He actually made a 2nd 3 from the corner that was much better shot selection than the one he banked in (the banked in one was not a shot he should be taking). He's actually pretty good from 3 on open looks and I hope we see more of that this season.
Illinois 101, St. Francis (IL.) 34 Exhibition Postgame
Yeah, not sure what game he was watching. Hawkins looks great. He will only get better.
| NAME | POS | MIN | FGM-A | 3PM-A | FTM-A | OREB | REB | AST | ST | BLK | TO | PF | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KOFI COCKBURN | C | 15 | 6-8 | 0-0 | 2-4 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| ANDRE CURBELO | G | 20 | 5-10 | 1-3 | 0-1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 11 |
| TRENT FRAZIER | G | 19 | 3-9 | 1-6 | 3-4 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 10 |
| JACOB GRANDISON | F | 14 | 1-2 | 0-0 | 2-4 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| DA'MONTE WILLIAMS | G | 14 | 1-3 | 0-1 | 1-1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| BENJAMIN BOSMANS-VERDONK | F | 5 | 2-2 | 0-0 | 2-4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| LUKE GOODE | G | 15 | 1-1 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| COLEMAN HAWKINS | F | 12 | 4-6 | 2-3 | 3-3 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 13 |
| AUSTIN HUTCHERSON | G | 21 | 5-7 | 2-3 | 2-2 | 2 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 14 |
| BRANDON LIEB | C | 8 | 2-2 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| RJ MELENDEZ | G | 11 | 4-6 | 1-3 | 0-0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 9 |
| OMAR PAYNE | F | 9 | 2-4 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| ALFONSO PLUMMER | G | 20 | 2-4 | 0-2 | 0-1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| BRANDIN PODZIEMSKI | G | 13 | 1-3 | 1-2 | 0-0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| CONNOR SERVEN | F | 4 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 39-67 | 8-23 | 15-24 | 13 | 50 | 17 | 16 | 9 | 13 | 5 | 101 | ||
Yeah, kind of hard to argue with 13 points on 6 shots, in 12 minutes. Even if you take away the kind of fluky bank shot, and pretend it didn't go in, you'd be talking 50% from the field, and 33% from 3, along with 5 boards and 2 blocks. Definitely a plus contribution from a player coming off the bench.
blackdog
- Champaign
I've seen some people be down on Payne and he did look a little rough on offense but I feel his biggest impact this season will be on defense. He's so long and athletic plus it seems he moves his feet well. I think he is going to be a plus over Giorgi on that end if he consistently puts in the effort.
Every year I envision a great team at Illinois. Then, I go to the first game and am usually disappointed. NOT THIS YEAR. This is the most talented, deepest team Illini have had since 05. This team is extremely talented and deep. Hutch and Hawkins are very good. Hutchinson makes everything look so easy. He could be the best player on the team. That is saying a mouth-full.
Loyalillini10
- Urbana, IL
Not sure what game you were watching. Three of Hawk’s 3s did not draw iron, but two of them went through the net. He looked very good from the outside; had a really nice game.
One question ? Is this the best team since 05 ?
MustangWally
- Mayfield
To be determined.
skyIdub
Winged Warrior
Can't really answer that til' after the year. Last years team was a #1 seed....so.
Potential is there with the depth for sure.
I see a future that is full of length and athleticism. Brad wasn't lying when he talked about his love for the Flyin' Illini.
GrayGhost77
- Centennial, CO
Not all heroes wear capes, but Belo does.
Thank you so much...@Mr Podz Congratulations on the first points for your son. He got us to cross 100. Sweet
Loyalillini10
- Urbana, IL
I don’t understand how anyone that watched that game didn’t like what they saw from Omar. He missed some shots, but big deal. You know what he didn’t miss? A defensive assignment. He was a rim protector and swatted away some shots. I am no longer nervous for the 5 spot, when Kofi is on the bench. People won’t take advantage of Payne on defense like they did GB.
I liked the stroke on the 3 but I LOVED the hustle and fight BP showed on defense. That will earn him minutes. This freshman class is gonna be good.
I didnt say he couldn't do better. I was watching he banked one in and barely hit iron on another. Banking one in may be encouraging to some but not me. Good to hear he made one to feel good about late after I turned it off. If you don't think he needs to improve on his 23% from three and really his percentages everywhere i disagree. If some feel he could see 25 minutes a game like was stated he must do better to compete with Jake and others. It will be Jake not Hawk who plays the most tick at the 4. Thats exactly why he did last year.
Interesting. I saw nothing from this game. It seemed like we were playing 7th graders. I am not saying we were not impressive, but we were playing small, unathletic players.
I enjoy dominating other teams, but this one did not even seem like it was anything at all. I am not saying we will not be good, but I do not think you can determine that from this lack of competition. It was not competitive.
I enjoy dominating other teams, but this one did not even seem like it was anything at all. I am not saying we will not be good, but I do not think you can determine that from this lack of competition. It was not competitive.
