The frustrating part is because of all the newcomers, this is basically year 1 again. So there shouldn't be any expectations other than to play hard, be competitive, and show improvement.
It's not, though. And if we have another season where we win like 12 games and everyone chafes under Underwood's coaching style, we're going to have a bunch of newcomers again and the cycle will never stop. We have to start winning. Make the tournament? No, probably not. But there needs to be forward momentum in terms of actual results this season and that should be everyone's expectation.
It's not, though. And if we have another season where we win like 12 games and everyone chafes under Underwood's coaching style, we're going to have a bunch of newcomers again and the cycle will never stop. We have to start winning. Make the tournament? No, probably not. But there needs to be forward momentum in terms of actual results this season and that should be everyone's expectation.
That's fine but expecting these epic performances and wins against top 25 teams in the first 5 games of the year is unrealistic.
That's fine but expecting these epic performances and wins against top 25 teams in the first 5 games of the year is unrealistic. As long as we're competitive in the B1G in some respects we have improvement we are expecting. It's obvious by the predictions thread, just like last years, that some people think a miracle is going to happen here somehow.
It seems to me that we are constantly saying "maybe next year" or "it will happen in the future" as aspirational statements more than factually justifiable.
That's fine but expecting these epic performances and wins against top 25 teams in the first 5 games of the year is unrealistic. As long as we're competitive in the B1G in some respects we have improvement we are expecting. It's obvious by the predictions thread, just like last years, that some people think a miracle is going to happen here somehow.
I agree it is not year 1, but it seemed like last year Illinois never made it out of the basics in running an offense or defense. Trent hero ball and Black was our offense. Black is gone and we still have Trent hero ball. They all make the same stupid mistakes over and over again on offense and defense. I cannot tell if the coaching stinks or the players are struggling. The players seem lost on defense at times and over correct and no one seems comfortable running the offense. I know I do not quite understand this offense we are running, but I do know we are not running it well. Anybody can watch a game and see that. We barely make it through one rotation at times and settle for an off balance layup through 2-3 defenders. So who should coach play, a freshman who is still learning the basics or the upperclassmen who should know the basics and probably do, but are still stinking it up on the court for some reason or another. I feel like the struggles will continue if Illinois does not get out of the basics. This schedule, the turnover, and the freshman do not help, but they need to stop playing like year 1.And there has been a lot of turnover, but when we're talking about a game in which four returnees, all of which saw heavy action last year under the same staff playing the same system, played 17, 21, 26, and 27 minutes, it really isn't year 1 at all in the "hey man we're just throwing some stuff in the air and seeing what sticks" sense.
The guys that stuck are half of our rotation. A guy that stuck is our star player.
You'll have to point me to my wild expectations about epic performances, because those are news to me. I look at the schedule and am hard-pressed to find more than 16 wins.
What are you seeing right now that leads you to believe we will be competitive in the B1G? Because you know what happens in conference play, right? We get scouted relentlessly and teams are going to focus on Trent until we show that we've got other ways to beat them on offense.
KenPom currently projects a 10-game conference losing streak, and I don't have a rational rebuttal to that. We are giving up easy shots and fouling at a rate that is crippling and is undoing every conceivable advantage we gain by forcing turnovers (and in fact, makes it worse because we're thin - would you trade 5 forced TOs for Giorgi being able to stay on the floor?* I certainly would). Just because it's November doesn't mean the rest of the season is some unknowable mystery. If nothing changes from what we're currently doing, we're going to lose a lot of games.
*Separately from the concerns I outline in this post, I really enjoy that I am typing this statement. Join me in the Church of Bezhanishvili, won't you?
Bench Nichols = entitled Senioritis
Start Griffin = desires
I agree, but on the other hand he is an upperclassman who could for all intents and purposes put up big numbers, besides maybe on the defensive side if he could get over whatever he needs to get over and gain some confidence. It is a tough call for a coach when a player cannot get into a rhythm to bench him.Bench Nichols = entitled Senioritis
Start Griffin = desires
Personally, I'd rather try to put more pressure on the inside with Adonis and Giorgi in the same lineup. Lineup changes in the backcourt will likely not change much. JMO.
One of the big stories when Underwood was hired were the adjustments he made to save Oklahoma States’ season. It’s time.
I don’t think we can do that until Adonis can play more than 2 minutes at a time without running out of breath or committing a foul per minute.
With who we have on this team, we don’t have a lot of athletic bounce at the hoop guys
we were picked to finish 13th in conference.
The frustrating part is because of all the newcomers, this is basically year 1 again. So there shouldn't be any expectations other than to play hard, be competitive, and show improvement.
The biggest win this season will be to have continuity going into next year. Can't have another mass exodus of guys leaving.
I don't claim to know anything, and I'm just an old man enjoying a couple bourbons the day before Thanksgiving... but these are some things I'm currently thinking:
Anyway, hope we win tonight. I'm going to refill my glass...
- It is way early in the season, and we all know this is a tougher-than-usual schedule for a younger-than-usual team. Let's not get excited about that.
- What are the odds Kipper makes it through the year (I hope he does, but this is a thought I keep having)?
- I remember Brandon Paul going for 20+ his first couple games and everyone thought he was all-world. Granted, he was good; but still a 4-year player. That was my concern with Ayo's first two games. Really good, but... one-and-done???
I don't claim to know anything, and I'm just an old man enjoying a couple bourbons the day before Thanksgiving... but these are some things I'm currently thinking:
Anyway, hope we win tonight. I'm going to refill my glass...
- It is way early in the season, and we all know this is a tougher-than-usual schedule for a younger-than-usual team. Let's not get excited about that.
- What are the odds Kipper makes it through the year (I hope he does, but this is a thought I keep having)?
- I remember Brandon Paul going for 20+ his first couple games and everyone thought he was all-world. Granted, he was good; but still a 4-year player. That was my concern with Ayo's first two games. Really good, but... one-and-done???