Looking ahead to 2021-2022

[Tacomallini]

Trent leaving a pretty telling hint about Damonte......

I can't remember which game it was, but does anyone remember the post game press conference where Trent called the other team "a really bad program" or something like that, and then cracked up but continued to speak? I think DMW and Ayo were at the table with him, wide-eyed and trying to keep straight faces too. Pretty amusing moment.

 

[Ubermensch]

The Frazier family doesn't appear to be very good at keeping secrets.

 

[chibar]

I guess the current school year isn't over but isn't that DMW poking his head in frame during the interview? Surprised that hasn't been mentioned yet.

 

[CubsIlliniFan]

love to have monte back but playing time for our freshman is going to be tough. not a bad problem to have.

I wish Monte would move on. Solid player but I want the kids to play. They are here to play not sit the bench. Unless Monte wants a reduced role of 10 minutes a game, I want Podz, Melendez, Hawk and Goode to get minutes as they are the future. Its not personal, its just business as Michael Corleone once said

 

[logjam]

I guess the current school year isn't over but isn't that DMW poking his head in frame during the interview? Surprised that hasn't been mentioned yet.

generally the last 2 pages have been about Monte coming back.

 

[haasi]

Glad Andy didn’t push it further. He had to follow it up, but when Trent started to deflect Andy let him and didn’t try to get a “gotcha” moment.

Katz is great. Really perfectly done.

 

[Doctoresdelbasket]

I wish Monte would move on. Solid player but I want the kids to play. They are here to play not sit the bench. Unless Monte wants a reduced role of 10 minutes a game, I want Podz, Melendez, Hawk and Goode to get minutes as they are the future. Its not personal, its just business as Michael Corleone once said

I agree with this, monte would be the steadier option at the beginning of the season and great kid, but they are the future and with bigger potential, and sitting on the bench the entire season behind grandison, de monte, and there is also hutcherson which seems like he could be very good, plus the three little guys and some Hawkins at the 4, I don't see how the 3 freshman get on the court or barely get in and I don't know if that is best in the long run

 

[Doctoresdelbasket]

Im guessing Melendez if he can at least gain 10 lb in the summer, could get some sort of role given he is long, good shot blocker and unless Illinois lands a stud like Mitchell , BU likes a guard/foward hybrid at the 4 that shoots and defends ,which I could see Melendez fulfilling, maybe goode could do some of that too not sure yet, and brandin which offensively in terms of skill maybe the most complete, he would have to be flat out impressive in practice and in the short time he is in because the guards are loaded and AP, AC and TF are set for heavy minutes.

 

[JFGsCoffeeMug]

If Trent and Monte are both coming back, then I would predict it is in part to mentor all of underclassmen. Winning next year is important. But those two have also demonstrated a willingness and commitment to investing in the program. Taking every opportunity to strengthen and pass along the current Illinois culture is an invaluable way of setting us up for sustained success. It's yeoman's work.

 

[Fr8trn16]

love to have monte back but playing time for our freshman is going to be tough. not a bad problem to have.

I wish the Seniors had moved on personally! I feel like they had 4 years to show what they could do. I feel that it's cutting into the time the next recruits up deserve and are getting. Will they get an extra year because upperclassmen got a free year that stepped on their time? I doubt it! That's valuable experience and chance to show what you can do in the floor. That's valuable playing time they'd get that they won't be getting now! I want to see these new sharp shooters playing and learning! Could you imagine Curbelo creating and dropping dimes to wide open shooters like Hutcherson, Grandison, Podz, Goode, Plummer, Melendez, and Hawkins? Now you got Trent back and Damonte. Great players but they had their time!

 

[Seagee]

I wish the Seniors had moved on personally! I feel like they had 4 years to show what they could do. I feel that it's cutting into the time the next recruits up deserve and are getting. Will they get an extra year because upperclassmen got a free year that stepped on their time? I doubt it! That's valuable experience and chance to show what you can do in the floor. That's valuable playing time they'd get that they won't be getting now! I want to see these new sharp shooters playing and learning! Could you imagine Curbelo creating and dropping dimes to wide open shooters like Hutcherson, Grandison, Podz, Goode, Plummer, Melendez, and Hawkins? Now you got Trent back and Damonte. Great players but they had their time!

You guys are all ignoring the value of having vets like Trent and Monte in practice. All these new young guns will get much better much faster going against them every day at Ubben vs having a few more minutes of PT.

Monte already lost his starting slot to Grandy this year and still played his butt off when called, not to mention single-handedly shutting down Liddell in the final minutes of the second OSU game.

 

[logjam]

I wish the Seniors had moved on personally! I feel like they had 4 years to show what they could do. I feel that it's cutting into the time the next recruits up deserve and are getting. Will they get an extra year because upperclassmen got a free year that stepped on their time? I doubt it! That's valuable experience and chance to show what you can do in the floor. That's valuable playing time they'd get that they won't be getting now! I want to see these new sharp shooters playing and learning! Could you imagine Curbelo creating and dropping dimes to wide open shooters like Hutcherson, Grandison, Podz, Goode, Plummer, Melendez, and Hawkins? Now you got Trent back and Damonte. Great players but they had their time!

