Looking at the all B1G teams from this year and who is leaving, I think he is already a first teamer.
If he adds explosiveness he might be POY.
Illinois Basketball 2016-2017
- Status
Looking at the all B1G teams from this year and who is leaving, I think he is already a first teamer.
If he adds explosiveness he might be POY.
Not that it means anything, but I'm curious to see preseason player rankings come out. I think Malcolm could be preseason BIG10 POY. I know Crispin has Hill, Blackmon Jr & Trimble as the top returning players next season in that order, although I'd replace Blackmon w/ Jok for sure.
i think Malcom's explosiveness would come with a more slender frame. he's spent 3 years bulking up to a muscular/ heavy build, but a leaner/ less body fat physique would increase his vertical and explosiveness. also a little more lateral quickness gives him a chance to guard a 2 and therefore, a better shot at the next level. maybe the new strength trainer can help.
They'll have Dennis Smith, Jr. He's insanely athletic. I'm not sure we've got anyone capable of guarding him.
That was the overwhelming consensus at this time a year ago, too.
Jerrance Howard v2.0
Illini_1979
- Oregon
Looks like the program is working for @Malcolmillini21 #Illini
https://twitter.com/Adam_Fletcher41/status/737339642043858945
I just hope no one got hurt!
Well yeah, I don't think anyone would have predicted that we'd lose our best pf and c. If that happens again, Hill won't play his natural position.
If you are going back a year, you need to add Paul as well, so down 3 bigs last year...plus this year Kipper and DJ with another year under his belt give us 2 other options at the stretch 4.
The way that I see it, we have five potential options on the roster next year (assuming Tracy is granted his waiver) for PG: 1) Abrams, 2) Tate, 3) Lucas, 4) Hill and 5) JCL. If the goal next year is to make the NCAA tournament, what do we need the most from the PG position to reach that goal? IMO it's keeping the opposing team's PG from penetrating and breaking down our defense, and being enough of a threat on offense that opposing teams have to really commit to defending our PG. I like JTate, however based on this criteria I don't think he's the answer next year. I would love it to see him improve in these areas but he is what he is. I also think this removes Hill because he's not quick enough to defend the 1 or 2 position, which creates match-up issues for our defense.
This leaves Abrams, Lucas and JCL. 2011-2014 Abrams meets the criteria and could do well next year if he's close to what he was before, and can remain healthy during the course of the year. Both are big question marks at this point. I think Lucas will eventually be a solid PG for the Illini, however he's coming off his own serious injury and will go through the normal freshman growing pains. I see him getting minutes at the 1 next year mostly based on his defensive ability. JCL is an intriguing option because he's a dangerous shooter and showed some improvement late last year with his defense. The key questions for him are ball-handling and whether his on the ball defense has improved to the point that we can defend the other team's PG.
Since the three listed above all have question marks, this leaves a 6th option for PG: a grad student/transfer. It doesn't seem necessary since we already have 3 PGs on the roster, however I think there are enough question marks (see above) for this option to be taken seriously. If we aren't able to land someone, I think Tracy 2.0 is the starter with the majority of the back-up minutes going to JCL and Lucas, and some very limited back-up minutes from Tate. The key question is this enough to get us to the tournament?
This leaves Abrams, Lucas and JCL. 2011-2014 Abrams meets the criteria and could do well next year if he's close to what he was before, and can remain healthy during the course of the year. Both are big question marks at this point. I think Lucas will eventually be a solid PG for the Illini, however he's coming off his own serious injury and will go through the normal freshman growing pains. I see him getting minutes at the 1 next year mostly based on his defensive ability. JCL is an intriguing option because he's a dangerous shooter and showed some improvement late last year with his defense. The key questions for him are ball-handling and whether his on the ball defense has improved to the point that we can defend the other team's PG.
Since the three listed above all have question marks, this leaves a 6th option for PG: a grad student/transfer. It doesn't seem necessary since we already have 3 PGs on the roster, however I think there are enough question marks (see above) for this option to be taken seriously. If we aren't able to land someone, I think Tracy 2.0 is the starter with the majority of the back-up minutes going to JCL and Lucas, and some very limited back-up minutes from Tate. The key question is this enough to get us to the tournament?
I'm sure we have out of due diligence. Personally I expect it will be hard to get a 5th yr transfer this year. Most of these guys probably are looking for an opportunity to play a significant role. With Abrams returning he clearly is penciled in as the starter and better/more sure opportunities exist.
Last edited:
I doubt JCL is ready to play pg & with his strength last year being shooting 3s and Nunn gone, I'm not sure that it will be a priority to make him into a pg. I would be happy if JCL became a good option to cover an oposing pg, similiar to what Nunn gave us last year. DJ was also mentioned as trying out pg last year, but I suspect Malcom will be the back up plan this year if nothing else works.
I think we would take a 5th yr pg in a heartbeat if we could talk one into coming that we consider an upgrade to Tate/TJL, but talking someone into coming to be a backup may prove a bit challenging. Last year Lewis already knew Abrams was out for the year and was walking into a great opportunity.
Looking ahead: Illinois faces make-or-break season
It had been well over three decades since the last time Illinois missed the NCAA tournament for three consecutive seasons. It happened from 1978-80 ,and after last season’s injury-riddled campaign it has now happened from 2014-16. That’s not the kind of achievement John Groce needs on his resume, especially with newly hired athletic director Josh Whitman now in place. You may recall that on Whitman’s first day on the job, he fired Illini football coach Bill Cubit. Groce got a pass last season, but that good will won’t likely extend past March next year if the Illini fail to receive an NCAA tournament bid for a fourth straight year.
http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebask...ng-ahead-illinois-facing-make-or-break-season
It had been well over three decades since the last time Illinois missed the NCAA tournament for three consecutive seasons. It happened from 1978-80 ,and after last season’s injury-riddled campaign it has now happened from 2014-16. That’s not the kind of achievement John Groce needs on his resume, especially with newly hired athletic director Josh Whitman now in place. You may recall that on Whitman’s first day on the job, he fired Illini football coach Bill Cubit. Groce got a pass last season, but that good will won’t likely extend past March next year if the Illini fail to receive an NCAA tournament bid for a fourth straight year.
http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebask...ng-ahead-illinois-facing-make-or-break-season
frozenrope9190
- Aurora, IL
As it should be. I've been a Groce supporter and felt last year was a wash due to injuries. 5 years should be the limit, no matter what hardships befall the team. Make the tourney or be gone.
Id rather see DJW take over minutes at pg just to keep Malcolm at the 3. DJW is more than capable of handling that. That likely means more injuries to our pg's though. So lets hope that doesnt happen.
Uh, no. DJW is not a PG, will never play PG.
- Status