This implies that generating more money isn't a really, really good reason to keep it the same way. High-major D1 revenue sports are part of the entertainment industry, and their ultimate purpose is to make money.
Looking ahead to 2021-2022
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Deleted member 747671
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With no Kofi and no impact transfer, we would have:
Curbelo
Miller
Hutcherson
Grandison
Giorgi
Bench would be Hawkins, Goode, Melendez, BBV, Hamlin, Lieb.
I expect at least 2 more players to be added. With no Kofi, ideally we'd add a TyTy, Burnett, and an impact big.
All that said, we better be a tournament team.
APS iMBA
- Urbana, IL
I highly doubt it. At that age you don't need that much rest, and recover quickly.
JFGsCoffeeMug
BU:1 Trash cans:0
- Chicago
If Frazier and DMW want to come back for another year, because they finally got a taste of the tournament but weren't happy to go out the first weekend, then . . .
Deleted member 747903
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Correct in normal circumstances. Keep in mind they were isolated in a hotel without their usual facilities and nutrition.
Calillini
Now appearing in Tampa
i am not sold on the idea that Trent and DMW are what we need based on who has had success in this year‘s Madness.If Frazier and DMW want to come back for another year, because they finally got a taste of the tournament but weren't happy to go out the first weekend, then . . .
However, I am willing to be convinced, so ......
skyIdub
Winged Warrior
Yeah...you may need to recalibrate your "vibe" meter.
#vibez
Assuming Ayo, Kofi, Trent, and Da'Monte are all gone that's 4 of our Top 5 guys in terms of minutes from this season (combined total of 3611 minutes or 116 minutes per game). Miller, Curbelo, Grandison, Giorgi, and Hawkins combined for a total of 2523 minutes and the rest of the roster combined for a total of 114 minutes. When we're potentially not returning 60% of our minutes and we don't have any Top 50 commitments it's pretty hard to envision what our roster might look like but here's my attempt.
Pessimistic Starting Lineup Prediction (Ayo/Kofi/Trent/Da'Monte gone with no key transfers):
1. Curbelo
2. Miller
3. Grandison
4. Hawkins
5. Bezhanishvili
Bench: Goode/Melendez/Verdonk/Lieb
I think the starting 5 could compete but they'd struggle with lack of bench depth. This team is likely not Top 25. Might fight to be top 1/2 in B10.
Optimistic Starting Lineup Prediction (Ayo/Trent/Da'Monte gone, keeping Kofi, adding Burnett):
1. Curbelo
2. Miller
3. Burnett
4. Grandison
5. Kofi (or plug and play transfer)
Bench: Giorgi/Hawkins/Goode/Melendez/Verdonk/Lieb
This team could be Top 10 and compete for a B10 title.
Looking at our Roster for next season here are my thoughts on each player:
Andre Curbelo - Locked in starter (PG).
I don't see a single scenario where Curbelo isn't getting 25+ minutes/game.
Adam Miller - Locked in starter (SG).
Miller already plays great defense but I expect him to improve his game on both ends of the floor.
Jacob Grandison - Locked in starter (F)
Grandison showed a lot of drive to get up and get rebounds and put backs. If Da'monte leaves I expect Grandison's role to expand significantly.
Transfer Center - Backup / Starter (C)
I don't have a lot of hope that Lieb will be ready to contribute and I'm not high on Hamlin so I'd love to see us land a high caliber plug and play starting center. Even a backup guy that can offer better rim protection that Giorgi would be a plus as it would give us some different looks to throw at opponents.
Giorgi Bezhanishivili - Probable Starter / rotational player (C)
Pending a knock out transfer or Kofi return, Giorgi will be the starting 5.
Coleman Hawkins - Key rotational player (F)
I saw a lot of positives in Hawkin's game this season. He had some defensive weaknesses that kept him off the floor but he should get a lot more opportunities next season. While I expect some rough patches early I am high on Hawkins to become something great.
Nimari Burnett - Probable Starter (CG)
If he transfers I'm expecting him to be an elite defender with the ability to be a knock down shooter when he plays off the ball with Curbelo distributing. Burnett would also provide backup ball handling when Curbelo's getting rest.
Luke Goode - backup (SF)
From what I've read, Goode is a 3-point shooter with length and height. I don't expect him to create a lot of his own shots or do much off the dribble year 1 but I expect he'll get at least as much usage as Hawkins got this season.
