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General Category => Fighting Illini Basketball Forum => Topic started by: Miles Leonard on December 02, 2022, 11:25:49 AM
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First conference game. Can we finally break our Maryland curse?
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MD is favored. I did not realize they had a good team.
Looks like they don't shoot the three or allow it much.
Would be great to start the league with Top 25 road win.
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We're 2-8 our last 10. They play defense.
It's at their house.
TSJ, Mayer and the freshmen don't know nothing about a damn curse.
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Tempo intimated, at one point, that the start of the B1G schedule (along with Jan 16th and Jan 6th - ok, I bastardized Jan 16th into Jan 6th for symbolic reasons related to our nation's history) would be the time to look at the Illini Free Shot Percentage.
Per ESPN, Illinois is shooting 65% from the Free Shot Line on the year. Not going to cut it.
Kansas shot 71.7% last year
Baylor 70.8 in 2021
{NO CHAMP IN 2020}
Virginia 74.4 in 2019
Villanova 77.9 in 2018
NC 70.1 in 2017
Do I need to keep going?
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I don't think a difference of 1 out of 20 free throws made is going to be the difference between a national championship and whatever we are doing this year
we need to make lots of 3's on a consistent basis
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We’ve played less than 20% of the season. A couple of good FT shooting games could jump them 50-70 spots in FT percentage. It needs to improve, but I’m not panicked over it just yet.
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I don't think a difference of 1 out of 20 free throws made is going to be the difference between a national championship and whatever we are doing this year
we need to make lots of 3's on a consistent basis
*Ding*
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Illini 74 Maryland 67
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*Ding*
Lot easier to make Free Shots than 3s.
Well, it should be....
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More critical to make 3s. Don’t really care what they shoot from the line as long as they don’t lose a big game from it. Again, we haven’t even played a game in December yet. Not going to freak out over 10 missed FTs.
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Is 3 point shooting going to be a concern ?
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Is 3 point shooting going to be a concern ?
Hopefully not!
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Is 3 point shooting going to be a concern ?
Maybe, but I wouldn't be surprised if it isn't
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Maybe, but I wouldn't be surprised if it isn't
Is that a shot across the demilitarized zone?
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Is that a shot across the demilitarized zone?
No, not at all. Just a harmless, throw away comment.
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Is 3 point shooting going to be a concern ?
I think we have enough snipers where someone should be hot.
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Team rankings lists 363 teams, and we are ....
#302 in free shot percentage. 5 1/2% below last year. Hang a banner.
#89 in 3 point shots with the same percentage as last year, which was good for 55th last year.
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Team rankings lists 363 teams, and we are ....
#302 in free shot percentage. 5 1/2% below last year. Hang a banner.
#89 in 3 point shots with the same percentage as last year, which was good for 55th last year.
Interesting info, Mn.
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Interesting info, Mn.
I thought you would ask, so .....
We're 11th in 2 point shots. Lol.
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Team rankings lists 363 teams, and we are ....
#302 in free shot percentage. 5 1/2% below last year. Hang a banner.
#89 in 3 point shots with the same percentage as last year, which was good for 55th last year.
And if we had made 8-10 more we’d literally be about 125. 8-10 misses in 7 games really worth panicking over?
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And if we had made 8-10 more we’d literally be about 125. 8-10 misses in 7 games really worth panicking over?
Lol.
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Kevin Willard >>>> Brad Underwood.
Maryland 72
Illinois 61
This one won’t be close
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I like this pace.
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Epps already with 2 fouls.
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Donte Scott is a beast.
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MD has a lot of guys who can create their own shot.
Good recipe to avoid droughts.
They are good.
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Our offense has gone dead.
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Underwood’s defense just makes no sense. If you play a trap against good teams, you’re gonna give up wide open 3s and layups
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Good counterpunch here.
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Come on guys
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Not a good half
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WHAT IS OUR FREE-THROW PERCENTAGE?
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Terps 7-15 from 3. It seemed like they made every one.
(https://i.ibb.co/3MfhQb0/Screenshot-20221202-205216-Samsung-Internet.jpg) (https://ibb.co/CMJ0Dyn)
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We’re 100% from the line though, that’s all I care about.
