IlliniHQ 2
General Category => Fighting Illini Basketball Forum => Topic started by: frankiew on October 16, 2023, 12:25:12 PM
-
1. Kansas
2. Duke
3. Purdue
4. Michigan State
5. Marquette
6. UConn
7. Houston
8. Creighton
9. Tennessee
10. Florida Atlantic
11. Gonzaga
12. Arizona
13. Miami FL
14. Arkansas
15. Texas A&M
16. Kentucky
17. San Diego State
18. Texas
19. North Carolina
20. Baylor
21. USC
22. Villanova
23. Saint Mary's
24. Alabama
25. Illinois
Did not expect this
-
LFG
-
Is this your list, Jasn?
-
Is this your list, Jasn?
no pal
-
no pal
Where is your list?
-
Where is your list?
i dont do college basketball top 25
-
Is this your list, Jasn?
He doesn’t do his own lists.
-
1. Kansas - #1 seed in the tourney, won't win it though
2. Duke - #1 seed in tourney, Scheyer isn't Coach K though
3. Purdue - Same team, same result, Edey won't translate come tourney
4. Michigan - State -Strictly based on Izzo's reputation too high imo
5. Marquette - Shaka had a really good year last year, lost some key players, guards won't be enough.
6. UConn - Hurley will have it going again, True Blue Blood program
7. Houston - Sampson has the dogs again, this may be a sleeper, even at #7
8. Creighton - Way too high overall, talent won't compute, 2nd weekend at best.
9. Tennessee - Coaching is always the issue...Barnes is like Underwood so far, can win alot, not alot of post season wins though
10. Florida Atlantic - Underrated at #10, should be Top 5.
11. Gonzaga - Few will ever argue with this team and rankings, feels like another Zags year to do something.
12. Arizona - Cue in more talent, schedule may dictate how ready come March they are, could win the whole thing.
13. Miami FL - Missed the timeslot imo, way too high ranked.
14. Arkansas - Always dangerous with athletes, run and gun there way to Elite 8?
15. Texas A&M - Sleeper pick here for sure, #15 may be too low.
16. Kentucky - Reputation, reputation....probably should be around 20th or 25th.
17. San Diego State - Won't be around for late run, out first weekend.
18. Texas - Could make some noise, Elite 8
19. North Carolina - 2nd weekend casualty, will do well regular season of course.
20. Baylor - Under rated, but did lose some talent
21. USC - Better off without the Bronny hype, and would be better without him on the court as well. Some of the other talent is elite, but young.
22. Villanova - They will get into MM, maybe Elite 8, probably 2nd round.
23. Saint Mary's - Better than the Zags, ranked too low, will win and will make at least 2nd round if not more.
24. Alabama - Will win regular season games, won't win in March, maybe one game.
25. Illinois - Will drop out of rankings before end of non conference schedule, will be back in by end of year, will be in the Elite 8 and lose.
-
Has been a little talk around the idea that this is Underwood’s best team at Illinois. Seemed eyeroll worthy at first blush, but maybe not.
This year’s TSJ looks better to me thus far than Ayo in his last year here. We don’t have a Kofi obviously, but we play a more modern style of ball and have length and skill all over the court and are insanely experienced.
That 2020-21 team didn’t look great early, it was when they got into the B1G that they really racked up the wins. We played Baylor (who went on to win it all) in the non conference, and while we hung around, they were clearly a better team.
As it turns out, the B1G, while stacked with top ranked teams, was a giant tourney bust.
It’s early, but this team looks legit. We beat Kansas in a game that the coaches and players took seriously. Played Marquette (a team that returned everyone from a good team last year) down to the wire when we were still figuring a lot of rotation stuff out. And then go into MSG and put on an offensive master class on a really well balanced squad that brought everyone back from a 35-4 season/Final Four appearance.
I don’t think it’s out of the realm of possibility that this squad challenges Purdue for the league crown and secures a high seed. I think they’re built for a deeper tourney run much better than the 2020-21 team was.
Let’s stay healthy.
-
If they play like they did tonight maybe. Most of the offense came from two guys though. But that was the most enjoyable Illini basketball game I’ve watched since at least Ayo was here.
-
Yeah I would argue that TSJ is more dominant offensively and defensively than Ayo. Ayo did have the clutch gene.
-
Domask looked like Larry fcking Bird tonight.
I like him being aggressive these last two games.
TSJ is a grown man.
