Next season

[ISU FAN 1]

With our schedule next year, hopefully we are in a position where we aren’t feeling the pressure of having to win in St. Louis to get in the tournament. Would be cool to get some big wins early and work our way toward the top 25. I really believe we have the talent for that given a good offseason and avoiding the injury bug.

A little early to be hitting the sauce, isn't it?

 

[ThisIsTheLineup]

With our schedule next year, hopefully we are in a position where we aren’t feeling the pressure of having to win in St. Louis to get in the tournament. Would be cool to get some big wins early and work our way toward the top 25. I really believe we have the talent for that given a good offseason and avoiding the injury bug.

The non-con schedule is already starting to look good. If we start winning right out of the gate I can see some national recognition come our way.

 

[Hrtnfldhse]

This team needs a true point guard (move MY off the point forward position--his turnovers this year were bad) or at least someone who can relieve Key, hopefully EC does this, and a true center. Being able to have a banger and a PG would alleviate a lot of the issues. With those 2 additions we can reduce our big issues: Turnovers--being smart with the basketball
A true large body post presence

 

[Birdman]

With our schedule next year, hopefully we are in a position where we aren’t feeling the pressure of having to win in St. Louis to get in the tournament. Would be cool to get some big wins early and work our way toward the top 25. I really believe we have the talent for that given a good offseason and avoiding the injury bug.

A little early to be hitting the sauce, isn't it?

Not really. Dan is a great coach. He will get these guys going and we will see improvements. We have won some good games this year but need better consistency throughout. That’s why defense is so important. It travels on the road with you when the offense doesn’t. With Loyola losing a bunch of seasoned vets, they won’t be the same team defensively. I don’t see them being much of a problem for us next year, but I hope they do well enough to be a quality win.

 

[Birdman]

This team needs a true point guard (move MY off the point forward position--his turnovers this year were bad) or at least someone who can relieve Key, hopefully EC does this, and a true center. Being able to have a banger and a PG would alleviate a lot of the issues. With those 2 additions we can reduce our big issues: Turnovers--being smart with the basketball
A true large body post presence

I agree. I wonder how many turnovers were forced from him taking the ball up.

 

[Tpguy]

Just a guess, but I don't think we'll have to worry about seeing Malik next season

Don't read anything into it, I haven't "heard" anything like some of you experts claim

Just a guess

book mark it

 

[Hrtnfldhse]

Mark Smith just notified Illinois he is leaving. Isn't a PG but is talented. Probably little or no chance he comes here

 

[ThisIsTheLineup]

Just a guess, but I don't think we'll have to worry about seeing Malik next season

Don't read anything into it, I haven't "heard" anything like some of you experts claim

Just a guess

book mark it

What about Milik?

 

[ISU FAN 1]

With our schedule next year, hopefully we are in a position where we aren’t feeling the pressure of having to win in St. Louis to get in the tournament. Would be cool to get some big wins early and work our way toward the top 25. I really believe we have the talent for that given a good offseason and avoiding the injury bug.

A little early to be hitting the sauce, isn't it?

Not really. Dan is a great coach. He will get these guys going and we will see improvements. We have won some good games this year but need better consistency throughout. That’s why defense is so important. It travels on the road with you when the offense doesn’t. With Loyola losing a bunch of seasoned vets, they won’t be the same team defensively. I don’t see them being much of a problem for us next year, but I hope they do well enough to be a quality win.

I think the MVC is viewed as a 1 bid league now that our upper echelon teams have bolted. Elgin can start waiting by the phone for that next at large berth, and someone can swing by every year to trim his beard.

Really wish we had won yesterday to settle the Loyola at large fate debate.

 

[ISU FAN 1]

Mark Smith just notified Illinois he is leaving. Isn't a PG but is talented. Probably little or no chance he comes here

Considered by many to be a point guard.

https://247sports.com/Player/Mark-Smith-46038443

http://www.verbalcommits.com/players/mark-smith

He already chose Illinois over Michigan State, Ky, etc. to be close to home. Now he's likely looking for something different close to home. Better get on him before BU, SIU, Loyola, or even SIU-E start their push.

 

[birdballfan]

:clap:

Yeah but Evans barely played his freshman year and was a key bench player last year. Now he is a key player his junior year.

My point is that we have to be patient with player development. It is not always a straight line. I am not saying he is going to be player of the year by his senior year like Lee, but I could see him playing the role of key bench player next year.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

THIS. THIS. THIS.

Two years ago, there were people questioning whether Key was a guy we want to play. Look at him now. Hell - there were some Paris naysayers at one point. Let the kid gel - he wasn't a 5-star recruit for a reason. I think EC needs to work on his decision making, his confidence and his maturity. EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THOSE takes game experience. Not talent, not practice - IN GAME EXPERIENCE. He may not be POY his Senior year, but he will be far better than what he is now. As frustrating as it was to watch him at many times this season - he has a ton of potential in my opinion.

