Illinois 97, Chicago State 38 Postgame

#27      
Felt better about what Curbelo brings to the table despite the turnovers. Hawkins looks somewhat lost now and a little tentative. Would like to see more aggressiveness.
I agree about Hawkins. He needs to look for his shot more. I think that he is more worried about fitting into his tole and not making mistakes. Remember that he was never the 1st or 2nd option on his high school team but he definitely knew what his role was when he was on the floor. I think that he is just not sure enough yet.
 
#28      
That's a lot of kool aid..he had 4 TOs today in 20 minutes against a very weak opponent. He also had 4 TOs yesterday in 10 minutes. He has some potential for sure but these teams caused TOs and gave up easy buckets late in a blow out. I think AC himself would evaluate his play with 8 TOs on 30 minutes vs a very weak team as average at best. He can do a lot better and he will need to vs B10 teams, Duke and Baylor if he expects to play much vs those teams and much more intense defense. Let's see what happens then before we make a big deal about how he played and took care of the ball the past 2 games. The NBA assessment is a bit much imo at least for now. I want see him vs a top 50 team and talent first.
He has been in two games at this level, in his life. He has to learn what he can and can't do.
 
#29      
The Illini galluped in, ordered a hot steaming mug of Kofi, then rode off with a hearty "Ayo Silver, away!" Chicago State never got a chance to get the license plates on those stallions.
 
#30      
Curbelo is running around like a chicken with it's head cut off right now - similar to how Trent was as a frosh.

I would much rather have the aggressive turnovers than watch a kid who's scared to do anything out of fear of riding pine. Once he gets the turnovers under control, he'll just become more special.
 
#31      
Game was good....16 assists and 18 TOs needs to be reconciled....a little sloppy at times. We have alot to work on but our ceiling is higher than it's been in 10+ years.
 
#32      

Ken

chitown
Curbelo is running around like a chicken with it's head cut off right now - similar to how Trent was as a frosh.

I would much rather have the aggressive turnovers than watch a kid who's scared to do anything out of fear of riding pine. Once he gets the turnovers under control, he'll just become more special.

Exactly a freshman PG had turnovers.... oh the humanity !!!! Its game two and the issue is already overblown . I recall Nico Mannion having 5 turnovers in his second game in college which just so happened to be against us . He also had 21 pts and 9 assists as they beat us by 21 with Ayo and Dre having 10 turnovers between them .

Speed kills especially in college and hes basically playing at the pace BU wants and prefers and since he waited all these years to get his pg hes not gonna tell him to slow down now . When we face the big boys and these guards are picking up these ticky tack fouls trying to defend Ayo we are gonna bring a guard off the bench and play even faster. Easily the best pg we have had in the last 15 years .
 
#33      
I wouldn't be surprised to see Curbelo's minutes get cut when the games tighten up. He is prone to some silly turnovers, fouls, and defensive breakdowns. That could be a quick 8 point swing against Iowa or MSU and the difference in the game.

But he sure was fun to watch today.
We recruited him due to his elite eyes for passing in addition to his ability to shoot. He’s going to get plenty of opportunities to run our second rotation this year and then take over the lead next year when Trent / Ayo depart (even if Trent stays next year, I expect Curbelo to take lead at point next season for most of the game)
 
#34      
Game was good....16 assists and 18 TOs needs to be reconciled....a little sloppy at times. We have alot to work on but our ceiling is higher than it's been in 10+ years.
Many of these happened in the last 5 minutes in garbage time. Your sentiment still stands though. Always need to minimize turnovers. I doubt this is lost on the palyers.
 
#35      
I'm sure that many of us know Illini fans that have stepped back in recent years for mental health reasons. Reach out to them to let them know it's safe to expect a fun year!
I've done that. Won't it be nice to know the joy side of being a fan, again? And with kids like Trent and Monte setting such great examples of hard work, unrelenting defense, and superb attitudes, it will be fun watching these guys enjoy their hard earned success.
 
