Looking ahead to 2020-2021

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#101      
sacraig
PlayAZ said:
Sorry for your loss, the pertussis-that can't be good at this time especially. The online guidance frees up more time to be on here and subjectively discussing the season....oh wait.
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That's true, I could theoretically be on here talking Illini hoops WHILE teaching. I am pretty sure my students won't care since they have their own basketball team to talk about, though.

But man, I already can't wait for next season, Ayo or no Ayo. We have a great class coming in that has as good a chance as any to at least kind of fill his shoes. More importantly, we have that swagger back, and that can make all the difference in the world in terms of program trajectory.
 
#102      
PlayAZ
sacraig said:
I already can't wait for next season, Ayo or no Ayo.
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I am with you, which is why we are all on here. A season unfulfilled for so many, yet so filling for so many as well. Glass half full, we get next year, we get to see recruiting stay solid it seems, we get to see the transfers finally, etc....can't wait. Gonna drink that last half of a glass all off season now.
 
#103      
hoopsfan47
The reason you see so much disagreement on who will be the starters next season is that all players mentioned will be starters....at some point. Georgi will find his touch and step up. People do not lie about what happens in practice so Grandison will be really good. We know Curbelo and Miller are pretty strong freshmen, but are freshmen. They will get their opportunities early, but will have to outplay the vets to earn important minutes. BBV is a huge question mark but with simple maturity and knowledge of the coaches, players, surroundings, school requirements, and schemes, he should make a step forward from what we saw, which was a pretty good cameo. DMW and Griff are solid and Trent will improve his shooting. Hawkins has needed skills and will get his chance, but has a lot of more experienced talent ahead of him to cast aside. So, all these guys will play important minutes and most will get a shot at a start or two. But, I am certain BU wants them all to play lights out and get important minutes. The biggest key to me is Kofi returning, which should be considered a certainty but who knows what goes through his head? If Ayo decides to return, there should be no other goal than to win it all. But they will have to make shots...and that is what will have to be proven.

To me, it is a waste of time to speculate on starters. I want to know who will step up and work to improve their shooting % and add scoring moves....while staying committed to all out defense. The guys who do those things hardest will play, and the ones who can score AND defend the best will be on the floor in crunch time. No one has any clue as to the names of THOSE guys at this time...other than we all sincerely hope one is named Kofi with only 2 fouls, 19 pts, 5 blocks, and 16 rebounds.
 
#106      
Ga65
TCTORNADO said:
Early 2020-2021 Torvik predictions have Illinois as #18 in the country and #5 in BIG. His player predictions have no Ayo, but get this he does have Kouma listed.haha
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Interesting on his minutes projection:
Kofi
Trent
Alan
Giorgi
Jacob
Adam
DaMonte
Andre
Coleman
Really curious as to how he projects this. Must have some info source.
 
#108      
rtbritt
illini mcg said:
Can someone on this board enlighten me as to why Ayo leaving is all but a lock. In all mock drafts he is late 2nd to undrafted. Why leave? Does his family need the financial benefit of pro ball right away?
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Sounds like he is leaving because he wants to be a pro and that is what he and his family plan to do, basically.
 
#110      
Elgin7680
illini mcg said:
If that is the case I wish him great luck. IMO that would be a horrible decision based on timing and value. Coming back for a serious run at Final Four and national title could elevate his stock to a lottery pick. Not to mention achieve his original goal of turning the program around. He has unfinished business and could be an illini legend.
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He is one already.
 
#112      
kiwanegarris22
Shannon Ryan's article makes it sound as if the decision is already made (at least according to Ayo's Dad).......and it's adios Illini!

As Brad said (paraphrasing), "We'll support Ayo in whatever decision he makes."
 
#113      
TCTORNADO
Ga65 said:
Interesting on his minutes projection:
Kofi
Trent
Alan
Giorgi
Jacob
Adam
DaMonte
Andre
Coleman
Really curious as to how he projects this. Must have some info source.
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He must have the practice reports to project Grandison that high. :D
 
#114      
DB11Headband
illini mcg said:
If that is the case I wish him great luck. IMO that would be a horrible decision based on timing and value. Coming back for a serious run at Final Four and national title could elevate his stock to a lottery pick. Not to mention achieve his original goal of turning the program around. He has unfinished business and could be an illini legend.
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Lol, grow up dude. The kid just did so much for this program and you’re going to call the decision he makes for himself and his family “a horrible decision”. He put us back in the national spotlight, and did more than we could ask for.
 
