Ransom Stoddard
Ordained Dudeist Priest
- Bloomington, IL
It's amazing to feel like that's a reasonable expectation right now.Natty or bust!
It's amazing to feel like that's a reasonable expectation right now.Natty or bust!
I didn't realize that about transfer fifth year guys. How common was that?There are a lot more 5th year players than previous seasons, and if they also transferred they took a scholarship that would otherwise have been open.
For example, under normal circumstances Mark Smith would have not been eligible to keep playing. Since he has an extra year, he was able to take a scholarship spot at KSU that would have likely been taken by a freshman. If he had stayed at Misery would it not have an effect on the number of available scholarships, but his transfer required him to take one of KSU’s open slots.
Not to mention just sheer strength as Dee also was the QB for his high school football team. And indeed, his Proviso track coach said he was one of the fastest sprinters he'd ever had.You may be right, but my memory of Dee puts him at much faster than Curbelo in straight line speed with the ball. Dee was not as shifty but his speed, especially with the ball, was unmatched by anyone I have seen before or since. When he got out ahead with the ball, no one could catch him. Like Curbelo, he could also dunk. In what way you would consider Curbelo more athletic of the two is a way I have yet to see. But I totally agree, Curbelo's passing game and court awareness give him a plus over Dee in that regard, but Dee made some head shaking passes on occasion...just not every night like we have come to expect from AC. Neither one was/is an elite shooter, but Dee was more dependable with his jumper from the arc. Neither is a slouch and both will be fondly remembered in Illini history.
No more deer in headlights. If Kofi can learn to guard the PNR (and after the Loyola game I expect everyone to test us on that) I think we'll be setinvaluable NCAAT experience this past March. have to imagine we go in with a different mindset next March
Dee shot 36% for his career from 3…just saying. He was a very good shooter.You may be right, but my memory of Dee puts him at much faster than Curbelo in straight line speed with the ball. Dee was not as shifty but his speed, especially with the ball, was unmatched by anyone I have seen before or since. When he got out ahead with the ball, no one could catch him. Like Curbelo, he could also dunk. In what way you would consider Curbelo more athletic of the two is a way I have yet to see. But I totally agree, Curbelo's passing game and court awareness give him a plus over Dee in that regard, but Dee made some head shaking passes on occasion...just not every night like we have come to expect from AC. Neither one was/is an elite shooter, but Dee was more dependable with his jumper from the arc. Neither is a slouch and both will be fondly remembered in Illini history.
And of course Josh Whitman. Can you imagine Mike Thomas?? It’d be a giggleNo offense to our previous coaches but thank God Brad Underwood is in charge of this program during the transfer portal, NIL and mass assistant exodus era.
So many options now with King Kofi back.
Starting Five (for now):
Belo
Trent
DMW
Grandison/Hawkins/Hutch/Payne
Kofi
Plummer and the 3 left out above off the bench.
I realize that I'm probably in the minority, but I will be surprised if the freshmen together don't average at least 12-15 minutes.
I would put Plummer in the starting five - we lack scorer if both DMW and Grandison on court.
And what worries me now is... can we give enough time to the 3 freshmen to persuade them staying in the next transfer portal? I think they are talented boys and would definitely look for opportunities if they cannot find here
Wouldn't surprise me that BU plays them for 12-15 minutes a game, but likely a different one will get most of the time from game to game.I realize that I'm probably in the minority, but I will be surprised if the freshmen together don't average at least 12-15 minutes.
If Hawkins is good enough to pass Grandison at the 4, we are going to have a very good year.Damonte is more than likely going to come off the bench like at the end of last year. Starting 5 is probably Curbelo, Frazier, Hutch, Grandison, Kofi. The only thing I could see being different is if Hawkins has a big leap and takes the starting 4 role.
I’m not sure the exact number, but we have one in Plummer. Basically any one who would have normally been out of eligibility but elected to keep playing AND transferred.I didn't realize that about transfer fifth year guys. How common was that?
I agree.....it's up to the frosh to shine on the court when they get a chance....chance's will be slimmer when the B1G season starts.........Wouldn't surprise me that BU plays them for 12-15 minutes a game, but likely a different one will get most of the time from game to game.
I think that is certainly possible, but I also think there will be plenty of games that one or more of them see no time at all. And there will be blowout games where combined they play 25-30 minutes that will skew things. If they put in the effort, BU will try to get them time but have to remember Hawk only averaged 6.3 mpg and he probably had a clearer road to playing time. You hope none of them transfer after this year, but I hope BU will be concentrating more on winning a national title than worrying about their egos. Next year there will be much more opportunity for playing time as they try to defend their title.I realize that I'm probably in the minority, but I will be surprised if the freshmen together don't average at least 12-15 minutes.
With a roster this deep, no one is going to be guaranteed anything. Practices might be more competitive than some of our non-conference games.I think that is certainly possible, but I also think there will be plenty of games that one or more of them see no time at all. And there will be blowout games where combined they play 25-30 minutes that will skew things. If they put in the effort, BU will try to get them time but have to remember Hawk only averaged 6.3 mpg and he probably had a clearer road to playing time. You hope none of them transfer after this year, but I hope BU will be concentrating more on winning a national title than worrying about their egos. Next year there will be much more opportunity for playing time as they try to defend their title.
I agree. I just don't know how good Hutch is without actually seeing him playing - if he is good enough to be a starting 3 and scores at least 10 pts on average with like 40% from downtown, I would certainly be pleasantly surprisedDamonte is more than likely going to come off the bench like at the end of last year. Starting 5 is probably Curbelo, Frazier, Hutch, Grandison, Kofi. The only thing I could see being different is if Hawkins has a big leap and takes the starting 4 role.