Illini Women's Basketball 2023-2024

Status
Not open for further replies.
#551      

Capt.Illini1975

C
Capt.Illini1975
So it was great to have that exciting win in front of a 5,000+ crowd. Orange Krush was awesome. I thought the offensive rebound and three point play by Dolan was huge in letting have a shot to pull it out. Just happy for regular season to close on a victory.
See y’al soon in the Twin Towns?
🧡🏀💙
 
#552      

pruman91

pruman91
Paducah, Ky
pruman91
The Galloping Ghost said:
Nope, free throws. With :25 left, we failed to get the rebound after a three and KB got called for a foul where she made zero contact on Hake who was in the process of missing the put-back. Because of that call, Nebraska had a chance to take the lead from the line, but missed both free throws because the basketball knew it was a bs call (as the great prophet Rasheed Wallace once said, "ball don't lie"). Then they called out of bounds on KB, which was also debatable. After that, yeah, Nebby missed two threes to win on the final possession, but I was, and am still, annoyed they called a foul when there was a foot of daylight between Kendall and Hake. If the refs get that call right, none of the final :25 seconds happens and instead we are grabbing a rebound (which KB was in position to do on the Hake missed put-back), getting fouled, and extending our lead from the line.
Click to expand...
Ok....misread your post.
...my bad
...
 
#555      

Jimmy Naysmith

Jimmy Naysmith
Jimmy Naysmith
Coach Shauna Green presented flowers to the Nebraska senior players prior to the playing of the National Anthem. I thought that was a very cool gesture and makes our program look good.

Nebraska's coach Amy Williams was screaming "box out" just as Makira Cook was releasing her free throws with 35.1 seconds left in the game. I thought that was a very poor gesture and makes Coach Williams look bad. When she did it on the first one (which Makira missed), I was thinking 'why is she yelling box out on the first of a two-shot visit to the line'. When she did it on the 2nd shot just as Makira was starting her attempt (which Makira made), it was very obvious that Coach Williams had ulterior motives. And I was not the only one that heard her screaming this either. Not cool.
 
#556      

Champaign Toast

C
Fan since Kiwane Garris
Champaign Toast
Proud to be a fan of Illini women's bball after today's gritty win against a tournament team.

Back in November, I was expecting a better regular season. By the second week in January, when we were 0-4 in the conference and 6-8 overall, I had drastically downgraded these expectations. For the team to fight so hard to the end of the season--getting to 8 conference wins and a .500 record--proved a great deal of mental strength and is very respectable.

We proved ourselves a solid middle of the pack team that can give a game to even the best in a very tough conference (Ohio State, Indiana). It's not completely implausible that the team could win the conference tournament to earn a tourney bid.

***
I hate to be pessimistic about players' potential, but to be at the top of the conference next year might require some on the current roster to move on. Others here have suggested as much. Hoping to have back Bostic (already said she will), Cook, and Bryant; and looking at Ndour, Jackson, and Dewey--players whom we didn't see much this year--whose departures would open up spots for transfers to include at least one plug-and-play high level center to replace Hobby.

I can be happy with a backcourt depth chart that includes: Cook, Bryant, Rhodes, Dolan, Allen, McKenzie, Wallace. Curious whether we'll find more lineups in 2024-5 that have only one of Cook or Bryant on the court at a time in order to have a bit more size on the floor. A second-year Dolan and a McD's All American, Wallace, might help to afford us such an opportunity.

A frontcourt depth chart highlighted by Bostic, Bollin, and Schoup-Hill is lacking. First-year Hayven Smith may need development time. Give me a starting-caliber center and another strong rotation big, please.

Wonder if any of Rhodes, Allen, or Schoup-Hill are considering entering the transfer portal, and what Cook and Bryant (seniors with another year of eligibility) plan to do...

Anyway, on to Minneapolis for the conference tournament. Clear goals: beat Maryland for the first time, and then hold a lead against Ohio State and knock them off!
 
Last edited:
#557      

GatorMcKlusky

G
GatorMcKlusky
Champaign Toast said:
Proud to be a fan of Illini women's bball after today's gritty win against a tournament team.

Back in November, I was expecting a better regular season. By the second week in January, when we were 0-4 in the conference and 6-8 overall, I had drastically downgraded these expectations. For the team to fight so hard to the end of the season--getting to 8 conference wins and a .500 record--proved a great deal of mental strength and is very respectable.

We proved ourselves a solid middle of the pack team that can give a game to even the best in a very tough conference (Ohio State, Indiana). It's not completely implausible that the team could win the conference tournament to earn a tourney bid.

