It’s an exhibition game, but one thing that looked night and day vs. last year is how quickly the ball moved around the perimeter. Pretty much everyone got the ball and was immediately looking to pass or drive. Moretti in particular gets the ball out of his hands in a split second. Ty was good at that too. Felt like a breath of fresh air compared to the “structured randomness” we were experimenting with this time last year. Time will tell if the offense is sound, but the ball moved well last night.
Illinois 116, Ottawa 65 (Exhibition) Postgame
- Status
The team performance was excellent. Lot of little mistakes, but whoa, a lot of signs this team can move and create. I know this wasn't a high major, but the movement to get a good early shot was definitely there --best I can recall seeing from an Underwood team. Didn't feel like there was any of the hero ball from last season --guys actually taking good shots. They'll win a lot with that kind of play.
Not to rain on the parade, but I didn't see anything that made me think the PG concerns are unwarranted. I see a team that will PG by committee, and possibly lean on DGL at times. Freshman PGs make mistakes, but he projects to be a starting level PG with enough experience.
I noticed a lot of positives. If I had to summarize it, this team feels competitive. I don't expect these guys to lose many rebounding battles or lose on the defensive side because the effort isn't there. This could be the kind of team that finds its identity and imposes it's will. Long way to go, but I don't have to squint to see it.
A few thoughts:
1. DGL looked bigger than expected but seemed as athletic as the pre-season hype described.
2. Ball movement and 3 pt shooting (shot selection & makes) were encouraging coming off of the dumpster fires that they were last year.
3. Can we please just leave the uniforms with "new" 1LL1NO1S font in the laundry bin?
4. The B1G+ production has improved by leaps-and-bounds over last year and light years beyond the "SCHMACK!" season.
5. I'm looking forward to seeing how well we play against competition that actually makes DGL appear his actual size, which conveniently is 8 days away.
1. DGL looked bigger than expected but seemed as athletic as the pre-season hype described.
2. Ball movement and 3 pt shooting (shot selection & makes) were encouraging coming off of the dumpster fires that they were last year.
3. Can we please just leave the uniforms with "new" 1LL1NO1S font in the laundry bin?
4. The B1G+ production has improved by leaps-and-bounds over last year and light years beyond the "SCHMACK!" season.
5. I'm looking forward to seeing how well we play against competition that actually makes DGL appear his actual size, which conveniently is 8 days away.
sacraig
- The desert
Regarding Ty....you said "He can drive so teams can't back off him as much".
Uh, teams will back off him because he can't shoot, daring him to shoot and taking away his driving lanes. We've seen that in the past with Illini point guards.
My thoughts:
1. Ottawa was WWWWAAAAYYYYY overmatched.
2. Marcus Domask is going to be so solid. He scored 1600 points in the Missouri Valley Conference. You know who else scored 1600 points in the MVC? Ron Baker. I’d take a Ron Baker.
3. Amani Hansberry is going to be one of my favorite players. He’s just a good player.
4. I did not see 1 bad or stupid three last night. We will shoot much better because of that. (Maybe Luke’s quasi fade…. But I don’t think he meant that to be a fade as much as he wasn’t on balance when he went up)
5. Luke Goode being back will be big time.
6. Nico Moretti impressed me but I don’t see him in the rotation yet.
I don’t know how he can pass Sincere.
7. DGL will be good too. I hope he doesn’t leave because of a lack of playing time.
8. Terrence and Coleman are going to have big years.
9. Dain was not good
10. Guerrier and Harmon are VERY GOOD players coming off the bench.
We will be very deep, we should defend well, and I think we will murder people rebounding.
A good big could give us fits.
If we hit 3’s we are 2-3 seed in the NCAA tournament and a LEGIT National Championship contender.
1. Ottawa was WWWWAAAAYYYYY overmatched.
2. Marcus Domask is going to be so solid. He scored 1600 points in the Missouri Valley Conference. You know who else scored 1600 points in the MVC? Ron Baker. I’d take a Ron Baker.
3. Amani Hansberry is going to be one of my favorite players. He’s just a good player.
4. I did not see 1 bad or stupid three last night. We will shoot much better because of that. (Maybe Luke’s quasi fade…. But I don’t think he meant that to be a fade as much as he wasn’t on balance when he went up)
5. Luke Goode being back will be big time.
6. Nico Moretti impressed me but I don’t see him in the rotation yet.
I don’t know how he can pass Sincere.
7. DGL will be good too. I hope he doesn’t leave because of a lack of playing time.
8. Terrence and Coleman are going to have big years.
9. Dain was not good
10. Guerrier and Harmon are VERY GOOD players coming off the bench.
We will be very deep, we should defend well, and I think we will murder people rebounding.
A good big could give us fits.
If we hit 3’s we are 2-3 seed in the NCAA tournament and a LEGIT National Championship contender.
Some of my hits:
-Hansberry is a DOG. Can’t teach that kind of motor, gonna be a fan favorite immediately.
-Moretti getting a butt load of tick. Looked OK.
-FTs sure look to be an issue.
-Passing is on another level compared to last year.
-TSJ is a pro. I know competition level was way below what we’ll normally see but he was by far the best player on the court and it was not remotely close. Hes gonna make a lot of money in the NBA.
There was some sloppiness but for a first(ish) game , a lot of negative stuff you typically see wasn’t there.
-Hansberry is a DOG. Can’t teach that kind of motor, gonna be a fan favorite immediately.
-Moretti getting a butt load of tick. Looked OK.
-FTs sure look to be an issue.
-Passing is on another level compared to last year.
