Illini Basketball 2020-2021

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#1      

Dan

Admin
Welcome to the Illini Basketball 2020-2021 thread :illinois:
 
#2      

BMoreIllini

Baltimore, MD
Following up the Curbelo video posted in the last basketball thread...

There always seems to be a lot of criticism in game threads about Curbelo. Yes, he plays too fast and puts himself in bad spots at times, but he is putting up huge numbers and doing it as a freshman. In B1G play (10 games), he's averaging 5.7 assists per game in less than 23 min/game. That puts his AP40M rate at 10 ast/40 min, which appears to be the best in the B1G. For reference, Ayo's B1G rates are 4.6 APG and AP40M rate is 5.3. In B1G play, Curbelo is averaging 2.3 TO per game, which gives him an average of about 2.5 AST/ TO ratio in conference play. (Ayo's usage is obviously different than Curbelo, but he's our next best assist man because he can open up shots for others because of his playmaking ability.)

My point being, Curbelo is a really special player as a freshman and I don't think fans realize just how good his numbers are.
 
#3      
I'll post this video again in this thread. Since it was referenced.

Also, I love watching Curbelo. If you've ever played the game with a good court vision guy, then you know how much fun they make it to play basketball. Curbelo appears to have what it takes to be the best I've seen at Illinois at this.

 
#4      
You know - it's no surprise that people always want to transfer with the narratives fans put out. I saw someone say, "Why didn't Coleman get more tick? This would be the smart decision if we're trying to recruit his former teammate".

Are we playing to win or to recruit? If fans were constantly in my ear about how I should play more, it might make me feel like I'm entitled to more and prevent me from earning a spot. Food for thought.
 
#5      
You know - it's no surprise that people always want to transfer with the narratives fans put out. I saw someone say, "Why didn't Coleman get more tick? This would be the smart decision if we're trying to recruit his former teammate".

Are we playing to win or to recruit? If fans were constantly in my ear about how I should play more, it might make me feel like I'm entitled to more and prevent me from earning a spot. Food for thought.
I don’t think "Hawkins is going to transfer because he didn't play in the Iowa game" is a good take. But "Hawkins is going to transfer because fans said he should play more" is also not a good take.
 
#6      
I don’t think "Hawkins is going to transfer because he didn't play in the Iowa game" is a good take. But "Hawkins is going to transfer because fans said he should play more" is also not a good take.
My comment was less about Hawkins and just a general comment. I think people create noise out of fear that makes people consider things they weren't even considering before. I think it can also amplify conversations being had by those in a close circle. Just food for thought.
 
#7      
My comment was less about Hawkins and just a general comment. I think people create noise out of fear that makes people consider things they weren't even considering before.
I just think players probably give very little, if any, weight to what fans say on message boards or social media. If anyone is stoking resentment about minutes or the like, it's going to be friends/family/AAU coaches etc., not random fans whining on Loyalty.
 
#8      
I just think players probably give very little, if any, weight to what fans say on message boards or social media. If anyone is stoking resentment about minutes or the like, it's going to be friends/family/AAU coaches etc., not random fans whining on Loyalty.
I respectfully disagree. Players read social media just like anyone else. Players look their name up on social media. I don't think anyone is void of being influenced by what they read. Just like how constantly seeing an ad may influence my buying decisions, constantly seeing fans saying I deserve to play more might plant the idea in my head and lead me to open that conversation to my circle.

I appreciate your perspective though. I was just curious to see what others thought. Not advocating for people not to post their rants on social media. I have no control of anyone, but myself and even without social media, players would hear this stuff from fans in person.
 
#12      
I'll post this video again in this thread. Since it was referenced.

Also, I love watching Curbelo. If you've ever played the game with a good court vision guy, then you know how much fun they make it to play basketball. Curbelo appears to have what it takes to be the best I've seen at Illinois at this.

he simply has something you just cant teach...
 
#13      
Last year I didn’t think there was a chance of losing Kofi, until there was. Next year I am just expecting it. However, if he does return I don’t expect much drop off. Certainly it will hurt to lose Ayo but the additional experience of Belo, Ace, Grandison, Hawk and the possible additions of BBV and Hutch as well as Goode and ?. In total better balance and strength at every position.
 
#14      
Last year I didn’t think there was a chance of losing Kofi, until there was. Next year I am just expecting it. However, if he does return I don’t expect much drop off. Certainly it will hurt to lose Ayo but the additional experience of Belo, Ace, Grandison, Hawk and the possible additions of BBV and Hutch as well as Goode and ?. In total better balance and strength at every position.

Kofi still isn't a great NBA prospect unfortunately for him due to the style of play of the nba. He would have been a first rounder 10 years ago. He would have been a lottery pick 20 years ago.

The game is just that different and it stinks for him. He's certainly a stud at the collegiate level and I hope he develops what the NBA is looking for but it's hard to determine if that'll happen.
 
#15      

Deleted member 747840

D
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Not sure Kofi has much more he can prove in college. Same rhetoric--if he can open his game up to the 3 pt line, he could be a first rounder. By all accounts, he's an extremely hard worker. I think Garza is a better NBA prospect, and I would be shocked if he goes first round. Though I do think Garza's limitations are harder to coach up than Kofi's.

I will also say that if Kofi does stay, he'll have an even better shot at showing what he can do. I think it's a decision between being a bigger figure next year on this team, or trying to sell himself in the summer to the NBA/going overseas.
 
#16      

Deleted member 746826

D
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Kofi still isn't a great NBA prospect unfortunately for him due to the style of play of the nba. He would have been a first rounder 10 years ago. He would have been a lottery pick 20 years ago.

The game is just that different and it stinks for him. He's certainly a stud at the collegiate level and I hope he develops what the NBA is looking for but it's hard to determine if that'll happen.
there is still a place in the nba for a rebounder. You dont have to get more than nine minutes out of a great rebounder for him to help out.
 
#17      
there is still a place in the nba for a rebounder. You dont have to get more than nine minutes out of a great rebounder for him to help out.
Dennis Rodman made a lot of money being that guy
 
#18      
So I was just casually browsing some mock drafts.. Saw the most unforgivable thing I've ever seen.
Screenshot_20210202-133647.png
 
#24      

GallopingGhost

Denver, CO
I'll post this video again in this thread. Since it was referenced.

Also, I love watching Curbelo. If you've ever played the game with a good court vision guy, then you know how much fun they make it to play basketball. Curbelo appears to have what it takes to be the best I've seen at Illinois at this.

Could also make another tape (albeit shorter) of his turnovers and mistakes haha. Love the kid though
 
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