Maybe this point guard by committee or no point guard thing will somehow work.
We just shot up to #15 in Kenpom and a projected 24-6 and 14-6 record.
Offense now #30 and was like 55-65 before. Defense is #9.
Up to 20-11 and 12-8 in Torvik. Still at #30 overall.
-
Most of the offense came from two guys though.
That’s kind of a weird nit to pick. Our studs took the game over and the coaches rode the hot hands, as they should have. Harmon had a very efficient 10 points. Hawkins had 9. 🤷🏻♂️
-
That’s kind of a weird nit to pick. Our studs took the game over and the coaches rode the hot hands, as they should have. Harmon had a very efficient 10 points. Hawkins had 9. 🤷🏻♂️
I’m not sure 30+ from two guys is sustainable. We need more offensive threats.
-
I’m not sure when I’ve ever seen an Illini tandem score 30+ in the same game? Maybe Kofi and Ayo did it?
-
I’m not sure when I’ve ever seen an Illini tandem score 30+ in the same game? Maybe Kofi and Ayo did it?
I would think that is a pretty rare feat that hasn't been done since the late 80s or early 90s
-
I would think that is a pretty rare feat that hasn't been done since the late 80s or early 90s
Kofi and Plummer.
-
Kofi and Plummer.
Ha, did not see that coming. Well, half of it anyway.
-
Kofi and Plummer.
I don't remember plummer ever scoring 30, nice find
-
They both scored 30+ because they couldn’t stop those guys at all so they just kept running the same shit over and over. And they just kept scoring. Of course it isn’t sustainable. Matchups will be different. But we don’t need those guys to score 30+ every game to win. We’ve got a whole roster of guys that can put up 10-20+ (and have) on any given night depending on matchups.
-
They both scored 30+ because they couldn’t stop those guys at all so they just kept running the same shit over and over.
As opposed to the old 'well that play worked, no sense in using it again' or the old 'it didn't work but we'll keep running it until we get it right'.
That was just an enjoyable game to watch on both ends of the floor, once the game got past the 5-5 start.
-
They both scored 30+ because they couldn’t stop those guys at all so they just kept running the same shit over and over. And they just kept scoring. Of course it isn’t sustainable. Matchups will be different. But we don’t need those guys to score 30+ every game to win. We’ve got a whole roster of guys that can put up 10-20+ (and have) on any given night depending on matchups.
Agree we have more guys who can score this year and can take and make shots at hopefully reasonable level.
Our offense was pretty bad before last night due to Guerrier, Hawkins,Domask, and Harmon not playing consistently at their typical level.
Last year they did the same thing on offense which was to ride the hot hand and matchup- but honestly only ever had two guys, and often only one who could reliably score.
Would be great to not wonder where the offense is going to come from when TSJ is not on floor.
We also only had five TOs I think in second half. That is huge if you equate each possession gained or lost with approx 1 point.
We had 9 in first half and were down.
-
Saw a nice little YouTube thing on TSJ last night. Rolls around campus in a new BMW SUV. Thoughts, Tempo?
-
Saw a nice little YouTube thing on TSJ last night. Rolls around campus in a new BMW SUV. Thoughts, Tempo?
Yeah I saw this as well and was going to link it here, asking Tempo’s opinion/approval of that…
-
Saw a nice little YouTube thing on TSJ last night. Rolls around campus in a new BMW SUV. Thoughts, Tempo?
Did he do any donuts?
-
Good for him.
Maybe has a lease deal or maybe that is a NIL benefit from that dealer, or he just went and bought it with NIL money.
Kid plays hard is relentless worker and takes a beating every game.
-
Up in Champaign at the mall with my daughter and walked past Dray Gibbs Lawhorn. Pretty cool.
-
Is TSJ going number one overall? An SUV is comparable to a Ferrari now?
-
“It?” His cock?
(https://i.postimg.cc/cLjFf5kS/IMG-5930.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/rD1GkgLn)
-
🤭
-
😂
-
https://x.com/hoopinformatics/status/1737247617669636499?s=46&t=nLWTarDKWNHMqYhTVD-LQQ
Honestly, I don’t think Curbelo, Miller, and Podz backcourt would be any better than what we currently have 🤷🏻♂️
In reality with the Miller transfer, Underwood was getting him ready for the NBA sticking him in the corner to shoot threes. Watching the NBA like I do, that’s what most offenses do. Ayo literally goes down the floor straight to the corner almost every trip down lol.
