LOVIE GOES ALL-IN ON THE SPREAD OFFENSE
With the removal of Garrick McGee as offensive coordinator, Lovie Smith conceded that it was for more than a lack of talent that bogged down the Illini offense over the last two seasons.
“I think most of you will agree, and I think most of our fans will agree, that we need to score more points,” Lovie said.
Yup. Illinois didn’t have a stable of play-makers, but finishing in the bottom five of the country in offensive production two years running was inexcusable.
With his next move, the hiring of former Arizona co-offensive and quarterbacks coach Rod Smith, Lovie fully embraced the idea that an innovative offense can be an equalizer at the college level, where a schematic advantage can help make teams competitive.
It’s still more about the jimmies and joes than the X’s and O’s, but you don’t give yourself a chance by going to toe to toe with more physically talented defenses. It may have taken him some time to understand the college game, but Lovie appears to have learned his lesson the hard way.
The new OC won't promise a 180 degree turn-around in the Illini offense, but he’s ready to give it a shot.
“I’m not going to put any predictions on it,” he said. “We’re going to roll up our sleeves and see what happens. We want a fast turnaround. We’ll see.”
Rod Smith’s mentor, former Arizona, Michigan, and West Virginia head coach Rich Rodriguez, was at the ground floor when the spread became all the rage. He implemented it in 1990 as the head coach at tiny Glenville (W.Va.) State, where Smith was one of his quarterbacks from 1993-96.
Lovie said when he was searching for a new OC, he looked at stats to see what teams did well last season. Arizona finished in the top 5 in the nation in scoring and rushing offense, and No. 12 in total offense. They were one of only three teams in the country to rush for more than 4,000 yards.
“Overall, there’s a base philosophy that we’re going to adhere to,” Smith said. “We’re going to spread the defense out. We’re going to make them defend all 53 and a third by formations. We’re going to make them defend us schematically by pushing the ball downfield at times. We’re going to get guys out in space.”
It’s music to the ears of fans who have been clamoring for the Illini to establish some type of identify offensively and give them something to be excited about.
The next step is to find a quarterback to orchestrate the attack. Smith is keenly aware that sophomore-to-be Cam Thomas is the only scholarship player on the roster heading into spring drills. Unlike his predecessor, he shows a sense of urgency to fix it.
“Obviously, we need more numbers at the position,” Smith said. “We would like to try to add some guys heading forward. We’ll be adding other players, quarterbacks. Yes, we will. We’re in the process of that. In time, once you see what we’ve done, I think you’ll like what we’re doing.”
A fifth year transfer is a possibility. Arizona quarterback Brandon Dawkins is enrolled for the spring semester in Tuscon, so we likely won't know until May if he will be on the move for his fifth year of eligibility.
ILLINI CHECK ON TOP 50 POINT GUARD
Illinois was in to see Courtney Ramey play this week, hoping to add to their backcourt talent. the Illini need more playmakers, guys that can get to the rim, shoot and pass. Ramey has had multiple opportunities to visit and commit to Missouri, Texas, etc. so it's good to see where he is at and see if they can get in late. The Illini are hoping to add a wing that can score and at least one big man, but they would obviously take a player like Ramey as well.
DON'T GIVE UP ON SMITH
The disappointing season from freshman Mark Smith is one of those things that happens periodically to players that come in with high expectations. As they press they put more pressure on themselves and feel like they can't get out of the cycle. He isn't shooting the ball as well as he does in practice and he is really struggling on defense. Committing 5.5 fouls per 40 minutes he never seems to have a chance to get into the flow of the game. After scoring in double figures for four of the first five games, including 21 against DePaul, Smith has hit double figures just twice since then, and zero times since the Missouri game. Do not give up on Smith. He is a talented player that hasn't played a lot of basketball.
DAVIS SETS ILLINI RECORD IN THE MILE
Illinois distance runner Jon Davis became the 498th American to run a sub-4 minute mile, clocking 3:58.46 at the Illini Classic on Saturday to set a new program and Armory facility record. Davis is a sophomore from Oakwood High School in Fithian, Ill., where he was a nine-time state champion between track and cross country. He was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year following the outdoor track season in 2017 and finished 16th at NCAA Championships in the 5K to earn Second Team All-America honors with a time of 14:45.28
BASEBALL OPENS SEASON NEXT MONTH
The Illinois baseball team opens on February 16th in Texas. It has been a rough couple of seasons for Dan Hartleb's crew since making the Super Regionals in 2015 but they lost only 2 Seniors from last year's 23-28 season. They have only four freshmen but also three JC transfers. This is an important year for this team as they try to get back to the level they were three years ago. We will have more from Coach Hartleb as they get closer to their opener.
LINKS: 2018 schedule | Roster
FOOTBALL BLOCK I REPORT RELEASED MONDAY
The updated football Block I Report is coming out on Monday afternoon, and there will be a new name at the top. Even with the Illini looking to close out the current recruiting class, 2019 St. Louis Trinity athlete Isaiah Williams catapults to the top of our list. He will remain there indefinitely. The hiring of Trinity coach Cory Patterson caused a stir in St. Louis, and Patterson will make a push for his quarterback Patterson to join him at the next level. Top positions of need with the Feb. 7 signing day approaching are linebacker, quarterback, and running back. Wide receiver and defensive end are also still possibilities. Illinois could get good news on Cali running back Kenyon Sims soon. He visited this weekend. Linebackers Merlin Robertson and Dayven Coleman appear to favor other programs, so new names could emerge. Jacob Hollins from Fresno (Calif.) Central is visiting next weekend. He hopes to pick up an offer on the visit.
O'FALLON SHOOTOUT LOADED WITH ILLINOIS TARGETS
Orange and Blue News is covering the Bank of O'Fallon Shootout next weekend. Players we will be watching include EJ Liddell (Belleville West), Courtney Ramey, Carte'Are Gordon (Webster Groves), Francis Okoro (Normal West), and others.
Friday, Feb. 2
- Jennings vs. Decatur MacArthur, 5:30 p.m.
- O’Fallon vs. Belleville West, 7 p.m.
- Pinckneyville vs. Whitfield, 8:30 p.m.
- O’Fallon vs. Normal West, 4 p.m.
- Bolingbrook vs. Springfield Lanphier, 5:30 p.m.
- Chaminade vs. Chicago Curie, 7 p.m.
- Belleville West vs. Webster Groves, 8:30 p.m.
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