Illini Basketball 2026-2027

Tomislav is in fantastic shape. Moving a lot better than he was last year while also putting on some muscle.

He's been one of the biggest positive talking points.

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But is he pudding on some muscle?

RabidDawgClassic said:

My god, dude! Do you have to find the negative in everything???

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The thing too, a lot of the negativity, whether here or nationally, is around things that aren’t even that big of concerns.

Things I’m not concerned about:

— Whether or not our 9th man can give us 5 minutes and 2 points a game.

— Whether or not we have a lead guard.

— Whether or not Tomi can play 25+ minutes a game.

Things I am concerned about:

— Whether or not our defense can get enough stops in shootout type games like the two Wisconsin games and the Nebraska home game last year.

lstewart53x3 said:

The thing too, a lot of the negativity, whether here or nationally, is around things that aren’t even that big of concerns.

Things I’m not concerned about:

— Whether or not our 9th man can give us 5 minutes and 2 points a game.

— Whether or not our lead guard is too tall.

— Whether or not Tomi can play 25+ minutes a game.

Things I am concerned about:

— Whether or not our defense can get enough stops in shootout type games like the two Wisconsin games and the Nebraska home game last year.

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2 points per game from the 9th man, across let's say 75% or more games - is very valuable.

If we can get that from Williams or Morillo (whoever ends up 9th), then I'd be alot more comfortable about our depth.

Like I've said, the job of the 9th man is to not be unplayable.

We did not have that last year, and that lack of depth showed when we were missing key pieces (not even going past 6 guys in an overtime game).

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Defense - as long as we protect the rim we'll be fine. And we have the biggest team in the country to make that happen.

Wisconsin had the best backcourt in the country. It's understandable that they gave us problems (they did the same to Michigan).

Nebraska was a bad offense, and made lucky shot after lucky shot.

RabidDawgClassic said:

My god, dude! Do you have to find the negative in everything???

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If only Tomi played for USC

RabidDawgClassic said:

My god, dude! Do you have to find the negative in everything???

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Let's be fair here, I've seen him be very positive at times...about USC.

PleaseMakeABowlGame said:

Tomi won't be able to cross 25 min/game at. 280 pounds. He'll be even slower.

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RabidDawgClassic said:

My god, dude! Do you have to find the negative in everything???

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LvilleILL1 said:

Tomislav is in fantastic shape. Moving a lot better than he was last year while also putting on some muscle.

He's been one of the biggest positive talking points.

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PleaseMakeABowlGame you sly SOB! This was all just 4D chess so that we could get nuggets of reassuring intel from the insiders all along, wasn’t it?? You little minx!



/s and joking aside, nah fam Tomi is going to be in beast mode. Can’t wait for him to float like a butterfly and sting like a bee in the paint this season!

PleaseMakeABowlGame said:

But the difference is with Tomi, it was already a pre-existing weakness. From that standpoint, it’s not going to get any better, and probably likelier to become an even greater weakness.

But the minutes aren’t where I’m concerned (unless Z gets injured).

He’ll be even slower than he was previously, and footspeed is going to be a problem with our frontcourt as a whole.

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Its a pre-existing weakness because he had a mono and injuries that kept him from working out....