early basketball observations

[Rickster]

-let's hope T Ivisic isn't out long
-Big Z is the best rim protector we've had since Kofi
-Wagler is going to make us all forget Will Riley very quickly ...that kid actually attacks the lane and rim
-Mirkovic is going to be my favorite player all year I suspect...what a find. He runs funny, he's slow, he looks very uncoordinated, but somehow he's effective
-can this lineup actually shoot 38-40% from three?...if so, they're going to avg 85 easy
-Stoykavic didn't impress me ...he got better as the game went on, but that's being up by 40. I just get the feeling he's going to struggle getting 6-7 shots per game instead of 15-20, especially in tight games
-we haven't even seen Petro or Lee yet ...how are all these guys going to get minutes?

[ChiefSTL]

- Man, what a welcome party for Big Z. That dude is such a difference maker around the basket. I hope Tomi isn't out very long, but what a backup to have fill in for him.

- Yeah Wagler doesn't look like he's afraid of the college game, I like his ability to get downhill and he's showing that he's a threat as a shooter

- I was really impressed with Hummer's defense Friday. I know FGC doesn't have the athletes we'll be seeing in league play, but he still looked really locked in on defense and is embracing his role with lesser minutes. He's still missing some of the wide open kickouts that we need him to knock down.

- This offense is just so multi-dimensional. Again, I know the lesser competition. But we are sharing the ball so well and getting good looks. Boswell looks like he's in complete control. Love his inside/out ability.

- The thing you've gotta remember with Stojakovic is he hasn't been able to practice with his injury. He was clearly forcing it in the first half. He's just got such a good driving and midrange game that he's gonna be such a good compliment. I still think he has every chance to be our leading scorer once he gets time to work with everybody based on what I saw out of him at Cal.

- The beautiful thing about this team is we could have a different leading scorer every night and take advantage of mismatches. If we can defend, this could be the best roster depth Underwood has had. I'm not sure how you shake out the minutes once Petro and Tomi are a full go. I think Lee is gonna have a hard time seeing any minutes this year once we get into the meat of the schedule. Jake Davis probably loses minutes too if other guys can provide outside shooting.

- Can't wait for the game Tuesday to get a real feel on where we are at.

[12xu]

Yes tuesday's game vs Texas Tech will be a real test for the Illini. So far the team has been mighty impressive vs lesser foes, but considering they have been without major players in both games, the potential once all are healthy is sky high. I think this team may be the most talented Illini team since the 2005 squad played in the National Championship game.

[ChiefSTL]

What'd I tell you about Stojakovic. Nice to see him get going from his injury. He's so good at finishing and in the midrange game. TT wouldn't double down on him. Some teams will have to start helping, which will open up more kickouts.

[Rickster]

What'd I tell you about Stojakovic. Nice to see him get going from his injury. He's so good at finishing and in the midrange game. TT wouldn't double down on him. Some teams will have to start helping, which will open up more kickouts.

I humbly and readily admit my initial impression about Stojakovic was in error and premature. He is certainly effective at going downhill and plays much bigger than his size once at/near the rim. I could've done without some of those turnaround fadeaways...that kind of pick-up move isn't going to work in league play. But if he's that effective at finishing and filling, then let him get 15-18 shots per game. And actually, I was impressed by his defense maybe the most. Didn't he have 3 steals?...and the block with about a buck 30 left in the game was a clincher.

Mirkovic is still going to be my favorite player this year. I just love how that guy is effective at so many things.

This team is going to have some of the same defensive issues that have plagued them in the past few years, and that is not being able to defend the pick and roll against a good big man. Is Toppin the best player we'll see all year? I hope so, because nobody on our team could guard that guy. On a couple TT possessions, we had Boswell guard him with a quick double team when he got the ball, but even that didn't stop him. Maybe try switching to a zone and make him chuck it from deep? We all saw the zone against Jackson State, so we know you've been toying with it.

