IUBB vs Illinois - Saturday, 2/18/23 @ Noon on ESPN

[Hoosierfan1901]

Unofficial injury/depth report

Illinois really needs this game bad, but we shall see which Illinois team shows up in Assembly Hall. Their starting 5 consists of 6’6 215 G Terrance Shannon Jr from Texas Tech (Leading scorer, best player, can get streaky quick), 6’9 225 Matthew Mayer (Team’s 3-point specialist shooting at 37%), 6’2 190 G Jordan Epps (Averaging 10 PPG, started the last 6 games), 6’10 225 F Coleman Hawkins (I think we all know him by know) and finally 6’9 270 PF/C Dain Dainja (Averaging 10 PPG, 2nd in rebounds, and team’s best blocker). This starting lineup has gone 4-2 when they all play together, only losing against Iowa and Penn State. In terms of minute distributions, seems like the last couple of games have shown the starters are logging heavy minutes, with some starters playing 33+ minutes. They average about 13.4 TPG and average about 17 fouls per game. In terms of rotation, they like to play anywhere between 7-8 players in quality minutes.

Some of the main names I see coming off the bench is 6’7 205 G RJ Melendez (Had 10 points against us at Illinois), 6’4 190 G Sean Harris (Was benched for Epps) and  6’6 200 G Ty Rodgers (Career high of 11 points at PSU, minutes have increased). 
 

6’7 210 G Luke Goode has finally returned back for Illinois, however, is slowly getting back and nursing in playing time, but had 10 minutes against Penn State. 7’0 225 C Brandon Lieb hasn’t played in about a month. 
 

Injury/out report-

Skyy Clark and now recently Zach Perrin have left the program

[Hoosierfan1901]

 

[Home Jersey]

Hummel remarked yesterday that TJD looked sort of gassed. Obviously he's been playing a ton of minutes all year (especially in the last ~10 barely sitting). How legitimate of a concern do you think fatigue may start to become? 

He turned it on pretty well in the 2nd half. I think he's at the level of being able to turn it off and on (to a degree) when the team needs it. My worry is just wear and tear of B10 play causing an injury, not so much that he'll lose his legs and play poorly

[HoosierAloha]

5 hours ago, Hoosierfan1901 said:

Their starters have been foul trouble the last few games, pretty sure 2 of them have fouled out multiple times these last 2 weeks

Hopefully it's not a repeat of the Maryland performance and Reese.

[NashvilleHoosier]

The sting of last night ramps up as we simultaneously missed a shot to be 1.5 games out of first while falling into effectively a 5 way tie for 3rd (counting ILL and MSU as 9-6 since they are only missing home games against Minnesota). Our next 2 might decide our shot at the double bye.

[AKHoosier]

1 hour ago, TeeterInNJ said:

Hummel remarked yesterday that TJD looked sort of gassed. Obviously he's been playing a ton of minutes all year (especially in the last ~10 barely sitting). How legitimate of a concern do you think fatigue may start to become? 

He turned it on pretty well in the 2nd half. I think he's at the level of being able to turn it off and on (to a degree) when the team needs it. My worry is just wear and tear of B10 play causing an injury, not so much that he'll lose his legs and play poorly

I'm legit hoping we don't play past Saturday in the Big Ten Tournament. 

A tournament championship means nothing to me, I'd rather our players get a win or 2 then rest.

[Loaded Chicken Sandwich]

With a couple weeks left the Big Tens two best players in B1G play...

Edey: 21.9 points, 13.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 2.7 blocks, 3 turnovers

TJD: 21.9 points, 13.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 3.2 blocks, 3.3 turnovers

[Hoosierfan1901]

Must win for BTT seeding

[str8baller]

2 hours ago, TeeterInNJ said:

Hummel remarked yesterday that TJD looked sort of gassed. Obviously he's been playing a ton of minutes all year (especially in the last ~10 barely sitting). How legitimate of a concern do you think fatigue may start to become? 

