Yeah, forgot the word "quality." They're going to have big guys but they're going to be fairly weak. Although I admit Colbert intrigues me.
Morgan is the type of player Illinois hasn't had since Shaun Pruitt. He's 250 lbs as a 17 year old. I don't expect him to come in and contribute right away, but he's definitely someone that can give them a real low post presence.
I think its almost assured that they will try to bring in another 5th year big. You can't go into next year with your big man rotation being Henry/Colbert, Egwu/Morgan
Probably (sorry for editing out Morgan, I'm having a brutal day mentally and mixed up he and Colbert ).
Also an often-forgotten man is Rice. Sitting out this year since he transferred. Still another guard.
I'm not expecting much out of him. He scored a lot at Drake but he shot the ball a ton. He's not a great 3 point shooter and not a great passer. The only shot Illinois has next year is that Abrams takes a big step forward and one of the freshman guards produce at a pretty high level.
I'm not expecting much out of him. He scored a lot at Drake but he shot the ball a ton. He's not a great 3 point shooter and not a great passer. The only shot Illinois has next year is that Abrams takes a big step forward and one of the freshman guards produce at a pretty high level.
Hard to argue with that line of reasoning, but in fairness to Rice he was also the best player on that team by a mile so defenses focused on containing him first and foremost.
Hoping that having a lot of other scoring threats will free him up. But as you said (him being freed up) is likely contingent on at least one of the freshmen producing. Thinking it would most likely be Nunn.
Hard to argue with that line of reasoning, but in fairness to Rice he was also the best player on that team by a mile so defenses focused on containing him first and foremost.
Hoping that having a lot of other scoring threats will free him up. But as you said (him being freed up) is likely contingent on at least one of the freshmen producing. Thinking it would most likely be Nunn.
I think its going to be Hill. Hill is an incredible player and is up to 6'6 now.
I think the guy that really comes into his own next year is Joseph Bertrand. He has shown so many flashes this year and I think he kind of gets blocked out by Richardson. Bertrand has had quite a few good games and he'll be a senior next year ready to be a leader. He is only playing 23 minutes a game and putting up 9 points so even without his game improving..he should put up better numbers with the increased playing time. I think he'll be a lot more aggressive with his shot because he shoots 53% from the field...for a SG that is incredible. He can also drive to the hoop and get his own shot but if he could improve his jump shooting over the summer I think he could be an all big 10 type player.
He has the highest FG% on the entire team. He shoots 52.7%, Abrams at 42.4%, Paul at 41.3%, Richardson at 37.8%. Yet somehow Richardson is playing 10 more minutes a game than Bertrand.
Yeah Richardson is a better 3 point shooter, but instead of him jacking them up all the time we'd be better off trying to find a better shot and Bertrand does that.
I think Abrams and Bertrand will both excel next year with the more PT and not having Paul/Richardson jacking shots up all the time. I just hope Egwu has another big offseason and shows up looking like a much improved player. He has so much potential on the defensive end and rebounding...like a poor mans Emeka Okafor.
Illinois State Tournament for the youth and high school levels is upon us this month. Posted a couple links below to the Midget Tier I (AAA) U16 and U18 bracket. Has the dates, times, locations, and who's playing who. Just thought I'd share in case anyone is bored and/or wants to check out some great local hockey and see some future studs. Not sure if you have to pay for admission or not, I don't believe you have to until the actual Championship games. Anyway, just thought I'd share.
Team seems to have turned away from the losing ways for good. Shots are finally going down with some consistency. The defense was really good today as well.
I think the guy that really comes into his own next year is Joseph Bertrand. He has shown so many flashes this year and I think he kind of gets blocked out by Richardson. Bertrand has had quite a few good games and he'll be a senior next year ready to be a leader. He is only playing 23 minutes a game and putting up 9 points so even without his game improving..he should put up better numbers with the increased playing time. I think he'll be a lot more aggressive with his shot because he shoots 53% from the field...for a SG that is incredible. He can also drive to the hoop and get his own shot but if he could improve his jump shooting over the summer I think he could be an all big 10 type player.
He has the highest FG% on the entire team. He shoots 52.7%, Abrams at 42.4%, Paul at 41.3%, Richardson at 37.8%. Yet somehow Richardson is playing 10 more minutes a game than Bertrand.
Yeah Richardson is a better 3 point shooter, but instead of him jacking them up all the time we'd be better off trying to find a better shot and Bertrand does that.
I think Abrams and Bertrand will both excel next year with the more PT and not having Paul/Richardson jacking shots up all the time. I just hope Egwu has another big offseason and shows up looking like a much improved player. He has so much potential on the defensive end and rebounding...like a poor mans Emeka Okafor.
Had a class with him at Carmel. Kid is quiet and dumb. Personality of a 2x4. Can ball though
).
