I'd say a combination of both. Would like to see some different looks and a lot more movement on offense. But we had Damonte who just wasn't an offensive player and Trent and Plummer are both pretty small. I think with a starting lineup of something closer to Curbelo (more crafty), Goode (maybe SKyy), Melendez, Hawkins, and Kofi we would move a lot more rather than stand on the perimeter. At least I would hope we'll have a lot more movement. Again, this will be the first year with all Underwood recruits so hopefully he switches some things up offensively.
Illini Basketball
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There will likely be at least 5 this B1G 1st round picks this year.
Obviously: Ivey, Murray, Davis (top 10)
Very likely: Liddell, Branham (top 20)
Would not be a surprise: Christie, T.Williams (#28 & 30 respectively in latest ESPN Mock)
If workouts go great: Houstan, Edey (both projected in top 40 in ESPN's updated Mock)
I agree, it is possible he meant nothing to show for it in the tourney but he didn't say it that way.
Homecoming 2019
- Chicago
One of the most stacked B1G classes I've seen in a while, it's a shame the tourney didn't fall our way again. Last time the B1G had 3+ lottery picks was 2013.
Man, I came here to read and talk about next season for Illinois and instead I’m getting a history lesson on the B1G conferences poor performances in the NCAA tournament for the last 22 years.
I just looked and there were 5 in 89 and 90 but the first round stopped at 27 so the percentage would have been a bit higher then
Sorry, yes. I should not have said in history. Was thinking during the championship drought
To be fair this isn't based on 40 minutes of stats - it's PER 40 minutes. He played closer to 200 minutes this season and an increasing amount of minutes as the season wore on. Is it a small sample size? Sure. Was he scouted by opposing teams? Probably not. But given that he played in 22 games I don't think it's ridiculous to extrapolate his stats for comparison
altgeld88
- Arlington, Virginia
Loved RJ's assertiveness late in the season. I recall when he entered the game v. Purdue on MLK Day he looked a little lost. By the Houston game he looked completely comfortable, and adept at putting the ball on the floor and driving. Am really excited about what we'll see from him next season.
Jaden Ivey had a MASSIVE jump his sophomore season. Expecting anyone to replicate that is not fair.
Comparing to ayos freshman year doesn’t seem fair either given the consistency/volume tied to his freshman year compared to RJs.
I’m just saying, let’s not go around suggesting RJ is going to be a 2 and done 1st rounder because his stats matched Iveys
To be fair, 5 1st round picks in 1990. Some mocks this year show 6 big ten players. So my statement is still accurate that we MIGHT see more than that year. I have not checked every year, but big ten has not produced this many 1st picks in a very long time.
Highly doubt he averages 17/8/3 but he’s absolutely shown the ability to play at a very high level. Obviously like you alluded to, helps when you’re third or forth off the benches rather than a focal point but I have no doubts he can be a star.
Agreed. I think the kid is going to be a stud, but Ayo and Ivey both played starter's minutes their freshman year. (Johnny davis too) There is no substitute for in-game action. The speed, the nerves, the emotion, the officiating, the in game adjustments... You can't simulate those things. You have to experience them to get comfortable. That comfort allows players to play freely and confidently.
Is is possible? Sure! Likely? I don't think so...
Unless they are telling me they have been watching the illinois basketball games in the regular season, I'd rather defer to the average fan on this board that watches all the game in terms of meaningful input or thought.
It’s also very different to compare 200 minutes to starters minutes for an entire season. Sustaining what RJ did in 200 minutes over an entire season would be an incredible season for the kid. I don’t think it’s fair to expect that PLUS the growth the other 3 players showed their sophomore seasons. It’s very possible, when playing a full season, RJs numbers go down and he is still a very big role on the team. Let’s keep the expectations reined in is all.
Tacomallini
- Washington State
He’s right Underwood has laid a great foundation…
1.) More Ball Screens…okay. I don’t disagree with certain line ups (Curbelo…and Trent) Ball screens ARE quite efficient and you get a lot of bang for the buck…yet defenses devote a lot of time in preparing for them. My point is there’s a lot ways to skin a cat. Ever see Bellarmine? They have one of the most efficient offenses in the NCAA and they don’t do it with ball screens.
