Sencire Harris to take redshirt year
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I think time will tell with DGL and it's a long season as well- this is only Game 1. While I appreciate the excitement and optimism from an insider for sure, and DGL did have himself a game today, he's also only a freshman. He didn't look particularly good against Kansas, and his defense this game still requires a lot of work, which is to be expected as he's a freshman. We have seen plenty of freshmen come in and have a really great game against a really terrible team. The question is how they perform against good competition and in B10 play and 9 out of 10 times good offensive freshmen fall off considerably. There is no doubting his athleticism nor his offensive swagger, but I really have a tough time crowning him on Day 1.
And if Brad truly has vaulted him up to Ayo, Trent, Andres, DMFW level guys, who all were 20-30mpg players from the moment they stepped on campus, I have a lot of questions. What I would find far more believable is that in the grand balancing act of roster management, Brad knows if he doesn't play DGL, he's walking. And based on potential, he really wants to do all he can to retain him, and if that means giving him minutes you'd probably otherwise give Sencire, who would probably take not getting time much better (which he has), then you do it and risk it. Now that I'd believe in a heartbeat. But you didn't say that. So really, all I can say is I hope DGL is the guy who is a program defining multi year player who bleeds orange and blue like the ones you're saying Brad is comparing him to. And he might just be that guy. He just might. But it's game 1 against a team projected to be one of the worst in college basketball.
All I'm saying is this seems optimistic to the point of being realistically questionable. I'm all for it happening and am not going to say it can't or won't, but I really need to see it from DGL against quality competition before I start chugging the kool-aid. Just my 2 cents.
There are no more inside tracks. With the portal someone all of a sudden shows up out of nowhere three lengths ahead of you.
Smart move by Harris. Don't burn a year when you're likely to be 10th man. Look for your best spot after the season is over. Hopefully it's here.
Fully understand the off the court goal of getting fletched. Naturally slim, long limbed people take more time to get stronger by nature than most other body types.
What’s the on the court goal for growth? I’d assume shooting. Long term play make him a pg so he can harass the other teams pg?
Try Gas-X, hopefully it goes away and you'll feel better!
Oh, go ahead and try just a little sip if the Orange Kook-Aid . . . just a little sip!
Dennis Rodman
Bigtex
- DFW
I think it is a huge leap to say 20-30 minutes for DGL. Unlike the earlier guys he is playing on a old and more talented team
Also playing time doesn’t guarantee staying
There are tons of players in the league that can shoot not very many who play smothering defense, rebound and be that unselfish guy on the court that just wants to win. Dennis Rodman and Joe Dumars of the old bad boy pistons come to mind, although Joe did develop an offensive game. Dennis however carved out a hall of fame career on rebounding and defense.
You always hate to lose depth and a DAWG at that. But, it could be great for the future of the program if he stays.
I'm kind of surprised about all the doom and gloom over this.
I was more worried about him transferring before finding out about the redshirt than I am now.
Seems like a kid who is focused on his long-term goals (how rare is that?) and wants to give himself the best chance to be a big time contributor next year when 60-70% of our minutes will need to be replaced.
I was more worried about him transferring before finding out about the redshirt than I am now.
Seems like a kid who is focused on his long-term goals (how rare is that?) and wants to give himself the best chance to be a big time contributor next year when 60-70% of our minutes will need to be replaced.
A freshman Trent & Damonte wouldn’t play 20 mins on this team. We just used to suck. Tejon Lucas, & mark Alstork, have been replaced with Ty, & TSJ. He could be Brad’s guy and still play a lot less minutes some nights.
Illini in Indiana
- Indiana
Wow, I love the energy he brought to the team. If it is truly a development year for him I hope it works out. I think he had the best attitude and work ethic on the team, and that example will be missed. I hope he kicks !!! in practice and makes the rest of the team better.
I mean, we SHOULDN'T have needed it last year either... Stuff happens...
I'm sure it was a tough decision for the kid, but it was probably the best decision for his long term playing time. Last season, Harris was 7th or 8th on the depth chart and getting 10-15 minutes per game. This season, between transfers and since it looks now like Gibbs has passed him on the depth chart, he's closer to 11th. So for him, the choice was 5-10 minutes per game and some garbage time in early cupcakes, or dedicate to the weight room and practice, and have 3 additional years where he can be top 7 on the depth chart.
I think he made the right choice, and support him and will keep cheering for him to improve and get more time next season.
I think he made the right choice, and support him and will keep cheering for him to improve and get more time next season.
For all the talk of the “portal world”, I think this is a really smart and mature decision in the “NIL world”. Unless he almost doubles his 3-point shooting, he’ll never sniff the nba. So considering education/board/NIL, there’s a good chance college is his peak basketball earning window, why not maximize that. TBD if Illinois is where he can do that the next three years.
Fully agree. If he didn’t decide to redshirt I have no doubt that if around game 15 he was playing the same or fewer (which I think was very possible) minutes than last year, people on here would be whispering and worrying about Sencire transferring next year. And he would have killed a year. That all this is on the table and seemingly he, family and team are all on board is a good thing. Sure he could end up transferring anyway, but I think the likelihood of that is reduced not increased by this move. I think it is hard to argue with the fact this is the best thing for him and his career, and isn’t that what fans often say they want — what’s best for the kid. Hopefully he ends up staying and given that he was mature enough to make this decision instead of getting all butt hurt and transferring immediately, and that he’s not the kind of kid to shy from a challenge, I think he’ll be back bigger, stronger and better. And speculating otherwise serves no purpose and seems disrespectful to Sencire.
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I thought the original poster’s comment was uncalled for, but why would he mention Ty in it?
He didn't say that Dra was going to be a star this year, or that he is going to play 25-30 minutes per game this year. The comp to Brad's guys like Ayo, Trent, and DMFW is likely based on work ethic in practice and the ability to take coaching and learn things faster than expected.
Dra had a good game. We should expect some good games going forward and we should expect some struggles early against good teams and BIG teams until he adjusts. And if he is truly one of "Brad's guys", he is going to adjust and learn from the struggles because of his effort in practice and ability to take coaching.
Was wondering about that, but then figured it was a new insider lingo that I was unfamiliar with.....Still was picking up what you were laying down!
Captain Bubbles
- Fairfield, IL
Another recent example of a player who redshirted their sophomore year was Jack Nunge of Iowa. Jack averaged nearly 6 points a game his freshman year, then decided to redshirt his sophomore year. His ppg started to increase, then he transferred to Xavier where he averaged 13 ppg a night, and was an honorable Big East selection.
I love watching Sencire play, and respect his decision. Young man showing a lot of maturity!
I love watching Sencire play, and respect his decision. Young man showing a lot of maturity!
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