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Illinois 92, Illinois State 65 (Exhibition) Postgame
- Status
Im excited!!!!
11 deep. Lee/Davis #9/10 (for now anyway).
After watching the highlights, I feel like this would be the most complete Illini team in years if they could just add a few things:
- A high scoring wing
- Another copy of Big Z
- Another PG to handle the ball and distribute
- One tough body off the bench to bring energy, defense and rebounds
If they could find those things over the next few months, watch out.
- A high scoring wing
- Another copy of Big Z
- Another PG to handle the ball and distribute
- One tough body off the bench to bring energy, defense and rebounds
If they could find those things over the next few months, watch out.
Really impressed with the performance. Most impressed with defense in the first half. Gave them a lot of different looks and made them really uncomfortablez. 9 TOs I think and if not for hitting some really tough shots would have held them under 20. I could be wrong and someone who knows ball better than me please correct me but I felt we kept it more vanilla in the second half, mostly straight drop coverage, plus ISU executed better I think. They’re a good team.
On offense, was expecting a lot more clunkiness than we saw which was encouraging. Ran some good sets and attacked matchups. Could have executed or shot better but pretty dang good for an exhibition with a bunch of new faces and missing 3 of our top 6.
Now onto my thoughts on individuals.
Mirk- clearly the star of the game. My biggest takeaway is his ball handling is going to give us another dimension in 2 ways: 1. His ability to start/lead the break will let us play really fast and 2. His ability to run PG (!!!) including his ability to break his man down off the dribble (which T clearly cannot) is going to be an absolute matchup nightmare. Biggest complaint is I think he started to feel himself a bit and forced a few things. Would like him to play more in the flow of the offense and playmake for others a little more when he’s handling the ball.
Keaton- I know some think he underwhelmed but I was actually impressed with how within himself he played. Clearly hasn’t bought his own hype just yet. A couple of forced shots early but overall just played really solid and picked his spots. I will take it. Biggest concern to me is he seemed to struggle getting by his guy (was expecting a little more Will-like craftiness) and will be curious how he does with P4 physicality but I thought a very solid debut.
Z - about what I expected. You can see why he has scouts attention with his shooting and shot blocking, but too many brain farts. If he can’t clean those up will likely limit him to a 15mpg type of role which is fine, all we need from him if everyone is healthy. Huge upside though if he figures it out.
Lee - loved how he guarded his *** off and let the game come to him. Got cooking late. Definitely understand the Feliz comps. Think he will have a DGL like role this year including 1 or 2 games where he erupts for 15 plus and saves our bacon.
Ben- would have liked to have seen more aggressiveness but showed improved physicality and rebounding.
Kylan - seemed to pick up where he left off last year. Fouled too much.
Jake - solid, just knows how to play and is in the right place at the right time. Could be a valuable piece if he shoots closer to 40% from 3.
Jackstys/Blake - good end of bench guys.
Worried the injuries have us behind where we should be but overall very excited for the season!
On offense, was expecting a lot more clunkiness than we saw which was encouraging. Ran some good sets and attacked matchups. Could have executed or shot better but pretty dang good for an exhibition with a bunch of new faces and missing 3 of our top 6.
Now onto my thoughts on individuals.
Mirk- clearly the star of the game. My biggest takeaway is his ball handling is going to give us another dimension in 2 ways: 1. His ability to start/lead the break will let us play really fast and 2. His ability to run PG (!!!) including his ability to break his man down off the dribble (which T clearly cannot) is going to be an absolute matchup nightmare. Biggest complaint is I think he started to feel himself a bit and forced a few things. Would like him to play more in the flow of the offense and playmake for others a little more when he’s handling the ball.
Keaton- I know some think he underwhelmed but I was actually impressed with how within himself he played. Clearly hasn’t bought his own hype just yet. A couple of forced shots early but overall just played really solid and picked his spots. I will take it. Biggest concern to me is he seemed to struggle getting by his guy (was expecting a little more Will-like craftiness) and will be curious how he does with P4 physicality but I thought a very solid debut.
Z - about what I expected. You can see why he has scouts attention with his shooting and shot blocking, but too many brain farts. If he can’t clean those up will likely limit him to a 15mpg type of role which is fine, all we need from him if everyone is healthy. Huge upside though if he figures it out.
Lee - loved how he guarded his *** off and let the game come to him. Got cooking late. Definitely understand the Feliz comps. Think he will have a DGL like role this year including 1 or 2 games where he erupts for 15 plus and saves our bacon.
Ben- would have liked to have seen more aggressiveness but showed improved physicality and rebounding.
Kylan - seemed to pick up where he left off last year. Fouled too much.
Jake - solid, just knows how to play and is in the right place at the right time. Could be a valuable piece if he shoots closer to 40% from 3.
Jackstys/Blake - good end of bench guys.
Worried the injuries have us behind where we should be but overall very excited for the season!
#4=Mirkovic.
High IQ player here! It will be much harder for him to do this at high level comp but extremely good sign!
## Player GS MIN FG 3PT FT ORB-DRB REB PF A TO BLK STL PTS
00 Mirkovic, David * 30 6-12 2-6 5-10 2-12 14 0 6 1 0 1 19
## Player GS MIN FG 3PT FT ORB-DRB REB PF A TO BLK STL PTS
00 Mirkovic, David * 30 6-12 2-6 5-10 2-12 14 0 6 1 0 1 19
pruman91
- interviewing new NL's daily....I really really am
I've got a bad cold and earache but watching the beloved win this exhibition game was very good medicine indeed.....
Impressed with seeing for the first time......................
Mirkovic
B. Lee
Wagler
YOU can tell they have been coached up good b4 they got here.........
Just an overall good game with 2 or 3 starters missing.............ok , time for more meds for me and an NL # 3 massage to heal my pains....
the more you know.............
Being a follower of ISU basketball, this is not a win to take lightly. This might be ISU's best team in the last decade and they are predicted to make the tourney in several eyes. Great win
Expectations should be (and are) very high for this team.
Someone asked in an earlier thread (probably the Pre-Game thread) if this game would be replayed on B1G Plus (at least I think that was it). Yes, and it is already up and ready for viewing. The easiest way, in my opinion, if you are using the B1G Plus app on a Roku, select "Sports” on the left side menu, then Men's Basketball, and it should be right there. (I did a quick perusal of this thread and didn’t see anyone else reply to this yet.)
Love Mirk’s game and what he can develop into. Small sample size but hopefully his FT shooting improves….he is a dawg with a little of this in him.
Maybe a lot of this.
Maybe a lot of this.
I know it was Illinois State in an exhibition but the defense feels different…in a very positive way.
Dr Copejam
- The Rock
Agree, but they were without their top three players as I understand it.
lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
Could be wrong, but I think they were without 2 and we were without 3.
DJ Baldy and High Knees are getting in form to call fouls on us all year.
It's early but the wildcard is Mirk is a decent point forward it seems...encouraging 1st game all...
INIIC!!!
Good match
Good match
- Status