Illini Basketball 2024-2025

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#1      

Dan

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Dan
Welcome to the Illini Basketball 2024-2025 & College Basketball news thread :illinois:


Tickets
Season Ticket Info
(Single game ticket info has not yet been released.)


Schedule
Reported unofficial non-conference schedule-
Eastern Illinois (Monday, November 4th)
Oakland (date TBD)
Alabama in Birmingham, AL (Wednesday, November 20th)
Arkansas in Kansas City, MO (Thanksgiving Day - Thursday, November 28th)
Tennessee (Saturday, December 14th)
Missouri in St. Louis, MO (Sunday, December 22nd)
Duke at Madison Square Garden, NYC (Saturday, February 22nd)

Big Ten opponents-
Home Only – Iowa, Maryland, Ohio State, Penn State, Purdue, UCLA, USC,
Away Only – Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oregon, Rutgers, Washington
Home & Away – Michigan State, Northwestern, Wisconsin


Roster
IL Returnees
1) Ty Rodgers
2) Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn

IL Signees
1) Morez Johnson (2024 PF) committed on November 4th, 2021.
2) Jason Jakstys (2024 F) committed on July 23rd, 2023.
3) Jake Davis (Mercer guard) committed on April 1st.
4) Tre White (Louisville wing) committed on April 9th.
5) Kylan Boswell (Arizona guard) committed on April 14th.
6) Carey Booth (Notre Dame forward) committed on April 16th.
7) Ben Humrichous (Evansville forward) committed on April 30th.
8) Tomislav Ivisic (Croatian center) committed on May 6th.
9) Kasparas Jakucionis (Lithuanian guard) committed on May 28th.
10) Will Riley (2024 F) committed on June 23rd.
 
#2      
pruman91
2+2=6.gif


BEWARE THE HARE..................
 
#3      
IllinoisssssssVarsity
I know there has been some talk about Boswell struggling early summer, but with the right lineup on the floor, he is getting the smallest defender for sure.

He’s pretty well built for his height, but one thing that isn’t really talked about with him, is can he be like Jalen Brunson and bootyball the other team’s smallest guard?

If he can, the question becomes can he pass out of the double when a 6’6 guy comes to trap? Domask’s height helped him there. With no count on back downs in ncaa, you can really do this with any player who can walk someone down from the 3 point line to the paint to create an advantage. Would be wild if we just saw guys taking turns doing something so basic just matchup hunting.
 
#4      
Sedino
IllinoisssssssVarsity said:
I know there has been some talk about Boswell struggling early summer, but with the right lineup on the floor, he is getting the smallest defender for sure.

He’s pretty well built for his height, but one thing that isn’t really talked about with him, is can he be like Jalen Brunson and bootyball the other team’s smallest guard?

If he can, the question becomes can he pass out of the double when a 6’6 guy comes to trap? Domask’s height helped him there. With no count on back downs in ncaa, you can really do this with any player who can walk someone down from the 3 point line to the paint to create an advantage. Would be wild if we just saw guys taking turns doing something so basic just matchup hunting.
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Fairly certain with them having him lose 20 lbs they aren’t wanting him to booty ball. They probably did that to strengthen his agility, acceleration, etc to be able to get into the lane easier.
 
#5      
illiniwil
i think you'll see Boswell drop 20 lbs. (pics look like he already has) and put 10-12 lbs. of muscle back on that already solid
physique. With Fletch on board, he'll be a stud not unlike Jalen Brunson if he develops (or already has) JB's handles and he'll
be our best offensive initiator. he'll make everyone better. in the lane, P&R, spot shooter... he's still pretty young with big time
experience. lets not all jump on the anti-Boz bandwagon.
 
#6      
aveseaboy
With all these freakishly tall guys in college hoops and the league nowadays it’s guys like Boswell that remind me that 6’2” isn’t necessarily short and I still have a chance to wake up a basketball prodigy at the point guard position any day now. I’m young enough there’s a really solid chance no doubt
 
#8      
GrayGhost77
aveseaboy said:
With all these freakishly tall guys in college hoops and the league nowadays it’s guys like Boswell that remind me that 6’2” isn’t necessarily short and I still have a chance to wake up a basketball prodigy at the point guard position any day now. I’m young enough there’s a really solid chance no doubt
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I'm 5'9 but then I remember that Nate Robinson, Spud Webb, and Muggsy Bogues all had decent NBA careers. I may be in my 40's, but I'm still in great shape for my age. Never stop dreaming, they say. Now pardon me while I go shoot 1,500 jumpers.
 
#10      
blackdog
IllinoisssssssVarsity said:
I know there has been some talk about Boswell struggling early summer, but with the right lineup on the floor, he is getting the smallest defender for sure.

