sacraig
- The desert
He plays some hella defense, though.
Illini Basketball 2021-2022
- Status
Yeah, Curbelo and Plummer could not defend him.
I honestly like curbelo coming off the bench more than starting. I will want him out there 25/30 minutes but I think I kinda like plummer out there to start, run a few sets, then let Belo do his magic after the under 16.
Witness Frazier this year. Never underestimate the value of experience.
Bigtex
- DFW
Clearly nothing we say/post will impact minutes - BU loves DMW but such an offensive liability.
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Champaign Toast
Fan since Kiwane Garris
I wonder how hype Dainja is feeling right now after watching the big man play in today's game. If there's ever a time to get motivated to get to work (for yourself and for the benefit of the Illini big teammates), it's right now. Wish I could see a practice this week, with Payne and BBV confidence high, Dainja entering the training picture, and Kofi being Kofi.
FeelYourPaign
- So Cal
And 3 of those 5 points on one shot today. Uhhmmmmm.... That's a lot of empty minutes
Chad Fleck
- Eureka, IL
If Belo plays something like he did today, the rest of the year, are we sure he doesn't still leave to go pro?
It is possible to grade out by not scoring. Defense, rebounding, steals, deflections etc
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
If a team tells him they're taking him (in the first round), that should be enough.
DMW is a defensive specialist, but he cherry picked the losses --every player looks bad if you take their worst games. On a per 40 basis, he's about 6 points, 4 assists, and 7 rebounds, with an A/T over 2.5. His 3 point % is good enough to help with spacing. And it's not like the team overall doesn't have enough scorers. With guys like Trent, Kofi, and Plummer, it makes a lot of sense to have DMW getting good tick to try and shut down top opposing players.
If I were betting, I'd give him another year. He's got some talents he can hang his hat on, being an exceptional playmaker, truly elite with his vision. But his size puts him below a lot of NBA guards, he hasn't shown range on his shot, and he needs to tighten up some of those games where he tries to do too much. Definitely a high ceiling player. I just hope he's healthy and able to reach 100% physically. Was a real lift seeing him out on the court.
sacraig
- The desert
On the other hand, some of those plays yesterday where he is running away from (under) the basket and then just spins and fires show such an unreal court awareness. His height isn't doing him any favors, but man he makes it work. If he's healthy and keeps this up, I feel like he's got a shot this year still, which feels somewhat amazing to say.
It's less likely than not he works his way to the 1st round because he was already on the outside looking in a bit. Buuuut, we've also seen that someone can improve their draft stock a ton - even from 2nd round to lottery pick - with a good enough tournament. So with the majority of Big Ten play left, as well as conference tourney and March Madness, Belo will have opportunities.
We'd have more than 4 losses w/o Demonte. He always takes to toughest guy on the other team defensively, and has hit some big shots to help us get over the hump in some tight ones.
He also was leading rebounder for team in two of those games (double figures in both), tied for second in rebounding and tied for lead in assists in another, and tied for lead in rebounding against Purdue as well as second in assists. And that doesn’t even take into consideration his defense.
Saying DMW shouldn't play due to not scoring is about as dumb as people saying Kofi should sit for Omar or Ben. (Not quite as asinine, but still pretty dumb)
Didn't we have this whole argument last year and then DMFW went ahead and did all those DMFW things for us to close out games. I think he's earned the benefit of the doubt.
skyIdub
Winged Warrior
It's going to smack people in the face next year when they are gone. This is not a shot at the rest of our team going forward.
Again...Jaden Ivey scores 30+ if not for DMFW and Trent.
My hope is the maturation of Melendez/Goode/Podz and Rodgers coming in mitigates if not entirely nullifies losing DW on the defensive end while giving us a boost on O. Losing Trent is an entirely different matter, although Epps looks college-ready and like he could become a solid defender. Also, the portal.
skyIdub
Winged Warrior
Watching Podz and Goode on D in their last few games is evidence the culture is in good hands.
Every Day Guys.
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
BRAVO.....................that is about as perfect a post as i have seen in a long time stating facts about incoming recruits and not castrating DMW in the process....
I was not a supporter of DMW a couple years ago and got banned for going way over the edge about it........I will humbly state I deserved my ban and when i got to come back I started to think before i posted any thing that popped into my fragile mind...........
DMW does things that WIN ball games .....nuff said for me.........
I guarantee BU isn't playing DMW out of respect for staying the course with the Illini......BU is playing DMW because he wins ball games and makes plays that support that thought........Whether it's blocked shots or big 3's , DMW is a winner and that's enough for me.....
Also , your thoughts on Trent are spot on...........He is such a great image and ambassador for the Illini and I hope he comes back as a GA and eventually becomes part of the staff setting on the bench coaching future Illini.......Trent will hold them to a high standard to represent the Illini program , as high as he has done for 5 years now ........love me some Trent Frazier .......I really really really do............................
JMHO
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Calillini
Now appearing in Tampa
He’s not going to be ready by the end of this year, needs more seasoning.
(fingers crossed)
- Status