Illini Basketball 2023-2024
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Man if he would have finished that tip dunk yesterday
I would love to know what BU said/did, or the vocal leaders on the squad said/did, at halftime of the Valpo game.
The no-nonsense turnaround we made in that second half was the first clear indication for me that we're not like last season's team.
The no-nonsense turnaround we made in that second half was the first clear indication for me that we're not like last season's team.
What if I said not much needed to be said by anyone….they just knew it needed to be different. Case in point is Brad giving the guys a day off of practice last week…..that would have never happened last year.
Love it, so much more mature.
lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
For all the fear this off season about no true point guard (and I was in that camp), the Missouri game was elite offense.
Mizzou‘s defense has a 21% turnover rate on the season. We had 10 turnovers in 70 possessions for a turnover rate of 14%.
We also averaged 1.38 points per possession. BYU leads the nation in points per possession on the season at 1.29.
And - even though Ty isn’t a threat to score on offense, having him on defense allows us to switch everything giving us a top 20 defense on the year in KenPom (currently #13). Baylor, with Ray J Dennis at the point, is #70 in AdjD on KenPom.
Mizzou‘s defense has a 21% turnover rate on the season. We had 10 turnovers in 70 possessions for a turnover rate of 14%.
We also averaged 1.38 points per possession. BYU leads the nation in points per possession on the season at 1.29.
And - even though Ty isn’t a threat to score on offense, having him on defense allows us to switch everything giving us a top 20 defense on the year in KenPom (currently #13). Baylor, with Ray J Dennis at the point, is #70 in AdjD on KenPom.
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What I am encouraged about is last year we could lose to anyone (bored, no shooting, effort) but if we played our "best" game, we could beat anyone. This team doesn't seem to have that issue. This team's ceiling is much. much higher.
Illinicpa14
- Chicago
If you assume TSJ plays well, you need 1 of Domask, CoHawk, or Guerrier to play well offensively to beat most teams. That feels more then reasonable.
And when multiple play well or one plays amazing, you get results like FAU or Mizzou beat down.
That feels reasonable come tourney time for a deeper run.
Joel Goodson
- ties will be resolved
A lot of folks have the mindset that we need a second banana. While that's true, it doesn't have to be one guy. I love that Domask, Guerrier or Hawkins can be that guy on any given day. Same goes with third banana. Plus, we have a ton of complementary pieces.
Hawkins has been mentioned numerous times as a wild card (for good reason). The mind-numbing mental blunders are decreasing. Hopefully, that continues.
The real wild card is Rodgers. Sensing increased comfort with ball handling. Ditto with his offensive role. Pretty darn unselfish, but he needs to stop passing up near bunnies. If he can step up his scoring, that will put us in an even better place. There's definitely room for him to grow there (and I'm sure he gets it). With increased confidence and comfort, I suspect he's going to make strides on that front.
I love this team. Winning is paramount. The ceiling is infinity. Hope they get there.
Joel Goodson
- ties will be resolved
With Hawkins, I think it boils down to him accepting his role- maybe his lingering injury was a help in that regard frankly. If he focuses on Defense and facilitating on offense and just take shots in the rhythm of the offense - that is what we need from him.
Illinicpa14
- Chicago
Right and I feel TSJ is almost matchup proof (subject to of course he can have a bad pure shooting day).
Compared to our last stud Kofi who was so dominant but at times based on how the refs called fouls and the defense focus with lack of passing couldn’t always dominate games against other top teams (even if at the end he had 15-18 points).
Looked at this a few times before I noticed Moretti lol
Love that they ‘taped’ him in rather than try to CG something. Makes it more real.
Happy Holidays all!
Dude is getting bigger fast.
Needs to do this with tennis balls.
Joel Goodson
- ties will be resolved
that bodes well. if DGL has the right mindset (about mostly sitting this season and this being a development year), he very well could be a stud, as soon as next season.
The Braggin Rights was the first game I have gone to this year. The thing that stood out to me was that the team was just different when Coleman was in there (even tho I'm a Dain fan and think he's pretty good.) Everything on O and D just seemed to be a seamless flow when he was on the court. I have been as frustrated by others in hoping he reaches his potential, but what he does for this team might be underrated.
Completely agree. We have much more flexibilty offensively & defensively when he's in.
This is the mindset of a champion! Faith that hard work and perseverance will pay off! I have very high hopes for this young man, and him demonstrating this attitude makes me respect him even more!
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