He’s pretty well built for his height, but one thing that isn’t really talked about with him, is can he be like Jalen Brunson and bootyball the other team’s smallest guard?

If he can, the question becomes can he pass out of the double when a 6’6 guy comes to trap? Domask’s height helped him there. With no count on back downs in ncaa, you can really do this with any player who can walk someone down from the 3 point line to the paint to create an advantage. Would be wild if we just saw guys taking turns doing something so basic just matchup hunting.
Click to expand...

Boswell doesn't have the skillset to play with his back to the basket. Not a lot of guys his size ever develop that kind of footwork/feel which is something that makes Brunson so unique. You don't just randomly start playing that way because you are strong, that style of play takes hours and hours and hours of both practice time and game reps to really be proficient. Boswell is going to be a guy who plays outside in, using the threat of his shooting and his handles to be able to get by people.
 
#11      
LadyLoyalty
blackdog said:
Boswell doesn't have the skillset to play with his back to the basket. Not a lot of guys his size ever develop that kind of footwork/feel which is something that makes Brunson so unique. You don't just randomly start playing that way because you are strong, that style of play takes hours and hours and hours of both practice time and game reps to really be proficient. Boswell is going to be a guy who plays outside in, using the threat of his shooting and his handles to be able to get by people.
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We have an experienced point guard. If nothing else, he’s a skilled ball handler and distributor that we lacked last year.
 
#12      
Emerson Bigguns
blackdog said:
Boswell doesn't have the skillset to play with his back to the basket. Not a lot of guys his size ever develop that kind of footwork/feel which is something that makes Brunson so unique. You don't just randomly start playing that way because you are strong, that style of play takes hours and hours and hours of both practice time and game reps to really be proficient. Boswell is going to be a guy who plays outside in, using the threat of his shooting and his handles to be able to get by people.
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Yes. Domask played "booty ball" throughout his high school and college career. Part of the reason teams didn't necessarily believe in him at the high major level is because he was a 6'6" post player.
I think the offense will look a lot more conventional this year. If they want to run some "booty" action, you are more likely to see Ty, Ben, or maybe Tre run it.
 
#13      
Combo
blackdog said:
Boswell doesn't have the skillset to play with his back to the basket. Not a lot of guys his size ever develop that kind of footwork/feel which is something that makes Brunson so unique. You don't just randomly start playing that way because you are strong, that style of play takes hours and hours and hours of both practice time and game reps to really be proficient. Boswell is going to be a guy who plays outside in, using the threat of his shooting and his handles to be able to get by people.
Click to expand...
Agreed. It is generally not a skill that someone all of a sudden develops at 19-20 years old.
 
#14      
Gbop
aveseaboy said:
With all these freakishly tall guys in college hoops and the league nowadays it’s guys like Boswell that remind me that 6’2” isn’t necessarily short and I still have a chance to wake up a basketball prodigy at the point guard position any day now. I’m young enough there’s a really solid chance no doubt
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Weird thing is I’m 6’2” and usually one of the taller guys in the room. Played center in high school. Times have changed.
 
#15      
blackdog
Gbop said:
Weird thing is I’m 6’2” and usually one of the taller guys in the room. Played center in high school. Times have changed.
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Oh best believe there are still plenty of 6'2" centers around in high school. Don't get too zoomed in on the highest level of HS ball because the majority of high schools won't even have one player that goes to a D3 school.
 
#18      
Brosky
Yeah, I can (and hope) we'll see the demise of bootyball with all the new guys we've got. One of the things about the flyin' Illini was that they weren't just sensational, they were electrifying to watch.
 
#23      
CleverHandle1
HereSoIDontGetFined said:
Torvik predictions are up. Ranked 17th. Talent level is second only to UCONN. Projects 16-11 record, though, because of lack of experience.
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I am sure the staff will be reading this. I have the utmost confidence that this staff will get this group playing together.

I really think BU learned a lot two seasons ago in dealing with that team who lost to Razorback in R1.
 
#24      
Birdus
HereSoIDontGetFined said:
Torvik predictions are up. Ranked 17th. Talent level is second only to UCONN. Projects 16-11 record, though, because of lack of experience.
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Now don't take this wrong. This is just my opinion. BUT... Could care less about Torvik but I get it and looked at the metrics. He has Loosierks in the 30's. Heh, thought they were the favs? 16-11. Don't think so. I still think we are still to low. Experience.? No, not as much as last year but we have enough. Can't count either Ivisic or Katmandoo as freshmen although they are. They have been playing with men for the most part. Especially Ivisic. Our other freshmen, Morez is a dog. They don't get counted. The main thing WILL be chemistry. I think Underwood is the Best coach in the BIG. I'm talking right now.
 
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