Trent has in the past but he looks to me (not an MD) like he might be playing more hurt than he's letting on besides being nearly our only PG since Belo has not gotten his legs yet
Pregame: Illinois at Michigan State, Saturday, February 19th, 11:00am CT, ESPN
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One of Grandison or Damonte needs to sit. We can’t trot out this starting five anymore.
I don’t think the solution is to run these dudes into the ground at practice, but to have a scathing film session and call out these super seniors for the lack of effort.
I know it’s a sensitive topic around here, but I’m ready to move on from Damonte being featured in a prominent role and see what else we can get out of more talented guys on the bench. Grandison too, for that matter. It would be one thing if these guys were going all out for boards and playing lock down D. But they aren’t, and have not lately, which is inexcusable given that we were literally in control of our own destiny for a regular season title and the fact that they’re super seniors.
Damonte coming off the bench last season turned things around. It might again this year, but we are running out of time.
Last thing: they need to get back to getting Kofi a touch every possession. He should have had 30+ last night. He eats first, and second, for that matter.
I don’t think the solution is to run these dudes into the ground at practice, but to have a scathing film session and call out these super seniors for the lack of effort.
I know it’s a sensitive topic around here, but I’m ready to move on from Damonte being featured in a prominent role and see what else we can get out of more talented guys on the bench. Grandison too, for that matter. It would be one thing if these guys were going all out for boards and playing lock down D. But they aren’t, and have not lately, which is inexcusable given that we were literally in control of our own destiny for a regular season title and the fact that they’re super seniors.
Damonte coming off the bench last season turned things around. It might again this year, but we are running out of time.
Last thing: they need to get back to getting Kofi a touch every possession. He should have had 30+ last night. He eats first, and second, for that matter.
What two games? For the month of February DMW is 8 for 28 from the field and that is 28 percent. That is what he is a shooting from the field as well for the season. This is the norm for him most of the time and I don't expect that to change after 6 seasons. It's pretty clear RJ has more upside especially on offense.Teams are focused on Plummer and doubling Kofi on the bounce and fouling him. Kofi needs to hit his free throws and someone besides Plummer needs to step in and make those shots to loosen the D. Lately that looks like RJ but the issue is defensively out side of Kofi we lack size to defend the post. That goes for both RJ and DMW. I know DMW does well for his size though it's not ideal. I really wish Hawk or BBV could play D and hit from the wing at close to 40 percent. We are feeling the effects of a few of the transfers we needed at the 4 going elsewhere. I think RJ can help on offense but defense will be an issue for our undersized guys against guys like Liddell and Hall.
sacraig
- The desert
I am not expecting DMW to suddenly be a prolific scorer. Don't get me wrong. I am not holding my breath. He has a role that he plays and it generally does not involve a ton of points. Having said that, he has shown an ability to drive and get to the basket. Why he doesn't do it more often is beyond me. Maybe it's the Indiana game I am remembering where he had a really nice drive to the basket, which would have been 3 games ago.
My point was that we do have players that can do this. I have no idea why most of them don't.
You're right. We don't have a mid-range game. That may change next season with Luke, Rodgers and Melendez. We'll have wings with a lot more size. Right now it seems like a Kofi dunk or a 3 pointer. Rutgers showed how lethal the mid-range game can be. But right now the MSU game becomes extremely important. We have to remember the first time we played them we didn't have Kofi.
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I think they don't unless they happen to have an athletic advantage on the opponent guarding them. At times they may and then they will drive. In this conference that may not be most nights for most of them. That's why BU wants long athletic wings. This is another skill set RJ may have an edge over opponents more often due to his explosive athleticism and quickness. Someone needs to drive besides just Trent and Plummer. I know Belo and RJ can on most nights with the skills they have that give them an advantage on offense. Defense playing 4 guys that are really guards is what causes issues. I'd be curious to see how a line up with 3 guards that can drive and shoot along with Kofi and BBV to stop are stronger wings from posting up could do.
I agree. In h.s., DMW had all the offensive moves. I've never understood why he has limited himself to defense and rebounding.
