81 ILLINI
76 boilers
Things I'm liking about our team:
* Trent has emerged as our GO-TO guy. He's not necessarily going to always take the final shot like Ayo did, but he's the guy we want with the ball in his hands as the clock is running down. Then rest assured, he will either take the shot or get it in the hands of the right guy.
* Depth. First and foremost, we have a little bit of everything --- an All-American, dominance in the paint, senior leadership & experience, ball-handling, superior 3-pt shooting, and depth at every position. The roles are now nearly 100% defined.
* I know there are concerns about upsetting the team's "chemistry" down the road, but things are setting up nicely for Curbelo's return. It's now getting extremely late in the season and BU should be able to utilize him as a spark off the bench, in an identical role to last year. With that, BU can then say to AC, "It's your show to run next year."
I have to say, and not picking on you Deon, but I am definitely fearful of our ... lack of depth.
No wait, I agree we have depth. I just don't feel it's being adequately used.
We basically had six players get significant minutes, and one, Omar, had I think seven, and the other, Goode, five.
What did Podz get? Twenty seconds? It helps a little bit, but hardly enough to work up a sweat.
What? Michigan had nine with at least double digit minutes. I've seen other teams with more players in double digit minutes also. We're running our six guys into the court and the schedule is only going to get tougher.
We need seasoned guys come tournament time. The Freshmen can contribute now. They must.
I understand Coach's reason for trusting the Seniors. But they make turnovers too. Too many IMHO. Maybe it's because they need a few more breaks between such intense action.
How deep into the season can Trent, or Phonso go getting 38 minutes, two- three games a week? I guess probably we're going to find out, because I don't think Coach has any intentions in changing this strategy.
I know... someone's going to say, "well if Phons or Trent are not in. whose going to bring the ball up?" OK. fair question. It's called team ball. If Curbelo or Dee Brown are in, fine. They beat the pressure with one hand tied behind their backs. But otherwise, you use the seldom used method of bringing up the ball, by passing it. Cannot the Freshmen pass the ball to their open teammates? Cannot Grandi, or CoHawk? I think they will figure it out. If the four perimeter players are moving the ball around the perimeter, someone will eventually be open either to shoot the ball, or throw an inlet to Kofi. At that point do we need a point guard? Yes, of course we do. But we also need a point guard with enough energy to close out a game. So far we've been fortunate. but shooting percentages are down and maybe that's because energy level is down.
So I move for more - usable - depth in our rotations.
Go Illini.
It's all about us. Purdue is a good team but some of you guys severely overrate them.
