"Hot take" is definitely subjective. How low (bad) would a ranking for us have to be for you to call it a hot take?
Illini Basketball 2026-2027
Boy, you guys really fight hard to quell any optimism around here.
If there are 365 of something and pretty much every publication known to man ranks one of these somethings between 1 and 4, with a few of most respected publications actually ranking this something #1 overall, is it your opinion that’s a “hot take”?
It was just a question to get a feel for your definition of "hot take"
It was just a question to get a feel for your definition of "hot take"
Any of these are fine by me:
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hot take
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/hot-take
https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/us/definition/english/hot-take
https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/hot-take
Heck, even this works:
https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=hot+take
I was responding to whoever called it consensus. Consensus means virtually everyone agrees. That is not the case here - not even close.
GrayGhost77
- Centennial, CO
This is the correct response. FAFO
Tevo
- Wilmette, IL
#27thMan
Joel Goodson
- it's all ball bearings, nowadays
heck, yeah!
Illini in Indiana
- Indiana
Welcome Mr. Vaaks & Mr. Williams. Glad your an Illini and future EDG!
You will be loved, cursed, and remembered by this forum.
Just know IMO it's all about the effort, team, and wins.
The NBA will have eyes on you.
There's a reason why we're #1 NIL by fans, it's a passion!
You will be loved, cursed, and remembered by this forum.
Just know IMO it's all about the effort, team, and wins.
The NBA will have eyes on you.
There's a reason why we're #1 NIL by fans, it's a passion!
I’m not necessarily convinced they think he’s better than those guys, but he brings different strengths to the mix. Namely, the kid is a run/jump athlete. We have a lot of wings, but they all bring a little different flavor. Brown is a shooter, Zens and Davis are thicker guys who do a little bit of everything, and Williams is an above the rim athlete.
Coaches are going to have a blast running these kids against each other in practice.
I don't know which one will win the much coveted 9th man, but no one is getting it handed to them.
Coach can look down the bench and see a bunch of different guys who bring different skills to the table. Matchups might determine who gets the nod.
#9thmanbycommittee
Homecoming 2019
- Chicago
Really hope Illinois takes a hard line stance here and cancels this game, unacceptable decision by Texas Tech.
Too handsome haha
it's a burden for some of us!
I don't really understand why it would. I figured Big Ten schools were worried about playing TT in football, not basketball.
Who cares if Sorsby wants to ruin himself more betting on a basketball game?
Or is it a question of pushing TT to not bring him back?
it's the last thing you said. he gambled on his own games.... it brings into question the integrity of the game. allowing that makes this wrestling (determined outcome) and not sports. it's a line you can't cross and can't forgive.
blackdog
- Champaign
I think the idea is that the TTU athletic department is supporting someone that gambled on his own teams and wanting to overturn his suspension. Thats bad business for college athletics across the board.
After watching travel baseball for the last several years, it stil amazes me what grown adults will do and say to win a banner and some rings.
What similar men would do for millions of dollars and nearly unlimited power in their institutions is much less surprising.
Yup. Texas Tech's boosters have shoveled a ridiculously amount of NIL cash into their football and basketball teams. I doubt any AD has the balls to tell them the money they gave for their 2026 team was for naught.
I think Williams has a relatively clear path to #9thMan playing time.
The reason Petro didn't work out is because he didn't give you the things the team needed. The 9th man is all about providing what the top 8 lacks. On this roster, it's defense AND size paired with athlecism (we have size, but not paired with athlecism).
You could make the argument Lincoln's walking in as the second best perimeter defender. At worst 3rd, behind Stojakovic and Coleman.
Remember how freshman Sencire would get the crowd into it with defense? That's his path to PT (albeit on a better team). And I do think he's a better prospect given the size and athletic profile (and hopefully, a little bit of a better shooter and scorer).
The reason Petro didn't work out is because he didn't give you the things the team needed. The 9th man is all about providing what the top 8 lacks. On this roster, it's defense AND size paired with athlecism (we have size, but not paired with athlecism).
You could make the argument Lincoln's walking in as the second best perimeter defender. At worst 3rd, behind Stojakovic and Coleman.
Remember how freshman Sencire would get the crowd into it with defense? That's his path to PT (albeit on a better team). And I do think he's a better prospect given the size and athletic profile (and hopefully, a little bit of a better shooter and scorer).
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I'm starting to think the same. An athletic wing wasn't what I had in mind when it was being hinted we'd add another player. But I'm starting to like the addition - he seems he's as likely as anyone to be our (much coveted) 4th guy off the bench.
chrisRunner7
- San Diego
I have not been checking the board much lately so I may have missed the news...
Is Vaaks still expected to play for Estonia in the FIBA World Cup qualifiers on July 3rd and July 6th?
Is Mirkovic still playing for Montenegro on July 2nd and July 5th?
Andrej commented a while back that he would have discussions with the Serbia and Greece national teams... but I never heard anything further about that. I imagine "discussions" were as far as things got for now given the talent on those teams.