Out of the many mind numbing decisions on personnel last year, that is right up there with Morez not getting more time when Ben was off.
Illini Basketball 2025-2026
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Disgruntled players who defy coaching will sit, not that mind numbing at all really.
MDchicago
- Lake Norman NC
Petrovic was 2nd team all-league for the season. Link Recall he did win MVP recognition for a couple of shorter segments within the season.What a hot take for 247 to name the Adriatic League MVP a 4 star!!!
Went down a rabbit hole looking at Petrovic's stats...
On a per game basis over 30 Adriatic League games last season, Petrovic averaged 14.2 pts (with 1.1 made 3FG and 2.8 made FTs), 7.3 assists, 2.8 rebounds, 0.6 steals. 2.4 turnovers (had more than 2 TOs in 11 of 30 games and more than 5 in two games) and 1.7 fouls (no foul outs and 4 fouls in two games). Shot 55.9% on 2FG, 33.3% 3FG, and 68.9% on FTs. Link Would like to see that FT% closer to 80%...
On a per 40 minute basis in the Adriatic League, Petrovic averaged 20.3 pts (with 1.5 made 3FGs and 3.4 made FTs), 10.7 assists, 4.0 rebounds, 0.9 steals. 3.4 turnovers and 2.4 fouls.
Not expecting him to put up the same numbers as Braden Smith (last season's B10 POY) who on a per 40 minute basis averaged 17.0 pts (with 2.5 made 3FGs and 3.6 made FTs), 9.4 assists, 4.9 rebounds, 2.3 steals, 3.3 turnovers, and 2.8 fouls (shooting 46.9% on 2FG, 38.1% 3FG, and 83.3% on FTs) for Purdue last season, but that is who pops in my head when watching his tape. In any event, looking forward to having a true PG and think he will be a big part of the puzzle for our team this season.
It just seems that everyone, or almost everyone, agrees on who four of the starters will be, it’s just the 4 position that is the question mark. And the candidates for that position are Z, DM, and BH, yes? I don’t think we can pencil anyone in yet until we see how DM does in practice. Reports (rumors?) about his (DM's) potential seem to be very positive, although I realize at this time of the year those reports could be a bit hyberbolic. But I could see him starting, or perhaps, not starting at the beginning of the season perhaps because of his inexperience with the system, but starting later on. I guess, it just depends on how well he does in practice. And we have to wait a while for that.
Bigtex
- DFW
good stuff. Do you know how many minutes he played a game in adriatic league? Seems like about 32 minutes meaning he was on the floor a bunch.
RabidDawgClassic
- Los Angeles, CA
Morez DID get more time. He just couldn’t stop committing fouls long enough to stay on the floor.
I believe he will start some and come off the bench too. I so think he will play starters minutes and be in the top 5 in minutes played without a doubt playing more than Mirk or Ben. He will back up Tomi for 10 or 15 min a game and also play the 4 spot whether he starts or not I expect Big Z to play 20 or more minutes a game between the 4 and 5 spot.
7.3 assists to 2.4 turnovers... all I can say is...
I agree with the Braden comp but very unrealistic to expect last year Braden. all we need is freshman level Braden and this team can be nasty
See: Northwestern, Tennessee, basically all the early in the year games/losses.
Thank You! And, that is not the reason why he left. I think it is pretty evident, he wanted to go try the greener pastures with more money and more 3 opportunities.
BIG Z for three! I like the sound of that.
Joel Goodson
- how was I to know, she was with the Russians too?
climb aboard the train! ($)
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Six college basketball freshmen who impressed this summer and could surprise in 2025-26
Teams have looked at their teams for a few months in the summer. Here's who coaches and scouts have been impressed by.
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The Morez loss stung for maybe a day, if you don't want to be an Illini then hit the bricks. Historically, most players that have left Illinois haven't done so well, so bye. If anybody thinks Michigan is going to allow him to shoot bricks all day from three.... in the end it is still and always will be about winning.
The Morez loss stung for maybe a day, if you don't want to be an Illini then hit the bricks. Historically, most players that have left Illinois haven't done so well, so bye. If anybody thinks Michigan is going to allow him to shoot bricks all day from three.... in the end it is still and always will be about winning.
Morez's toughness is not easily replaced --I definitely wanted him to work out. That said, it's mostly on him to develop into a guy who can play outside enough to play at the next level. I don't see it and agree he'll be a depth piece at Michigan that's not green-lit for 3s. He's very valuable as a college player, but not someone the NBA would want, at least now. He might be better off going all-in as a mercenary getting the most out of his college value.
I'm a big fan of starting your best 5 players. Like last year - Morez should have started from the jump. It's the same debate, but in reality Mirk and Ben will sub in and one of the Ivisic brothers will always be on the court. There is little reason you can't start both unless they both get into foul trouble at the same time, which would be an anomaly
Agree to disagree.
Z is going to play about 10 minutes at the 5 and about 10 at the 4.
Which means he and Tomi will be on the court together for about 10 minutes a game. If Z starts then about 8 of those 10 minutes will come at the beginning of both halves. Which could work.
But I still think BH is the odds on favorite to start...at least at the beginning of the season. It would surprise me if DM starts.
Which means he and Tomi will be on the court together for about 10 minutes a game. If Z starts then about 8 of those 10 minutes will come at the beginning of both halves. Which could work.
But I still think BH is the odds on favorite to start...at least at the beginning of the season. It would surprise me if DM starts.
I agree with BH starting, whether people like it or not
I keep seeing posts that Morez left because he wanted to shoot more 3s. I can't find anything from his camp that says that. I did find that he said he's more than a dunker, and that he wanted to show more of his game. This is a different statement than wanting to shoot 3s. Can anyone guide me to where the desire to shoot more 3s was expressed? Thanx in advance.
You're right man, I forgot how absolutely horrendous people were to you
Seriously though, that's the one exchange I found with you on this topic, it was extremely respectful, and in the ensuing comments there are multiple people that agreed with you.
I don't really care, if you want to harbor some grudge over something that never happened, go ahead. For my part I probably should have left well enough alone but the way my brain works, if I see someone post something that seems unlikely I get pulled down the rabbit hole. And knowing this board I just couldn't imagine people were actually "screaming" at you about anything, much less that BH was going to be leading scorer.
Rez would've fouled out far too often. He swatted and didn't stay vertical defensively. I agree with how Rez was handled so he could be in games down the stretch until he could due to his awful FT shooting.
He said that he didn't want to turn out like Kofi (crazy thing to say in the first place), but Kofi also wanted to expand his range but didn't seem to do in games. I think the overall goal of Morez is to get to the NBA (obvious) and he needs to have more than an inside game. I guess he thought he would have more opportunity for that at Michigan but i doubt that happens.
Dan
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2004 and 2005 Back-to-Back Big Ten Championship Basketball Squads Return for 20th Anniversary Reunion
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Back-to-Back Big Ten Championship Basketball Squads Return for 20th Anniversary Reunion - University of Illinois Athletics
One of the most popular men's basketball teams in University of Illinois history is set to return to campus this weekend as part of a 20-year reunion.
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skyIdub
"I can't tell you. Secret."
2004 and 2005 Back-to-Back Big Ten Championship Basketball Squads Return for 20th Anniversary Reunion
Back-to-Back Big Ten Championship Basketball Squads Return for 20th Anniversary Reunion - University of Illinois Athletics
One of the most popular men's basketball teams in University of Illinois history is set to return to campus this weekend as part of a 20-year reunion.
If we don't have a throwback uniform this year to go along with this...it's and unbelievable failure.
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