Illinois Basketball 2016-2017
- Status
Just catching up, but I agree with the idea that the tournament is make-or-break for JG. I see recruiting a good class as a tad bit lower as an important criterion for gauging next year's success.
Recruiting is a crapshoot with teenagers. Yes, it is a skill to get them on board, but most of them want to go somewhere they know they will be in the limelight... playing in the tournament...not the NIT.
Making the dance is the first step in luring the better recruits. Assuming they will come without proven success is a mighty big wish.
IF, JG makes the dance and lands a good class, I think we hitch our wagon to him for a while.
Recruiting is a crapshoot with teenagers. Yes, it is a skill to get them on board, but most of them want to go somewhere they know they will be in the limelight... playing in the tournament...not the NIT.
Making the dance is the first step in luring the better recruits. Assuming they will come without proven success is a mighty big wish.
IF, JG makes the dance and lands a good class, I think we hitch our wagon to him for a while.
Problem is, the 2017 class will be signing before next season starts. So making the dance won't happen in time to "lure" them. And with so many scholarships to give out, this class is critical for the program to build on over the next 3-4 seasons. So it's a tough ask, but Groce needs to line up that good class despite having those 3 straight NCAA misses on his record.
I agree that it's too late in the game, that's why my criteria is based more on the success of the season than the recruiting class. I am very skeptical that we will get the big recruits we are going for....been down that road too many times the last three years.
IlliniInOK
- no longer in OK! Centralia, IL
If they don't make the tourney next year I think Groce has to be gone. Too much talent coming back. Even if they get both Tilmon and Goodwin and another big to go with DaMonte and Pickett, I think if thye don't make the tourney next year I'd rather take my chances that they can get a good enough coach to keep those guys in the fold and also coach them up (which if they still can't make the tourney next year with a healthy roster will be something Groce hasn't seemed to do much of)
I'm posting in response to the question "Will Groce keep his job if he lands the 2017 class?" Without question, he will (assuming no major implosions on or off the court next year). All you need to do is listen to Whitman's comments to know this is the reality of the situation.
I think Groce deserved to be fired this year because I think he's a below average B1G coach and recruiter. I also do not believe that he will land Tilmon and that we are digging a bigger hole by keeping him. Having said that, I don't think Whitman had much choice but to keep him after emptying his pockets to get Lovie. At this point, Groce is our guy for next year. If he does, by some miracle, land the 2017 class I think it would be incredibly stupid to fire him unless the team implodes on or off the court next year.
https://twitter.com/illinimbb/status/714930602953338882
For all the arrests, this is pretty cool and shows a different culture
For all the arrests, this is pretty cool and shows a different culture
Yeah, when people say there is nothing good at all happening with mens basketball, they are wrong. There are a lot of good things, they just don't get reported. Mav, Finke and Malcolm all deserve more time on the newswaves.
No AFAM majors? Wth, get ol' Roy on campus, stat!
BananaShampoo
Captain 'Paign
- Phoenix, AZ
This is somewhat off topic, but felt this was the place to get it off my chest. I had a dream last night that Illinois had made it to the tournament, but that because I had kind of given up on them I didnt realize it until halftime of their first round play in game. In the dream I turned it on and we had a modest lead and I just turned it off feeling like we were probably gonna blow it and I couldnt watch. I have no idea if we won or not and I did not DVR my dream. Gah!
frozenrope9190
- Aurora, IL
Was Boehiem whining about his seeding in the dream, too?
Doesnt seem too unwarranted now though does it? lol
I am not sure if it was Boeheim or my toilet running but something annoying was going on in the background.
Besides this year, we were one of the better defensive teams in the conference in the other seasons. As for the offensive system, he's had a tough time adjusting to a roster with below average point guards and extreme lack of depth at the post, but that's more of a recruiting flaw and terrible luck IMO. Most coaches would struggle with our point guards and lack of post players. He'll get another year to show what he can do.
Correct on both counts. Groce's defense at IL has been very good up til this last season.
Offensively, it's almost impossible to look good w/o competent PG play, which we haven't had the last two seasons.
IlliniInOK
- no longer in OK! Centralia, IL
how much of the quality defensive numbers was tied to Egwu being pretty great at cleaning up messes inside?
Foggy Notion
- San Francisco
Probably a lot. Good teams have good players.
Watched BTN Live earlier. Lots of praise from Jon Crispin. He says that as long as we can stay healthy (and out of trouble) we should be a top 5 team in the B1G. He also believes if healthy, we are a Top 25 team. He also chose MH as his favorite for B1G POY next year.
Hopefully the pessimistic portion of our fan base will at least let the season play out next year, and won't be too stubborn to support the team just because they don't like that JW gave JG a VOC.
Hopefully the pessimistic portion of our fan base will at least let the season play out next year, and won't be too stubborn to support the team just because they don't like that JW gave JG a VOC.
Embarrassing question: What is DJ Williams most natural position?
On the court....
NOTE -- when it comes to natural positions, it depends on so many variables... - the level of competition, the system that the team runs, etc. Someone's natural position in high school and college and the NBA are usually different. In addition, someone may be a 3 in one college system and a 2 or 4 in a different college system. I think it is easier to think of players as...
A - point guards
B - wings (some are tall / some are short) - and they will have different abilities
C - bigs with the backs to the basket
In regards to DJ specifically, definitely not a point or big (with back to basket). In my opinion, he is a wing. Not a great outside shooter but has some size / length to defend / rebound.
the 3. He's good solid mid range game and handles to ball well which makes him an effective slasher given his length.
mhuml32
- Cincinnati, OH
Agreed. In the NBA his position would probably best be served as a 2, but he would need to dramatically improve his shooting and lateral quickness for defense.
Epsilon
M tipping over
- Pdx
Jordan coming off the bench as a senior? I don't see that happening.
- Status