-
Hmmmm..
Let's say they all stayed and........
Miller never got hurt and developed.
Curbelo never did coke or whatever the fck he was into and never got hurt.
And Podz was given the minutes and green light he had at Santa Clara.
Could have been pretty damn good.
-
This is good to see!
https://x.com/dravyngibbs/status/1739003827947204823?s=46&t=nLWTarDKWNHMqYhTVD-LQQ
-
This is good to see!
https://x.com/dravyngibbs/status/1739003827947204823?s=46&t=nLWTarDKWNHMqYhTVD-LQQ
Very good to see, glad the lack of playing time so far hasn't discouraged him as much as it might others.
-
Good for DGL.
Playing time has been scarce but he's behind players with experience and on a team that looks to have good chemistry.
-
Field of 68 guys talking about mid season coach of the year candidates. Gottlieb was on this one and said Underwood. Rob Dauster had Underwood as his runner up behind Calipari. That really surprised me.
-
Field of 68 guys talking about mid season coach of the year candidates. Gottlieb was on this one and said Underwood. Rob Dauster had Underwood as his runner up behind Calipari. That really surprised me.
James Madison coach, Memphis, there are too many that haven't seperated but mid season is the time to hype them up.
-
Caution: PAMan trigger warning!
Don’t look now but despite all the turmoil and the Maryland debacle, we are a game back of first in the B1G at the halfway point.
Some bright spots:
TSJ appears to be shaking the rust off.
The rest of the guys benefitted from having to step up in his absence. Harmon, Rodgers, Goode, etc have really stepped up of late.
Purdue and Wisconsin play this weekend so one of them will be tied with us if we win Sunday.
We have a long rest before Nebraska and another long break before we go to East Lansing.
We have huge games against Wisky and Purdue over a month out from now so hopefully we’ll be firing on all cylinders by then.
Watchouts:
We will lose @ Maryland no matter what
Still think we are behind the 8 ball to win or tie for the conference crown, but I think 15-5 is in play if we get our shit together.
*Should* win:
Nebraska
Michigan
@PSU
Iowa
@Iowa
Minnesota
Tough but winnable:
@MSU
@Wisconsin
Purdue
Will lose:
@Maryland
Hoping this season can be like the 2003-04 team that catches fire after getting their guy back and beat Purdue to take the title.
LFG!!!
-
Officially triggered
-
We are down to the 5 line on Bracket Matrix. Torvik projects 14-6 and a 4 seed.
I agree all the games are in play, but only PU and Wisconsin are possible signature wins that will move us up.
I think we might end up with excellent record but maybe not enough high quality wins to move up to a 3 seed, although CBS has us as a 3.
Need to knock off PU at home or in BTT, or Wisky on road to secure that.
-
(https://i.ibb.co/f8KpVqc/IMG-4169.jpg) (https://ibb.co/M8jVyZX)
-
Richie Cunningham approves of this message.
-
(https://i.ibb.co/f8KpVqc/IMG-4169.jpg) (https://ibb.co/M8jVyZX)
😂😂😂
-
That's hilarious.
-
(https://i.imgur.com/2cIgQsg.png)
-
" Fact is, the Illini’s ceiling lies solely on what they look like defensively a month from now."
"But the crux of the issue, and the one that’s plagued this team for over a month now, is a steady drop off on the defensive end."
https://www.thechampaignroom.com/2024/2/12/24070306/illinois-defensive-issues-are-reaching-alarming-levels-fighting-illini-brad-underwood-big-ten
-
B-rad seems to be as in love with this new NBA style of play as he was with the equally ill fated pressure defense he employed his first couple of years here. Staff needs to wake the fuck up and make adjustments, teams with this level of talent and experience don’t come around very often at Illinois and it would be nice to actually take advantage of it for once.
-
Just watched MD highlights as I wasn’t able to pay close attention during much of the game.
Goode, Guerrier, and to some extent Domask and Harmon just can’t keep anyone quick in front of them. Even Rodgers and Shannon spend most of their time defending the dribble drive from behind the play, angling for a block off the glass. Walker, Young, Buie, etc are some of the best of those type of guards in the entire country. That’s the trade off of the interchangeable length and positionless basketball.
I really do think the strategy has shifted to trying to outscore teams while playing just enough defense to win games. Big focus on limiting three point opportunities, forcing teams to shoot 2 point jumpers/go to the basket, and getting defensive boards.