Where you are at now is where I’ve been since the off season. Illinois is a good team and when the shooting is on a very good to great team. I always was worried about who would replace Ayo as the alpha as far as closing games but also just pure leadership. We haven’t found that guy. And Curbelo being hurt hasn’t done this team any favors. Unfortunately, it has led to more bad Belo moments than good ones overall, and we haven’t been able to see the growth that everyone reasonably expected.
But as often is the case, things aren’t as great as people think when all is going well nor as bad as people want to believe during down the stretches. Kofi is still Kofi, AC still has time to get his game in order. The shooting slump will end. And the team will regain the intensity it needs. I expect a much better game out of the crew against MSU. Whether that will be enough for a win remains to be seen.
As for the freshmen, I don’t think RJ will start, but I’d like to see him get some more minutes. I’d also like to see Goode and Podz in there some. But for those calling for RJ to get 30 minutes and Goode and Podz 15 minutes each — it ain’t happening. If BU felt they were ready for that and it would improve the team, I highly doubt they’d be getting the amount of time they are now. BU sees them every day in practice. Sure, maybe he is being a bit conservative with their playing time now, but no one short of injuries is going to have their minutes go up by 15-20 at this point of the season.
I think the team comes out with a renewed sense of urgency, and we see a 5 point victory for the good guys. They’re not as bad as everyone is making them out to be. Hope we can say the same about our fan base too if it takes more than one game to break out of funk.
illini80
- Forgottonia
Yes, but when your All-American is shooting over 60% from 2, the team needs to understand that is always the best shot. I know the coaches and players know that, but in the flow of the game they seem to forget sometimes. That 3 point opportunity is a lot better if Kofi is touching the ball more often.
sacraig
- The desert
Maybe, but Underwood is all about getting layups/dunks or threes. Long twos are lower percentage shots and generally aren't as efficient a method of generating points as short twos or threes. This is also at the heart of his defensive philosophy.
sacraig
- The desert
DMW seemingly never fully recovered from the ACL tear his senior year of HS. Obviously it's structurally sound and he has played on it injury-free for 6 years since then, but he never regained the scoring prowess he showed previously.
This is 100% correct, but even if you look at the NBA, which is much more heavily driven by analytics, you see a place for mid-range jumpers and floaters. For some shooters, that is a highly efficient shot. In that particular circumstance, analytics says you let the player take the shot. I agree you should prioritize 3s and close 2s, but think the idea that you should only take those kinds of shots is a misapplication of analytics.
illini80
- Forgottonia
That’s true and difficult to understand why. He has good lateral quickness and we saw how high he can jump when he blocked that shot a few games back. Maybe he lost some of the quick twitch? Not sure.
altgeld88
- Arlington, Virginia
Belo, often. And Fonso.
The smaller guards other than Belo (because he doesn't pick up his dribble) either shoot 3's or (not enough) go to the rim. They are afraid of the bigger guards blocking their shots from behind in recovery to pull up short of the rim and shoot.
sacraig
- The desert
Could be confidence, too. He may have not had the confidence to develop or use that aspect of his game as a freshman fresh off the injury and by the time that was no longer an issue, he already had his role. Maybe?
altgeld88
- Arlington, Virginia
Fonso had 2 or 3 really nice penetration drives last evening that ended in successful short pull-ups or layups.
Yeah. These in between floaters or whatever they are from the forwards have to stop.
and yet he also says the rim gets smaller for the 3's on the road ... I don't think he minds good 2's. There was one possession where one of our guards last night took a two just inside the 3 point line. THAT he does NOT like.
InDaAZ
- Eugene, Oregon
Belo, Plummer, even Kofi a few times. It’s not BU’s favorite offensive outcome, though…
Edit: Apologies, should have continued to read the resonses.
The Illini need to return to the toughness we played with to get into first place in the Big Ten. The Rutgers blowout was more than just one game. It follows immediately after second half collapses against both NU and PU, and is starting to become a worrying pattern of regression whereby long scoring lapses, multiple unforced turnovers, and lack of rebounding and defensive effort define the Illini. I get that it is a long grueling season and there will be some off nights for every team. But, we need to get this trend turned around so we go into the post season playing at our highest level, instead of limping in on a downward trajectory. Let's beat MSU, with whatever players are showing the most effort and getting the best results.
So I have never been to East Lansing For a game before. just curious about opinions on the following:
1. What is the environment like within the building? Going with my 2 teenage boys, Should we be prepared to get crap from MSU fans? We don't find dishing it back but good natured.
