Thoughts on W. Illinois game

[rikki-tikka-tava]

Fact that is was an early game against a depleted sub-average team notwithstanding, came away with some distinct impressions:

1) Aljami is quicker in every respect - crisper passes, more decisive - seems significantly smoother and much more in control than last year;
2) Phinisee is tough and on track to fill the 'assassin's' role in the backcourt a la Lewis/Coverdale. Great vision, tough defender, strong to the rack and likely to be regularly deadly from deep - looked like he was playing angry. Franklin strikes me as similar, sure no one here expected him to log 8 assists and 0 TOs in his first game;
3) Jerome Hunter. Damn it's good to see him on the Court - as hard as it's been for him he should have received a standing ovation when he checked in/scored his first points. Not expecting anyone to show more improvement between now and Season's end - certain he's still catching up from missing all of last Season and thinking he may well end up earning starter's minutes. Stay tuned;
4) Frontline - could be a problem unless TJD grows up fast and DD puts it together. Brunk appears as advertised/probably playing close to his ceiling already - seem better if he's playing as first big off the bench rather that starting. Didn't see enough of Race to say much save that he seems to have a good nose for the ball;
5) Justin's in-close shooting looks more like shooting than simply pushing the ball toward the rim as it so often did last year but still needs work and still doesn't seem to have learned to use his left hand. On-ball defense looked better. Damezi likely still a year away, lateral movement such that imagine he's going to have difficulty keeping his man in front of him, executing switches and slipping screens.

Harder to read offensive prowess against this level of competition so won't try but defense looked like it's ahead of last year, seems to be a real emphasis on help defense pushing opposing guards out on picks - be interesting to see how that plays out when screeners dive for the basket in terms of recovery/rotations- could result in a lot of uncontested lay-ups and/or corner three attempts.

Given that Devonte didn't play, really like IU's backcourt, guessing IU will need a lot out of TJD, DD and Jerome to contend in-Conference. Pity it's going to be so long before IU plays any really strong competition but is what it is - will give Trayce, Armaan and Jerome some time to spin up and for DG to mesh back in,

 

[Chicago-bound Hoosier]

Fact that is was an early game against a depleted sub-average team notwithstanding, came away with some distinct impressions:

1) Aljami is quicker in every respect - crisper passes, more decisive - seems significantly smoother and much more in control than last year;
2) Phinisee is tough and on track to fill the 'assassin's' role in the backcourt a la Lewis/Coverdale. Great vision, tough defender, strong to the rack and likely to be regularly deadly from deep - looked like he was playing angry. Franklin strikes me as similar, sure no one here expected him to log 8 assists and 0 TOs in his first game;
3) Jerome Hunter. Damn it's good to see him on the Court - as hard as it's been for him he should have received a standing ovation when he checked in/scored his first points. Not expecting anyone to show more improvement between now and Season's end - certain he's still catching up from missing all of last Season and thinking he may well end up earning starter's minutes. Stay tuned;
4) Frontline - could be a problem unless TJD grows up fast and DD puts it together. Brunk appears as advertised/probably playing close to his ceiling already - seem better if he's playing as first big off the bench rather that starting. Didn't see enough of Race to say much save that he seems to have a good nose for the ball;
5) Justin's in-close shooting looks more like shooting than simply pushing the ball toward the rim as it so often did last year but still needs work and still doesn't seem to have learned to use his left hand. On-ball defense looked better. Damezi likely still a year away, lateral movement such that imagine he's going to have difficulty keeping his man in front of him, executing switches and slipping screens.

Harder to read offensive prowess against this level of competition so won't try but defense looked like it's ahead of last year, seems to be a real emphasis on help defense pushing opposing guards out on picks - be interesting to see how that plays out when screeners dive for the basket in terms of recovery/rotations- could result in a lot of uncontested lay-ups and/or corner three attempts.