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Yeah man it seems like they can’t miss from 3.
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This was teetering on "wheels coming off" after the 17-2 run. Gotta close out on Maryland shooters and grab some dang rebounds. Very much still a winnable game.
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3 of 3 is too small of a sample. If can't shoot as well as MD, better drive to the basket and get fouls.
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The old you win with guard play.
29 pts from Hart and Young. 7-10 from 3.
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Call a fucking foul you cowards.
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Most of Illinois offense was on broken plays. Maryland is playing way better half court offense.
This should be a blowout in the 2nd half.
Hakim Hart doesn’t even jump on his 3s first guy I’ve see shoot an actual set shot in a long time
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Getting pissed.
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Call a fucking foul you cowards.
I’d rather we play better.
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I’d rather we play better.
The two things don’t have to be mutually exclusive
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Mayer is fucking dumb and terrible. A bad combo
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The two things don’t have to be mutually exclusive
Point being we’re not losing because of calls.
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I’d rather we play better.
Obviously, yeah. But Hawkins was fouled. Just saying.
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Point being we’re not losing because of calls.
Or free throws.
We’re only losing because of what Tempo wants us to be losing by. We get it dude.
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This is a joke with officiating now.
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Well goddamn Shannon!
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They had to call that and the guy was just standing there.
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I think we’re gonna screw around and win this game.
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How is that not a foul on the body when Shannon was trying to dunk that?
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I think we’re gonna screw around and win this game.
Defense will win it if it happens
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How is that not a foul on the body when Shannon was trying to dunk that?
Scott getting the MJ treatment. What a crock.
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I do love that when our offense isn’t working our defense keeps us in the game. It does have a Houston feel to it. Very tough and hard nosed team so far they’re showing and never out of it.
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Most of Illinois offense was on broken plays. Maryland is playing way better half court offense.
This should be a blowout in the 2nd half.
Hakim Hart doesn’t even jump on his 3s first guy I’ve see shoot an actual set shot in a long time
Lol.
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I want to see someone slap the floor on the d end
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To be outplayed as badly as we were (and yes, not getting help from the refs) and only be down 7-10 most of that time was an accomplishment. Feel good about our chances.
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I want to see someone slap the floor on the d end
That’s a joke, right?
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Great spin move by Dainja.
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Dainja's nailed that spin move.
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That’s a joke, right?
What do you mean?
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We’re gonna have a hell of a team if/when they get in synch.
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Team is showing some moxie.
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Team is showing some moxie.
Moxie is flowing out of every orifice.
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That was 100% a travel but I'll take it.
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Dumb, Coleman. Just dumb.
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Another airball
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Shannon having issues with his eyes it appears lol
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Big time shot by Clark
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Shannon having issues with his eyes it appears lol
Maybe he needs his eye cut, like Rocky in Rocky 1, so he can see the basket
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Wasted 2 timeouts on that possession to get 0 points.
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Can't say that was elite coaching in action there
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JFC
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Not sure you want Epps shooting that
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Damn. Had an open look.
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Bad shot by Epps, but gotta love the confidence when wide open
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Damn. Wide open too.
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Dagger
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Dagger.
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Copy cat
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Skyy Clark finally hits a big 3. Then gets benched the last 5 minutes to put Epps in who was completely lost. I give him some props for not being afraid but not sure why he was out there. Guess Underwood wanted him to have him get some run in front of his family.
MD puts the game away with a dagger.
IL played closer than what I thought
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We have the pieces, but this team is very disjointed. They look like a team put together through the transfer portal.
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Helluva shot by the kid. Tip of the cap.
Too many mistakes made down the stretch.
Our kids ain't afraid to get down and dirty though. Still love the direction we're headed in.
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Good D, just a make. Can’t do much with that.
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Copy cat.
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Damn curse wins again
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Good thing nothing matters until Jan 6
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As long as Undy is the coach, Illinois will need superior talent to get to the Sweet 16. This group might win a game in the tournament, but can't see a Sweet 16 run. Underwood needs 3 plus 1st rounders for that.
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We have the pieces, but this team is very disjointed. They look like a team put together through the transfer portal.