They did throw an interesting wrinkle or two in tonight, but probably felt like they could beat this team without giving enough to let it be scouted to death.
-
Just watched MD highlights as I wasn’t able to pay close attention during much of the game.
Goode, Guerrier, and to some extent Domask and Harmon just can’t keep anyone quick in front of them. Even Rodgers and Shannon spend most of their time defending the dribble drive from behind the play, angling for a block off the glass. Walker, Young, Buie, etc are some of the best of those type of guards in the entire country. That’s the trade off of the interchangeable length and positionless basketball.
I really do think the strategy has shifted to trying to outscore teams while playing just enough defense to win games. Big focus on limiting three point opportunities, forcing teams to shoot 2 point jumpers/go to the basket, and getting defensive boards.
They did throw an interesting wrinkle or two in tonight, but probably felt like they could beat this team without giving enough to let it be scouted to death.
Agree. They did double Reese more which disrupted his passing especially at times and we helped/hedged on Young more to try and slow him down.
We had two plays which were four point swings which really swung the game our way.
And, of course, MD could not hit shit from three as usual.
I think we could get to EE if we get on a heater on offense, or get knocked out in second round at this point.
That said- we are in the dangerous team group.
-
We took 7 shots from 3 in the 1st 5 minutes and made 4.
We made 1 the rest of the game, finishing 5-20.
Thank the good Lord, if you can do that around here, that we didn't end up taking close to 30 from 3, which we're generally more than happy to do.
-
We took 7 shots from 3 in the 1st 5 minutes and made 4.
We made 1 the rest of the game, finishing 5-20.
Thank the good Lord, if you can do that around here, that we didn't end up taking close to 30 from 3, which we're generally more than happy to do.
They said on the broadcast that we had at least 6 made threes in every conference game this season. You knew the jinx was on at that point.
-
Isn’t Tyler Underwood supposed to be a big analytics guy? Why the fuck did it take them so long to get the right guys on the floor at the end of a game? That lineup had played a total of 7 mins together all season leading up to winning time at MD.
-
Isn’t Tyler Underwood supposed to be a big analytics guy? Why the fuck did it take them so long to get the right guys on the floor at the end of a game? That lineup had played a total of 7 mins together all season leading up to winning time at MD.
So you like Rodgers and Harmon both in versus Guerrier and just one of them??
-
I like Rodgers on the floor most of the time, whichever of Guerrier or Harmon is having the better game and/or matches up better, and Goode used situationally.
-
I would take Rodgers over Harmon more so than Guerrier. Harmon has a knack for making some plays, but Rodgers just grinds and gets after it all the time it seems. Take your chances with Rodgers more often than not.
-
Had an old photo pop up in memories tonight and had to laugh. This was taken on the shuttle bus on the way back to Pia’s after another home loss. Had Alexander’s with sidra and Jeff Frank before the game.
(https://i.ibb.co/j8znK5F/IMG-4498.jpg) (https://ibb.co/3TvgXsH)
-
Had an old photo pop up in memories tonight and had to laugh. This was taken on the shuttle bus on the way back to Pia’s after another home loss. Had Alexander’s with sidra and Jeff Frank before the game.
(https://i.ibb.co/j8znK5F/IMG-4498.jpg) (https://ibb.co/3TvgXsH)
classic!
-
Had an old photo pop up in memories tonight and had to laugh. This was taken on the shuttle bus on the way back to Pia’s after another home loss. Had Alexander’s with sidra and Jeff Frank before the game.
(https://i.ibb.co/j8znK5F/IMG-4498.jpg) (https://ibb.co/3TvgXsH)
ThAt'S. NoT. fUNnY.
;D
-
Pia's the place to be at one time....used to own that basketball shooting machine, held the record for quite some time even being hammered. LOL
-
Not sure but I think the ILLINI have lost their games this year by a total of under 50 pts.
Pretty strong stuff for a team against a #1 a #4 and a #17 ranked team in the nation.
Most wins vs B1G overall since 2019-2020, Elite Eight here we come....Domasketball and TSJ Freight train coming to get 50 every game!
-
I believe Duke and us are only P5 teams without a double digit loss on the year. 🤞
-
I believe Duke and us are only P5 teams without a double digit loss on the year. 🤞
And they don’t count because they’re pompous bitches!
-
Shannon 1st team All B1G
Domask 2nd Team
Hawkins 3rd Team
Cliff Omoruyi won DPOY over Hawkins... booo
Hoiberg with COY and all the rest are unsurprising
-
Not really surprised Hawkins didn’t win DPOY. Can’t even guard his own position. Usually decent at guarding the other 4 though.
