You forgot Kofi and curbelo saving the queen like Enrico palazzo! It will be epic!Things that will help build the Illinois men's basketball program:
1) Belo to Kofi highlights on SC
2) A consistent Top 25 ranking
3) Kofi getting a huge NIL package
4) Kofi being in the NPOY race
5) Selling out the SFC
6) Playing lots of nationally-televised games
7) Winning the B1G
8) Winning the BTT (again)
9) Deep run in the NCAA tournament
10) ALL OF THE ABOVE
I don't hate this
He needs to learn some snazzy moves from papi!!What I look forward to, like the NBA scouts, is watching Kofi getting double and triple teamed....and passing quickly to an open shooter who will bury a three....time after time. We know he can score on a power dunk, but getting the ball to open teammates without turning it over and getting badly bruised from the hacks will be hugely important to the team and his future. And maybe, he might improve that free throw shooting as that is not really that difficult.
The rest of the Big 10 be like:
In no way am I trying to spoil the moment, but how big of an issue is it going to be him selling stuff before NIL was in place?
Payne averaged 3.8 points and 3.2 rebounds last year. I don't think he deserves anything yet.Almost feel bad for Payne, he deserves to be a starter but man the depth is crazy
Imagine how much better he's going to be going up against Kofi in practice everyday. He's getting a lot out of this, too, and possibly time at the 4Almost feel bad for Payne, he deserves to be a starter but man the depth is crazy
Lets come back to this when you get to actually watch Payne play this year. Best defensive C Illinois has had in a long time.Payne averaged 3.8 points and 3.2 rebounds last year. I don't think he deserves anything yet.
I just have to dance.....I can't stop the urge, the intense feeling of a special season coming up for the beloved Illini...............
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OMG.....This feels awesome.........................
I think that lineup would run into a lot of the problems the Giorgi/Kofi lineups had which is basically lack of spacing. In todays game it is really hard to play 2 guys who don't stretch the floor. I am sure we will a couple Kofi/Payne rotations, but I don't think it will be that often. Still a great insurance policy/rotation guy though.Just saw some Payne highlights, didn't realize he was so bouncy. See Payne having time at the 4 with Kofi and as a 5 when Kofi takes a seat. I think the biggest challenge for both is passing to cutters and out of the post. Also hitting the 10-15 footer. See Grandison getting his share at the 4.
My "curiosity" line-up will be Curbello, Hutch, Grandison, Payne, Kofi
I'll like this on principle. A pretty good defensive C just came back to UI too. Happy to see them both on the squad.Lets come back to this when you get to actually watch Payne play this year. Best defensive C Illinois has had in a long time.