Wish he could play Friday... hopefully he brings some leadership to this team.

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/news/story?id=6221961

Very grindy.....right up Weber's alley.

How does this get you closer to a championship?

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I'm not Mr. Basketball, but having a point guard is better than not having a point guard. And if your only option is a freshman, you might not have a point guard.

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Fire Phil Emery

If Tracy Abrams can not come in and play over a guard from an average at best team in a down league since he got there, then the Illini are in trouble.

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I don't agree. I don't know much about this guy but the team could definitely benefit from a solid game-manager next year dishing to Paul, Richardson, Richmond, etc.

He adds experience at a key position. Without him, you'll likely have either Paul or Bertrand playing out of position at PG when the inexperienced Abrams isn't on the floor. He's insurance at worst.

Illinois will be loaded with 2s and 3s next year - Paul, Bertrand, Richardson, Head, Henry - they needed somebody like this so that the turnover prone Paul can be the slashing 2/3 that he excels at.

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You know me like that.

I was proven right on this one. The Bradley PG cant guard anyone.

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I think I was the one proven right on this one (except that 40% of those guys aren't on the team anymore).

Paul and Bertrand have thrived being able to pop and slash in the offense. Maniscalco is a solid game manager that can hit a big shot if needed.

Abrams may eventually be great but right now he's a not-as-good Chester Frazier - all D and absolutely no offensive game. He doesn't really command the offense from the point either but that will likely come with experience. I'm not down on him but Maniscalco is definitely the better option at this point in their careers.

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You know me like that.

If he's not good as Chester Frazier, then the Illini have a problem.

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Senior year Chester Frazier was a solid college player. Good floor leader and defender.

Abrams is a true Freshman that I'm sure will develop. The Illini's season should not be dependent on the dominance of a true Freshman with guys like Leonard and Paul and Richardson there that need to be doing the heavy lifting. Anything they get out of Egwu and Abrams and Henry is a bonus.

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You know me like that.

Did I miss something? I know Head left, but that is 20%.

Sorry. I still had Richmond on the mind from earlier in the post instead of Richardson.

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You know me like that.