Illini Basketball 2023-2024

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#126      

BTM33

B
BTM33
Calvin said:
That seems overly simplistic. Maybe a last possession you can do that, but closing minutes, you need 3-4 guys who can shoot FTs at a decent clip, and no one who's bad enough to not touch the ball.

I don't want to beat this horse to death. Brad will have a plan, and he has guys who can handle late game situations. TSJ is potential All American, so agree he will be a go to guy.
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I think there is valid concern about Ty late in games that he will need to show steady improvement as the season goes on.

Ty's shot is not good. I don't think there is any way around it. Now, we havent seen his offseason work on the shot yet (at least most of us havent) so I think you have to give him the optimism that he has improved his shooting. However its a real question that will need to be answered.

Secondly is ball handling in pressure situations... yes, anyone can "bring the ball up". But late in one score games I do think you need a table setting, poised, tight ball handler who you trust to not turn it over. Ty is 6'6" which is awesome, but when the other team is pressuring hard and trying to turn you over...you can't be loose with the ball and at his size and experiance, I think we need to see it first.

They didn't get a true PG. I want Ty to succeed. But I do think there is real cause for concern, and DGL and Moretti probably are not ready yet.

IMO if Ty steadily improves at PG, we can go as far as anyone. But if he struggles, I think it could be a very frustrating season.
 
#128      

Illini B-Ball Fan

Illini B-Ball Fan
Illini B-Ball Fan
Calvin said:
He shot 51% in hs. He shot less than that last year. If that's not a weakness, we'll have to agree to disagree. Whether it's manageable or not is a fair question, but I think it's overly optimistic to expect even a 10% improvement, which would still probably take him out of most late game situations.

PG is going to be a concern right up until it's proven otherwise. And we're all rooting for Ty, DGL, Moretti, and the PG by committee group. More than that, the entire team chemistry seems a lot better, and has more maturity. So I think even if there is weaknesses, the team will be a lot more fun to watch and root for.
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I don't necessarily disagree with you on the FTs, that's why I ended with, "I guess we'll see." Let's check back in together and compare notes around mid-season and at the end of the season to see if all these free throws they're hoisting up in practice makes any difference.
 
#131      

PNWIllini

P
PNW
PNWIllini
alaskaillini said:
If Lou had coached in the 2000s he would have been considered as bad or worse than Groce and fired before he could have competed in those last 16 years. I can remember seeing a "Thru With Lou" bumper sticker. Also have to consider that a top 4 finish for Lou isn't the same as it is for BU today. Lou had to finish ahead of 6 teams for a top 4 finish. Today BU has to finish ahead of 10 teams to do so (just slightly statistically more difficult than a top 3 finish for Lou). It is more difficult to do now, and will be even more so in the future.

Harry Combes, and maybe the Illini's, best years were 1949-52 - three final 4s. He won 1 conference championship in his last 15 years after 1952 - so in the 45 years from 1952 to 1997 we won 2 conference championships. I was a fan for more than the last half of that time. To be honest, I can't remember much of watching Combes teams, but clearly remember the frustration with Harv Schmidt - one game in particular scarred me. Weatherspoon went off and we were up 20+ in the first half, and then lost the game. Of course, that was back when watching a game on TV was like watching basketball played in a snowstorm (unless someone was holding onto the antennae).

Don't get me wrong. I want Illinois to excel, but just not going to start calling for the coaches' head if we are going to the tourney nearly every year (every 4 out of 5).
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Thats a little unfair. Lou had the triple whammy of the whole Bruce Pearl fiasco, the LaPhonso Ellis disaster, and losing his son. In an alternative timeline Lou is coaching successfully at Illinois for years after 1990.

Don’t forget he still got several seasons of winning ball done at New Mexico after we cut him loose.
 
#133      

Indy Illini Fan

Indy Illini Fan
Indy Illini Fan
Scoregasm said:
So....what will be the offense this year? Hope it doesn't change 3 times during the season. That will be a bad sign.
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Brad has been a lot more hands on with it … They’ve already been installing sets …

Brad also expects us to be top 10 defensively … This team will also THRIVE in transition … Very few if any teams can match our athleticism 1-5 …
 
#134      

Indy Illini Fan

Indy Illini Fan
Indy Illini Fan
Dbell1981 said:
DGL lookin game ready. I think he will be legit.
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I’m willing admit when I’m wrong … I thought he was gonna need a year to get ready … I was wrong … He’s gonna be ready, at least offensively … Defensively is an area for improvement and working with Fletch on strength …

However - a comp for Dravyn that Brad gave me … Trent Frazier with more athleticism … He’s got that type of potential … I think we all remember Trent freshman year and how much he improved defensively year over year … Same game plan for Dravyn … I have REALLY been impressed with the kid since he got here … He wants to be great …
 
#136      

lstewart53x3

lstewart53x3
Scottsdale, Arizona
lstewart53x3
Indy Illini Fan said:
I’m willing admit when I’m wrong … I thought he was gonna need a year to get ready … I was wrong … He’s gonna be ready, at least offensively … Defensively is an area for improvement and working with Fletch on strength …

However - a comp for Dravyn that Brad gave me … Trent Frazier with more athleticism … He’s got that type of potential … I think we all remember Trent freshman year and how much he improved defensively year over year … Same game plan for Dravyn … I have REALLY been impressed with the kid since he got here … He wants to be great …
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I hope he sticks long enough to see the development like we got to see with Trent.
 
