Illini Basketball 2021-2022

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#229      
Why is Kofi in what appears to be semi-abandoned loading dock that's on fire in full uniform? I'm glad he's back but this promotion has me left with more questions.

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#230      

altgeld88

Arlington, Virginia
A comment I saw a lot of last year was something along the lines of "I can't wait until Illinois' luck runs out and they go back to the basement after they lose their 2 All Americans". Unfortunately for them it looks like BU got magically remarkably lucky once again with 2 All Americans. It can't possibly be good recruiting or coaching though, it's just sheer luck.
I've seen this specifically from the Michigan fan base. I trolled them once and pointed out that this is exactly how an uninformed Illinois basketball fan might have viewed Michigan at the outset of Beilein's tenure after the longstanding dumpster fire that characterized the Fisher denouement and Ammaker's tenure.

But then I noted that "uninformed basketball Illinois fan" is an oxymoron.

They're in denial. So are a lot of other fans within the conference. 😢

It's delicious. 😘
 
#234      

altgeld88

Arlington, Virginia
Why is Kofi in what appears to be semi-abandoned loading dock that's on fire in full uniform? I'm glad he's back but this promotion has me left with more questions.

1626896403375.png
I wondered same. I pondered and puzzled. Then I realized it's a subtle allegory:

The dire loading dock and the solid, though weathered brick walls that have seen many a prairie winter come and go aside the Illinois Central rail lines intersecting the East Central Illinois horizon, represent #everydayguys as well as the spare, functional, gritty elegance of the program's foundation. We're blue collar, not blue blood.

The vertical electrical conduit and meter? Is it an external power source animating Kofi and this scene? Or vice versa? Clearly, my friends, the latter.

The airborne, gaseous fireballs represent the futile protestations of our opponents' fans, currently consumed in paroxysms of agony as they slowly realize the Illini are back to stay among the BT's élite. These also serve as a metaphor for Curbelo's evanescent, transcendent, and levitating creative genius.

The large window above Kofi represents the universe into which the program is inexorably expanding. The window at far right, with an irregular pattern of rectangular panes, evokes the elegance, flair, and joie de vivre of the Art Deco and Art Nouveau periods: the team is ushering in the vanguard of an artistic revolution on the court (see, above, Curbelo.)

The stacked tires are a puckish allusion to Fletch and his training regimen. They're grounded and yet enable one to step easily from the floor to the loading dock. Note the black steel axis, barely visible, around which they're arrayed. The flame emanating form the top of it represents the combustible nature of strength and conditioning, radiating from that source, yet incapable of melting that enduring steel axis, and in no danger whatsoever of creating a tire fire (I mean, this ain't Madison, amirite?).

The two pallets leaning on the walls on either side of Kofi are especially intriguing. The one to his right, solid and leaving no gaps between the planks, represents the seamless integrity of the squad now that Kofi has returned to the fold. The one to his left represents the early off-season: individuals and fans on a lesser squad might fall through those cracks. Kofi and his Illini mates, however, bestride it as a collective colossus, and we stand on their shoulders of greatness as they do so. The single, askew plank represents the transfers and AC losses, now a distant, inconsequential, nay amusing, memory.

The hulking mass in the right foreground is clearly a slumping Darth Vader, in the process of bowing and prostrating himself to King Cockburn. It represents our sworn conference enemies, shrinking and faltering before the majesty of the Illini.

Or it all might be a really lame, camp, pastiche of bad '80s metal hair band music videos.
 
#235      

illini80

Forgottonia
Man it’s hard to not be excited about next year! It won’t all blend perfectly, but we have a lot of stars in the making. I hope Brad can find enough minutes for all of them.
 
#236      

MTMinded

Fatigued
I wondered same. I pondered and puzzled. Then I realized it's a subtle allegory:

The dire loading dock and the solid, though weathered brick walls that have seen many a prairie winter come and go aside the Illinois Central rail lines intersecting the East Central Illinois horizon, represent #everydayguys as well as the spare, functional, gritty elegance of the program's foundation. We're blue collar, not blue blood.

The vertical electrical conduit and meter? Is it an external power source animating Kofi and this scene? Or vice versa? Clearly, my friends, the latter.

The airborne, gaseous fireballs represent the futile protestations of our opponents' fans, currently consumed in paroxysms of agony as they slowly realize the Illini are back to stay among the BT's élite. These also serve as a metaphor for Curbelo's evanescent, transcendent, and levitating creative genius.

The large window above Kofi represents the universe into which the program is inexorably expanding. The window at far right, with an irregular pattern of rectangular panes, evokes the elegance, flair, and joie de vivre of the Art Deco and Art Nouveau periods: the team is ushering in the vanguard of an artistic revolution on the court (see, above, Curbelo.)

