I expect Curbelo will play 32-35m/game. Where the minutes come from will depend on if we need more offense or defense at the time. We might even have the luxury of going with whomever is hot, or sitting whomever is not.
Illini Basketball 2021-2022
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If Hutch is healthy, he could be really good. Sturdy said last year in practice he gave Ayo all he wanted.
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
Trent played about 32 minutes per game last year. Don’t see him playing 25 this year. We need him on the court. Ultimately, we are going to see the best 8-9 players on the court. The big question is going to be how Brad keeps everybody happy.
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I agree. You want that alpha. To me, who will replace Ayo as the closer is the big question to be answered. It might sound good to say there are multiple options, but I think people are underrating what it means to have that go to guy. It helps the whole team’s confidence. Belo could be that guy, but he has to show he can score from 3 levels. If he becomes too dependent on drive at end of game — whether to shoot or pass — teams will adjust.
Of course he did I find it baffling that people think he still wants to run it back with the same style of play as last season after what happened in the tournament and with AYO gone .
You need size, athleticism and shooting around Belo and Kofi . We will have some great situational lineups but I don't see him looking to start small . You need a another screener with size to open up the kick out game and the floor for Kofi .
This is why I see Payne or Hawkins getting a ton of minutes next to Kofi not only for the easy entrance pass over the top of Kofi from the high post but also for a secondary screener with size for Belo and defensively after Loyola basically exploited our lack of a secondary defender with size on the floor to help Kofi I just see him trying to stay big at the 4/5 as much as possible matchup dependent of course
Count me as a bit skeptical of Hutch and of Payne.
I am not saying that they won't both have roles and possibly significant roles, but just because Hutch gave Ayo "all he wanted", how often did that happen? I am highly skeptical of it happening often. That is not to say that he could not have been the best defender on Ayo or even took it at Ayo and scored, but I doubt he was regularly giving Ayo fits...he wasn't even healthy enough to play...AND if it is talking about the year before, I still have my doubts.
Also, with Payne, he could be super athletic and have better offense than Underwood expected, but BU also praises literally every player we have ever had. He talked up Giorgi and Kofi playing together, and we saw how often that actually happened with success.
Another poster who said that BU said Payne and Kofi could player together said it best.... "take it with a grain of salt."
By the way, I am super pumped about Hutch and what he could potentially bring and even Payne being a star IN HIS ROLE.
Trent?
Yea - I agree with the Giorgi and Kofi playing together not working out. I'm guessing in practice, it worked, but very different in live game. With everything, you have to take it with a grain of salt. Coaches are going to root for their guys so theres a whole lot of orange and blue tinted glasses
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
I would like to hear what he had to say...could you link me up ?.....thanks in advance
illini80
- Forgottonia
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/illini-pella-saturday-sportstalk/id1278354853?i=1000529177944 I don’t have the act time stamp, but Underwood was the first one up so not far into it.
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
Thanks man............
I’d 100% want Belo with the ball in that spot. He can go get the bucket himself, get a shooter open, or find Kofi down low
Or shoot a 3. We hope.
Who plays PG if Belo and Trent aren’t on the floor?
Nappy I_L_L
- Northern Indiana
Remember the good ol days when Trent was a freshman cutting through the lane for the score? He was all we had and he stepped into that role nicely. I can see Trent putting the team on his back in clutch times no doubt
Kofi to grow his NBA stock. But maybe plummer to initiate the offense? I don't think Podz has played much point and is new.
Like if they both foul out?
I don't think there will be much time, basically ever, without one of them on the floor.
But, other options could be Plummer or Hutch. Hutch was talked about in his first sit year as a lead guard quite a bit.
It depends, tied/down 1? You have to go Kofi as your first option. I think a guy will make themselves known as a finisher this year. Not saying it will be as good as Ayo, but that's asking for too much.
Trent, Belo, and Plummer would have no issue being that guy. Brad trusts his guys. Every report I hear is that we will be fine.
Again, there were a lot of times where we needed Ayo to do his thing and he did, but the guys just kept letting him be that guy and didn't try to involve themselves. The three games Ayo was out had me very encouraged about this season. Trade Giorgi for Payne, Miller for Plummer, and I don't think we miss a beat.
Ayo will be missed when we just need a basket, but I think we have more than enough guys with the confidence and ability to be that guy.
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altenberger22
- South Carolina
100% accurate. Will still be nice to see which FR steps up and gets the most minutes --- particularly if we have an injury or two in those top 9.
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