I did think he looked more comfortable on offense last night than he has in awhile, though how much of that is because of the big lead is hard to tell. On defense, he did a few good things, but he really does seem to lack instincts with off-the-ball D. One time last night he had no idea where the player with the ball was. Didn't impact the play as he was on his player, but it looked very strange.
Illinois 91, Rutgers 60 POSTGAME
I did think he looked more comfortable on offense last night than he has in awhile, though how much of that is because of the big lead is hard to tell. On defense, he did a few good things, but he really does seem to lack instincts with off-the-ball D. One time last night he had no idea where the player with the ball was. Didn't impact the play as he was on his player, but it looked very strange.
IlliniDent
- Chicago, IL
O absolutely agree. He clearly needs to keep working on his defense and I think a large part of that is his lateral quickness and just understanding the college game and the system as a whole. He clearly hung his head after he got burned on that crossover and I think that's why it was so important for him to go out there, play simple basketball and get an extended run even with the game not on the line. He is incredibly low on confidence it seems right now and is just not used to getting beat/not being able to beat his opposition. If he lives in the gym between this year and next and constantly practices against Ayo and Frazier, he will significantly improve over the off season.
Does Alstorks shot spin less than anyone else's on the team? Just seems like he gets zero rotation on it.
There was no doubt Deron made an impact on the team and the crowd, kudos to him; and here's hoping more of the previous players drop by on a regular basis.
skyIdub
Winged Warrior
There should be an auto reply for all of the Mark Smith hand wringing posts.
The kid was focused almost exclusively on baseball a little more than 18 months ago. He is a year and a half into total commitment to basketball.
A year and a half.
I think his junior year will be a quantum leap.
The kid was focused almost exclusively on baseball a little more than 18 months ago. He is a year and a half into total commitment to basketball.
A year and a half.
I think his junior year will be a quantum leap.
One positive in all the Mark Smith consternation is that he is being an opportunity to play some significant minutes and develop. On some previous teams he might have been riding the pine most of his freshman year. I am not particularly concerned. I expect him to be a significant contributor when all is said and done.
Not to mention sheer motivation. He's got to be frustrated to some degree...in spite of recently committing to basketball, being a freshman, etc. This kid was Mr. Basketball in Illinois and courted by all of the big-dogs. I don't care who you are it impacts you and you can't help but believe the hype to some extent.
And then this season has kind of exposed him. Yes, you're athletic, big, strong, tough, naturally talented, etc. but it's about MORE than that. My hope is that this "setback" provides the motivation that DRIVES this kid to maximize all of his talents, improve his IQ, defense, etc.
TF is unbelievable...quick, fearless, will be an epic Illini and terrific college player but the NBA??? I don't know. Smith could put in the work and be a D-Will type player in the NBA if he wants it.
I'm hopeful for Mark Smith's potential as much as anyone, but from what I can find on the internet, his baseball career had been derailed pretty much his entire last 2 years of high school. He verballed to Mizzou as junior before he had even played in a varsity baseball game. Now, according to Perfect Game's website, he was throwing 87-91...and if an SEC school offers any kid, I don't begrudge them from committing, I'd do the same.
I have hopes the Smith will be a great player for Illinois, but I simply bring this up because I think it's disingenuous to keep acting like basketball was a secondary sport. He's said "My favorite sport was whatever season it was."
I was being facetious. :thumb:I agree he will be fine I don't understand what people expect when you consider his offense and the forced position change . He doesn't really get enough touches to do anything significant with .
Nice!!
Kenpom cares a lot about margin of victory. Thus the big jump.
Point being he didn't play basketball all summer, he played baseball. He's well behind the rest of our players who solely concentrated on hoops. He's going to make major strides in the next 1 to 1 1/2 years and be a real force for us.
Peoria Illini
- Peoria, IL
He needs real help on the defensive side. Offseason needs to be about helping him work on defensive fundamentals and footwork and quickness. It's painful to watch him try to track his man and the ball. My neck hurts just watching him.
ChazzReinhold
Mom! The Meatloaf!
Wasn't he on campus last summer?
I think he means 2016 summer.
I meant the summer before his senior year. Basketball has been his focus for a while. He will be a good college player, I just dont think it will be at Illinois. He appears unhappy.
There was no doubt Deron made an impact on the team and the crowd, kudos to him; and here's hoping more of the previous players drop by on a regular basis.
Kenny Battle was there last night. I see Dave Downey there on a regular basis. I used to see Bill Small there a lot but not of late. I wonder if his health is ok.
Yeah, after finally deciding to concentrate on hoops. Before that, he was on the diamond in the summer, I believe.
He wants to take the up fake all the time because he's trying to block the shot. Stay in front of your guy and don't try to block shots. I totally agree, D has to be his biggest area to work on.
Thing that worries me the most about Smith is his defense. I can buy the 'playing out of position on offense" is what has lead to his poor offensive showing in the big 10. But my gosh, who taught this kid how to play man to man defense? It's horrible. I've never seen anyone at this level play it the way he does. It's like he's either a step or two to far into the passing lane so he has to turn his head 90 degrees to keep his eye on the ball OR his man. OR he just has peripheral vision problems and has to turn his head to see both but can't see them both at the same time using his peripheral vision.
Smith will be okay, he will never be what we thought he was "sold" to us as. He won the award, the hype preceded him, and now it has caught up to him. Best case scenario for a career imo at Illinois is he becomes a "heady" Lucas Johnson type of player. Intangibles, better defense, occasional lift with offense, overall pest to play against, good to have though.
Not a knock on the kid, I think he was legit in thinking the whole Mr. B-Ball would help him here and his talent would shine through. He seems very shell shocked and nervous and almost boarder line pouting on most plays anymore. If I had ran roughshod through players in HS, and this happened to me, probably the same in game reactions as well.
Anyway, practice, move, defend, be a glue guy...he will never be the Mr. B-Ball talent he once was on this level or this team. Just one fans opinion, would be glad to be wrong though in this case.
Not a knock on the kid, I think he was legit in thinking the whole Mr. B-Ball would help him here and his talent would shine through. He seems very shell shocked and nervous and almost boarder line pouting on most plays anymore. If I had ran roughshod through players in HS, and this happened to me, probably the same in game reactions as well.
Anyway, practice, move, defend, be a glue guy...he will never be the Mr. B-Ball talent he once was on this level or this team. Just one fans opinion, would be glad to be wrong though in this case.