Illini Basketball 2024-2025
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Im with you on "encouraged".
This really will be a litmus test for our coaches succeeding with non veteran players. We have a great, talented lineup..
if we meet or exceed elite 8, I will be thrilled...but I'm not betting on it yet.
Chuck Nuggets
Dip your nuggets in my staff source sauce.
That Cooper Flagg kid is pretty darned good, so this Dybantsa kid must be special.
What have I seen?
Well, we haven’t had a true point guard of Darren Williams/Dee Brown caliber until this year. I’ll address that later.
The biggest issue for my optimism? We haven’t had a true center since Kofi, yes, and kofi was and is limited to inside the paint offensively. That is why Kofi is not in the NBA but Tomislav is on the NBA radar. Tom can shoot.
A very important piece of our puzzle and my optimism is our 7’1” 250 pound behemoth center. He barely has to jump to slam a basketball. What everyone doesn’t or may not see or realize is his defensive abilities. Watch his videos. He is very quick laterally for his huge size, very quick. He is a true rim protector on defense, which will help us tremendously. But he has an uncannily high shooting percentage including from the three. He can shoot like all euro players seem to do. His five defender will have to come out of the paint to defend him giving us a huge advantage and offensive space for our team. This important piece of the puzzle we have missed and frankly I’ll add, that we have never had a center with his size and his high percentage of his three point shooting ability. He is one of the biggest sources of my optimism.
Last year in the NCAA finals then had a 7’2”and a 7’4” center. We needed this piece to win the natty.
But, not only do we have one great point guard in Kylan who has started and won a lot of NCAA games but we have a second one in Kasparas. Kylan’s passing and shooting will be a difference maker. He is great. Kasparas looks like he will be all-world and has played for elite teams since he was 12-years old. He is no freshman. His shooting form is unbelievable, watch his hand placement (bilateral) and his release point. It’s textbook. His offensive creativity is amazing also, his basketball IQ is high. He is also 6’6” so he will be able to shoot over a defender a lot of the time. This is like Dee Brown and Darren Williams playing together. Remember that team?
We have a 6‘9“ combo in Will Riley who I have watched his videos with amazement as he reminds me of the original iceman, I know many are too young to know about the original but they are similar in skills, including the finger roll. He is the real deal. I have never seen anyone shoot in different positions and angles with accuracy like him. He also has a high IQ on the basketball court so he creates serious problems for the defense with his playmaking but he can score anywhere on the court.
And we have a slew of great shooters on the team. We have two 6‘9“ players who bring different dimensions but are great players as one is a senior and one is a freshman. The senior averaged 41 percent on his three-point shooting last year and the freshman was the Gatorade player of the year in Illinois and is a rebounding machine. Rez is 242 pounds now. His frame is still growing, he will be an important factor for this season. Ben is great. Coach said this past weeks video that he has more game than the coaches thought. His form is great with his shot also. There are no flaws in his shooting mechanics. He could work his self up to an NBA draft or a two-way contract with a great season so he has some skin in the game. And also he happens to be one of my favorites because he is a strong Christian. I know God will bless him.
Trey White started as a freshman at USC and already has piqued the coaches enthusiasm with his early practice games. At 6’7” and very quick, he will be a handful.
We have two returning starters who know the system and are great players. Both are hard working and driven. I know Ty is shooting 1,500 shots a day so you know it will be automatic after this summer. The whole team is getting help from Noah, but this will help Ty the most because of his shooting mechanics were tweaked and changed by the coaches and he is increasing the elevation and rotation of his shot. The angle and form will help him tremendously. DGL is a spark plug who always did have a great shot. now he needs experience.
We have a past starter from Notre Dame last year who happens to be 6‘10“ and the coach said in this past weeks video that they are all amazed at his athletic prowess as well as a 6‘6“ guard from Mercer who had close to 10 points a game as a true freshman and coach said he has shown them better basketball skills than anyone thought.
That is why this team will be the best team ever.
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Number 4, Mohamed Dabone, his Barcelona club has him listed at 12 years old. He is 6’10”. He is probably 16 but still impressive.
You sir/madam, win the "GIF of the day" award.
LadyLoyalty
- Indian Wells, CA
Illini92and96
- Austin, TX
Fighter is measuring years using the metric system, so he’s spot on (have Kasparas double check my math just to be sure)That is interesting math.Lou arrived in the spring of 1975. The Elite 8 was in 1983/84. We all know when he reached the FF.
One thing I really like about our roster construction is that, in my opinion anyway, we don’t have redundant players. Each guy has different skill sets.
Look, I’m not naive. There will be some bumps in the road early not only because we are playing with 157 new players, but also because we are playing an absolutely killer schedule. I think we added the Celtics last week.
There is likely to a be a loss or two early in the year, but playing all these high profile games really helps to accelerate team growth.
Look, I’m not naive. There will be some bumps in the road early not only because we are playing with 157 new players, but also because we are playing an absolutely killer schedule. I think we added the Celtics last week.
There is likely to a be a loss or two early in the year, but playing all these high profile games really helps to accelerate team growth.
Two smaller things from the practice clips I’d like to point out:
1. That Humrichous basket in the post was very Domask like. And it was over Morez who is 6’9, strong and athletic. Bodes well for hunting mismatches.
