Never count out the NCAA's ability to ignore their own rules.
+1,000,000
:clappy::clappy::clappy:
Mike Thorne granted 6th year
+1,000,000
:clappy::clappy::clappy:
IlliniAttorney
Voice of Reason
Thrilled Mike is back.
Unless Nunn or Tate are gone or Tracy doesn't get another year, does this close the spot for Charlie Moore?
Unless Nunn or Tate are gone or Tracy doesn't get another year, does this close the spot for Charlie Moore?
Aside from Nunn, who I expect to be gone, we could have the team on the court we expected to have last year, plus Lucas and Nichols and a year of experience for all of last year's newcomers...
...and potentially Charlie Moore...
...and potentially Charlie Moore...
Wow! Unexpected GREAT news! Thorne was a man among boys when healthy last year. There aren't many players in the country that can match up with him from a purely physical standpoint. A frontcourt of Thorne, Mav, Black, Finke, Kipper and possibly DJW is very deep and offers a diverse set of skills.
In my opinion, this is probably good for an extra 2-3 wins, which could very well be the difference between making the tournament and missing it again (which could, in turn, be the difference between Groce staying and righting the ship or being shown the door). I'm going to go out on a limb and predict an 11-7 finish in the B1G next year. Hopefully the 2017 class comes together and we get the arrow pointing in the right direction again. #orangekoolaid
In my opinion, this is probably good for an extra 2-3 wins, which could very well be the difference between making the tournament and missing it again (which could, in turn, be the difference between Groce staying and righting the ship or being shown the door). I'm going to go out on a limb and predict an 11-7 finish in the B1G next year. Hopefully the 2017 class comes together and we get the arrow pointing in the right direction again. #orangekoolaid
Man, what a busy news day for a random day in the offseason!
You know those darn Wednesdays lol
IlliniDent
- Chicago, IL
Honestly, I know its splitting hairs but it is probably worth closer to 3-4 wins in my opinion. It gives us huge depth in the post that previously would have looked shallow having to pull players out of their ideal positions which is worth more than simply the addition of what Thorne brings to the table.
FeelYourPaign
- So Cal
I am beyond shocked, but in such a good way !
Should make a huge difference.
Should make a huge difference.
Agreed. That was our biggest downfall last year imo. Yes, we were missing guys in key positions, but that was compounded by guys having to play out of position to fill the holes. That hurts you at 2 positions
Smultronstallet
- Urbana, IL
I did not expect this to happen at all. Today has been a roller coaster of emotion for Illini basketball fans.
A whole year of Malcolm at the 3 would be a wonderful thing. He's gamely played the 4 through much of his career and played spot minutes at the 1 and 5, but he's pretty much unstoppable at this level on the wing. Not many collegiate players can handle his package of skill and size. Also, he should be a plus rebounder playing the 2/3.
Just a month or so ago, I was thinking, "well, I guess it's another year of Malcolm bodying up against Power Forwards, since Black's probably gone and there's no way Thorne gets his waiver." Our fortunes have certainly improved.
Just a month or so ago, I was thinking, "well, I guess it's another year of Malcolm bodying up against Power Forwards, since Black's probably gone and there's no way Thorne gets his waiver." Our fortunes have certainly improved.
+1. If Mike stays healthy this will have all kinds of ripple effects at the other positions. We saw a little of Thorne and Finke playing together, and having two bigs who can pass on the floor at the same time opens everything else up, too.
I'm just glad the kid may now actually get to play a game in the SFC
Great news for Big Mike & Illini. I feel a whole lot better about next year.
Yeah, that's great, will be looking forward to see MT play his first game (and whole season) at the SFC!!!
Slightly off topic, but didn't Maurice Creek at IU a couple years back fracture his knee caps in back to back pre-seasons and ended up not getting cleared for a 2nd consecutive waiver? Was there some reason he wasn't cleared? My buddy is trying to argue the Tracy situation isn't as black and white as it seems. He keeps referencing Maurice Creek.
Deleted member 14522
D
Guest
Best news of the offseason!
frozenrope9190
- Aurora, IL
Wow. Great news. The Illini really needed some great news after gut punch after gut punch after gut punch after gut punch last season.
Yeeeeeeeessssssssss