Illini Basketball 2025-2026

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#451      
If Im a betting man, I believe Hummer will get at least 15 minutes a game. Sometimes more. He is a 5th year senior that I would expect to play as much as Mirkovic unless Mirkovic is the next coming of Quincy Guerrier. Im sure what Im saying will pain many, but until proven otherwise, Ben is the better option. With that said, neither will start because I think Brad is planning on starting the twin towers at the 4 and 5.
I completely expect him playing 15 min per if not near 20 min. That's why I wasn't too happy about his return but maybe he doesn't cost as much. I just hope he raises his 3pt% to like 37%.
 
#452      
Not to pile on with more of what will likely be perceived as "Hamer love", because honestly I'm pretty indifferent here, but his experience with the Lakers should not be poo-pooed as it has been often on here. He was not fetching coffee and washing jock straps as some have said in jest.

"Hamer arrived at Illinois in the summer of 2019 after spending the previous two seasons on staff with the Los Angeles Lakers. He was an advance scout in 2019 after debuting as a coaching associate in 2018. Hamer handled opponent scouting, with a focus on defensive game planning, and created video playbooks on all NBA teams."

That is a completely unaltered quote straight from his bio on the fightingillini.com website.

I strongly believe that Crocker will be nothing but helpful to us on the defensive side as well as with player development (and whatever else they will have him doing). Despite what looks to have been a fairly porous Colgate defense last year, he was on staff for the previous two seasons in which they won 26 & 25 games, respectively. At Stanford he served three seasons as director of player development, in which said timeframe they produced 4 NBA players.

Personally, love the hire as I was never of the opinion that we just absolutely needed another 'big name' assistant.
As much as I dislike our defense in the last two seasons, I fully expect out defense to improve in the coming season. Brad is not famous for defense but he has put together many teams with solid defense. He has also done lots of experiments in defense in the last two years.
 
#454      
Illinois up to 5 seed on the latest ESPN bracketology.

Other notables:
Purdue a 1 seed
Michigan 2 seed (yuck..yaxel go pro)
Ohio State 4 seed
Ucla 4 seed
Usc 5 seed
Wisconsin 6 seed


Guess we have the draft to flush this out and then final portalrama
 
#457      
Illinois up to 5 seed on the latest ESPN bracketology.

Other notables:
Purdue a 1 seed
Michigan 2 seed (yuck..yaxel go pro)
Ohio State 4 seed
Ucla 4 seed
Usc 5 seed
Wisconsin 6 seed


Guess we have the draft to flush this out and then final portalrama

friends don't let friends cite Lunardi
 
#462      
don't get the OSU love. same thing rinse and repeat year after year.
They return their 3 best players (Thornton, Mobley Jr, Royal) and have some good additions. I do think the coaching is subpar there, but they will have one of the best rosters.
Their roster screams middle of the big ten to me unless Mobley really grows. Devin Royal schooled us for a half of basketball and had some other good games but I think it’s pretty one dimensional at times. Thornton is a bonefide all big ten PG—perhaps the second best behind Smith.

Color me unimpressed by the rest of the roster and as you said subpar coaching. If they’re a top 16 team at the end of next year, I’d be shocked.
 
#463      
I completely expect him playing 15 min per if not near 20 min. That's why I wasn't too happy about his return but maybe he doesn't cost as much. I just hope he raises his 3pt% to like 37%.
Hoping it’s closer to 15 minutes. He’ll be more effective with less minutes as he was always gassed. Fletch needs to work on his core/lower body strength in order for him to be a better shooter/defender.
 
#464      
They return their 3 best players (Thornton, Mobley Jr, Royal) and have some good additions. I do think the coaching is subpar there, but they will have one of the best rosters.
By the power vested in me, I hereby anoint thee as our official Roster Insider, keeper of all sacred knowledge concerning the realm's lineups. :cool:

Thanks for all the updates!
 
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#466      

Just in my opinion:

9. Jake
8. Ben
7. Mirk
6. Ty
5. Z
4. Petrovic
3. Bos
2. Tomi
1. Andrej
I can't argue with this. Any of the top three could end up being number one by the end of the year. If we get the end-of-the-year Bos for a full season, we could be special. The offense will run through Tomi much of the time, and if he improves, oh boy. Andrej was built for this system. I can't wait to see them roll out the ball and get this thing started.
 
#471      
Illinois up to 5 seed on the latest ESPN bracketology.

Other notables:
Purdue a 1 seed
Michigan 2 seed (yuck..yaxel go pro)
Ohio State 4 seed
Ucla 4 seed
Usc 5 seed
Wisconsin 6 seed


Guess we have the draft to flush this out and then final portalrama
Illinois is easily better than a 5 seed at this moment and if we add another quality piece at the wing spot than Elmore like a 2 seed
 
#475      
Jake looked in questionable shape last year. up and down in weight, at times not athletic at all.
i wonder if the illnesses that went thru the team effected him more than others.
 
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