I know that Penn State isn't a good team, but I thought they did a good job of pressuring our guards. And our guards did a good job of making the extra pass and finding the open man. If we can pass like that against Iowa I think we can come away with a win.
Illinois 79, Penn State 65 Postgame
Kofi and Hawk's blocks were crowd pleasers. If they could block instead of swat the ball. They can keep the ball in play and It can become a fast break opportunity. Still it's fun watching them put them in the 2nd row of the bleachers.
Give me a drink of whatever the 3rd-year for Kofi posters are drinking. He's getting paid, somewhere.
I didn't read the whole game thread, but Curbelo totally made a half court shot after being fouled with around 5 minutes left in the first half.
Homecoming 2019
- Chicago
Not enough talk about Adam Miller's play as of late. Has really settled into his own on the offensive end after struggling at the start of B1G play. He's limited turnovers and hit the open shot when needed. Really excited to see how he progresses going forward. Would love to see him be able to create his own shots as well, but he doesn't quite have the handles or quickness for that yet.
Oh, and in re-watching the highlights from Matthew Loves Ball on YouTube , Kofi has gotten much better with his footwork over the course of this year. That was probably the best I've seen him at his post moves.
Also, that wrap around pass to Miller early on was excellent. That needs to be next, good passes out of the post for rhythm 3s. Oh and then the ability hit a 12 foot jumper and guard the perimeter.
I don't like to watch the NBA all that much, but I've watched enough to not see him being a big contributor in the NBA right away in his current state. I'm not sure I see Ayo being a big contributor immediately either. I do think they could easily be drafted, but they would need some NBA development, I'd guess.
Also, that wrap around pass to Miller early on was excellent. That needs to be next, good passes out of the post for rhythm 3s. Oh and then the ability hit a 12 foot jumper and guard the perimeter.
I don't like to watch the NBA all that much, but I've watched enough to not see him being a big contributor in the NBA right away in his current state. I'm not sure I see Ayo being a big contributor immediately either. I do think they could easily be drafted, but they would need some NBA development, I'd guess.
Good points. I think this is the key to success for this team. If Kofi can become proficient with his kick outs when teams double and triple team him the sky is the limit. If its turnover city we will continue to struggle. Forcing teams to defend Kofi one on one will lead to lots of post game thread joy!
Calillini
Now appearing in Tampa
I saw the same but I think a foul was called before he heaved it. Belo has some high caliber skills. Yes, he makes some bad decisions, but he is close to deserving his own highlight reel. Kudos to the recruiting staff for seeing what a lot of schools missed.
altgeld88
- Arlington, Virginia
You and I are obviously of the same generation! When I saw that Kofi rejection last evening I immediately heard my 7th-grade coach scolding me that Bill Russell would have kept the ball in play for his teammates instead of giving possession back to the opponent.
altgeld88
- Arlington, Virginia
And don't dribble the ball off your foot into the street while you're leaving!Get off my lawn!
Agree 100 percent. His footwork and shot making skills have improved immensely. Itās amazing how often he gets fouled and nothing is called. Glad heās on our team
Deleted member 29907
D
Guest
His defense as a freshman is really very, very good. He has very quick feet and he plays aggressively.
skyIdub
Winged Warrior
Kofi will absolutely need to develop an outside shot to have a serious shot at the NBA. His defense against undersized centers that can play away from the basket was also exposed against OSU last week. Almost every NBA center can play outside these days. If he goes to the NBA, IMO he will be an UDFA and need to develop that skill set somewhere. That's the issue with staying here for another year....another year of playing post up B1G banging basketball.
I don't know much about the foreign leagues, but looking at the Euro centers in the NBA, he could develop that skill set over there maybe.
I don't know much about the foreign leagues, but looking at the Euro centers in the NBA, he could develop that skill set over there maybe.
The Kofi we saw *last night* was an NBA player. The hands, finesse, footwork and passing out of the post is exactly what he needs to show. Before the start of the season we didn't see Kofi in any pre-draft boards, but his name is popping up as a 2nd round pick on a couple mocks. Take it with a grain of salt, there are a million of these mock drafts and a ways to go. But if he keeps up that level of play, he'll play himself into the 2nd round.
NBA Mock Draft - NBADraft.net
Specializing in drafts with top players on the NBA horizon, player profiles, scouting reports, rankings and prospective international recruits.
www.nbadraft.net
blackdog
- Champaign
I was kind of curious watching the game last night why the PSU player who hurt himself hitting Kofi in the head (lol) didn't get a flagrant. He wound up and slapped Kofi on top of his head. Seemed like if it was anyone else but Kofi they would have reviewed it but because he just shrugged it off it was ignored.
Also does it maybe seem like Ayo might be playing hurt? He doesn't look to have that same explosive speed he was showing early in the year and I've noticed he seems to be having a bit more trouble staying in front on defense sometimes.
Also does it maybe seem like Ayo might be playing hurt? He doesn't look to have that same explosive speed he was showing early in the year and I've noticed he seems to be having a bit more trouble staying in front on defense sometimes.
I was thinking the same thing and they didn't even review it?
And I hadn't really noticed until last night that AM appears to be pretty dang fast. He got either an outlet or a long rebound two times and went flying down the court.
Anyone know the exact rule here? Why didn't they call it or look at it? It seems that if Kofi had hit a guy in the head like that, it would be a flagrant 1 or 2.
I definitely don't think they guy meant to hit him in the head, but I didn't think that really mattered with the wording of the rule.
I'm a huge Kofi fan, but doing that against Penn State is one thing. I'm hopeful for his and his teammates performance against Luke Garza next weekend
billybaroo
- Pebble Beach, CA
Glad this is being discussed. I missed the game but caught it on the highlights and had to re-watch it several times. It almost looked like the guy realized immediately what he had done and feigned injury to draw attention away from the foul.
He sat out most of the game after that "feigned" injury. But it still should have been a flagrant.
billybaroo
- Pebble Beach, CA
Thanks. I feel like a turd now.
His passing in this game was much more crisp and accurate as well with just a few miscues.
True, but the intimidation factor is valuable as well. Ever get hit in the face with a basketball swatted at you by someone that big?
