McBride just hasn't show me that much offesively, but he is good defensively. Smith has been huge offensively, but is a Freshman and lack experience and isn;t too great on D. So what is it?

I voted give me another week of solid performances. He had a fabolous shooting night tonight. But, of course, it's just one game against a very, very s***ty team.

jamar smith got our offense going when we went through a few rough spots.

 

I vote he should start.

McBride just hasn't show me that much offesively, but he is good defensively.  Smith has been huge offensively, but is a Freshman and lack experience and isn;t too great on D.  So what is it?

 

Rich was playing with a slightly pulled hammy and before the last couple of games was our most consistent player. Let Jamar continue to be our Vinnie Johnson off of the bench for the time being. And Jamar's on the ball D has improved tremendously in a short amount of time, his off the ball D is still bad though.

Edited December 6, 200520 yr by whitesoxfan99

let jamar emerge on his own. he is clearly going to be a player for this team, but for now i'd stick with rich and let jamar develop at his own pace.

I'd give him some starts early on to see if he can handle the minutes, especially before we get to big ten play.

 

I wouldn't hand the job to him instantly, but i'd let them fight for it. If Jamar shoots near this, you aren't going to keep him on the bench that much.

 

Also, you could see a lot of 3 guard lineups at some point.

I spent most of the game tonight watching Jamar defensively, and he has very quick hands but looks incredibly mechanical defensively. In addition to this, off the ball he isn't great. Offensively he has one of the most fluid releases I've seen at Illinois in a long time, but I don't think he has picked up the motion entirely yet. Of course that's just nitpicking as he really provides a huge spark on offense.

 

After that long intro, I feel McBride should continue to start for now. Jamar provides a tremendous spark off the bench and should continue to do so. As he picks up his defensive skills and the motion, his minutes will go up and Rich will really have to earn his time.

 

A bit of caution though, I remember Rich's freshman year and Luther Head's Jr. year, Rich hit 6 threes vs. Memphis while Luther struggled and I was sure Rich was the guard of the future at Illinois.

 

One more Illinois note, Brian Randle puts some really funny sidespin on his free throws, just thought that looked very awkward, that is all.

I'd continue to start McBride....he was playing real well before the Hammy problem popped up. Plus, Jamar is a freshman, so who knows about how he would handle being put into the pressure packed spot of starting 2 guard for the Illini as a true freshman.

 

I would however give Jamar a lot more minutes (ie, how much he played tonight) then he has gotten this year in all the other games.