Pregame: Illinois vs Alabama, Wednesday, November 19th, 8:00pm CT, FS1

Status
Not open for further replies.
#201      
LouHenson
Or….

Bama gets smoked by the future of college basketball.! Somewhere Georgi is smiling he is the original OG for the Balkin movement and it will be on full display for the entire country to see tonight. If this ends up working, Brad truly will be one of greatest influencers of the college game going forward.
 
#202      
NarrowJ
PepeSilvia said:
Ive never watched an Illini game and been blown away by the offensive scheme. Yes they have had good offenses but they have had a ton of talent, they should have good offenses.

The 2023 offense was just let Shannon kill in transition, Domask play bootyball, and use he positional size and athleticism to win on the glass. Coleman and Guerrier were solid spot up shooters.

Last years offense I'd argue was worse than the sum of its parts when you factor in having two first round picks for the their offensive prowess, Tomi, and Boswell. The offense was just running Kasparis into a pick and roll or dribble hand off and then launching 3s around him.

This years team is honestly just an embarrassment of offensive talent. I don't think any other team in the country has as many guys that can create and score as the Illini do this year.
Click to expand...

This is all true and 100% agree with it

I just think we can give the guy a little credit is all, rather than trying to explain it away as he has faceplanted into his success or something… he is turning in Kevin Murray level metrics year-after-year at 1/8th of the salary
 
#203      
Second place is 1st loser
PepeSilvia said:
Ive never watched an Illini game and been blown away by the offensive scheme. Yes they have had good offenses but they have had a ton of talent, they should have good offenses.

The 2023 offense was just let Shannon kill in transition, Domask play bootyball, and use he positional size and athleticism to win on the glass. Coleman and Guerrier were solid spot up shooters.

Last years offense I'd argue was worse than the sum of its parts when you factor in having two first round picks for the their offensive prowess, Tomi, and Boswell. The offense was just running Kasparis into a pick and roll or dribble hand off and then launching 3s around him.

This years team is honestly just an embarrassment of offensive talent. I don't think any other team in the country has as many guys that can create and score as the Illini do this year.
Click to expand...
That's a fair take, but remember, if you aren't going to give the coach any credit on the success and put it all on the players shoulders......if we have a bad offensive game, you're going to have to drop it on the player's heads too. Can't have it both ways.
 
#204      
Bigtex
Illini 993 said:
This caused me to wonder what the highest O/U has been for an NCAA game? Couldn't find the record, but I think I'd take the over on this game up to 180.
Click to expand...
Loyola Marymount late 80 early 90s

The high-scoring season for Loyola Marymount men's basketball was the 1989–90 season, when the team averaged an NCAA-record 122.4 points per game. Led by stars Bo Kimble and Hank Gathers, the Lions also led the nation in scoring for the third consecutive year.
 
#205      
illiniE
Fighter of the Nightman said:
Alright, gonna buy our tickets tonight and am keeping my options open as far as price and section, with one exception ... we really don't want to be by the 'Bama bench, lol. Can anyone in the know confirm one more time what section will be behind each team's bench??

Thanks. :cool:

EDIT: The two sections behind the benches look to be 102 and 121. I know we could just avoid anywhere too close to either, but I would love to get the best seat for our money, if possible!
Click to expand...
We got tickets through an Ifund presale and are in 122 if that is an indication.
 
#206      
I-L-L 1318
PepeSilvia said:
Ive never watched an Illini game and been blown away by the offensive scheme. Yes they have had good offenses but they have had a ton of talent, they should have good offenses.

The 2023 offense was just let Shannon kill in transition, Domask play bootyball, and use he positional size and athleticism to win on the glass. Coleman and Guerrier were solid spot up shooters.

Last years offense I'd argue was worse than the sum of its parts when you factor in having two first round picks for the their offensive prowess, Tomi, and Boswell. The offense was just running Kasparis into a pick and roll or dribble hand off and then launching 3s around him.

This years team is honestly just an embarrassment of offensive talent. I don't think any other team in the country has as many guys that can create and score as the Illini do this year.
Click to expand...
Isn't that kind of the beauty of Brad and Co? He and Tyler have completely overhauled their system 3 years in a row (and changed drastically from the Kofi years) to fit the pieces they have. They also have found the players, and I am sure Tyler has had some input on them (wasn't he the lead on Wagler?) It's certainly not always a thing of beauty, but its simple and they spam what works.
 
