How does that happen?

We're 8 games into the season and I think it's been long enough to make the case that Shannon is legitimately a much better player this year than last year.

Comparison to last year:

• About 2 more mpg playing time. This seems sustainable, as his rate of fouling is down from 2.9/40 to 2.1/40. So less two-foul auto-sit and he's able to play about 32 mpg.
• Same usage rate as last year and similar shot%. So we know this can continue.
• Slightly reduced rebounding numbers, which makes sense as he is slightly more in the PG/SG role than SG/SF. Other guys are making up for those rebounds.
• Similar block% (maybe a slight increase), stl%, and foul drawn rate as last year. I think we'll see the blocks come down a bit as we get into the Big Ten but otherwise this is the same guy.
• FT% is 75% which is slightly down from previous years. He had some misses in the early games but this number will creep back closer to 80%.
• 2PT% is up to 63% from 53%. This may decline slightly but I think the rule changes have helped him finish his drives. I remember this being brought up in the offseason. I think also that he has slightly improved his ability to go right which makes him even harder to stay in front of. So this is one improvement.
• 3PT% is up to 45% from a previous career high of 38% (and last year he was at 32%.) Last year everyone on the team was jacking bad 3's so it was like a 5% culture penalty on the 3PT shooting. So I think expecting him to shoot 38% would have been reasonable. However, he seems to have mastered a move where he flows off the dribble directly into his 3PT shot. His release has always been smooth from the perimeter but I think in the offseason he really worked on getting his feet set with his shot. It looks like what you see from NBA veteran guards. Given his work ethic (and the likely feedback from the NBA) I really believe that this is something he is mastering. His # of 3PM has gone 9, 30, 33, 50, 24* (through only 8 games.) That's a statistically significant number and it's not dominated by a single game like he had against UCLA last year. If you look at the highlights from yesterday he even drilled a long 3 as the shot clock expired, but he took a half a beat to get his feet set before he shot. The form is just beautiful.
• His career high ORtg was 111.9 last year but it has surged to 128.4 this year, largely on the strength of his high volume of accurate 3-point shooting. This is absolutely winning us games. Dude is killing it right now and he absolutely looks like an NBA SG. Couldn't be happening to a better guy and right now he might be the best shooting guard in the country. I think he might be able to sustain this and if he does he will carry us a long way.

We're 8 games into the season. The first 4 games were not very good (it was just hard to tell since there was only one tough game.) We've been playing a lot better lately. I'm trying to figure out what changed. Here's what I'm seeing:

1. Hawkins playing healthier Coleman Hawkins was very ineffective at the start of the season owing to his knee injury. He was below replacement when playing on one leg and Dainja took over and scored more. When Hawkins returned he was much more effective (although I still think he's getting back in sync) I also think the playing time for Dainja was helpful for getting him going.
2. Fewer minutes for the freshmen I like the freshmen, but they are still learning and not in sync on both ends of the floor. The all-veteran lineups have been more polished lately. I still think the young guys can make an impact later in the season but they will have to earn it. Until then we have gotten old and it has helped us play with poise and high basketball IQ.
3. Practice time This team actually gets better when it practices. It's amazing when guys aren't throwing punches at each other or getting caffeine poisoning that they will actually get coached in practice and improve. It takes time to figure out a roster with several newcomers, and we're starting to see guys understand each other's strengths and play off them.

RIVALS RANKINGS WEEK

Sunday: Who should be No. 1?

Monday: Five-Star Countdown | Meet the new five-stars

Tuesday: New Rivals250 revealed | Gorney goes position-by-position | Biggest movers in new ranking

Wednesday: New offensive position rankings revealed

Thursday: New defensive position rankings revealed

Friday: New state rankings revealed

Saturday: Rankings Roundtable

Freshman point guard Niccolo Moretti is out for Friday's game vs. WIU with a foot injury. Underwood isn't yet sure if it will be a long term thing.

Coleman Hawkins is still having treatment on a sore knee that has bothered him since this summer. He's questionable for Friday.

Reiman will declare for the NFL Draft and play in the East - West Shrine Bowl.

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No surprise, but Moretti still listed as OUT on the Big Ten availability report.

Bumped to 4-stars and cracks the Rivals250 at No. 148.

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Statement from FSU AD

So far our starting back, back up receiver and lineman.

I received this email from the DIA concerning next year's parking. For years, I would give the minimum $100 a year to get free FB and men's BB parking for the season. Parking would be in the State Farm Center lot west of First street. Now, I am going to have to pony up more money to the I Fund if I want parking close to the stadium for FB. Don't know how this affects men's BB.


As we prepare to launch football season ticket renewals, I wanted to ensure you're aware of some changes regarding your complimentary I FUND parking pass. For many, tailgating at Memorial Stadium is the cornerstone of their Illinois Football experience. This season, we experienced what we hope to be the beginning of exponential growth in season ticket holders, and I FUND members, resulting in multiple parking lots being filled to capacity. We are grateful for the energy that you, and other Illini fans like you, bring to campus in support of our coaches and student-athletes.



In preparation for continued interest in Illinois Football and a growing number of I FUND members, we will be implementing three changes to football parking that could impact your 2024 I FUND renewal:

• The Donation Deadline to Qualify for Parking is April 1, 2024
• Illini fans that would like to participate in the parking selection process for football must have their 2024 I FUND membership renewed on or before April 1, 2024. To make fulfilling annual donations easier, an automatic monthly donation program is available ending April 1, 2024

• Complimentary Parking Now Begins at the All-American ($250) Level
• To be invited to participate in the annual parking selection process, I FUND members will need to have a minimum giving level of $250 by April 1, 2024. I FUND members at the Captains Club ($100) are no longer eligible for a complimentary parking pass.

• How do these changes affect you?
• To maintain an option to request complimentary parking for the 2024 football season, you will need to increase your I FUND to at least $250 before April 1, 2024. Please be mindful that upgrading your donation simply makes you eligible to request a parking pass and does not guarantee you a specific parking location for next season. I'm happy to hop on a call to answer any questions you may have while helping give the best possible chance to secure a pass in your desired lot.

• What if I do not want to upgrade my I FUND membership?
• I FUND members at the Captains Club who do not wish to upgrade to All-American will be able to purchase a public season parking pass for $150, which will be located in Lot 47 or Lot 49. The exact location of the public season parking pass will be determined by the University of Illinois after the I FUND parking selection period has concluded in May 2024. Please note if you choose this option and forego an I FUND donation, you will not receive any additional I FUND member benefits.

Jeff Karzen breaks down the top performers from the Chicago Elite Classic over the weekend.

Who you got?

Pac-12: No. 5 Oregon (-9) vs. No. 3 Washington. Friday 7 pm CT

Big-12: No. 7 Texas (-15.5) vs. No. 18 Oklahoma State. Saturday 11 am CT.

SEC: No. 1 Georgia (-5.5) vs. No. 8 Alabama. Saturday. 3 pm CT.

ACC: No. 4 Florida State (-1.5) vs. No. 14 Louisville. Saturday. 7 pm CT

Big 10: No. 2 Michigan (-22.5) vs. No. 16 Iowa. Saturday. 7 pm CT