The stacked tires are a puckish allusion to Fletch and his training regimen. They're grounded and yet enable one to step easily from the floor to the loading dock. Note the black steel axis, barely visible, around which they're arrayed. The flame emanating form the top of it represents the combustible nature of strength and conditioning, radiating from that source, yet incapable of melting that enduring steel axis, and in no danger whatsoever of creating a tire fire (I mean, this ain't Madison, amirite?).

The two pallets leaning on the walls on either side of Kofi are especially intriguing. The one to his right, solid and leaving no gaps between the planks, represents the seamless integrity of the squad now that Kofi has returned to the fold. The one to his left represents the early off-season: individuals and fans on a lesser squad might fall through those cracks. Kofi and his Illini mates, however, bestride it as a collective colossus, and we stand on their shoulders of greatness as they do so. The single, askew plank represents the transfers and AC losses, now a distant, inconsequential, nay amusing, memory.

The hulking mass in the right foreground is clearly a slumping Darth Vader, in the process of bowing and prostrating himself to King Cockburn. It represents our sworn conference enemies, shrinking and faltering before the majesty of the Illini.

Or it all might be a really lame, camp, pastiche of bad '80s metal hair band music videos.
I think the hulking mass is RoboCop, not Darth Vader. The rest seems clear.
 
#237      
Still believe we will be good with return of four starters and sixth man of the year. If Hutch and Hawk reach optimistic projections we will be great as we have strength and depth at all positions. Don’t believe we can trust coach’s statements at this point but hopefully we will get more objective comments from practice sessions. Other opportunity is for a freshman surprise but think that is even more of a reach.
 
#238      

pruman91

Paducah, Ky
I wondered same. I pondered and puzzled. Then I realized it's a subtle allegory:

The dire loading dock and the solid, though weathered brick walls that have seen many a prairie winter come and go aside the Illinois Central rail lines intersecting the East Central Illinois horizon, represent #everydayguys as well as the spare, functional, gritty elegance of the program's foundation. We're blue collar, not blue blood.

The vertical electrical conduit and meter? Is it an external power source animating Kofi and this scene? Or vice versa? Clearly, my friends, the latter.

The airborne, gaseous fireballs represent the futile protestations of our opponents' fans, currently consumed in paroxysms of agony as they slowly realize the Illini are back to stay among the BT's élite. These also serve as a metaphor for Curbelo's evanescent, transcendent, and levitating creative genius.

The large window above Kofi represents the universe into which the program is inexorably expanding. The window at far right, with an irregular pattern of rectangular panes, evokes the elegance, flair, and joie de vivre of the Art Deco and Art Nouveau periods: the team is ushering in the vanguard of an artistic revolution on the court (see, above, Curbelo.)

The stacked tires are a puckish allusion to Fletch and his training regimen. They're grounded and yet enable one to step easily from the floor to the loading dock. Note the black steel axis, barely visible, around which they're arrayed. The flame emanating form the top of it represents the combustible nature of strength and conditioning, radiating from that source, yet incapable of melting that enduring steel axis, and in no danger whatsoever of creating a tire fire (I mean, this ain't Madison, amirite?).

The two pallets leaning on the walls on either side of Kofi are especially intriguing. The one to his right, solid and leaving no gaps between the planks, represents the seamless integrity of the squad now that Kofi has returned to the fold. The one to his left represents the early off-season: individuals and fans on a lesser squad might fall through those cracks. Kofi and his Illini mates, however, bestride it as a collective colossus, and we stand on their shoulders of greatness as they do so. The single, askew plank represents the transfers and AC losses, now a distant, inconsequential, nay amusing, memory.

The hulking mass in the right foreground is clearly a slumping Darth Vader, in the process of bowing and prostrating himself to King Cockburn. It represents our sworn conference enemies, shrinking and faltering before the majesty of the Illini.

Or it all might be a really lame, camp, pastiche of bad '80s metal hair band music videos.
dolp7.jpg
 
#240      

Bill_Cole_SuperFan

The Insider's Insider
Ubben Laundry Room
I've been trying to figure out where they took this picture? Maybe somewhere around the Champaign train station, or did they have to go to Chicago for the Michael Bay effects?
 
#243      
Just to throw something different out there…

Late game defensive lineup

Trent
Hutch
Grand
Payne
Kofi

You get an on ball dog with Trent, length and athleticism 2-4, and have the giant in the back. Get the rebound, call timeout and put curbelo back in.

The hardest lineup for me to create in my head is late game offense. Plummer, Trent and curbelo are options together but do we wanna go that small? I’d think only 2 of the 3. Do leave your leader off (Trent) or one of your best shooters(Plummer?) That’s then a Hutch at the 4 lineup if we play all 3? Do we put in Kofi if we’re down 3 and they can foul him?