Versatility coach....show us some. Or are we just going to allow every talented big or swing player to pump in 30 against us?

Why did big Z hardly play in the 2nd? Was he hurt? he only had 2 fouls...

[ChiefSTL]

What'd I tell you about Stojakovic. Nice to see him get going from his injury. He's so good at finishing and in the midrange game. TT wouldn't double down on him. Some teams will have to start helping, which will open up more kickouts.

I humbly and readily admit my initial impression about Stojakovic was in error and premature. He is certainly effective at going downhill and plays much bigger than his size once at/near the rim. I could've done without some of those turnaround fadeaways...that kind of pick-up move isn't going to work in league play. But if he's that effective at finishing and filling, then let him get 15-18 shots per game. And actually, I was impressed by his defense maybe the most. Didn't he have 3 steals?...and the block with about a buck 30 left in the game was a clincher.

Mirkovic is still going to be my favorite player this year. I just love how that guy is effective at so many things.

This team is going to have some of the same defensive issues that have plagued them in the past few years, and that is not being able to defend the pick and roll against a good big man. Is Toppin the best player we'll see all year? I hope so, because nobody on our team could guard that guy. On a couple TT possessions, we had Boswell guard him with a quick double team when he got the ball, but even that didn't stop him. Maybe try switching to a zone and make him chuck it from deep? We all saw the zone against Jackson State, so we know you've been toying with it.

Versatility coach....show us some. Or are we just going to allow every talented big or swing player to pump in 30 against us?

Why did big Z hardly play in the 2nd? Was he hurt? he only had 2 fouls...

Yeah Underwood had been harping on Stoj's defense from summer workouts, and it looks like he was right. He did a good job on the ball, which frees up Boswell to take whoever he needs to. We finally started doubling on Toppin's left hand which was a nice change, not sure why it took us so long to do that. My one issue with the defense was going over the top of screens so far outside the 3pt line. I thought it led to some easy P&R's. I like fighting over the top when they get in shooting range.

[Rickster]

What'd I tell you about Stojakovic. Nice to see him get going from his injury. He's so good at finishing and in the midrange game. TT wouldn't double down on him. Some teams will have to start helping, which will open up more kickouts.

I humbly and readily admit my initial impression about Stojakovic was in error and premature. He is certainly effective at going downhill and plays much bigger than his size once at/near the rim. I could've done without some of those turnaround fadeaways...that kind of pick-up move isn't going to work in league play. But if he's that effective at finishing and filling, then let him get 15-18 shots per game. And actually, I was impressed by his defense maybe the most. Didn't he have 3 steals?...and the block with about a buck 30 left in the game was a clincher.

Mirkovic is still going to be my favorite player this year. I just love how that guy is effective at so many things.

This team is going to have some of the same defensive issues that have plagued them in the past few years, and that is not being able to defend the pick and roll against a good big man. Is Toppin the best player we'll see all year? I hope so, because nobody on our team could guard that guy. On a couple TT possessions, we had Boswell guard him with a quick double team when he got the ball, but even that didn't stop him. Maybe try switching to a zone and make him chuck it from deep? We all saw the zone against Jackson State, so we know you've been toying with it.

Versatility coach....show us some. Or are we just going to allow every talented big or swing player to pump in 30 against us?

Why did big Z hardly play in the 2nd? Was he hurt? he only had 2 fouls...

My one issue with the defense was going over the top of screens so far outside the 3pt line.

this has been a pet peeve of mine for years ...drives me nuts

[Rickster]

see what I mean about Mirkovic?

[ChiefSTL]

see what I mean about Mirkovic?

Yeah he's been fun to watch for sure. Heck of a response after being challenged by Underwood to hit the boards harder.

Little klunky of a game Friday night as a team. Reverted back to last year of settling on quick 3's with no attempts at working the ball inside-out. Saw some videos of Tomi doing some pregame stuff. Hopefully he's back soon. Big one on Wednesday night.