I would propose that Trent is owed a year because he deferred to Ayo for 3 years, also they will pass on the culture and deserve their Senior Night also.

 

[EyeoftheIllini]

I really dislike the whole “we need to play the young guys, they are our future argument. I’m fine with that when you’re talking about pros and they’re getting paid. And I understand why fans might feel that way even with college teams. But if I’m a player on that team like Curbelo or Grandison, I want the best players to play to win games now. You think Curbelo wants to hear BU say, “well Andre, we know we say we want to win and get back to the tourney but we’ve decided not to do that and just play the freshmen so we might be better in a future year.”

If the freshmen deserve to start or play they do. Sure BU needs to be mindful of trying to get everyone some tick, especially with the extra year due to Covid, but I think part of the culture being developed is nothing is handed to you. Best players play. Is there a risk that one or more of the 2021 recruits transfers? Yes. But Miller transferred after starting all year. Build a team culture that emphasizes hard work and playing those who give the best chance of winning each game. That’s a more likely way to build and sustain a program IMO.

 

[Joel Goodson]

I really dislike the whole “we need to play the young guys, they are our future argument. I’m fine with that when you’re talking about pros and they’re getting paid. And I understand why fans might feel that way even with college teams. But if I’m a player on that team like Curbelo or Grandison, I want the best players to play to win games now. You think Curbelo wants to hear BU say, “well Andre, we know we say we want to win and get back to the tourney but we’ve decided not to do that and just play the freshmen so we might be better in a future year.”

If the freshmen deserve to start or play they do. Sure BU needs to be mindful of trying to get everyone some tick, especially with the extra year due to Covid, but I think part of the culture being developed is nothing is handed to you. Best players play. Is there a risk that one or more of the 2021 recruits transfers? Yes. But Miller transferred after starting all year. Build a team culture that emphasizes hard work and playing those who give the best chance of winning each game. That’s a more likely way to build and sustain a program IMO.

This. Well put.

 

[zentrails]

I wish Monte would move on. Solid player but I want the kids to play. They are here to play not sit the bench. Unless Monte wants a reduced role of 10 minutes a game, I want Podz, Melendez, Hawk and Goode to get minutes as they are the future. Its not personal, its just business as Michael Corleone once said

Maybe later in the year, but playing the kids a ton early will probably get us lots of losses. Heck look at KY this past year. Probably won't happen, almost never works, but I'd sure like to see a 10+ man rotation towards the end of the season.

 

[WINT]

Monte could be the difference between a 4 seed and a 10 seed next season. He’s clutch, and a great defender. He has played in a lot of tight conference games. He had played on terrible Illini teams and knows what it takes. The freshman can learn a lot from DMFW. Just working everyday in the gym trying to get shots up over him will make them and ultimately this program better.

 

[zentrails]

Monte could be the difference between a 4 seed and a 10 seed next season. He’s clutch, and a great defender. He has played in a lot of tight conference games. He had played on terrible Illini teams and knows what it takes. The freshman can learn a lot from DMFW. Just working everyday in the gym trying to get shots up over him will make them and ultimately this program better.

And if you get the ball to him when he's open he hits 3's at an incredible percentage.
Plus he's a good FT shooter for end of close game situations.

 

[Emerson Bigguns]

If the kids are truly going to make the team better, I think the coaches will play them.
DMFW is a winning ball player. He won’t stuff the stat sheet very often, but he’s that dude the other team hates to play. He knows where to be, what he can get away with, & has grown man strength.
2 years ago he couldn’t make a 3 to save his life. This year he led the country in 3%. His development of that set shot won us at least a couple games last year. That wasn’t an accident.
Every single freshman has a lot to learn from a guy like him. We should be so lucky.

 

[kcib8130]

I’m sorry, is it being suggested that TF and DMW coming back isn’t a good thing for next year? Two guys who are lockdown defenders and have played a huge part in the current culture? Two guys who came on in BU’s first season and helped draw us out of the doldrums?

 

[illinitiger]

I wish Monte would move on. Solid player but I want the kids to play. They are here to play not sit the bench. Unless Monte wants a reduced role of 10 minutes a game, I want Podz, Melendez, Hawk and Goode to get minutes as they are the future. Its not personal, its just business as Michael Corleone once said

We need Monte and Trent to mentor the guys you list....that's is the most impact they will have for our team, IMO....not the minutes.

 

[Illini954]

I’m sorry, is it being suggested that TF and DMW coming back isn’t a good thing for next year? Two guys who are lockdown defenders and have played a huge part in the current culture? Two guys who came on in BU’s first season and helped draw us out of the doldrums?