Mayer is completely lost. He’s not in the flow at all. Always trying to go 1 on 1. Hawkins also does lot of 1 on 1.
Dainja I think realizes his spot on the team and fits.
Shannon and the freshmen guards at the end of the game need to figure out who is taking the pressure shots. It should be shannon
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Good thing nothing matters until Jan 6
I said free throws don’t matter. And you know it’s the 16th. We shot 88% from the line tonight.
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Good D, just a make. Can’t do much with that.
We miss a wide open three. They make a contested one. Just that kinda game.
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I said free throws don’t matter. And you know it’s the 16th. We shot 88% from the line tonight.
Shannon shot 6 of the 8 shots.
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Outscored by 7 at the line. Terps being in the bonus with 12 1/2 to go didn't help.
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Still love the direction we're headed in.
What direction is that?
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Underwood needs to get that starting lineup straightened out.
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What direction is that?
Winning. Something you know jack shit about.
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Underwood needs to get that starting lineup straightened out.
He should start with swapping Mayer and Harris minutes. Mayer needs to play way less. Harris much more
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He should start with swapping Mayer and Harris minutes. Mayer needs to play way less. Harris much more
For once, you're on to something.
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We made 5 of 20 threes. Played horrible D in first half. Somehow we had chance to win.
We need to get better on offense.
The pieces are there, the execution is not.
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We made 5 of 20 threes. Played horrible D in first half. Somehow we had chance to win.
We need to get better on offense.
The pieces are there, the execution is not.
If you can't hit 3s, you better have another plan on how to score. Kofi is gone.
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If you can't hit 3s, you better have another plan on how to score. Kofi is gone.
We have options, but are not executing. They need to use a lot more high ball screens for Shannon and Hawkins and Clark and Epps. Really poor spacing and ball movement lately when they should be finding roles. Need to take better looks on threes by everybody.
Get ball to Dainja in better spots.
We should be progressing quicker at this point. It’s still early, but they are underutilizing Shannon a lot IMO.
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Well that sucked
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Zero qualms about Epps taking that shot. He’s one of our best shooters and he was wide tf open. We hadn’t been getting any clean looks since they went to the zone. The problem I have is that he had all kinds of time to take a dribble and step into it but completely rushed the shot. But he’s a true freshman playing in his first true road game in a very loud hostile environment in front of 25 friends and family.
Very likely win this game if Shannon doesn’t get banged up. He clearly wasn’t himself after he got his eye socket bashed in, which is to be expected.
The officiating sucked ass all night. Some really ticky tack shit, more off the bell foul calls than I can remember, some blatant missed fouls that definitely would have changed things. There were the ones that the announcers mentioned but the one that maybe bugged me the most was the Maryland player hip checking RJ 50’ from the basket and it being called an over and back.
Zebras finally tried to even up the foul tally when we rallied, but they really didn’t do us much good because several of them were off the ball and we weren’t even close to being in the bonus. They actually kind of disrupted our half court offense leaving us with a short shot clock. It got their big in foul trouble but switching to the zone and double action really made things tough on Dainja.
This felt a lot like the Virginia game. Was close for much of the important part but never really felt like we were playing well enough to win. And then shit our pants again at the end.
Overall though I think we are farther ahead than I thought we’d be at this point. These guys play hard and fight through adversity. We all knew they’d have a lot to figure out from a chemistry perspective and we have seen that a couple times now against solid competition away from home.
I didn’t have a good feeling about this game from the get go. Going to Maryland has been a house of horrors for us for years. Young guys that haven’t been in this kind of environment before. Still trying to mesh as a unit.
I do think Mayer showing up at the very end of summer hurt things. He’s definitely regressed over the last season and an half and I sure hope he can turn the corner. He’s basically just a guy so far.
Is RJ on the same S&C program as the rest of the team? I’m 41 and have more muscle tone and definition than he does. He’s also got a little bit of a pooch. Think he is a really solid player but just kind of surprised he hasn’t really progressed physically. He certainly has the frame for it.
Big game up next against #2 Texas in the Garden. Plenty to work on. Hope Shannon’s eye isn’t swollen shut.