#207      
21ChampaignSt
PepeSilvia said:
Ive never watched an Illini game and been blown away by the offensive scheme. Yes they have had good offenses but they have had a ton of talent, they should have good offenses.

The 2023 offense was just let Shannon kill in transition, Domask play bootyball, and use he positional size and athleticism to win on the glass. Coleman and Guerrier were solid spot up shooters.

Last years offense I'd argue was worse than the sum of its parts when you factor in having two first round picks for the their offensive prowess, Tomi, and Boswell. The offense was just running Kasparis into a pick and roll or dribble hand off and then launching 3s around him.

This years team is honestly just an embarrassment of offensive talent. I don't think any other team in the country has as many guys that can create and score as the Illini do this year.
Click to expand...
No disrespect but if you weren't "blown away" by our 2024 offense, which is like a top 10 offense of the KenPom era, maybe your Offensive-Scheme-O-Meter is a little off. Surely you don't think that was a top 10 most talented team of all time? Our strategy (scheme) that year 1000% allowed us to overachieve relative to the talent on the roster.

Side note: Will and KJ were drafted on potential. Not because of their fully realized offensive prowess. That's why I think they're both in the G League right now. This was a huge misunderstanding by our fans last year. We saw two one and dones and thought that meant we had Carmelo Anthony and Anthony Davis on the roster and they should carry us to a championship. First rounders (especially one and dones) aren't always great college players. Just like great college players aren't always first rounders. Those guys were very good but there's no reason to believe their talent was somehow wasted by our staff.
 
#208      
sacraig
Game Day!
ZGXIJV2.gif

I don't know why the gif isn't playing so I posted a link to the video.
 
Last edited:
#211      
The Galloping Ghost
College basketball is so much better off for incentivizing high-profile non-conference matchups. It's one of the few truly great changes to college sports. It feels like every day since the season started, there have been marquee matchups. And I'm glad we're taking advantage of it. Beat Bama. Get that second top-tier win. Put ourselves in the driver's seat for a top seed come March.
 
#213      
NarrowJ
I-L-L 1318 said:
Isn't that kind of the beauty of Brad and Co? He and Tyler have completely overhauled their system 3 years in a row (and changed drastically from the Kofi years) to fit the pieces they have. They also have found the players, and I am sure Tyler has had some input on them (wasn't he the lead on Wagler?) It's certainly not always a thing of beauty, but its simple and they spam what works.
Click to expand...

This is also a great point, I think. The ability to adapt everything to what's available has been nothing short of amazing. It's a feather in the cap, for sure.

I think this 'Illinois has had an embarrassing amount of talent' is a bit overblown as well. Domask wasn't this hugely talented player, but they turned him into a 19ppg B1G player. If some people want to give all of the credit to Jay Wright, then go ahead, but I won't.

Someone else in here also makes a great point about Will and KJ being freshmen. If we're going to point to talent and also set Kevin Murray as 'the bar', we can't then ignore the absolutely absurd amount of talent UConn has had over the same time period. Kevin Murray gets paid like $800k while Tyler makes peanuts and puts out virtually the same level of product with less talent.
 
#214      
HereSoIDontGetFined
Rothstein's stat about Illinois and Alabama 3-point percentage got me curious.

Last year after four games, Illinois was 48/135 on 3s. This year, we are 46/127 on threes, good for a slightly higher percentage of success (36.2 vs 35.5 in 2024-25).

On 2s, we are shooting 85/137 which is 62%. Last year, we were 66/118 on 2s for 55.9%

So, not only is the balance of our shots more in favor of 2-pointers, we're shooting better from both 2 and 3.

Caveat is that last year's stats are pretty heavily skewed by a terrible shooting night against Oakland. But I think our shooting against Colgate wasn't all that great either, and we still won that game handily. It's the balance of shots I find more interesting anyway.
 
#215      
Grandpa
NarrowJ said:
I think this 'Illinois has had an embarrassing amount of talent' is a bit overblown as well. Domask wasn't this hugely talented player, but they turned him into a 19ppg B1G player. If some people want to give all of the credit to Jay Wright, then go ahead, but I won't.
Click to expand...
Don't cheat. That wasn't what he said. He said " This year's team is an embarrassment of offensive talent.
 
#216      
fuddrules
I just have to say this, no particular reason, I love Stojakovic's game. It's really nice to see a guy not so reliant on the 3 point shot. This teams also seems to have "it" and they're fun to watch. The 2022-23 team, I'll admit, I turned off quite a few of their games. I couldn't take it. This team seems to play as smart as any team Underwood has had since he's been at Illinois.
 
