Illini Women's Basketball 2023-2024
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I have no direct knowledge but just looking at basics so far......redshirt season
Way down the depth chart this season and played too many games last season for a redshirt
Champaign Toast
Fan since Kiwane Garris
Didn't play against Canisius or Morehead State, either. Both are buried down the depth chart, for sure. They've got 7 guards and 3 forwards ahead of them. Appears to me they're considered emergency depth only at the guard and forward spots at this point.
At least Ndour has a trait in her 6'6" height that is unique on this roster and places her, you could say, second on the depth chart at the center position behind Hobby. We'll play small most of the time with Bostic at the 5 and Hobby rotating in, but one can imagine the coaching staff wants Ndour ready to play minutes, if needed, against tall opposing centers. So she gets on the court now.
I'm a casual fan, watch when they are on TV (Notre Dame) or Big 10 network. Read this board, check Big 10 etc.. Shauna has brought back hope into the program. I remember her interview pre-season that they went portal to get taller and depth. She said by the end of the season last year that they were just worn out. My question is, why have anyone play 30+ minutes in a 39 point win? Did Cook or Bryant (30 mins. each) need to play more than 3/5 minutes in the 2nd 1/2 when it was 64-38 after the 3rd quarter? Just worried that the same scenario will play out. If there are injuries, I get it but I see 12 played, although it's 7, 5, and 3 mins played. So basically she went with a 9 woman rotation in a blow-out? Are there not walk-ons like in MBB that she could have put in? Thanks!
Champaign Toast
Fan since Kiwane Garris
All fair questions. Certainly could have played Dewey and Jackson--and had Ndour, Rhodes, and Allen get more minutes--and still won the game. I don't believe there are any walk-ons. Rhodes was coming back from something that held her out of last game. Maybe she had a minutes cap?
I wonder whether having 7 days till their next game influenced the decision to run Bryant as many as 30 minutes. Cook, who missed a couple weeks, may be getting extended (30) minutes in order to get back any fitness level and "game feel" that was lost. Everyone else playing 15-25 minutes seems to me pretty reasonable usage in a blowout leading into a 6 day stretch without a game.
I too don't know the staff's thinking, and didn't watch post-game interviews to find out details... I similarly wish to avoid the let down of last year's physical wear-down issues... but I am a fan that is not worried by the minutes distribution in yesterday's game.
uofi7477
- Silver & Gold Vandals
Well reasoned response - thank you. I am a very unknowledgeable fan, and I thought after a lackluster 2nd Quarter and a heated halftime "talk" from Coach Green, it was time for the starters to show their stuff in the second half. I also believe it was to get more time for the players that will be getting most of the minutes to gel with the newcomers. I noticed in at least one of the ridiculous blowouts (St. Peters?), the starters were taken out early in the 3rd Quarter. Now that the tougher games are coming, this isn't going to happen. I also believe Hobby, Dolan and Bollin will make a difference at the end of the season. And the team is in better condition than last year after this summer's work. We will see...
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
Coach Green in her post game presser distinctly mentioned Dolan playing with starters because they need her offensive skills and Dolan needed to play with the starters to get her game to gel with said starters.......It leads me to view Dolan as going to get important tick in the B$G conference stretch of the season......
Dolan has a sweet stroke and now is getting confidence in her ability to drive to the basket........I fully believe Dolan is going to be a star down the road for the Illini and gain numerous awards for her playing skills and performance.....I really really do.......
Dolan has a sweet stroke and now is getting confidence in her ability to drive to the basket........I fully believe Dolan is going to be a star down the road for the Illini and gain numerous awards for her playing skills and performance.....I really really do.......
uofi7477
- Silver & Gold Vandals
I totally agree on Gretchen Dolan. The first time I really took note of her, she dribbled behind her back in traffic in or near the paint. The Illini team's future is even brighter with her.
GrayGhost77
- Centennial, CO
Highly underrated recruit. I think because she came from a relatively smaller high school in upstate New York. Not a basketball hotbed, but she completely dominated there and put up some eye-popping scoring stats. Players from smaller schools don't always translate at the higher levels, but sometimes they do as we all know. I mean, she WAS New York Ms. Basketball last year for a reason.
I know its early but I was really excited about the Bollin transfer.
She showed great size and shooting in HS.
She has not regained her shooting touch and does not use her size that much. I am hoping that its just rust from not playing for 2 years. We really need a more bigs to go with Bostic and Hobby.
She showed great size and shooting in HS.
She has not regained her shooting touch and does not use her size that much. I am hoping that its just rust from not playing for 2 years. We really need a more bigs to go with Bostic and Hobby.
uofi7477
- Silver & Gold Vandals
Yes, you can see Bollin's shooting touch is just around the corner. She is going to be a fine player for the Illini.
Frankly, 15 scholarships can be problematic. If all are healthy, they are not all going to get to play. When injuries hit then the end of the bench becomes more important. Our team has had some nagging injuries this year and haven't really had the opportunity to practice, or play, with a full roster. Green is trying to get reps playing together for those who are likely going to be playing during conference games. Brad has gone 11 players deep thus far vs. a very easy schedule. Shauna has played 12 girls with comparable minutes.
Love the chatter on this board. Living in the present but if we are excited about the youngsters/transfers this year wait until Berry Wallace gets on campus next season. Shauna Green recruited her older sister while at Dayton but ended up choosing Penn State. During that process, Shauna Green built a relationship with the family and has known Berry and her family for years. Sometimes losing out on one thing opens a door to another.
Talking about sister connections. Lauren Betts was the #1 recruit in the 2022 class. Played at Stanford last season and transferred to UCLA this season. She is 6'7 and saw that her 6'4 sister Sienna Betts(ranked #3) is committed to UCLA in the 2025 class. Dad was 7-1 and played bball at Long Beach St, mom won a National Championship playing volleyball at Long Beach St.
Talking about sister connections. Lauren Betts was the #1 recruit in the 2022 class. Played at Stanford last season and transferred to UCLA this season. She is 6'7 and saw that her 6'4 sister Sienna Betts(ranked #3) is committed to UCLA in the 2025 class. Dad was 7-1 and played bball at Long Beach St, mom won a National Championship playing volleyball at Long Beach St.
I agree.....no doubt
Big thing is balancing the roster/scholarships still with the Covid year. Same starting 5 from last season is back this season and could even be back next season. Not saying it would stay that way but the extra year gives us more options than usually available. Said it before the season but we have 2-3 players on the bench who could start at a bunch of schools and that doesn't include the recruits or Bollin. Peebles-Hobby-Rhodes are legit players.
illini80
- Forgottonia
Anyone know what happened to @Baskins Tiger ? Maybe too close to the program to post anymore?? While several of you have a lot of knowledge that I certainly appreciate, I miss the insight he/she shared here.
We are friends with the staff still but there was subtraction through addition in our relationship. So, I do apologize I am now just a fan.
illini80
- Forgottonia
Gotcha. Glad you’re still around regardless!
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