Illini Basketball 2021-2022

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#176      

Retro62

North Bethesda, Maryland
Nope. And given last year was his first and it was the Covid year, even if he had it wouldn’t really be “playing at Maryland.” But Hunter’s Illini fan comments weren’t about the fans in the stands but those on social media. Given that even before this, he, Liddell and Trayce JD were probably the most mentioned opponent players on this board positive or negative — and in the case of Hunter predominantly negative — it would not surprise me if enough of the Illini fans interacting with Hunter on social media would lead Hunter to label Illini fans as annoying.

Again, I have no problem with what he said. He didn’t say anything bad about the current team — “I’m cool with Kofi. I don’t really know Curbelo too much but he seems cool.” All this just gives the Krush some ammo, and I’m fine with that too. As to those that think “the Illini are living rent free in Hunter’s head,” I get the impression he probably relishes things like this. So when he under performs against the Illini, I think it will be about Kofi being much better and not what a bunch of chuckleheads say to him on social media
I guess he hasn’t…didn’t realize that. Well, if he does this year he‘ll have some more to talk about. It does make sense that he’s talking more about social media, thanks for the clarification. I don’t have an issue with it either, but he will get a real earful when he’s in CU. When you get right down to it, it makes the whole thing a bit more fun.
 
#177      
My point was talent with experience it’s a rare year you get the best big man in the country coming back- with 2 super seniors and a lot of other experienced players. we’ll be one of the oldest top teams in the country for sure.

Michigan has the #1 recruiting class in the country coming in this year so of course they have highly ranked players that are talented- but how many will be better at playing basketball than Curbelo or Kofi this year?

I like our chances against Michigan
The kind of talent Michigan has might be overwhelming by end of the season. Of course you could same the same thing about Kentucky and Duke most years, and they've been !!!! lately (and now add Memphis to that list). I do like the talent/experience of our team. I just don't think we're the clearcut favorite in the Big Ten like you say.
 
#178      
I believe that the use of the roster will depend on the opponents strengths and or weaknesses....our roster will be very balanced in that we have the flexibility to play a variety of ways (we can play fast or we could slow things down some if Kofi and Payne are both in the lineup at the same time)....depending on who we are playing (and who may be in foul trouble) will dictate on how the roster will be utilized
Hoping our foul trouble will be improved this year. Belo needs to dial it back a little and, I hope, he will with a year of experience under his belt. Giorgi and Adam fouled too much, but they are gone. Who knows how the zebras will call Kofi's game.
 
#179      
5 Kofi, 5-4 Payne, 4 Hawk, 5-4 BBV. that is legit size down low, 4-3 Grandison, 4,3,2, DaMonte, 3, Hutch, that is some stoutness an size at 3 and some agilility at 4. Payne and Hawk have been said to shown solid improvement. Curbelo, Frazier and Plummer will be a handfull for any team in the country. That is 9 deep with BBV def having the body to be of use if only to give some fouls. Hutch unproven in games and Payne it could also be said unproven. Goode, Podz and Melendez provide some minutes here and there and shooting at a minimum...Plus defenders IMO are ...Kofi, Payne, DaMonte, Frazier...on the cusp Belo...I could see this as a starting five if Hutch cannot defend and Hawk cannot provide lateral movement and help D. The joys of having a good basketball team again....I..L...L...and offense is a given...
 
#180      
5 Kofi, 5-4 Payne, 4 Hawk, 5-4 BBV. that is legit size down low, 4-3 Grandison, 4,3,2, DaMonte, 3, Hutch, that is some stoutness an size at 3 and some agilility at 4. Payne and Hawk have been said to shown solid improvement. Curbelo, Frazier and Plummer will be a handfull for any team in the country. That is 9 deep with BBV def having the body to be of use if only to give some fouls. Hutch unproven in games and Payne it could also be said unproven. Goode, Podz and Melendez provide some minutes here and there and shooting at a minimum...Plus defenders IMO are ...Kofi, Payne, DaMonte, Frazier...on the cusp Belo...I could see this as a starting five if Hutch cannot defend and Hawk cannot provide lateral movement and help D. The joys of having a good basketball team again....I..L...L...and offense is a given...
Great discussion, but I’m hoping Damonte at the four is mostly done.

I love me some DW-bulldog, but NOT at the four.
 
#182      
Great discussion, but I’m hoping Damonte at the four is mostly done.

