Illinois 94, Indiana (Pa.) 79 Exhibition Postgame

#51      

pruman91

pruman91
Paducah, Ky
pruman91
Tacomallini said:
Every year we talk about a huge rotation early, and then it inevitably goes down to 7-8 guys. I'm having trouble seeing it below 9 this year-
Trent, Belo, Kofi, Hutch, Grandi, CoHawk, Plummer, Payne, Goode with spot minutes for BBV, Podz, RJ.
In last night's game I really liked CoHawk, Grandi, and Kofi on the floor together.
Plummer very quietly had a helluva game last night.
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I really think by the time the conference season starts that RJ will surprise a lot of people and have a regular spot in the rotation....Who's minutes he gets , who knows , but his skills and performance will be hard to keep off the court....

JMHO
 
#52      

CoalCity

C
St Paul, MN
CoalCity
pruman91 said:
I really think by the time the conference season starts that RJ will surprise a lot of people and have a regular spot in the rotation....Who's minutes he gets , who knows , but his skills and performance will be hard to keep off the court....

JMHO
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If he keeps hustling and playing D, he will definitely get minutes. He's got a really high ceiling. Really high.
 
#53      

KevinC

KevinC
KevinC
blackdog said:
Something BU discussed in his presser was the immaturity on display with multiple techs. I think that goes hand in hand with the consistent effort and discipline that was missing last night. Hawkins had a great game on the court but he does have a tendency to mouth off and celebrate every time he makes a play. At some point he's got to start expecting to make those plays and let his game do the talking. I like (and I think BU does too) guys that play with an edge on the court not with their mouth.
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U of I basketball has long had a reputation of talking "junk" during games. This is nothing new. This goes back decades. We get techs now that may not be deserved.
 
#55      

DB11Headband

D
Chicago Burbs
DB11Headband
Tacomallini said:
Every year we talk about a huge rotation early, and then it inevitably goes down to 7-8 guys. I'm having trouble seeing it below 9 this year-
Trent, Belo, Kofi, Hutch, Grandi, CoHawk, Plummer, Payne, Goode with spot minutes for BBV, Podz, RJ.
In last night's game I really liked CoHawk, Grandi, and Kofi on the floor together.
Plummer very quietly had a helluva game last night.
Click to expand...
Damonte
 
#57      

Calillini

Calillini
Now appearing in Tampa
Calillini
My 2 cents

The Good
Hawk and the 3 Point Snipers
The Good ‘Belo

The Bad
One injury shy of having a point guard problem
The Bad ’Belo

The Ugly
Three top tier players out due to injury
 
#58      

Calvin

C
Calvin
Tacomallini said:
Every year we talk about a huge rotation early, and then it inevitably goes down to 7-8 guys. I'm having trouble seeing it below 9 this year-
Trent, Belo, Kofi, Hutch, Grandi, CoHawk, Plummer, Payne, Goode with spot minutes for BBV, Podz, RJ.
In last night's game I really liked CoHawk, Grandi, and Kofi on the floor together.
Plummer very quietly had a helluva game last night.
Click to expand...

I agree --I think this year is different. Underwood will have a lot of tools this year, and unless guys separate themselves with defense, I think we'll see a pretty deep rotation (9 guys with double digit minutes). You never know with Covid and injuries how deep you'll have to go, so it's a nice luxury even if rarely used.

Great game for Cohawk, but I still think he's a year away. Made some smart plays, a bit deceptive at times, and got a lot of rebounds. Should be fun to watch, but I'm tempering expectations because I think he's not quite there physically i.e. explosive/strong enough to be among the top PFs in the conference. His length and ability to shoot are going to be an asset and free up some space. Not sure what to think of Payne yet --I know he's being counted on for his defense, but didn't get a sense of whether they'll go inside to him when Kofi's out, or make adjustments to utilize shooters more.

Not a great game for AC, but even a bad game for him is fun to watch.

Lot of sloppy play, and IUPa was pretty decent. Hope Hutch, Trent, and DMW are on the mend. Nice to see Plummer stepping up --great stroke, reliable at the FT line, seems to play within himself for the most part --he'll be an asset closing out games for sure, and I could see him giving us quick scores if we're having to try and catch a team late in the game.

This team is going to be a lot different from last season, but I think the pieces are there for another run at the conference title and a deep run in the NCAAs. Should be fun to watch the young guys develop too.
 
#59      

Ga65

G
Ga65
lstewart53x3 said:
Minute projections:

PG/SG:

Belo - 30
Trent - 30
Plummer - 20

SF/PF:

DWill - 20
Hutcherson - 20
Grandison - 20
Hawkins - 20

C:

Kofi - 30
Payne - 10

With spot minutes for the frosh.
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Basically agree but don’t think anyone will average 30 mins. Think there will be considerable variation based on the matchups. Really like to see an increasing amount with Omar as he improves. He either doesn’t understand his role or it hasn’t been defined.
 
