Illini Basketball 2025-2026

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#701      
DICKnaggie
Second place is 1st loser said:
Lets see Mirk vs teams in live games, lights on, cameras everywhere, playing his defined role in the regular season where mistakes matter(especially on the road). He's going to see and intensity of the likes he's never seen before.

If he thought a meaningless scrimmage vs ISU was loud.....oh boy is he in for 30+ treats this year.

Not a fan of what Rez pulled here, but that dude is a bad @$$ and he's been through the wars.
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Of course it will be different in the conditions you list, but tell us when you have seen a big execute against a mid major, pre-season, who was projected to win their conference and be a clear tournament team, destroy the competition?
Your take is silly, tbh. Of course he will have growing pains, but he is clearly skilled, and way more skilled than Morez. Maybe not as physical (close), but more skilled.
 
#702      
Rebounding Dog
I know this is a bit early to say …. is Mirk likely a one and done? He has the NBA ht and build… competitive edge… skill sets yes?
 
#703      
HailtotheChief
Second place is 1st loser said:
Lets see Mirk vs teams in live games, lights on, cameras everywhere, playing his defined role in the regular season where mistakes matter(especially on the road). He's going to see and intensity of the likes he's never seen before.

If he thought a meaningless scrimmage vs ISU was loud.....oh boy is he in for 30+ treats this year.

Not a fan of what Rez pulled here, but that dude is a bad @$$ and he's been through the wars.
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As a pro in Europe in the ABA Mirk has seen grown men. Maybe not the fans we have here but he has played vs physical skilled bigs. He is clearly a much more skilled and all round player with size we have lacked
My thoughts on Rez as a basketball player have 0 to do with whether he is at Michigan and or here. He is a solid 4 that is an elite rebounder that plays with high energy and can make put backs, lay ups and dunks. He is capable of a big impact just doing that and can have double doubles. Rez lacks size to guard bigger guys. I do not expect him to do much away from the basket. He isnt a shooter or expected to handle the ball. If he gets a defense board the first thing he will do is pass it. He isn't leading breaks or dribbling more than a couple times when he gets the ball or running much offense through him. Rez was and will be a very good player that plays to his strengths rebounding at a high level, getting shots at the rim. That's a good thing for him. I seen Brad let Mirk do more than just rebound and bring energy so I'm expecting more from Mirk than rebounding and put backs. It's not hating on Rez. I watched Mirk more than on Sunday. His game is much more than that. I think Mirk will.maje others better , bigger body, more skilled and a better all round player than Morez. Brad clearly trust Mirk to do more than he let Rez do with the ball. Thats a reason for optimism and is nothing against Morez but more about Mirk skill level. I think.thats pretty obvious.
 
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#705      
Se Il Illini
lstewart53x3 said:
We always have depth in the pre-season. We never have depth during the post-season.
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You are correct. Maybe this year will be different. Recent past history tells us by the end of January the bench is shortened to 8 players, maybe 9 if there is an injury or major foul trouble. This is not intended to be a criticism. This is just the way things have worked out over the years.
 
#706      
Boskydell
Ryllini said:
And Fred Hoiberg is a good college coach. IMO
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Always thought that GarPax screwed him: hired him and then and then gave him a team of semi washed up vets who wouldn't let him coach them. Although, if Rondo wasn't injured in that playoff game with Boston...
 
#709      
HailtotheChief
DICKnaggie said:
Of course it will be different in the conditions you list, but tell us when you have seen a big execute against a mid major, pre-season, who was projected to win their conference and be a clear tournament team, destroy the competition?
Your take is silly, tbh. Of course he will have growing pains, but he is clearly skilled, and way more skilled than Morez. Maybe not as physical (close), but more skilled.
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I think Mirk is more physical at 260lbs and having seen him vs Boozer in the Nike hoop summit. Rez was easily moved by bigs of Maryland that are similar to Dukes freshman Boozer. Mirk held his own
 
#712      
SescIllini
Difficult and needless to compare Mirk and Morez, both great players but very different. Both can be called PF/4 but Mirk leans towards a 3 and Morez leans towards a college center/5.

I think for our system and to compliment our players we are better with Mirk and Big Z. Doesn't mean that Morez isn't an elite rebounder and rim runner. But for shooting, passing and dribbling going with the Euros.
 