I love me some DW-bulldog, but NOT at the four.
I generally agree, but there are certain matchups where Damonte works great at the 4.

I'm guessing the start five at the beginning of the season has Damonte at the 3 and J Grand at the 4. We know who the guards and C are, so the only spots in play are the forwards. If Hutch is healthy and half as good as his legend, maybe he supplants Damonte at some point.
 
#183      

skyIdub

Winged Warrior
Unless he's locking EJ the f down..
DMFW.JPG
 
#184      
5 Kofi, 5-4 Payne, 4 Hawk, 5-4 BBV. that is legit size down low, 4-3 Grandison, 4,3,2, DaMonte, 3, Hutch, that is some stoutness an size at 3 and some agilility at 4. Payne and Hawk have been said to shown solid improvement. Curbelo, Frazier and Plummer will be a handfull for any team in the country. That is 9 deep with BBV def having the body to be of use if only to give some fouls. Hutch unproven in games and Payne it could also be said unproven. Goode, Podz and Melendez provide some minutes here and there and shooting at a minimum...Plus defenders IMO are ...Kofi, Payne, DaMonte, Frazier...on the cusp Belo...I could see this as a starting five if Hutch cannot defend and Hawk cannot provide lateral movement and help D. The joys of having a good basketball team again....I..L...L...and offense is a given...
I agree- when you look at what this team was missing last year
- Big 4 who can rebound and block shots: Payne
- slashing 3 who can get in the paint (AM was occasionally that but really became a 3 and D player): Hutch
-
deadeye three point shooter to stretch the D from collapsing on Kofi: Plummer

We’ve added missing pieces to the point it’s really hard to find a weakness - If Curbelo develops like we all know he can running this offense - this team could be really special
 
#185      
5 Kofi, 5-4 Payne, 4 Hawk, 5-4 BBV. that is legit size down low, 4-3 Grandison, 4,3,2, DaMonte, 3, Hutch, that is some stoutness an size at 3 and some agilility at 4. Payne and Hawk have been said to shown solid improvement. Curbelo, Frazier and Plummer will be a handfull for any team in the country. That is 9 deep with BBV def having the body to be of use if only to give some fouls. Hutch unproven in games and Payne it could also be said unproven. Goode, Podz and Melendez provide some minutes here and there and shooting at a minimum...Plus defenders IMO are ...Kofi, Payne, DaMonte, Frazier...on the cusp Belo...I could see this as a starting five if Hutch cannot defend and Hawk cannot provide lateral movement and help D. The joys of having a good basketball team again....I..L...L...and offense is a given...
I don't think 'Hutch cannot defend' will be the problem. BU has said on several occasions that he gave Ayo fits in practice in the year he sat out and was healthy.
 
#189      
The more I learn about the new players on the roster the more jacked I am getting for this upcoming season.
Unless I am off, this squad would seem to have talent and depth across the floor.

By happenstance coach has perhaps the most talented squad he has ever coached.
I am guessing he is ready to go for it all.
I'm ready too.
 
#191      
Looking at last year’s stats we lose 75.1 minutes, 11.0 rebounds, and 31.6 points. Believe Alf and Omar can easily replace Adam and Giorgi’s 12.1 points and 5.3 rebounds with less minutes. That leaves Ayo’s 35.2 mins 5.7 rebounds, and 19.5 points. Also believe they can be picked up rather easily between Hutch and increases in Kofi, Belo, Trent and Hawks production. Ayo’s minutes can be spread between Belo, Hutch and Hawk. Defense will probably determine the minutes rather than offense. Based on the play without Ayo last year, this team can be better.
 
#192      
Here's the current lineup..5 Kofi, 4....open, 3...open, 2 Frazier, 1 Curbelo. Hoping for discussion on the 3 and 4 spots.
 
#193      

lstewart53x3

Scottsdale, Arizona
Here's the current lineup..5 Kofi, 4....open, 3...open, 2 Frazier, 1 Curbelo. Hoping for discussion on the 3 and 4 spots.
To start the season:

4 Grandison
3 Damonte

To end the season:

Replace Damonte with Hutcherson.
 
#195      
To start the season:

4 Grandison
3 Damonte

To end the season:

Replace Damonte with Hutcherson.
Possibility of Hawk replacing Grandison by season end. Not betting the beach house but would love to see it as Grandison is solid and would mean Hawk is really good. Think minutes are going to vary greatly at the four depending on matchups. I can see Grandison getting time at the three also.
 
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