Given that Devonte didn't play, really like IU's backcourt, guessing IU will need a lot out of TJD, DD and Jerome to contend in-Conference. Pity it's going to be so long before IU plays any really strong competition but is what it is - will give Trayce, Armaan and Jerome some time to spin up and for DG to mesh back in,

I commented on the other thread but tend to agree....the level of competition didn't really give me a good idea of this season's potential. Good to see Hunter on the court finally. We have a lot of athletic talent. DD still moves like an old man with achy bones. Liked what I saw in Durham and Rob is a tough defender. I don't know how much these first few games will tell us but at least we can talk about some real basketball again.

 

[ORG]

Fact that is was an early game against a depleted sub-average team notwithstanding, came away with some distinct impressions:

1) Aljami is quicker in every respect - crisper passes, more decisive - seems significantly smoother and much more in control than last year;
2) Phinisee is tough and on track to fill the 'assassin's' role in the backcourt a la Lewis/Coverdale. Great vision, tough defender, strong to the rack and likely to be regularly deadly from deep - looked like he was playing angry. Franklin strikes me as similar, sure no one here expected him to log 8 assists and 0 TOs in his first game;
3) Jerome Hunter. Damn it's good to see him on the Court - as hard as it's been for him he should have received a standing ovation when he checked in/scored his first points. Not expecting anyone to show more improvement between now and Season's end - certain he's still catching up from missing all of last Season and thinking he may well end up earning starter's minutes. Stay tuned;
4) Frontline - could be a problem unless TJD grows up fast and DD puts it together. Brunk appears as advertised/probably playing close to his ceiling already - seem better if he's playing as first big off the bench rather that starting. Didn't see enough of Race to say much save that he seems to have a good nose for the ball;
5) Justin's in-close shooting looks more like shooting than simply pushing the ball toward the rim as it so often did last year but still needs work and still doesn't seem to have learned to use his left hand. On-ball defense looked better. Damezi likely still a year away, lateral movement such that imagine he's going to have difficulty keeping his man in front of him, executing switches and slipping screens.

Harder to read offensive prowess against this level of competition so won't try but defense looked like it's ahead of last year, seems to be a real emphasis on help defense pushing opposing guards out on picks - be interesting to see how that plays out when screeners dive for the basket in terms of recovery/rotations- could result in a lot of uncontested lay-ups and/or corner three attempts.

Given that Devonte didn't play, really like IU's backcourt, guessing IU will need a lot out of TJD, DD and Jerome to contend in-Conference. Pity it's going to be so long before IU plays any really strong competition but is what it is - will give Trayce, Armaan and Jerome some time to spin up and for DG to mesh back in,

Games will not get easier than this one was . . . so it will gradually get tougher and maybe that is a good thing since it will allow IU to let DG fully recover and rush it.

 

[ufo33]

Smith 2.0 - appears to have gotten. The memo from Archie and is scoring in transition and around the rim. More patient, passes quickly outbid his hands on the perimeter. This is the way Smith should play going forward. Still needs to work on his FT shot for consistency.
Durham - worked on his shot, and it shows. Huge jump up this season for Al it appears.
Brunk - the ball gets stuck in his hands for too long when passed into him in the post. Passing game looks much better this year, except when Joey Brund gets the ball down low he takes, fakes, misses his passing angle then either forces a shot inside or passes wildly out of the double team. Good note he is relentless on rebounding and will go get his own misses and puts them in.
Rob - get well soon we need the best PG on the roster to finish in the top half of the B1G.
Franklin - a big surprise. Sure and steady with the ball. 8 assists 0 TO in his 1st game! Wow! And his shooting has been excellent! Franklin is too good not to get major minutes. Appears to have been severely under-rated out of HS. Franklin can contribute immwdiately.
Green - get well soon. IU needs his scoring. Green is missing out on HIS year to shine!
TJD - Alan Hemderson like potential. A shot blocking and rebounding monster.
DeRon - see if the orthopedic industry in Warsaw, IN has any latest braces to relieve pains d preserve his fragile knees and legs.
Damezi - catch and shoot! Work on dribbling in traffic before you attempt driving against a guard. Passing looks great with good vision. Work on D.
Race - looks like Daryl Thomas out on the court, now look.at.old game film of how Daryl posted up and rebounded at about the same size in the B1G.

