2020-2021 Team Makeup

[Illiniguy90]

This is exactly what I have been wondering. Seems like they are too small to play the four and the 1-3 are loaded (even if Tevian transfers). Small ball again?

1 possible minute distribution (with Ayo gone and no other transfers):
Trent: 30 (1/2)
Curbelo: 15 (1)
Miller: 25 (1/2/3)
Griffin: 25 (2/3)
Williams: 10 (2/3)
Hutcherson: 10 (2/3)
Grandison: 10 (3/4)
Tevian: 10 (3/4)
BBV: 10 (3/4)
Hawkins: 5 (4)
Giorgi: 25 (4/5)
Kofi: 25 (5)

In reality the 50 minutes for Williams/Hutcherson/Grandison/Tevian/BBV minutes won’t be 10 each and 2 of the 5 probably eat most of the minutes.

 

[Illini_05]

1 possible minute distribution (with Ayo gone and no other transfers):
Trent: 30 (1/2)
Curbelo: 15 (1)
Miller: 25 (1/2/3)
Griffin: 25 (2/3)
Williams: 10 (2/3)
Hutcherson: 10 (2/3)
Grandison: 10 (3/4)
Tevian: 10 (3/4)
BBV: 10 (3/4)
Hawkins: 5 (4)
Giorgi: 25 (4/5)
Kofi: 25 (5)

In reality the 50 minutes for Williams/Hutcherson/Grandison/Tevian/BBV minutes won’t be 10 each and 2 of the 5 probably eat most of the minutes.

Highly doubt Curbelo gets only 15 mins. BU is very high on Curbelo as are most Illini fans.

 

[skyIdub]

Ayo is leaving. Kofi will be back.

Somebody get me a stone and some carving tools.

 

[Joel Goodson]

1 possible minute distribution (with Ayo gone and no other transfers):
Trent: 30 (1/2)
Curbelo: 15 (1)
Miller: 25 (1/2/3)
Griffin: 25 (2/3)
Williams: 10 (2/3)
Hutcherson: 10 (2/3)
Grandison: 10 (3/4)
Tevian: 10 (3/4)
BBV: 10 (3/4)
Hawkins: 5 (4)
Giorgi: 25 (4/5)
Kofi: 25 (5)

In reality the 50 minutes for Williams/Hutcherson/Grandison/Tevian/BBV minutes won’t be 10 each and 2 of the 5 probably eat most of the minutes.

Good effort. Illustrates the roster logjam well. If Hawkins is looking at DNPs and/or spot minutes (quite likely, IMO), he should seriously consider redshirting.

 

[BlueLeader]

I just don't see Ayo staying no matter what the draft picture looks like. After 2nd year NBA starts to look at older players differently and I'm sure his camp knows that. Don't think he will get more draft value out of a 3rd year than he would with a younger exit - especially when there could be more production from other guys next year.

 

[SampsonRelpenk]

Beginning to wonder where Hutcherson/Grandison will get most of their minutes? Griffin will get loads, guards will be stacked (especially) if Ayo stays and Miller shows up (doubt it in this case), and Giorgi will be 4/5 for us? Kipper minutes/Griffin relief minutes? Alot of players left in size at same position without a lot of minutes left over?

We need shooters. If one or both of them can make threes at an efficient clip without being a total liability on defense, they'll find minutes.

 

[Soulberries]

From everything I've heard, I don't think there's any scenario where both Ayo and Miller are here next year, given the talk that Ayo is gone, regardless of where/if he is drafted. I think the starting lineup at the beginning of the year is:

Frazier
Miller
Griffin
Bezhanishvili
Cockburn

However, I think it won't take long before it's

Curbelo
Frazier
Miller
Griffin
Cockburn

Call me crazy, but I think that unless Giorgi develops a consistent outside shot, he's more valuable coming off the bench to back up Kofi. If he stays at the 4, we really need him to be a threat with the outside shot to open up the lane for our guards to drive to the basket. If he does develop the shot, I think that it really doesn't matter who starts the game, as Curbelo and Frazier will get heavy minutes at the 1, Frazier and Miller heavy minutes at the 2, Miller and Griffin at the 3, Giorgi and Griffin at the 4 and Kofi and Giorgi at the 5. The biggest problem will be figuring out how to get the rest meaningful minutes.