2. Best places to grab food in the East Lansing area near the stadium?
3. Anything else that may be worthwhile To know...
TY
First post here (be kind, please)...
There are three ways that illinois can get better (aside from more consistent effort).
1. They don't move enough on offense. When they are trying to get it to Kofi (which is what they should be doing), they tend to all stand in one spot. They often don't even relocate after sending the ball to the post, let alone cut and get replaced. That lack of movement hurts their shooting against active defenses (the guy that doubles can come back easier), makes the inside-out pass harder, etc. It also is habit-forming and when he is out they have trouble. Their weave is fine, but that is often the only motion they really have. It also creates a lot of turnovers around the perimeter. If the wing is standing there it is a lot easier to pressure that pass than if he is giving a quick screen for someone else or even just v cutting. Side note, the pass to the post from the top creates turnovers, is harder for kofi to handle, etc. They make that pass a lot simply because it is already an adventure just getting it to the wing.
2. They don't box out consistently at all. Kofi has gotten a lot better at not losing his man on the feigned double team, but they still don't find a body nearly as much as they should. Long rebounds are especially bad as the guards often just turn to the basket instead of finding a man.
3. Less important, but they don't even try to get easy baskets on in-bounds plays from under the basket. Sometimes it is an adventure jsut getting it in, with the "box out" lob to the top just to get it in (which is a scary play that also gives no advantage). This is a less important point but shows how much less sophisticated their offense/coaching is compared to teams like MSU, Purdue, etc. that use those inbound plays to create easy buckets.
Defensively, this team is actually pretty good, especially given that they aren't the most athletic or tall team 1-5. Frazier, while a great defender, is undersized, Kofi is improving but still not an incredible defender despite his size, etc. If Melendez keeps progressing he could make them a much better defensive team just by making them taller.
They are for sure going to be very dependent on their 3 point shooting and will live or die by it regardless in the tourney. But when they are pressured they get super-dependent on it and the shots are tougher. At least last night they didn't really turn it over much against the press, so hopefully that is behind them.
There are three ways that illinois can get better (aside from more consistent effort).
1. They don't move enough on offense. When they are trying to get it to Kofi (which is what they should be doing), they tend to all stand in one spot. They often don't even relocate after sending the ball to the post, let alone cut and get replaced. That lack of movement hurts their shooting against active defenses (the guy that doubles can come back easier), makes the inside-out pass harder, etc. It also is habit-forming and when he is out they have trouble. Their weave is fine, but that is often the only motion they really have. It also creates a lot of turnovers around the perimeter. If the wing is standing there it is a lot easier to pressure that pass than if he is giving a quick screen for someone else or even just v cutting. Side note, the pass to the post from the top creates turnovers, is harder for kofi to handle, etc. They make that pass a lot simply because it is already an adventure just getting it to the wing.
2. They don't box out consistently at all. Kofi has gotten a lot better at not losing his man on the feigned double team, but they still don't find a body nearly as much as they should. Long rebounds are especially bad as the guards often just turn to the basket instead of finding a man.
3. Less important, but they don't even try to get easy baskets on in-bounds plays from under the basket. Sometimes it is an adventure jsut getting it in, with the "box out" lob to the top just to get it in (which is a scary play that also gives no advantage). This is a less important point but shows how much less sophisticated their offense/coaching is compared to teams like MSU, Purdue, etc. that use those inbound plays to create easy buckets.
Defensively, this team is actually pretty good, especially given that they aren't the most athletic or tall team 1-5. Frazier, while a great defender, is undersized, Kofi is improving but still not an incredible defender despite his size, etc. If Melendez keeps progressing he could make them a much better defensive team just by making them taller.
They are for sure going to be very dependent on their 3 point shooting and will live or die by it regardless in the tourney. But when they are pressured they get super-dependent on it and the shots are tougher. At least last night they didn't really turn it over much against the press, so hopefully that is behind them.
Have never been to The Breslin Center or even the old Jenison Fieldhouse. From TV it appears the student fans like to jump up and down in place like the Duke Blue Devil fans. Other than that, it's Greek to me ... Glad you three are going to represent Illinois Loyalty.
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