2.) 4 out 1 in…refers to the formation that they initially start out in. It is not an offense, in and of itself…And yes you’re right. I don’t think he gets it at all…We’ve got a an All-American D.Mutumbo-type center with a back to the basket skill set. What does he think Underwood should do? Play 5 out Nelly-Ball completely ignoring our team’s unique personnel situation in favor of doing what’s in vogue…just because? Bad idea.
3.)You mean “offensive” rebounding?
otherwise this does not make sense to me.
We set up on the arc on offense. So we
would be rebounding “offensively” from there. We are where we are on defense relative to the ball and where the offense is…so that’s the starting point from which
we get defensive rebounds…so yeah I dunno? But if he’s saying the spacing is a problem in rebounding…I don’t get that either. There are only so many offensive
formations/sets and they’re all pretty much spaced 15-18 feet apart…even after they
become distorted the spacing is maintained…so it ends up being pretty similar for defensive rebounding. Every team has to deal with that. That comment doesn’t hold up.
4.) High pick and roll leads to corner 3’s…it isn’t that simple.
5.) More movement…I agree…but purposeful movement and not just for
movement’s sake…which is often suggested.
6.) Curbelo? I defer to Brad. We don’t know what happened and neither does Bernstein.
7.) I agree…and I think he will. Give him time..Remember when Self first went to Kansas…didn’t he get bounced in the 1st round a time or two…? At Kansas?? Hard to believe now. (Self took over for a damn solid coach in Lon here )and a hall of famer in Roy there…Underwood certainly wasn’t so lucky. This is just another hurdle.
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Agree with this. Taking nothing away from RJ or Goode, but thought it helped both on Sunday that Houston looked completely off-guard when they came in during the first half. Understandably so, can't imagine there's many times in tournament history that that you would go to halftime and two of the top three scorers on a team would have not even played in the game before. Like Houston had done a great job scouting our rotation and knowing what to take away and what to give, but they had no idea what to do with these two. That obviously won't be the case next year, though I expect both to work their tails off and be ready for the bigger roles and expectations.
He said defensive. I think he meant being beaten in the offensive rebound department but saying it in reverse. Which is to say complaining about not getting enough offensive rebounds which is the same as saying Houston getting too many defensive rebounds. that or he misspoke.
In terms of number 4, I was just making quick notes. To expand on that, his point was that it draws defense to the middle of the court which opens up the corners.
Gotchya
"8. Underwood's done some great things but has to adjust. You had two all-time greats in program history 2 years in a row and have nothing to show for it."
NCAA basketball is about a lot more than just a single elimination tournament.
Conference Championships matter. Conference Tournament championships matter. Developing kids into accountable young men matters. Helping those young men achieve their ambitions matters. Developing a culture that contributes to all those things matters.
BU has a LOT to show for the last two years.
NCAA basketball is about a lot more than just a single elimination tournament.
Conference Championships matter. Conference Tournament championships matter. Developing kids into accountable young men matters. Helping those young men achieve their ambitions matters. Developing a culture that contributes to all those things matters.
BU has a LOT to show for the last two years.
And then to tell Underwood that he shouldn't have made that call, AFTER the fact when it was too late, when he/the ref had already changed the momentum of the game and already deflated Melendez playing - just infuriating! Agree with you 100%!
In fact, it's one of the things that should be happening, if it isn't already: coaches and the NCAA should be recruiting and TRAINING a whole new group of referees, qualified/trained/psychologically sound!! It should be a full-time job, not a side-gig, and there should be regular training and testing updates. The refs can make or break a game and we have seen some pretty horrendous calls and behavior, especially in the Big10 and especially against the Illini.
I thought his comments were mostly reasonable. The only one I strongly disagree with is “nothing to show for it”. But I dont remember him saying that and hadn’t seen it til just now.
I def would have liked to be playing another game or four, but we have a B1G championship and a BTT championship to show for it. Those are “big deals”.
Let’s keep building this thing!! Go Illini!!!
I def would have liked to be playing another game or four, but we have a B1G championship and a BTT championship to show for it. Those are “big deals”.
Let’s keep building this thing!! Go Illini!!!
The only thing BU did that upset me was when Kofi caught that ball in the corner, got trapped and he didn't call timeout. He had all 4 timeouts at the time and it was obvious that was gonna be a turnover. I like BU a lot. I hope everyone understands those were Bernstein's comments not mine.
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Agree with you, but also think it's great when Ayo's mother posts (still, on occasion) her support for the Illini and always liked it when Podz' dad posted comments here.
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