#218      
Barfolomew
NarrowJ said:
This is also a great point, I think. The ability to adapt everything to what's available has been nothing short of amazing. It's a feather in the cap, for sure.

I think this 'Illinois has had an embarrassing amount of talent' is a bit overblown as well. Domask wasn't this hugely talented player, but they turned him into a 19ppg B1G player. If some people want to give all of the credit to Jay Wright, then go ahead, but I won't.

Someone else in here also makes a great point about Will and KJ being freshmen. If we're going to point to talent and also set Kevin Murray as 'the bar', we can't then ignore the absolutely absurd amount of talent UConn has had over the same time period. Kevin Murray gets paid like $800k while Tyler makes peanuts and puts out virtually the same level of product with less talent.
Click to expand...

I think you mean Luke Murray.
And I get your point, but comparing assistant salaries is not quite apples to apples, since Hurley's Lakers foray basically meant he could get anything he asked for from UConn.
Illinois wins back to back nattys and their assistants will be in the same ballpark.
Let's hope we get to find out!
 
#219      
HailtotheChief
fuddrules said:
I just have to say this, no particular reason, I love Stojakovic's game. It's really nice to see a guy not so reliant on the 3 point shot. This teams also seems to have "it" and they're fun to watch. The 2022-23 team, I'll admit, I turned off quite a few of their games. I couldn't take it. This team seems to play as smart as any team Underwood has had since he's been at Illinois.
Click to expand...
I like that Boz while he can shoot can attack, Andre can attack as well as Mihailo who is an excellent assist guy. These shooters surrounding these 3 guys are a recipe for success. Especailly given how well they are shooting from the FT line. I hope Wagler can slide to the three whenever Andre sits to allow more minutes to get Mihailo on the floor at point instead of Jake at the 3. I love the idea of Wagler, Boz, Mihailo, and Andre playing most of the minutes at the 1-3 spots and sliding Wagler over whenever Andre sits will do that by allowing Mihailo in when one of the other three aren't on the floor. I am excited about Mihailo as well as Boz, Andre and Wagler. I feel they are our best 4 wings. I saw Mihailo warming up pregame last game and dude can fly. LaTulip stated he is the fastest illini BU has ever had with the ball in his hands and that's saying something.
 
Last edited:
#222      
pruman91
Red77sng said:
WLS 890
Click to expand...
I'm going to date myself but when I was a teenager the stations we all listened to was KXOK St, Louis during the daytime hours and WLS at night...........both AM stations......very few FM radio stations available in my hometown......Got a Pioneer 8 track player with 6 speakers for my 69 ragtop Camaro SS Indy Pace Car............thought I had died and went to Music Heaven.............lol..........
I really really did...........

my worthless prediction is...............................

Illini 88
bama 81

LET'S GO ILLINI !!!!!!!!!
 
#223      
NarrowJ
Grandpa said:
Don't cheat. That wasn't what he said. He said " This year's team is an embarrassment of offensive talent.
Click to expand...

He also said:

Ive never watched an Illini game and been blown away by the offensive scheme. Yes they have had good offenses but they have had a ton of talent, they should have good offenses.
Click to expand...

I think I'm attacking the correct argument here.
 
#224      
blackdog
21ChampaignSt said:
No disrespect but if you weren't "blown away" by our 2024 offense, which is like a top 10 offense of the KenPom era, maybe your Offensive-Scheme-O-Meter is a little off. Surely you don't think that was a top 10 most talented team of all time? Our strategy (scheme) that year 1000% allowed us to overachieve relative to the talent on the roster.

Side note: Will and KJ were drafted on potential. Not because of their fully realized offensive prowess. That's why I think they're both in the G League right now. This was a huge misunderstanding by our fans last year. We saw two one and dones and thought that meant we had Carmelo Anthony and Anthony Davis on the roster and they should carry us to a championship. First rounders (especially one and dones) aren't always great college players. Just like great college players aren't always first rounders. Those guys were very good but there's no reason to believe their talent was somehow wasted by our staff.
Click to expand...

I think where people get lost is because there aren't a lot of set plays in the offense. Its a system instead that is designed to play to the individual players strengths and put them in positions to use them effectively. On first watch its not always obvious what is going on but rewatching film shows there are a lot of subtle things happening to maximize advantages.
 
#225      
Brosky
If you mean Bloomington IL and not that other Bloomington, you and I might be neighbors!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back