw Sincere ignite games last year. If he starts to shoot...he's going to get minutes. I'll put several Loyalty Beach Houses on it.
And then this place dissolves into Tevian Jones, Alan Griffin...et al should be getting more minutes because they can shoot/score.
Did we not learn? I am definitely not the only one that watched Skyy and Epps generate offense....and continually enrage Daddy Brad.
To clarify...I am fully on board with DGL forcing his way into the lineup...but we all saw Sincere ignite games last year. If he starts to shoot...he's going to get minutes. I'll put several Loyalty Beach Houses on it.
Lol....Plummer literally showed how one could see 30mpg without being able to guard.
I like that five a lot. Could sub Harmon in for Buck also.
I’m somewhat worried about Dain. I really like him, but I think most of our best lineup combinations don’t include him.
well, he and the coaching staff probably know his weaknesses much better than you.
I've pretty much assumed that his FT% last year was just a huge anomaly. Unless someone shows me HS numbers similar, I'm going to assume that he'll be at least decent.
Brad Underwood has made it pretty clear that DGL is going to play point and play a lot. He sees them everyday in practice,the recent tape, and BUs comments it seems pretty obvious DGL is blowing up, he will likely be our PG for a while. DGL is also very athletic, is a better passer, ball handler, tougher to guard and he can shoot. That "If Sincere can shoot" is a big "if" but that still doesn't make Harris as good a PG as DGL. If Harris can shoot it will increase the likihood he could play more instead if maybe Harmon. I'll take any bet baring injury that DGL plays more than Harris.
At the end of last season many kept saying we need a PG and shooting. Well DGL can do both. Also our addition if DGL and the 3s and 4s in Goode and the transfers will play a lot to fill that shooting void from last season.
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I'm not saying you are wrong, but there are lots of ways to maneuver minutes and lineups in CBB. Lots of guys can shuffle between 1-4 fairly easily.
1. Ty, DGL, Sencire, Harmon, TSJ
2. TSJ, Goode, Harmon, DGL, Sencire
3. Goode, Domask, Harmon, Sencire, TSJ, Ty, Guerrier
4. Cohawk, Domask, Guerrier, Ty, Amani, TSJ
5. Dain, Cohawk, Amani, Guerrier
I know these guys can't play all these positions for full games probably, but there is a lot of flexibility across positions in college ball. TSJ can't play strictly the 4 for a whole game, but there are lots of times we could have 3 other "guards", plus TSJ, plus a 5 in the game.
If last season proved anything its that we need a solid PG and improved shooting. DGL, a healthy Goode, Domask, Quincy, and Harmon should provide that. If they do it will open lanes to only make things much easier for our stud TSJ and others to drive to the hoop. BU addressed some of the weaknesses. Primarily by adding DGL and experienced shooters. I fully expect them to play a lot and make it easier for TSJ to excell.
skyIdub
Winged Warrior
I’m not arguing Sencire over DGL at PG. I 100% am in line with DGL at PG. Everything points to DGL advancing rapidly with his body and his game.
The debate I slid into was Sencire mpg, and defense dictating mpg. I am simply stating the obvious. If Sencire is shooting better, he’s going to be on the floor because defense.
Plummer is an outlier because of elite 3pt shooting and no options.
Imo, Sinceres most likely path is kind of dependent on DGL being able to take over PG and Harmon or if as you mentioned Sinceres improves offensively in a few areas. If that happens Ty can slide back into his more suited position where he is likely better suited. Which I expect to happen next season as DGL improves and we add more depth at PG. When TSJ departs then Harris will have plenty of opportunity to prove himself and earn more time at the 2.
If Sincere doesn't play PG then that means one less among TSJ, Goode, Domask, Quincy, or even Harmon must sit. Harris could improve but I hope two or three of those shooters and size are on the floor as much as possible with the PG and the 5
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DGL has to be able to play defense to get tick. I could see him playing a lot in certain games while Sincere sits. I could also see Sincere getting the time in some games while DGL sits. You can try to keep 10 guys happy, not by playing them all an equal amount in every game, but making sure they all get substantial time in a lot of games (while mostly sitting out a few). Sincere had an incredible plus/minus in a lot of games last year because of the disruption he brought defensively. He is going to play.
I don't see this being a priority for coaches at this level. At the end of the day, a lot of players are not going to be satisfied by the amount of time they get in a game. Best case scenario, this results in players dedicating more time in the gym, watching tape, etc but even then we won't have more than 10 with meaningful playing time. It is the coaches job to sell a realistic plan for each player though. Hopefully, they buy in and see the opportunity they have if they're patient and work hard.
Even if some of the guys don't get the kind of playing time they hope for this season, you have to keep in mind that 4 (more likely 5) guys will be leaving after the season. We only have 1 recruit on the way who will challenge for playing time next year.
Some of the younger guys won't have to transfer to earn significant minutes, but they might have to wait...
Some of the younger guys won't have to transfer to earn significant minutes, but they might have to wait...
Has he made it that clear?
Rodgers is a 4 that will be playing the point so I expect to see Harmon playing a lot in that lineup plus you can slot him in anywhere between 1-3.
Rodgers/Harmon/Shannon/Goode or Domask/ and Hawkins is a lineup that I think we will see a lot. I also think you will see both Goode and Domask at the same time.
Pair that with the minutes that Shannon is on the bench and probably the 20+ minutes that Feliz got.
There are a ton of different lineup possibilities when you have a bunch of guys that can play multiple positions, but I think a lot of people are underestimating how good Harmon is and how good that Utah Valley team was last year. They would have beat Illinois if they played us at the end of last year and Harmon was the best player on the team.
A PG doesn't magically fix the entire offense unless you're getting like prime Steve Nash.
1-5 has to move the ball well, move off of the ball well, understand when to cut, when to put pressure on the defense and not just stand around.
Everyone seems to act like you can just throw a PG in to fix all of the issues with the offense but there are 4 other guys that have to do their part and that was simply something that didn't happen last year.
I didn't say he would fix everything just that he some skills others dont. He appears already to be already at worst the second best option. That said last years team lacked good passing and was the worst shooting team in the B10. DGL appears to bring skills to the PG that no other players do. That is why I hope he pops. DGL to go along with our three transfers were brought in to address last years weaknesses. I think they can.
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