#116      
hoopsfan47
Don't know where to put this so I will do it here. Now watching the BTN story of the Flyin' Illini. To this day, I have never seen a collegiate team that had 7 athletes who were as quick and athletic as those guys. My memory of that team was their interior passing....it was nothing like I had ever seen before or since...but I have come to realize that it was due to their totally unselfish nature tip to bottom and the fact that every one of them could easily elevate and dunk from a standstill!!! More importantly, every one of them always looked for the open unguarded guy at the rim and got it to him. Their passing instincts to deliver the ball, not just get it somehow to the open player...but put it in this hands at a point of continuous motion to the intended goal.... was also unparalleled, top to bottom, in the college game. Of course, I was watching highlights, but it is also a vivid living memory as I saw it much of it happen on TV....in Florida at the time! If I were an Illini coach, I would show that clip to every team at the some point in every season. It is a treasure that no one else has, a great teaching and learning tool, and a huge motivator.
 
#117      
Spoon House
kiwanegarris22 said:
Shannon Ryan's article makes it sound as if the decision is already made (at least according to Ayo's Dad).......and it's adios Illini!
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I'm fine with this. I want Illinois basketball to be playing deep into March and sending players into the League. We would be there, were it not for bat soup.
 
#118      
ILLINI76
Looking at scheduling for next year looks like we going to have a stretch 6 big games in a row. Nov 27-29 we play 2 of Florida, Iowa St or Oregon. Then Big Ten/ACC challenge is Dec 1-3. Then early Big ten is Dec. 5-6 then Dec 8-9. Then we play Arizona on Dec 12.
 
#119      
Whitmans Sampler
CV Illini said:
Also, look for a hawkeye to transfer sometime after the season. One of their sharp shooters.
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I can confirm this. Last night I spoke with one of my Iowa buddies who’s in frequent communication with the players. A certain guard (been there forever) is fed up with Fran and thinking of other opportunities. Duke and Auburn were mentioned.
 
#120      
antwix
Nebraska sure is stock piling talent! Just picked up the leading scorer a guard from western Illinois (17ppg) to add to the talent they already have coming in...
 
#122      
Joel Goodson
hoopsfan47 said:
Don't know where to put this so I will do it here. Now watching the BTN story of the Flyin' Illini. To this day, I have never seen a collegiate team that had 7 athletes who were as quick and athletic as those guys. My memory of that team was their interior passing....it was nothing like I had ever seen before or since...but I have come to realize that it was due to their totally unselfish nature tip to bottom and the fact that every one of them could easily elevate and dunk from a standstill!!! More importantly, every one of them always looked for the open unguarded guy at the rim and got it to him. Their passing instincts to deliver the ball, not just get it somehow to the open player...but put it in this hands at a point of continuous motion to the intended goal.... was also unparalleled, top to bottom, in the college game. Of course, I was watching highlights, but it is also a vivid living memory as I saw it much of it happen on TV....in Florida at the time! If I were an Illini coach, I would show that clip to every team at the some point in every season. It is a treasure that no one else has, a great teaching and learning tool, and a huge motivator.
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Yeah, they were pretty good.

Entertaining too.

The Flying Illini and the '04-05 team were 2 of the most enjoyable squads to watch, bar none. Regardless of one's allegiance. Just beautiful, textbook ball.
 
#123      
armo859
Spoon House said:
I'm fine with this. I want Illinois basketball to be playing deep into March and sending players into the League. We would be there, were it not for bat soup.
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I get the impression that there is a tacit agreement that Ayo will step aside and let Adam Miller pick up the torch. Along with Curbelo. And I would bet the house on Tevian Jones entering the transfer portal. And soon. His body language (and lack of PT) the last few games of the season spoke of a guy with one foot out the door.
 
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#124      
kiwanegarris22
ILLINI76 said:
Looking at scheduling for next year looks like we going to have a stretch 6 big games in a row. Nov 27-29 we play 2 of Florida, Iowa St or Oregon. Then Big Ten/ACC challenge is Dec 1-3. Then early Big ten is Dec. 5-6 then Dec 8-9. Then we play Arizona on Dec 12.
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Wow. Nice scout. Sounds comparable to 2018-19....and that start didn't go to well. Hoping our roster is in a better place this time around.
 
#125      
PlayAZ
Whitmans Sampler said:
I can confirm this. Last night I spoke with one of my Iowa buddies who’s in frequent communication with the players. A certain guard (been there forever) is fed up with Fran and thinking of other opportunities. Duke and Auburn were mentioned.
Click to expand...

Gotta be Bakari Evelyn?
 
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