RabidDawgClassic
- Los Angeles, CA
NBA Draft
Have you watched the games? We simply liked to walk across the court to avoid fast break for the most part. We used our energy on offense rebounding instead. Kind of a wild strategy to me but it worked.
"Not many people in this Combine have the option to go back to a Final Four team with most of the guys returning. … I'm very thankful for the situation I'm in because going back to school is also a really, really good option for me."
Come back to a certified elite college team or play for the Grand Rapids Possum Hunters in the G-League... hmmm
It's a special kind of weird to think that the staff (that was fine with the TSJ fast break machine for 2 years and whose O is efficiency obsessed) wouldn't want our best finisher to take an at the basket shot against an unset D, because...it wanted more bodies in the lane?
Its a lot more likely his straight line speed is an opportunity (also applies to Wagler and Boz, all of whom finished ~35+ ranked at the 3/4 sprint in the combine) and the D regularly caught up. It happened to be inconsequential because the set O was so effective, but there's no guarantee that it will be the case next year or be what he can rely on as a pro.
Illini in OC
In. The. Alley.
"Not many people in this Combine have the option to go back to a Final Four team with most of the guys returning. … I'm very thankful for the situation I'm in because going back to school is also a really, really good option for me."
Come back to a certified elite college team or play for the Grand Rapids Possum Hunters in the G-League... hmmm
Illini in Italy
- Illini HQ, Florida Panhandle
The weather report - "Today it's going to be partly sunny"
Reading comprehension.
Loyalty response - "The sun is dying, and all life on earth is doomed"
Is Fears going to stay in?? Saw some smoke on Twitter.
His father’s twitter feed certainly sounds like it.
OnlyOrange
- Belleville, IL
Saw this too - I doubt it, his father is just excited & hyping up his son.
However, I think the ankles and knees of every upcoming MSU opponent would appreciate Fears not returning.
I do wonder if Fears stays in... is Mirkovic preseason conf POY?
Fixed
RabidDawgClassic
- Los Angeles, CA
Not to mention their testicles.
I don't understand why some many are taking offense to the commentary that he's unathletic. It has to be taken into context. Compared to literally every last person on this board, Keaton would athletically dismantle us.
Compared to every other 2 guard in the NBA, no, he doesn't have that gifted explosiveness. To not have one college dunk is pretty extraordinary, especially against teams like Southern U, LIU, Colgate, Penn, etc. You'd figure he would have stuffed one on a meaningless breakout up 35 at the 15 minute mark of the second half.
Keaton is a crafty, nifty player, who can shoot the eyes out. He's going to be a multimillionaire with that skill set.
People have a bad habit of associating athleticism solely will offense. IF Keaton is going to have a major pain point early, it's going to be defensively. All of those highlights of him getting his inside shoulder past the defender and finishing is what was happening to him on the other end. His lateral quickness and lower body strength have to improve. He's also going to be a target to be ISO 'd and posted up.
He's such a young, raw talent. I just hope that wherever he goes, they take the time to actually develop him to succeed. The Clippers or Kings....at least the weather would be nice.
Illinicpa14
- Chicago
sandfort was first team all big ten last year returning.
Although id 100% take the field over him for the actual award.
Would be as wide open a race heading into the year as ever.
I guess sandfort could win it preseason. However, his team might not make the tournament.
That is insane. I thought for sure Wagler would have had a few dunks on breakaways bc he can easily dunk. But I guess we didn’t have many this year and Wagler was never in the dunker spot in the half court.
Definitely need to add strength. But let me remind you it took him like 5 games figuring out college basketball.
pruman91
- interviewing new NL's daily....I really really am
wow . so much old school movements driving the rim with thoughts of " how did he get that shot off without it getting blocked " ??
FightinIllini30
Future insider
I actually remember him doing a really solid job defensively and occasionally guarding very athletic guards and doing a good job. Nothing jumps out but he was way better than KJ and lightyears better than Vaaks will be
The Darius Acuff vs. Keaton Wagler dilemma is the ultimate test of front-office philosophy.
Acuff easily has the highest ceiling as a 1-of-1 primary offensive engine (think Brunson/Lowry). But if he isn’t the absolute focal point of your system, a massive chunk of his high-usage value evaporates.If you want to win right now, Wagler is the gold standard of the tier.
His lack of dependence on raw athleticism, mixed with elite shot-making, high-IQ processing, and that unorthodox Kevin Martin-style slither makes him entirely scalable. He can drive the car or grease the wheels without demanding a 30% usage rate.
Mikel Brown Jr. sits right behind him with massive dual-handler potential if the decision-making stabilizes, but Wagler is the ultimate plug-and-play winner.
Acuff easily has the highest ceiling as a 1-of-1 primary offensive engine (think Brunson/Lowry). But if he isn’t the absolute focal point of your system, a massive chunk of his high-usage value evaporates.If you want to win right now, Wagler is the gold standard of the tier.
His lack of dependence on raw athleticism, mixed with elite shot-making, high-IQ processing, and that unorthodox Kevin Martin-style slither makes him entirely scalable. He can drive the car or grease the wheels without demanding a 30% usage rate.
Mikel Brown Jr. sits right behind him with massive dual-handler potential if the decision-making stabilizes, but Wagler is the ultimate plug-and-play winner.
My NBA comp for Wagler at the top, top level would be Haliburton.
The floor is probably a Grayson Allen — which is (still) a quality piece on pretty much every team.
The floor is probably a Grayson Allen — which is (still) a quality piece on pretty much every team.