Illini Basketball 2025-2026

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#501      
If I'm reading between the lines correctly, it sounds like the staff was open to letting him try to shoot 3s and stretch the floor instead of just being a rebounder underneath. If that's the case, it's even more annoying that his camp came out with the story that we wouldn't let him try that.

Or am I totally off base?
Just a guess...but I would think it would have meant a starting roll with high useage (lots of minutes). Stretch the floor...No. 3's...no. Expanded mid range jump shot and maybe putting the ball on the floor most likely.
 
#505      
Indy, thanks again for all your great info.

Seems to me that Morez's trust and faith in the staff was broken when he didn't get the playing time over Ben that he felt -- and most on here agree- Morez deserved for much of the season. On that basis I understand Morez's decision -- what do you think can or should change?

That's the opposite of what he is saying lol

Morez wanted assurances about his role this upcoming season. Those assurances were granted and both sides agreed to a 1 year $1M deal. Despite the assurances, he bolted anyway for a deal with Michigan for double the money with the ink barely dry. Your question 'what can or should change' is right there in his post you replied to: he said the players have too much power/control with how things are right now.
 
#508      
I also would have our best free throw shooters drive it into Morez and pump fake him. Guarantee he will foul them 4 out of 5 times.
Morez may or may not have adjusted his playing style to foul less, I don't know. But I further guarantee that the zebras will call fewer infractions on a Michigan sophomore than on an Illinois freshman.

Was going to stay out of this but all the posts complaining about Morez and Podz posters are more annoying than the original posts. Like it or not, the absence of Morez is an on-topic subject in a 2025-26 Illinois basketball thread. I'm also fine with moving them to a 'former Illini' thread as was suggested above, might satisfy both sides.
 
#510      
I’ve been trying to find some information on how different our defense is going to be this year and comparing it to last year. Can someone help me out?
 
#511      
I’ve been trying to find some information on how different our defense is going to be this year and comparing it to last year. Can someone help me out?
Well, KenPom is one metric.
Our adjusted defensive efficiency at the end of last season was 97.6 (the 40th ranked def).
Our preseason AdjD this year is 93.7, or the 16th ranked defense.
 
#512      
I’ve been trying to find some information on how different our defense is going to be this year and comparing it to last year. Can someone help me out?

They're not going to come and talk about what the scheme will be so just have to wait and watch when the games start. Brad did reference is some of his comments trying to be a bit more aggressive and try to force some turnovers but lots of ways to do that.
 
#515      
That's the opposite of what he is saying lol

Morez wanted assurances about his role this upcoming season. Those assurances were granted and both sides agreed to a 1 year $1M deal. Despite the assurances, he bolted anyway for a deal with Michigan for double the money with the ink barely dry. Your question 'what can or should change' is right there in his post you replied to: he said the players have too much power/control with how things are right now.
If this was how things unfolded what role does Michigan have in this? In the NIL era are teams poaching players from other teams even within the same conference by upping a players current offer? If that is the environment this really is the wild wild West.
 
#516      
If this was how things unfolded what role does Michigan have in this? In the NIL era are teams poaching players from other teams even within the same conference by upping a players current offer? If that is the environment this really is the wild wild West.
IMG_0072.jpeg
 
#518      
I want to hire LaTulip to sit next to me at games and provide real time analysis during the game. He could probably be wealthy doing that for rich donors.
Honestly, as someone who stopped playing competitive basketball fairly young, sometimes his analysis is way over my head. I still appreciate it though
 
#519      
Honestly, as someone who stopped playing competitive basketball fairly young, sometimes his analysis is way over my head. I still appreciate it though
It's way over my head as well. Just way too detail-oriented and complex in its explanations. But at the end of the day, I as well appreciate it.

Dude definitely knows his stuff...just wish I wouldn't get so confused when I listen. But it must not bother me any, as I still go back and listen to his content.
 
#520      
The person who left and went to scUM is now a scUMmy individual who probably will leave there after this upcoming season where he won't get as many minutes as him and his handlers think they should get.........could be one of those 4 schools in 4 years or 5 in 5 if that gets passed.......

I wonder this.....does he really think he is NBA bound ?.....because I really really don't.......a smallish 6'9" foul prone player with limited shooting range and has shown to not live up to his word and signature on a contract ?...........................maybe he should start taking foreign languages classes to ease his transition after his college career........

the more you know ..............................
lol
 
#521      
The person who left and went to scUM is now a scUMmy individual who probably will leave there after this upcoming season where he won't get as many minutes as him and his handlers think they should get.........could be one of those 4 schools in 4 years or 5 in 5 if that gets passed.......

I wonder this.....does he really think he is NBA bound ?.....because I really really don't.......a smallish 6'9" foul prone player with limited shooting range and has shown to not live up to his word and signature on a contract ?...........................maybe he should start taking foreign languages classes to ease his transition after his college career........

the more you know ..............................
Spot on…. We loved him because he brought a physicality and motor that our bigs and others didn’t. He was a dawg ( a bigger version of what I thought Ty Rodgers could be). But skill wise, does anyone think he has the agility / athleticism to develop the skill to become a Kevin Durant / Cooper Flagg? Shooting, passing, putting it on the floor? Not going to happen. As a power player, with high motor that can play great defense, grab 10 rebounds a game, and get a lot of garbage points he may have a spot overseas. Not the NBA. At times, he looked like a man among boys last year, in the NBA, it’s man vs man every night.

I don’t wish him any ill will, but, other than the cash, I don’t think he is going to find what he is looking for at Michigan either. Maybe should have looked for more of a Dainja opportunity.
 
#522      
I don’t wish him ill will or success! He now is just another player on another team! zero interest how he does.
If he has a shot at the NBA he will need more with his game. does he have it? does he not? Don’t care… just want to beat his team? What was his name…. I forgot! 🙂
 
#523      
I just realized how badly we got snubbed by CBS.

Purdue 4
Michigan 4
Michigan State 4
Ohio State 4
UCLA 2
Maryland 2
Wisconsin 2
Indiana 2
Oregon 1
Illinois 1

I expect OSU to be a bubble team. MSU will make the tournament. If it wasn't for the Izzo bias, I'd guess an 8 seed.

Saturday, Jan. 10TBDWisconsin at Michigan
Saturday, Jan. 171 p.m.UCLA at Ohio State
Saturday, Jan. 2412 p.m.Maryland at Michigan State
Sunday, Feb. 11 p.m.Purdue at Maryland
Saturday, Feb. 71 p.m.Oregon at Purdue
Sunday, Feb. 81 p.m.Michigan at Ohio State
Saturday, Feb. 141 p.m.UCLA at Michigan
Sunday, Feb. 151 p.m.Indiana at Illinois
Sunday, Feb. 221 p.m.Ohio State at Michigan State
Sunday, Mar. 11:30 p.m.Purdue at Ohio State
Sunday, Mar. 13:45 p.m.Michigan State at Indiana
Saturday, Mar. 74 p.m.Wisconsin at Purdue
Sunday, Mar. 84:30 p.m.Michigan State at Michigan
 
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