That’s why BU makes 3MM+ per year. It’s good because we will potentially have 1-2 very good players on the bench, which means the 5 on the court are serious, but it’s tough cause you gotta choose the right 5 for that situation, and that might hurt some feelings.
Hard to believe you left Williams off that list. He will be one of the five for sure for late game defense.
 
#244      
I've been trying to figure out where they took this picture? Maybe somewhere around the Champaign train station, or did they have to go to Chicago for the Michael Bay effects?
I think it might be the Carmons building on neal by the tracks. I'm trying to verify. Not the old building. Just found out no.
 
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#245      
We will see some small ball in certain matchups but I just think the days of starting Kofi and 4 guards are over barring injuries .
I expect that Kofi and 4 guards is likely to be the starting lineup frequently if not oftem. That's assuming Grandison is a guard.
 
#246      
I wondered same. I pondered and puzzled. Then I realized it's a subtle allegory:

The dire loading dock and the solid, though weathered brick walls that have seen many a prairie winter come and go aside the Illinois Central rail lines intersecting the East Central Illinois horizon, represent #everydayguys as well as the spare, functional, gritty elegance of the program's foundation. We're blue collar, not blue blood.

The vertical electrical conduit and meter? Is it an external power source animating Kofi and this scene? Or vice versa? Clearly, my friends, the latter.

The airborne, gaseous fireballs represent the futile protestations of our opponents' fans, currently consumed in paroxysms of agony as they slowly realize the Illini are back to stay among the BT's élite. These also serve as a metaphor for Curbelo's evanescent, transcendent, and levitating creative genius.

The large window above Kofi represents the universe into which the program is inexorably expanding. The window at far right, with an irregular pattern of rectangular panes, evokes the elegance, flair, and joie de vivre of the Art Deco and Art Nouveau periods: the team is ushering in the vanguard of an artistic revolution on the court (see, above, Curbelo.)

The stacked tires are a puckish allusion to Fletch and his training regimen. They're grounded and yet enable one to step easily from the floor to the loading dock. Note the black steel axis, barely visible, around which they're arrayed. The flame emanating form the top of it represents the combustible nature of strength and conditioning, radiating from that source, yet incapable of melting that enduring steel axis, and in no danger whatsoever of creating a tire fire (I mean, this ain't Madison, amirite?).

The two pallets leaning on the walls on either side of Kofi are especially intriguing. The one to his right, solid and leaving no gaps between the planks, represents the seamless integrity of the squad now that Kofi has returned to the fold. The one to his left represents the early off-season: individuals and fans on a lesser squad might fall through those cracks. Kofi and his Illini mates, however, bestride it as a collective colossus, and we stand on their shoulders of greatness as they do so. The single, askew plank represents the transfers and AC losses, now a distant, inconsequential, nay amusing, memory.

The hulking mass in the right foreground is clearly a slumping Darth Vader, in the process of bowing and prostrating himself to King Cockburn. It represents our sworn conference enemies, shrinking and faltering before the majesty of the Illini.

Or it all might be a really lame, camp, pastiche of bad '80s metal hair band music videos.
Good Game Handshake GIF by Gaming GIFs
 
#247      

BBIQ

Texas
I think I agree. The only way any freshmen see minutes this year is if they're playing strong defense. A silly foul or turnover or missed blockout will result in an immediate benching for the freshmen similar to the treatment Tevian Jones received. I just hope the freshmen understand it's nothing against them and that they'll get their moment if they keep working at it.

In a close game I expect the following usage rates:
1. Trent Frazier 33 MIN - Starting 2 / Backup 1
2. Kofi Cockburn 30 MIN - Starting 5
3. Andre Curbelo 25 MIN - Starting 1
4. Da'Monte Williams 25 MIN - Starting 3
5. Alfonso Plummer 23 MIN - Backup 2
6. Jacob Grandison 18 MIN - Starting 4
7. Austin Hutcherson 17 MIN - Backup 3, spot minutes at 1/2
8. Coleman Hawkins 16 MIN - Backup 4, 5 if foul trouble
9. Omar Payne 10 MIN - Backup 5
Full disclosure these may not add up to 200
Lots of people are worried about Transfers but BU will play the best guys that give us the best chance to win I think. That could mean Hawkins, Payne, (one of the Freshman) could end up getting more minutes then Hutch/Grandison/DaMonte etc. if they have earned it.

Anything we get out of Hutch as far as I'm concerned is a bonus. He may be the second coming as he has been made out out to be (and I hope he is) but he's never played in the Big Ten, hasn't played basketball in 2 years, and has a chronic injury. Whatever we get out of him is a bonus IMO. If he's a star that's great, if not we will be okay.

BU also doesn't have to worry about seniors transferring after the season so if that really plays into his decision making (I doubt it does) its easier to sit seniors then the younger players if all things are equal.
 
#248      

Big Jack

Decatur
,Why XO I keep.having to look at this disgusting Northwestern Ad?
 

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