Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (Week of April 12th, 2021)

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#1,126      

mhuml32

mhuml32
Cincinnati, OH
mhuml32
KnoxIllini2 said:
Unless we are going 10 deep with 4 guard lineups, I don't see that happening.
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I know there are some people on here that respond to questions like this with "trust the staff" but I think this is a fair conversation and is something I'm actively trying to figure out as well. In this specific scenario of Plummer committing and Ace or another transfer coming in (with the assumption of Plummer being the 6th man), there is some interesting roster juggling to consider.

You would have a lot of guards who would deserve minutes: Curbelo, Frazier, Plummer, Miller/transfer, Damonte (if he comes back). None of those guys can play the 3 except Damonte (maybe you can squint and see Miller at the 3 but that would be a small lineup and I would want to see a couple minutes of it before deciding if it was a real solution). Within the 80 minutes of playing time in those positions, you know that Curbelo is going to be given as many minutes as he can handle. Can you play a lineup of Frazier and Plummer based on size concerns? Going with a small(er) wing lineup to maximize shooting is enticing if Kofi was coming back. But that's presents a number-crunch problem.

Kofi coming back leaves one scholarship open and two potential wings coming in (Plummer + Miller/transfer). Damonte coming back is a freebie, so nothing to worry about there (and provides a fun mix+match with Hutcherson at the 3). But to add the second wing would require another player to transfer out. Another transfer would have to be a big, which the team can hardly afford. People seem eager to push Hamlin out the door but even mop-up minutes could be important with only Kofi + Payne + Grandison as sure things in the front court. Maybe BBV showed enough to be able soak up some minutes at the 4 but one injury means Hamlin will get playing time regardless. Lieb leaving wouldn't hurt as much in the short-term, would just mean the staff would have to look harder at some bigs after 2021.

This is why it's tough to decipher on how the staff is selling Plummer on being the 6th man because (1) of his past performance warrants a P5 starter and (2) the roster crunch is subsequently creates. Maybe Plummer's relationship with Curbelo means that much. Maybe the staff is going to start Damonte or Frazier at the 2 and Plummer will provide offense for the second unit and be in the closing lineup. I'm really not sure but let's hope Plummer comes in and Miller comes back and we can figure out how to give everyone their due.
 
#1,128      

Heisenbobble

Heisenbobble
Heisenbobble
mhuml32 said:
I know there are some people on here that respond to questions like this with "trust the staff" but I think this is a fair conversation and is something I'm actively trying to figure out as well. In this specific scenario of Plummer committing and Ace or another transfer coming in (with the assumption of Plummer being the 6th man), there is some interesting roster juggling to consider.

You would have a lot of guards who would deserve minutes: Curbelo, Frazier, Plummer, Miller/transfer, Damonte (if he comes back). None of those guys can play the 3 except Damonte (maybe you can squint and see Miller at the 3 but that would be a small lineup and I would want to see a couple minutes of it before deciding if it was a real solution). Within the 80 minutes of playing time in those positions, you know that Curbelo is going to be given as many minutes as he can handle. Can you play a lineup of Frazier and Plummer based on size concerns? Going with a small(er) wing lineup to maximize shooting is enticing if Kofi was coming back. But that's presents a number-crunch problem.

Kofi coming back leaves one scholarship open and two potential wings coming in (Plummer + Miller/transfer). Damonte coming back is a freebie, so nothing to worry about there (and provides a fun mix+match with Hutcherson at the 3). But to add the second wing would require another player to transfer out. Another transfer would have to be a big, which the team can hardly afford. People seem eager to push Hamlin out the door but even mop-up minutes could be important with only Kofi + Payne + Grandison as sure things in the front court. Maybe BBV showed enough to be able soak up some minutes at the 4 but one injury means Hamlin will get playing time regardless. Lieb leaving wouldn't hurt as much in the short-term, would just mean the staff would have to look harder at some bigs after 2021.