Ramses Melendez - backup (SF)
From what I've read, Melendez is a 3-point shooter with length and height. I don't expect him to create a lot of his own shots or do much off the dribble year 1 but I expect he'll get at least as much usage as Hawkins got this season.
Ben Bosmans-Verdonk - backup (PF/C)
We saw Underwood try Verdonk out at the 5 this year and some garbage time minutes at the 4. If Kofi doesn't come back and we don't land a transfer big then I could see Verdonk playing a little bit at the 5 behind Giorgi but it would definitely not be ideal. Instead I'm hoping to see Verdonk play more at the 4/PF next season although he'll be behind Giorgi/Hawkins/Grandison on the depth chart.
Brandon Lieb - low usage backup (C)
Lieb's tall and looks like he could develop into a good shot blocker. I'd like to see him develop his defensive game and get some backup minutes at the 5 this season.
Austin Hutcherson - Not on Roster / low usage player
Hutcherson has tremendous upside potential. However, I have my doubts about him ever being 'healed'. Even if he is healed up and plays at Illinois next season I have serious questions about how spending this season away from the team and not being at practice or film sessions etc. and not working out with Fletch will impact his ability to contribute going forward. I would love to be proven wrong here, but I'm not going to hold my breath and count on this guy to be our difference maker.
Jermain Hamlin - Not on Roster / low usage backup (C)
When Underwood put Verdonk in over Hamlin it started me thinking that Hamlin may not be cut out for B10 play. This will be Hamlin's 3rd season with us and I am not aware of any reasons I should expect significant contributions out of this guy on either end of the floor. I wish him all the best but I wouldn't be surprised if he transferred or road the bench.
Kofi Cockburn - Not on Roster
Kofi would obviously be our starting 5 if he returns but I don't expect it.
Trent Frazier - Not on Roster
Trent's an obvious plus player that would be a starter or key rotational player if he returned.
Da'Monte Williams - Not on Roster
Da'Monte's a plus player especially on the defensive end. Despite an uptick in 3pt% he's still not an amazing offensive player with no inside game. He'd continue to be a glue guy at 17-22 min/game.
Pessimistic Starting Lineup Prediction (Ayo/Kofi/Trent/Da'Monte gone with no key transfers):
1. Curbelo
2. Miller
3. Grandison
4. Hawkins
5. Bezhanishvili
Bench: Goode/Melendez/Verdonk/Lieb
I think the starting 5 could compete but they'd struggle with lack of bench depth. This team is likely not Top 25. Might fight to be top 1/2 in B10.
Optimistic Starting Lineup Prediction (Ayo/Trent/Da'Monte gone, keeping Kofi, adding Burnett):
1. Curbelo
2. Miller
3. Burnett
4. Grandison
5. Kofi (or plug and play transfer)
Bench: Giorgi/Hawkins/Goode/Melendez/Verdonk/Lieb
This team could be Top 10 and compete for a B10 title.
Looking at our Roster for next season here are my thoughts on each player:
Andre Curbelo - Locked in starter (PG).
I don't see a single scenario where Curbelo isn't getting 25+ minutes/game.
Adam Miller - Locked in starter (SG).
Miller already plays great defense but I expect him to improve his game on both ends of the floor.
Jacob Grandison - Locked in starter (F)
Grandison showed a lot of drive to get up and get rebounds and put backs. If Da'monte leaves I expect Grandison's role to expand significantly.
Transfer Center - Backup / Starter (C)
I don't have a lot of hope that Lieb will be ready to contribute and I'm not high on Hamlin so I'd love to see us land a high caliber plug and play starting center. Even a backup guy that can offer better rim protection that Giorgi would be a plus as it would give us some different looks to throw at opponents.
Giorgi Bezhanishivili - Probable Starter / rotational player (C)
Pending a knock out transfer or Kofi return, Giorgi will be the starting 5.
Coleman Hawkins - Key rotational player (F)
I saw a lot of positives in Hawkin's game this season. He had some defensive weaknesses that kept him off the floor but he should get a lot more opportunities next season. While I expect some rough patches early I am high on Hawkins to become something great.
Nimari Burnett - Probable Starter (CG)
If he transfers I'm expecting him to be an elite defender with the ability to be a knock down shooter when he plays off the ball with Curbelo distributing. Burnett would also provide backup ball handling when Curbelo's getting rest.
