Let's hear it for Malcolm Hill & the seniors

#1      
Malcolm Hill needs a thread celebrating his excellent career here.

Personally, I don't think his career is appreciated as much as it should be. I think you can make a good argument that Malcolm's the best all-around player at Illinois since Frank Williams.

Malcolm can (and given the paucity of talent around him, has often been asked to) do it all. I'm rooting for an NCAA birth this year as much for him as any other reason.
 
#2      
Mister Mid-range.

Not the fastest guy around, but still can make everything look pretty.
il-nnn-06.gif

Gonna miss him.
 
#3      
One is absolutely entitled to make that argument for sake of discussion. The guy did play 1 through 5 last year.

I vote we expand the thread to appreciate all of the seniors and not just Malcolm Hill, as they are all richly deserving of fan love. This class has been a group of good ambassadors for the University, and with the exception of that brief period of uncertainty before Tate was exonerated, I was never ashamed for a moment that they suited up for the O&B. I'll type up a better post with something for each player later, when I'm not at work.
 
#4      
One is absolutely entitled to make that argument for sake of discussion. The guy did play 1 through 5 last year.

I vote we expand the thread to appreciate all of the seniors and not just Malcolm Hill, as they are all richly deserving of fan love. This class has been a group of good ambassadors for the University, and with the exception of that brief period of uncertainty before Tate was exonerated, I was never ashamed for a moment that they suited up for the O&B. I'll type up a better post with something for each player later, when I'm not at work.

ditto
 
#5      
This part is a joke, right? He's a great player and I agree he should be appreciated, but...

I said "all-around" and given that he can shoot, dribble, dish, rebound, drive, and hit free throws at least at good, if not great, levels, I'll stand by it.

He has the highest career ppg of any player since Frank, and only Frank and Kiwane have had higher since Deon. Only Augie, Pruitt, and Mike Davis have had a higher rebound per game average since Brian Cook. Malcolm's career .435/.348/.798 shooting percentages are very respectable for a perimeter player, with better fg% and ft% than Dee, Deron, and McCamey.

If you want to look at advanced metrics, his Win Shares (per college basketball reference) is higher than Luther and will surpass Demetri MCamey in the next couple games. It's higher than both Dee's and Deron's on a per minute basis, but he won't surpass Dee's total, largely because he won't play as many tournament games. It won't pass Augie's or Cook's totals because Sports Reference's metric really favors big men.

So, if you want me to change my statement to "arguably the best all-around player since Brian Cook" - a difference of one year - sure. But I think the argument's there.
 
#7      
I said "all-around" and given that he can shoot, dribble, dish, rebound, drive, and hit free throws at least at good, if not great, levels, I'll stand by it.

He has the highest career ppg of any player since Frank, and only Frank and Kiwane have had higher since Deon. Only Augie, Pruitt, and Mike Davis have had a higher rebound per game average since Brian Cook. Malcolm's career .435/.348/.798 shooting percentages are very respectable for a perimeter player, with better fg% and ft% than Dee, Deron, and McCamey.

If you want to look at advanced metrics, his Win Shares (per college basketball reference) is higher than Luther and will surpass Demetri MCamey in the next couple games. It's higher than both Dee's and Deron's on a per minute basis, but he won't surpass Dee's total, largely because he won't play as many tournament games. It won't pass Augie's or Cook's totals because Sports Reference's metric really favors big men.

So, if you want me to change my statement to "arguably the best all-around player since Brian Cook" - a difference of one year - sure. But I think the argument's there.

Not to mention that he leads our team in points, assists, rebounds, and steals. Malcolm has been a tremendous all-around player and his impact will be missed.

As Adnarel said, MH, MM, JT, TA, all deserve tremendous praise for how they have represented Illinois over their tenures. Hopefully, MH gets the tournament berth, because his effort in all areas absolutely deserves one.
 
#9      

Deleted member 3875

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Guest
As a freshman and sophomore, I never thought he'd achieve this level of success but Malcolm has sure proved me wrong. And to be such a classy representative of the university is an added bonus. He will be a success in whatever path he takes. Thanks MH.
 
#11      

zpfled

Logan Square, Chicago
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#12      
These seniors, including Malcolm at times, have often been maligned - especially Tate and AA. But they all have worked their butts off, represented the university well, and continued to show up to practice and play with effort despite the criticism and the misfortune they have suffered through. This shows their character, and they have my gratitude and respect.
 
#15      

Trakis

Chicago, IL
Always loved this kid. Coaching stuff aside, I would love to get him to the dance his senior year. He's too good of a player to not taste March Madness.
 
#17      

Deleted member 14522

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Guest
Been watching Malcolm since he was a Jr at Belleville East. Can't believe he is almost done at Illinois. What a great representative for the Illini. Kid deserves all the accolades he gets. Thanks for an awesome career Malcolm! Hope you get a crack at the tournament!
 
#18      
Thanks to the seniors. Hope they've really enjoyed their experience at UofI. Been up and down at times, for sure, but it's wonderful to see the team come together and make a late run that could get us into the dance.

:clappy:
 
#19      

MikeDavis!

Remembers when...
Portlandia
Long time lurker, first time poster. Just wanted to give a shout out to one of my all-time favorites! Been following Malcolm since his days at Belleville East, and I work with a very close relative of his. I remember swearing to secrecy that I wouldn't tell anyone the day he decided to commit to Illinois. He's been an amazing ambassador for the university but more important than all the accolades he's achieved on the floor is what a stand up character he's been off the court. The family is very proud that he's graduating and getting his degree from a fine institution and I have no doubt his future is very bright. He'll be successful in whatever he does, basketball or otherwise.

I also want to give a big thank you to all the seniors that have given their blood sweat and tears to this program. I really hope for their sake they get to taste the NCAA tourney. They deserve it. :shield:
 
#20      

Bailey

Los Angeles
For all that they ask of him on the court, Malcolm's been incredibly durable. I cant remember a single injury up to this point.
 
#21      

whovous

Washington, DC
For all that they ask of him on the court, Malcolm's been incredibly durable. I cant remember a single injury up to this point.

Yeah, he slowed down a time or two, but I think that was about it. I don't think he missed a single game due to injury.
 
#22      

ILLINI IN NE

Omaha,Ne.
Going to miss all these seniors especially #21,22, and 13.

Malcolm for the steady play over the past 4 years.

Mav for the great improvement he's made the past 2 years.

Traci for the determination to come back after 2 bad injuries.

Lets go out with a bang guys!
 
#23      
Long time lurker, first time poster. Just wanted to give a shout out to one of my all-time favorites! Been following Malcolm since his days at Belleville East, and I work with a very close relative of his. I remember swearing to secrecy that I wouldn't tell anyone the day he decided to commit to Illinois. He's been an amazing ambassador for the university but more important than all the accolades he's achieved on the floor is what a stand up character he's been off the court. The family is very proud that he's graduating and getting his degree from a fine institution and I have no doubt his future is very bright. He'll be successful in whatever he does, basketball or otherwise.

I also want to give a big thank you to all the seniors that have given their blood sweat and tears to this program. I really hope for their sake they get to taste the NCAA tourney. They deserve it. :shield:

GREAT FIRST POST-BEST OF THE DAY-WELL SAID