He made two yes but I dont feel good about a way off shot, or ugly lucky bank shot. I doubt Coleman does either. I'm glad to hear he had one pretty 3 after I turned it off that what he must do. Bottom line is he shot 23% from three last year & if like some feel he can play 25 minutes a game then he must improve. Otherwise its just like last year when GB was left open so Jake was inserted as the starter.
Hutch has the pretty and effective arching shot and that is very very encouraging and what I am hopeful i see more from Hawk this season.
Loyalillini10
- Urbana, IL
Oooooooooooh…so you didn’t watch the whole game but had an opinion of how someone played based on an excerpt? Hmmm, very interesting. Also, 2-3 from 3 is 66.6%, not 23% (yes, I understand you are speaking of his freshman stats, but we are talking about his performance from last night.)
We get it, you don’t like the kid.
My thoughts:
1. Would have liked to have seen Kofi work on passing out of the post a bit more when double teamed. At this point we know he can dominate 6’6 players. Although he dominated the kid who for whatever reason decided he wanted to jaw at Kofi early in the game, so I was kinda okay with it.
2. Was disappointed in Belo’s play. I get that it’s an exhibition and he wanted to put on the show but don’t develop bad habits. Biggest positive for me was he shot the ball with confidence, although he did force a few. Looked like a ~30% 3pt shooter out there, which would be huge.
3. Hawkins looks like he’s taken a step. May supplant Grandi in the starting lineup at some point. Think he will play a key role for us this year and has the potential to be one of our stars next year.
4. Payne was slightly underwhelming. Missed a shot where he didn’t go up strong and just looked a little like he was still thinking out there. Potential is there and is a super athlete. Think he will be an upgrade from Giorgi defensively, which is what we need, but I don’t expect much offense from him outside of lobs/putbacks. Think he will greatly improve as he gets more comfortable.
5. Hutch looked great. Hope he got some confidence for when the level of competition steps up. Will see if more length and physicality bothers him.
6. Thought all 3 freshman played really well. Showed IQ and played within themselves. Hope all 3 stick around.
Really just picking nits. This was their first game and it showed. Lots of stuff to clean up but potential is through the roof. Excited to watch the team improve and we could be very very good come March. Go Illini!
1. Would have liked to have seen Kofi work on passing out of the post a bit more when double teamed. At this point we know he can dominate 6’6 players. Although he dominated the kid who for whatever reason decided he wanted to jaw at Kofi early in the game, so I was kinda okay with it.
2. Was disappointed in Belo’s play. I get that it’s an exhibition and he wanted to put on the show but don’t develop bad habits. Biggest positive for me was he shot the ball with confidence, although he did force a few. Looked like a ~30% 3pt shooter out there, which would be huge.
3. Hawkins looks like he’s taken a step. May supplant Grandi in the starting lineup at some point. Think he will play a key role for us this year and has the potential to be one of our stars next year.
4. Payne was slightly underwhelming. Missed a shot where he didn’t go up strong and just looked a little like he was still thinking out there. Potential is there and is a super athlete. Think he will be an upgrade from Giorgi defensively, which is what we need, but I don’t expect much offense from him outside of lobs/putbacks. Think he will greatly improve as he gets more comfortable.
5. Hutch looked great. Hope he got some confidence for when the level of competition steps up. Will see if more length and physicality bothers him.
6. Thought all 3 freshman played really well. Showed IQ and played within themselves. Hope all 3 stick around.
Really just picking nits. This was their first game and it showed. Lots of stuff to clean up but potential is through the roof. Excited to watch the team improve and we could be very very good come March. Go Illini!
I watched all but the last 5 minutes and then listened. Also just because I am not chugging kool aid because he banked in a three and a ugly clank doesn't mean I dont like him. Georgi was one of my favorite Illini ever but he was limited from three in games and Hawk has been too. That is stating the obvious and doesn't mean I dont like him. Hawk has a very good skill set in other facets of his game for being 6'10". Saying Jake has proven he can hit from 3 and has a better looking shot is likely to be the one getting 25 minutes a game. You can be excited about basically an air ball and a banked 3 last night but I doubt Hawk is satisfied and wants to and can do better. I actually think he can and will. I will hope he can improve his numbers to be much better than one of my favorite Illini ever GB who struggled from three and was benched in favor of Jake..
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Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
I love this team. Sure, there were some hiccups. But, God almighty, this very well could be a season for the ages,
Loyalillini10
- Urbana, IL
Again, it really seems like you have something against him, based on you focusing solely on a banked shot and a missed 3. So much so, that you bring up his numbers from last year instead of mentioning how he got into passing lanes, blocked at least two shots—not only did he block them, but he did so in a manner that he saved it to himself in bounds so we got the ball. It is only one exhibition game, but it seems like he is making strides.
BillyBob1
- Champaign
Coach was mad at him for a bad pass after a good defensive play.