This is why it's tough to decipher on how the staff is selling Plummer on being the 6th man because (1) of his past performance warrants a P5 starter and (2) the roster crunch is subsequently creates. Maybe Plummer's relationship with Curbelo means that much. Maybe the staff is going to start Damonte or Frazier at the 2 and Plummer will provide offense for the second unit and be in the closing lineup. I'm really not sure but let's hope Plummer comes in and Miller comes back and we can figure out how to give everyone their due.
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I would just say "a bird in the hand" as it relates to Plummer. I'm guessing the staff already knows if Trent is coming back (and I assume he is). So it then becomes a race to see if Plummer takes the ride vacated by Miller or if Miller decides to return before this weekend. My hunch says the Miller ship has sailed, and Undy is pushing hard to land Plummer to fill that role, but hell, my hunch has been wrong a number of times lately. *shrug*
 
#1,131      

WeWillWhen

WeWillWhen
WeWillWhen
mhuml32 said:
I know there are some people on here that respond to questions like this with "trust the staff" but I think this is a fair conversation and is something I'm actively trying to figure out as well. In this specific scenario of Plummer committing and Ace or another transfer coming in (with the assumption of Plummer being the 6th man), there is some interesting roster juggling to consider.

You would have a lot of guards who would deserve minutes: Curbelo, Frazier, Plummer, Miller/transfer, Damonte (if he comes back). None of those guys can play the 3 except Damonte (maybe you can squint and see Miller at the 3 but that would be a small lineup and I would want to see a couple minutes of it before deciding if it was a real solution). Within the 80 minutes of playing time in those positions, you know that Curbelo is going to be given as many minutes as he can handle. Can you play a lineup of Frazier and Plummer based on size concerns? Going with a small(er) wing lineup to maximize shooting is enticing if Kofi was coming back. But that's presents a number-crunch problem.

Kofi coming back leaves one scholarship open and two potential wings coming in (Plummer + Miller/transfer). Damonte coming back is a freebie, so nothing to worry about there (and provides a fun mix+match with Hutcherson at the 3). But to add the second wing would require another player to transfer out. Another transfer would have to be a big, which the team can hardly afford. People seem eager to push Hamlin out the door but even mop-up minutes could be important with only Kofi + Payne + Grandison as sure things in the front court. Maybe BBV showed enough to be able soak up some minutes at the 4 but one injury means Hamlin will get playing time regardless. Lieb leaving wouldn't hurt as much in the short-term, would just mean the staff would have to look harder at some bigs after 2021.

This is why it's tough to decipher on how the staff is selling Plummer on being the 6th man because (1) of his past performance warrants a P5 starter and (2) the roster crunch is subsequently creates. Maybe Plummer's relationship with Curbelo means that much. Maybe the staff is going to start Damonte or Frazier at the 2 and Plummer will provide offense for the second unit and be in the closing lineup. I'm really not sure but let's hope Plummer comes in and Miller comes back and we can figure out how to give everyone their due.
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Nobody here knows anything. Not even the staff really knows with certainty what is going on with several of our own players (Miller, Damonte, Frazier).
 
#1,134      

BBIQ

B
Texas
BBIQ
mhuml32 said:
I know there are some people on here that respond to questions like this with "trust the staff" but I think this is a fair conversation and is something I'm actively trying to figure out as well. In this specific scenario of Plummer committing and Ace or another transfer coming in (with the assumption of Plummer being the 6th man), there is some interesting roster juggling to consider.

You would have a lot of guards who would deserve minutes: Curbelo, Frazier, Plummer, Miller/transfer, Damonte (if he comes back). None of those guys can play the 3 except Damonte (maybe you can squint and see Miller at the 3 but that would be a small lineup and I would want to see a couple minutes of it before deciding if it was a real solution). Within the 80 minutes of playing time in those positions, you know that Curbelo is going to be given as many minutes as he can handle. Can you play a lineup of Frazier and Plummer based on size concerns? Going with a small(er) wing lineup to maximize shooting is enticing if Kofi was coming back. But that's presents a number-crunch problem.

Kofi coming back leaves one scholarship open and two potential wings coming in (Plummer + Miller/transfer). Damonte coming back is a freebie, so nothing to worry about there (and provides a fun mix+match with Hutcherson at the 3). But to add the second wing would require another player to transfer out. Another transfer would have to be a big, which the team can hardly afford. People seem eager to push Hamlin out the door but even mop-up minutes could be important with only Kofi + Payne + Grandison as sure things in the front court. Maybe BBV showed enough to be able soak up some minutes at the 4 but one injury means Hamlin will get playing time regardless. Lieb leaving wouldn't hurt as much in the short-term, would just mean the staff would have to look harder at some bigs after 2021.

