DB11Headband
- Chicago Burbs
4 starters* (Hutch)
Illini Basketball 2021-2022
- Status
I agree... his ability to the lane and collapse the defense helped open up our shooters! And now we have plenty who can knock them dowln at a high rate! If Kofi returns we're gonna be very difficult to guard! You're gonna be giving up something because we'll have to many weapons! I-L-L
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I have 2 from a Texas 5A state semi finalist team. It’s not just super seniors. It’s transfers too. Every coach is taking an experienced college player over class of 2021 players that were difficult to evaluate in person.
Is edgar Padilla still in the transfer portal?
IlliniKat91
- Chicago, IL
There's nothing about him committing elsewhere with a quick Google search, so I'm guessing yes. I assume there'd be an announcement if he'd decided to return, but from what insiders here have said, that doesn't seem likely.
Might be right there, but at least he has been on the team. 5 starters that were on the team the year before would also be a 1st for BU at U of I.
Dee was essentially a 6'1" shooting guard. Call him a combo if you want. Frazier would actually be a decent comp to Dee. Belo is much more athletic as shown by his dunks and rebounding stats. Athleticism is a big reason guys get drafted because nearly everyone in the NBA is a freak athlete. Also, Belo does things with the ball and his vision that most even in the NBA simply cannot do. The only thing he hasn't demonstrated is the outside shot. He is basically unguardable if he shoots 30-33% from outside.
The funny thing about the Torvik projection is that he doesn't even include Hutch, who a lot on here believe will be a top producer for the team. It also has Belo as the #5 contributor with Kofi back. That is laughable. Anyone familiar with the team would say this season is going to revolve around Belo and Kofi.
Right!
The two unknowns in terms of game changing capability would be Hawk and Hutch.
GrayGhost77
- Centennial, CO
Ha ha. Dee was more like 5'11". I agree he was more of a combo guard, more a shooting guard who could facilitate when needed. Much better outside shot than Belo, quick feet but not much of a jumper. No comparison as far as court vision/passing ability goes, though. Belo is in a league of his own there.
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
Dee.....the one man fast break......great player ......great from 3 pt land......member of one of the greatest Illini teams ever.......One of my top 10 Illini...
Belo does things on the court that already in only one season has astounded me , good and bad , but he is a TREAT to watch and I think he will be
1st team B1G this year and in consideration for B1G POTY.........His skills are off the charts and I bet he has improved his 3 pt shooting this off season....
Back to our regular scheduled Kofi watch programming.........carry on.................
We just moved to #3 in Torvik
sacraig
- The desert
Good catch. Torvik apparently is so confident Kofi is coming back that he added him back to our roster.
The Galloping Ghost
- Washington, DC
For once, it feels like we are actually in a position to capitalize on our success. Another season as a top 10 team, coupled with a staff that actually seems like they can recruit, and it feels like this program can finally be positioned in the place we've hoped it would be. I know I'm getting ahead of myself, but the elements are there to make this success sustainable.
Yeah I guess. With one of Dee’s strengths being defense, that also doesn’t translate as well when shorter.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
All I know is I’m excited to see a vibrant Illini fan base packing the SFC every game again and invading arenas all around the Midwest. It’ll just be even MORESO that way if King Kofi comes back.
Govoner Vaugn Fan
- New Orleans
I think they measured Dee with a rubber band
Dee was AWESOME..... He was a joy to watch with his many talents. His exuberance for basketball and all things Illini made him a legend!!
That being said..... Belo does things with a basketball that I've never seen before. (Kinda like El Majo does with a baseball at shortstop) If he can improve his three point shooting, we will be talking about him in hushed tones for decades to come. ILL!!
illini80
- Forgottonia
I think trying to compare the 2 is pointless. They had completely different skill sets. Love them both.
The point remains. There were the same number of slots available for incoming freshmen this year as there have been in the past. For every transfer player accepted by a program a slot opened up at his former program which could have been filled by a new freshman.
There are a lot more 5th year players than previous seasons, and if they also transferred they took a scholarship that would otherwise have been open.
For example, under normal circumstances Mark Smith would have not been eligible to keep playing. Since he has an extra year, he was able to take a scholarship spot at KSU that would have likely been taken by a freshman. If he had stayed at Misery would it not have an effect on the number of available scholarships, but his transfer required him to take one of KSU’s open slots.
You may be right, but my memory of Dee puts him at much faster than Curbelo in straight line speed with the ball. Dee was not as shifty but his speed, especially with the ball, was unmatched by anyone I have seen before or since. When he got out ahead with the ball, no one could catch him. Like Curbelo, he could also dunk. In what way you would consider Curbelo more athletic of the two is a way I have yet to see. But I totally agree, Curbelo's passing game and court awareness give him a plus over Dee in that regard, but Dee made some head shaking passes on occasion...just not every night like we have come to expect from AC. Neither one was/is an elite shooter, but Dee was more dependable with his jumper from the arc. Neither is a slouch and both will be fondly remembered in Illini history.
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
Natty or bust!
So many options now with King Kofi back.
Starting Five (for now):
Belo
Trent
DMW
Grandison/Hawkins/Hutch/Payne
Kofi
Plummer and the 3 left out above off the bench.
Starting Five (for now):
Belo
Trent
DMW
Grandison/Hawkins/Hutch/Payne
Kofi
Plummer and the 3 left out above off the bench.
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