Hawkins and BBV should definately be hungry for time next season. Hoping BBV being held out to fully recover as his setbacks took him out of this season. DaMonte back would be super backup at 2, 3 with his shooting from outside due to excellent shot selection a big plus. I saw a great drive from him and with continued health he might be regaining some of his explosiveness I hear so much about pre injury DaMonte. Trent bringing the toughness. Those two back would be great. Kofi back puts a top 5 squad on floor with quality and size 1-5. Kofi, Hawkins/ Williams/Grandison , Miller, Frazier Curbelo brings a lot to look forward to. With Giorgi, Hamlin, Grandison/ Williams, Goode, bring plenty of backup size and shooting to 3/4/5. Curbelo and Frazier logging heavy minutes and Miller providing some ball handling help all spots covered with no additions. Padilla?, transfer? Underwood? (haha, not haha) pg recruit dare say Ayo return all possible depth options. Giorgi, Hawkins, Grandison, Curbelo, Miller provide a solid core with Hamlin,Goode,BBV, Padilla needing some reserves to step up and adding transfer or additional recruit. With any of the 4 possible returnees helping immensely...the more the merrier IMO. Burnett or rotational impact transfer brings floor top 20/30 range losing Ayo and Kofi. I...L...L...
Illini Basketball 2020-2021
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This post has the same energy as my mom when she calls me a "handsome young man". Unrelenting and blind support. I-L-L
I...N...I...!!!This post has the same energy as my mom when she calls me a "handsome young man". Unrelenting and blind support. I-L-L
altenberger22
- South Carolina
I'm sure this has been discussed already in various threads, but it was interesting to see how poorly our Big 10 players were being ranked by (at least) one NBA draft expert. Here's what I recall seeing during the Indiana broadcast:
1. Franz Wagner - MICH (1st round #16)
2. Garza - IOWA (1st round)
3. Ayo - ILL (2nd round #36)
4. Jackson-Davis - IND (2nd round)
5. Livers - MICH (2nd round)
I recall Dakich asking about Kofi not being ranked in either the first or second rounds and the expert replied that he needs to work on his exterior defense (guarding the perimeter), as well as his offensive range. Thinking we may now have a 10% chance he returns for his Junior year.
I've seen Ayo ranked as high as #22.
1. Franz Wagner - MICH (1st round #16)
2. Garza - IOWA (1st round)
3. Ayo - ILL (2nd round #36)
4. Jackson-Davis - IND (2nd round)
5. Livers - MICH (2nd round)
I recall Dakich asking about Kofi not being ranked in either the first or second rounds and the expert replied that he needs to work on his exterior defense (guarding the perimeter), as well as his offensive range. Thinking we may now have a 10% chance he returns for his Junior year.
I've seen Ayo ranked as high as #22.
This is up there with the most absurd posts I’ve seen on this website
I thought I saw Garza below Ayo (low 2nd round).
JJB
- Chicago, IL
Discussion on First-Team All American on the Athletic ($)
College basketball’s most surprising and disappointing teams, All-Americans: Shot Takers
Takeaway: Luka Garza, Jared Butler, and Corey Kispert are locks.
One writer has Ayo as pick 'em for last spot w/ Davion Mitchell. Other has Ayo probably on first team; provided Illini finish strong down the stretch.
College basketball’s most surprising and disappointing teams, All-Americans: Shot Takers
Takeaway: Luka Garza, Jared Butler, and Corey Kispert are locks.
One writer has Ayo as pick 'em for last spot w/ Davion Mitchell. Other has Ayo probably on first team; provided Illini finish strong down the stretch.
If heart were the determining factor of where a kid is drafted, Garza would be the top pick in the draft. The kid isn't very athletic, he's not explosive whatsoever, he's heavy footed, but he's always beating his man down the floor and there isn't a loose ball that he won't dive on. He's 100% on every play. It makes him a great, great college player, but nothing about his measurables make him a "must have" on an NBA draft board.
Now, it's almost the exact opposite for Ayo. Most of the measurables are there, but he doesn't shoot the ball great and he's not very explosive. He's very creative when he finishes, but he gets stuck on the baseline....a lot, with nowhere to go. He also has a tendency to disappear for halves at a time He's another guy that draft scouts aren't putting on their boards as a must have.
The Big Ten is the best conference in the country from a team perspective. I don't think there are a lot of "elite"(by NBA definitions) players on the conference.
Don't ever lose your Illini Faith Brother!
By NBA definitions, I don't think there are a lot of elite players in college basketball this season. I think Cunningham has a chance to be very good, but even on his case I'd expect him to be more "Robin" than "Batman" on a championship level team. He is so young and skilled that maybe there is another level there for him.
2 of the consensus top 5 guys are playing in the G-League.
I think there are a lot of players who can help NBA teams, but I don't see anyone who is going a carry a franchise. (Maybe CC)
skyIdub
Winged Warrior
Kofi coming back to bang with other B1G bigs for another year isn't his ideal path to the NBA. He has the footwork and quickness (better than Garza) to develop more of the current NBA 5 type skills. Playing against more athletic 4/5's, developing an outside shot, and guarding the perimeter more will prepare him better. He's gonna get that in the G league, and I will be amazed if some team doesn't recognize this and give him that shot.
Late rounds or UDFA.
Watching Deandre Ayton's game, Kofi is not incapable of developing that type of game. Doesn't need to shoot three's, but he showed some moves vs. Iowa that will translate easily into NBA post success. Maybe drop 20 lbs and his quickness will improve.
Late rounds or UDFA.
Watching Deandre Ayton's game, Kofi is not incapable of developing that type of game. Doesn't need to shoot three's, but he showed some moves vs. Iowa that will translate easily into NBA post success. Maybe drop 20 lbs and his quickness will improve.
The Sprouting Divot
Invisible and Bulletproof
- Miracle Mile
It reminded me of that legendary and effusive post where Jeff Frank compared Jamar Smith to a greyhound. I doubt that I'll also remember this post 15 years from now, but I appreciate the optimism nevertheless...
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Great visualization of what Weber and Groce did to this program, and the hole BU has had to dig us out of.
B-ILL
- Working From Home
This is the content I'm looking for on the interwebs.
GrayGhost77
- Centennial, CO
This just fully illustrates that what BU has done to dig us out of the massive hole we were in as a men's BB program has truly been remarkable.
This is what it will come down to.
Agree with other posters that his role at Illinois is not preparing him for the NBA whatsoever. Needs to lose about 15-20 lbs and work on his explosiveness and shooting. The fact that his 10 footer to win the IU game was perhaps the longest shot he’s taken all year is the perfect illustration.
Jahlil Okafor has made a decent living as a role player in the league. I could see Kofi in that role, also.
Jahlil Okafor had/has a much more developed offensive game. But then again, Kofi is a better defender/rebounder.
That's some kinda awesome!
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