We will find out. The downside is we probably need to clear 1-2 spots for transfers...never know what's gonna happen, but our frosh seem bought in:
augers well for culture, as these kids played sparingly
We will find out. The downside is we probably need to clear 1-2 spots for transfers...never know what's gonna happen, but our frosh seem bought in:
augers well for culture, as these kids played sparingly
Not to dump on Groce, but I wonder how much better the 2012-13 team would’ve been with the current version of Underwood as head coach
We absolutely do not need to clear a single spot for transfers.We will find out. The downside is we probably need to clear 1-2 spots for transfers...
Guess you are right. I forgot about Hawkins. Just assume he is gone and forgot to count that spot. At any rate, I would add two very good wing/guard players. If Dain stays, he can be the 3rd (or even 2nd) score option.We absolutely do not need to clear a single spot for transfers.
We are braced for the reality of roster churn because this is college basketball in 2024, but we have two open spots available for the transfer market at the absolute minimum (one spot currently empty, three incoming freshmen, four players out of eligibility), and if we could keep all of our players eligible to return (including Hawkins) and add quality in those two spots, that would be a grand slam of an offseason.
Not sure where to post this thought...but will do it here. This team literally has 3 unique and wonderful players in TSJr., Coleman, and Marcus. It has been a joy to me to watch these guys not only play together, but thrive together and take this team to an elite levels,,,one we all hoped could be achieved but certainly had no reason to expect.
TSJr. - This guy is a once in a lifetime talent. I have never seen or expect to see a player with his skills. His speed and ability to handle and adjust at that speed are unique given his size. I especially give him a deep bow of respect for the work he has done on his perimeter shot...a skill at which he was greatly deficient upon his arrival but at which he has made noticeable improvement. His defensive effort also cannot be denied and is exceptional. That he has performed under the distraction he faces is mind-blowing. Enjoy these NCAA tournament games, Illini fans, as you will never see another player like Terrance Shannon Jr. in an Illini uniform.
Coleman Hawkins - As the above post pertaining to the fact that he is the only Illini player to achieve the level of pts., rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks, Coleman is probably the most versatile Illini hoopster in history...especially given his size and the fact that he is also has become a dependable three point shooter. Having watched him pass up 10 ft. jump shots for three years, it is also noted that he does that no more. In summary, the growth and metamorphosis of CoHawk during his career has been a gift for Illini fans to watch. He has a rare skill set for which BU will search hard to find again....but not nearly as unique as TSJr.
Marcus Domask - My admiration for MD is the fact that he challenged himself by joining a top level B1G team in order to play against the best every game. That he thrived and performed at the top of the league deserves a deep bow of respect. His patience with the ball in his hands, his elite skill with the fade-away jumper, his vision and awareness of his teammates, and his general toughness to take a mauling night after night deserve the admiration of Illini fans. Though I have never liked his 3 pt. technique, it was serviceable. His judgement of when to shoot from the arc was outstanding. And the way BU fit this unique player into play has proven to be pure genius.
Personally, I give all three of the above players a deeply sincere thank you for giving this old man the kind of season for which I had hoped. It is rare to see a team improve and meld over the course of the season. These three young men shot the moon in spades, making this team, in my mind, as enjoyable to watch as the '63, '89, and '05 Illini teams I have appreciated so much. These three deserve to play in the FF in my mind, but that will likely require things to go their way of which they have little to no control. But, they have taken this talented, hard working bunch of kids to a level as a team that is both notable and admirable.
I have no idea what Dain,Ty, Luke, Amani, Sincere, Dravyn, Nico, Morez, Jacob, and Chase can accomplish next year, but they will have the best legacy to follow, to have set the bar, that they could have wanted or expected.
What came to mind when I watched TSJ play AAU ball in Dallas years ago was his high motor. He constantly outworked his opponent while on the court. He just never stopped. His shooting wasn't anywhere near what it is now, so I envisioned him more like a Dennis Rodman type player. The strides that he has made shooting the 3 is phenomenal. Hard work does pay off! I am so grateful that he came to Champaign & blessed us with his work ethic & talent. One of the Illinois basketball greats and hope there is more to come.Not sure where to post this thought...but will do it here. This team literally has 3 unique and wonderful players in TSJr., Coleman, and Marcus. It has been a joy to me to watch these guys not only play together, but thrive together and take this team to an elite levels,,,one we all hoped could be achieved but certainly had no reason to expect.
