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Let's break down Team Bill Self from my fantasy draft of my 30 favorite Illinois men's basketball players of my 30-year fandom!
Team Self
PG: Keaton Wagler (#3 Overall Pick)
SG: Alfonso Plummer (#22 Overall Pick)
SF: Matthew Mayer (#15 Overall Pick)
PF: Jack Ingram (#27 Overall Pick)
C: James Augustine (#10 Overall Pick)
Team Self
PG: Keaton Wagler (#3 Overall Pick)
SG: Alfonso Plummer (#22 Overall Pick)
SF: Matthew Mayer (#15 Overall Pick)
PF: Jack Ingram (#27 Overall Pick)
C: James Augustine (#10 Overall Pick)
Draft Recap:
Bill Self wasted no time turning in his draft selection with the third overall pick, selecting Keaton Wagler. After nabbing the player responsible for the greatest freshman season in Illinois basketball history, Self doubled down on another winner in the second round, going with James Augustine, who is tied with Dee Brown as the all-time winningest Illini men's basketball player. Self then threw caution to the wind, selecting two wildcards in the third and fourth rounds, respectively. While streaky, third-round pick Matthew Mayer and fourth-round pick Alfonso Plummer were too good to pass up with their shooting ability. Self then finished up with a solid selection as a fifth pick, big man Jack Ingram, who will be asked to defend, screen and hit the occasional open shot.
One-Word Description of This Team: DANGEROUS!
If everything clicks, Self might have the most dangerous team of any of the six. Self is relying on the steadiness of Wagler, Augustine and Ingram to balance out the streakiness of Mayer and Plummer. When clicking, Self's team should put up a lot of points. The key for Self will be to get consistency out of Mayer. If bought in, Mayer could swing this team to a whole different level. Plummer's ability to stretch the floor should allow Augustine to work in the post, as will Ingram's ability to pass out of the high-low.
Concerns: Pacing, Interior Scoring, Keeping Everyone Involved, Lack of Athleticism
Bill Self wasted no time turning in his draft selection with the third overall pick, selecting Keaton Wagler. After nabbing the player responsible for the greatest freshman season in Illinois basketball history, Self doubled down on another winner in the second round, going with James Augustine, who is tied with Dee Brown as the all-time winningest Illini men's basketball player. Self then threw caution to the wind, selecting two wildcards in the third and fourth rounds, respectively. While streaky, third-round pick Matthew Mayer and fourth-round pick Alfonso Plummer were too good to pass up with their shooting ability. Self then finished up with a solid selection as a fifth pick, big man Jack Ingram, who will be asked to defend, screen and hit the occasional open shot.
One-Word Description of This Team: DANGEROUS!
If everything clicks, Self might have the most dangerous team of any of the six. Self is relying on the steadiness of Wagler, Augustine and Ingram to balance out the streakiness of Mayer and Plummer. When clicking, Self's team should put up a lot of points. The key for Self will be to get consistency out of Mayer. If bought in, Mayer could swing this team to a whole different level. Plummer's ability to stretch the floor should allow Augustine to work in the post, as will Ingram's ability to pass out of the high-low.
Concerns: Pacing, Interior Scoring, Keeping Everyone Involved, Lack of Athleticism
Wagler prefers to play a methodical pace while Mayer and Plummer are best in a more up-tempo game. How will Self find the right balance here? This teams lacks a true post presence who can get on the block and score consistently, though Augustine has potential in this area and will be asked to do more of this for Self's team. This team will not collapse the defense with post touches but will have to do so with Wagler's penetration. Defensively, Plummer's size could create mismatch opportunities for opponents with bigger back courts. Self usually has a dude who can get points off sheer athleticism, which is missing on this team, though Wagler's ability to play the game at his own speed should offset this potential concern.
Overall Thoughts
Self is going to put the ball in Wagler's hands and let the point guard cook. Mayer could be really dangerous as an off-ball cutter in addition to a three-point shooter from the corner. Expect Augustine to set a lot of screens for Wagler and roll to the basket as Self spaces the floor with Ingram, Mayer and Plummer, perhaps the most dangerous flamethrower of any Illini on these six teams. Augustine and Ingram may not wow anyone down low, but they will work hard and get the job done. Augustine's high field-goal percentage and rebounding are not to be forgotten as well. Like many Self teams, this squad could win it all or disappoint, though Wagler and Augustine make the latter unlikely.
Overall Thoughts
Self is going to put the ball in Wagler's hands and let the point guard cook. Mayer could be really dangerous as an off-ball cutter in addition to a three-point shooter from the corner. Expect Augustine to set a lot of screens for Wagler and roll to the basket as Self spaces the floor with Ingram, Mayer and Plummer, perhaps the most dangerous flamethrower of any Illini on these six teams. Augustine and Ingram may not wow anyone down low, but they will work hard and get the job done. Augustine's high field-goal percentage and rebounding are not to be forgotten as well. Like many Self teams, this squad could win it all or disappoint, though Wagler and Augustine make the latter unlikely.
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