 

[stollcpa]

Fact that is was an early game against a depleted sub-average team notwithstanding, came away with some distinct impressions:

1) Aljami is quicker in every respect - crisper passes, more decisive - seems significantly smoother and much more in control than last year;
2) Phinisee is tough and on track to fill the 'assassin's' role in the backcourt a la Lewis/Coverdale. Great vision, tough defender, strong to the rack and likely to be regularly deadly from deep - looked like he was playing angry. Franklin strikes me as similar, sure no one here expected him to log 8 assists and 0 TOs in his first game;
3) Jerome Hunter. Damn it's good to see him on the Court - as hard as it's been for him he should have received a standing ovation when he checked in/scored his first points. Not expecting anyone to show more improvement between now and Season's end - certain he's still catching up from missing all of last Season and thinking he may well end up earning starter's minutes. Stay tuned;
4) Frontline - could be a problem unless TJD grows up fast and DD puts it together. Brunk appears as advertised/probably playing close to his ceiling already - seem better if he's playing as first big off the bench rather that starting. Didn't see enough of Race to say much save that he seems to have a good nose for the ball;
5) Justin's in-close shooting looks more like shooting than simply pushing the ball toward the rim as it so often did last year but still needs work and still doesn't seem to have learned to use his left hand. On-ball defense looked better. Damezi likely still a year away, lateral movement such that imagine he's going to have difficulty keeping his man in front of him, executing switches and slipping screens.

Harder to read offensive prowess against this level of competition so won't try but defense looked like it's ahead of last year, seems to be a real emphasis on help defense pushing opposing guards out on picks - be interesting to see how that plays out when screeners dive for the basket in terms of recovery/rotations- could result in a lot of uncontested lay-ups and/or corner three attempts.

Given that Devonte didn't play, really like IU's backcourt, guessing IU will need a lot out of TJD, DD and Jerome to contend in-Conference. Pity it's going to be so long before IU plays any really strong competition but is what it is - will give Trayce, Armaan and Jerome some time to spin up and for DG to mesh back in,

Great post! Right on with all points. We’re really going to need a grown up TJD. Brunk and Davis will be serviceable for 5-10 minutes each, maybe.

When TJD was playing center everything worked better.

 

[Falky22]

Smith 2.0 - appears to have gotten. The memo from Archie and is scoring in transition and around the rim. More patient, passes quickly outbid his hands on the perimeter. This is the way Smith should play going forward. Still needs to work on his FT shot for consistency.
Durham - worked on his shot, and it shows. Huge jump up this season for Al it appears.
Brunk - the ball gets stuck in his hands for too long when passed into him in the post. Passing game looks much better this year, except when Joey Brund gets the ball down low he takes, fakes, misses his passing angle then either forces a shot inside or passes wildly out of the double team. Good note he is relentless on rebounding and will go get his own misses and puts them in.
Rob - get well soon we need the best PG on the roster to finish in the top half of the B1G.
Franklin - a big surprise. Sure and steady with the ball. 8 assists 0 TO in his 1st game! Wow! And his shooting has been excellent! Franklin is too good not to get major minutes. Appears to have been severely under-rated out of HS. Franklin can contribute immwdiately.
Green - get well soon. IU needs his scoring. Green is missing out on HIS year to shine!
TJD - Alan Hemderson like potential. A shot blocking and rebounding monster.
DeRon - see if the orthopedic industry in Warsaw, IN has any latest braces to relieve pains d preserve his fragile knees and legs.
Damezi - catch and shoot! Work on dribbling in traffic before you attempt driving against a guard. Passing looks great with good vision. Work on D.
Race - looks like Daryl Thomas out on the court, now look.at.old game film of how Daryl posted up and rebounded at about the same size in the B1G.

