Illini Basketball 2021-2022

[FromTheLogo]

Could it be that the super-seniors decided to come back because of the NIL $$$? At one point I thought they had aspirations of playing together in Europe. However, there are COVID uncertainties abroad. They are beloved Illini and probably able to cash in as much or more than going overseas.

Could this mean they may be willing to take a slightly reduced role because of this? Even if just 5 minutes/game for some of the other talent, or is this not even a remote possibility?

I could see Underwood just rotating his best 8-9 players regardless, but just wondering.

 

[Whitmans Sampler]

Isn’t Grandison over in Japan playing on the Finnish national team? Any updates on how he’s playing and when he’s expected to be back on campus?

 

[220Illini]

Could it be that the super-seniors decided to come back because of the NIL $$$? At one point I thought they had aspirations of playing together in Europe. However, there are COVID uncertainties abroad. They are beloved Illini and probably able to cash in as much or more than going overseas.

Could this mean they may be willing to take a slightly reduced role because of this? Even if just 5 minutes/game for some of the other talent, or is this not even a remote possibility?

I could see Underwood just rotating his best 8-9 players regardless, but just wondering.

what choice do they have on taking reduced roles? BU will play who gives us the best chance to win. Those guys came back to win games

 

[Ignatius Shang]

Isn’t Grandison over in Japan playing on the Finnish national team? Any updates on how he’s playing and when he’s expected to be back on campus?

Finland didn't make it to the Olympics and only played the warm-ups, so I think he will be back soon.
Here is the statistics of them in a 76-71 win against Japan (with the NBA player Watanabe but not Hachimura):

Japan vs. Finland - Jul 11, 2021 - Game recap | Proballers

Olivier Nkamhoua scored 11 points, Edon Maxhuni had 13 points, as Finland defeated Japan, 76-71, on Jul 11, 2021. Gavin Edwards scored 15 points for Japan.

www.proballers.com

Jacob got 8 pts, 6 rebs, and 6 asts in 20mins. Absolutely a star

 

[ElGran]

I think Grandison starts over Damonte and he utilizes him like last year just my opinion obviously. Also hope he incorporates the freshman some. It’s so easy for players to leave which sucks, and I know it’s inevitable but I don’t want all three down. I think coaches have to figure out the right balance to keep them satisfied and hungry. Sorry long winded.

The three FR know that several guys ahead of them will be gone after this season (Trent, Damonte, Plummer, and possibly Curbelo, Grandison, Hutch).

 

[BRucks]

Isn’t Grandison over in Japan playing on the Finnish national team? Any updates on how he’s playing and when he’s expected to be back on campus?

Heard Undie say that he played very well and is on his way home (here).

 

[Joel Goodson]

Could it be that the super-seniors decided to come back because of the NIL $$$? At one point I thought they had aspirations of playing together in Europe. However, there are COVID uncertainties abroad. They are beloved Illini and probably able to cash in as much or more than going overseas.

Could this mean they may be willing to take a slightly reduced role because of this? Even if just 5 minutes/game for some of the other talent, or is this not even a remote possibility?

I could see Underwood just rotating his best 8-9 players regardless, but just wondering.

The guys who play the best in practice will get the most tick.

 

[pruman91]

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.

Finally got around to listening to this podcast......I hope brad is our coach for the next 25 years......I will say again , he seems so down to earth and is like a dude you want to have a beer with and talk hoops for an afternoon...

What he said about the frosh was encouraging and Payne also....When Loren asked him about the NIL , Brad just laughed and said I don't know.....

 

[the juiceman cometh]

2.7 fouls in 21 minutes per game. This is doubtless a hot take, but if reins in his fouls he may also rein in some of the craziness that leads to the brilliant plays he makes.

I absolutely think he can reign in the fouls without affecting his playmaking. The fouls are typically on the defensive end, reaching in and trying to poke the ball out, when the play just isn't there for him. He made some of those plays but I think his real brillance was with facilitating on the offensive end. Now, if you said the brilliant plays go hand in hand with the turnovers I'd agree with you there. I think he's always going to he turnover prone, but I do think the brilliant play to turnover ratio will improve.

