Pregame: Illinois vs McKendree, Tuesday, November 15th, 7:00pm CT, BTN

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#26      

GameOfThrows

G
GameOfThrows
Like most of you I would love to see Te'Jon get more playing time, but my reasoning has to do with the fact that Jordan looks to be a year away from contributing. He doesn't look comfortable out there yet. Thus, we need Te'Jon and Tate to play more at the 1 so that Abrams can move over to the 2 and relieve JCL from time to time.

Hopefully, our reserves continue to get some more run. Not need to panic yet for the season. Let's wait and see how we look after the VCU game. We'll have played several real teams by then and we'll know more about the team and coaching by then.

These early games are all about experimenting with different line-ups and tactics so the coaches can figure out the best line-ups for the real games.

Hill
Abrams
Finke
JCL
Morgan

Black
Tate
DJW
Thorne

That will be our main 9 man rotation once the "real" season gets under way imho. Maybe Te'Jon and Kipper can develop to help us, but I am not counting on it. If we get anything from them this season that will be a huge bonus.
 
#27      

Illinijose

I
Illinijose
Hoping Jordan gets it together, he might just be a year away. We have had players who struggled and than looked much better as Jr/Sr.
 
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#30      

illinitrav

I
NW Suburbs
illinitrav
georgeuremovich said:
Why is the game listed on the McKendree site as an exhibition?
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Because this is a game featuring d1 vs d2, the d2 team is able to classify it as an exhibition game, while Illinois can count it as an official game. To add to the confusion, this game will not factor in to Illinois' RPI or strength of schedule.
 
#32      

pfeifale000

P
pfeifale000
Captain Bubbles said:
I'm a Fairfield alum, but I know who he is. When he was a senior, Mater Dei had probably the tallest frontcourt in southern Illinois. That was a good team. Lampe was also a good player for them.

Illinois will have to contain 6-5 G/F David Franklin. Averaged 21 ppg. last year for them. Also averaged that same number too when he was at Lake Land. 6-5 G/F Michael Jackson is another name Illini fans will be hearing a lot. Averaged 15 ppg last season. Keep Justin Blanks in mind, 6-4 G/F as he scored 27 against Robert Morris-Springfield in their last game.

Their coach, Harry Statham...what a story. 51st season this year at the helm. The all-time wins leaders in college basketball history at the four-year level...wow.
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McKendree's leading scorer from last year #10 David Franklin didn't play in there only real game this year vs Robert Morris. Wonder what happened?
 
#33      

pfeifale000

P
pfeifale000
IlliniFaninHoosierLand said:
One other name of note on the McKendree roster is Nate Michael. He is the son of former Illini player and current EIU AD Tom Michael.
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He poured in a career-high 40 points in a victory at Maryville on Feb. 6 last year. He was a redshirt freshman last year too. Seems like this team has multiple scoring options around the perimeter. Illini should dominate down low and on the boards.
 
#34      

Mscott21

M
Mscott21
David Franklin

Interesting tidbit, Franklin played high school ball in Belleville and as of late actually spends a lot of time working out with Javon Pickett.
The reason Franklin is not playing is because he actually only has one semester of eligibility left, which he will be using for the Spring semester
 
#35      

FeelYourPaign

FeelYourPaign
So Cal
FeelYourPaign
Mscott21 said:
Interesting tidbit, Franklin played high school ball in Belleville and as of late actually spends a lot of time working out with Javon Pickett.
The reason Franklin is not playing is because he actually only has one semester of eligibility left, which he will be using for the Spring semester
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I didn't know that you could have a semester left. I thought that everything was full years. What is the path to this result? Just find it interesting.
 
#37      

IlliniKid

IlliniKid
IlliniKid
peace davids said:
I want to see Aaron Jordan and DJ Williams have good games tonight.



Really badly.
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Same. Especially AJ. That kid just needs some confidence. With confidence, his shots will start going in. He was a deadly shooter in high school. So he doesn't lack the tools to be a knock down shooter in college.
 
#38      

t7nich

t7nich
Central IL
t7nich
I want to see some dunks tonight. Just somebody drive to the basket and dunk it (looking at you Malcolm). With these teams we’ve been playing and the improved vertical ability of our players, I’m a little surprised we haven’t seen more. I can recall 2 dunks in the first few games we’ve played.. Finke put back and Finke in transition.

An alley-oop to DJ off a baseline back cut would be nice. Maybe coach is saving this for the tougher competition?
 
#40      

Monte Carlo

Monte Carlo
Monte Carlo
DJ is the one who needs to be doing this. He looks very athletic and thought he passed up a chance with a baseline drive against North Kentucky.
 
#43      

IlliniGuy108

I
IlliniGuy108
illinitrav said:
Because this is a game featuring d1 vs d2, the d2 team is able to classify it as an exhibition game, while Illinois can count it as an official game. To add to the confusion, this game will not factor in to Illinois' RPI or strength of schedule.
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So do the player stats count toward career pts/ ppg, etc.?
 
#46      

TownieMatt

T
CU Expat
Chicago
TownieMatt
I'll be interested to see how Leron fits back into the team. I'm guessing DJ will see a little less time. Maybe Jordan too if DJ slides to the 3.

We were so worried about front court depth at the end of last season, now we've got a bit of a log jam there. Especially once Kipper is eligible.
 
#47      

EfremWinters84

E
S. Carolina
EfremWinters84
These first three opponents seem interchangeable. Admittedly, I'm still not doing my research/homework. Even so, the outcome should be something in this vicinity:

ILL 86
McK 61

Hoping TJL gets 15+ minutes (in lieu of Tate). Would also like to see Finke and JCL take five shots each from inside the arc. Predicting that JCL finally breaks loose tonight --- for at least 14 points!
 
#48      

ejam21

E
ejam21
Adnarel said:
While MH is obviously a beast, I still don't see a lot of evidence that he's added explosiveness to his repertoire thus far.
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I do.....he is getting more lift on his jumper and that play where he stole the ball and took it the lenght of the floor.....he was above the rim on that and1 but dropped it in instead of dunking (but was easily high enough to throw down had he not been fouled.

Last year he had multiple breakway dunks where he barely cleared it......and he was wide open on those and not touched.
 
#49      

Illini_1979

Illini_1979
Oregon
Illini_1979
Adnarel said:
While MH is obviously a beast, I still don't see a lot of evidence that he's added explosiveness to his repertoire thus far.
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I could be looking through orange colored glasses but I think that MH is getting better lift on his rebounding as well. It seems to me that he is getting higher and being more authoritative when grabbing rebounds.
 
#50      

IlliniRock

I
IlliniRock
CubsBearsBullsIllini said:
Doesn't really relate to the game on Tuesday but am I the only one that still hasn't warmed up to the uniforms? I love the blue uni and the silver uni. However the white uni and orange uni I still just think look awkward on our guys. I'm sure winning would change that though lol
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Agree the uniforms are GOD awful compared to other programs.
Our uni's are "Huff" as the fellas would say.
 
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