Illini Basketball 2026-2027

#152      

Davis shot 40.6 percent from three on 133 attempts last season, including 36-for-90 in Big Ten play.
1st in the entire country in Offensive Rating:

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3rd in the entire country in lowest turnover rate:

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Perfect role player.
 
#153      
There's a lot of talented players here. Some seem to downplay or just flat out ignore but personally I think Stojakovic is a NPOY candidate as well. We all talk about Mirk, Vaaks, the twins and even Coleman as the best/best NBA prospect or most impactful player on the team right now.

The way he played down the stretch, the pedigree, the combine buzz, etc. all lead me to believe it will be a big year. Definitely waiting to see the Illini basketball team but I'm also not rushing due to the football team trying to make its way to the CFP right now.
I honestly don't really think any of our guys are legitimate nPOY candidates just because I think there is too much talent that none of them will put up the counting stats to win it.
 
#154      
I honestly don't really think any of our guys are legitimate nPOY candidates just because I think there is too much talent that none of them will put up the counting stats to win it.

Wasn't Yaxel considered a finalist last season? Surely somebody could average 15 & 7

I think Anthony Davis won it averaging like 13 & 10

Saying its possible is different than saying its likely though, typical Naismith winners are averaging between 18 and 24 PPG
 
#155      
Wasn't Yaxel considered a finalist last season? Surely somebody could average 15 & 7

I think Anthony Davis won it averaging like 13 & 10

Saying its possible is different than saying its likely though, typical Naismith winners are averaging between 18 and 24 PPG
I think they're saying we're very balanced this year...not that we don't have stars...
 
#160      
I feel like if Mike puts up 18pts/8reb/4ast. We beat one of Duke or UConn. Win an outright B1G title going 17-3 or better. He’s confirmed 1st team AA and likely PoY frontrunner.
Even Keaton didn’t average 18 a game.

Mirk wasn’t even the second best scorer (Stojakovic).

The expectations have just been way over the top.
 
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#162      
Even Keaton didn’t average 18 a game.

Mirk wasn’t even the second best scorer (Stojakovic).

The expectations have just been way over the top.
Prior to the injury insiders were saying he may be become Underwood’s best player. Sorry if I am misremembering. But it was along those lines.
 
#164      
Even Keaton didn’t average 18 a game.

Mirk wasn’t even the second best scorer (Stojakovic).

The expectations have just been way over the top.
There have been multiple national outlets that have tagged Mirk as their potential player of the year. He's 4th in betting odds for the player of the year. But yes, the a message board poster who said if Mirk averages a whopping 0.1 more points per game than Keaton, he would then be considered a possible NPOY, is way over the top.
 
#166      
Continue to think Mirk is on track for November 2nd.

Expecting a big year from Andrej Stojakovic. Think he could end up being the 2nd most impactful player on the team.

The Ethan Brown buzz has gotten louder the last couple weeks. Think he can get spot minutes this year if needed. Sounds like Stefan Vaaks has really started to come on strong in practice as well.
Having professed to hoping that Brown proves to be a reliable diamond in the rough team player with passing, handle, and shooting skills valuable enough to be trusted when needed, I am happy to hear this "buzz".

However, after seeing tape of his play against a St. Louis team in his sr season, it was painfully obvious to me that his body was not sufficient to compete without some big time help from Adam Fletcher.

But a most recent tape shows maybe as much as 20 lbs. of muscle present that was not there before...and good for Ethan. We don't know much about his foot speed and movement in regard to defending B1G caliber guards though. Maybe he can hold his own in that regard at times which would certainly cause some "buzz".
 
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