2. Jakstys moves really well. How many years would he have been near the top of our freshman class and we would be gushing about his potential? And he will be our 12th guy, likely redshirt, and very well may never crack the rotation here. Speaks to how much the talent level has jumped up the last few years.
1. That Humrichous basket in the post was very Domask like. And it was over Morez who is 6’9, strong and athletic. Bodes well for hunting mismatches.
2. Jakstys moves really well. How many years would he have been near the top of our freshman class and we would be gushing about his potential? And he will be our 12th guy, likely redshirt, and very well may never crack the rotation here. Speaks to how much the talent level has jumped up the last few years.
NASchamp
- Atlanta
Super excited about this season as well. While it’s maybe not the same as past years when we know 90% of the team already, it may be more exciting in a true sense because almost everyone is new 
.
That being said, the team chemistry is THE most important X-factor this year. Last year we had Senior leaders that could demonstrate and teach the culture. We also had guys coming in who were 200% bought in because all they wanted to do was win at a high caliber program.
I do worry a bit this year with so many newcomers. Because #1, there’s less carryover from last year to keep the culture. But also, #2, winning may not be on the top of everyone’s list (if we’re being really honest).
With the extreme talent on this team come egos and other priorities. Top priority for many is getting to the NBA next year or the year after. It’s not a bad thing but just different from past Illini teams. It’s natural for these guys (and I’m not saying anyone isn’t a good person/teammate by the way).
I trust the staff, but I hope they’re up to the task this year. Because IF they can get everyone to buy in and IF they can get the team to really gel…..this season could be incredible
. That being said, the team chemistry is THE most important X-factor this year. Last year we had Senior leaders that could demonstrate and teach the culture. We also had guys coming in who were 200% bought in because all they wanted to do was win at a high caliber program.
I do worry a bit this year with so many newcomers. Because #1, there’s less carryover from last year to keep the culture. But also, #2, winning may not be on the top of everyone’s list (if we’re being really honest).
With the extreme talent on this team come egos and other priorities. Top priority for many is getting to the NBA next year or the year after. It’s not a bad thing but just different from past Illini teams. It’s natural for these guys (and I’m not saying anyone isn’t a good person/teammate by the way).
I trust the staff, but I hope they’re up to the task this year. Because IF they can get everyone to buy in and IF they can get the team to really gel…..this season could be incredible
You just have to go back two years to understand the concern. We literally had 5 guys in preseason mock drafts. It seemed like lots of individual focus.Super excited about this season as well. While it’s maybe not the same as past years when we know 90% of the team already, it may be more exciting in a true sense because almost everyone is new
That being said, the team chemistry is THE most important X-factor this year. Last year we had Senior leaders that could demonstrate and teach the culture. We also had guys coming in who were 200% bought in because all they wanted to do was win at a high caliber program.
I do worry a bit this year with so many newcomers. Because #1, there’s less carryover from last year to keep the culture. But also, #2, winning may not be on the top of everyone’s list (if we’re being really honest).
With the extreme talent on this team come egos and other priorities. Top priority for many is getting to the NBA next year or the year after. It’s not a bad thing but just different from past Illini teams. It’s natural for these guys (and I’m not saying anyone isn’t a good person/teammate by the way).
I trust the staff, but I hope they’re up to the task this year. Because IF they can get everyone to buy in and IF they can get the team to really gel…..this season could be incredible
Last year was one of the best illinois coaching jobs I've ever seen. If we end up top 10 this year he will have exceeded that in my opinion.
I have said a few times before if Ty is hitting the 15 to 18 ft shot, he will be drafted..If he even developed a set 3pt shot that touches 32 to 36 percent,he will be drafted high and this teams ceiling all of a sudden turns SKY BLUE... He is already a leader a rebounder a helluva defender,an astute game thinker..This one thing holds him from taking over the B1G..I say this with no exaggerating.. He would be unstoppable...Just midrange and a little bit of 3pt threat....Maybe fix the free throw thing too.
I can tell you one thing that will explain and clarify your concern.
Coach is using a time clock and has actually shaved off time in the scrimmage clock to make it even quicker.
He truly believes the scrimmages last summer was the reason the team was so successful.
Even though they are keeping stats, they are getting the team used to playing quicker. He is especially trying to get Kasparas to speed up the pace of play - euro ball is different.
“Matthew Mayer, I served with Kasparas Jakucionis, I knew Kasparas Jakucionis, Kasparas Jakucionis was a friend of mine. Matthew Mayer, you are no Kasparas Jakuciois." Signed, Lloyd Bentsen.
Fairly sure that post move was against Booth so you can remove the ’strong’ part. If Humrichous could do that same move to Morez, even though a frosh, that would be even more impressive
it doesn't explain or clarify anything. This is a short video of a scrimmage. I'd feel better about it if I saw more passing and evidence that the guys are working together as a team.
Does that mean they aren't? Of course not. It's one frickin video. But I just find it interesting that the video crew didn't highlight those things.
Love the enthusiasm, even if quite a bit is way over the top.
Cue the Larry Bird references.
Fairly sure that post move was against Booth so you can remove the ’strong’ part. If Humrichous could do that same move to Morez, even though a frosh, that would be even more impressive
Yes, and admittedly on his part, very much so ("officially summer"). Would love to have him see a complete session, and then hear his analysis.
Annnnndddddd we have a breakdown of the highlight video. Yeah it’s officially summer.
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