Da'Monte Williams returns for fifth season at Illinois

#52      

skyIdub

skyIdub
Winged Warrior
skyIdub
CubsIlliniFan said:
I am definitely the minority here but I would rather play the kids. Monte is a glue guy but he will take away minutes from the new players. I hope that Monte will keep being a team player and teaching the kids and then take a back seat to them as the season moves forward.
Click to expand...

So...you want to watch the team struggle through a year just to "play the kids", when you have "elite" :p upperclassmen that have proven they will win in the B1G?
 
#53      

IllinistuckinGopherland

IllinistuckinGopherland
IllinistuckinGopherland
CubsIlliniFan said:
I am definitely the minority here but I would rather play the kids. Monte is a glue guy but he will take away minutes from the new players. I hope that Monte will keep being a team player and teaching the kids and then take a back seat to them as the season moves forward.
Click to expand...
I know this is going to take some getting used to, but returning starters/heavy rotation guys from the #2 team in the country will play above #50-100 ranked incoming freshmen.
 
#55      

rtbritt

rtbritt
rtbritt
Future Walk-On said:
If we thought we would never be as good again then we would be miserable, I vote that we will be better every year forever and ever.
Click to expand...
I'll assume you are being a little over the top on purpose.

I agree with your sentiment, that the team should always strive to be better each year and if you don't have the mentality that you can, you probably won't.

Where I disagree is in fandom, where we fans have unrealistic expectations and just say we will be better without any reason.

If Kofi is back, I believe we have a legit shot to go further in the tournament. Where some disagreement will arise is: does that make us better than this past team? Does the overall record make us better? Which team would you take in a head-to-head matchup? Lot of variables.
 
#56      

3 point girl

3
texas
3 point girl
rtbritt said:
I'll assume you are being a little over the top on purpose.

I agree with your sentiment, that the team should always strive to be better each year and if you don't have the mentality that you can, you probably won't.

Where I disagree is in fandom, where we fans have unrealistic expectations and just say we will be better without any reason.

If Kofi is back, I believe we have a legit shot to go further in the tournament. Where some disagreement will arise is: does that make us better than this past team? Does the overall record make us better? Which team would you take in a head-to-head matchup? Lot of variables.
Click to expand...
I absolutely loved Ayo, but the ball died in his hands sometimes. That game against Michigan showed what ball movement can do. It will be a different team, but if shooters get open looks we can be just fine. If Kofi doesnt come back I have no idea what Payne will be like to make up for his loss.
 
#59      

Fanview

Fanview
Fanview
EllderIlliniFan said:
And enter the portal after their freshman year after starting? :)
Click to expand...
That's the funny thing about it all. People are so paranoid about freshmen leaving that they beg coaches to play them. Coaches give them playing time and it turns out they care about more than just playing time.

The #1 priority should always be to win the current season. Everything else will fall in place with wins.
 
#60      

IllinoisssssssVarsity

I
IllinoisssssssVarsity
3 point girl said:
I absolutely loved Ayo, but the ball died in his hands sometimes. That game against Michigan showed what ball movement can do. It will be a different team, but if shooters get open looks we can be just fine. If Kofi doesnt come back I have no idea what Payne will be like to make up for his loss.
Click to expand...

Ball movement is great. But sometimes you just need a dude who gets a bucket. Especially when teams guarding you know you live on ball movement (see our D vs Mich).
 
#61      

zuma

Z
zuma
I love Damonte. Maybe this is the year he shows he can finish at the rim?