Sorry, not buying this. This coach has shown himself incapable of ever playing more than one big at a time. We're talking about a coach who was fine with playing D'Amico at the five for significant minutes. Suddenly, he wakes up? Nope.
We are supposed to think he is somehow wiling (and capable) of conceiving of a way of finding minutes for Rupert, Ebube, and Hornecker, and now this guy on top of all of that. When, again, D'Amico was often employed as a five.
Why anyone over 6' 6" would consider coming here is baffling to me.
I would be delighted to be wrong, but there is just no reason to think I might be. Where are we? Four years in? Have we ever seen more than a couple of minutes of one big and four other guys?
Baffling.
Sorry for the unpopular opinion. I'll change my mind when we see a lineup like this:
Ebube/Hornecker
Rupert/Hensley
D'Amico/Rupert/Hensley/Hornecker
And . . . the rest!
Based on the last few years, that isn't close to happening.
(Inflammatory political snark)
I thought Benson started and played a lot of minutes, although I admittedly didn't look up the numbers. D'Amico started when JD and Ebube were out of the lineup and they had HOPED that Cade could redshirt. I think you are somewhat justified in your concern based on the last couple seasons but I think this current roster is set up to depend a lot more on the 3, 4 and 5. I guess we shall see. Ultimately though, it all depends on how and WHO shows up during the summer and fall practices.
Speaking of, can SIU travel this Summer? I know there is like a 5 year period where teams cannot travel but this would be an ideal time with the new roster.
@austinsaluki I would expect D’Amico and Hensley to take the majority of the minutes at the position vacated by domask , hopefully with some Rupert sprinkled in. I am sure we will play some small ball and you will see Kennard or AJ, possibly someone else there. You aren’t Ever going to see Hornecker and Ebube on the floor at the same time , they may be able to be ok offensively , but those two aren’t going to be able to consistently guard other teams 4 man on the perimeter. With as much emphasis that BM places on defense that just won’t happen
I think you will see a lot of Ferguson and Davis at the 3, Hensley and D'Amico at the 4 and Rupert, Ebube and Hornecker at the 5. Hensley who is very athletic and can guard multiple positions might play some 3 also and you could possibly see Rupert play a little 4. Without Domask I truly think we will go bigger. I like D'Amico and Hensley much more at the 4 than Domask. Domask should have been left at the 3. Hensley and D'Amico are better suited to play the 4.@austinsaluki I would expect D’Amico and Hensley to take the majority of the minutes at the position vacated by domask , hopefully with some Rupert sprinkled in. I am sure we will play some small ball and you will see Kennard or AJ, possibly someone else there. You aren’t Ever going to see Hornecker and Ebube on the floor at the same time , they may be able to be ok offensively , but those two aren’t going to be able to consistently guard other teams 4 man on the perimeter. With as much emphasis that BM places on defense that just won’t happen
I think you will see a lot of Ferguson and Davis at the 3, Hensley and D'Amico at the 4 and Rupert, Ebube and Hornecker at the 5. Hensley who is very athletic and can guard multiple positions might play some 3 also and you could possibly see Rupert play a little 4. Without Domask I truly think we will go bigger. I like D'Amico and Hensley much more at the 4 than Domask. Domask should have been left at the 3. Hensley and D'Amico are better suited to play the 4.@austinsaluki I would expect D’Amico and Hensley to take the majority of the minutes at the position vacated by domask , hopefully with some Rupert sprinkled in. I am sure we will play some small ball and you will see Kennard or AJ, possibly someone else there. You aren’t Ever going to see Hornecker and Ebube on the floor at the same time , they may be able to be ok offensively , but those two aren’t going to be able to consistently guard other teams 4 man on the perimeter. With as much emphasis that BM places on defense that just won’t happen
ideally marcus would’ve been a 3. But there’s no way he could’ve guarded a quicker 3 all game. I’m interested to see how that’ll work at Illinois.
We ALL hope you’re right about the bigger line-up! But skepticism is warranted considering Mullins’ previous rotations….