***
I hate to be pessimistic about players' potential, but to be at the top of the conference next year might require some on the current roster to move on. Others here have suggested as much. Hoping to have back Bostic (already said she will), Cook, and Bryant; and looking at Ndour, Jackson, and Dewey--players whom we didn't see much this year--whose departures would open up spots for transfers to include at least one plug-and-play high level center to replace Hobby.

I can be happy with a backcourt depth chart that includes: Cook, Bryant, Rhodes, Dolan, Allen, McKenzie, Wallace. Curious whether we'll find more lineups in 2024-5 that have only one of Cook or Bryant on the court at a time in order to have a bit more size on the floor. A second-year Dolan and a McD's All American, Wallace, might help to afford us such an opportunity.

A frontcourt depth chart highlighted by Bostic, Bollin, and Schoup-Hill is lacking. First-year Hayven Smith may need development time. Give me a starting-caliber center and another strong rotation big, please.

Wonder if any of Rhodes, Allen, or Schoup-Hill are considering entering the transfer portal, and what Cook and Bryant (seniors with another year of eligibility) plan to do...

Anyway, on to Minneapolis for the conference tournament. Clear goals: beat Maryland for the first time, and then hold a lead against Ohio State and knock them off!
Click to expand...
If we're gonna make noise in the Big Ten Tournament, Bollin, Shoup-Hill, and a couple of others have to play at least 10 minutes a game.
 
#558      

ChiIllini75

C
ChiIllini75
Jimmy Naysmith said:
Coach Shauna Green presented flowers to the Nebraska senior players prior to the playing of the National Anthem. I thought that was a very cool gesture and makes our program look good.

Nebraska's coach Amy Williams was screaming "box out" just as Makira Cook was releasing her free throws with 35.1 seconds left in the game. I thought that was a very poor gesture and makes Coach Williams look bad. When she did it on the first one (which Makira missed), I was thinking 'why is she yelling box out on the first of a two-shot visit to the line'. When she did it on the 2nd shot just as Makira was starting her attempt (which Makira made), it was very obvious that Coach Williams had ulterior motives. And I was not the only one that heard her screaming this either. Not cool.
Click to expand...
Not knowing what it was, Coach Williams yelling was very audible on TV. I was wondering what that was. While certainly not against any rule, it does come across as a little weak.
 
#559      

Boskydell

B
Boskydell
GatorMcKlusky said:
If we're gonna make noise in the Big Ten Tournament, Bollin, Shoup-Hill, and a couple of others have to play at least 10 minutes a game.
Click to expand...
Shoup-Hill seems to be out of the rotation. Bollin,on the other hand, looks like she's finally gotten untracked; very encouraging.
 
#561      

uofi7477

uofi7477
Silver & Gold Vandals
uofi7477
mail-1.jpeg
 
#563      

ptgrd23

ptgrd23
ptgrd23
Got good contribution from Shay Bollin and Gretchen Dolan. Most minutes Shay has played in B10 season. She worked hard inside using her height as opposed to just waiting for 3 point opportunities. At 6'3" she could really help. Gretchen 5'10" had 4 rebounds in 22 minutes. It would really help if both rebounded more.

We have 6 seniors on roster - Hobby cannot comeback. Shauna is going to have some big decisions on the other 5 (assuming they want to return). Cook, Bostic, Bryant - yes if they want return. Peebles Ndour - probably not.


1709578936950.png
 
#564      

derrick6

D
Illini Dawg
Seattle
derrick6
ptgrd23 said:
Got good contribution from Shay Bollin and Gretchen Dolan. Most minutes Shay has played in B10 season. She worked hard inside using her height as opposed to just waiting for 3 point opportunities. At 6'3" she could really help. Gretchen 5'10" had 4 rebounds in 22 minutes. It would really help if both rebounded more.

We have 6 seniors on roster - Hobby cannot comeback. Shauna is going to have some big decisions on the other 5 (assuming they want to return). Cook, Bostic, Bryant - yes if they want return. Peebles Ndour - probably not.


View attachment 31777
Click to expand...
Curious why not Peebles? Her size and shooting could have been beneficial? Is it her defense?
 
#565      

Luwdoo

L
Luwdoo
ptgrd23 said:
Got good contribution from Shay Bollin and Gretchen Dolan. Most minutes Shay has played in B10 season. She worked hard inside using her height as opposed to just waiting for 3 point opportunities. At 6'3" she could really help. Gretchen 5'10" had 4 rebounds in 22 minutes. It would really help if both rebounded more.

We have 6 seniors on roster - Hobby cannot comeback. Shauna is going to have some big decisions on the other 5 (assuming they want to return). Cook, Bostic, Bryant - yes if they want return. Peebles Ndour - probably not.


View attachment 31777
Click to expand...
Bostic says she is returning. Pebbles can’t.
 
#567      

ptgrd23

ptgrd23
ptgrd23
1709583500541.png

Good looking 3 point shot. Shay needs to shoot more.