#713      
Calvin
hoopsfan47 said:
Glad to see Lee, Wagler, and Mirk play a bit above expectations. But the question that comes to mind is that there are three injured guys sitting on the bench that have proven they can play at a very high level with confidence and experience....so where can the frosh find minutes when those guys can play?
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We hear year after year how deep we are, but the reality is that the best 6 or 7 players get by far the most game minutes. It's likely there are injuries, fouling and other situations that mean 9 or 10 deep is important to the season. Depth also pushes guys more in practice, but the guys who are your best will play, and the others will get minutes opportunistically or as needed. I would expect they are told that when they're recruited and are mostly ok with it. With the money players command, I expect the days of expecting PT are long gone.
 
#714      
Illini4Christ
It’s always exciting for us fans to debate the players and even the playing time but as we head into the new season, let's take a moment to appreciate how fortunate we are. With Coach Underwood and his staff at the helm, our men's basketball program is in excellent hands and poised for another successful run.

The Illini Nation has created an incredible home-court advantage at State Farm Center, and with ticket sales hitting new records, that passion is sure to fuel the team all season long.
Everything will work out. We have the coaching, the talent, and the best fans in the country. Trust the process and support the team.

I-L-L!
 
#715      
Bigtex
Illini4Christ said:
It’s always exciting for us fans to debate the players and even the playing time but as we head into the new season, let's take a moment to appreciate how fortunate we are. With Coach Underwood and his staff at the helm, our men's basketball program is in excellent hands and poised for another successful run.

The Illini Nation has created an incredible home-court advantage at State Farm Center, and with ticket sales hitting new records, that passion is sure to fuel the team all season long.
Everything will work out. We have the coaching, the talent, and the best fans in the country. Trust the process and support the team.

I-L-L!
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future is bright but would like for Illinois to capitalize on "home count advantage" and go 15-1 or 16-0 at SFC

I am sure coach would love to accomplish these goals the next several years:
- Lose at most 1 home game at SFC
-More 2nd/3rd NCAA weekends
 
#716      
illinibbcz
I am excited about the season but I certainly think everyone is going a little overboard on how great and deep we are. Illinois State was missing their two best players. I think we are all overjoyed about where we are at considering where we pictured the team (especially right after the Ty injury) early this summer. I hope Mirkovic is as good as he was in the one exhibition game we have played. He won't be a lot bigger than many of the players of teams we play and there will be some adjustment time. If he averages 8 points and 5 rebounds, I think that would be above my expectations.

As for Wagler, if he averages 8 points on 20 minutes a game, I think that would be a plus. I feel our bread is still going to be buttered by having Tomi (14 points), Stojakovic (14 points) and Boswell (12 points) being our leaders. If we can get a total of 25 from Big Z, Petrovic, Lee, Davis and Rodgers (this totals 81 points), we will be a problem for many teams. We will be good, let's just not talk about how great we are until we really play teams that will have the same level and skill of players that we have.
 
#717      
Emerson Bigguns
illinibbcz said:
I am excited about the season but I certainly think everyone is going a little overboard on how great and deep we are. Illinois State was missing their two best players. I think we are all overjoyed about where we are at considering where we pictured the team (especially right after the Ty injury) early this summer. I hope Mirkovic is as good as he was in the one exhibition game we have played. He won't be a lot bigger than many of the players of teams we play and there will be some adjustment time. If he averages 8 points and 5 rebounds, I think that would be above my expectations.

As for Wagler, if he averages 8 points on 20 minutes a game, I think that would be a plus. I feel our bread is still going to be buttered by having Tomi (14 points), Stojakovic (14 points) and Boswell (12 points) being our leaders. If we can get a total of 25 from Big Z, Petrovic, Lee, Davis and Rodgers (this totals 81 points), we will be a problem for many teams. We will be good, let's just not talk about how great we are until we really play teams that will have the same level and skill of players that we have.
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We were also missing our (likely) two best players... 3 of our likely starting 5. Yeah, a mid-major, but a mid-major projected to win their league. (We've seen first hand how good a MVC team can be...)
I think the Mirk stuff is more just excitement about all the skill he showed. We knew he was a big strong kid. Assumed he would help on the glass and get some shots at the rim. We didn't know about the dribbling and passing skills he has, or at least hadn't seen it. He looked like a pro, and he's 19...
 