He turned it on pretty well in the 2nd half. I think he's at the level of being able to turn it off and on (to a degree) when the team needs it. My worry is just wear and tear of B10 play causing an injury, not so much that he'll lose his legs and play poorly

Seeing how I’ve mentioned it in the last couple game threads I’m going to agree with Hummel. Or he agrees with me. :) 

 

In all seriousness, it’s tough to average 38 mpg AND effectively carry the team on your back every game. He’s giving a Herculean effort and I hope he can get a little rest.  I would hate to see him wear down a little right as he’s getting his best shot in the tourney. 

[RaceToTheTop]

2 hours ago, Loaded Chicken Sandwich said:

With a couple weeks left the Big Tens two best players in B1G play...

Edey: 21.9 points, 13.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 2.7 blocks, 3 turnovers

TJD: 21.9 points, 13.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 3.2 blocks, 3.3 turnovers

Purdue fans:  "0.3 less turnovers > 2.8 less assists."

[RaceToTheTop]

2 hours ago, str8baller said:

Seeing how I’ve mentioned it in the last couple game threads I’m going to agree with Hummel. Or he agrees with me. :) 

 

In all seriousness, it’s tough to average 38 mpg AND effectively carry the team on your back every game. He’s giving a Herculean effort and I hope he can get a little rest.  I would hate to see him wear down a little right as he’s getting his best shot in the tourney. 

I agree that's tough to do, although I will say that Edey's 32 minutes/game taking his 7'4", 300+ pound body up and down the floor might take a bigger toll on his body than TJD's 38 minutes.

[WayneFleekHoosier]

I’ve got a strong feeling X plays tomorrow.  
 

I mean I guess they could roll him out there on the road next week but that doesn’t seem smart.  
 

Home environment would help the transition.  I’m ready to see him back in action, but a little concerned about chemistry rust and individual rust. 

[bigrod]

15 hours ago, RaceToTheTop said:

I agree that's tough to do, although I will say that Edey's 32 minutes/game taking his 7'4", 300+ pound body up and down the floor might take a bigger toll on his body than TJD's 38 minutes.

I get what you're saying, but just because TJD makes it look easy doesn't mean that it is.

[Chris007]

12 minutes ago, WayneFleekHoosier said:

I’ve got a strong feeling X plays tomorrow.  
 

I mean I guess they could roll him out there on the road next week but that doesn’t seem smart.  
 

Home environment would help the transition.  I’m ready to see him back in action, but a little concerned about chemistry rust and individual rust. 

Rabby said earlier on Peegs that Xavier has not practiced yet from his injury. I know he's done some things but don't think he has had any contact yet. 

[WayneFleekHoosier]

Rabby said earlier on Peegs that Xavier has not practiced yet from his injury. I know he's done some things but don't think he has had any contact yet. 

Ok then. So next home stretch after MSU and Purdue.


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[Chris007]

3 minutes ago, WayneFleekHoosier said:

Ok then. So next home stretch after MSU and Purdue.


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I was like you I was hoping for tomorrow. Want him to get used to playing again before the BTT

[HoosierAloha]

I'm not sure XJ is one of those players that returns from an injury with a smooth transition. We could certainly use his abilities but that could go south in a hurry.

[Banksyrules]

2 minutes ago, HoosierAloha said:

I'm not sure XJ is one of those players that returns from an injury with a smooth transition. We could certainly use his abilities but that could go south in a hurry.

Could be a blessing in disguise to have him on a sub basis. 10-15 minutes to help JHS rest. 

[Chris007]

3 hours ago, HoosierAloha said:

I'm not sure XJ is one of those players that returns from an injury with a smooth transition. We could certainly use his abilities but that could go south in a hurry.

I’m ok with him being the first guard off the bench before Tamar at this point. 

[Hoosierfan1901]

Rumor: Terrence Shannon might be out tomorrow (being reported on Peegs)