Can Dain knock down 3s? If not, where's the 3pt shooting in that lineup? Would be a jarring change from this year's team.
Illini Basketball 2021-2022
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When Kofi is gone big changes will be necessary and made just like they were when he came. Not expert enough to know exactly what they will be but BU has some pieces to solve the puzzle. Not sure if Dain has three range but he can handle and shoot. Big question for me is his defense. Also not willing to completely discount Hawk and Belo as shooters as just hasn’t been their role to date and roles will change when Kofiless.
I think we'll have three soph. who will get open looks. Tall and lanky three point shooters too. It's gonna be great!
At this point I think it's fairly safe to say Hawk and Belo are not going to replace the 3pt production of Plummer/Grandison/Trent. We know how much Brad likes shooters, can't imagine he'd want a lineup where 3-4 of the guys on the court are not threats behind the arcs.
Oh I agree, was more commenting on the proposed lineup that would have Dain, Omar, Hawk and Belo all on the court at the same time. I just don't see it. We will have shooting in Epps, Goode, RJ and Podz, Harris (?) and I imagine at all times at least 2-3 of those guys will be mixed into lineups with the guys who aren't a deep threat
I am under the thinking that its time to move on from Hutch. We have young talent coming in and since Hutch hasn’t played much in the last three years, there may not be much difference between Hutch and the youth. Losing Jake might hurt but he needs to move on as well. Its going to be a reloading year and 23-24 will be a championship type team. To answer your question, Maybe Podz can be that lock down defender And second ball handler. It will be interesting to see the complete makeup of next years team. We will be young but very athletic.
Bigtex
- DFW
Tough luck for Hutch but agree time to move on
I do not see Omar and Dain in the lineup at the same time. I see the two splitting time at the 5 with Hawk and RJ at the 4. Goode, Rogers, at the three and Belo, Podz, Epps, Harris and a possible transfer rotating in and out of the guard spots. You could see Ben getting a few minutes here and there but we will be going from one of the oldest teams to one of the youngest.
Agree with most, but would keep Jake if he's willing to come back. He'd be a good bridge between this team and the potential championship team of 23-24. Helps instill the culture to freshman in a way the sophomores might not be ready to yet. Also, we want the young guys getting a lot more minutes next season to get a taste of playing games that matter, which means we need to be good. And we're better if Jake comes back. He's not going to eat up enough minutes to block anyone from significant playing time.
I don't see it either and I can't imagine most knowledgeable fans would. But some posters have their size fantasies (Dain, Omar, and Hawk on the court together). What would be the purpose of that lineup other than to give you the honor of having a tall backcourt?
Hawk and Belo will definitely not replace the 3 pt production from this years team....but a combination of Hawk, Podz, Goode, and RJ could, IMHO come close...or maybe surpass if we drink enough of the orange cool-aide
I think Hawk will shoot enough 3s that the opposing D has to respect it, but it's really not a strong suit. I agree that Podz, Goode and RJ will be taking a lot, probably Epps some too, which is why I would be surprised if the starting lineup doesn't have at least two of the 4 of Podz/Goode/RJ/Epps. This is all assuming Grandison leaves after this season, and we don't seem to know whether that will happen or not.
Making the D respect your ability to shoot the 3 (Hawkings) brings the opposing teams #3 or #4 player out of the paint...and that opens up many possibilities for our bigs inside and our perimeter players to cut to the hoopAgree with the underlined. Belo at PG, two of the four listed at SG/SF, Hawk at PF, and Dainja/Payne at C. But Hawk needs to work on his outside shot. Need a PF with the ability to hit the outside shot.
Illini in Indiana
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Watch out B10 - we are full strength - Curbelo is the key to a special season. Welcome back!!!
Kofi had a "normal day" - we traded punches with a top 5 team and didn't get the calls at home
The rest of the year will be special - pay YoutubeTV or whoever. - This happens only every decade or so, (I hope Underwood can make it seasonal)
Kofi had a "normal day" - we traded punches with a top 5 team and didn't get the calls at home
The rest of the year will be special - pay YoutubeTV or whoever. - This happens only every decade or so, (I hope Underwood can make it seasonal)
Illini in Indiana
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sacraig
- The desert
Next few games as he gets himself fully up to game speed? Sure. But moving forward, he's clearly a starter. Someone else can be the spark off the bench. His starting alone may eliminate dry spells by simply adding a third dimension to our offense: slashing to the basket.
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He is an awesome 6th man...today proved that again.
We've had a pretty short bench in close games. Mainly just Hawkins at the 4, BBV/Payne to give Kofi a breather, and then maybe a few min for one of the freshman. I'm guessing most of the minutes will come from a combination of TF/Plummer/DMW/JG playing ~5-7 less so they are not having to play almost 40 min. We've had several games where 2 or 3 of our guards have each played 38-40 min. Hopefully this will help with fatigue/legs/etc. Hawkins may get a little less PT going forward as well.
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
get Belo game ready condition asap.......Plummer off the bench when that happens , as Belo is a much better defender than him........
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
Papi is a wizard. So glad he's back.
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