#60      

hoopsfan47

H
hoopsfan47
Having had the opportunity to see the a local Div. 2 Drury University basketball team win the the title in 2013, I would just like to give credit to the UIP team we saw play last night. They could win at all just as easily as any other D2 team this year. Underwood was spot on in his pre-game presser in his assessment of them as having good, smart, older players, good coaching, and can shoot the lights out.

The Illini won based solely on the talent and depth of the roster...which is no slight on them as they played well at times and sloppy at times. But they were ready to play and played hard. Just a lot to learn about defense and playing together. But I really like every player on this team and what they bring to the table at this point in their careers.

Nevertheless, contrary to what happens in regard to talking smack, I sure would like to see them shut up and let their game do the talking. IMHO, talking smack adds nothing to a players talent or the respect he is shown. Simply keep quiet and let your game shout for you. Save the celebrations and talk for the locker room with your team after the win.
 
#61      

ElGran

E
ElGran
Ga65 said:
Basically agree but don’t think anyone will average 30 mins. Think there will be considerable variation based on the matchups. Really like to see an increasing amount with Omar as he improves. He either doesn’t understand his role or it hasn’t been defined.
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I don't think Omar will get much more than 10-12 min/game (other than when Kofi is suspended or has foul problems or God forbid there are injuries). Kofi is obviously better and should get 28-30 min/game. Omar doesn't look like a PF and even if he did, Coleman and J Grand are going to get almost all the minutes there.

We actually have a pretty enviable depth chart at C. An All-American backed up by an extremely athletic 6'10 guy. Then add in a PF Hawkins who can help there. Plus BBV. Lieb, a developmental 7-footer is probably the fifth guy you'd put in at Center.
 
#63      

HailtotheChief

H
HailtotheChief
Calvin said:
I agree --I think this year is different. Underwood will have a lot of tools this year, and unless guys separate themselves with defense, I think we'll see a pretty deep rotation (9 guys with double digit minutes). You never know with Covid and injuries how deep you'll have to go, so it's a nice luxury even if rarely used.

Great game for Cohawk, but I still think he's a year away. Made some smart plays, a bit deceptive at times, and got a lot of rebounds. Should be fun to watch, but I'm tempering expectations because I think he's not quite there physically i.e. explosive/strong enough to be among the top PFs in the conference. His length and ability to shoot are going to be an asset and free up some space. Not sure what to think of Payne yet --I know he's being counted on for his defense, but didn't get a sense of whether they'll go inside to him when Kofi's out, or make adjustments to utilize shooters more.

Not a great game for AC, but even a bad game for him is fun to watch.

Lot of sloppy play, and IUPa was pretty decent. Hope Hutch, Trent, and DMW are on the mend. Nice to see Plummer stepping up --great stroke, reliable at the FT line, seems to play within himself for the most part --he'll be an asset closing out games for sure, and I could see him giving us quick scores if we're having to try and catch a team late in the game.

This team is going to be a lot different from last season, but I think the pieces are there for another run at the conference title and a deep run in the NCAAs. Should be fun to watch the young guys develop too.
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Belo is very talented but I did not enjoy watching him play poorly on defense and make careless pages and turnovers over and over vs a DII opponent. It was frustrating given his talent.
I did enjoy Kofi doing what he needs to do by scoring inside and hitting FTs.
I enjoyed watching Plummer and Jake. I thought Hawk played well inside vs the DII opponent and hustled but I dont like seeing our 4 being left unguarded being dared to shoot it and not doing better than 2 for 7 on wife open looks. Its early in the season and think we missed some leadership by not having Damone and Trent on the floor last night. We need to be more mature, hit open shots and be more focused going forward.
 
#64      

Calillini

Calillini
Now appearing in Tampa
Calillini
HailtotheChief said:
Belo is very talented but I did not enjoy watching him play poorly on defense and make careless pages and turnovers over and over vs a DII opponent. It was frustrating given his talent.
I did enjoy Kofi doing what he needs to do by scoring inside and hitting FTs.
I enjoyed watching Plummer and Jake. I thought Hawk played well inside vs the DII opponent and hustled but I dont like seeing our 4 being left unguarded being dared to shoot it and not doing better than 2 for 7 on wife open looks. Its early in the season and think we missed some leadership by not having Damone and Trent on the floor last night. We need to be more mature, hit open shots and be more focused going forward.
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+1
 
#65      

illinitiger

I
illinitiger
pruman91 said:
I really think by the time the conference season starts that RJ will surprise a lot of people and have a regular spot in the rotation....Who's minutes he gets , who knows , but his skills and performance will be hard to keep off the court....

JMHO
Click to expand...
RJ was maybe the surprise of night for me...he was solid on both ends I thought.
 
