Illini Basketball 2021-2022

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#501      

altenberger22

South Carolina
I expect Curbelo will play 32-35m/game. Where the minutes come from will depend on if we need more offense or defense at the time. We might even have the luxury of going with whomever is hot, or sitting whomever is not.
Agreed. Curbelo will be getting 32+ minutes. And we can bump it up to 34+ once the Big Ten season rolls around.
 
#503      
Remember the good ol days when Trent was a freshman cutting through the lane for the score? He was all we had and he stepped into that role nicely. I can see Trent putting the team on his back in clutch times no doubt
I do remember. It seems so long ago. I also seem to remember his defense was a little soft in the beginning. That definitely isn’t the case now. I wonder where he will rank on the all-time Illini list for games started and played. Number 1? Just like his jersey? I hope he and DMW are rewarded with a very special season.
 
#505      

skyIdub

Winged Warrior
If Curbelo doesn't average 35+min per game, I'll be surprised.
 
#506      

Joel Goodson

respect my decision™
If Curbelo doesn't average 35+min per game, I'll be surprised.
He'll be sitting during garbage time, which should happen early and often. No chance he averages 35+ per. That said, when things are tight, he'll be in.
 
#507      
Yep, I made a mental note of this too. (I'm most skeptical of Podz becoming a big time Division 1 player. The quality of his HS competition concerns me.)
Podz finished season as highest Rivals rated of our inbound fresh..#59. In the end, BU (and I ) subscribe to "ratings dont matter".

Goode and RJ both have length advantage over Podz....believe it will come down to D capability on who gets most tick as Freshman.
 
#508      
I’d 100% want Belo with the ball in that spot. He can go get the bucket himself, get a shooter open, or find Kofi down low

Agreed. The “last shot guy” too often just goes 1 on 1 at the top of the key and pulls up for a tough jumper. Give me a Curbelo / Kofi pick and roll with Trent / Damonte / Plummer spotting up for a 3.

telling that in the last minute of the big ten title game vs OSU in OT it was Curbelo Kofi pick and roll with a crafty open jumper by Andre to put us up 3.
 
#509      

skyIdub

Winged Warrior
He'll be sitting during garbage time, which should happen early and often. No chance he averages 35+ per. That said, when things are tight, he'll be in.

I'm basing that on Ayo's figure last year. It'll be close.
 
#510      

blackdog

Champaign
He'll be sitting during garbage time, which should happen early and often. No chance he averages 35+ per. That said, when things are tight, he'll be in.

I think the biggest limitation for Curbelo could be his tendency to pick up silly fouls. Hopefully he grows out of that but could be interesting to see how that plays out with him getting more minutes.
 
#511      

sacraig

The desert
I think the biggest limitation for Curbelo could be his tendency to pick up silly fouls last seasom. Hopefully he grows out of that but could be interesting to see how that plays out with him getting more minutes.

FIFY. The dude was a true freshman. I can't imagine he won't grow out of it. Decision-making is one area mose rile for improvement for all freshmen.
 
#512      

Joel Goodson

respect my decision™
I think the biggest limitation for Curbelo could be his tendency to pick up silly fouls. Hopefully he grows out of that but could be interesting to see how that plays out with him getting more minutes.
He really cut down on those in the back end of the season. Not worried (too much, lol). But, yeah, to your point: he needs to be locked in to the fact that a whole lot of refs blow calls and be aware of the risk/reward at any given time.
 
#513      
2.7 fouls in 21 minutes per game. This is doubtless a hot take, but if reins in his fouls he may also rein in some of the craziness that leads to the brilliant plays he makes.
 
#515      

pruman91

Paducah, Ky
I think the biggest limitation for Curbelo could be his tendency to pick up silly fouls. Hopefully he grows out of that but could be interesting to see how that plays out with him getting more minutes.
Bingo.....my first thought when mins plated came up........we need him to stay aggressive but thinking before reaching ................
 