 

[FromTheLogo]

what choice do they have on taking reduced roles? BU will play who gives us the best chance to win. Those guys came back to win games

I agree. However, they can win games in Europe too.

 

[Ignatius Shang]

Finally got around to listening to this podcast......I hope brad is our coach for the next 25 years......I will say again , he seems so down to earth and is like a dude you want to have a beer with and talk hoops for an afternoon...

What he said about the frosh was encouraging and Payne also....When Loren asked him about the NIL , Brad just laughed and said I don't know.....

View attachment 11604

BU satisfies my imagination of a stereotypical Midwesterner lol. The first people I met in the US are my fellow PhD students and professors: they are really nice, but the academics are not like the "dude you want to have a beer with and talk hoops for an afternoon". Watching BU yelling at players in the timeouts and cheers together in the locker room was fantastic.

 

[HailtotheChief]

With the roster fully set, here's what I think will be the main starting lineup as the season goes on

Belo
Trent
Hutch
Grandison
Kofi

I think Hutch will slide in to the starting spot as we get closer to conference play. Do I think this roster is better than last year's? Not yet. Do I think it is worse? No, I think it's about even. Losing Ayo is huge, but we should have opportunities at more, and better, 3pt shooting. The x-factors here are Hutch and Hawkins. Can Hutch be as advertised? Can Hawkins fill the only weakness this roster has by being a stretch 4? If those two questions are answered in the affirmative, we have a legit contender on our hands. We just might even if one or both of those are negative.

I agree with most of this. I also feel one thing that is being overlooked who is finishing close games. Hutch statistically should be our best FT shooter at around 87% and with his length, athleticism and shooting ability may be our best option to get his own shot. I dont see how he won't be on the floor closing out games with the lead.
. Also Jacob shot 3s at over 41% last year and with Kofi back should manage on D and as the stretch 4. I hope Coleman or BBV can step up but I feel there is more reason to expect Jacob to fill that role. I hope Coleman or BBV can too but I just haven't seen enough from either to be overly optimistic. Plus BU also said yesterday that Payne will play the 4 as well.
I realize Austin has not played in the B10 but he has shown it as an All Conference player in DIII
he was the man there, had solid major offers, high praise from everyone and works out with NBA guys so I expect big things from him.
I also expect at least one freshman to step up. Its happenned it seems each of the last 3 or 4 years with BU.

 

[BWA]

I agree with most of this. I also feel one thing that is being overlooked who is finishing close games. Hutch statistically should be our best FT shooter at around 87% and with his length, athleticism and shooting ability may be our best option to get his own shot. I dont see how he won't be on the floor closing out games with the lead.
. Also Jacob shot 3s at over 41% last year and with Kofi back should manage on D and as the stretch 4. I hope Coleman or BBV can step up but I feel there is more reason to expect Jacob to fill that role. I hope Coleman or BBV can too but I just haven't seen enough from either to be overly optimistic. Plus BU also said yesterday that Payne will play the 4 as well.
I realize Austin has not played in the B10 but he has shown it as an All Conference player in DIII
he was the man there, had solid major offers, high praise from everyone and works out with NBA guys so I expect big things from him.
I also expect at least one freshman to step up. Its happenned it seems each of the last 3 or 4 years with BU.

Hopefully we will be blowing teams out all the time and our starters will be resting on the bench.

 

[HailtotheChief]

Hopefully we will be blowing teams out all the time and our starters will be resting on the bench.

It is still the B10 and just like last year there will be a lot of close games. Hopefully they will be less stressful with four guys like TF, AH, JG and AP who all have shot FTs at over 80%. However I will certainly take all the blow outs we can get! Hopefully AC, DW and Kofi will improve from the stripe too but it will be nice if we put those four out there with a lead in the final minutes when teams want to send us to the line. ILL...

 

[Tacomallini]

INI