Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

[Illini_1979]

I will be sad if Belo leaves. I was worried he might decide to do so when I saw his tweet posted here soon after the UH game. I don't remember the exact wording (and I don't do Twitter) but it included something to the effect of "Time to reflect." That worried me when I saw it and it still does. Hopefully, he will reconsider (if a decision has even been made) and stick with us.

 

[goillini30]

I'm really torn because I'm invested in Curbelo...I don't know what happened at halftime vs Houston...but a few things have been bugging me...we're playing our best basketball of the season pre Curbelo coming back and the results going forward changed drastically...he makes the fantastic play...then makes the worst play given time and importance..our point guard needs to be a plus player for us to succeed..he is my Dawg but his plus/minus I'm guessing is not on average for what we need...if he challenged BU's game plan at half (hypothetical) and didn't go to the teams meeting...it seems like....

Correlation something something causation...
Seriously though, Curbelo came back right as the schedule got significantly harder. I think we all expected to lose more games in the back half of the conference season. Also, how many times did he come in the game and we were already losing? He absolutely struggled and I'm not denying that, but I don't think the overall team play can be put on him.
If he just made layups and midrange jumpers at the same rate that he did last year I don't think we'd be having nearly as many debates about him. I think those misses can be directly linked to the time sitting out with the concussion then covid. I would be willing to bet that was the longest he's gone without playing live basketball in a long time and it just seemed like he never got that finishing touch back.
Obviously I hope he doesn't transfer, but if he does I'll still be rooting for him.

 

[Heisenbobble]

Is this a certainty? What are the odds Illinois gets Miller, Clark, AND TSJ?

 

[derrick6]

I’d be willing to bet $$ Belo will be back.

 

[sacraig]

 

[logjam]

Correlation something something causation...
Seriously though, Curbelo came back right as the schedule got significantly harder. I think we all expected to lose more games in the back half of the conference season. Also, how many times did he come in the game and we were already losing? He absolutely struggled and I'm not denying that, but I don't think the overall team play can be put on him.
If he just made layups and midrange jumpers at the same rate that he did last year I don't think we'd be having nearly as many debates about him. I think those misses can be directly linked to the time sitting out with the concussion then covid. I would be willing to bet that was the longest he's gone without playing live basketball in a long time and it just seemed like he never got that finishing touch back.
Obviously I hope he doesn't transfer, but if he does I'll still be rooting for him.

I get it he's one of my favorites...I agree with a previous poster that said...I don't think he ever was in synch with himself this year. Will root for him staying or leaving.

 

[illini0440]

I’d be willing to bet $$ Belo will be back.

How much money you got?

 

[illini0440]

Is this a certainty? What are the odds Illinois gets Miller, Clark, AND TSJ?

Right now….pretty good

 

[illini0440]

I will be sad if Belo leaves. I was worried he might decide to do so when I saw his tweet posted here soon after the UH game. I don't remember the exact wording (and I don't do Twitter) but it included something to the effect of "Time to reflect." That worried me when I saw it and it still does. Hopefully, he will reconsider (if a decision has even been made) and stick with us.

It would be best for Belo and Illinois if he were to move on.

 

[GForce]

I don't get all these 'no big deal' takes on Belo possibly leaving. The kid was an absolute revelation at the end of his freshman year, was arguably are best most important player not named Kofi coming back this year, and was believed had a higher NBA ceiling than anyone on our team. And despite this season being almost a total loss for him, his defense was outstanding down the stretch. He'd be our only experienced ball handler next year, the only guard with any experience at all... losing him would be huge.

 

[GBIllini]

Fo

For me I don't want Miller back. There are better transfer gaurds out there and if we don't get any those I am good with what we have and what is coming in. Dont want any players here who don't stay loyal to the program.

 

[illini0440]

Fo
For me I don't want Miller back. There are better transfer gaurds out there and if we don't get any those I am good with what we have and what is coming in. Dont want any players here who don't stay loyal to the program.

 

[illinigiant80]

My biggest frustration with him is that he never seemed to try to do anything differently to get better. And spent too much time talking about tuning out "the haters" and that he was just gonna play how he plays. Never really heard him say anything like "I played like crap and need to play better".

I don't think he owes anybody a mea culpa but I'm starting to understand why he may wanna try a different fanbase on for size with these garbage takes

Our fanbase on sports forums are mild compared to a lot them

 

[Joel Goodson]

What's gonna happen when someone beats out Miller?