#516      

Ken

chitown
Yea - I agree with the Giorgi and Kofi playing together not working out. I'm guessing in practice, it worked, but very different in live game. With everything, you have to take it with a grain of salt. Coaches are going to root for their guys so theres a whole lot of orange and blue tinted glasses

I don't see how Giorgi not working out next to Kofi is a deterrent for any other player. If you really look at it the fact that it didn't work out was a huge blow to our national title chances as Loyola exploited us not being able to have a secondary player with size next to Kofi . It seems to me that all the bigs they were chasing seemed to be with filling that hole in mind . If it works in practice they gotta find a way to get it to transfer to the game .
 
#517      
And let’s not forget, there was an early interview where Payne directly said he was recruited to fill Giorgi’s shoes. Was a bit of a bomb at the time as G hadn’t yet announced he was leaving.
 
#518      
Count me as a bit skeptical of Hutch and of Payne.

I am not saying that they won't both have roles and possibly significant roles, but just because Hutch gave Ayo "all he wanted", how often did that happen? I am highly skeptical of it happening often. That is not to say that he could not have been the best defender on Ayo or even took it at Ayo and scored, but I doubt he was regularly giving Ayo fits...he wasn't even healthy enough to play...AND if it is talking about the year before, I still have my doubts.

Also, with Payne, he could be super athletic and have better offense than Underwood expected, but BU also praises literally every player we have ever had. He talked up Giorgi and Kofi playing together, and we saw how often that actually happened with success.

Another poster who said that BU said Payne and Kofi could player together said it best.... "take it with a grain of salt."

By the way, I am super pumped about Hutch and what he could potentially bring and even Payne being a star IN HIS ROLE.
Having grown up an hour from Champaign in the "Sucker State" (a nickname confirmed in my 5th grade Illinois Notebook required by every 5th grader in the state at that time), I like what BU says about Payne and Hutch. But for the last 25 years, I have lived in Missouri. Simply, like rtbritt, ya gotta show me. Also like Britt, I am fully in the corner of with those who desperately want both players to be all they dream they can be and become Illini legends. Both have had a tough row to hoe and deserve our encouragement and support. Can't wait to see them shine.
 
#519      
I don't see how Giorgi not working out next to Kofi is a deterrent for any other player. If you really look at it the fact that it didn't work out was a huge blow to our national title chances as Loyola exploited us not being able to have a secondary player with size next to Kofi . It seems to me that all the bigs they were chasing seemed to be with filling that hole in mind . If it works in practice they gotta find a way to get it to transfer to the game .
I don't think it's a deterrent for any other player either.
 
#520      
Having grown up an hour from Champaign in the "Sucker State" (a nickname confirmed in my 5th grade Illinois Notebook required by every 5th grader in the state at that time), I like what BU says about Payne and Hutch. But for the last 25 years, I have lived in Missouri. Simply, like rtbritt, ya gotta show me. Also like Britt, I am fully in the corner of with those who desperately want both players to be all they dream they can be and become Illini legends. Both have had a tough row to hoe and deserve our encouragement and support. Can't wait to see them shine.
Also raised in Illinois and have been transplanted in Missouri for many years, I look forward to being shown what every one of the young men will do. This upcoming season in sure will impress and please us all!

I-L-L
 
#521      
Think you could see Hutch and Grandison starting together at some point in the season as well. I am sure Brad will change things up in the non conference schedule a bit.
I think Grandison starts over Damonte and he utilizes him like last year just my opinion obviously. Also hope he incorporates the freshman some. It’s so easy for players to leave which sucks, and I know it’s inevitable but I don’t want all three down. I think coaches have to figure out the right balance to keep them satisfied and hungry. Sorry long winded.
 
#524      
I think Grandison starts over Damonte and he utilizes him like last year just my opinion obviously. Also hope he incorporates the freshman some. It’s so easy for players to leave which sucks, and I know it’s inevitable but I don’t want all three down. I think coaches have to figure out the right balance to keep them satisfied and hungry. Sorry long winded.
I see DaMonte playing the three and sharing time with Hutch. Would love to see the frosh get time.
 
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