sacraig
- The desert
About as much as I think it's time to replace Brad Underwood.
Illini Basketball 2021-2022
- Status
Dont move a home game when the fans are back. SFC will be jammed and rockin for those games.Also with Trent and Monte using their COVID year, we've got one more scholarship player than normal (+2 if we fill that last scholly but it's not looking like it).
Wonder the chances of either the Notre Dame or Arizona game being moved to United Center?
The shooting potential of this team is what gets me excited. We have enough athleticism and a dominant post presence that will open up uncontested 3's for guys that can make them. We ranked 35th in 3PT% last year but 312th in 3PA. I think both categories see an uptick with this group. The stats that should and have to change this year are 178th in turnovers per game and 234th in FT%. I honestly think if we take more 3's and shoot better at the line we will see a much improved team this year, which is saying something.
Homecoming 2019
- Chicago
Kofi redemption game is much needed, still not over that terrible flagrant foul that cost us the game.
I've see preseason exuberance from fans that turns into disappointment too many times to agree with some of these posts. Last year's team lost 7 regular season games and in a couple of those losses, didn't look that great. The team has lost the player that had the killer instinct and no one knows who will step up or if anyone will. Will Kofi become more versatile or will he just be Mr. Automatic for dunks? Will he increase his FT %? Will he be able to step out and defend without having someone on offense take advantage of him guarding farther from the basket? Hutch may look great in practice, but will his back (?) be able to hold up for the season? Is BBV healthy? Will be we surprised by the Sophomore Hawkins compared to the Freshman Hawkins? Is Plummer ready to play in the BIG? Will Frazier make shots like he did as a freshman? Will Williams continue his 57% 3 pt shooting? How important was Gentry's game planning? Will he be missed or will Alexander do just as well? Preseason exuberance by fans is great, but I want to see some games first to see how everyone is playing compared to last year, especially those players that weren't in an Illinois uniform last season. I think we have 3 good freshmen, but they still will need some time to adjust. I just hope they've got all the kinks worked out by the Border War game with Mizzou. For me, Illinois could beat Iowa, NW, and Missouri and have a successful season. I'm excited about what the Illinois COULD be, but I'm not blindly predicting NC for the Illini before they play a game.
Always lots of questions before the season starts. Every team in the country has similar questions to answer. Tons of roster turnover all over the map. Everyone is just guessing at this point in time, but its fair to guess we will be pretty good.
I think we can definitively say that Plummer will be ready for the B1G. he spent the last two years in the PAC-12. That conference had some really tough teams in it. He won't be surprised by B1G play.
Illwinsagain
- Cary, IL
As a fan for 40 years, I appreciate your hesitation. My only argument against your hesitation, you are asking about things that don't need to change, for the team to be as good as last year. And, I don't believe that this team will be as slow out of the gate.. If Kofi, is the same as last year (and I believe he will continue to improve, as he has each year), we will still be a VERY good team. Also, BBV, who I hope to see good things from, is not even on most people's projected rosters, along with the freshman. Hutch, could not be effective, and we would still have Plummer and DeMonte, or one of the freshman to take his spot. Gentry's game planning, could be an issue. However, I believe Chester's defensive coaching will improve other aspects of the game.
I guess, I am setting the bar at last year's team. Understanding that AYO is gone, but believing that the 3 game stretch without him, showed that we can move forward without one of the Illini greats. Maybe not the same run at the end of the season, but more wins early. And that team, was a team with the potential to win it all.
This team is really exciting, there is literally 12 guys that will compete to be in the rotation, probably the veteran guys (grandison, williams, hawkins) will get the first crack at the 3-4, but the freshman probably have higher upside if they eventually get a role, thats not even counting hutcherson who is an enigma, could be anything from a starred player to a role player, despite reports, nobody at least from the outside knows for sure. I think as with any season if any injury or bumps, (losing games you shouldnt have) occur, we may get to see a freshman or two get opportunities. (Hutcherson, payne and melendez seem to be longer and quicker twitch athletes, which we severely lacked and other power 5s have, and true shooters that have quick release and make difficult and not totally open shots, we had few, now you have plummer, podz, goode, melendez and apparently hutch), so if guys are struggling from 3 you hace options. I dont think curbelo will shoot even 35 % from 3, maybe 25-30%, but just the overall confidence leap that he will run the team will make him that much better, same as with pr youth teams, hes an alfa and a winner. Excited for this team and its depth is an understatement, cant get overly worried with a few early bumps in the road because it will happen.
Who is far left?
Bill_Cole_SuperFan
The Insider's Insider
- Ubben Laundry Room
Slim Jake the
redwingillini11
White and Sixth
- North Aurora
No, its time to start WINNING that Busch Braggin Rights Game again!
Bill_Cole_SuperFan
The Insider's Insider
- Ubben Laundry Room
Is there any update on Mike Davis's possible role in the program?
DB11Headband
- Chicago Burbs
Any starting lineup that does not include Hutch is inaccurate.
drsmitty74
- Rochester
Ummmmm.................no
Jake from State Farm
foby
- Bonnaroo Land
Knowing we will have a great team this year and hoping for a NC is what I'm seeing on this board...... Yay US!!!
I was waiting for a reply like this from you given no one was really answering the question in you post. As someone did mention, Hutch is a big reason that people are high on depth/bench. Then there is Hawk taking a step forward, giving BU more useable depth. And of course the 3 incoming freshmen. Some even think BBV will finally be fully available and earning some real minutes. I have real doubts on the latter.
But I’ve noticed that fans tend to overrate depth during the pre-season. Outside of games against far lesser opponents and blowouts, teams use 6 to 8 players. The lllini basically used 8 players last year — 8.5 if you want to include Hawkins. So if basically Hutch, Payne and Plummer divvy up Ayo, Giorgi and AM’s minutes in some manner we’ve got a first 8 again, so not a lot of minutes left for Hawk to get more than last year let alone for the 3 freshmen and BBV except for blowouts and lesser teams in noncon. I do think that if Hawk has made a nice jump from FR to SO then there is probably room to find him some more minutes — maybe up to 12 to 15 mpg. Going to be interesting how BU navigates all this. So you wonder why BU is always calling players elite and making comparisons to players that don’t make sense? It’s not for the media or fans’ benefit. I think it is his way of showing love to the guys nearer the end of the bench since he won’t always be able to find them much playing time. And it is nice to have them if injuries do happen.
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sacraig
- The desert
In fairness, we should have beat them by 30 and its our own fault we were in the position to be jobbed by a terrible call like that.
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
He's still just hanging with Chester...................
Homecoming 2019
- Chicago
It also has an asterisk next to it being that it is the only braggin rights game to take place on either teams home court since the 70s.
- Status