Illinois 94, Indiana (Pa.) 79 Exhibition Postgame
I was at the game. Curbelo has to clean things up. As talented as he is, he has to realize he can’t be trying to make a “Sportscenter top 10” highlight on every 3rd possession. He makes tremendous plays just making normal passes rather than trying to make impossible plays/passes.
Cubello and BU going to have to diversify the game. Can't keep trying to run the Curb/Kofi isolation play, causes Curbelo to keep to much and defenses are sagging. Include full team, have a talenred bunch. Don't need the high risk play or pass.
After watching the game, realized we need more CoHawk types. Definately more versatility and ability to score at perimeter. Still think Payne's development at Florida was lacking.
What I'm about to write is as cliche a thing as has ever been written about sports, but Belo needs to let the game come to him. He was forcing it too much. Once he calms down and just plays basketball I think he should be fine. He has to be one of the best instinct/feel for the game players I've ever seen at this level, but when you're forcing it you're not using that instinct. If I had to guess, he's probably a little amped up and a little bit trying to live up to the hype surrounding him. Hopefully today's game smacks him back down to Earth a little bit.
Agree, but TBH after last year I expected him to start this season "dialed down" already and in better control, but that is what these games are for...good tape to watch.
On flip side of good tape for us,....I would expect every team we face will watch this tape and realize that IUP had a great approach to interrupt our 2 top players (AC and Kofi), as they did in 1st half. Plummer and Hawkins kept IUP from getting away from us and both will be key contributors this year.
We played one heck of a Div II team tonight.
I agree with not worrying about him long term but I dunno man. This s**t should be about handling your business and tuning in. There was a ton of Bad Belo in this game and it’s honestly not great to see. 10 turnovers and a technical foul against a DII opponent is borderline unacceptable. I don’t want to be a downer but I did not come away super impressed.
IlliniKat91
- Chicago, IL
What I see is a kid who has all the pressure on him. He's on watch lists and everyone's raving about his sophomore leap and how good he'll be. Happened to Ayo, too.
What didn't happen to Ayo was the added pressure of having to replace Ayo. It'll be okay. Coach and the staff will make sure Belo doesn't get into his own head and he's gotten the yips out before the season really gets underway.
I do think they realize that they still need to let Belo be Belo. They just need to get him balanced and recalibrated and tonight's game (and what comes after in practice) is all part of the process.
Sir, that was a trip doub
Spot on...we were at our best when he took advantage of plays that were there and shared the ball. Teams are going to key on him more, he will be the focuses of defensive schemes much more than ladt year.
Definitely was sloppy. On one of Belo's TO he expected Goode to go to the hoop and he stayed out for a pullup. Belo also had a lot of TO's early last year as well. Some just plain bad passes as well. Need t have everyone shoot with confidence if left alone on the perimeter.
Hope everyone is ok on the injury front.
GO ILLINI!
Hope everyone is ok on the injury front.
GO ILLINI!
Given all the pre-season Belo hype, it is only human for him to try to live up to expectations. You cannot expect him to not be impacted by all the media attention he has received. I have to believe he will come under control. His frustration is part of a normal progression to “playing within himself,” assuming he and the coaching staff are able to constructively use the experience of the two exhibition games.
Hawkins made a very strong case he should be starting from this point forward. Unbelievable what hard work, a year of experience, a terrific attitude and 20 pounds of muscle can accomplish.
Hawkins made a very strong case he should be starting from this point forward. Unbelievable what hard work, a year of experience, a terrific attitude and 20 pounds of muscle can accomplish.
Correct, he needs to play more unders control and hit a few perimeter shot like Steve Nash or Dwill and try to play less like Curly Neal! Like someone mentioned earlier not every play needs to be on Sportscenter a simple bounce pass will suffice most of the time.
I think BU left him out there to get more on film. I think Curbelo will eat it up and change. He did have 7 TOs in the first half and 3 in the second. So, hey, improvement, lol.
Illini_1979
- Oregon
Schmack is back!
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I have liked Hawk from the minute he arrived on campus. He is a student of the game who knows what he needs to improve. He is also a team player and not a "me-first" player.
That said, I think all last night established is that if DMW and Hutch are not available, then Hawk will look very good against run-of-the-mill teams. I would love for BU to decide he is good enough to start, or even play major minutes, when we are up against B1G quality opposition. I don't think we are there yet, but I will be happy to be wrong. He is an extremely likable kid with a very high ceiling.
That said, I think all last night established is that if DMW and Hutch are not available, then Hawk will look very good against run-of-the-mill teams. I would love for BU to decide he is good enough to start, or even play major minutes, when we are up against B1G quality opposition. I don't think we are there yet, but I will be happy to be wrong. He is an extremely likable kid with a very high ceiling.
blackdog
- Champaign
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.
1:45
I think Underwood totally loves trash talk but you have to be smart about it. You can't be standing next to a ref and tell the opposing bench "You f*in suck".
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
Belo and CoHawk are sophomores and with Ayo gone they are expected to take on more prominent roles this year.....I will give them some slack as they GROW into these new roles.......i know Belo was a major player last year but the spotlight is on him now and CoHawk also.....
I'm very very very confident Brad will get their complete attention to this matter and not suppress their enthusiasm either......
This has the makings of another special season and i hope Hutch , DMW and Trent overcome their injuries and are ready for the next game.....
Go ILLINI
Tacomallini
- Washington State
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.
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.