Why Illinois is SO GOOD

D2bets · Feb 3, 2005

Since the NCAA started tracking turnover stats 4 years ago, no DI school has an assist-to-turnover ratio better than 1.57. It might be even better now, but prior to the MSU game, Illinois' ratio was an INCREDIBLE 1.80.

I guess that's what happens when you essentially have three unselfish point guards that can all shoot the ball.

arty:

Journeyman · Feb 3, 2005

No doubt D2bets, this team can do so many things well...It is an absolute joke the RPI has them outside the #1 spot...

They have so many threats, so many athletes and scorers, and great speed and quickness, its hardto imagine that team all being off at the same time...

What a team to watch if your an Illini backer! I still say they'd lose atleast 3 games in the ACC play but thats not a knock at all!

Rainbow · Feb 3, 2005

They also lead the nation in 3 pointers.

Illini · Feb 3, 2005

Never mind the fact that they give other teams fits with their defense and get 10-12 points off easy fast break layups every game.

D2bets · Feb 3, 2005

Rainbow said:
They also lead the nation in 3 pointers.

Wow, I didn't realize that. And I think again that's a product of the motion offense they run and the sharp unselfish passing from the guard trio. They really got 5 guys that can knock down the open shot but none of them are the type of pure shooting talent like Reddick or Stoudemire. It's just that they all make the extra pass so they are mostly shooting the ball in rythm, from a good spot and without two hands in their face. Reddick is trememdous but if you watch Duke he is constantly taking extremely difficult ,off-balance, and very long 3-pointers. If he had Dee Brown and Deron Williams to play alongside I shudder to think of the % he could shoot (60?).

D2bets · Feb 3, 2005

Illini said:
Never mind the fact that they give other teams fits with their defense and get 10-12 points of easy fast break layups every game.

Brown and Head play the passing lanes really well and have incredibly quick hands and feet. Plus, both of those guys, especially Brown, are so quick at grabbing the loose ball and running with it. It's something that really doesn't show up on the stat sheet but you cannot beat these guys to the ball.

The best way to beat these guys: get them off the floor -- injury or foul trouble. The bench is not real deep. But unless they have injury or foul trouble Brown, Williams and Head very rarely come off the floor...and these guys just don't get worn down playing long minutes. On the contrary, they've seemed to play better in second halves after playing long minutes.

Journeyman · Feb 3, 2005

Illini said:
Never mind the fact that they give other teams fits with their defense and get 10-12 points off easy fast break layups every game.

This i what i really noticed, the do get so many easy breakaway points off of steals...not just the guards either, the big men deflecting...

It will take an extremely versatile team with alot of size across the backline to beat them...I think Wake or UNC is the team that matches up best but we already saw them destroy Wake...Although it was a tired Wake team they still destroyed them...

Who else can matchup with them? Louisville?

Journeyman · Feb 3, 2005

Reddick is the best shooter since Larry Bird...amazing and this year he's much better

Brock Landers · Feb 3, 2005

Journeyman said:
Reddick is the best shooter since Larry Bird...amazing and this year he's much better

thats a lot of BS...this guy gets talked up as being "the best", he isn't even the best 3 point shooter in his own conference!! Chris Paul is #1 in 3's.

And i will take Mcnamera at Syracuse over this overhyped jackass anyday, Mcnamera has a national title under his belt!

D2bets · Feb 3, 2005

Yes, Louisville is one that comes to mind because Garcia is so dynamic and tough to match up with and they have an explosive offense. Wake fits right into what Illinois can do, wouldn't be worried to face them again. Carolina, yes, becuase they are so good and balanced. Top teams that wouldn't scare me as much:
Duke
Kansas
Kentucky
Boston College
Wake Forest

Teams that worry me more:
North Carolina
Syracuse
Louisville
Arizona
Oklahome State

D2bets · Feb 3, 2005

Brock Landers said:
thats a lot of BS...this guy gets talked up as being "the best", he isn't even the best 3 point shooter in his own conference!! Chris Paul is #1 in 3's.

And i will take Mcnamera at Syracuse over this overhyped jackass anyday, Mcnamera has a national title under his belt!

Reddick is the better pure shooter. His % is lowered because he has to, or chooses to, take so many off-balance, long, contested shots. Probably because Duke doesn't pass the ball that well.

That said, Reddick has no serious NBA skills. He moves his feet at college speed. No way he can guard NBA 2 guards. Anyone remember Chris Collins? A little better, but basically the same player. He's a Duke assistant coach now. That's where I expect to see Reddick within 4-5 years.

Journeyman · Feb 3, 2005

McNamara? You gotta be kidding me?

Journeyman · Feb 3, 2005

Reddick, I don't even like him, but I have to take up for him...He will play in the NBA he is just too damn good a shooter..Can you imagine him spotting up on a team with Shaq or Duncan, where they must double down on every play? Or playing the role of John Paxson? Pulease he will play in the NBA!

Rainbow · Feb 3, 2005

Reddick is a shoe in for the NBA. he will probably be the #1 pick.

Illini · Feb 3, 2005

D2, since when do you have to play defense to play in the NBA? Reddick is a lock to play at the next level. I don't really like him, but he's got game, and will go in the first round. Without a doubt.

D2bets · Feb 3, 2005

Rainbow said:
Reddick is a shoe in for the NBA. he will probably be the #1 pick.

Are you on drugs? Whoever takes him in the first round will be wasting their pick. He will get used and abused by guys like Ray Allen, Richard Hamilton, Paul Pierce, Jason Richardson, Michael Redd, not to mention Kobe or Wade. And you cannot compare him to a John Paxson because there is no way in hell he can play point guard.

Not really a clear #1 pick but Reddick is not even close. I'd say Warrick or Simien probably. Or Ike Diogu. Gomes and Joey Graham also look like lottery picks.

D2bets · Feb 3, 2005

Illini said:
D2, since when do you have to play defense to play in the NBA? Reddick is a lock to play at the next level. I don't really like him, but he's got game, and will go in the first round. Without a doubt.

He probably will go somewhere in the first round, but his "career" will be nothing special.

Footnote: See Bryce Drew.

At best, if he gains some strength, maybe he can be a solid reserve like a Fred Hoiberg.

I definitely believe that Luther Head is a better NBA prospect.

Illini · Feb 3, 2005

He will never be a #1 pick, but I'd wager a lot of money that he gets a guaranteed 3 year contract. He's 10 times the player Chris Collins was. And even less annoying than Chris, even though I don't like him.

Sandinhand · Feb 3, 2005

Is there a play on this game ?

What is the call Guys ?

Rainbow · Feb 3, 2005

D2bets said:
Are you on drugs? Whoever takes him in the first round will be wasting their pick. He will get used and abused by guys like Ray Allen, Richard Hamilton, Paul Pierce, Jason Richardson, Michael Redd, not to mention Kobe or Wade. And you cannot compare him to a John Paxson because there is no way in hell he can play point guard.

Not really a clear #1 pick but Reddick is not even close. I'd say Warrick or Simien probably. Or Ike Diogu. Gomes and Joey Graham also look like lottery picks.

By the way I am clean and sober for 1 year and 6 months. back to Reddick, he will play in the NBA. my opinion only, I think he will be the #1 pick. you have Reddick way underated. you dont see Reddicks everyday, and you can take that to the bank.