Luke Goode - backup (SF)
From what I've read, Goode is a 3-point shooter with length and height. I don't expect him to create a lot of his own shots or do much off the dribble year 1 but I expect he'll get at least as much usage as Hawkins got this season.
Ramses Melendez - backup (SF)
From what I've read, Melendez is a 3-point shooter with length and height. I don't expect him to create a lot of his own shots or do much off the dribble year 1 but I expect he'll get at least as much usage as Hawkins got this season.
Ben Bosmans-Verdonk - backup (PF/C)
We saw Underwood try Verdonk out at the 5 this year and some garbage time minutes at the 4. If Kofi doesn't come back and we don't land a transfer big then I could see Verdonk playing a little bit at the 5 behind Giorgi but it would definitely not be ideal. Instead I'm hoping to see Verdonk play more at the 4/PF next season although he'll be behind Giorgi/Hawkins/Grandison on the depth chart.
Brandon Lieb - low usage backup (C)
Lieb's tall and looks like he could develop into a good shot blocker. I'd like to see him develop his defensive game and get some backup minutes at the 5 this season.
Austin Hutcherson - Not on Roster / low usage player
Hutcherson has tremendous upside potential. However, I have my doubts about him ever being 'healed'. Even if he is healed up and plays at Illinois next season I have serious questions about how spending this season away from the team and not being at practice or film sessions etc. and not working out with Fletch will impact his ability to contribute going forward. I would love to be proven wrong here, but I'm not going to hold my breath and count on this guy to be our difference maker.
Jermain Hamlin - Not on Roster / low usage backup (C)
When Underwood put Verdonk in over Hamlin it started me thinking that Hamlin may not be cut out for B10 play. This will be Hamlin's 3rd season with us and I am not aware of any reasons I should expect significant contributions out of this guy on either end of the floor. I wish him all the best but I wouldn't be surprised if he transferred or road the bench.
Kofi Cockburn - Not on Roster
Kofi would obviously be our starting 5 if he returns but I don't expect it.
Trent Frazier - Not on Roster
Trent's an obvious plus player that would be a starter or key rotational player if he returned.
Da'Monte Williams - Not on Roster
Da'Monte's a plus player especially on the defensive end. Despite an uptick in 3pt% he's still not an amazing offensive player with no inside game. He'd continue to be a glue guy at 17-22 min/game.
Deleted member 747671
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So what's the deal with Hutcherson? I believe he was in California all year, right? I know with this crazy year, maybe he was still enrolled and taking online classes. Like what's his probability of return? I figured there wouldn't be much middle ground, but we seem to be stuck completely in the middle. Figured he'd already be back and just inactive, or be withdrawn from the school or a non-roster guy.
There was a post where hutcherson basically said Illini don’t sleep on me and he performs a high flying dunk.
Deleted member 747671
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Right. I remember seeing that, but that just kind of adds to my confusion. I guess I was just assuming he was basically taking a year off, but since he's listed on the roster I guess there's nothing to it and he's been on the team all along and nothing has changed.
Hutch is coming back next year, he will be ready to go
JFGsCoffeeMug
BU:1 Trash cans:0
- Chicago
I think senior leadership can play a key role in stabilizing a roster and maintaining positive culture, especially with the sheer number of new faces we might see coming in for next year.
Deleted member 747671
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Thank you kind sir
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
A lot of people are going to shocked at how good he is.
Yup, JG was good for us but Hutch is much much better from anyone who sat in on a practice
idk much abt hutch what makes ppl believe he will be so good (not that i think he won’t)
skyIdub
Winged Warrior
JFGsCoffeeMug
BU:1 Trash cans:0
- Chicago
In no particular order: practice reports, optimism for the future, videos of him dunking.
Here's the link for those that missed it.
Would love for him to have a chance at B1G minutes. Nothings for sure, but definitely looks like he could contribute
Very impressive. Looks like he was missed this year. Still would consider his return a bonus.
Villanova in 2015 lost in round 2 as the #1 seed and in 2016 they won it all. Not sure if this will be the case with us but is it a possibility?
Illinivek23
- Gurnee
And UVA lost a 1-16 game the year before winning the NC the next year. Not inconceivable that it will fuel a helluva lot of grit over the summer.
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