That is funny about Race. I told my crew I was sitting with at the game a couple nights ago that’s Race reminded me of a poor man’s Darryl Thomas. Hopefully he can get to Daryl’s level.

 

[snarlcakes]

Fact that is was an early game against a depleted sub-average team notwithstanding, came away with some distinct impressions:

1) Aljami is quicker in every respect - crisper passes, more decisive - seems significantly smoother and much more in control than last year;
2) Phinisee is tough and on track to fill the 'assassin's' role in the backcourt a la Lewis/Coverdale. Great vision, tough defender, strong to the rack and likely to be regularly deadly from deep - looked like he was playing angry. Franklin strikes me as similar, sure no one here expected him to log 8 assists and 0 TOs in his first game;
3) Jerome Hunter. Damn it's good to see him on the Court - as hard as it's been for him he should have received a standing ovation when he checked in/scored his first points. Not expecting anyone to show more improvement between now and Season's end - certain he's still catching up from missing all of last Season and thinking he may well end up earning starter's minutes. Stay tuned;
4) Frontline - could be a problem unless TJD grows up fast and DD puts it together. Brunk appears as advertised/probably playing close to his ceiling already - seem better if he's playing as first big off the bench rather that starting. Didn't see enough of Race to say much save that he seems to have a good nose for the ball;
5) Justin's in-close shooting looks more like shooting than simply pushing the ball toward the rim as it so often did last year but still needs work and still doesn't seem to have learned to use his left hand. On-ball defense looked better. Damezi likely still a year away, lateral movement such that imagine he's going to have difficulty keeping his man in front of him, executing switches and slipping screens.

Harder to read offensive prowess against this level of competition so won't try but defense looked like it's ahead of last year, seems to be a real emphasis on help defense pushing opposing guards out on picks - be interesting to see how that plays out when screeners dive for the basket in terms of recovery/rotations- could result in a lot of uncontested lay-ups and/or corner three attempts.

Given that Devonte didn't play, really like IU's backcourt, guessing IU will need a lot out of TJD, DD and Jerome to contend in-Conference. Pity it's going to be so long before IU plays any really strong competition but is what it is - will give Trayce, Armaan and Jerome some time to spin up and for DG to mesh back in,

-I agree on Al. I've always liked him as a player. He's always been a hard worker. I wish more players were able to finish strong with both hands. Al had one in the first half that was impressive.

-Smith played well. Hopefully, it continues against better competition.

-Phin looked solid. He's a really good defender. Hopefully, he makes a big jump offensively.

- It was great to see Hunter healthy. He has really good length. I have no clue how good he is or isn't.

-Franklin should help this year. I think he will end up being the backup point guard.

-I think TJD will be our best big man. He's not as good as Vonleh or Cody, but still really good.

-Brunk was decent. He is slow, but should be able to bang and rebound.

-Thompson was ok. He struggles on offensive, but he can defend and rebound. He might take some of Davis minutes

-Anderson still looks slow and his shot is still flat. For some reason he pushes it (kind of like a shot put). I doubt he plays much this year.

-Davis struggled and he still looks injured

Lastly, it's great to have college basketball back.

 

[MG80]

After the first couple minutes of being on the floor, Rob looked like a star player. Got to wherever he wanted to on the floor and just looked like a very mature player who knows just how good he is.

Al also looks looks very much in command of his strengths and weaknesses. Both he and Rob have beautiful and repeatable shooting strokes.

TJD is going to be a great player. His defense is way ahead of his offense. He’s a natural shot blocker with great instincts for going after the ball and could become a very good rebounder. It’s not even close as to who our best big is. He and Armaan are both extremely mature young players, both mentally and physically.

Jerome played a lot longer than I expected. He got more and more comfortable the longer he was on the court. Another guy who’s D is ahead of his O. He has really good lateral quickness. He could very well be a central part of the rotation come the B1G schedule. In another year I think we’ll start to see a very good player take form.

 

[h20pls]

I'm hoping to see YOY improvement in ball movement and weak side motion (screens, cuts...no more standing around)...I saw some evidence of that in this game.