I do think that someone will transfer after this year, the most likely being Jones or Bosmans-Verdonk. I have the feeling that Hamlin stays, and I can't see Hutchinson or Grandison leaving after sitting out a year, and I really don't see Hawkins backing out of his commitment. But these decisions aren't always based on playing time, and personal reasons, which are hard to predict, often figure into the picture.

 

[TCTORNADO]

Highly doubt Curbelo gets only 15 mins. BU is very high on Curbelo as are most Illini fans.

Compared him to Jason Kidd.

 

[ChiefIllini]

From everything I've heard, I don't think there's any scenario where both Ayo and Miller are here next year, given the talk that Ayo is gone, regardless of where/if he is drafted. I think the starting lineup at the beginning of the year is:

Frazier
Miller
Griffin
Bezhanishvili
Cockburn

However, I think it won't take long before it's

Curbelo
Frazier
Miller
Griffin
Cockburn

Call me crazy, but I think that unless Giorgi develops a consistent outside shot, he's more valuable coming off the bench to back up Kofi. If he stays at the 4, we really need him to be a threat with the outside shot to open up the lane for our guards to drive to the basket. If he does develop the shot, I think that it really doesn't matter who starts the game, as Curbelo and Frazier will get heavy minutes at the 1, Frazier and Miller heavy minutes at the 2, Miller and Griffin at the 3, Giorgi and Griffin at the 4 and Kofi and Giorgi at the 5. The biggest problem will be figuring out how to get the rest meaningful minutes.

I do think that someone will transfer after this year, the most likely being Jones or Bosmans-Verdonk. I have the feeling that Hamlin stays, and I can't see Hutchinson or Grandison leaving after sitting out a year, and I really don't see Hawkins backing out of his commitment. But these decisions aren't always based on playing time, and personal reasons, which are hard to predict, often figure into the picture.

Yes Giorgi becoming a 35+% 3 pt shooter would be great, but his defense is what I imagine will get him bench quicker, he's one of the worst I've seen out there. If he can improve to be just a slightly below average defender at the 4, he should be able to stick it out there. I agree though his skillset now lends himself more to the 5 position.

Hamlin seems to be in the revolving door role, but he's a semi local kid, I could see him staying. The only reason I could see Jones staying after this season (barring a major breakout) is the fact that he probably wont get a P6 offer. BBV seems poised to stay IMO, but he's high on the transfer candidate list. Both the sit out kids are likely back next year.

I worry about a more important piece leaving, for whatever reason. We need Fraizer, Griffin, Kofi, and Giorgi back next year if we want to take a step forward. DMW is still a valuable piece in my eyes, though I think if he does transfer, it wouldn't be that negative for this team.

 

[haasi]

As an aspiring top 25 team, we should have roster logjams. This is the type of problem we need, and the type of problem that works itself out at really good programs. We need 10+ guys who can make a case for time on a top 25 caliber team. Let them push each other in practice and see who makes the 8-9 guy rotation. If others transfer, redshirt, etc. so be it. Accumulate talent and develop it and don’t worry yourself with having too much of a good thing next year or in three years from now.

 

[Illiniguy13]

Compared him to Jason Kidd.

Time for some new material.

 

[rtbritt]

Ayo is leaving. Kofi will be back.

Somebody get me a stone and some carving tools.

Most people around here just use a Sharpie :noidea:

 

[PlayAZ]

DMW is still a valuable piece in my eyes, though I think if he does transfer

DMW is a legacy player, he is not a transfer candidate imo. I think him and his father are both realistic to know DMW will not be making $$$ as a pro plaing ball moving forward. If that is true, the best thing he can do is stay put, make connections, keep the legacy alive and build on what his family has already meant to the university in the past and presently.

 

[frycicle]

So the question is..... if Ayo stays, Miller comes, Frazier is a senior, and we have Curbelo. Who starts?

Easy, Ayo, Frazier, Miller, Griffin, and Kofi. Curbelo plays Feliz role.

 

[rtbritt]

Easy, Ayo, Frazier, Miller, Griffin, and Kofi. Curbelo plays Feliz role.