#718      
Piotyr
I think there's a real chance that a preseason exhibition minus 3 rotation players including their two best isn't necessarily worth overanalyzing for how player roles will be in the season. Mirk did more than expected in an expanded role, Wagler was fairly quiet in comparison, and the full meaning of that is limited given the situation.
 
#719      
SkyysNotFalling
Emerson Bigguns said:
We were also missing our (likely) two best players... 3 of our likely starting 5. Yeah, a mid-major, but a mid-major projected to win their league. (We've seen first hand how good a MVC team can be...)
I think the Mirk stuff is more just excitement about all the skill he showed. We knew he was a big strong kid. Assumed he would help on the glass and get some shots at the rim. We didn't know about the dribbling and passing skills he has, or at least hadn't seen it. He looked like a pro, and he's 19...
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Imagine back in like 2017 if we were missing Trent, Alstork & Leron in an exhibition like this. We’d probably lose that game.
 
#720      
Emerson Bigguns
Piotyr said:
I think there's a real chance that a preseason exhibition minus 3 rotation players including their two best isn't necessarily worth overanalyzing for how player roles will be in the season. Mirk did more than expected in an expanded role, Wagler was fairly quiet in comparison, and the full meaning of that is limited given the situation.
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You guys are all welcome to not be excited, if you want... Personally, I think finding reasons to be optimistic to be a more fun exercise than looking for nits to pick, but... That may just be me.

Han Solo Optimism GIF by Star Wars
 
#721      
CleverHandle1
If both Freshmen are decent contributors to this team, along with Mirk being effective, the Illini will be well rested and ready come March.
 
#722      
SprintingShellyClark
SkyysNotFalling said:
Imagine back in like 2017 if we were missing Trent, Alstork & Leron in an exhibition like this. We’d probably lose that game.
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*correction* we would definitely have lost that game without those 3 in ‘17.

It is a long season. Great to have depth and options as different players are going through hot and cold stretches.
 
#723      
Piotyr
Emerson Bigguns said:
You guys are all welcome to not be excited, if you want... Personally, I think finding reasons to be optimistic to be a more fun exercise than looking for nits to pick, but... That may just be me.

Han Solo Optimism GIF by Star Wars
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So you overanalyzed my post about not overanalyzing. Irony at it's finest.
 
#724      
hoopsfan47
After watching the full replay of the ISU Exhib. game, my enthusiasm is somewhat tempered. Lots of things to learn for the young-uns which should not surprise anyone. But I did like what I saw from Ben and Kylan.

Elite teams with athletes will provide a real challenge for this team as they sorely need time playing together in order to start a climb toward their potential. My big question is who will be the Alpha Dog....likely Boswell and maybe Petrovic. Ty would be that type but I have no idea what he can add on the floor if he gets to play next year.

The good news is that three expected starters with plenty of talent and experience were sitting on the bench. My fondest hope is that they get back to full health and skill quickly.
 
#725      
Second place is 1st loser
hoopsfan47 said:
After watching the full replay of the ISU Exhib. game, my enthusiasm is somewhat tempered. Lots of things to learn for the young-uns which should not surprise anyone. But I did like what I saw from Ben and Kylan.

Elite teams with athletes will provide a real challenge for this team as they sorely need time playing together in order to start a climb toward their potential. My big question is who will be the Alpha Dog....likely Boswell and maybe Petrovic. Ty would be that type but I have no idea what he can add on the floor if he gets to play next year.

The good news is that three expected starters with plenty of talent and experience were sitting on the bench. My fondest hope is that they get back to full health and skill quickly.
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Teams with explosive athletes are going to give us fits. We saw that last year more than a handful of times with Alabama, Duke and Kentucky jumping off the page. I was at the tournament game vs UK and the only one on our team who looked, physically, like he belonged was Boswell.

I know Brad loves going overseas and that's great, but the Euro game translates much better in the NBA because there's no defense involved and skill reigns supreme. In college, defense is not optional unless you're Iowa. They score 90 and lose 95-90.

That's my worst fear for this group.
 
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