Illini Basketball 2024-2025
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sacraig
- The desert
Being able to eat a slice of humble pie and accept blame is a sign of good leadership.
I have to say - no coach is perfect and Brad isn’t either. But, between listening to him own up the NW game, responding with a ranked win, this FO68 interview as well as his pre game presser today…we are lucky to have him. He gets the big picture.shoutout to Brad and TSJ
“He handled it better than I Did”: Brad Underwood reflects on Terrence Shannon Jr.
Illinois basketball head coach sat down with The Field of 68.armchairillini.com
Perfect timing for what I just posted at the same time haha
Are we going to have an ongoing debate about Ben like we had about Bill Cole in his senior year?
On the Morez vs Ben minutes debate:
Morez may not fit Underwood's preferred style (bigs spreading the floor) - but my argument is this: he sets solid picks, rolls to the bucket, cleans up the glass, dunks from a standing position, is physical, communicates... Contributions to winning and things that can put pressure on the other team in different ways. If 4 others shoot the rock from 3, does him not being a sharpshooter kill the offense or the pick-n-roll, where two guys seem to be standing in the corners anyway?
Tomi, Ben, Will, DGL are all majorly struggling from the 3 right now. Their potential to make a three is much greater than Morez but the reality is not coming to fruition on the court right now. If a stretch-4 or -5 isn't hitting three pointers then what is he adding to the team? 1 rebound? And if that player doesn't shot block (Tomi), box out (Ben), etc. do their other strengths outweigh their lack of fulfillment of their other roles?
All in all, I think the Ben-hate stems from he has major potential to make the 3, but isn't living up to it. Morez is doing exactly what we thought he could do and that satisfies us as fans. He adds value now.
Morez may not fit Underwood's preferred style (bigs spreading the floor) - but my argument is this: he sets solid picks, rolls to the bucket, cleans up the glass, dunks from a standing position, is physical, communicates... Contributions to winning and things that can put pressure on the other team in different ways. If 4 others shoot the rock from 3, does him not being a sharpshooter kill the offense or the pick-n-roll, where two guys seem to be standing in the corners anyway?
Tomi, Ben, Will, DGL are all majorly struggling from the 3 right now. Their potential to make a three is much greater than Morez but the reality is not coming to fruition on the court right now. If a stretch-4 or -5 isn't hitting three pointers then what is he adding to the team? 1 rebound? And if that player doesn't shot block (Tomi), box out (Ben), etc. do their other strengths outweigh their lack of fulfillment of their other roles?
All in all, I think the Ben-hate stems from he has major potential to make the 3, but isn't living up to it. Morez is doing exactly what we thought he could do and that satisfies us as fans. He adds value now.
I wonder what happened to that sign. That thing is sweeeeet
Am going to say this right now but I know some people are going to disagree with me,in other for this team to reach close to it’s ceiling Tomi has to consistently perform as he did during the Arkansas game.When he’s able to perform at that level he’s able to spread the floor and set the table for other team mates.
@LvilleILL @Indy Illini Fan @DB11Headband @illini0440
I know we’re building for a title run in 2025-26 and I’m concerned we’re going to lose some core pieces to make that run.
Are the below moves most likely what you see happening based on how we stand with current players?
Likely Return - Will, Tomi, Bos, White, Davis, Jakstys
Leaning Portal - Morez, Dra, Carey, Ty
(KJ to NBA, Ben out of eligibility)
Potential 2025 Team??
Starters - Bos, Will, White, Tomi, and big time portal guard?
Rotation - Constanza (praying for this), Brandon Lee, veteran Guard, veteran PF/C
Battling for Minutes - Davis, Jakstys
Redshirt - Keaton Wagler
I know we’re building for a title run in 2025-26 and I’m concerned we’re going to lose some core pieces to make that run.
Are the below moves most likely what you see happening based on how we stand with current players?
Likely Return - Will, Tomi, Bos, White, Davis, Jakstys
Leaning Portal - Morez, Dra, Carey, Ty
(KJ to NBA, Ben out of eligibility)
Potential 2025 Team??
Starters - Bos, Will, White, Tomi, and big time portal guard?
Rotation - Constanza (praying for this), Brandon Lee, veteran Guard, veteran PF/C
Battling for Minutes - Davis, Jakstys
Redshirt - Keaton Wagler
Just lost to the number 1 team so this year is clearly shot, onto next year!.../s
Nobody said that.
sacraig
- The desert
In only their 10th game together, this year's team nearly (and should have) beat the #1 team in the country last night. This young team is currently #16 in KenPom and #11 in Torvik.
But let's just abandon this season as lost.
K.
You’re the 2nd one. It’s a question about next season, not abandoning this one. Settle down. I’m still high on this season…the insiders told us we were building from this season for a title run next season.
i love that hes a willing passer too. would love to see more if he offense run through him at he block ala N Vucevic for the bulls (at times).
also think he and Morez could be dominant on the court together with MJ on the block and Tomi at the elbow
also, just to remind ourselves, through 10 games last year we were: 8-2 with neutral court loss to Marq (#4, by -7), away loss to Tennessee (#17, by -7) and one W against a ranked opponent FAU (#11).
given how much production was lost and how young this team is, its incredible we already have 2 ranked Ws and barely lost to #1.
not dismissing criticism and ive been frustrated too but, zooming out a bit, this season has been amazing so far.
given how much production was lost and how young this team is, its incredible we already have 2 ranked Ws and barely lost to #1.
not dismissing criticism and ive been frustrated too but, zooming out a bit, this season has been amazing so far.
Agreed. Going into yesterday, I thought we had a better chance of getting curb stomped than outright winning. I wasn’t sure we had the toughness to match their energy for 40 minutes.
Our effort was tremendous. We just didn’t make enough shots down the stretch.
We are the only team TN didn’t beat by double digits.
We’ve got a week to work on the little things that made the difference.
Wow! As disappointing as yesterday was, you have to be somewhat encouraged by our very young team competing with the #1 team the way we did.
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The main lingering concern with this team for me is the poor shooting.
I think that we can improve in a lot of other areas, such as rebounding, reducing turnovers and poor execution after dead balls & timeouts.
We've improved at the free throw line somewhat, but we are going to have a rough W-L record if we continue to shoot 43/32/73 the rest of the way.
I think that we can improve in a lot of other areas, such as rebounding, reducing turnovers and poor execution after dead balls & timeouts.
We've improved at the free throw line somewhat, but we are going to have a rough W-L record if we continue to shoot 43/32/73 the rest of the way.
Offense totally stalling out late in games - this and NW.
1 point the final 3 minutes vs NW.
2 points, no FGs the final 5 minutes last night.
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They would still find a way to 20 wins with those #s. But I think those get better
Have heavy doubts about the mizzou game. think this year turns out a lot like the matthew mayer team (possibly worse but). the problem there was chemistry and guys not liking each other.....this year it's execution late. There will be a lot of close losses. Driven by head-scratching moments late.
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