Our bananas are bigger than anyone’s. Our bananas are better than anyone’s. We are the top banana.
Illini Basketball 2023-2024
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Not a bad take at all. My focus is a little different though. By the end of the season, I would like to see the team so confident and knowing what each needs to do and likely exactly when, that the play we saw against Mizzou is the floor and the ceiling unlimited. That is much like I felt in '89 and '05.
There is simply too much experience, team pride, individual sacrifice, and skill for this team not to think they are able to eliminate so many of their blunders and stepping up at the FT line. And if DD could set his mind on being the best defending big in college hoops, it will take an epic miracle to beat the Illini prior to reaching the FF....and....?
The good thing about it all, is that these guys are showing a growing belief that they can be something special and as a team seem to be grasping that they can achieve what to most is only a dream.
This attitude makes me embrace with high expectations for the return of SH as a backcourt duo.
No, no, no! Don't want to see another casualty of NIL!!!
Joel Goodson
- ties will be resolved
If you'd told me that Trent would be the best defensive guard in the BIG as a senior when he was frosh, I'd have called BS. As good of an athlete as Trent was, DGL is better. Remember Craig Tucker? Helluva baller (mostly offensively). DGL is a better athlete. And he's a pretty gifted player too. Point is, the kid has a super high ceiling. Just has to keep working, stay focused and listen to staff. The D he's seeing daily and our results has to have an impact.
In a similar vein, really hope Harris is seeing some positive results with his jumper and his body mass/strength/physique. There's another kid who could be a stud, no squinting necessary.
In a similar vein, really hope Harris is seeing some positive results with his jumper and his body mass/strength/physique. There's another kid who could be a stud, no squinting necessary.
DICKnaggie
- Champaign
Wow. Haven't seen a Craig Tucker reference in a long time. Definitely one of the guys my brother and I pretended to be during our halftime nerf hoops games back in the day!
Tacomallini
- Washington State
Guessing you’re talking about a different Craig Tucker
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The three games that Coleman missed were the best thing that could have happened for this team concerning offensive flow. I don’t know if it was Coleman or the coaches who figured it out, maybe both, but Coleman can’t be a point forward trying to start the offense 30ft from the basket in the half court. The less he gets to think on offense, the better the result for the team, Coleman included. Can’t deny what the kid does defensively and I blamed the coaches for the mind boggling offensive possessions that we are all too familiar with. But somebody got the memo.
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
bout time we got some respect....................it really really is............................
SH could be the defensive piece and the total package if he can shoot. Pretty sure he will be a load taking it to the rim.
Merry Christmas Illini fam. The NL #1 was good to me this year. I-L-L
Kostas
- Naperville, IL
Maybe it's just me and orange-tinted contacts, but if that young man stays dedicated (with a touch of angry / chip on shoulder), I see loads of potential and positive possibilities for the Beloved.
Honestly even without a jumper, if Harris can just develop as a ballhandler and finishing I feel like he could be a great college player. Dude can flat out run but he just can't score.
The best part of this season? We haven’t had a moment where I feel we’ve been out of a game, or unraveled…
Down 7 to FAU? Won by 9
Rutgers goes on a run? Foot on the gas.
Marquette at home, 3rd game with this group together against a Marquette team that’s been there… not a worry in the world. We were in that game the entire time.
@Tennessee? Ya we let up a run… but the refs really helped them out. Is that a soft take? Sure. But that wasn’t a basketball game the last 20 minutes. It just wasn’t.
We’re 11 games in and there isn’t a single game I have felt bad about. No lost confidence. Connected group, Quincy is healthy, we have a #1 option, and 3 other guys who can be robin.
When was the last time we could go into conference play without a game that made us shake our head? Don’t remember that happening in the past 10 years. Special group.
Down 7 to FAU? Won by 9
Rutgers goes on a run? Foot on the gas.
Marquette at home, 3rd game with this group together against a Marquette team that’s been there… not a worry in the world. We were in that game the entire time.
@Tennessee? Ya we let up a run… but the refs really helped them out. Is that a soft take? Sure. But that wasn’t a basketball game the last 20 minutes. It just wasn’t.
We’re 11 games in and there isn’t a single game I have felt bad about. No lost confidence. Connected group, Quincy is healthy, we have a #1 option, and 3 other guys who can be robin.
When was the last time we could go into conference play without a game that made us shake our head? Don’t remember that happening in the past 10 years. Special group.
Maybe a big ask, but with the right mindset, he might get more tick this year. Lot to learn as far as decision making, but if someone gets injured, he might be in there sooner than expected. Kid is extremely athletic. Seemed too aggressive trying to make outside shots in his limited time, but he'll get good coaching, and the tools are there.
Well, we haven’t played FDU so don’t tempt the fates. Just don’t.
Check Gottlieb' pick for Coach of the Year to date:
MDchicago
- Lake Norman NC
For those interested in analytics, a W-L breakdown of our season to date (head to head vs. each opponent) in each of Dean’ Oliver’s 4 factors (using KenPom data):
Shooting/EFG%: 9-2 (10-2 including Kansas exhibition), with losses to Marquette and Tennessee;
TO%: 2-8-1 (2-9-1 including Kansas exhibition), with wins over Oakland and Western Illinois and tie with Tennessee;
Rebounding/OREB%: 9-2 (10-2 including Kansas exhibition), with losses to Florida Atlantic and Tennessee;
Free Throw Rate: 8-3 (9-3 including Kansas exhibition), with losses to Marquette, Rutgers and Tennessee.
Unsurprisingly, pretty positive overall. Shooting and rebounding have been pretty good throughout, and FTR has been trending up in recent games.
Many of our losses in the TO% area have been fairly narrow, with a few exceptions, but improved decision-making in just a few instances a game to add a couple of more productive possessions is definitely an opportunity for improvement. Of the 8 player rotation, Coleman (21.2%) and Ty (25.0%) are the two with a TO% over 18%.
Excited to see how the B10 schedule plays out, as it feels like the team really started to find its identity/turned a corner with the east coast trip.
Shooting/EFG%: 9-2 (10-2 including Kansas exhibition), with losses to Marquette and Tennessee;
TO%: 2-8-1 (2-9-1 including Kansas exhibition), with wins over Oakland and Western Illinois and tie with Tennessee;
Rebounding/OREB%: 9-2 (10-2 including Kansas exhibition), with losses to Florida Atlantic and Tennessee;
Free Throw Rate: 8-3 (9-3 including Kansas exhibition), with losses to Marquette, Rutgers and Tennessee.
Unsurprisingly, pretty positive overall. Shooting and rebounding have been pretty good throughout, and FTR has been trending up in recent games.
Many of our losses in the TO% area have been fairly narrow, with a few exceptions, but improved decision-making in just a few instances a game to add a couple of more productive possessions is definitely an opportunity for improvement. Of the 8 player rotation, Coleman (21.2%) and Ty (25.0%) are the two with a TO% over 18%.
Excited to see how the B10 schedule plays out, as it feels like the team really started to find its identity/turned a corner with the east coast trip.
I should have mentioned that it is at the 6:30 mark on the video.
Joel Goodson
- ties will be resolved
foby
- Bonnaroo Land
Ya know, to be nitpicky, the Oakland game was stinky. However…it doesn’t even feel like the same team anymore. That game was only 5 weeks ago, too! The ascension has been awesome. Man, if this team even just marginally improves over the next 2 months, it’s going to be a special tournament.
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