Media Day: Dembele, Koch & Traore battling for Starting 4 spot. Brock will be playing A LOT MORE. Owen Logo 3s? Dix at the 1, Pryce at the 2
- Thread starter Franisdaman
- Start date
plays 13 guys in November..until they start losing B1G games..shortens rotation to win some games..rinse and repeat.
Some key dates/games, imo. Can we finally start the B1G season off at 2-0?
Oct 25: exhibition
Nov 4: Texas A&M Commerce (1st game that counts)
Nov 15: vs Washington State (in Moline)
Nov 22: vs Utah State (in Kansas City)
Dec 3: vs Northwestern
Dec 7: at Michigan
Dec 12: vs Iowa State
Dec 21 vs Utah (In Sioux Falls)
Jan 3: at Wisconsin
Full Schedule:
Fran mentions that it's mostly the mental side of the game with Tadjo. Sounds like he's new to breaking down film, there's a bit of a language barrier, he's hard on himself in practice which I took as he makes a lot of mistakes. Fran said it's a unique problem to deal with. Physically it sounds like he's all there. I don't think we'll see a lot of Tadjo in big games unfortunately, especially early in the season. That's how I'm reading Fran's comments.
I think Tadjo is just RAW. I commented on this on the other site because I found Jamie Shaw's On3 ranking a bit high for what I saw on film Jamie responded by saying that their rankings were based on NBA potential, not college potential, but I still think you have to really look hard at his skill level not just his athleticism. I thought he was a Top 125 type player and I think they had him Top 60 or higher.
He has great highlights because he's athletic, but when you watch full games he is mainly succeeding off of transition and offensive putbacks more than offensive skill level. When he tries to attack in the half court he has just a linear drive to the rim and very basic moves in the post, and a very limited face up game so guys can play off him. If he can't overwhelm you with his strength and athleticism then he can't create his own offense in the half court, pure and simple. He's more physical than Cook but also less skilled imo. Definitely a cross between Doug Thomas and Tyler Cook for sure.
Defensively on film he was inconsistent. His effort is A+, but his awareness is C+. He will make some amazing blocks, and then at times not contest the shot at all. He will rotate hard and athletically one time, but then miss a rotation the next.
He just needs a year at this level. Not sure he will ever be a great creator on offense, which means he likely won't be an NBA player, but he can be a great complimentary player who sits in the dunkers spot and takes lobs, dump offs and grabs offensive boards while also playing the screen and roll on the perimeter. On defense he can guard 3 through 5 and can switch on most players without being exposed. He's great in transition like Doug Thomas but with better ball handling. He's not really a half court ball handler, but in transition he's fine.
I think the other bigs are just much more skilled and can space the floor. Fran values skill and spacing so I think that's why he's perhaps a bit behind in the rotation. But he can still be a key piece for us.
He has great highlights because he's athletic, but when you watch full games he is mainly succeeding off of transition and offensive putbacks more than offensive skill level. When he tries to attack in the half court he has just a linear drive to the rim and very basic moves in the post, and a very limited face up game so guys can play off him. If he can't overwhelm you with his strength and athleticism then he can't create his own offense in the half court, pure and simple. He's more physical than Cook but also less skilled imo. Definitely a cross between Doug Thomas and Tyler Cook for sure.
Defensively on film he was inconsistent. His effort is A+, but his awareness is C+. He will make some amazing blocks, and then at times not contest the shot at all. He will rotate hard and athletically one time, but then miss a rotation the next.
He just needs a year at this level. Not sure he will ever be a great creator on offense, which means he likely won't be an NBA player, but he can be a great complimentary player who sits in the dunkers spot and takes lobs, dump offs and grabs offensive boards while also playing the screen and roll on the perimeter. On defense he can guard 3 through 5 and can switch on most players without being exposed. He's great in transition like Doug Thomas but with better ball handling. He's not really a half court ball handler, but in transition he's fine.
I think the other bigs are just much more skilled and can space the floor. Fran values skill and spacing so I think that's why he's perhaps a bit behind in the rotation. But he can still be a key piece for us.
By Christmas, we should have a pretty good idea what we have, and Fran should have figured out the basic rotation he wants to go with. We need to stop losing the first two B1G games! With the nucleus returning, I don't see any reason to have more than 2 losses heading into 2025, although there are 5 or 6 losable games. Anything better than two losses at Christmas would be great.Some key dates/games, imo. Can we finally start the B1G season off at 2-0?
Oct 25: exhibition
Nov 4: Texas A&M Commerce (1st game that counts)
Nov 15: vs Washington State (in Moline)
Nov 22: vs Utah State (in Kansas City)
Dec 3: vs Northwestern
Dec 7: at Michigan
Dec 12: vs Iowa State
Dec 21 vs Utah (In Sioux Falls)
Jan 3: at Wisconsin
Full Schedule:
A lot of good reads & agree with someone else where it sounds like Pryce will make a jump, forcing Fran to play him more. Too much god talk though, that was lame to see.
Any point to your second sentence?
Admittedly it's kinda nice not seeing any McCaffery kids in the lineups.
Stupid take by Kakert. No way Thelwell doesn't start.
Good stuff. Hopefully he finds his niche and earns playing time. Let the thoroughbred run!
Lame to comment of too much God talk
One hidden factor last year that caused a dropoff from 2022 was rebounding.
We did see some improvement in turnovers per possession on both offense and defense and that led to a couple extra possessions per game, but overall I think Rebounding was our achilles heel.
Why should rebounding be better this year?
