I’m betting that he can handle Wagner in the Mich game but may need DaMonte on Livers. That combo with Ayo, Trent, and Kofi should be able to lock down Mich. Problem is they still need DaMonte for Brown when he comes in.
Illini Basketball 2020-2021
- Status
GrayGhost77
- Centennial, CO
HRF was the same way. Turned it on fully once he knew he needed to.
I think Trent is the guy we want on Brown
Have to admit I don’t really care much about stuff like this, but really don’t consider it that much of a slight. These awards seem to reward points scored more than other things, and I think Ayo had 31 points on the week — 20 points less than the two co-winners. And yes a triple double is impressive, but this one wasn’t as impressive as his first one being that they left him in a blowout game much longer than they normally would just so he could get those rebounds to complete it.Garza and Washington given Co-Player of the Week honors.
Dickinson given Freshman of the Week honors.
That is jacked up. Can't believe they're overlooking Ayo with his second triple-double on the road.
They also like to spread the weekly awards around when they can, so giving Washington his first one for a very good week makes sense. Garza had a very good week too along with getting the Iowa career mark. Plus they gave Ayo back to back awards very recently. And now there’s nothing to stop them from doing the same over the next two weeks.
Frank was a little too easy going. I think Ayo is more of trying to find a way to get the team incorporated as we need him too. For a while, I think Ayo and Kofi were taking turns and it semi froze the other guys out. Now Frazier is starting to find a groove and at times, Grandison. We need to find a way to get Miller going a little more and then it will be really hard for teams to join up on us. If we can find that niche with ball movement that started to show at Minnesota, watch out Big Ten.
He only played 32 minutes. That's well below his typical share in conference play.
Where does this team rank historically? So far, the best ever at Illinois, according to Sports Reference’s Simple Rating System (www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/illinois/), which accounts for point differential and strength of schedule:
1. 2021 – 24.84 – 16-5
2. 1989 – 24.68 – 31-5
3. 2005 – 24.10 – 37-2
4. 2001 – 23.32 – 27-8
5. 1988 – 21.54 – 23-10
6. 1956 – 21.14 – 18-4
7. 1965 – 20.59 – 18-6
8. 1986 – 20.34 – 22-10
9. 1953 – 20.19 – 18-4
1. 2021 – 24.84 – 16-5
2. 1989 – 24.68 – 31-5
3. 2005 – 24.10 – 37-2
4. 2001 – 23.32 – 27-8
5. 1988 – 21.54 – 23-10
6. 1956 – 21.14 – 18-4
7. 1965 – 20.59 – 18-6
8. 1986 – 20.34 – 22-10
9. 1953 – 20.19 – 18-4
And the last few minutes weren’t really high stress minutes. I hemmed and hawed a bit at the time but am fine with letting Ayo get triple double #2 in hindsight.
blackdog
- Champaign
Being the dominant focal point of the offense takes a lot of effort and energy that would be pretty difficult to keep up for a full game. If you have team mates than can score and get involved it makes things a lot easier than trying to do everything solo. Also would probably mean we wouldn't see the same level of defensive intensity if he was always in take over mode on offense. There just doesn't seem to be a benefit when the whole team is scoring as efficiently as they are.
Our last 2 blowouts were during Ayo triple doubles, I like having the team engaged on offense and Ayo has more energy for defense when he is not giving all on offense. All pluses for the team.
I have no problem with BU leaving him in to get it. And yes 32 mins is less than he usually plays, but i would hope he wouldn’t play his typical share in a 30-point blowout. They blew out Minny by 27 in first matchup and Ayo played only 30 minutes. Those extra 2 minutes were just about the time it took Ayo to get his last 3 rebounds for the triple-double. A great achievement? Yes. But not going to get worked up about two other deserving performances being rewarded as co-player of the week.
Good to get the presumably unbiased perspective of an SEC guy.
Is Ayo Dosunmu the Player of the Year?
Is Ayo Dosunmu the Player of the Year?
- I honestly have no idea how he’s not on par with Iowa’s Luka Garza in the National Player of the Year discussion. It’s possible Dosunmu wins Big Ten Player of the Year and Garza wins the national award. That would be weird, especially since Dosunmu was also great during nonconference play. Either way, he’s a ton of fun to watch. And he’ll need to keep playing well if the Illini are going to make a Final Four run.
re: all the comments on possible injury or losing out on 2-3 minutes rest ... Ayo was "smart" on last 2-3 rebounds (5 min to 2:30), Ayo was just lurking around the rim - no defense, no breaks, conserve energy - little risk. get over the Brad taking foolish what if risks
TheFameProtector
- Champaign
I like Trent on Smith personally. I think Trent is one of the best at disrupting opposing teams' point of attack and preventing them from getting into their action. Take away the ability to get it to your other guys in positions to score, and you've already won half the battle.
I think the thing being lost in this "should BU have left Ayo in to get the triple-double" question is the bigger picture. Ayo has done a lot for this program and BU did him a solid with a legacy building move. That says a lot about BU and what he prioritizes, and I think potential recruits see that. Recruits want to win, sure, but I think with a lot of them, the top ones especially, they also want to know their individual success will be facilitated, at this level and the next. When the next kid sees that BU left Ayo in for that triple double, I think it shows that BU has both the team's interest, and the players' individual interests, at heart. There's a reason we all want Ayo to win NPOY. His victory is the team's victory and vice versa. I see the triple double as an extension of that and hope that recruits are taking notice as well.
texillwek
🔶🔹🔸🔷
That is artistic genius. Thank you
DICKnaggie
- Champaign
Can we just take a minute and revel in this season? What a great team, with all their challenges and all their incredible strengths. It's clear they are a family. Hats off to all the folks that are making this season one for the ages.
iLL 89ers
- Dallas,TX , Born and raised in Alton,Illinois
Amen , and great post !!!
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
It looks like Iowa winning today has literally clinched us the 2-seed in the BTT, no? I played around with the bracket generator, and we can't catch Michigan but also can't seem to be passed. Even if we lose out and Iowa wins out, they will tie us in the standings, and we will have the head-to-head. OSU only has one more game, and beating us wouldn't get them tied with us.
Unless I missed something ... that's awesome! And we would be playing at 5:30 pm on Friday 3/12!
Unless I missed something ... that's awesome! And we would be playing at 5:30 pm on Friday 3/12!
I posted this in the bracketology thread but I'll repeat it here as well. There is a scenario where Illinois can get the 1 seed. They would have to beat Michigan on Tuesday and Ohio State on Saturday and Michigan would have to get swept by Michigan State Thursday and Saturday. In that scenario, Illinois would be 16-4 in conference and Michigan would be 13-4. Here's the bracket generator I ran with that scenario as well as higher ranked teams in conference holding serve (hopefully the link works): http://bball.notnothing.net/bracket.php?conf=big10m
In this scenario, we play the 8/9 winner of Wisky/Michigan State as the 1 seed. The 7/10 matchup in that bracket would be Maryland/Indiana.
JFGsCoffeeMug
BU:1 Trash cans:0
- Chicago
If we win our last 2, and Michigan splits their series with MSU, doesn't that put us 0.5 game ahead of them in the final standings (16-4 to 14-3)?
Teddy Allen leaving Neb.
After Trent locked him down
- Status