 

[RRgo]

As Hunter gets his sea legs back. This team could be pretty good. (Fun to watch)
Not a BigTen Champion (Top 5)
NCAA Tournament Team (not Champion)

 

[Chicago-bound Hoosier]

That is funny about Race. I told my crew I was sitting with at the game a couple nights ago that’s Race reminded me of a poor man’s Darryl Thomas. Hopefully he can get to Daryl’s level.

Love the reference to the late Mr Thomas. He had some of the best low post footwork I've ever seen. The kid could have bailed on RMK and the program early in his career (from what we've read, RMK's coaching style was very difficult for him being a soft spoken nice kid). But he stuck with it and it paid off. Alford is the legend, Smart hit the shot, but without Daryl on the 86-87 squad, there would only be 4 banners swinging in the Hall today.

The wars Daryl and Dean had to fight the last 10 days of that season- Seikaly and Derrick Coleman & Trish, Armon Hammer Gilliam, and that wrecking crew from LSU- the paint was not a place for timid boys.

RIP Daryl.

 

[still4IU]

Fact that is was an early game against a depleted sub-average team notwithstanding, came away with some distinct impressions:

1) Aljami is quicker in every respect - crisper passes, more decisive - seems significantly smoother and much more in control than last year;
2) Phinisee is tough and on track to fill the 'assassin's' role in the backcourt a la Lewis/Coverdale. Great vision, tough defender, strong to the rack and likely to be regularly deadly from deep - looked like he was playing angry. Franklin strikes me as similar, sure no one here expected him to log 8 assists and 0 TOs in his first game;
3) Jerome Hunter. Damn it's good to see him on the Court - as hard as it's been for him he should have received a standing ovation when he checked in/scored his first points. Not expecting anyone to show more improvement between now and Season's end - certain he's still catching up from missing all of last Season and thinking he may well end up earning starter's minutes. Stay tuned;
4) Frontline - could be a problem unless TJD grows up fast and DD puts it together. Brunk appears as advertised/probably playing close to his ceiling already - seem better if he's playing as first big off the bench rather that starting. Didn't see enough of Race to say much save that he seems to have a good nose for the ball;
5) Justin's in-close shooting looks more like shooting than simply pushing the ball toward the rim as it so often did last year but still needs work and still doesn't seem to have learned to use his left hand. On-ball defense looked better. Damezi likely still a year away, lateral movement such that imagine he's going to have difficulty keeping his man in front of him, executing switches and slipping screens.

Harder to read offensive prowess against this level of competition so won't try but defense looked like it's ahead of last year, seems to be a real emphasis on help defense pushing opposing guards out on picks - be interesting to see how that plays out when screeners dive for the basket in terms of recovery/rotations- could result in a lot of uncontested lay-ups and/or corner three attempts.

Given that Devonte didn't play, really like IU's backcourt, guessing IU will need a lot out of TJD, DD and Jerome to contend in-Conference. Pity it's going to be so long before IU plays any really strong competition but is what it is - will give Trayce, Armaan and Jerome some time to spin up and for DG to mesh back in,

Watched the replay last night.
What I liked the most was the energy and aggressiveness on the defensive side.
Good/Great defense can keep you in a lot of games.

 

[Falky22]

Love the reference to the late Mr Thomas. He had some of the best low post footwork I've ever seen. The kid could have bailed on RMK and the program early in his career (from what we've read, RMK's coaching style was very difficult for him being a soft spoken nice kid). But he stuck with it and it paid off. Alford is the legend, Smart hit the shot, but without Daryl on the 86-87 squad, there would only be 4 banners swinging in the Hall today.

The wars Daryl and Dean had to fight the last 10 days of that season- Seikaly and Derrick Coleman & Trish, Armon Hammer Gilliam, and that wrecking crew from LSU- the paint was not a place for timid boys.

RIP Daryl.

Very well said about Thomas. Glad he stuck around. Couldn’t have won the chip without him.