Orange Crush Them Game Thread

[PCHawk]

I saw a big 10 list of Sweet 16 droughts and Illinois wasn't too far behind us. Last one in 2005. I wonder if their fans are starting do develop a weird infatuation with Sweet 16s like we have.

 

[Hawkfnntn]

He can be, but many games he just isn't.

Exactly... One good game out of 5 or so doesn't cut it. He often has the worst plus/minus on the team. The more mins he plays the worse he seems to be. I get why he's gotta play cause somebody has to. But if Dembele could stay out of foul trouble I'd rather see more of him and the younger Sandfort instead

 

[SwirlinLingerie]

Not at all. What would you call him? A bad bench player? Not even worthy of a scholarship? Other than the few games back after his ankle sprain (have you seen that picture of his ankle) I'd say he easily falls into the category of a pretty good bench player.

Yeah, he's had some very quiet games. But seems like a great role, and one he can embrace. He's giving you 10 points and 20 minutes.

He almost single-handedly kept them in the game at Michigan State, scoring 12 points off the bench in the first half.

He'd be great in that role next year.

 

[SwirlinLingerie]

My biggest complaint is his rebounding. Somehow he just doesn't have a knack for it, or the right mindset...I don't know.

It's probably not a fair comparison, but his height, length, size and role are all pretty similar to Kris Murray. And Kris was an awesome rebounder last year. If Patrick could add a little of that to his game, it'd be a huge boost to the team.

 

[Hawkfnntn]

My biggest complaint is his rebounding. Somehow he just doesn't have a knack for it, or the right mindset...I don't know.

It's probably not a fair comparison, but his height, length, size and role are all pretty similar to Kris Murray. And Kris was an awesome rebounder last year. If Patrick could add a little of that to his game, it'd be a huge boost to the team.

I think he likes to leak out early to run the break. He's not physical either when it comes to going for the ball. Even on offense he is always trying to avoid contact. He'd rather jump sideways or backwards to create a much tougher shot for himself then to go straight up or towards the hoop to draw fouls. He's noticeably put on some weight since he's came to college but he's still just not all that physical of a guy. He pretty much is who he is at this point.

 

[SwirlinLingerie]

I think he likes to leak out early to run the break. He's not physical either when it comes to going for the ball. Even on offense he is always trying to avoid contact. He'd rather jump sideways or backwards to create a much tougher shot for himself then to go straight up or towards the hoop to draw fouls. He's noticeably put on some weight since he's came to college but he's still just not all that physical of a guy. He pretty much is who he is at this point.

Yep, totally agree. Sometimes I'm surprised when he gets a call on his drives to the basket, too. Like sort of hard to see where there was a foul, since he's fading away/jumping to the side. Seems like he'll get the call once in a while when the ball doesn't go in.

 

[PCHawk]

Getting Patrick back for another year is going to be better than anything we can find in the portal. Like if Pat went into the portal this offseason and wanted to go somewhere else to play, he'd likely be in the top 10 players available in it. He's played poorly at times this season and has been a 0 way too often. I think Iowa started playing better when he was sent to the bench and Josh Dix answered the call, but don't get ahead of yourself. Pat's a great piece that any school would want on their team.

I agree he would be a good "portal get". But I also question if he would be a net gain next year. Every minute he gets next year will take away minutes from guys like Harding, Dembele, and Pryce. I know people won't think he will take minutes from Harding, but the way Fran plays positionless basketball, a 3 can take away minutes from a 1 and a 5. And we also have a 3 and 4 coming in that I have really high hopes for. Tony is awesome and really fun to watch so I hope he's back for sure. But other than that, I'm ready so see more of these young guys. Payton excluded of course because he might be a 1st teamer next year.

 

[InGoodCo]

I agree he would be a good "portal get". But I also question if he would be a net gain next year. Every minute he gets next year will take away minutes from guys like Harding, Dembele, and Pryce. I know people won't think he will take minutes from Harding, but the way Fran plays positionless basketball, a 3 can take away minutes from a 1 and a 5. And we also have a 3 and 4 coming in that I have really high hopes for. Tony is awesome and really fun to watch so I hope he's back for sure. But other than that, I'm ready so see more of these young guys. Payton excluded of course because he might be a 1st teamer next year.

Oh I wanted him benched before he went out and I was vocal about it, I'd still welcome back a player of his experience and skillset. It seems to me like Fran isn't always set on a rotation coming into a year but the guys who should be playing always seem to get identified and the most minutes. I think even if he came back he's not one of your bulk minutes guys, kind of like he isn't now.