Illini Basketball 2024-2025

#76      

So ILL

S
So ILL
SkyysNotFalling said:
Ty 6”6
Riley 6”8
Humrichous 6”9
Booth 6”10
Ivisic 7”1

Realistically there can be times where this is the 5 on the floor. That’s crazy.
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From the info I can find:

Ty - 6'11" wingspan
Riley - 6'7" wingspan
Humrichous - 6'10" wingspan
Booth - 7'1" wingspan
Ivisic - could not find a wingspan, but dude is 7'0"/7'1", so I would assume it is at least 7'0"

Point being, this lineup will have a lot of hands in passing lanes. And if we need to close out a game close game, you can always sub Ty's free throw shooting for KJ's 88% FT shooting and 6'7.5" wingspan. Although I have a tough time seeing this as a closing lineup, but definitely one that could see the floor if we are in need of defensive spark and quick turnovers. Especially if Booth starts to show he can shoot better than 29% from 3.
 
#77      

RockfordIllini

R
RockfordIllini
Watched the recent sleepers segment where they bump us up to # 3 in the conference behind Indiana and Purdue after Riley committed. Is it just me or are people vastly overrating both of those teams?

I’m willing to concede that IU has more proven talent than we do, but how does it all fit together? Can Ballo and Reneau coexist? And MBako is likely playing out of position at the 3. They did seriously upgrade their guards but both are about 30% from 3. How will they space the floor and where are their driving lanes with the bigs clogging the paint? They bring in Goode but they’re likely sitting one of their top 3 players to give him minutes.

And I’m willing to write in Smith as first team all BIG, but Purdue doesn’t really have any other proven pieces. Loyer is hit or miss, can’t get his own shot and TBD what kind of looks he will get post Edey. Heide and Colvin are both big athletic wings but neither is proven. And their incoming big looks really good but is a freshman and likely won’t be able to go more than about 20 mpg.

We have a ton of question marks and unproven players too but we’ve got positional size, shooting and playmaking all over the court. I would take our roster over anyone’s in the BIG.
 
#78      

aaeismacgychel

A
aaeismacgychel
The Galloping Ghost said:
KJ has a ton of things to love, but this right here is pretty big (5/8). Defensively, he's able to move his feet, fight overtop of the screen, stay with his man, and then backstep into the passing lane for the steal. He knows where to be and has the ability and desire to get there. That's huge from a kid with this much offensive firepower.
https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1805358806706086195
If he was doing this on the AAU circuit, he'd be a 5-star. It feels like we got a steal here.
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When Kasparas committed, I noted that based on the film of him I've seen, I think he has a high ceiling as a defender, but it's going to take some time getting used to being a successful B10 defender. It's just so difficult for incoming freshman to check strong powerful B10 upper-classman guards. It's also why I think Ty is so crucial to our success this year.

With KJ, Will, and Ben all going to have their struggles defensively next season, you're going to need an experienced defender who can step in and keep stronger guards from getting wherever they want on the floor, and help shield these guys as they get up to speed which is going to take some time. That said, I do think KJ is coming in with a lot of defensive potential and could certainly become a plus level defender, it's just going to depend on the time it takes him to learn the system and put on additional strength to that frame.

It's also why I think we all shouldn't get too concerned on who's starting at this point as I think more than most seasons we'll rely on a more fluid rotation to get the matchups we want. No matter who is or isn't starting with KJ, Ty, Will, Morez, Ivisic, and likely Tre, they'll all be getting a solid share of minutes- at least 18 plus apiece with at least 8 players in the main rotation.
 
#79      

SkyysNotFalling

SkyysNotFalling
SkyysNotFalling
So ILL said:
From the info I can find:

Ty - 6'11" wingspan
Riley - 6'7" wingspan
Humrichous - 6'10" wingspan
Booth - 7'1" wingspan
Ivisic - could not find a wingspan, but dude is 7'0"/7'1", so I would assume it is at least 7'0"

Point being, this lineup will have a lot of hands in passing lanes. And if we need to close out a game close game, you can always sub Ty's free throw shooting for KJ's 88% FT shooting and 6'7.5" wingspan. Although I have a tough time seeing this as a closing lineup, but definitely one that could see the floor if we are in need of defensive spark and quick turnovers. Especially if Booth starts to show he can shoot better than 29% from 3.
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I was just hypothetically trying to come up with the tallest lineup that could realistically see the floor. May never happen, but cool that it’s an option!
 
