As expected, Rodney Alexander signs on to join the Illini this fall. That is great news, and Coach Weber compares him one of my favorite Illini players of all time, Roger Powell.
CJ Jackson is practicing with the Illini football team, apparently he thinks he can get more playing time with football (compared to last basketball season) with 22 starting positions, plus special teams, etc. If Weber does not think he will get playing time in basketball in the next year, this could be a classic win-win situation. The third scholarship could be incredibly useful for the 2008 class, with some outstanding players being looked at by Weber and his staff.
Everyone on the various boards loves to give Brian Randle a hard time about last season, but if you are injured, it's tough to play most sports, especially basketball. Let's hope he can get healthy again, for his sake, and to a lesser extent the Illini basketball team. I think having an improving Calvin Brock on the roster along with Rodney Alexander, the Illini could be OK next year at the small forward position without Brian Randle playing at all.
All the talk recently seems to be about Alexander, Watkins and McCamey. Bill Cole and Mike Tisdale are two promising big men, and they seem to be left out of many discussions I read on the web. There is speculation that Tisdale may go the redshirt route his freshman year, which may happen. As for Bill Cole, my sources claim Cole is ready to play Big 10 basketball from a physical standpoint this fall.
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2 comments:
It would be wise to temper your enthusiasm. Unrealistic expectations will lead to disappointment.
Juco players are not usually of the same caliber as top Division I athletes. Alexander is unlikely to be an exception to the rule.
B. Randall is head and shoulders above any Juco this year, including Alexander.
6'5" forwards are ok if they can shoot and dribble. Alexander can do one of the two well. He may be a good defender, but if he has to stop a 6"9" forward, I do not like his chances.
Indiana Atty
Hey IU Attorney,
Appreciate your comments, but I would not expect someone from Indiana to appreciate Alexander, since IU's coach was in the hunt for him.
I think Randle might be better than JUCOs if he is healthy again, but that was not the story last season.
I think Weber should play Alexander at the 3, not the 4, where he won't have many big guys to guard.
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