#137      

BalloonsTheElephant

B
BalloonsTheElephant
Scoregasm said:
So....what will be the offense this year? Hope it doesn't change 3 times during the season. That will be a bad sign.
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I don't think it will be a bad sign. I fully expect teams to figure out Ty and for us to have a game plan ready for that adjustment. Whether we can make the next adjustment is what worries me.

We always make the first one and then the tournament comes and everyone knows who we are and we aren't ready.

My ultimate hope is that DGL takes away the 1 from Ty and he slots at the 3/4 with some time at the 1. That's where he is best for our team. Ty at the 1 is like a running back in the wildcat. Yes, it has it's advantages, but it doesn't take long for a team to flip that into a disadvantage for us.

Ty is a talented distributor for a 4, but he's not a 1. That's not a knock on him, but he lacks the shooting and handling to make guys guard him honestly.
 
#138      

grue2

G
grue2
Indy Illini Fan said:
Talent wise … I really like the kid … Especially offensively …

But if you would’ve told me I can have him or Harmon … I’m gonna take Harmon … He’s been our best guard defender in practice … Just not sure Storr fit what our need was … And he wasn’t gonna be cheap …
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Harmon is the best defender? The same Harmon that played zero defense in the streamed game from Italy? I'm so confused.
 
#140      

Ga65

G
Ga65
BalloonsTheElephant said:
I don't think it will be a bad sign. I fully expect teams to figure out Ty and for us to have a game plan ready for that adjustment. Whether we can make the next adjustment is what worries me.

We always make the first one and then the tournament comes and everyone knows who we are and we aren't ready.

My ultimate hope is that DGL takes away the 1 from Ty and he slots at the 3/4 with some time at the 1. That's where he is best for our team. Ty at the 1 is like a running back in the wildcat. Yes, it has it's advantages, but it doesn't take long for a team to flip that into a disadvantage for us.

Ty is a talented distributor for a 4, but he's not a 1. That's not a knock on him, but he lacks the shooting and handling to make guys guard him honestly.
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I don’t see a place for him at the four. This year you have QG and Hansberry there and next Hansberry and Morez. It looks like they may play two fours instead of a 4 and a 5 as this year with Hawk and QG or Hansberry. These guys are bigger and can shoot. Guess you can argue as to the best position for a non shooter but he is big and can overpower guards at the basket. Not true against a four.
 
#141      

jimbo72

J
jimbo72
jimbo72 said:
He lost out on all his point guard targets. So now he moves to, putting lip stick on a pig. I will not buy it. Until I see success. Quite frankly, I feel this is going to crush an opportunity at an awesome season. Ty Rodgers is a freaking stud Power forward, not a darn pt. Guard!
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I will voice that when you have Dainja, Ty, Coleman, Sencire, etc. That shoot free throws at under 55% from line. End of games will =equal "L".
I hope all of these improved men will be a minimum 65+ from charity stripe. It is a MUST! Not a maybe proposition! Please shoot freebies better my Illini!
Finally, if we continue to jack up 25-3pt. Shots we will be in tons of trouble.
What gives me hope is our massive size and athleticism. Quincy, Harmon, Ty, Dainja, Amani, Coleman, TS. JR., all Drivers to the rim. We can literally foul every team out.
We shall see, I am excited. Very diverse team, huge, and athletic.
SPACING WILL BE THE KEY MY DEAR FRIENDS!
 
#142      

jimbo72

J
jimbo72
My Dream for this season is coach Underwood has more than a man to man defense with this squad! I had the opportunity of watching coach Steve Alford when he was coaching the UNM Lobos in Albuquerque play a 1-3-1 with Darrington Hopson from Decatur, Illinois at the top. A 6.7 man at the 1.. In the middle a 7 foot tall, on the left was 6.6ft. , person on the right that was 6.5ft person.
under the rim that was 6.8ft..
Opposing teams literally could not score on that defense because they were all fast. And they got into the lanes and got steals. And most importantly, they rebounded everything.

How about: Ts Jr. at 1, Dainja in middle, outside 3- Ty Rodgers, 4 outside right Domask/Goode, and 5 under rim Cohawk.
🙏 a 1-3-1. I haven't even mentioned Quincy, Harmon, nor Sincere.
Just my humble opinion.
Go I L L I N I!
 