 

[Kathy]

I'm have tried to get excited about the possibility of Miller coming back, but honestly, it just feels hollow. I know he's talented, but I'd rather go with our new comers and present team. That excites me. Just my opinion.

 

[LFOD]

It would be best for Belo and Illinois if he were to move on.

I agree. Nothing against Belo, but it’s time for a change.

 

[RodSerlingsHeater]

What's gonna happen when someone beats out Miller?

Does anyone know if a similar situation has ever actually happened?

 

[sacraig]

Fo
For me I don't want Miller back. There are better transfer gaurds out there and if we don't get any those I am good with what we have and what is coming in. Dont want any players here who don't stay loyal to the program.

Thankfully you aren't the coach.

 

[Shockey19]

Right now….pretty good

Any news on Brandon Murray?

 

[illini27jake]

Adam Miller was great on defense as a freshman, sure his offense didn't meet what we all hoped but we never got to see what type of Sophmore leap he could have made. Hope the ACL doesn't slow that down

 

[IlliniBrave75]

For me I don't want Miller back. There are better transfer gaurds out there and if we don't get any those I am good with what we have and what is coming in. Dont want any players here who don't stay loyal to the program.

A transfer who already knows BU’s system and was really good as a freshman on the defensive end! We don’t need that at all with all the talent that won’t be back! /s

 

[illini0440]

Any news on Brandon Murray?

Chester has been in contact

 

[TooHot4Tots]

How has Miller’s rehab gone?

 

[IlliniGAP19]

58 pages of commentary. Lots of good pros and cons about Belo staying. Here’s my take…my personal POV:

1. In college sports, the coach is always right. You listen and you run the coach’s plan.
2. If you don’t like the coach’s style, don’t accept the scholarship offer. Find a coach that fits you.
3. You can’t have two (2) “faces of the Illini” on the court at the same time (Trent and Belo). Someone needs to say it……The Chemistry between those two never worked on the court (I have no idea if they are friends or just tolerate each other).

Coach BU…..next year, just have One Field General + one “willing” Lieutenant. Belo in the lead role works great. Give him the “keys to the team” and find his willing Lieutenant.

 

[I-L-L]

Here is my two cents on Belo (not that anyone asked) because I am really torn.

He was so good as a freshman. Winning 6th man, seemingly playing more under control, averaging 4.2 assists and 2.6 TOs.

He obviously regressed this year averaging 3.2 assists and 2.8 TOs, struggled with decision making.

Was this the familiar sophomore slump? The concussion certainly had an affect.

He is obviously a talented player. The question is..who is the real Curbelo? Is the juice worth the squeeze...

I love that you say you're torn! I think everyone should be. 6th man of the year in the Big Ten as a freshman is quite the feat. This year is so tough to judge due to a VERY SERIOUS concussion. Not a concussion where you miss a couple of games. Remember, Kofi had a concussion and missed just 2-3 games. Belo missed 12 or something like that. He literally missed almost half a season when you include him getting sick, then you're out of shape, etc. I actually hope he comes back. Rewind back to his freshman year and how many of us were saying, this guy is one of the most talented guards in the country? We would've lost it more than AM leaving if Belo left after his freshman year. I think we saw the real Belo year 1 and how can anyone judge year 2 missing so much time with a VERY SERIOUS concussion (not trying to downplay one concussion vs. another, but he was out a long time). I think if you look at this objectively year 3 would tell us which year was a fluke. Hard to fluke 6th man of the year as a freshman!
At the same time, if he's questioning coaching or acting erratically, (I don't know, just reading posts), that's not OK. That being said, I think a lot of players question things with coaches, teammates, etc (not saying this is OK, but it happens a lot more than any of us realize). I haven't heard of this happening more than once in two years with Belo, so, in my humble opinion, you line him out, say you won't do this again and see how he reacts. I mean Juwan Howard struck another coach and still coaches...biggest joke ever....and he still got to coach THIS YEAR FOR THE SAME TEAM!!!!!! Shows you how messed up our world is right now. I digress. I'd love to see Belo at least one more year as an Illini as long as he didn't do something so extreme he deserves to be gone. I'm no insider, so I'm likely missing something. On a positive note, the program seems to be back in good hands!