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Zero qualms about Epps taking that shot. He’s one of our best shooters and he was wide tf open. We hadn’t been getting any clean looks since they went to the zone. The problem I have is that he had all kinds of time to take a dribble and step into it but completely rushed the shot. But he’s a true freshman playing in his first true road game in a very loud hostile environment in front of 25 friends and family.
Very likely win this game if Shannon doesn’t get banged up. He clearly wasn’t himself after he got his eye socket bashed in, which is to be expected.
The officiating sucked ass all night. Some really ticky tack shit, more off the bell foul calls than I can remember, some blatant missed fouls that definitely would have changed things. There were the ones that the announcers mentioned but the one that maybe bugged me the most was the Maryland player hip checking RJ 50’ from the basket and it being called an over and back.
Zebras finally tried to even up the foul tally when we rallied, but they really didn’t do us much good because several of them were off the ball and we weren’t even close to being in the bonus. They actually kind of disrupted our half court offense leaving us with a short shot clock. It got their big in foul trouble but switching to the zone and double action really made things tough on Dainja.
This felt a lot like the Virginia game. Was close for much of the important part but never really felt like we were playing well enough to win. And then shit our pants again at the end.
Overall though I think we are farther ahead than I thought we’d be at this point. These guys play hard and fight through adversity. We all knew they’d have a lot to figure out from a chemistry perspective and we have seen that a couple times now against solid competition away from home.
I didn’t have a good feeling about this game from the get go. Going to Maryland has been a house of horrors for us for years. Young guys that haven’t been in this kind of environment before. Still trying to mesh as a unit.
I do think Mayer showing up at the very end of summer hurt things. He’s definitely regressed over the last season and an half and I sure hope he can turn the corner. He’s basically just a guy so far.
Is RJ on the same S&C program as the rest of the team? I’m 41 and have more muscle tone and definition than he does. He’s also got a little bit of a pooch. Think he is a really solid player but just kind of surprised he hasn’t really progressed physically. He certainly has the frame for it.
Big game up next against #2 Texas in the Garden. Plenty to work on. Hope Shannon’s eye isn’t swollen shut.
I agree with much of this. I do think they look unprepared on offense even if it is early and are not finding good rotations that can score in half court when we are not creating TO's and getting run outs.
They were not mentally ready for a BT road game by staff. Should have used timeouts more in first half to calm the fck down. Anxiety creates slow feet and stupid fouls. Could not stay in front of anyone and gave them 14 wide open threes in first half. Finally upped their D intensity midway through second half.
We played far worse overall than against VA who is arguably a better team.
MD is a Top 25 team overall. Too small and short bench and has to be hitting to beat good teams. They will be first division in BT.
Well coached.
Our ceiling is higher, but staff need to get a better plan here.
We win this type of game in Feb one would hope.
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If you can't hit 3s, you better have another plan on how to score. Kofi is gone.
Go 7-20 from 3 we probably win. But let’s obsess over free-throws in the first few weeks of the season.
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They need Goode and his shooting back, but still can't see this group making a deep tourney run although Shannon and Hawkins are potential first round picks and the freshmen class is top 10...
This is much better than the John Groce dumpster fire, but really need a third first rounder to get this coach over the hump.
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They need Goode and his shooting back, but still can't see this group making a deep tourney run although Shannon and Hawkins are potential first round picks and the freshmen class is top 10...
This is much better than the John Groce dumpster fire, but really need a third first rounder to get this coach over the hump.
You mean Brad Underachiever is not going to coach them all up?
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I like this team a lot. Has much better potential to make a deep run IMO than prior Kofi teams.
Losing games like yesterday only help. We're developing.
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They need Goode and his shooting back, but still can't see this group making a deep tourney run although Shannon and Hawkins are potential first round picks and the freshmen class is top 10...
This is much better than the John Groce dumpster fire, but really need a third first rounder to get this coach over the hump.
I am not sure either is a 1st round pick. Both appear like they can play at next level.
I do think we need to sort some things out on offense. Very stagnant and passive in half court. That is on staff.
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I would think Hawkins might be the more attractive draft pick. He is a legit 6-10 inside outside big with length and good hands. He'll be 21 years old next Saturday.
