Forgot about the suspension. Last stretch of the season will probably be telling on Melendez then. If he’s just playing 15 MPG or so he is def a candidate to leave. In which case Illinois will be trying to do exactly what they did last year in bringing in the two best wings they possibly can. Hope it doesn’t work so well this time.
1 Like
Right cause we’ll be in direct competition.
TSJ has a year left? Huh…I guess Covid. I have a hard time seeing him sticking around college basketball for a 5th year - especially at Illinois. He will have his degree (in something anyway) and starting a grad program plus coming back when you’re already an All-B10 player seems…unlikely?
I’m not sure about Hawkins. He hasn’t been all that great, he gets chewed out a ton, he’s on the fringe of the NBA radar (for some reason I still don’t get), and he isn’t a high usage guy…but I could see him staying. He’s really been “the man” on campus this year as their entire ad campaign around the school was based on him and whenever he shows up somewhere people go nuts. I could see him rolling it back figuring that Mayer and TSJ are gone so he gets some of their shots.
I guess they could lure Hawkins back with an NIL deal, but seems like he should cash in his NBA ticket now. He’ll be drafted for sure. Not sure what I would even think about him coming back if I were an Illinois fan. Raises the floor considerably, but his presence along with Rodgers would lessen their pitch to transfers. Plus a front court of him, Rodgers, and Dainja is a bit scary from an offensive perspective. Rodgers gets most of his minutes with Hawkins at the 5 right now
1 Like
I just don’t see Shannon playing another year of college ball. Hawkins I’d doubt as well.
As you say, seems like they need to swing at some forwards in the portal. Maybe the freshman forward can play? That Moretti guy from australia was a big deal, right?
Who is the freshman forward? Hansberry? Seems like probably a backup big as a frosh I would imagine. Good piece but they definitely need wings.
Rodgers is a great glue guy but the offense is pretty limited.
I think next year, just like this year, they will be dependent on the quality of the wing transfer(s) they bring in. This year they hit two HRs. Or they need a big leap from Epps
What’s the freshman-to-sophomore leap PG power rating for Epps vs. McDaniel vs. Thornton too, I suppose?
1 Like
I’d put Thornton at the top. And probably Dug next just cause he’s a more natural PG. I don’t know a ton about Epps, would need to look more into him, but the fact he’s listed as a CG as a recruit, combined with a very low AST rate would make me think he might have a ways to come as a playmaker for others. Just a very different player from Dug. Maybe it’s there and he just isn’t asked to do it. A lot of Epps offense is C&S compared to Dug and Thornton
50+ percent on twos is a buy indicator for Epps though.
1 Like
It’s more than a bit scary—that’s a team which (a) better get a fantastic offensive guard to play alongside Epps, whether at point or wing, and (b) better be a top 5 in the country team defensively if it wants to be a team with really high aspirations.
15 Likes
The real question is “What’s the odds of TSJ grad transferring to Michigan?”
10 Likes
5 Likes
I fully believe Rutgers should err on the side of caution here. Rest is best!
13 Likes
That is suddenly an extremely extremely winnable game
1 Like
Color me a bit skeptical of ruling someone out with back issues for a Thursday game on a Monday afternoon.
10 Likes
As a long time back-issues-haver I can tell you it’s not far-fetched (no idea what his actual injury is)
Admittedly, I am not 22
1 Like
McConnell has had bad back stuff before. For whatever it’s worth Pikiell said this was unrelated but it doesn’t seem like the type of thing that’s going to go away in an instant.
Is Williams supposed to be back for you guys? Could be a serious bench battle if him and Howard (plus Mag and McConnell) have to miss the game.
Wouldn’t expect any sort of injury updates until maybe Wednesday.
2 Likes