Illinois 95, Lewis 51 POSTGAME (Exhibition)
That might be because we haven't seen Black play since he was a true freshman two years ago. He was never healthy last year. Tried to play a few games with an injured game and then had surgery. I would hope that Black is not the same player two years later.
That is exactly why I can't see anyone thinking he will start on this team when he gets back. At least not until late Jan/Feb. He basically is an unknown at this time. We all have heard how good he was on the Euro trip, etc. but until he proves it night in and night out then we don't know what we have. Like others have said, the good thing is we have options.
One thing to remember too though is that Leron got to play his position when he was in there. Finke was playing out of position most of the time last year when he was not as physical as he is now.
He is not an unknown to the coaches and players at practice. Hill describes his play in very favorable terms.
I have been a big Finke fan since the beginning. I wrote about him when he was a junior in high school and lauded his game. He has come a long way. I love his head for the game and his passing ability. Plus he can knock down shots.
Teaming Finke with Thorne and Black with Morgan seems like a nice fit of skills.
This will (hopefully) be one of our biggest strengths this year. Along with our combo at center I can see us being able to throw out so many different looks to play to our strengths and the defenses weaknesses. Versatility in our lineup is something we haven't had for a couple of years now, which is something every decent team needs to have.
Expectations should be tempered slightly if you're gonna base them off this game. I think Lewis had one player at or above 6'9". I don't expect paint dominance like this all year, but it should at least be a plus in terms of the season.
yeah, I have heard all the practice stuff too. I want for him to have a breakout game. Maybe the combination of him finally getting to play and the bright lights of the TD Ameritrade Arena in the Lou will get him going. Finke had a big game down there last year.
I was thinking more of a Throne/Mav and Finke/Black combos Finke and Black for when you rally want to try to play fast with TJL, JCL or AJ and DJW Throne/Mav with Hill TA and AJ/JCL when your just wanting to play bigger
Thorne and Mav at the same time? Yeah, no.. that's not going to happen.
He didn't say Thorne, he said the Throne was going to play with Mav. Not real sure how that will work out either.
I'm pretty sure Thorne and Mav were in together for a couple minutes against Lewis. Maybe not I'm not sure. But yeah, I'd be surprised to see them both at the same time in season. We don't need to. Having that 1-2 punch will put us ahead of most teams. Essentially no drop off regardless of who's in.
Finke appears to have made a bigger jump in the skills category (shooting, passing, and dribbling) than Black IMHO. He has also closed the gap in the physical play.
In the end, both will play but who will be in with less than 4 minutes to play? Along with match-ups who does the coach trust to play smart?
In the end, both will play but who will be in with less than 4 minutes to play? Along with match-ups who does the coach trust to play smart?
they have already played at the same time for a good bit of mins so hard to say its not going to happen more the first game then the 2nd
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pretty sure that assist to turnover ratio that I highlighted is included in the play smart equation. However, if we are playing a team that is killing us on the boards, then Leron would be the one to play. Like we all have said. Good combo to have. And, they are both sophomores. :thumb:
Groce was asked about Morgan and Thorne on the court together, and he said it was because Black was out and Finke was the only other big without moving Hill to the four.
I have heard that Black has been really good in practice. How could anyone know if Finke took a bigger jump than Black when fans have not seen Black play healthy since his freshman year.
I would say that at the scrimmages I went to, Black was very good. Best rebounder on the court both times.
As far a Black goes, there is no reasonable way for us to compare him to Finke at this point. We haven't seen him healthy in close to two years. It is reasonable to believe he has improved but how much who knows.
I know everyone wants to jump to conclusions on how the rotation will look. It is a message board after all. But let's wait to see how the team does when they aren't facing such an overwhelmed opponent. The next few games will give us a hint but we really won't get a great idea until Thanksgiving week.
I know everyone wants to jump to conclusions on how the rotation will look. It is a message board after all. But let's wait to see how the team does when they aren't facing such an overwhelmed opponent. The next few games will give us a hint but we really won't get a great idea until Thanksgiving week.
Finke was far more skilled in those areas the first day he practiced as an Illini. Not sure how much of a "jump" he's made since he was already pretty advanced. His growth spurt in HS made him better since now he's got size to go with those skills.
Perhaps, but let's wait until he plays some actual D1 level competition with similar size athletes.
Yes, both will get plenty of time. It's unfortunate Leron's actions have taken away his opportunity to get rid of some rust vs the weaker part of our schedule. That could be a factor that keeps Finke in the starting lineup for a while.
says the guy that is counting on someone named Kipset.
It's his nickname and Twitter handle
:thumb:
Don't know what to expect from Black yet but, assuming some of the same tendencies he's had so far, I could *with emphasis* maybe see the two playing together if we're playing bigger front courts.
But we have some smaller options at the 4 who could stretch some front courts out. I'd just rather see guys like Hill stay in their more natural positions.
If we are talking main rotation, it is almost guaranteed that all 4 players at PF/C will make it. Two players will emerge at PG, Abrams and one of Tate/TJL. So that will leave Hill at 3, and JCL at 2, both playing major minutes with one more player backing them up at the wing, independent of 2/3. That will make it 9. It will be very surprising to go deeper than that in the main rotation beyond the cupcake portion of schedule. Chances are that one of Kipper/DJW/AJ will emerge.
For those that wondered about Queens of Charlotte. Another team from the SAC is playing an exhibition tonight against Maryland. Catawba is usually not a good basketball team. Baseball yes, basketball No. Lenoir Rhyne and Queens are usually the two best teams outside of LMU. Catawba= not so much. It is on BTN.
Or 2 emerge, and Hill backs up TA at the one.