TSJr. - This guy is a once in a lifetime talent. I have never seen or expect to see a player with his skills. His speed and ability to handle and adjust at that speed are unique given his size. I especially give him a deep bow of respect for the work he has done on his perimeter shot...a skill at which he was greatly deficient upon his arrival but at which he has made noticeable improvement. His defensive effort also cannot be denied and is exceptional. That he has performed under the distraction he faces is mind-blowing. Enjoy these NCAA tournament games, Illini fans, as you will never see another player like Terrance Shannon Jr. in an Illini uniform.
Coleman Hawkins - As the above post pertaining to the fact that he is the only Illini player to achieve the level of pts., rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks, Coleman is probably the most versatile Illini hoopster in history...especially given his size and the fact that he is also has become a dependable three point shooter. Having watched him pass up 10 ft. jump shots for three years, it is also noted that he does that no more. In summary, the growth and metamorphosis of CoHawk during his career has been a gift for Illini fans to watch. He has a rare skill set for which BU will search hard to find again....but not nearly as unique as TSJr.
Marcus Domask - My admiration for MD is the fact that he challenged himself by joining a top level B1G team in order to play against the best every game. That he thrived and performed at the top of the league deserves a deep bow of respect. His patience with the ball in his hands, his elite skill with the fade-away jumper, his vision and awareness of his teammates, and his general toughness to take a mauling night after night deserve the admiration of Illini fans. Though I have never liked his 3 pt. technique, it was serviceable. His judgement of when to shoot from the arc was outstanding. And the way BU fit this unique player into play has proven to be pure genius.
Personally, I give all three of the above players a deeply sincere thank you for giving this old man the kind of season for which I had hoped. It is rare to see a team improve and meld over the course of the season. These three young men shot the moon in spades, making this team, in my mind, as enjoyable to watch as the '63, '89, and '05 Illini teams I have appreciated so much. These three deserve to play in the FF in my mind, but that will likely require things to go their way of which they have little to no control. But, they have taken this talented, hard working bunch of kids to a level as a team that is both notable and admirable.
I have no idea what Dain,Ty, Luke, Amani, Sincere, Dravyn, Nico, Morez, Jacob, and Chase can accomplish next year, but they will have the best legacy to follow, to have set the bar, that they could have wanted or expected.
What came to mind when I watched TSJ play AAU ball in Dallas years ago was his high motor. He constantly outworked his opponent while on the court. He just never stopped. His shooting wasn't anywhere near what it is now, so I envisioned him more like a Dennis Rodman type player. The strides that he has made shooting the 3 is phenomenal. Hard work does pay off! I am so grateful that he came to Champaign & blessed us with his work ethic & talent. One of the Illinois basketball greats and hope there is more to come.
And let's not be too precious about it. It's about prioritizing them from an NIL perspective.I expect us to retain most of our guys this offseason
Shannon, Guerrier, Harmon completely one thousand percent out of eligiblity. Played 5 seasons, did COVID year, they're done.We will find out. The downside is we probably need to clear 1-2 spots for transfers...
Can Domask and Coleman make more $ staying then going? Plus, they would be heroes on campus!Shannon, Guerrier, Harmon completely one thousand percent out of eligiblity. Played 5 seasons, did COVID year, they're done.
Domask, 95 % likely out of eligibility barring a medical waiver. I'd be surprised if he got it.. 2020-21 was the season that already didn't count so I feel like he's already played 4 seasons that did count. But the NCAA is weird, so what should be clearcut is never such...
Hawkins, I guess we'll see, he has done his four years, everyone understands if he is ready to move on to his next chapter and not take his COVID year. But he could technically come back.
Goode, Dainja, Rodgers, Harris, Hansberry, Gibbs-Lawhorn, Moretti are scholarship players that have eligibility. 3 players signed letter of intents out of high school in Johnson, Butler and Jakstys.
Let's say Hawkins returns AND the NCAA determines Domask is available and he returns. Everyone if NOBODY transfers, that's still only 12 scholarships, so a spot is already there for a transfer. And the odds of all that happening is approximately 0 %, so Illinois definitely has room for transfers without deliberately processing anyone out.
Seed | Number of Champs | Percentage of Champs |
---|---|---|
1 | 24 | 63% |
2 | 5 | 13% |
3 | 4 | 11% |
Since the NCAA Tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985, #3 seeds have gone a combined 281-148 (65.5%) in tournament games. | ||
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