For those advocating for Belo to be starting, I have one word for you — analytics. It is obvious that BU and the Illini staff use analytics a lot, so they know what lineup is the most efficient offensively. Just as important they know what lineup is second, third . . . and least efficient offensively. Then there is defense to consider too. So while Belo starting might be the most offensively efficient, it may well mean subsequent lineups of far lesser efficiency — both offensively and defensively — being on the floor for longer periods of time throughout the course of a game. And that doesn’t take into consideration matchups against opponents, foul trouble and off games by players. Against OSU, Trent got into early foul trouble and had to sit. If Belo had started and was playing with Trent early, how would have that impacted the rotation with Trent sitting and trying to get Belo and Ayo a few minutes of rest in first half? It’s not always about having the best offensive combo out there for a few more minutes each game. It is about maximizing the overall offensive and defensive efficiency throughout the game, and having the rotations set up to have the most overall efficient lineup in for all or most of the last 5-8 minutes of the game.
Maybe those wanting Belo to start have done a deep dive into the analytics and maybe not. But I assure you BU, Gentry and Chin have. And an 11-1 record down the stretch lead me to believe they are doing just fine pushing all the buttons.