We'd for sure grab an extra rebound or two
And we'd be one of the older teams in recent memory. Four seniors and two sixth year seniors in the rotation.
We'd for sure grab an extra rebound or two
And we'd be one of the older teams in recent memory. Four seniors and two sixth year seniors in the rotation.
Looking at the remaining schedule and the way we played today the optimist in me says we could go 11-7
@Msu W
Purdue L
Nebraska W
@Indiana L
@Minn W
OSU W
Wisconsin W
@Rutgers W
Iowa L
@Northwestern W
Rutgers W
@Wisconsin L
Indiana W
Minn W
@Maryland L
@Penn state W
Go I-L-L-I-N-I!!
Another ring to remember: A lot people were discussing DJW as a likely red-shirt candidate. That got scuttled this year due to the amount of injuries.
If we can get Leron back, it could happen. If we don't get him back this season, then 9-9 is actually more realistic than most fans may think.
I think it would be good for him to red shirt next year. You are looking at a starting line up next year of Abrams, Nunn, Hill, Finke, and Thorne with a second unit of Tate, JCL, Jordan, Black, Morgan. Where will he get minutes? Unless Groce plans on going 11 or 12 deep next year.
I just hope he doesn't transfer because he definitely has the highest ceiling of any of our freshman. Has the ability to play almost any position on the floor. I see a lot of similarities to former tOSU NPOY Evan Turner.
Do you really believe DJ has s higher ceiling than Finke Jordan and Lands?
Yes he does. Because he has the height and length and skill set to play anywhere from the 1-3 at the next level. He just hasn't quite adjusted to the college game yet. Doesn't mean the skills and potential have gone away. Jordan and jcl are clearly 2 guards. Neither is overly athletic. We haven't seen it much yet but djw is a far better athlete than either. And jcl is very undersized for a 2 at the next level. Granted Finke has really come on and shows lots of potential to be great stretch big man at the next level.
So you would rather have DJ over JCL on this team if you had to choose just one?
Yes he does. Because he has the height and length and skill set to play anywhere from the 1-3 at the next level. He just hasn't quite adjusted to the college game yet. Doesn't mean the skills and potential have gone away. Jordan and jcl are clearly 2 guards. Neither is overly athletic. We haven't seen it much yet but djw is a far better athlete than either. And jcl is very undersized for a 2 at the next level. Granted Finke has really come on and shows lots of potential to be great stretch big man at the next level.
So you would rather have DJ over JCL on this team if you had to choose just one?
DJ doesn't have the mental makeup to make it at the next level. He may not even have it at this level. He is one of those guys with all the skill in the world and a huge upside but the key will be whether he ever figures out how to turn it on all the time. He disappeared far too often in high school and that is often a big red flag.
@DPiperScout
#Illini big man Mike Thorne Jr. walked by the media in his practice attire. Looks like he'll at least go through a workout today.
Also if Thorne's gonna return this season, I hope it happens soon. I don't want him to return when there's no postseason hope left only for him to lose the chance to play next year when we could really be great.
If Thorne does indeed return this year, it would be a pretty good indication that the staff is not feeling very confident he will get a sixth year from the NCAA. JMO.
Line is MSU -13.5, seems like we're getting no respect here. I don't think MSU without Valentine is much better than OSU.
Also if Thorne's gonna return this season, I hope it happens soon. I don't want him to return when there's no postseason hope left only for him to lose the chance to play next year when we could really be great.
What have we done to earn respect against a top 5 team, even with their star player out?
If Thorne does indeed return this year, it would be a pretty good indication that the staff is not feeling very confident he will get a sixth year from the NCAA. JMO.
Groce: Khalid Lewis is going to go vs. MSU
Groce: Have to continue to strive for consistency. Thought we got contributions from a lot of guys vs. OSU.
Groce: We've practiced well here two days in a row. Guys have given good effort & made progress.
Groce on MSU: Physical, great depth, good on the glass, push the ball in transition.
Groce: We're preparing as if Denzel Valentine is playing. Have a contingency plan for if he doesn't. Prepared regardless.
Groce: Lewis is progressively getting better. Lost some weight but starting to get some of it back. Looked good today.
Groce: Mike Thorne Jr. is still doing treatment and rehab. That includes some cardio. Gained quite a bit of weight while out.
Groce: Right now, Thorne has done nothing on the court. He won't until he is ready to do so. Black the same way.
Considering all of our losses have been close, including games against teams that are probably better than MSU without Valentine (Providence, Iowa State, maybe Michigan), I just think the line should be a little closer. 7 or 8 sounds about right to me.