Illini vs. Hoosiers/Crean vs. Rice

[tornado]

Anyone watch the illini beat the Hoosiers last night...Illini are a scrappy team of mid-major kids fighting hard to win in the Big Ten and last night they got it done.


BUT - both the Illini fans & the Hoosier fans are talking a bit about some jawing that went on between Tom Crean & Rayvonte Rice

http://illiniboard.com/2013/12/31/we-ready/

https://twitter.com/Justin_Albers/status/418146706643881984

https://twitter.com/DustinDopirak/status/418146663148974080

https://twitter.com/Justin_Albers/status/418150079950622720

[Old Coach]

Anyone watch the illini beat the Hoosiers last night...Illini are a scrappy team of mid-major kids fighting hard to win in the Big Ten and last night they got it done.


BUT - both the Illini fans & the Hoosier fans are talking a bit about some jawing that went on between Tom Crean & Rayvonte Rice

http://illiniboard.com/2013/12/31/we-ready/

https://twitter.com/Justin_Albers/status/418146706643881984

https://twitter.com/DustinDopirak/status/418146663148974080

https://twitter.com/Justin_Albers/st...50079950622720

I know that because of John Ekey it's popular to refer to the Illini as a "scrappy team of mid-major kids" but, Ray Rice is no mid-major kid (regardless of where he played his first 2 years). He played like a grown man yesterday against Indiana, and he'll do just fine in the Big Ten.

[Da Coach]

But it's interesting that Illinois does have 5 transfers on their roster who came from other 4-year schools, 3 of whom, including 2 starters, transferred from mid-majors. Their leading scorer and best player, and their top 2 rebounders are former mid-major kids. I doubt there is another team in the power conferences that has as many former mid-major kids, or who get nearly as much contribution from former mid-major kids.

[Old Coach]

But it's interesting that Illinois does have 5 transfers on their roster who came from other 4-year schools, 3 of whom, including 2 starters, transferred from mid-majors. Their leading scorer and best player, and their top 2 rebounders are former mid-major kids. I doubt there is another team in the power conferences that has as many former mid-major kids, or who get nearly as much contribution from former mid-major kids.

Ekey is a real nice role player for the Illini.

I'm not sold that Darius Paul will compete at a high level in the Big Ten, but obviously that's yet to be seen.

As far as all of the transfers go, I don't mind it. I think Groce has done a good job building a roster to this point. I would be a little surprised if 3 years from now he's still using transfers to make up nearly 40% of his roster.