Indirectly, Belo could also help BU give Kofi an extra breather or 2. I think Belo could boost Omar's offensive productivity in the pnr and on the offensive glass. Omar has been pretty much useless on the offensive side. He needs an elite pnr point guard that can break down the defense and get him the ball. If that can happen maybe BU will feel more comfortable leaving him out there longer. There have been many times when Kofi looks exhausted this season. Him being fresh in the last 5 minutes would be a luxury.
Pregame: Illinois vs Wisconsin, Wednesday, February 2nd, 8:00pm CT, BTN
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Late to the party on this conversation but, I was one of the early critics of Belo's play\decision making. At first it seemed as tho there was a bit of hero ball being played but after hearing of the concussion and its after effects I think it's quite clear what the issues were. Last year Andre was one of the most exciting players in the game and I fully expected once his teammates had a chance to get used to his amazing passing that his overall numbers would improve. How many turnovers last year was do to the other player not being ready for his passes? I expect to see drastic improvement by the team as a whole if Belo can stay healthy for the next 3 games straight and pay back Purdue in the rematch.
Although a little counterintuitive, I still think there’s an argument for bringing Curbelo off the bench.
Recent shooting struggles aside, the current starting 5 has shown to be elite offensively. And Omar and Hawkins are probably our 2 best lob catchers so would probably benefit the most from playing with Belo in PnR (of course Kofi can too but he does many other things well).
So would essentially run 2 offenses. 4 out with the starting 5, then back to our ball screen PnR with Belo and the second unit. Of course you could mix and match as matchups/game flow dictates.
Guessing there will be a few speed bumps as we incorporate Belo, maybe even enough speed bumps to cost us the BIG championship, but I am excited to see what this team can become by March.
illini55
- The Villages, FL
I have zero problem with him taking big shots during crunch time. I just don't want to see him taking Jump shots. No one gets to the rim for high percentage shots better than Belo.
Last time I heard, Brad agreed with you. I predict that Belo will come off the bench until he starts.
pruman91
- interviewing new NL's daily....I really really am
Big Ten lead at stake with No. 18 Illinois hosting No. 11 Wisconsin
No. 18 Illinois faces No. 11 Wisconsin in a game between the two teams tied atop the Big Ten standings.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois' first game in the second half of Big Ten play has high stakes.
When No. 11 Wisconsin (17-3, 8-2) visits No. 18 Illinois (15-5, 8-2) on Wednesday in Champaign it'll be a matchup of the two teams tied at the top of the Big Ten standings.
It's also the start of a pivotal stretch for the Illini in Big Ten play where five of their next seven games are against teams alongside them in the top six of the conference standings.
"We've got a very good basketball team coming in here tomorrow night and that's where my focus is," Illinois coach Brad Underwood said. "A month from now, it may mean something. A lot more, a lot less. But right now we're trying to win a Big Ten championship, as they are."
Luckily for Illinois, it will have star Kofi Cockburn back after he made his return from concussion protocol Saturday against Northwestern with 22 points and nine rebounds.Andre Curbelo is also out of health and safety protocols and could finally make his full return. He's missed 13 of the past 15 games because of a concussion and then COVID after a brief two-game stint in the middle of January. He has been back in practice for the past two days."He definitely elevates us to the next level," Cockburn said. "We need him if we are going to win a national championship."
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Big game tonight at home ......................wondering how bad it is now and later towards game time up there in Chambana.......
I will be tuned in on radio and tv, hopefully they got the radio bug fixed.....OK , let's get it rollin..................
Illini 68
wisky 61
Illini improve to 9-2 in the B1G...........
I'll be tuned in .....how bout you ???
LETS GO ILLINI .......how was that pru ?????
You did great , my love ..................
Chad Fleck
- Eureka, IL
The 10 foot fade away shot is pretty darn high percentage as well. I've never been sure if they really counts as a jump shot.
And, yeah. His ability to get easy layups is amazing. It's like he just freezes the defense because they don't know what he's going to do next. Then all of sudden he's getting an incredibly easy layup.
Well....Hello....Makes this gloomy morning a little brighter.....it really really does
I would agree with Belo coming off the bench at least for a few games.....I had a kid that played for me in high school....he was one of my better players but I never started him....he was extremely quick and just kicked our teams defense and offense into another gear when he came off the bench as opposed to him starting....everyone on the team and fans knew that when he came into the game we played at a different level....Once this kid realized he was more valuable to the team coming off the bench and he actually played more minutes that anyone else on the team he embraced this role and thrived....I offered to start him his senior night and he refused....said he didn't want to mess up a good thing....I see AC in a similar role....bringing Belo into the game off the bench could provided that spark that puts us on another level
This is my sense of it, but at the same time, one of Underwood's themes is to have different weapons in the arsenal, and AC most certainly gives him that (when healthy) in how he can pull guys off balance around the basket to score or set someone up.
No, Damonte is exactly the type of player I want to see on the court. He's gritty, smart, and he knows his role. I want Curbelo to be as great as anybody here does. I'm just not sure he is any of those things. He certainly hasn't proven my trust on the court, but I am looking forward to him proving me wrong. And for the record, I think we win that Purdue game without him. Illinois usually finds a way to win those big games at home and that was an uncharacteristic loss in that situation.
Your post simply means you haven’t watched Curbelo and Illini basketball very long.
Trust me, he is all of those things and more.
Whether he earns your trust or not is irrelevant as he is a huge difference maker and he most certainly will prove you wrong.
Finally, we get blown out against Purdue we’re it not for his 20 off the bench in his first game back against Purdue.
It’s ok if you are new to Illini basketball, and welcome to the board, but your making statements that are head scratchers.
I would find that true of all posters on this board,
Anyone in Champaign been out and about this morning? A long time to go before game time, but I'm hoping the roads will be passable by then, assuming I can get off of the side street.
altgeld88
- Arlington, Virginia
pruman91
- interviewing new NL's daily....I really really am
ALSO, lots of penetration and slam dunks.............Lots of disorienting weaving and maintaining the high post.
the motion offense would be a thing of NL beauty.........................
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lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
The Galloping Ghost
- Washington, DC
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