I feel like Brad often subscribes way too much into let the opposing teams top guy get his and then shutdown everyone else.
Seems like we've often been killed by one player in a lot of losses.
Illini Basketball 2023-2024
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Seems like we've often been killed by one player in a lot of losses.
Like last year, we are strong on defense and decent on offense. Last year any team that was in the top 50 in kenpom offense and especially those in top 25 offense gave us trouble because they could counter our strength. We tend to do well against a defense first team. Tennessee fits that profile.
I thought we would beat Marquette and I was wrong... They fit the team profile that beats us (other than they can beat anyone) in that they are strong on offense and solid on defense. I thought we would lose at Tennessee but maybe their style fits too what we wanted to do. Grind defense and get hot from 3.
Champaign Toast
Fan since Kiwane Garris
I'm not yet so bullish on our defense. Granted we have a number of guys who can defend the rim, but watching even Valparaiso and Oakland dribbling the ball into the paint and creating looks at the rim without too much trouble makes me uncomfortable as a fan. Remember when Trent Frazier and Sencire Harris were hustling through screens to shut down opposing offenses? Perhaps it's a system thing--the way we are choosing to defend screens--but I'm wondering whether perimeter defense needs on top of the Moretti injury lead us to rethink Sencire Harris taking a redshirt year.
The first five games of December present stiff challenges and could be critical in tournament selection and seeding. While Marquette showed us glimpses of us breaking down and also how we recover and shine, I'm eager to see how we play the next month against a variety of solid opponents in tough settings. Can we hold those teams down and get stops when we need them?
The first five games of December present stiff challenges and could be critical in tournament selection and seeding. While Marquette showed us glimpses of us breaking down and also how we recover and shine, I'm eager to see how we play the next month against a variety of solid opponents in tough settings. Can we hold those teams down and get stops when we need them?
Chad Fleck
- Eureka, IL
I would attribute the 75 foot shot more to skill than it seems like you are.
A basketball player will make that shot far sooner and more often than an average Joe.
I actually blame Marquette for that shot, as they didn't try and contest it at all.
As for the rebound to Edey. A fortunate bounce for a 7'4" guy. But then he missed the free throw, so it didn't matter.
Then the Marquette player lost track of time and shot a very difficult 35 footer with 2 seconds still on the clock.
My point, is that while luck is involved there is still ways for skills to impact the result..pretty significantly so.
After watching a lot of Basketball, I believe that Purdue and Marquette are #1 and #2 in the country. Illini should be in the top 10 -15. If we beat Tennessee (tall order at their place). We could enter the Full Big Ten Race at One loss. This team is good, with the possibility of being Brad's best overall team. Shannon much improved over last year. Coleman still a conundrum, will he ever figure it out ? We could really use a healthy Moretti or Sincere. I still believe we beat Marquette with Sincere. Happy Thanksgiving.
But that’s not the argument. It’s the skill disparity between players at the D1 level. Which in the tourney, is very minimal.
Why would you ever contest that shot? Like truly contest it? If you get in the person’s face you risk a foul. Half court at the end of a game to stop a game winning shot? Maybe. But 3/4 court at halftime? That’s such a low probability shot you let it miss like it does probably 99 times out of 100.
What happened after wasn’t the point. Just that it was lucky. (Or fortunate as you say)
And see, I think we can all get on board that there is a measure of SOME luck. And I’d say skill impacts games way more so than luck. Good teams find ways to overcome a play or two of bad luck.
But when teams are relatively even, and both can put up…say…65 points in a game, that luck in just a FEW plays might help one team score 69 and the other 62.
Simply put, it’s not a binary either/or thing, they are both part of it. And in a single elimination tourney, luck can impact a few plays. And if those few plays just so happened to be vital plays of the game, luck can impact the game.
Done rambling, Happy Thanksgiving all!
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I know there has been consternation on here about the games that have been on there in the past (and there are 3 of the men's hoops games that will be on there this season) but this is a pretty good deal.
I know there has been consternation on here about the games that have been on there in the past (and there are 3 of the men's hoops games that will be on there this season) but this is a pretty good deal.
Thanks for the info!
I don’t think Sincere is the answer to any of our issues. I also think he’s a major asset to have coming off the bench.
I think if Morettis injury is supposed to linger past the turn of the calendar, it would be highly beneficial for the staff to burn sinceres redshirt. Also, this would be the ideal time to do so, it’s still early enough in the year that he didn’t lose too much PT so far.
I think if Morettis injury is supposed to linger past the turn of the calendar, it would be highly beneficial for the staff to burn sinceres redshirt. Also, this would be the ideal time to do so, it’s still early enough in the year that he didn’t lose too much PT so far.
I think Illinois beats Marquette with Sincere similar to UCLA last year.
I don't think Moretti was really looking at that much playing time when Harris redshirted to already break glass in case of emergency on Harris. I think if Moretti makes an impact this year it's more a surprise then something they were counting on.
I like Harris and think his defense could have an impact in certain games but his lack of shooting would hinder it especially when Dainja and Rodgers will get minutes(too many non shooters). Even with Moretti injured there is 10 still guys that can play.
I think Moretti missing a significant amount of time and another injury to justify enough playing time to burn that redshirt.
Thanks! I took the bait and signed up
You (and any of the others on here who decide to take advantage of this deal) should really explore Peacock to see some of the other stuff available on there.
I actually had premium as part of my HOA Xfinity deal but they recently downgraded it to just basic.... But before that it was pretty solid for a streaming service that's why I jumped back on quickly
Ryllini
- Lombard
blackdog
- Champaign
Implying you work for Peacock because the post was almost like an ad
I think you're correct on his playing time, but you never know......don't think his absence will result in any difference in our overall record but I'm thinking the team will really miss Moretti in practice....he brings a certain amount of competition to the squad that will now be missing....be tough for any of the walk-ons or anyone else to duplicate that....not to mention that Moretti will miss out working in practice against competition that will make him better as well....hoping that he's back in action soon....I really, really do
That's how I see it. Hard to think he would be redshirting because of Moretti or DGL. I'm not even sure an injury to Harmon would do it as none of those players being out would lead to a significant increase in Sencire’s minutes. I'd think that there would need to be a lengthy injury to someone like Marcus for him to burn the redshirt.
GrayGhost77
- Centennial, CO
Was perusing a t shirt website and found this pic. I think it's Brad's alter-ego. Been hitting the weights. Even the words on the t-shirt make sense. Thought I'd share for a laugh.
As it's before the midway point of the season and he's played in under 9 games, it is possible, though it would need to be considered season ending. At least that's my understanding of the medical redshirt.
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