Illini Basketball 2026-2027

#258      
Fly Illini Fly!
Emerson Bigguns said:
Is rated higher than all I mentioned. I kind of put him in the Top 100 basket. Close enough for horseshoes... I think everyone assumes he is going to play. A lot of people act like Brown and Davis have no shot at being decent this year. Our history with similarly profiled guys says different.
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If everyone peacefully assumed he'd play, then I don't think we'd have such extended debates regarding the #9thMan.
 
#265      
Ryllini
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In the house Ben built.
 
#266      
Illinirog70
Brosky said:
No, it won't. If 9th man is our primary concern, then we should have a terrific season.
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as has been mentioned before, its not the ninth man who matters, its the fourth big man. As injury and illness prone the twins are, the fourth big could get a fair amount of playing time. A skilled player there would see the floor quite often.

One thing not discussed is the lack of foul trouble our bigs get into. It amazes me that they can play all game and accumulate only 2-3 fouls. Usually you need 4 bigs just because of foul trouble. We've been very fortunate.

I'll bet we get one more big European before the start of the school year, not as the nineth man, but as the fourth big and potentially a starter for next year....
 
#268      
hoopsfan47
Illinirog70 said:
as has been mentioned before, its not the ninth man who matters, its the fourth big man. As injury and illness prone the twins are, the fourth big could get a fair amount of playing time. A skilled player there would see the floor quite often.

One thing not discussed is the lack of foul trouble our bigs get into. It amazes me that they can play all game and accumulate only 2-3 fouls. Usually you need 4 bigs just because of foul trouble. We've been very fortunate.

I'll bet we get one more big European before the start of the school year, not as the nineth man, but as the fourth big and potentially a starter for next year....
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Interesting view. Methinks BU MIGHT be thinking that he can coach JJ up to filling that roll a lot easier than finding a better talent and paying him 4 or 5 times as much to come sit and watch others play. Think about it.

But of course, after several inquiries by several posters on this board about JJ even being able to play at 100% next year and getting nothing but crickets, I am pretty convinced that no one here knows. It seems likely that the plan Lville put forward, to get a Euro big, is still in play . I, for one, like JJ. IMHO, he has the athleticism for a big as well as the desire to learn and play. If that is the case, then coaches gotta coach. It is not only about using your assets, but also developing skills in those assets that you need. Kind of a lost art in big time hoops. Elite programs would rather let the mid-major coaches do that and then pay those developed players to come play for them.
 
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