Lieb gives Illini another big man this season
Freshman is learning to play against veteran players on the roster.
www.stltoday.com
Wait why does he get a free year this year? I thought only the players who were on the team last season that didn't graduate were given an extra year.Nice article. I like that he gets this year free and can still take redshirt next year potentially, so we don’t need to worry about sticking him in games if we want and getting him a little experience. He needs to put on at least 25 pounds and is at least a year or two away from getting real minutes in conference, but I’m optimistic that we can get him where we want him to be.
This is what I remember reading originally too... but I googled it yesterday and the NCAA release on winter sports doesn’t include any stipulations about having been on the team last year. So maybe they changed it, or else we are just both misremembering?Wait why does he get a free year this year? I thought only the players who were on the team last season that didn't graduate were given an extra year.
https://www.ncsasports.org/coronavirus-sports/ncaa-eligibility-coronavirusWait why does he get a free year this year? I thought only the players who were on the team last season that didn't graduate were given an extra year.
Here's a clip of his highlights, for anyone who wants to have a look:He needs to put on at least 25 pounds and is at least a year or two away from getting real minutes in conference, but I’m optimistic that we can get him where we want him to be.
Observations:Here's a clip of his highlights, for anyone who wants to have a look:
Senior year
I see a lot of good fundamentals for a skinny, long, 7 footer. Seems like he's had good coaching. Decent stroke, uses his length around the basket and at least in his highlights, he doesn't put it on the floor.
That said, he has a looong way to go with his physical development. Whatever his potential is, it's going to involve a lot of time and effort in the weight room. Hard to imagine him getting a rebound with Kofi on the floor.
3 play in highlight with back to basket moves to his left with a nice left handed finish, and does is it again at about the 1:20 mark. (edit: you are talking about turning over his right shoulder? gotcha. sorry. Most the time when coaching post we talk in terms of left hand and right hand as going right or left)Observations:
Catches the ball cleanly.
Willing to shoot the 3. I could not find his 3pt%.
When a kid went down due to his blocking the shot, his first reaction was to make sure the other kid was okay.
Always goes to the right when his back is to the basket. (100% in the clip)
Reaches too much on defense. The early games will be stupid fouls galore.
As previously observed, he needs some muscle if he wants to defend the post.
I also saw a post that he was planning to go to Prep School until CV changed things. This explains the sudden appearance.
Tisdale made a significant contribution by his soph year. Believe Jermaine should also be a contributor. Just believe Kofi is a one off. Not going to be an equivalent very often as he is a physical rarity.Lieb looks to be a little farther along than Mike Tisdale and Nick Smith, at this stage.