I'm sure I heard an announcer say yesterday that Porter had 7 kids who were members of HS state champion teams! That type of experience is invaluable to an incoming freshman.

 

[ISU FAN 1]

:clap:

THIS. THIS. THIS.

Two years ago, there were people questioning whether Key was a guy we want to play. Look at him now. Hell - there were some Paris naysayers at one point. Let the kid gel - he wasn't a 5-star recruit for a reason. I think EC needs to work on his decision making, his confidence and his maturity. EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THOSE takes game experience. Not talent, not practice - IN GAME EXPERIENCE. He may not be POY his Senior year, but he will be far better than what he is now. As frustrating as it was to watch him at many times this season - he has a ton of potential in my opinion.

I'm sure I heard an announcer say yesterday that Porter had 7 kids who were members of HS state champion teams! That type of experience is invaluable to an incoming freshman.

And it would have been 8, but we poached "The Truth" Chastain from them.

 

[birdballfan]

:clap:

I'm sure I heard an announcer say yesterday that Porter had 7 kids who were members of HS state champion teams! That type of experience is invaluable to an incoming freshman.

And it would have been 8, but we poached "The Truth" Chastain from them.

Hadn't even thought of that!!! I think that kid is going to be special imo!!

 

[redbird217]

Mark Smith just notified Illinois he is leaving. Isn't a PG but is talented. Probably little or no chance he comes here

I agree with that. Might be some other interesting players transferring out of Champaign too that we could possibly snag though. Aaron Jordan would be interesting, as he was leading the country in 3 point percentage early in the season. Would be nice to have another shooter that could consistently knock down some shots.

 

[JHBird]

We need Simone Goods from the women's team ( 25 pts vs Bradley). An absolute beast in the paint! Any rules against her moving to the men's team next year???

 

[ISU FAN 1]

List of Mark Smith suitors during recruiting process from Belleville Democrat News.

Smith chose Illinois over Michigan State, Kentucky and Ohio State.

Smith also had offers from Indiana, Kansas State, Missouri, Butler, Nebraska, Texas, Northwestern, California, DePaul, Utah, Boston College and Georgia Tech and many mid-majors, but selected the Illini and new coach Brad Underwood, who was hired after just one season at Oklahoma State.

Read more here: http://www.bnd.com/sports/college/article203546009.html#storylink=cpy

If he didn't pass muster at Illinois, would think a lot of these others wouldn't be good landing spots either. We certainly need a point guard.

Looking for the right system and better fit ..... https://www.thetelegraph.com/sports/article/COLLEGE-MEN-8217-S-BASKETBALL-12729192.php

 

[ISU FAN 1]

Sounds like more to come on the Illini transfer front. Underwood cleaning house.

MORE COMING


Sources close to the Illinois program also expect there to be as many as four other players transferring out of the program following the 14-18 season.

Smith is the first, but it now becomes clear why the Illini have handed out so any offers despite having just 2 openings on paper for 2018.

https://illinois.rivals.com/news/former-illinois-mr-basketball-mark-smith-to-transfer

 

[Topoly28]

I wouldn't be shocked if EC transfers. He has to be thinking, I'm sitting on the bench while Hein plays 25 minutes?

 

[ChiRedbirdfan]

With our schedule next year, hopefully we are in a position where we aren’t feeling the pressure of having to win in St. Louis to get in the tournament. Would be cool to get some big wins early and work our way toward the top 25. I really believe we have the talent for that given a good offseason and avoiding the injury bug.

A little early to be hitting the sauce, isn't it?

:text-+1: I guess shoot for the stars but top 25 when we currently have no game ready PG, sorley need another big and we are thin on the bench.

 

[SgtHulka]

List of Mark Smith suitors during recruiting process from Belleville Democrat News.

Smith chose Illinois over Michigan State, Kentucky and Ohio State.

Smith also had offers from Indiana, Kansas State, Missouri, Butler, Nebraska, Texas, Northwestern, California, DePaul, Utah, Boston College and Georgia Tech and many mid-majors, but selected the Illini and new coach Brad Underwood, who was hired after just one season at Oklahoma State.

Read more here: http://www.bnd.com/sports/college/article203546009.html#storylink=cpy

If he didn't pass muster at Illinois, would think a lot of these others wouldn't be good landing spots either. We certainly need a point guard.

Looking for the right system and better fit ..... https://www.thetelegraph.com/sports/article/COLLEGE-MEN-8217-S-BASKETBALL-12729192.php

Sounds like the next Rich Beyers. He should dominate here too