Shay shot 34.5% from 3 this year. Bryant led team with 5.5 3 pt attempt per game shot 35%. Cook took 4.4 per game shot 31.5%. Team took 17 3 pt attempts per game shot 32%.

By contrast Indiana shot 40% on 21 3pt attempts per game. Ohio State shot 35.5% 22 3pt attempts per game. Iowa excluding Clark shot 37% 15 3pt attempts per game.

We need to improve our 3 point shooting next year. Bollin could be the answer if we pass the ball more to hunt the open 3 point shot as opposed to just having our guards take turns driving to the hoop off the high post screen.
 
Last edited:
#568      

Luwdoo

L
Luwdoo
BRucks said:
Bryant and Cook will also likely return. I hope that Allen comes back, too. She has the body to absorb (and administer) contact on drives to the hoop.
Click to expand...
I agree with you on Allen. I thought she looked good whenever she played. Not sure why her minutes were so sparse.
 
#572      

ptgrd23

ptgrd23
ptgrd23
I think we saw that B10 middle is ceiling of Cook/Bryant/Bostic core. Cook and Bryant are too small and Bostic is not that athletic or have great post moves. It is a shame Bostic could not spend summer working with whomever taught Marcus his post moves.

Illini need bigger more athletic players. 5'10" Dolan is good start. If 6'1" Wallace (5 star) can be a starter from day one that would be a big step.

McDonalds All American

The McDonald's All-American is averaging 17.1 points, 9.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists for Pickerington Central this season. The 6-foot-1 wing player has made 59 percent of her field goals, 42 percent of her 3-point shots and 89 percent of her free throws to lead Central to a 19-3 overall record against a very competitive schedule.

highschool.si.com

Pickerington Central's Berry Wallace enjoying a successful senior season, hopes to add state title

The McDonald's All-American is averaging 17.1 points, 9.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists for Pickerington Central this season
highschool.si.com highschool.si.com

More videos

Berry Wallace on Hudl

Watch Berry Wallace's videos and highlights on Hudl. More info: Pickerington Central High School - Girls' Varsity Basketball / SF / Class of 2024 / Pickerington, OH
www.hudl.com www.hudl.com
 
Last edited:
#574      

WyattEarp

WyattEarp
WyattEarp
ptgrd23 said:
I think we saw that B10 middle is ceiling of Cook/Bryant/Bostic core. Cook and Bryant are too small and Bostic is not that athletic or have great post moves. It is a shame Bostic could not spend summer working with whomever taught Marcus his post moves.

Illini need bigger more athletic players. 5'10" Dolan is good start. If 6'1" Wallace (5 star) can be a starter from day one that would be a big step.

McDonalds All American

The McDonald's All-American is averaging 17.1 points, 9.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists for Pickerington Central this season. The 6-foot-1 wing player has made 59 percent of her field goals, 42 percent of her 3-point shots and 89 percent of her free throws to lead Central to a 19-3 overall record against a very competitive schedule.

highschool.si.com

Pickerington Central's Berry Wallace enjoying a successful senior season, hopes to add state title

The McDonald's All-American is averaging 17.1 points, 9.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists for Pickerington Central this season
highschool.si.com highschool.si.com

More videos

Berry Wallace on Hudl

Watch Berry Wallace's videos and highlights on Hudl. More info: Pickerington Central High School - Girls' Varsity Basketball / SF / Class of 2024 / Pickerington, OH
www.hudl.com www.hudl.com
Click to expand...
I agree with 90 percent of this. Super stoked to be getting a MickeeDees kid! The only thing I don’t agree with 100 % is the comment about Bostic’s post moves. I think she gets a lot done for her size, actually.

I’ll give you that she’s undersized and not that athletic. I dunno what kind of moves you’re looking for. But I know I’ve seen
at least a: an up and under, a drop step, and a little semi-hook from her. I mean she’s not Kevin McHale. I mean, no skyhook or fadeaway. But I’ve been impressed for the most part. IMVHO playing in the post is 80 % footwork…you know: opening up big, squaring pinning/getting ‘em on your hip…as good as she is at getting position & rebounding on bigger players tells me she has at least that kind of footwork.

Off topic but she is one of those players that has a real nose for the ball as well. She releases & anticipates well. She often seems to innately know where the ball is coming the board.
 
#575      

BRucks

BRucks
BRucks
GILL-INOIS said:
Anxious to see how our Miss Minnesota Award Winner plays tomorrow. She tends to have some good games in Minnesota ;)




On different note-Pretty impressive Kendall Bostic has been a 3x Sportsmanship Award Honoree
Click to expand...
I think Adalia is our X factor. We won't advance unless she brings her 'A' game. She needs to get us 6 or 8 rebounds.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.