Pregame: Illinois vs Southern, Friday, November 10th, 7:00pm CT, BTN Plus
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Film ought to help us stay focused during this game. The official beginning of the Underwood Era is ushered in with a comfortable W.
Southern is predicted to be middle of the road in the SWAC, worst conference in total. Only one team in top 300 per KenPom. SWAC has #349, #350 and #351 out of 351 teams. Southern is #330.
EIU is #205 and was on the road and the first time in front of a crowd, but I am pretty sure few of us expected an L, though it does not count. We have two B10 games in < 1 month. We need to figure this out fast.
I expect considerable improvement given our youth, but I fear irrelevance.
GO ILLINI!
EIU is #205 and was on the road and the first time in front of a crowd, but I am pretty sure few of us expected an L, though it does not count. We have two B10 games in < 1 month. We need to figure this out fast.
I expect considerable improvement given our youth, but I fear irrelevance.
GO ILLINI!
Hello, LTLFTP. I've been following this team for decades (my alma mater) but just got around to making a name and signing on.
I would like to see a 4 guard starting line up to help with ball handling and rebounding:
1. Tejon
2. Smith
3. Kipper
4. Alstork
5. Black
or based upon performance of last game (or perhaps this week's practice):
1. Smith
2. Kipper
3. Frazier
4. D. Williams
5. Black or Finke
I would like to see a 4 guard starting line up to help with ball handling and rebounding:
1. Tejon
2. Smith
3. Kipper
4. Alstork
5. Black
or based upon performance of last game (or perhaps this week's practice):
1. Smith
2. Kipper
3. Frazier
4. D. Williams
5. Black or Finke
Looks like Southern graduated its point guard, so that should help the Illini.
Tejon/Smith/William/Kipper/Black start
This line-up can pressure the ball very well (unless Black gets in foul trouble) and can pace up transition.
Alstork/Finke get more than 15mins. They can score when we need a rest and play slower (keep uptempo and mess up late in the last game was not a good idea).
Egboi/Trent get more than 5mins
This line-up can pressure the ball very well (unless Black gets in foul trouble) and can pace up transition.
Alstork/Finke get more than 15mins. They can score when we need a rest and play slower (keep uptempo and mess up late in the last game was not a good idea).
Egboi/Trent get more than 5mins
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afpharmdawg
- Colorado Springs
i've been going back and forth between half-empty/full since/during the game ... but thought occurred to me regarding experimentation, practice, etc.
suppose you your team isn't very good at xyz but they need to be, eg, defensive rotation and over-committing seems to be Exhibit A, turnovers pushing ball up court Exhibit B etc.
Here's the glass is full view:
In a real game you would do what you can do reasonably well so far vs. keep at what is not working. It was obvious the aggressive perimeter defense wasn't working, etc, etc ... was it madness, inability to recognize and adjust??? I'd have to think he wanted them to practice and gain experience (against someone besides teammates). And it does show them that they 'don't have the offense/defense systems' under their belt yet
Now that's not an excuse for some of the performance (Black/Finke rebounds, guard shooting, ...)
suppose you your team isn't very good at xyz but they need to be, eg, defensive rotation and over-committing seems to be Exhibit A, turnovers pushing ball up court Exhibit B etc.
Here's the glass is full view:
In a real game you would do what you can do reasonably well so far vs. keep at what is not working. It was obvious the aggressive perimeter defense wasn't working, etc, etc ... was it madness, inability to recognize and adjust??? I'd have to think he wanted them to practice and gain experience (against someone besides teammates). And it does show them that they 'don't have the offense/defense systems' under their belt yet
Now that's not an excuse for some of the performance (Black/Finke rebounds, guard shooting, ...)
Both of those lineups will almost definitely be played at some point. But I guarantee Black and Finke will both be starting. BU is challenging them to step up as leaders and leaders need to start. I think they'll both have good games, especially Black.
TownieMatt
CU Expat
- Chicago
Given his struggles so far, I actually think Alstork comes off the bench. Give me:
Lucas
Smith
Nichols
Black
Finke
Lucas
Smith
Nichols
Black
Finke
That group looks good to me, provided we can defend opposing bigs without fouling. Underwood has talked a lot about positionless bball and going small, but I need to see it work before I get excited about a couple 6'6" guys trying to guard opposing 4/5s.
We should have pretty good options at the traditional 1-3 positions. Match-ups at the 4/5 have a lot of potential to challenge us. Too far down the road to worry about now, but there's this guy named Porter on Misery....
:thumb:
:thumb::thumb:
:thumb::thumb:
Future Walk-On
- Peoria, IL
lol from one exhibition? or did he struggle vs ISUblue too?
I personally don't care who starts because this has to be a 20 point win regardless.
IlliniDent
- Chicago, IL
Or he could take it as a shot in the arm. If he checks out from one bench start the first game of the season then he was never going to be very good
Exactly, plus if he ever makes the league, you can bet he'll be riding pine at some point. By all indications he seems very self aware of how he's not going to be the absolute best and only used player on the team.
Really think BU , will do as he says, make it a teachable moment. Alstork seems to be a highly motivated type, that will figure it out really quick. Like to see several 3 pointers and some steals Friday, then we know he got the message.
In my opinion this is his opportunity to play on the "grand" stage and if he checks out mentally that's on him because the opportunity is there for him but he's with better talent, in the B10 and has an opportunity to lead but because you can't shoot the ball 27 times a game he checks out by al means do so because I guarantee you if I'm Williams/AJ/Frazier I'm all over that opportunity!!
+1
Guys at every level need to earn PT. If you're not mentally tough enough to adjust to coming off the bench for a couple games, you're just not mentally tough enough.
ILL in IA
- Iowa City
If BU is still trying to get this team in the right mindset of how to practice and play, and DMW is still a standout on what he is looking for, I think he will get some starts early on. I don't want to go back to a JG saying of "players play players", but if fits here. Rewarding a young player with a start for being the example of what the new coach expects, can go a long way on setting expectations for the rest of the team.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
I'll be on a roadtrip to Madison for the weekend, so I won't watch or listen ... and it's probably better that way, as I'm a neurotic fan. I will never forget checking my phone casually to see:
North Florida 93
Illinois 81
11/13/2015. :tsk:
The point of that bad memory was this is the type of game that you CANNOT lose. It counts now. Let's start this season off with a very comfortable win at the SFC! So excited that Illini basketball is back!
North Florida 93
Illinois 81
11/13/2015. :tsk:
The point of that bad memory was this is the type of game that you CANNOT lose. It counts now. Let's start this season off with a very comfortable win at the SFC! So excited that Illini basketball is back!
EfremWinters84
- S. Carolina
I came here straight after viewing that new hype video (superlative btw!). As I climb out of my EIU depression, it's time to turn optimistic once again.
ILL 93
SOU 63
Starters for this game are irrelevant. Let's hope we see 9 guys with some excellent chemistry rotating in/out of the line-up. I'd like to be a Top 10 scoring Offense after our first 3-4 games.
ILL 93
SOU 63
Starters for this game are irrelevant. Let's hope we see 9 guys with some excellent chemistry rotating in/out of the line-up. I'd like to be a Top 10 scoring Offense after our first 3-4 games.
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