-TSJ is a pro. I know competition level was way below what we’ll normally see but he was by far the best player on the court and it was not remotely close. Hes gonna make a lot of money in the NBA.
There was some sloppiness but for a first(ish) game , a lot of negative stuff you typically see wasn’t there.
If I am seeing the box correctly, DGL, TSJ, MD, JH, LG, QG, TR, CH, AND DD combined were perfect on 2 point shots, 22 for 22.
I can't imagine that happening. He will get a ton of PT, with upside. This team is about a good a fit as you could ask for --tons of weapons to pass to, and a big fat question mark at the position to earn more starting time.
That said, I think he will make freshman mistakes, and have to work through it. He's a baller though.
What is Mr.MULLETT doing these days? Anyone know?
MDchicago
- Lake Norman NC
The Good:
Transfers: Domask is a real jack of all trades and a great addition, and thought Harmon quietly was efficient and productive. Quincy played about as I expected; see him as a depth piece/significant part of the bench rotation.
Flexibility: BU has plenty of options to tinker with. Liked Domask and Goode playing together, though opponents with dominant bigs inside will likely call for a different minute distribution mix.
Quality depth: our second five probably could be a competitive middle of the pack B10 team (the option of bringing DD, Amani and Quincy off the bench in the front court is quite the luxury). (On the flip side, wish there was more separation between the first five and the next five, enough to make us us a B10 title favorite and Final 4 contender).
Quality freshmen: Amani will be a significant contributor this year and DGL is a bucket getter with a lot of upside potential.
Needs Improvement:
Better shot selection on the 3 balls, especially in the second half.
Perimeter defense needs to tighten up; giving up 10 3s to Ottawa is a bit concerning. Liked TJ's post-game comments on wanting to hold them under 60 (though 50 is the number I would have chosen for Ottawa).
Channeling Ayo's mom, make your damn free throws!
Looking forward to how we fare against Kansas.
Transfers: Domask is a real jack of all trades and a great addition, and thought Harmon quietly was efficient and productive. Quincy played about as I expected; see him as a depth piece/significant part of the bench rotation.
Flexibility: BU has plenty of options to tinker with. Liked Domask and Goode playing together, though opponents with dominant bigs inside will likely call for a different minute distribution mix.
Quality depth: our second five probably could be a competitive middle of the pack B10 team (the option of bringing DD, Amani and Quincy off the bench in the front court is quite the luxury). (On the flip side, wish there was more separation between the first five and the next five, enough to make us us a B10 title favorite and Final 4 contender).
Quality freshmen: Amani will be a significant contributor this year and DGL is a bucket getter with a lot of upside potential.
Needs Improvement:
Better shot selection on the 3 balls, especially in the second half.
Perimeter defense needs to tighten up; giving up 10 3s to Ottawa is a bit concerning. Liked TJ's post-game comments on wanting to hold them under 60 (though 50 is the number I would have chosen for Ottawa).
Channeling Ayo's mom, make your damn free throws!
Looking forward to how we fare against Kansas.
Yeah, my wording was a little awkward. I want him to get playing time, and I think he will. My concern is whether or not HE thinks he getting ENOUGH playing time.
I have always FIRMLY been in the Ty will be solid to good at PG camp. Those were his best chance at significant minutes. He’ll play, will it be enough?
RabidDawgClassic
- Los Angeles, CA
Just wondering why you say Dain wasn’t good. He was 4-4 from the field, all good shots, played under control, didn’t force anything and made quick, clean passes out of the post when his teammates were open elsewhere. And he never made it to the line for use to judge any free throw improvements.
If last years group was good enough to beat 2 top 10 teams, hover in the 5-7 seed range all year (until the last 2ish weeks)... This team should compete for a top 3 seed... Night & day from last year with passing and intensity alone. Not to mention the experience & upgrade in talent. Think we beat KU next week.
He was on the Houston Rockets’ Summer League and Preseason team but they cut him a few days ago after making a trade. He’ll probably play for their G League affiliate this season.
Fair. It could be an expectation thing, especially against Ottawa. For some reason the double spin move attempt is seared into my brain.
I wanted more. Probably a me problem and not a Dain problem.
pruman91
- interviewing new NL's daily....I really really am
yep....................31-36 full team totals
Tacomallini
- Washington State
c'est incroyableWerner just pointed out that Quincy, a experienced and quality transfer, was our 8th man tonight. We’re stacked with a deeeeep bench …
I think Ty will be ok against weaker to average teams but when we play the better and top teams he will struggle. We saw that last year and I know it's early but I haven't seen anything yet to convince me it will be any different this year. Ty is a great player but that is simply not his natural position. Hope I am wrong but it looks like we are going to need DGL and others to develop as the year goes on to get us the point gaurd play we are going to need to compete for the big10 title.
MDchicago
- Lake Norman NC
Recognize it was a blowout vs. a NAIA team, but the second half, when 61% (25 of 41) of our FGA were from 3 and we were making only 28% of them (7 of 25), seems like a missed opportunity for BU to throw down a gauntlet about disciplined shot selection with pine time consequences.
He has said he would like to have less than a third of our shot attempts be from 3 (down around 10 percentage points from the ~41% we attempted last year), and we did almost twice that in the second half. Play like you should/want to even when you're winning big.
Made 86+% of 2 point shots 33% of 3 point shots. Shot 36 two pointers and 42 three pointers. Just sayin', not over reacting (yet)
He did fumble at least three passes that he should have held and scored. Didn’t get to’s so maybe bad tv angle but looked like he should have controlled.
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