#143      

NCIllini10

NCIllini10
NCIllini10
Indy Illini Fan said:
I’m willing admit when I’m wrong … I thought he was gonna need a year to get ready … I was wrong … He’s gonna be ready, at least offensively … Defensively is an area for improvement and working with Fletch on strength …

However - a comp for Dravyn that Brad gave me … Trent Frazier with more athleticism … He’s got that type of potential … I think we all remember Trent freshman year and how much he improved defensively year over year … Same game plan for Dravyn … I have REALLY been impressed with the kid since he got here … He wants to be great …
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That's a comp that I will take! I have been most impressed by his apparent work ethic and attitude. Those two attributes can make up for a bunch of (albeit not all) deficiencies in his game. You were not the only one very skeptical of DGL. Lots of nay-sayers here had him written off as a long term project and someone who would not likely see any significant minutes this year!
 
#144      

EyeoftheIllini

EyeoftheIllini
EyeoftheIllini
Indy Illini Fan said:
Brad has been a lot more hands on with it … They’ve already been installing sets …

Brad also expects us to be top 10 defensively … This team will also THRIVE in transition … Very few if any teams can match our athleticism 1-5 …
Click to expand...
I’m all for that last paragraph to be true, but I can’t help but think I heard a lot of that same talk last year at this time. Hope it comes to fruition this year.
 
#145      

iron

I
iron
Ga65 said:
I don’t see a place for him at the four. This year you have QG and Hansberry there and next Hansberry and Morez. It looks like they may play two fours instead of a 4 and a 5 as this year with Hawk and QG or Hansberry. These guys are bigger and can shoot. Guess you can argue as to the best position for a non shooter but he is big and can overpower guards at the basket. Not true against a four.
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There is no real guarantee that Hansberry can play the 4 at the high major level. I think he will personally but it might not work out
 
#147      

RockfordIllini

R
RockfordIllini
Indy Illini Fan said:
I’m willing admit when I’m wrong … I thought he was gonna need a year to get ready … I was wrong … He’s gonna be ready, at least offensively … Defensively is an area for improvement and working with Fletch on strength …

However - a comp for Dravyn that Brad gave me … Trent Frazier with more athleticism … He’s got that type of potential … I think we all remember Trent freshman year and how much he improved defensively year over year … Same game plan for Dravyn … I have REALLY been impressed with the kid since he got here … He wants to be great …
Click to expand...
Hasn’t he also put on something like 25 lbs or something ridiculous since getting to campus? He looks noticeably thicker now than in his OTE videos.

A lot of defense is want to. If he has the desire, with his athleticism I’m optimistic he can be a pest as an on ball defender. I’m sure there will be the usual growing pains of avoiding screens/missed assignments/helping ball side that seem to come with all frosh. But if he has the desire that’s a great place to start.
 
#148      

Fighter of the Nightman

Fighter of the Nightman
Chicago, IL
Fighter of the Nightman
Homecoming 2019 said:
Aren't there also a lot more student seats this year?
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I hope so! While our student setup is pretty good, I remember seeing once that we had one of the smaller student sections in the Big Ten ... considering we have one of the larger undergrad populations, that is pretty unacceptable. It would be nice if they could somehow get the Krush section behind the benches to go up a bit higher.
 
#149      

aaeismacgychel

A
aaeismacgychel
Indy Illini Fan said:
Talent wise … I really like the kid … Especially offensively …

But if you would’ve told me I can have him or Harmon … I’m gonna take Harmon … He’s been our best guard defender in practice … Just not sure Storr fit what our need was … And he wasn’t gonna be cheap …
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I'm a bit surprised by this take. Harmon looked like he was having a rough time on the defensive end during the Spain trip. True, completely new system and only so much you can take from a midsummer overseas trip, but he didn't really flash to me on that end. While I'm hopeful he's a defensive stud where you throw him and Sencire out there as a "tempo line" who inject straight rocket fuel into our veins by terrorizing the opponents, but I'm a bit skeptical based on what we've seen of him when he isn't behind closed doors.
 
#150      

Homecoming 2019

Homecoming 2019
Chicago
Homecoming 2019
Fighter of the Nightman said:
I hope so! While our student setup is pretty good, I remember seeing once that we had one of the smaller student sections in the Big Ten ... considering we have one of the larger undergrad populations, that is pretty unacceptable. It would be nice if they could somehow get the Krush section behind the benches to go up a bit higher.
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www.news-gazette.com

Illini Insider | Orange Krush is about to get a lot bigger

There are mysterious plans on the horizon from Orange Krush.
www.news-gazette.com www.news-gazette.com

can't say if this ever came to fruition, but its atleast been discussed
 
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