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Let's break down Team Brad Underwood from my fantasy draft of my 30 favorite Illinois men's basketball players of my 30-year fandom!
Team Underwood
PG: Frank Williams (#6 Overall Pick)
SG: Brandon Paul (#19 Overall Pick)
SF: David Mirkovic (#7 Overall Pick)
PF: Marcus Arnold (#30 Overall Pick)
C: Tomislav Ivisic (#18 Overall Pick)
Team Underwood
PG: Frank Williams (#6 Overall Pick)
SG: Brandon Paul (#19 Overall Pick)
SF: David Mirkovic (#7 Overall Pick)
PF: Marcus Arnold (#30 Overall Pick)
C: Tomislav Ivisic (#18 Overall Pick)
Draft Recap
Head Coach Brad Underwood took advantage of Frank Williams falling to the end of the first round and then immediately added David Mirkovic with the first pick of the second round. Underwood could not pass up on the "Original Balkan" Tomislav Ivisic with the last pick of the third round and swooped in to take Brandon Paul with the first pick of the fourth round, forming a tantalizing backcourt with Williams. With the last pick of the draft, Underwood took the last player available, Marcus Arnold, who does not fit the roster but will serve a valuable role as a screener and banger down low.
One-Word Description of This Team: SPACING!
Underwood may have the most talented player on all six teams in Williams, who will be operating in the pick and roll with Mirkovic and Ivisic quite often. The goal will be for Williams to break down the defense and open up the three-point shooting for this team. Paul will be a dangerous cutter while Arnold could benefit on the box with his man sagging off to contain a penetrating Williams, who will have the chance to be a maestro of a highly efficient offense. This Illinois team will try to punish opponents with its size.
Concerns: Chemistry, Personality Fits, Defensive Quickness, How to Use Arnold
Underwood and Williams could be a beautiful marriage or a quick divorce. Williams loves to play the game but sometimes looks disinterested; how does Underwood get the most out of the super-talented point guard? Having a fiery Mirkovic and steady Ivisic should help push Williams. While Williams and Paul could be a devastating backcourt defensively, Illinois lacks foot speed in the frontcourt. How will this team counter opponents that spread out Arnold and Mirkovic, and attack off the dribble? Expect Illinois to throw out a lot of 2-3 zone with this team. Arnold's lack of shooting and foot speed are problematic as he must play strictly in the post. He is a hard worker, though, and will be content doing his job, whether or not he gets any shots at all.
Overall Thoughts:
This team does not have the most ideal roster construction based upon draft position, but Underwood has shown an ability to adapt his offense to his personnel each and every season. If Williams is playing at his best self, this team can beat anyone. Paul feels like a big wildcard as a slasher and defender, and Mirkovic rarely gets thrown off his game. Underwood will need Ivisic to post up as he is the tallest player of any Illini on all six teams. This is an Underwood team that looks it could be a boom or bust based upon how all the pieces fit together. Mirkovic is such an engaging personality and good teammate that all these worries could be for naught, and this team could be really tough to defeat with its talent and size.
Head Coach Brad Underwood took advantage of Frank Williams falling to the end of the first round and then immediately added David Mirkovic with the first pick of the second round. Underwood could not pass up on the "Original Balkan" Tomislav Ivisic with the last pick of the third round and swooped in to take Brandon Paul with the first pick of the fourth round, forming a tantalizing backcourt with Williams. With the last pick of the draft, Underwood took the last player available, Marcus Arnold, who does not fit the roster but will serve a valuable role as a screener and banger down low.
One-Word Description of This Team: SPACING!
Underwood may have the most talented player on all six teams in Williams, who will be operating in the pick and roll with Mirkovic and Ivisic quite often. The goal will be for Williams to break down the defense and open up the three-point shooting for this team. Paul will be a dangerous cutter while Arnold could benefit on the box with his man sagging off to contain a penetrating Williams, who will have the chance to be a maestro of a highly efficient offense. This Illinois team will try to punish opponents with its size.
Concerns: Chemistry, Personality Fits, Defensive Quickness, How to Use Arnold
Underwood and Williams could be a beautiful marriage or a quick divorce. Williams loves to play the game but sometimes looks disinterested; how does Underwood get the most out of the super-talented point guard? Having a fiery Mirkovic and steady Ivisic should help push Williams. While Williams and Paul could be a devastating backcourt defensively, Illinois lacks foot speed in the frontcourt. How will this team counter opponents that spread out Arnold and Mirkovic, and attack off the dribble? Expect Illinois to throw out a lot of 2-3 zone with this team. Arnold's lack of shooting and foot speed are problematic as he must play strictly in the post. He is a hard worker, though, and will be content doing his job, whether or not he gets any shots at all.
Overall Thoughts:
This team does not have the most ideal roster construction based upon draft position, but Underwood has shown an ability to adapt his offense to his personnel each and every season. If Williams is playing at his best self, this team can beat anyone. Paul feels like a big wildcard as a slasher and defender, and Mirkovic rarely gets thrown off his game. Underwood will need Ivisic to post up as he is the tallest player of any Illini on all six teams. This is an Underwood team that looks it could be a boom or bust based upon how all the pieces fit together. Mirkovic is such an engaging personality and good teammate that all these worries could be for naught, and this team could be really tough to defeat with its talent and size.
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