#66      

Redbull

R
Redbull
Fanview said:
I'm not worried about Belo tbh. I imagine he sees these exhibition games as a chance to put on a show. He dialed down a lot as the year went on. I would expect the same this year
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I certainly hope so. Am afraid he may be reading too many of his press clippings. He has the potential to be but is not the BIG first team All American yet that we want him to be. He makes me appreciate the way Ayo went about his business even more
 
#67      

illini80

illini80
Forgottonia
illini80
Underwood teams have a history of starting slow. I’m not concerned about anything, but obviously plenty of things to work on. And they will. Just please please please have it firing on all cylinders by Missouri. I want to win that game by 40 to erase the memory of the last 3 years.
 
#68      

Ga65

G
Ga65
Not worried about the guards. Having three out with Trent, DMW, and Hutch is pretty significant. More concerned with Kofi’s backup in Omar. Particularly concerned with future without Kofi. Hawk can cover in short term but next year is a whole different deal. Hopefully it is just a learning curve but losing his starter’s minutes to what have would been Michigan’s third string center is concerning. Don’t think he is plug and play with Kofi but going to require a different offensive approach.
 
#69      

DeonThomas

DeonThomas
South Carolina
DeonThomas
lstewart53x3 said:
Minute projections:

PG/SG:

Belo - 30
Trent - 30
Plummer - 20

SF/PF:

DWill - 20
Hutcherson - 20
Grandison - 20
Hawkins - 20

C:

Kofi - 30
Payne - 10

With spot minutes for the frosh.
Click to expand...
Players are correct. And someone from the SF/PF group will likely emerge prior to January.
 
#70      

skyIdub

skyIdub
Winged Warrior
skyIdub
I think we can relax with Belo. First time at the packed AH and just scrimmages. The coaches are not going to let it get out of hand. It will tighten up.

Also, the CoHawk/Goode/RJ show is just a glimpse into this programs future under BU.
If you listened closely in the beginning…6’5+ and all above average athletes with handles and shooters. The Belo’s and Kofis will be outliers.
It’s going to be fun to watch basketball every year.
 
#71      

illinitiger

I
illinitiger
illini80 said:
Underwood teams have a history of starting slow. I’m not concerned about anything, but obviously plenty of things to work on. And they will. Just please please please have it firing on all cylinders by Missouri. I want to win that game by 40 to erase the memory of the last 3 years.
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Agree on Mizzou revenge....

On slow start for BU teams....I get it when you have alot of roster turnover, but we are stacked with veterans. There is no reason, short of significant injuries in early games (knocking on wood)... that we should start year slow.
 
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#72      

IllinoisssssssVarsity

I
IllinoisssssssVarsity
KevinC said:
U of I basketball has long had a reputation of talking "junk" during games. This is nothing new. This goes back decades. We get techs now that may not be deserved.
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This is just a basketball thing though. No modern player is going to lose their mind because the other team is talking trash to them, especially at the D1 level. They’re just going to talk back.
 
#73      

IllinoisssssssVarsity

I
IllinoisssssssVarsity
blackdog said:
Something BU discussed in his presser was the immaturity on display with multiple techs. I think that goes hand in hand with the consistent effort and discipline that was missing last night. Hawkins had a great game on the court but he does have a tendency to mouth off and celebrate every time he makes a play. At some point he's got to start expecting to make those plays and let his game do the talking. I like (and I think BU does too) guys that play with an edge on the court not with their mouth.
Click to expand...
I think some of that is learning how to play with the crowd again too. Last year teams had to really generate their own energy in any way possible. But the amount energy you get from playing in front of a large crowd is huge. Gotta learn how to balance that now, especially the guys who’ve never played in in front of a crowd like that, or a crowd at all.
 
#74      

the juiceman cometh

T
the juiceman cometh
illinitiger said:
Agree on Mizzou revenge....

On slow start for BU teams....I get it when you have alot of roster turnover, but we are stacked with veterans. There is no reason, short of significant injuries in early games (knocking on wood)... that we should start year slow.
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We didn't really have much roster turnover before last season either but still started slow. I think we actually have more turnover this season than last season. I'm fully expecting to drop a game or two we shouldn't and have a couple we win but more uncomfortably than we should. Just will remind myself that we went through that last year as well. And it it doesn't happen, well then it can be a nice surprise.
 
#75      

ptgrd23

ptgrd23
ptgrd23
We have proven starting 5 - Kofi Jr G , Andre Soph GT , Jacob SR G, Trent SR G Damonte SR F.

Brad needs to develop the bench as much as possible - Austin (F) , Coleman (F) , Omar (C), Alfonso (G)

I am most worried about who comes in when Kofi get foul trouble / tired. The NCAA suspension will let us see whether Omar can do the job. He was highly rated out of HS and has SEC experience.

I don't know how much playing time that leaves for freshman