GATA

Maybe they can tape an @CoachMiles on there. LOL.

You wanted doodoo brown all over the court? Yeah, I like it. Notre Dame and Michigan St (among others) have designs similar to this and I like those floors. If you don't like the different tones of brown, then you should be thankful that the people that designed Oregon's floor didn't get the job to design Nebraska's floor. That could've been bad with corn stalks instead of evergreen trees on the court... haha Yeah that would have been awful! But honestly, the other image showing the court makes the floor look A LOT better. While I'm not a fan, I don't really dislike it that much upon further review. I would prefer the paint be red instead of the lighter floor color.

Not a huge fan still, but that does look better.

You wanted doodoo brown all over the court?

Yeah, I hate the darker shade inside the 3-point line. I also hate not having red in the paint. It's not a very appealing court IMO. But I'd rather the team look appealing than the floor!

Barf. I don't mind the state design, but that's gonna be one ugly court...

He also shot 36 percent from the floor, 30 percent from 3 and 63 percent from the free-throw line. All those numbers certainly could rise with better players around him, but I wouldn't consider him a lock unless he can become more efficient because if his shot isn't falling there isn't much else he brings to the table.

Illinois coach John Groce told Illini fans today at a luncheon that Illinois is getting a transfer. There are rumors that it's Josh Davis, a kid from Seton Hall or a kid from Illinois State, for what it's worth.

Suspend him for two games. Let the rest of the team know that this isn't acceptable. I think loss of playing time is the only way to drive that home.

GATA, that's a great way to describe it. Placeholder kind of season. I don't think we'll get the missing big man this season if that man isn't Leslee Smith. I think we have a shot at landing a pretty good shooter, though, who's athletic and can score in a variety of ways and play the 4. A lot of these pieces are movable and don't fit into just one slot. I think that's part of my point. and n'10, lack of known assets is also one way of looking at it. We don't return a lot of players who got playing time last year. We take for a matter of faith that the reports we've heard are accurate. If so, we'll be adding a tremendous amount of athleticism and I think some shooters as well. This should be a team that can score. No doubt about it, we're going to have a versatile team on the court next season. Here are a few things to keep an eye on this offseason: * Can Vucetic get bigger and stronger and provide 10-12 minutes next season? If so, that would go a long way to alleviating our size concerns. * Shields isn't a great athlete, so how will he handle the additional 15 pounds or so he'll gain as he matures physically? Ideally he'd be a 3 who can continue to play some 4. * Can Parker shoot well enough to warrant playing time? If he can simply knock down 15-18 footers, that would really go a long way. Not only would we not play 4 on 5 offensively, but it would allow Parker to add a drive-and-kick game to his arsenal since teams would have to honor his shot. * Where does Petteway fit? Is he a 2, 3 or 4? Does it matter? It sounds like he's a tenacious defender with solid handles and the ability to slash to the basket. Can he handle it well enough to play some point? Can he shoot well enough to play shooting guard? * Is Pitchford a legit big or is he an oversized small forward? In a lot of ways, I think he's our most important player next season because he's our most talented big at our biggest weak spot. I know he'll be able to stretch the floor, but can he be a good enough rebounder to prevent us from getting killed on the boards? * Is Leslee Smith on an upward trajectory? For a lot of players, it takes two years to come back from an ACL tear. Smith is big and strong, which is exactly what we need. Will he buy into a garbage man role who sets hard screens and believes every rebound should be his? * How will the infusion of talent help Gallegos? We had pretty much only 3-4 scorers on last year's team so teams could key on him. Without so much attention, can he get enough open looks to become a 40% 3-point shooter? Can he had a little more dribble drive to his game? * How good are the freshmen? We all desperately want Tai to become an all-Big Ten type player. Fuller is awfully skilled, although not a great athlete. How long will it take for these two to adapt to the step up in athleticism and talent in the B1G? I don't expect a lot out of Hawkins this season, but I'm hoping to see flashes of a player who can shoot and handle the ball.

I think the thing I'm most excited about is actually seeing Miles' system put in place with his players. Last year was a pleasant surprise, but it felt like a placeholder kind of season. Now the fun really begins -- depth, athletes, shooters. If only we can find that missing big man...

No Parker and no Rivers? If Peltz and Tyrance are getting any playing time next year, something went very wrong. Oh my gosh how could I forget Rivers. That makes me look like an idiot. Going back to my orginal post I'd put him with the rotation guys, but I wouldn't be shocked if he was starting....Heck I might even put him in there instead of Pettaway to start the season. As for Parker. No I don't think he leaves. But I do think he redshirts. He stronger and improve his game and then come back the next year. If he doesn't redshirt then I think he still gets some playing time, but not a whole lot. I've since gone back and edited my orginal post. Thanks for catching that guys. I can't imagine that Miles sees enough upside in Parker to allow him a non-medical redshirt and would want to use a scholly on him for five seasons.

He played about 10 minutes a game for the Boilers. He averaged 3.3 points and 2.5 rebounds per game. He goes about 6-9, 270.

No Parker and no Rivers? If Peltz and Tyrance are getting any playing time next year, something went very wrong. Didn't you here Benny and David left the program so we could get more players. I happen to be one of those who wouldn't miss Parker at all. Now Rivers on the other hand...

I could be wrong, but what little I read about Sai leaving Michigan (at least on the message boards), he left because he wasn't going to get a scholarship. Maybe he doesn't have any ill will toward Beilein or the Wolverines, but wouldn't it be nice to go back to the Big Ten and prove he was worth a scholly?

No Parker and no Rivers? If Peltz and Tyrance are getting any playing time next year, something went very wrong.

I agree with that. I think he has some unfinished business, and who wouldn't want to stick it to Michigan?

Pitt will be a tough program to beat out and so will his hometown Sun Devils. Hopefully Miles can work his magic.

You could definitely flip them around. I only put Pitchford at center because of his length, and I thought I read Miles refer to him as a center at one point. He certainly wouldn't be a traditional center.

Yeah, I struggled with how to use him. In my mind, he simply was a bulk shooter. With the amount of extra firepower we'll have in the starting 5 next season, I thought he would be served best by acting as a designated gunner off the bench. But if he can become more efficient, there's definitely a spot for him in my lineup.

In my mind, I think this might be the most ideal starting lineup, providing legit Big Ten size and athleticism: PG: Tai Webster (based on hope, but I wouldn't be surprised if he came off the bench) SG: Terran Petteway (plays a similar role to Talley as almost a point forward) SF: Shavon Shields (expecting a nice bump in consistency next year) PF: Leslee Smith (provides some beef and extra rebounding) C: Walter Pitchford (spaces the floor and adds size) 6th man: Gallegos (provides instant offense off the bench) 7-9 (no particular order) David Rivers (third "big") Deverell Biggs (extra ball handler, pest defensively) Nick Fuller (SF/PF tweener) Spot minutes: Benny Parker Sergej Vucetic Nate Hawkins

My very preliminary goal would be to finish ninth -- ahead of Minnesota, Northwestern and Penn State. It'll be pretty tough to finish higher than that based on how things look on paper.

Strange.

Thanks for posting. Great story.

For those too lazy to click on the link, it says Ole Miss is considered a possible landing spot.