This is why it's tough to decipher on how the staff is selling Plummer on being the 6th man because (1) of his past performance warrants a P5 starter and (2) the roster crunch is subsequently creates. Maybe Plummer's relationship with Curbelo means that much. Maybe the staff is going to start Damonte or Frazier at the 2 and Plummer will provide offense for the second unit and be in the closing lineup. I'm really not sure but let's hope Plummer comes in and Miller comes back and we can figure out how to give everyone their due.
Click to expand...
I would imagine the staff has a deadline even if its kept to themselves about how long they would wait for Miller to decide. They can't let him hold them hostage and miss out on a good player in the portal. Its a tough decision obviously as Miller might be the best player in the portal all things considered, he's at least one of them. But you have to build your team and if there is a guard out there they like they can't wait forever. I'm so glad I don't have to make these decisions.
 
#1,136      

Illwinsagain

Illwinsagain
Cary, IL
Illwinsagain
BBIQ said:
I would imagine the staff has a deadline even if its kept to themselves about how long they would wait for Miller to decide. They can't let him hold them hostage and miss out on a good player in the portal. Its a tough decision obviously as Miller might be the best player in the portal all things considered, he's at least one of them. But you have to build your team and if there is a guard out there they like they can't wait forever. I'm so glad I don't have to make these decisions.
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I think that the staff can wait as long as no one else has taken that spot. However, I don't think that they can afford to hold a spot for him. If that makes sense.
 
#1,138      

Poe's Law

P
Poe's Law
Heisenbobble said:
I would just say "a bird in the hand" as it relates to Plummer. I'm guessing the staff already knows if Trent is coming back (and I assume he is). So it then becomes a race to see if Plummer takes the ride vacated by Miller or if Miller decides to return before this weekend. My hunch says the Miller ship has sailed, and Undy is pushing hard to land Plummer to fill that role, but hell, my hunch has been wrong a number of times lately. *shrug*
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I think you meant to say “a more athletic bird in the hand”
 
#1,139      

BBIQ

B
Texas
BBIQ
Illwinsagain said:
I think that the staff can wait as long as no one else has taken that spot. However, I don't think that they can afford to hold a spot for him. If that makes sense.
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Yea, I don't know. Its possible they might hold the spot for him for a certain amount of time if they think he's that much better then any realistic alternative. But I would think they can't tell a transfer he's going to have a certain role and certain minutes based on Miller being gone and then they sign said transfer and then take Miller back.
 
#1,141      

CubsIlliniFan

C
CubsIlliniFan
othawhitemeat said:
I'll be honest in that I don't think you are remotely close for any comparison.

1) Deibler was not a ball handler at all, but could move around on screens well whether 2 or 3 point shooter. Podz has some handles but not be as elite of a shooter right away.
2) Melendez to me is nothing like Hummel. Does not have as much of the build, better athlete, and not as good of a shooter.
3) Payne is nothing like Nigel Hayes. Hayes was shorter, built more, and has amazing footwork in the post. At times, had a 3 point shot. Unfortunately Hayes is the same age as Trice. In general Payne is more like a Clint Capella (not saying he is as good or will make NBA) type - rim runner, shot blocker, elite athlete.
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That is how I see it. Podz can be the bull dog we have not had since Feliz. I guess we can agree to disagree on the others. Which is a good thing. LOL
 
#1,142      

skyIdub

skyIdub
Winged Warrior
skyIdub
Poe's Law said:
I think you meant to say “a more athletic bird in the hand”
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#1,143      

Joel Goodson

Joel Goodson
respect my decision™
Joel Goodson
#1,146      

Flight33

F
Flight33
So, would Plummer count against our scholarships since he is a "COVOD +1" Senior? If so, how can Miller return with no remaining scholarships available?
 
#1,149      

JFGsCoffeeMug

JFGsCoffeeMug
BU:1 Trash cans:0
Chicago
JFGsCoffeeMug
Flight33 said:
So, would Plummer count against our scholarships since he is a "COVOD +1" Senior? If so, how can Miller return with no remaining scholarships available?
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Under your hypothetical, it would probably mean that someone else currently on scholarship would be leaving.
 
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