Lieb.
Illinois 85, Bethune-Cookman 52 Postgame
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The amount of times that 7’er was on the ground and getting up with a smile was kind of comical. I do like his effort but I am bummed that he isn’t as much of a contributor as I was hoping he would be this year. Great practice guy hopefully.
Ok… one of his HS teammates starts for the Houston Rockets, and the other 3 starters for that team are on power 5, D-1 teams.
Being the worst guy in that lineup was sort of like being the slowest guy in the 100 meter final at the Olympics.
I recently re-watched that too (and thanks again to whoever posted it). It seemed such a thing of beauty, but I feel like there would be 12 pages of criticism on here still (although, to be fair, it’s much more difficult to criticize with their hustle).
Hawkins was the 168th ranked recruit in 247 composite. He actually has played probably at a level higher than projected. A high D1 rotation guy in soph year, and now a starter.
More guys than not in that 150-200 range do not do that at a P5 school.
https://247sports.com/Player/Coleman-Hawkins-46055197/high-school-216919/
More guys than not in that 150-200 range do not do that at a P5 school.
https://247sports.com/Player/Coleman-Hawkins-46055197/high-school-216919/
I think most people were fine (or at least indifferent) with CoHawk as the starter of the offense because he was matching those T/Os with the assists you mention.
But it’s his recent stretch that have made people turn on him (in the “offense runs through him aspect”).
In those last three games where he was averaging 5 T/Os per game, he’s had 8 assists or 2.6 per game.
For an A/TO ratio of .53.
Other than his carelessness with the ball (and his resistance to shooting the ball off the pass and in rhythm) I think he is a difference maker.
This game was just what the doctor ordered. Illini needed a ‘Feel Good’ game after the blows to their ego and National ranking the last few days. This was a game to ‘work stuff out’. A glorified scrimmage but with more vigorous opposition.
The Orange clearly have not yet settled in to what They are. They are still trying to find out themselves. But the only way you learn about this is in the heat of battle.
There is still untapped potential on this Team that can be discovered. This team has been up and down more times already than the elevators at Willis Tower. But things will settle into a trustworthy pattern in League play.
All in all... it’s just nice that our problems now are all about when does the Illini get back into the Top Ten again instead of the problems the program had pre-Trent and Ayo.
I'll see your disagreement and raise you a disagreement.
The freshman excuse is a bit lame in this era.... They have all had plenty of exposure to big arenas and played against big time athletes in HS .
All four freshmen are gifted athletically and started at the same place in pre season practice with a new team and living in a new place.
Harris and Epps are thriving. Have some areas that need improvement, but doing very well. They are just freshmen.
TR is giving great effort but his shooting skills are hurting him. He will be fine as well. His hustle will keep him on this team as long as he wants to be here.
SC is not plenty quick. He blows by nobody, even the mid major guards. DWill wasn't quick either, but he showed a toughness and basketball IQ
(even as a freshman) that I haven't seen from Skyy. Yes, SC has potential and I hope he lives up to it. Being a freshman has nothing to do with why he has not.
Anyone else notice the little twinkle Brad got in his eye whenever he talked about Sencire?
That is just ridiculous. BU talks all the time about wanting to be "old" and that our squad is the second youngest team in the power 5. He expected some bumps along the way because of it Also to think that a player in his first few games vs Power 5 talent doesn't need time to adjust compared to players that have been here for years is just wrong. Skyy has started over the others for a reason Skyy Clark didn't get to where he is because he is slow nor did DWill. They are both quick and shifty.. He just needs to get his mindset where it needs to be and attack. Clark will be back in the starting line up before long because he is our most talented guard. There are reasons players often make big leaps from freshman to the sophomore years but you can disagree with that too. Clearly their were some first round picks from the B10 years ago and just last year that did exactly that. Give Skyy a chance. BU started him the vast majority of the time because talent wise he is can be our best guard to run the team. Give him some time. He will be starting again soon if not right away. Harris provided an energy and fire last night but he isn't our PG for the rest of the season. Skyy and Epps will be.
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My point was that he never got the chance to be the alpha dog in HS. That may explain at least some of his actions now. A great player in spurts, but not a great leader.
Never said he wasn't the most talented of the group.
It takes more than talent to be touted in this manner. And I quote: "It's early on for him much like many other Illini greats." Now that's ridiculous.
Skyy can and will be fine. The hate on him has gone too far. That's all I am saying. Not all of our great players like DWill and others start off like gang busters as freshmen Skyy is doing very similar to what he and other future stars did as freshmen I do not see why is so ridiculous about that.
I agree Skyy does need to get right mentally but his skill level and ability are fine.He is not slow. He was and will be starting again soon. He is just getting started and will only get better like many before him. He was also on the bench and engaged last night.
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We all want the same thing Chief.
We really hope this Illini team becomes a real team…. Cause most of us know that team players in life, long after basketball, tend to live the most content and happy lives. What more can we want for these young men?
Hope you and all of Illini nation have a Happy and Blessed New Year!!
InDaAZ
- Eugene, Oregon
While we disagree on Coleman, I’m with you on Skyy. Like pretty much every freshman, he has facets of his game that need shoring up. But overall, I’m pleased with his early performance.
InDaAZ
- Eugene, Oregon
I expected my pro-Coleman comments to rankle, so it’s nice to hear at least a few more or less share my view. I try to watch the whole game, not just the ball. And I take note of the effect players have on the court and how the team performs when certain players are on the sidelines.
Sports are great for debating - knowledgeable people can respectfully disagree - and I’m sticking with Coleman being strongly in the net-positive column. Felt the same way about Curbelo, and took heat for that, too!
It seems BU made some necessary adjustments, so here’s hoping the guys are better able to just ball out and overwhelm teams with defense and depth. That would certainly raise the mood all around…
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
Brad Underwood raves about Illinois basketball's new starters Dain Dainja, Sencire Harris
Sencire Harris and Dain Dainja both shined in their first collegiate starts in Illinois basketball's win over Bethune-Cookman.
By Anderson Kimball Decatur (Ill.) Herald & Review
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The Illinois men's basketball team needed a lift, so it looked toward two new starters.
Dain Dainja and Sencire Harris both got their first collegiate starts, and both delivered for Illinois in an 85-52 win over Bethune-Cookman on Thursday.
Good info. Skyy is playing at about the level that his recruiting ranking would indicate.
Great post and a good perspective.
Can someone please give Coleman ol’ Meechi’s digits? Feel like they could share a thing or two about wading through a sea of meatball talk radio-grade hot takes.
Will be interesting to see how Skyy does without the switching. He often got into positions where he just couldn't succeed defensively. So hopefully with that gone, he has less struggles.
I also wonder, did Underwood steer him too much away from being a scorer. I think where Skyy shines is getting into the lane and pulling up. He's been relying too much on the 3 so far.
I also wonder, did Underwood steer him too much away from being a scorer. I think where Skyy shines is getting into the lane and pulling up. He's been relying too much on the 3 so far.
College ball is a huge adjustment for freshmen. I don’t care if you played for the best AAU team or not. The game is faster more and more intense. Plus you are playing against players who could be 4 to 5 years older. Also every game matters
I am not worried about Skyy adjustment as a player. I hope the people who give him advice are not giving bad advice
Right after he loses it
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