From the highlight reel of Coleman that was posted last night has him looking scary good. And the Morillo interview, he seems like he’s got a good head on his shoulders. I’m beyond psyched for these guys!
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread
"Positionless basketball" is a misleading/misused term as it's not 100% positionless. It's a phrase. Last year's team was billed as positionless, yet there was no doubt who the guards were and no doubt who the (primary) PG was. You want all 5 players to be able to shoot and to be able to find the open guy, but certain guys are going to handle the ball a lot more than others. You also know certain guys can't defend a quick guard while other guys can't defend a 6'9 240 lb PF.
ILFaninFL
- Nature Coast in Florida
Looks like Morez is going to the NBA. The Detroit Free Press is reporting that Michigan offered him late first-round money, estimated at just under $3 Million. Based on what other bigs are making, that is awfully low. Plus, he will start the clock on the second contract. I think Michigan just shut the door on his return.
Misused how? Positionless basketball means your "pg" can guard Martinelli. And your 6'7" forward can guard Stirtz. And your "power forward" can bring the ball up and start a PNR with your 7 footer. Of course it's not some peewee little league term that each kid gets 100% equal time at each position. Just means roles are fluid (and thats a good thing!)
“Just under $3 million” should make us all feel better about not giving the $5 mil to Blackwell.
Well played Brad, well played.
100%. In the interview of QC, he oozed competitiveness to go with that talent. The freshmen should be easy to root for.
skyIdub
"I can't tell you. Secret."
One of the greatest movies of all time
Illini2010-11
- Sugar Grove
They are somewhat fluid, but not 100%. Most NBA teams play the same style. But we still know who the guards are and who the bigs are - there are still "positions."
TheFlyingIllini1317
- Chicago, IL
What was the name of the 6'7" Slovenian kid posted in the last thread? I commented on it but can't find it.
Unfortunately that ship has probably sailed when we brought back both twins
Battle89
- Cary-Grove, the better Trojan team
They've got me Googling Maxwell LandonLooking forward to another day of trying to parse insider gifs...
Sure, but that shouldn't be an issue either. Between our 3 true BIG guys, we should expect a lot of minutes. There is no reason not to. We will almost certainly see a lot more of the Twins on the court together. Sounds like learning to make that work will be a priority this summer.
If we occasionally go smaller it will be against matchups that make sense. I also expect JJ can give us competent defense and rebounding in the event of foul trouble. (Which our 3 BIG guys have been outstanding at avoiding)
While Morillo doesn't see himself as a low post guy (rightfully so), I expect he will be happy to get into the game whenever and wherever he can, and will compete his behind off, regardless. Zens is a forward. I expect him to be eating for two all summer in an effort to bulk up. He will get some chances early in the year to show what he can do.
We have great size at every position, and everyone crashes the boards with purpose.
@LvilleILL1 answered this for me the other day. Stefan has signed everything and is good to go. They are still working on getting his credits transferred and a couple of procedural things. Just dotting and I’s and crossing T’s.
Transfers can be tricky, especially in the middle of a term. I wouldn't be surprised if they have to wait until mid-May.
I've only seen a handful of portal commits who have signed, so far.
Anyone still getting hung up on player position categorization needs to go listen to MLT’s Illini Inquirer (very justified) rant…