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I’m not seeing any 1st rounders on this team. Maybe Shannon.
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I’m not seeing any 1st rounders on this team. Maybe Shannon.
He does make his Free Shots.
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Underwood should start:
Epps
Shannon
Melendez
Hawkins
Dainja
Clark, Harris , Goode (when healthy) off the bench.
I just think Mayer/Hawkins are redundant. They can’t play together. At least when Dainja is in they have a consistent post threat
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I’m not seeing any 1st rounders on this team. Maybe Shannon.
Shannon has NBA athleticism, finishing ability, and legit wing size. If he can prove he can shoot from 3 consistently he could go late first round.
Otherwise he is late second. There are a million 6'6" athletic guys who want to be in the NBA.
But for now we need him to have the ball in his hands a lot more.
He does not get enough touches or get put into positions to attack enough.
Needs to be given the Ayo preferential treatment from Underwood.
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I am not sure either is a 1st round pick. Both appear like they can play at next level.
I do think we need to sort some things out on offense. Very stagnant and passive in half court. That is on staff.
Both top 30 in ESPN's draft ranking, which tends to be pretty solid.
https://www.espn.com/nba/draft/bestavailable
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You mean Brad Underachiever is not going to coach them all up?
Maybe in Big 10 play. Doubtful in the tourney.
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Underwood should start:
Epps
Shannon
Melendez
Hawkins
Dainja
Clark, Harris , Goode (when healthy) off the bench.
I just think Mayer/Hawkins are redundant. They can’t play together. At least when Dainja is in they have a consistent post threat
You should sit these out Mr. 18 & 14 or was it 14 & 18?
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Underwood should start:
Epps
Shannon
Melendez
Hawkins
Dainja
Clark, Harris , Goode (when healthy) off the bench.
I just think Mayer/Hawkins are redundant. They can’t play together. At least when Dainja is in they have a consistent post threat
I think we'll see Epps in soon for Mayer. Don't think he'll start both DD and CH.
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Dainja can’t play enough minutes at a high level of effort at this point for it to make a lot of sense to start him, seems to be effective coming off the bench as a change of pace player when the other team subs in.
If Goode comes back and can be solid down the stretch run I think we’ll be ok even if Mayer continues to be what he’s been, which seems within reason at this point.
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Barring injury, Underwood will start; Clark, Shannon, Melendez, Mayer, Hawkins.
Bench in no particular order: Epps, Dainja, Harris, Rodgers, + Goode when he returns.
I realize more than 7 or 8 in a rotation is unusual, but this is a well constructed roster without a lot of redundancy.
Tick so far rounded off, with MD in parentheses; Shannon 30 (37), Hawkins 28 (39), Clark 26 (31), Epps 23 (10 [4 fouls]), Melendez 22 (33), Dainja 19 (21), Mayer 18 (14 [4 fouls]), Rodgers 17 (9), Harris 12 (6).
Foul trouble appears to have affected Epps and Mayer against MD. Overall, Epps and Dainja have played as much or more off the bench as starters Melendez and Mayer. That is likely to continue against stiffer competition.
Shannon and Hawkins played more minutes. That is also likely to continue ...
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I would start Dainja if he gave any indication he could play 30 mpg. I don't see that happening.
If it were me, I'd start Clark, Epps, Shannon, Mayer, Hawkins and use RJM as a 6th man, play Dainja as much as indicated and rotate Harris in at guard. I like Rodgers as a freshman but I wouldn't be rotating him unless Dainja or the other forwards hit foul trouble. Otherwise Rodgers is a replacement level rebounder and a net negative over the other options because our entire team rebounds except Harris and Epps.
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As long as Undy is the coach, Illinois will need superior talent to get to the Sweet 16. This group might win a game in the tournament, but can't see a Sweet 16 run. Underwood needs 3 plus 1st rounders for that.
I realize this is the ultimate in 20-20 hindsight, but continuing to put Mayer back in, only to see him get another foul quickly, was a colossal blunder, repeated again and again. Underwood needs to stop listening to the "great" ideas of some of the sports media people who would have trouble finding their own butt with their hands.