I think the thought of Morillo playing the 4 is as a backup for a few minutes each game. He isn't going to encounter these huge, giant mismatches and the staff isn't going to put him in that position.
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread
I think the thought of Morillo playing the 4 is as a backup for a few minutes each game. He isn't going to encounter these huge, giant mismatches and the staff isn't going to put him in that position.
You’ve got to count either Davis or Andrej as a starter. Otherwise, there were only 4 guys who started in the FF. Davis was a starter. Andrej played starter minutes.
I agree. But hey, I respect @wc_illini , he’s always got level headed and fair takes.
And reading all his previous posts, this seems mostly about depth, which if that’s the main point I think is entirely fair.
No shade, I just disagreed with that point. I enjoy bantering on lineups and roster build far more than adjustment talks anyway, these are all good and fun “problems”
4 rotation: Mirk 31 / Z 6 / Morillo 3.
We need Z pushing 20 minutes. You need your best players on the court.
If Tomi plays 27 and Z plays 13 (at the 5), then he needs some minutes at the 4.
Absolutely sucks Ty isn’t healthy (or that we can’t count on it)
The more we talk through this, he seems to be the Swiss Army knife that helps a ton off the bench in multiple spots. Not to mention, just a great team guy
The more we talk through this, he seems to be the Swiss Army knife that helps a ton off the bench in multiple spots. Not to mention, just a great team guy
sacraig
- The desert
Some fans won't be happy until we have signed at least 7 lead guards, 3rd string 4s and 5s that would start on a lower-tier tournament team, and 17 wings that can shoot the three, guard, and drive it to the hoop.
True, but insiders were also saying we had elite backup plans if Blackwell didn't work. I find it hard to believe that we stopped being aggressive in the portal because of a 5 star freshman. If you have the resources to add an experienced portal piece to a team that's ready to win now, you do it 10/10 times, right?
If I put my orange tinted conspiracy glasses on.... Maybe the staff is working on another big addition but keeping it very hush hush to keep it from turning into a bidding war.
Yep, thats why i hope we find a big 4 with some experience to replace Ben. Given the Ivisics history of leg, ankle and other ailments the lack of depth and experience after Z is the spot im hope Misko or Brad can fill. Ben played a pretty big role and right now Z is our only experiencr guy backing up the 4/5 spots with any size.
Morillo will get his chances in practice to show if he is capable. He is going to learn a lot trying to slow down Mirk in practice. If he isn't ready, you are just going to see more Twin Towers.
If he gets on campus as early as he can, there is no reason they can't put 10 lbs on him before the season starts. Keaton added something like 15 last summer.
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
SOMEONE is going to be that 4th big, even if they aren't big.
And chances are for some period they will have to be the 3rd big.
Humrichous and Boswell did a ton of flexible, adaptable dirty work for us last year, they allowed us to just keep playing TylerBall no matter what the opponent threw at us, we never had to be the one to change.
blackdog
- Champaign
He's made up a scenario to be afraid of and is running with it. Just let it happen.
Agree. The '05 team had more grit and toughness through the season compared to this years but it increased as tourney time came for this team. feal really good about next year.
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Any insight on what position they’re looking for?
I guess it depends on how you define X and O. Weber gets a wild amount of credit for his Xs & Os while only focusing on man to man D and running the same motion offense with no real willingness to change. I don't think being 4th/5th in D efficiency and 104th/116th in O is showing good Xs & Os.
Brad has had top offenses in 3 distinct styles and has had multiple Ds as good as Weber's; he gets a bad rap because his first 2 teams were awful defensively and 2023 was bad. Removing their 2 worst overall teams, BU's teams have average 26th in defensive efficiency, Weber averaged 23rd.
Bonus point: Even if ranked 80th in D, it's not hard to argue 2023 in particular was a masterclass in pivoting styles while facing adversity (this is an X&O skill IMO).
If Brad saw someone like that sub in vs us how long do think he puts in Mirk or Z to abuse them? Likely before he reaches the scorers table tp check in! Lol. If Tomi and or Mirk get in foul trouble themln i guess a healthy Jason will be in. I wish we would add a true 4 man to try and fill Bens role.
Based on specific word over usage, Lou hammered home “tremendous” AND “super” at a far greater rate than Brad’s “elite” usage. Advantage, Lou.
You don't think Andrej didn't get promised a starting role in the post season negotiations? If he didn't, he probably wouldn't have stayed. He could have also got more money by leaving.
There is no rush right now, but agreed with above.
Yeah, I didn't take your post as a direct insult so much as an unfair exaggeration.
I suppose it cuts both ways. Some will always defend the roster even when Brad wants more. Some will always criticize the roster even when Brad says it's good enough. When there's a flip-flop, it's mayhem on this board. Ok, it's always mayhem on this board.
But seriously, unless we're the clear preseason favorite (odds, not media), there's room for improvement. Whether anything can be done about it is another story.
I would still need neck length measurements before I'm satisfied with that.
No one is saying he's a 30 Min/game PF. But he can give you "spot" minutes there as well as 1-3. If we need someone behind T, Z, and Mirk, he's it (as of now).
And not every opponent has a beastlie 6'9 PF to defend. Not even close.
He wasn't brought here "to back up Mirk." Next season, his likely role is to help out at spots 1-4 as needed. Likely as our 8th guy in the rotation if everyone ahead of him is healthy.
Any guess at what our pace will be next year?
Possessions per 40 by year:
2026 — 65.7 (somewhere between 306-312 nationally)
2025 — 72.4 (somewhere between 12-15 nationally)
2024 — 70.3 (75 or 76 nationally)
2023 — 69.6 (somewhere between 93-97)
2022 — 67.6 (somewhere between 199-207)
2021 — 71.0 (somewhere between 94-97)
Possessions per 40 by year:
2026 — 65.7 (somewhere between 306-312 nationally)
2025 — 72.4 (somewhere between 12-15 nationally)
2024 — 70.3 (75 or 76 nationally)
2023 — 69.6 (somewhere between 93-97)
2022 — 67.6 (somewhere between 199-207)
2021 — 71.0 (somewhere between 94-97)
robertgoulet
IL Board Resident Crooner
- Austin, TX
It's pretty fair to say this roster, as constructed, is an easy Top 10 team (prob Top 5). That in and of itself makes it a contender for the national title. The variables you're banking on for this to be a National Title Favorite:
Vaaks makes the jump to an elite conference without issue
Returning players improve
QC plays like you hope a Top 30 recruit plays
Another freshman surprises and gives good minutes(doesn't matter who)
How many of those you would classify as likely vs how many as hopeful is how you view the team for 26/27.
I think 2 of those are likely (1st 2) and 2 are hopeful (re: freshmen), but I also think as long as you hit on 2 of those you are a Top 5 team and a contender. You hit on all 4 and you're a title favorite. I'd have loved to have Blackwell (or similar) because that gives you more room for a miss on one of the other variables. I think it's more likely you only it on one of those 4 than it is you hit on all 4.
Vaaks makes the jump to an elite conference without issue
Returning players improve
QC plays like you hope a Top 30 recruit plays
Another freshman surprises and gives good minutes(doesn't matter who)
How many of those you would classify as likely vs how many as hopeful is how you view the team for 26/27.
I think 2 of those are likely (1st 2) and 2 are hopeful (re: freshmen), but I also think as long as you hit on 2 of those you are a Top 5 team and a contender. You hit on all 4 and you're a title favorite. I'd have loved to have Blackwell (or similar) because that gives you more room for a miss on one of the other variables. I think it's more likely you only it on one of those 4 than it is you hit on all 4.
This board needs it lol.