Agreed. These guys might not be elite players but they are still pretty good. I would take both of them back in a heartbeat. They have proven they been be clutch. Both are fearless. We will be better if they come back.

 

[MC06]

I really dislike the whole “we need to play the young guys, they are our future argument. I’m fine with that when you’re talking about pros and they’re getting paid. And I understand why fans might feel that way even with college teams. But if I’m a player on that team like Curbelo or Grandison, I want the best players to play to win games now. You think Curbelo wants to hear BU say, “well Andre, we know we say we want to win and get back to the tourney but we’ve decided not to do that and just play the freshmen so we might be better in a future year.”

If the freshmen deserve to start or play they do. Sure BU needs to be mindful of trying to get everyone some tick, especially with the extra year due to Covid, but I think part of the culture being developed is nothing is handed to you. Best players play. Is there a risk that one or more of the 2021 recruits transfers? Yes. But Miller transferred after starting all year. Build a team culture that emphasizes hard work and playing those who give the best chance of winning each game. That’s a more likely way to build and sustain a program IMO.

I agree with the overall sentiment that BU should play the players that give the team the best chance of success this season. But I think you are missing a nuanced point. The freshmen (and even Hawkins and Hutch) may be able to offer the team things that no one else on the roster can. But if early in the season BU over-relies on the guys he knows and trusts, we may pick up a couple more wins early but lose some big games late in the season because the young guys never got the experience they needed to be ready to contribute in big games.

I’m glad Trent (and apparently Damonte) are returning, but I hope BU can get the minutes distribution right for optimal success in the 2021-2022 season.

I also agree with those saying that Trent’s and Damonte’s biggest contribution may be leadership. BU has established a great team culture. We need a couple of big personalities to ensure the team maintains it. With Ayo’s (expected) and Giorgi’s (unexpected) departures, I wasn’t sure where that was going to come from.

 

[BigMuddyMonster]

I agree with the overall sentiment that BU should play the players that give the team the best chance of success this season. But I think you are missing a nuanced point. The freshmen (and even Hawkins and Hutch) may be able to offer the team things that no one else on the roster can. But if early in the season BU over-relies on the guys he knows and trusts, we may pick up a couple more wins early but lose some big games late in the season because the young guys never got the experience they needed to be ready to contribute in big games.

I’m glad Trent (and apparently Damonte) are returning, but I hope BU can get the minutes distribution right for optimal success in the 2021-2022 season.

I also agree with those saying that Trent’s and Damonte’s biggest contribution may be leadership. BU has established a great team culture. We need a couple of big personalities to ensure the team maintains it. With Ayo’s (expected) and Giorgi’s (unexpected) departures, I wasn’t sure where that was going to come from.

I agree with most of this.

The way I find myself feeling about it if both return is different about each player. Trent is a vastly overall more valuable and talented player than DW. In saying that I’m not trying to slight Damonte. His gritty play and open 3pt shot is very valuable to have. I hope he is in a more limited/specialist role with reduced minutes.

Having Trent back is a huge boon for the team. Guards are the name of the game in CBB. He’s a veteran with great defense and a steady hand.

 

[armo859]

I agree with the overall sentiment that BU should play the players that give the team the best chance of success this season. But I think you are missing a nuanced point. The freshmen (and even Hawkins and Hutch) may be able to offer the team things that no one else on the roster can. But if early in the season BU over-relies on the guys he knows and trusts, we may pick up a couple more wins early but lose some big games late in the season because the young guys never got the experience they needed to be ready to contribute in big games.

I’m glad Trent (and apparently Damonte) are returning, but I hope BU can get the minutes distribution right for optimal success in the 2021-2022 season.

I also agree with those saying that Trent’s and Damonte’s biggest contribution may be leadership. BU has established a great team culture. We need a couple of big personalities to ensure the team maintains it. With Ayo’s (expected) and Giorgi’s (unexpected) departures, I wasn’t sure where that was going to come from.

I think you hit the nail on the head with your comments about Trent and DaMonte being most critical now as mentors for the younger players. The elders that carry the culture and attitude that Underwood has forged with the players and assistant coaches. They will be the captains on the floor, lead by example and get on the guys that don't put in the effort - though clearly Brad has no problems in that area. The personnel will change, but the hopefully the attitude carries over. That seems to be key to sustained success in CBB. Look no farther than MSU. It will be really interesting to see how the staff and players adjust style of play to fit the new roster. If Kofi does leave, I expect it will be a Flyin' Illini circus with lots of alley oops, 3 and D. A lot of 6'5' to 6'10' guys with long wing-spans and verticals. And Curbelo as the ringmaster.

 

[armo859]

Agreed. These guys might not be elite players but they are still pretty good. I would take both of them back in a heartbeat. They have proven they been be clutch. Both are fearless. We will be better if they come back.

A winning team needs good "locker room guys". That applies equally in ALL sports.