#36      

Joel Goodson

respect my decision™
Curbelo's just scratching the surface. He's gonna be flat out clowning and it'll be joyous. JOYOUS, dammit! The kid has it, in spades. Honestly, don't think we've had another PG like him.

Just to be clear, we've had several great PGs. And Curbelo has to prove it against top competition. But I can't recollect any of our greats bringing what he he brings. He's just different. We've had better scorers, shooters, etc., but he may be very well be the best distributor of the lot.

Carrying on the Larry Bird tradition, Curbelo projects as an NCAA version of Steve Nash, with lotsa mustard. lol
 
#37      
TBH, guys also are going to need to adjust to his passes - he's much more creative delivering the ball than anyone else on the squad, with the possible exception of Ayo. It's going to burn him sometimes as a freshman, but obviously BU is going to let him work through it, particularly in games where we're cruising to 60 point wins. I was stunned to see the hops he has too!
 
#38      
I agree about Hawkins. He needs to look for his shot more. I think that he is more worried about fitting into his tole and not making mistakes. Remember that he was never the 1st or 2nd option on his high school team but he definitely knew what his role was when he was on the floor. I think that he is just not sure enough yet.
Hawkins is trying to play a team game and doing it successfully so far. There was only one time today that I recall that he forced a shot out of rhythm, and it didn't turn out so well.
 
#39      
TBH, guys also are going to need to adjust to his passes - he's much more creative delivering the ball than anyone else on the squad, with the possible exception of Ayo. It's going to burn him sometimes as a freshman, but obviously BU is going to let him work through it, particularly in games where we're cruising to 60 point wins. I was stunned to see the hops he has too!
As long as he is not making mistakes on D, he will have BU's grace. That seems to be the red line for BU ...he doesn't seem to tolerate missed D assignments, even for Freshmen.
 
#40      
Belo is a different player some Dee, a little Kemba Walker, some Dre but fits the rotation and will be a big factor by March. Need to see the frosh against Baylor. Different level of talent
 
#41      

Illini in OC

In. The. Alley.
Exactly a freshman PG had turnovers.... oh the humanity !!!! Its game two and the issue is already overblown . I recall Nico Mannion having 5 turnovers in his second game in college which just so happened to be against us . He also had 21 pts and 9 assists as they beat us by 21 with Ayo and Dre having 10 turnovers between them .

Speed kills especially in college and hes basically playing at the pace BU wants and prefers and since he waited all these years to get his pg hes not gonna tell him to slow down now . When we face the big boys and these guards are picking up these ticky tack fouls trying to defend Ayo we are gonna bring a guard off the bench and play even faster. Easily the best pg we have had in the last 15 years .
This.
 
#42      
Just to be clear, we've had several great PGs. And Curbelo has to prove it against top competition. But I can't recollect any of our greats bringing what he he brings. He's just different. We've had better scorers, shooters, etc., but he may be very well be the best distributor of the lot.

Carrying on the Larry Bird tradition, Curbelo projects as an NCAA version of Steve Nash, with lotsa mustard. lol
Be careful I've received cynicism for making the Curbello to Mike Bibby comparison at the high school level. Very similiar game except Curbello is more prone to drive the lane than shoot a 3. Bibby obviously top five HS and natiobal champ as a freshmen. But similiar size, athleticism, and size IMHO.
 
#43      
At least one of yesterday's and today's turnovers by Curbelo was caused by players not realizing that he is always looking to pass and will pass when no one else would. They are not expecting it . Things will improve the more they play together.
 
#44      
Felt better about what Curbelo brings to the table despite the turnovers. Hawkins looks somewhat lost now and a little tentative. Would like to see more aggressiveness.
Noticed yesterday Hawk was wide open on the right wing looking for the ball and the ball was passed to the left. He is a good passer, team player but he can also be a deadly three ball. If your team mates are not trying to get you shots you are less likely to do things with confidence.