Amazing how much Twitter and fan chatter can influence insiders. I imagine all this hype about Kentucky stemmed from speculation.
Illini Basketball 2021-2022
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All that means is it won’t be one guy taking the last !!!! every time. Curbelo will start with the ball, but it will end up with whoever has the best look.
IlliniKat91
- Chicago, IL
To be fair, it wasn't just Twitter. Kofi mentioning Antigua and UK to ESPN in an interview is also a big deal. I can see why people ran with it.
I think it picked up steam because we're so used to losing to the Kentucky's of the world in situations like this. Just look at the people around here still wearing their cups just in case.
Yea but Kofi really didn’t say anything other than “everyone is possible” if you take his words at face value and not try to read into it.
IlliniKat91
- Chicago, IL
I disagree. That article was basically about why Kentucky was intriguing. ESPN might have cut it that way because UK brings more clicks, but there was nothing to feel overwhelming positive about after reading that.
And I'm saying that as someone who is near constantly rolling her eyes at the sky is falling crowd. I thought we'd have a chance at a solid season and trusted BU and the staff to figure out a way without Kofi, but I was still thought there was s good chance he'd follow Antigua. I'm relaxed now, but there's still that 5% of me that'll feel better after Friday.
Right but I’m saying it was all based on 1 line from Kofi. Everything else has been speculation. He never visited Lexington. He never talked to Cal. So all this info shifting about he’s leaning Kentucky was based on just that one line from that espn interview. Nothing changed since then until word got out he had never met with Cal
IlliniKat91
- Chicago, IL
UK claims he never spoke to Cal. I don't buy that. It's them saving face when they learned he wasn't coming. It was all classic Loyalty moves being put out by UK Twitter, so we should recognize them.
Hindsight is always 20/20. People had reason to be concerned. It just looks silly now. Our confidence might look silly in a few hours depending on what other news breaks today. That's the nature of the beast.
Brad wasn’t at the AAU tourney.
I really think this may have been more a PR stunt and OA knew Kofi would go back the whole time.
I just think it’s wild how back and forth the rumors have been when there’s really only been 2 actual developments from Kofi and a third development from UK Twitter. There’s the ESPN interview, the top 3 and UK Twitter saying UK is out.
Maybe it’s just me, but the phrasing of how it never got to Cal talking to Kofi seems to me to suggest Kofi was not expressing as much interest in the program as he was in OA. Idk I may be over analyzing it, if just feels like so much of this storyline has been reacting to reactions of one forum of fans or the other. Half of the “leaning Kentucky” posts on here are based on seeing confidence on the Kentucky forum, which largely was based on the panic on here. It’s a cycle.
As we’ve laid out lineups and minutes possibilities the last couple pages, I can’t shake the question of who has the ball when the game is on the line.
Trent can be an elite scorer cause he’s shifty and creative but he lacks size.
Curbelo is a maestro with a ball but not always a consistent finisher, although I think he’ll be better this year. He also hasn’t yet shown a consistent jumper yet. And he’s short.
I think the best option based on size, athleticism, and skill is Hutch. But he’s gonna need time to get into the flow of the game after sitting out so long.
No matter how good your offense is, how good your passing or shooting, at some point in tight games you need a guy who can just go get a bucket.
Trent can be an elite scorer cause he’s shifty and creative but he lacks size.
Curbelo is a maestro with a ball but not always a consistent finisher, although I think he’ll be better this year. He also hasn’t yet shown a consistent jumper yet. And he’s short.
I think the best option based on size, athleticism, and skill is Hutch. But he’s gonna need time to get into the flow of the game after sitting out so long.
No matter how good your offense is, how good your passing or shooting, at some point in tight games you need a guy who can just go get a bucket.
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
Curbelo will have the ball (doh!), he'll drive and get a layup, get fouled or both, or kick out to either Hutch, Frazier or Plummer (whoever's most open). It's gonna be by committee.
Probably not a bad idea when they are carrying two extra players in Damonte and Trent. There already aren't enough minutes to go around to the freshman to make everyone happy. Not to steal a John Groce saying but players play players. There will definitely be kids that aren't happy at the end of the upcoming season.
illini80
- Forgottonia
Three, isn't it?
Sure fire starters will be Belo, Trent and hopefully Kofi. No questions asked. I would love for Hutch to start because I think he brings that athletic ling versatile wing we need and somewhat lacked last season. Then I think it comes down to Grandi or DMFW.
Can you imagine if we had Belo and Kofi for another 2 years?
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
Share your concern about lack of playing time for the freshmen. Fortunately, we're gonna blowout a bunch of teams. There's definitely a lot of playing time daylight after this season, which should assuage a lot of disappointment. Plus, these kids aren't dummies. They know the guys ahead of them are better than they are. Hopefully, that will fuel them to work even harder.
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
We won't, but that's a good dream!
Fully expecting Papi goes League after this season.
illini80
- Forgottonia
This is his second year eligibility wise.
Belo, Trent, and Kofi are starters and high minutes guys. Hutch or DaMonte as the third guard should replace Ayo’s rebounding. Am guessing it will be Grandy at the four with Hawk coming in with Omar as a pair. If you add Plummer as the fire off the bench (ala Belo last year) you have 8 players which seems to be the normal rotation. That said we have had a frosh starter every year. If that happens this year we will be really good because the eight previously mentioned are really solid BIG players.
1 more season of them together will fulfill my basketball fantasy
"Players play players on the ladder to greatness."
-- Head Coach John Groce (probably)
Practices will be hyper competitive and should be a great growing and learning year for the freshmen.
I love the enthusiasm for the team, but why up so early? ; )
And, what better way to instill the right culture than having TF and DMW showing you the ropes?
If anyone on the team goes through a year with these teammates and still looks to leave, clearly best for everyone that point.
Games need to be played but BU has captained this ship through rough waters.
How ironic would it be if this off-season, despite the losses of players and staff, becomes the period looked back upon as the time where Illinois basketball came of age under...Underwood
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