#85      

Combo

C
Combo
Fly Illini Fly! said:
https://www.on3.com/db/rankings/industry-player/basketball/2024/ - No. 19 and not even a five star on On3 Industry

https://www.on3.com/db/rankings/player/basketball/2024/ - No. 12 on On3

https://n.rivals.com/prospect_rankings/rivals150/2024?position=ALL POSITIONS - No. 12 on Rivals

247 is still yet to update him into '24
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No problem if he's 19 or 12. That's elite territory. But if it gets you off, just quote whatever source ranks him highest. That's what most fans do.
 
#86      

SampsonRelpenk

SampsonRelpenk
Edwardsville, IL
SampsonRelpenk
Combo said:
No problem if he's 19 or 12. That's elite territory. But if it gets you off, just quote whatever source ranks him highest. That's what most fans do.
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I share in Robert's anguish that he technically won't have an RSCI ranking.
 
#89      

Fly Illini Fly!

F
Fly Illini Fly!
Just trying to show what the most well known ranking sites have him at. If something so simple gets you so ticked off...maybe consider not commenting?
 
#90      

spillini

spillini
spillini
Fighting I 95 said:
Brad mentioned this exact thing in his presser and mentioned how much work they put into personalities and getting the right guys to fit. Brad learned a lot from the sky, epps season.
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Brad’s ability to adapt and change season-to-season to maximize what he can get from personnel has to be a major selling point on the recruiting trail when comparing to other programs.
 
#94      

chudaman

chudaman
chudaman
So ILL said:
From the info I can find:

Ty - 6'11" wingspan
Riley - 6'7" wingspan
Humrichous - 6'10" wingspan
Booth - 7'1" wingspan
Ivisic - could not find a wingspan, but dude is 7'0"/7'1", so I would assume it is at least 7'0"

Point being, this lineup will have a lot of hands in passing lanes. And if we need to close out a game close game, you can always sub Ty's free throw shooting for KJ's 88% FT shooting and 6'7.5" wingspan. Although I have a tough time seeing this as a closing lineup, but definitely one that could see the floor if we are in need of defensive spark and quick turnovers. Especially if Booth starts to show he can shoot better than 29% from 3.
Click to expand...
Riley has same wingspan as Emoni Bates!?!
 
#95      

OrangeKrush1981

OrangeKrush1981
OrangeKrush1981
RockfordIllini said:
Watched the recent sleepers segment where they bump us up to # 3 in the conference behind Indiana and Purdue after Riley committed. Is it just me or are people vastly overrating both of those teams?

I’m willing to concede that IU has more proven talent than we do, but how does it all fit together? Can Ballo and Reneau coexist? And MBako is likely playing out of position at the 3. They did seriously upgrade their guards but both are about 30% from 3. How will they space the floor and where are their driving lanes with the bigs clogging the paint? They bring in Goode but they’re likely sitting one of their top 3 players to give him minutes.

And I’m willing to write in Smith as first team all BIG, but Purdue doesn’t really have any other proven pieces. Loyer is hit or miss, can’t get his own shot and TBD what kind of looks he will get post Edey. Heide and Colvin are both big athletic wings but neither is proven. And their incoming big looks really good but is a freshman and likely won’t be able to go more than about 20 mpg.

We have a ton of question marks and unproven players too but we’ve got positional size, shooting and playmaking all over the court. I would take our roster over anyone’s in the BIG.
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Unlike our team, IU and Purdue have really important returning talent. Purdue is bringing back their starting point guard, for example, and he is thought by some to be the best player in the league (at least while he is in college).

I am not sold on IU or Purdue, either, but I get the argument that is -- for now -- being made: experience. I think that by the end of next season, the Illini could if things come together be better than IU or Purdue. I sure hope so.
 
#97      

CoalCity

C
St Paul, MN
CoalCity
The Galloping Ghost said:
KJ has a ton of things to love, but this right here is pretty big (5/8). Defensively, he's able to move his feet, fight overtop of the screen, stay with his man, and then backstep into the passing lane for the steal. He knows where to be and has the ability and desire to get there. That's huge from a kid with this much offensive firepower.
https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1805358806706086195
If he was doing this on the AAU circuit, he'd be a 5-star. It feels like we got a steal here.
Click to expand...
I watched all of his games at that Adidas event that the clips are from. This guy is legit. As noted, great hands and anticipation on defense, got lots of deflections as well as straight steals. Really good layup maker, GREAT passer with size. Throws his guys open. I agree with you, he would be a 5* if he played AAU.
 
#100      

rtbritt

rtbritt
rtbritt
It’s still SUPER early, and maybe no one has any idea, but do any insiders have a feeling on if Booth is feeling recruited over at all? Regret?

I feel like IF I were in his shoes, though I know guys like this have self confidence, I’d be feeling like I should have maybe picked a better spot to start or at least get big minutes.