crobaseball

[crobaseball @cro1100]

(*beyond just Andrej)and can also get out and run. Defensively: last years team had a solid starter in Kylan, a late developing Andrej, and Z, with himrichous a Swiss Army knife off the bench. This year’s d adds Coleman and Lincoln Williams. They might be as good as last year.

[crobaseball @cro1100]

@SleepersMedia 2 things after just watching your Illini YouTube video: the biggest difference betw last year and this year imho is the different ways in which this team can attack and beat you offensively. Specifically that this team has more drivers behind just Andrej and

[crobaseball @cro1100]

Here’s now my q: do you think Jake can step into the Ben role a bit as a defender?

[crobaseball @cro1100]

@ktausk13 @JWerner247 just caught the pod, and it seems like we have 2 situations w the offense, which you touched on: out and run/half-court. So let’s break that down further to get a sense of pecking order. If it’s full court; then it’s defensive rebounder either bringing…

[crobaseball @cro1100]

It up, or firing the outlet to get the break going. One way or the other, it sure seems like the finishers will be a trio of Andrej/coleman/lincoln, hence where Lincoln enters the pecking order. Vaaks and Mirk (and Jake) as trailers to shoot the 3.

[crobaseball @cro1100]

Then w the half court, Mirk on ball, with Tomi/Vaaks as the next options, leading to other guys getting the right looks. OR hand the ball to Andrej and let him cook. Seems like we can figure out the pecking order by breaking down what the O looks like.

[crobaseball @cro1100]

@Taylor_McGregor happ status?

[crobaseball @cro1100]

@SleepersMedia quick thought on Illini basketball and usage: the minutes played by brads guys was thru the roof. If Brad follows a more dusty avg minutes per game, he can solve the need for every guy to eat.

[crobaseball @cro1100]

@ktausk13 @JWerner247 Pretty simple w Whitman: if the Illini win multiple natties, then he’ll feel fulfilled and perhaps go on to something else.

[crobaseball @cro1100]

@JWerner247 @LincolnW_11 Yes! A perimeter defender!!! So great to hear!!

[crobaseball @cro1100]

@Isaac__Trotter thought I’d ping you on this again. Respect the hell out of your opinion and super curious what you think.

[crobaseball @cro1100]

@Isaac__Trotter listened to the Illini Inquirer pod. Clearly U of I taking a step back defensively. 2 q’s: 1.) why vaaks over Blackwell? 2.) why not go after a sencire Harris type who can bring defensive nastiness to this team?

[crobaseball @cro1100]

@mlbtraderumors

[Bruce Levine @MLBBruceLevine]

Cubs Kevin Alcantara walking into Wrigley

[crobaseball @cro1100]

Oh, and who still has an IL post pinned to the top of his X acct. 😁

[crobaseball @cro1100]

@JWerner247 @ktausk13 watched the pod and totally get all the reasons to not add someone. And it’s hard not to think of sencire Harris, who wouldn’t be expensive and could very well accept a pure defensive role on this team. Or to imagine that there isn’t someone else like him.

[crobaseball @cro1100]

@JWerner247 @ktausk13 Last year, the team struggled when there was a quick smaller guard and/or there were 2 strong offensive options for the oppo. With only Andrej to really check someone on D, who will the team turn to? Esp if he’s hurt or has foul trouble?

[crobaseball @cro1100]

@JWerner247 @LaTulip_Mike @ktausk13 Thoughts?

[crobaseball @cro1100]

@LaTulip_Mike @JWerner247 @ktausk13 watched the latest pod. The one weakness which didn’t get addressed: this team is lacking a dog. They seem like they could use a ty Rodgers, even a sencire Harris, someone who’s just built to be intense. Thoughts?

[crobaseball @cro1100]

@JWerner247 @LaTulip_Mike @ktausk13 This seems like a realistic addition to the team at a reasonable price.

[crobaseball @cro1100]

@JWerner247 @LaTulip_Mike @ktausk13 No, defn of dog is someone who’s got the fire to punch back and inspire the team when a lift is needed. What you mentioned in the pod was need for defense. So combine those things. dog+need for defender=fierce on-ball defender (for quick guards esp)

[crobaseball @cro1100]

@JWerner247 @LaTulip_Mike @ktausk13 Cadeau and fears certainly seem to be guys w a big edge, so no. But I’d certainly argue that having someone to bring a next level of edge that keeps a team on its toes wouldn’t hurt, and since we need a point of attack defender for those sized guards, that seems like a fit.