-
Shannon 1st team All B1G
Domask 2nd Team
Hawkins 3rd Team
Cliff Omoruyi won DPOY over Hawkins... booo
Hoiberg with COY and all the rest are unsurprising
Congrats to Hoiberg. Nebraska, yes Nebraska, gets the 3 seed in TOTTM.
-
Domask also made first team in the coaches selection
-
Trent Meacham just picked us to win BTT. Be nice to get a 3 seed in dance.
-
https://twitter.com/IlliniMBB/status/1769473679593754820
I'm sure we'll be better off without him
-
https://twitter.com/IlliniMBB/status/1769473679593754820
I'm sure we'll be better off without him
NGL, I was one of those people but I guess an apology is in order. When his head is on straight, he's a dominant force on both ends.
-
Oh shit, in East Region with UCONN.
-
This is actually wild if true
https://twitter.com/AB1132/status/1772337932814238102/mediaViewer?currentTweet=1772337932814238102¤tTweetUser=AB1132
-
Just want to say despite getting buttfucked by uconn today this was a fantastic season and I will really miss Shannon, domask, Hawkins and the rest that aren't here next year.
Let's do it again in 24-25!
-
Just want to say despite getting buttfucked by uconn today this was a fantastic season and I will really miss Shannon, domask, Hawkins and the rest that aren't here next year.
Let's do it again in 24-25!
Domask might be back…
-
Domask might be back…
Oh I thought he was out of eligibility!
-
Proud of what this group accomplished. Won the BTT. They were the ones who broke the second weekend curse. That cannot be taken away from them.
-
A really enjoyable team to watch since the start of TOTTM.
-
A really enjoyable team to watch since the start of TOTTM.
PMan gonna get you…
-
Proud of what this group accomplished. Won the BTT. They were the ones who broke the second weekend curse. That cannot be taken away from them.
Agreed. Now let’s build on it!
-
Oh I thought he was out of eligibility!
He can petition like DeVito did in football to try and get another year. Don’t know if he will or not, but he can try. We’ll see.
-
PMan gonna get you…
Don't care. We were. And the announcers enjoyed watching us.
-
Don't care. We were. And the announcers enjoyed watching us.
Oh I agree 100%!
-
Funny.
https://x.com/housemallister8/status/1737257096431681696?s=46&t=taZJ_d5ITWr6Hq3PUZDUiQ
-
Eddie Johnson is a fucking moron btw…
There was a poll of former players that could give a one-word answer to the state of Illinois men’s basketball and he chose “dissatisfied.” What a fucking tool! 😂 Seriously, how in the actual fuck can that be your one word?!
-
Eddie Johnson is a fucking moron btw…
There was a poll of former players that could give a one-word answer to the state of Illinois men’s basketball and he chose “dissatisfied.” What a fucking tool! 😂 Seriously, how in the actual fuck can that be your one word?!
You think maybe he had a bet on the Illini and was dissatisfied with not seeing a basket for 50 minutes of real time Saturday?
-
You think maybe he had a bet on the Illini and was dissatisfied with not seeing a basket for 50 minutes of real time Saturday?
Then maybe he should be dissatisfied with himself…
-
You think maybe he had a bet on the Illini and was dissatisfied with not seeing a basket for 50 minutes of real time Saturday?
Maybe dissatisfied with finishing 19-11 after a 15-0 start?
Or losing to KSU in the second round on a team that had 2 future long term NBA players.
-
Maybe dissatisfied with finishing 19-11 after a 15-0 start?
Or losing to KSU in the second round on a team that had 2 future long term NBA players.
I doubt that is it.
-
Then maybe he should be dissatisfied with himself…
He should have bet against the Illini?
-
Maybe dissatisfied with finishing 19-11 after a 15-0 start?
Or losing to KSU in the second round on a team that had 2 future long term NBA players.
The Rolando Blackmon game. I remember sitting in a bar surrounded by KSU fans. Ugh!
-
I still dislike Ed Nealy too
https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/boxscores/1981-03-19-illinois.html
-
Finish the season ranked AP #6. Second top ten finish in 4 years and 4th top 25 finish in last 5.
-
Finish the season ranked AP #6. Second top ten finish in 4 years and 4th top 25 finish in last 5.
👏🏼 👏🏼