I-N-I!!!Big time get! I-L-L
After the huge commit from Destiny Jackson #15 or #24, (depends on ranking service) let us hope that some of the others we are recruiting decide in our favor, SOON. I gathered from the info on here and put it all in one post in case you miss those we are rumored to be interested in.
Divine Bourrage #3 or #5 depending on rating service, G, 5-10 Davenport Iowa we are in her final 5
Kaelyn Carrol, W 6-2, #29, Tabor Academy (MA)
Brynleigh Martin G 6-0, #61, Springboro H.S (OH)
Layla Hays, P, 6-4, #63 Wasilla H.S. (AK)
Naomi Benson W, 6-2, #99 Streetsboro H.S. (OH)
I did research the top rated players Aaliyah Chaves PG 5-11 and we didn't make her top 5, but Okla, LSU, Texas, UCLA and S Carolina did. Sienna Betts #2 rated is going to UCLA, welcome to the Big Ten. Jasmine Davidson G, 6-1 is considering USC, UCLA, Stanford, Duke, South Carolina, LSU, TCU and Texas.
I'll say 10-2 is the record, but that's my pessimistic view...lol.Im bullish on this team
Fighting Illini Release 2024-25 Nonconference Schedule - University of Illinois Athletics
The 2024-25 campaign will kick off with an exhibition against Lewis on Friday, Nov. 1.fightingillini.com
Problem caused by USC and UCLA joining the other 8 teams that finished ahead of usIf the reload has 4 of those 6 then it's an upgraded reset.. and competing for B1G titles.. Some publication picked us 8th this year...They don't understand the experience factor ,let alone a serious lengthy rotation...My mind says we could be third to sixth..
Well I'm looking at the fact that we returned something like 85 percent of our production and of our 8 rotation that did get wins on teams above us.We have added or maybe answered our defenecy of size in the paint.We have upgraded our wing help and back up guard play...I did factor in the 4 editions to the league.Those two you mentioned and Oregon I respect tremendously,but I remember we came out early injured and lacking continuity...I don't see that being the issue for this version of the team...Right now we have the longest winning streak in the conference...lolProblem caused by USC and UCLA joining the other 8 teams that finished ahead of us
USC 29-6 elite 8
UCLA 27-7 sweet 16
View attachment 36204
I think somewhere in-between.This ILL-INI teami can see:
1. I can see us having an inside out game with our returners alone but our addition of 4 6 footers plus and bigger guard as well.
2. I can see we could have 5 out sets with KB and Shoop-Hill being able to play the 5.
3.I can see end of game win preservation with our very good free throw percentages and guard play.
I can see the dribble drive offensive prowess with the attacking guard play and the size to open the paint.
5. I can see a fresher team that makes the tournament because of less leaning on the starters for 30 plus minutes every game.
6. I can see a continuation of aggression defensive team because of additional size. No one needs to pace their actions because of a much deeper roster.
7.I can see a coaching staff that have ONLY showed a winning pedigree this far.
There are many other reasons I see this team flourishing even in our league that has gotten better . Even though we've added great new teams but our growth of the talent on the roster,the losses from teams above us,the huge experience and continuity advantage we have is going to be tremendous.. This could be the reasons for a dark horse status for this Shauna Green team,who happens to be a 5 time conference champion at her previous location...
Am I over the top with enthusiasm or being reasonable??
You are over the top but at least on our sideThis ILL-INI teami can see:
1. I can see us having an inside out game with our returners alone but our addition of 4 6 footers plus and bigger guard as well.
2. I can see we could have 5 out sets with KB and Shoop-Hill being able to play the 5.
3.I can see end of game win preservation with our very good free throw percentages and guard play.
I can see the dribble drive offensive prowess with the attacking guard play and the size to open the paint.
5. I can see a fresher team that makes the tournament because of less leaning on the starters for 30 plus minutes every game.
6. I can see a continuation of aggression defensive team because of additional size. No one needs to pace their actions because of a much deeper roster.
7.I can see a coaching staff that have ONLY showed a winning pedigree this far.
There are many other reasons I see this team flourishing even in our league that has gotten better . Even though we've added great new teams but our growth of the talent on the roster,the losses from teams above us,the huge experience and continuity advantage we have is going to be tremendous.. This could be the reasons for a dark horse status for this Shauna Green team,who happens to be a 5 time conference champion at her previous location...
Am I over the top with enthusiasm or being reasonable??
That is some seriously orange kool-aid. JMO we improve as much as McD AA Berry Wallace takes us.This ILL-INI teami can see:
1. I can see us having an inside out game with our returners alone but our addition of 4 6 footers plus and bigger guard as well.
2. I can see we could have 5 out sets with KB and Shoop-Hill being able to play the 5.
3.I can see end of game win preservation with our very good free throw percentages and guard play.
I can see the dribble drive offensive prowess with the attacking guard play and the size to open the paint.
5. I can see a fresher team that makes the tournament because of less leaning on the starters for 30 plus minutes every game.
6. I can see a continuation of aggression defensive team because of additional size. No one needs to pace their actions because of a much deeper roster.
7.I can see a coaching staff that have ONLY showed a winning pedigree this far.
There are many other reasons I see this team flourishing even in our league that has gotten better . Even though we've added great new teams but our growth of the talent on the roster,the losses from teams above us,the huge experience and continuity advantage we have is going to be tremendous.. This could be the reasons for a dark horse status for this Shauna Green team,who happens to be a 5 time conference champion at her previous location...
Am I over the top with enthusiasm or being reasonable??
