Given the 2 lineups you've posted above....which five would come out on top in a 20 minute scrimmage against each other???Skyy
TSJ
Mayer
Bates* I am the MASTER of hope
Dainja
Epps
RJ
Goode
Rodgers
Hawkins
Give everyone 20 minutes to start the season and let the cream rise to the top
I think Skyy puts the first lineup on top.Given the 2 lineups you've posted above....which five would come out on top in a 20 minute scrimmage?
Although I personally don't want Bates (but trust the staff if they think it makes sense), the Illini bench in this scenario is a top 8 Big Ten starting team.Skyy
TSJ
Mayer
Bates* I am the MASTER of hope
Dainja
Epps
RJ
Goode
Rodgers
Hawkins
Give everyone 20 minutes to start the season and let the cream rise to the top
I know we have very orange tinted glasses, but I would agree.Although I personally don't want Bates (but trust the staff if they think it makes sense), the Illini bench in this scenario is a top 8 Big Ten starting team.
It makes perfect sense for him to end up at EMU. It's the same reason many don't want him here. He is all about him. Well I've never met the kid, maybe it is his entourage that creates that and he's just a victim of the adults around him, but regardless the end product is the same. There is a reason Memphis was substantially better without him.Emoni is a very talented player, but it is a major red flag to me that he might realistically end up at Eastern Michigan. I understand he is from the Ann Arbor area and will receive some NIL money from EMU, but a player with that level of talent should not be playing for a MAC team. It is also concerning to me that the Emoni to Louisville or Michigan rumors have appeared to fallen through. Why wouldn’t those schools want such a talented player? Louisville should be able to offer a similar amount of money as Illinois, so I don’t think money is the issue.
This isn't hard to figure out.Emoni is a very talented player, but it is a major red flag to me that he might realistically end up at Eastern Michigan. I understand he is from the Ann Arbor area and will receive some NIL money from EMU, but a player with that level of talent should not be playing for a MAC team. It is also concerning to me that the Emoni to Louisville or Michigan rumors have appeared to fallen through. Why wouldn’t those schools want such a talented player? Louisville should be able to offer a similar amount of money as Illinois, so I don’t think money is the issue.
I am normally not a big fan of the "cupcake" season, but give the influx of new players which can be creaed by the portal, it is going to be useful for the Illini this yearSkyy
TSJ
Mayer
Bates* I am the MASTER of hope
Dainja
Epps
RJ
Goode
Rodgers
Hawkins
Give everyone 20 minutes to start the season and let the cream rise to the top
You act like money is the driving factor here. But by all accounts it seems like a question of which team simultaneously thinks they can turn him around while dealing with the circus that follows him and/or which team does his camp trust enough to cut out all the nonsense.Emoni is a very talented player, but it is a major red flag to me that he might realistically end up at Eastern Michigan. I understand he is from the Ann Arbor area and will receive some NIL money from EMU, but a player with that level of talent should not be playing for a MAC team. It is also concerning to me that the Emoni to Louisville or Michigan rumors have appeared to fallen through. Why wouldn’t those schools want such a talented player? Louisville should be able to offer a similar amount of money as Illinois, so I don’t think money is the issue.
did you read the last sentence? I eliminated money as a factor.You act like money is the driving factor here. But by all accounts it seems like a question of which team simultaneously thinks they can turn him around while dealing with the circus that follows him and/or which team does his camp trust enough to cut out all the nonsense.
I can’t wait to see the NCAA penalties if that happens.Kofi has a better chance of playing at Illinois next year than E Bates.
GBCA Live: Rising junior big man Peyton Marshall discusses his recruitment
Peyton Marshall discussed his recruitment while at GBCA Live.247sports.com
I get why everyone is excited by the depth we appear to have for next year, and the posts about a “hockey line” approach to rotations. I though have my doubts. BU seems to rely on a core group for a big chunk of minutes, and I think it will be interesting to see if the depth is utilized as much as people think at this point. Granted BU likely hasn’t had this kind of talent here before and it sounds like he plans to increase the tempo on both offense and defense, but I think it is unlikely he’ll be employing a 9 or 10 player rotation. More likely is we see a plethora of posts during the season asking why players X, Y and maybe even Z aren’t seeing more minutes. My best guesses for who might be the subject of those posts are Harris, Goode, Rodgers and Hawk (not all of them but some of them). Going to be an interesting and hopefully fun and successful season.Skyy
TSJ
Mayer
Bates* I am the MASTER of hope
Dainja
Epps
RJ
Goode
Rodgers
Hawkins
Give everyone 20 minutes to start the season and let the cream rise to the top
This is the most pruman thing I can possibly imagine
Does that make you the Master Bates'er?Skyy
TSJ
Mayer
Bates* I am the MASTER of hope
Dainja
Epps
RJ
Goode
Rodgers
Hawkins
Give everyone 20 minutes to start the season and let the cream rise to the top
Good point about tempo. I feel like this team is prime for high tempo and high energy. That will require a deeper bench.I get why everyone is excited by the depth we appear to have for next year, and the posts about a “hockey line” approach to rotations. I though have my doubts. BU seems to rely on a core group for a big chunk of minutes, and I think it will be interesting to see if the depth is utilized as much as people think at this point. Granted BU likely hasn’t had this kind of talent here before and it sounds like he plans to increase the tempo on both offense and defense, but I think it is unlikely he’ll be employing a 9 or 10 player rotation. More likely is we see a plethora of posts during the season asking why players X, Y and maybe even Z aren’t seeing more minutes. My best guesses for who might be the subject of those posts are Harris, Goode, Rodgers and Hawk (not all of them but some of them). Going to be an interesting and hopefully fun and successful season.