Not sure if "everyone's" expectations are accurate or realistic, but I think "everyone" is hoping that Curbelo can come in and be a real PG that we haven't had in a long time that truly runs offense and directs things. It makes offense easier and can get you through times when shots just aren't falling, like the game against MSU.

At least, this is my hope. I agree with you that this lineup makes sense based on talent and positional needs or whatever, but I'd prefer Curbelo in there running things.

 

[oldschool51]

Not sure if "everyone's" expectations are accurate or realistic, but I think "everyone" is hoping that Curbelo can come in and be a real PG that we haven't had in a long time that truly runs offense and directs things. It makes offense easier and can get you through times when shots just aren't falling, like the game against MSU.

At least, this is my hope. I agree with you that this lineup makes sense based on talent and positional needs or whatever, but I'd prefer Curbelo in there running things.

He will be running the show from day 1

 

[PtownIllini8]

He will be running the show from day 1

Yep, I agree 100%.

 

[PtownIllini8]

Yes Giorgi becoming a 35+% 3 pt shooter would be great, but his defense is what I imagine will get him bench quicker, he's one of the worst I've seen out there. If he can improve to be just a slightly below average defender at the 4, he should be able to stick it out there. I agree though his skillset now lends himself more to the 5 position.

Hamlin seems to be in the revolving door role, but he's a semi local kid, I could see him staying. The only reason I could see Jones staying after this season (barring a major breakout) is the fact that he probably wont get a P6 offer. BBV seems poised to stay IMO, but he's high on the transfer candidate list. Both the sit out kids are likely back next year.

I worry about a more important piece leaving, for whatever reason. We need Fraizer, Griffin, Kofi, and Giorgi back next year if we want to take a step forward. DMW is still a valuable piece in my eyes, though I think if he does transfer, it wouldn't be that negative for this team.

You clearly don't understand how close Miller and DaMonte are. If he transfers, it would be a big, big negative. In any case, he's going no where.

 

[Ol Dirty Gamer]

Highly doubt Curbelo gets only 15 mins. BU is very high on Curbelo as are most Illini fans.

It will depend on if he plays defense well and keeps his turnovers down. He has had some high turnover games, and that makes me curious how that gets adjusted in college play.
If he takes care of business he will get more than 15 minutes a game. Brad wants him plugged in as soon as he can.

 

[FiveStar]

Good effort. Illustrates the roster logjam well. If Hawkins is looking at DNPs and/or spot minutes (quite likely, IMO), he should seriously consider redshirting.

At first read I agreed, but now I disagree. I don’t think redshirting the freshman season does any good for the player anymore. Take any game time you can get early, and get better for your second year and if it doesn’t work out, just transfer and then you have a redshirt year anyway.

 

[PlayAZ]

I don’t think redshirting the freshman season does any good for the player anymore.

Baylor this year is almost all transfers or previous redshirt players...it's working well for Drew there.

 

[Ga65]

Baylor this year is almost all transfers or previous redshirt players...it's working well for Drew there.

And for Whisky

 

[Illiniguy90]

Not sure if "everyone's" expectations are accurate or realistic, but I think "everyone" is hoping that Curbelo can come in and be a real PG that we haven't had in a long time that truly runs offense and directs things. It makes offense easier and can get you through times when shots just aren't falling, like the game against MSU.

At least, this is my hope. I agree with you that this lineup makes sense based on talent and positional needs or whatever, but I'd prefer Curbelo in there running things.

Just look at rocket watts for MSU. Even highly ranked freshman need some time to develop and without one of our other players getting injured it’s unlikely Curbelo will see much more than 20 min in a game next year.

 

[Ga65]

Just look at rocket watts for MSU. Even highly ranked freshman need some time to develop and without one of our other players getting injured it’s unlikely Curbelo will see much more than 20 min in a game next year.

There were a lot of years in the past when he would have seen 30. Lot of experienced talent in front of him now. Even with Ayo leaving, still have Trent, Alan, Miller, Grandison, etc.

 

[PlayAZ]

still have Trent, Alan, Miller, Grandison, etc.

Trent and Miller yes, not anyone else on the team will cut into any time for Curbelo. This kid is the real deal, paired with OA working with him and similiar backgrounds, I think the kid flourishes from day one for us.