So no help from Lety or Hayven Smith? Or how about Jasmin Brown Haggar ? Could Gretchen,Shay, and Cori improve enough to help the cause too?That is some seriously orange kool-aid. JMO we improve as much as McD AA Berry Wallace takes us.
So let's just say we don't start or play newcomer,,,We won 22 games the year before with Shoup-Hill as a starter..We went 11-7 in league play and beat Iowa and played well enough to be a tournament team..The only thing that has happened since then was improvement..... Without two 6ft 6in women or two or 3 top 50 players supporting this team...I do drink Orange Kool aid but I can explain and that my optimism is grounded in reality... There is no other team returning what we have in 5 seniors Gretchen,Shay,Cori, and HS All American Berry Wallace,Top 40 player Brown Haggar,.I'm not dreaming..You are over the top but at least on our side
Address this post and few others you made. Green went back to an easier non-conference schedule after seeing what happened last season. She has mentioned this before after seeing the non-conference slate play out different directions. Non-conference schedule has competitive teams but the toughest ones are right around our level. If we go 10-2 in non-conference play and lose to competitive teams(likely Florida St, Marquette and Kentucky) it doesn't help the resume come tourney time. They are trying to pickup W's and add them up just like in season 1. JMO No problem with that if you win them.
Added depth is nice but the starter minutes actually went up last season for the main core. Cook, Bostic, Bryant and McKenzie are locked in for heavy minutes. There are a ton of minutes available 5-9 spots on the roster. It comes down to stepping up and mainly in conference play. Green will rotate more players in during non-conference play due to ease of schedule and likely during back to back games.
I see potential in those 5-9 spots like you do. The talent level on the roster has gone up but it takes time to develop. Great thing about this season is we have the experience to develop a number of players and give them some time. Next year will look different.
This is the most talented team we have had under Green. We also have to realize that a number of schools bring in top talent each season. USC added a bunch around JuJu, Ohio St added #2 player in the country, number of teams have added 2-4 top 100 prospects for years.
I'm thinking top 3rd of the conference (no worse than 6th) is a worthy and attainable goal this season. I think about 5th is the most likely outcome. Hope they prove me wrong and are even better.HS rankings don't matter if they could not get off the bench at their prior university.
JBH @ Missisippi State 23-12 - MS did not play in post season, finished 7th in SEC
View attachment 36226
Our 5 seniors are much better than what we had under Fraley but were only good enough to finish 8-10 (9th) in B10 and entered post season w 14-15 record. How you go from there to 3rd in B10 ignoring USC elite eight and UCLA sweet 16 joining the B10 is real Orange kool-aide. I hope you are right
So let's just say we don't start or play newcomer,,,We won 22 games the year before with Shoup-Hill as a starter..We went 11-7 in league play and beat Iowa and played well enough to be a tournament team..The only thing that has happened since then was improvement.....
Without two 6ft 6in women or two or 3 top 50 players supporting this team...I do drink Orange Kool aid but I can explain and that my optimism is grounded in reality... There is no other team returning what we have in 5 seniors Gretchen,Shay,Cori, and HS All American Berry Wallace,Top 40 player Brown Haggar,.I'm not dreaming..
After the huge commit from Destiny Jackson #15 or #24, (depends on ranking service) let us hope that some of the others we are recruiting decide in our favor, SOON. I gathered from the info on here and put it all in one post in case you miss those we are rumored to be interested in.
Divine Bourrage #3 or #5 depending on rating service, G, 5-10 Davenport Iowa we are in her final 5
Kaelyn Carrol, W 6-2, #29, Tabor Academy (MA)
Brynleigh Martin G 6-0, #61, Springboro H.S (OH)
Layla Hays, P, 6-4, #63 Wasilla H.S. (AK)
Naomi Benson W, 6-2, #99 Streetsboro H.S. (OH)
Uhh I didn't say this team would win the B1G title or a national championship,even though they did win the first ever national tournament title for ILL-INI women basketball history..lol Because I included the new teams I placed our team somewhere between 3rd and 6th....I said in my opinion the teams ceiling would be Elite 8. Again I'm never thinking anybody in here posting is against me.,It's all online chatter.I wish we had more.With my assessments I don't think I'm overselling our teams capabilities,but I can't undersell either..No, we played the same for two years until the WBIT run. Few games here and there but until the last few weeks we have been around a .500 Big Team team for awhile. First season started 4-1 in conference with impressive win over Iowa, finished Big Ten last 3 months 7-6. Last season in conference 8-10.
Shoup-Hill can play the 5 spot but she plays like a 3 on offense. If she hits the outside shot consistently she is a + off the bench. I would love to see Bostic at 5 and more flexibility with Wallace at the 4 to start the season. Not be surprised if Shoup-Hill starts at the 5, will be disappointed if she ends the season at the 5 spot.
We have brought in some talent since Green got here no doubt. Also need to scout other teams as majority of teams have been doing the same for much longer. Camille Jackson was a top 65 recruit and couldn't sniff the court. Height doesn't mean anything if it's not on the court.
I'm not against you at all. I am fine with you drinking the Orange Kool-Aid. There also needs to be a reality check. This team isn't winning a National Championship or a Conference Championship this upcoming sea. . I never assumed you are against meson. They are making great strides at a pace faster than I expected. This team should be fun to watch and a NCAA Tournament team. JMO Want to see this group win at least a NCAA Tournament game before they leave. I see Sweet 16 as the ceiling if stay healthy and all cylinders kick. More props if I'm proven wrong......