1. No Patrick - 6.7% Total Rebound % last year, which is poor for his size even playing the SF spot.
2. No Krikke - 9.3% Total Rebound % last year, which is really, really poor for a PF/C spot
3. Bigger, better Freeman - 16.0% Total Rebound % last year
4. Still have Payton Sandfort - 11.9% Total Rebound % from PF spot last year, but now will be in the SF spot replacing Patrick's 6.7%
5. More Dembele - 10.1% Total Rebound %, should be higher this year
6. Added Traore - 14.5% Total Rebound % last year. Small for a B10 PF, but that's a good % for a SF/PF combo
7. Big guards - hoping that Dix and Pryce and Thelwell can provide some help from the guard position, especially on the defensive glass
- Our Team Defensive Rebound % last year was 70.8% (279th). The year prior it was 74.2 (142nd).
- Our team Offensive Rebound % last year was 25.2 (230th). The year prior it was 30.3% (67th).
- Effective FG% Offense: 52.8% (67th) last year compared to 51.7% (107th) the year prior.
- Effective FG% Defense: 52.3% (275th) last year compared to 53.3% (308th) the year prior.
- Turnovers per Possession: 12.9% (5th) last year compared to 13.7% (8th) the year prior.
- Opponent Turnovers perPossessions: 16.1% (212th) last year compared to 17.9% (164th) the year prior.
We did see some improvement in turnovers per possession on both offense and defense and that led to a couple extra possessions per game, but overall I think Rebounding was our achilles heel.
Why should rebounding be better this year?
1. No Patrick - 6.7% Total Rebound % last year, which is poor for his size even playing the SF spot.
2. No Krikke - 9.3% Total Rebound % last year, which is really, really poor for a PF/C spot
3. Bigger, better Freeman - 16.0% Total Rebound % last year
4. Still have Payton Sandfort - 11.9% Total Rebound % from PF spot last year, but now will be in the SF spot replacing Patrick's 6.7%
5. More Dembele - 10.1% Total Rebound %, should be higher this year
6. Added Traore - 14.5% Total Rebound % last year. Small for a B10 PF, but that's a good % for a SF/PF combo
7. Big guards - hoping that Dix and Pryce and Thelwell can provide some help from the guard position, especially on the defensive glass
Good analysis, consistent with what some of us have been saying for a couple of months, with a lot more detail. Only point where there might be question is whether our guards will rebound better. Tony hit the boards a lot harder than I expect Harding/Thelwell will. Much better rebounding and interior defense from the guys taking Patrick and Krikke's minutes will be almost a certainty.
Good stuff. I think I posted we averaged giving up 11 offensive rebounds per game last season. Cut that back to 7 or less and that's 4 or more possessions per game and possibly 4-6 more points per game. And 4-5 less shots for the opponents, maybe 6 points less given up. That's a big spread & should be a huge point of emphasis.
Anything about defense and rebounding?
Until we show up there, nothing else matters much. We still aren't guard dominant enough to win anything of significance.
Until we show up there, nothing else matters much. We still aren't guard dominant enough to win anything of significance.
I have a feeling Koch is something really special if he’s being discussed as a potential starter as a stretch 4 coming in as a true freshman coupled with a surgery over the summer.
Fran seldom starts freshmen, especially early in the season. It is encouraging to hear that Koch is playing well enough to earn some minutes. Koch is probably the best shooter of the three possible 4s, but I think we would also probably lose most of the upgrade in rebounding and interior defense that most of us have been expecting with this team.
For Franm if it wasn't one of his boys, before that it was a guy like McCabe in past who was too slow to guard that would get a union card. I don't see anyone on the team that Fran will play because of the the friend and family plan. That said, we don't have much guard depth...I think Pryce has better guard skills/looks to be better defender than Payton, but Pryce will struggle at 2G with really quick guys. I do like Pryce's game, we will see if he makes a big step forward. Dix at PG is going to require an improvement in handles by Dix. He is very good player on offense and defense, but it is quite a challenge to make him a PG.
Iowa is too good a team to schedule such a poor nonconference.Some key dates/games, imo. Can we finally start the B1G season off at 2-0?
Oct 25: exhibition
Nov 4: Texas A&M Commerce (1st game that counts)
Nov 15: vs Washington State (in Moline)
Nov 22: vs Utah State (in Kansas City)
Dec 3: vs Northwestern
Dec 7: at Michigan
Dec 12: vs Iowa State
Dec 21 vs Utah (In Sioux Falls)
Jan 3: at Wisconsin
Full Schedule:
Evidently, you have no idea where Tom Kakert comes from, I'll give you a hint, DA. He comes from the QUAD CITIES, the same area that Owen Freeman and Brock Harding comes from.
He's seen Brock play for the last 5 years and Owen for most of the last 4 years. I think he knows what he talking more then you, but continue to be a denier as you really don't care to do your homework. Can't wait to see you eat your words as the season unfolds.
Speaks more to his homer'ism than his knowledge of the game... you just made my point for me... thanks.
Now tell me more about how much Ryan Mulvey will be playing this year... please...
I don't know what the correct balance is/should be.
At least 4 of the 11 are decent.
Washington State
Utah State
Iowa State
Utah
Washington State, Iowa State, and Utah State all finished top 25 ranked. I believe Illinois only has 2 teams (Arkansas and Alabama?)that finished top 25. Yes, there are cupcakes on the Iowa schedule just like Eastern Illinois and SIUE on the Illinois schedule. I would expect Illinois to have a more competitive schedule coming off a top 25 season and pre-season rankings. Who is tougher opponent Utah or Mizzou? Did Mizzou win a conference game last year?
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