Do we have a shortage of 3s? Why would we move our taller players to play 1-3 when our shortage is 4s and 5s? Are you making room to play Lieb?What if I told you CoHawk could defend 3-5 and thus play the 3 on offense?
I'm a CoHawk hype man. He needs to be on the floor in situations that will give us the best chance to win. Small ball, throw him at the 5. Spread them out with Kofi inside - CoHawk stretch 4, engaged. Go all out with a long lanky athletic lineup, Kofi (5), Payne (4), CoHawk (3), Hutch (2), Belo (1) and leave all teams crying with defending that death lineup of athleticism and playmaking.If he could do it well, that would be great. But don't we really need a 4 on offense?
True. Context is also relevant in trying to predict how someone will translate. AP took a lot of shots for Utah last season. He was basically their 2nd option scoring the ball. He actually turned the ball over more times than he recorded an assist. I don't think him coming in, jacking up a lot of shots, and turning the ball over is going to earn him much time on the floor. Utah may have needed him to press the issue. I don't know. BU will not.Regarding Plummer's minutes, he had a pretty low A:TO ratio even for a scoring guard, as well as a questionable defensive rating. I can see why an offensively challenged team would need a volume shooter like Plummer to get a lot of minutes. At Illinois, unless he makes a jump in his ball handling, and is more focused defensively, I wouldn't project starters minutes. I could see him light a fire with his shooting, or come in late game situations given he's an excellent FT shooter. Of course, projecting based on the past is a crap shoot --guys are always improving.
Please see nonsensical hype post #334.Do we have a shortage of 3s? Why would we move our taller players to play 1-3 when our shortage is 4s and 5s? Are you making room to play Lieb?
Bernie Sanders had entered the chat.I am Coach Underwood, I have decided to do equal playing time this year so none of my players parents get upset with me, and everyone will be happy.
Teams rarely play a traditional SF in college anymore. Most programs run with 3 guards on offense. I really like Hawkins and his future here. That being said, he will not be able to stay in front of guards on defense. He is strictly a 4/5 in college. As always this is JMO.I'm a CoHawk hype man. He needs to be on the floor in situations that will give us the best chance to win. Small ball, throw him at the 5. Spread them out with Kofi inside - CoHawk stretch 4, engaged. Go all out with a long lanky athletic lineup, Kofi (5), Payne (4), CoHawk (3), Hutch (2), Belo (1) and leave all teams crying with defending that death lineup of athleticism and playmaking.
Yes, but we do need a 4 who can shoot, defend, and takes pride in his defense and rebounding. Such a player is Hawk. He will be a big part of this team's success IMHO. I certainly cannot begin to understand why he is being discounted and overlooked as I saw a kid last year who had all the skills to be a star but just lacked confidence and experience. If he really believes in himself and his ability to do whatever he wants on the floor, which pretty much every player with his skill set has, he will be a huge contributor. The main factor is his confidence and self-image.If he could do it well, that would be great. But don't we really need a 4 on offense?
I don't know where to put this.....but I'm starting to miss our other threads that were non-ending this summer! It's getting pretty slow in here,lol.
I was responding to the statement that CoHawk could play the 3 on offense. I am excited about his potential as well. Someone here compared him to Mike Davis. I think CoHawk could be even better. If he isn't the answer to our questions at the 4, I don't know who else on this roster is.Yes, but we do need a 4 who can shoot, defend, and takes pride in his defense and rebounding. Such a player is Hawk. He will be a big part of this team's success IMHO. I certainly cannot begin to understand why he is being discounted and overlooked as I saw a kid last year who had all the skills to be a star but just lacked confidence and experience. If he really believes in himself and his ability to do whatever he wants on the floor, which pretty much every player with his skill set has, he will be a huge contributor. The main factor is his confidence and self-image.
DW. 4 guards all day.I was responding to the statement that CoHawk could play the 3 on offense. I am excited about his potential as well. Someone here compared him to Mike Davis. I think CoHawk could be even better. If he isn't the answer to our questions at the 4, I don't know who else on this roster is.
I’m certainly not saying Payne is the answer at the 4, but I’ll be surprised if he’s not part of the answer. We will not be undersized at the 4 this year.I was responding to the statement that CoHawk could play the 3 on offense. I am excited about his potential as well. Someone here compared him to Mike Davis. I think CoHawk could be even better. If he isn't the answer to our questions at the 4, I don't know who else on this roster is.
Barring injury, Underwood is going to have myriad good options across the board. Can't wait.I’m certainly not saying Payne is the answer at the 4, but I’ll be surprised if he’s not part of the answer. We will not be undersized at the 4 this year.
I don't think any decent college coach would play Hawkins at the 3. He's not nearly quick enough to defend a 3. And his handles, while good for his size, aren't good enough.What if I told you CoHawk could defend 3-5 and thus play the 3 on offense?
....and a lot of guys trying to prove themselves. Add that to the talent mix.Barring injury, Underwood is going to have myriad good options across the board. Can't wait.
That’s what I’m most excited about. This team has a pretty high floor. The ceiling is what gets you daydreaming…....and a lot of guys trying to prove themselves. Add that to the talent mix.
A year later, last fall, I ran into Coleman walking out of Wal-Mart carrying a big-!!! pumpkin.Great story...Seagee "a recruiting force!"
Thank You for that story and giving a great first impression to CH of Illini Nation!
I don't think any decent college coach would play Hawkins at the 3. He's not nearly quick enough to defend a 3. And his handles, while good for his size, aren't good enough.
I think he can be a good player, but he's a 4 who can play the 5 in a pinch.
But why play him at 3? Is it so you can find minutes for Lieb at 5 instead of…hutch/Plummer at 3? If we had a logjam of 7 footers this might make sense but we don’t…we have a ton of guards. Only way he’d be a 3 in current lineup is if Omar AND Kofi are in AND he’s in. And honestly - I don’t see that making much sense as you’d have a lot of talented guards on the bench and you would have no big man sub available when one of those 3 need a sub.I’m all about quickness and athleticism on defense (see my previous posts). But let’s say Hawkins really knows how to use angles and his length defensively. He could bother a traditional 6’5-6’7 small forward with his height advantage.
But why play him at 3? Is it so you can find minutes for Lieb at 5 instead of…hutch/Plummer at 3? If we had a logjam of 7 footers this might make sense but we don’t…we have a ton of guards. Only way he’d be a 3 in current lineup is if Omar AND Kofi are in AND he’s in. And honestly - I don’t see that making much sense as you’d have a lot of talented guards on the bench and you would have no big man sub available when one of those 3 need a sub.
The problem is what happens when CH needs a breather and KC or OP get into foul trouble? You go 4 guards?If that lineup you said gives people fits, I’d assume we’d see it regularly. Fully hypothetical, and probably unlikely, but not outright impossible.
The best teams make their opponents adjust to them. And I’ll argue to my grave that having talented players on the bench is a great thing (so long as the players on the court are competing and producing).
The problem is what happens when CH needs a breather and KC or OP get into foul trouble? You go 4 guards?