[ChiefSTL]

Big missed opportunity last night against Bama. Gotta make make free throws and open kick outs. The free throw shooting was a little shocking and what I hope was just a bad night. I wouldn't expect a guy like Stoj to be that bad at the line very often. Bama was obviously more athletic than us, and spread us out and took advantage. Mirk and Wagler looked like freshman last night. Got sped up a little bit and couldn't finish. Big Z had a terrible night. Couldn't hit shots, poor rotations on defense, and stay on your (bleep) feet big man. Jumping to block players 9" shorter than you was just dumb. Hummer has to be better from 3.

Boswell and Stoj were huge down the stretch and give us a couple of closers. Gotta go to the basket earlier though. Boswell still takes too many pull up shots that are just unnecessary. The first 5 minutes of the second half was the real killer.

On the bright side, we still aren't fully healthy and should've beaten a likely top 10 team if we do a couple of little things. Petro looked promising in his limited minutes. Tomi clearly doesn't have his legs back yet. Stoj is still working himself back to 100%. Gotta use these next two blood donor games to get everybody conditioned and synced up so we're ready for UConn. Need to win at least one of the UConnn/Tennessee games.

[Rickster]

The first 5 minutes of the second half was the real killer.

yep, that right there, and the other great points as well. Going 1 for 14 or whatever it was out of the halftime is tough to overcome on most nights.

overall, it was a solid performance, I mean they were right there, make 80% of your FTs and a couple more threes and it might go our way. Missing 8 FTs in the second half will almost always get you beat in a close game.

I thought the defense was good, but not great, same with the rebounding, same with the offense, I actually saw a couple in-game adjustments...

here's my bellyaches...

30 combined minutes by over 14 feet of centers and they produced 6 pts combined. That can't be.
Mirkovic ended up with another double double, but seemed rattled in the 2nd half by the missed bunnies.

I just feel like we didn't take advantage of our size advantage. What good is it to have so much size if you don't use it to your advantage? Tell Mirkovic to stop kissing the ball of the glass when he's got the rock 3 feet from the basket. Attack the rim! I thought we gave up any attempt to get low post possessions. if it were me, I would've come out of a timeout early in the second half with a play to get either Ivisic a low post entry and baby hook or some kind of close shot. I mean just hit a few of those and you'll get more open looks on kick-outs. Getting into a 3 pt shooting contest against one of the best 3 pt shooting teams is a bad idea. We even got their 2 starting bigs in foul trouble but still couldn't produce any offense 8 feet from the basket.

hard to pick on Stoya when he is so productive at attacking the lane and creating shots and singlehandedly kept us in it the 2nd half, but 3 critical mistakes in the 2nd stuck out. One was not boxing out the shooter on a long three and giving up an offensive rebound right in front of him, then the next possession having a turnover in the lane when AL collapsed down (had 2 or 3 kick out options) and then the lane violation on a missed 1and1 front end FT. That's 3 crucial mistakes amounting to a 6 pt swing.

As my buddy texted me, "that's just dumb basketball".

I agree Wagler looked a little uncomfortable with the speed of that game ...surest sign of that is a couple times driving to the hoop and pulling up 4 feet away to put up a soft floater instead of attacking the rim with aggression.

I think it's great though to get these kinds of games in early...learn from some of these dumb, but fixable mistakes.

[ChiefSTL]

Yeah I agree that when we've got all that size advantage in a game, we've gotta have a plan in place to take advantage of it. Some hi/low action or take advantage of their switches on ball screens. I thought that was a miss also.

[Vinegar Ben]

Alabama shot the 3 and free throws well against us but last night they weren't sharp at either and blew a 7-point lead to the Zags and lost buy 10. If we make 5 of the 9 free throws against the Tide we win. We shot only 50+5 at the foul line. My 6 year old granddaughter shoots better than that.