@dirtydale Talked to a big-time Illini basketball follower at a golf tournament this weekend. He follows all the blogs and info sources he can find. He told me that there is considerable talk of using Domask as the two guard. That could be interesting. Maybe they are contemplating playing some zone defense.
@dirtydale Talked to a big-time Illini basketball follower at a golf tournament this weekend. He follows all the blogs and info sources he can find. He told me that there is considerable talk of using Domask as the two guard. That could be interesting. Maybe they are contemplating playing some zone defense.
that means about as much as Bobber posting who will start. Sure he is the ultimate insider but coaches make line ups Not message boards
Sorry, not buying this. This coach has shown himself incapable of ever playing more than one big at a time. We're talking about a coach who was fine with playing D'Amico at the five for significant minutes. Suddenly, he wakes up? Nope.
We are supposed to think he is somehow wiling (and capable) of conceiving of a way of finding minutes for Rupert, Ebube, and Hornecker, and now this guy on top of all of that. When, again, D'Amico was often employed as a five.
Why anyone over 6' 6" would consider coming here is baffling to me.
I would be delighted to be wrong, but there is just no reason to think I might be. Where are we? Four years in? Have we ever seen more than a couple of minutes of one big and four other guys?
Baffling.
Sorry for the unpopular opinion. I'll change my mind when we see a lineup like this:
Ebube/Hornecker
Rupert/Hensley
D'Amico/Rupert/Hensley/Hornecker
And . . . the rest!
Based on the last few years, that isn't close to happening.
I completely understand your skepticism, but I think Mullins is going to be forced to play more big ball - just doesn't have the guards to score at this point. Plus he's got some talent among the big guys now.
Sorry, not buying this. This coach has shown himself incapable of ever playing more than one big at a time. We're talking about a coach who was fine with playing D'Amico at the five for significant minutes. Suddenly, he wakes up? Nope.
We are supposed to think he is somehow wiling (and capable) of conceiving of a way of finding minutes for Rupert, Ebube, and Hornecker, and now this guy on top of all of that. When, again, D'Amico was often employed as a five.
Why anyone over 6' 6" would consider coming here is baffling to me.
I would be delighted to be wrong, but there is just no reason to think I might be. Where are we? Four years in? Have we ever seen more than a couple of minutes of one big and four other guys?
Baffling.
Sorry for the unpopular opinion. I'll change my mind when we see a lineup like this:
Ebube/Hornecker
Rupert/Hensley
D'Amico/Rupert/Hensley/Hornecker
And . . . the rest!
Based on the last few years, that isn't close to happening.
I completely understand your skepticism, but I think Mullins is going to be forced to play more big ball - just doesn't have the guards to score at this point. Plus he's got some talent among the big guys now.
The scoring abilities of the bigs coming back is much better than Mulla. They need to do much off-season work on post moves and extending shooting range, not to mention free throw shooting. Rupert hit some three’s and Hornacker looks to have some range when you watched him shoot during warm-ups.
One thing I'm pretty sure of. If Hornecker doesn't get some serious playing time: 1) that will be a huge mistake, and 2) he'll be gone after next year. He had offers from Bitchita, TCU, Kansas State, Oral Roberts, and Creighton and possibly others. He would be snapped up quicker than snot in the portal. I really thought he should have played more last year (so did Rodney Watson btw).
Yes, it did seem strange that Hornecker was used so sparingly, especially while waiting for Scottie to get back and then when after a few looks he basically sat on the bench for the last 20 games of the season. And that was worth not redshirting??????One thing I'm pretty sure of. If Hornecker doesn't get some serious playing time: 1) that will be a huge mistake, and 2) he'll be gone after next year. He had offers from Bitchita, TCU, Kansas State, Oral Roberts, and Creighton and possibly others. He would be snapped up quicker than snot in the portal. I really thought he should have played more last year (so did Rodney Watson btw).
I'm curious how this season will play out with player rotations. Cade has to play! I am also at a must see before I believe there is enough minutes for all those bigs,
