If none of those options pan out then Hill can provide competent PG play.
Illinois Basketball 2016-2017
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If none of those options pan out then Hill can provide competent PG play.
That is literally the opposite of Groce's defensive scheme. Pack the lane and force contested jumpshots. We just simply didn't have the players to execute that last season.
IlliniDent
- Chicago, IL
Exactly. We were severely limited by both injuries and freshmen last year. Rebounding killed too because it lead to way to many second chance points. Also our limited bench forced us to play more minutes which makes you a step slower and much worse defensively. Plus when back ups become starters the back up back ups play significant minutes which results in a much worse net loss than if we were healthy.
That may end up being our best option. I'd much prefer Hill at SF where he can concentrate on what he does best (score). However, if none of those 3 PGs is giving us what we need, that's probably our only realistic alternative.
I actually think at the 2-5 positions, we have a pretty strong group (assuming health). PG is likely the key to our season (as it frequently is in college ball).
It's pack line, not pack the lane. We also can't defend the baseline.
Yes. :thumb:
Lucas is a four star on Scout and is in the Rivals 150 (148). That is not that "lightly" touted, IMO. He can play.
I'm an optimist. I think Abrams is going to be just fine.
I don't disagree with you on Lucas. From all I've seen, he looks like he's talented. However he is a FR and he is still recovering from a pretty serious injury of his own.
You are a heck of an optimist if you think Tracy is going to be just fine.
I am cautiously optimistic. I have felt that this team is just inches away from being competitive the last two years even with the injuries and problems (not quite as much last year as the year before). For whatever reason, they have not been able to gel enough to make it happen. It seems that the Groce teams here have started slow, squandering the season in the process. I hope that this year they can get a jump out of the gate. The talent is there. Whether or not the chemistry and coaching is there remains to be seen. I am a Groce supporter and really hope that this team can prove all the naysayers wrong. If not, I'll be jumping to the other side at the end of the season.
Other than last year, Groce's teams have always jumped out of the gate. Excluding this past year (injuries), Groce had a record of 21-0 in the month of November, his teams have been fantastic right out of the gate. It's the middle part (beginning of B1G) that has been the problem.
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
Good Lord, I hope you are referring to the conference season.
Lucas has some potential to do well with other talent around him. Not expecting him to have any kind of flashy impact as a freshman, but I think he doesn't have to play at an ultra-high level to do good things for this team.
Yes. Should have made that clear. It seems that they have not been ready for B1G competition.
He doesn't have to better. Even if Tracy is an old, banged up version of himself he is still a better option than Tate most likely.
Deleted member 10005
D
Guest
Tracy could slash well and was a solid defender. This team has significantly changed from when he last played, where we had Rice as a very good slasher and weak outside shooting. Teams would pack the lane, like I was at the Northwestern game and they have all 5 in the paint most of the game.
With the new team, his solid individual defense and ability to create for himself should go much father and be more effective.
With the new team, his solid individual defense and ability to create for himself should go much father and be more effective.
I agree that the old Tracy would be a good fit with this current lineup. We now have guys who can really spread the floor in JCL, Hill, and Finke. Tracy's slashing ability and top-of-the-key defense would fit nicely. However, I'm guessing he won't be the same quick, attacking player he was before the Achilles tear. I'm not too worried about the time off or the ACL injury. The Achilles is the big thing - almost no one come back even 90% from that injury.
Hopefully Tracy returns as a cerebral, coach-on-the-floor kind of player and shows a vastly improved outside shot. Playing the same kind of game he played before won't work with considerably diminished athleticism.
Hopefully Tracy returns as a cerebral, coach-on-the-floor kind of player and shows a vastly improved outside shot. Playing the same kind of game he played before won't work with considerably diminished athleticism.
Dan
Admin
Looks like the program is working for @Malcolmillini21 #Illini
https://twitter.com/Adam_Fletcher41/status/737339642043858945
https://twitter.com/Adam_Fletcher41/status/737339642043858945
Redbirds33333
- Chicago, IL
Looks like the program is working for @Malcolmillini21 #Illini
https://twitter.com/Adam_Fletcher41/status/737339642043858945
Love it.
If MH comes back next year with everything he already has PLUS an increased ability to drive he's going to be first team B10.Looks like the program is working for @Malcolmillini21 #Illini
https://twitter.com/Adam_Fletcher41/status/737339642043858945
Yeah he's going to be fun to watch this year.
If we can figure out how to get him back next year, that would be huge!
Pretty sure "next year" means his upcoming senior year.
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