For those who didn’t get a chance to listen to the B1G media day, here is my take:
Three represented the Illini. The coach, Kylan and Ty and all praised this team with glowing attributes.
Their noticeable comments about how great this team looks already in practice is evident because Kylan and Ty said this is the best team they have ever played on. Both played for team USA (Kylan twice) and last year’s elite 8 squad so you can tell it’s game on.
All the players are getting along well and camaraderie is high. Offensively they are off the charts, defensively, not so good. A 7th grade middle school team could hang a 100 on them.
Tonight at the 5:30 pm practice coach was going to begin inspired defensive practice. He has to toughen them up. They have the team to be great defenders but are making too many mistaken in practice, like too many fouls and worrying about making errors. Coach said the it was like the young players of the 22/23 team. Coach says he will toughen the tean up. He said he knows how.
Kylan and Ty said that coach was crazy but knew their best interest was his plan. Ty said he won’t leave Illinois because that’s how he was raised and coach is good to him.
High ceiling of talent on the whole team. The best freshman class coach has ever had and the team is one of the most talented team that he has ever had and so the ceiling if higher than last season, as he said in June.
Coach said Ben is their best shooter, and he was the player that will be the surprise of the team.
Will was likened to Michael Beasley. Will remembers and absorbs everything about the game, he is a savant on the court and his passing ability is limitless and his shots go in.
DGL has looked impressive this fall and coach lamented on not playing him much last season. He is a great defender also.
Morez is 6’9” 252 pound rebounding and athletic freak. (reminds me of Darrel Dawkins). Throw it up in the air and he will get it no matter how high up the ball is thrown.
Coach said Trey White is great and looks like a player, Ty is loved by the coaches and fans and is the team leader, KJ is special, can pass as good as anyone and is smart, he allows the game to decide what he needs to do to win. Carey is an athletic specimen. Tomislav can shoot the cover off of a basketball. Boswell is an elite shooter and defender.
And don’t go to a Pizza Hut parking lot after a loss.