Looking ahead to 2021-2022

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#76      

Navy_illini

N
Navy_illini
Does anyone know the tentative dates for the off season:
Players declare and withdraw from draft
When transfers are expected to sign on with schools
Seniors decide to stay or leave
 
#77      

LvilleILL

LvilleILL
LvilleILL
Oldskoolkoach said:
Yep, I agree, but lot of enticement for players to transfer with rules in place this year and we have a lot of cats from other states and countries. Young men get homesick, trust me
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you aren't wrong. However, our core will stay in tact going forward. If we lose someone who does not play as much, it will not hurt us as we will add from the transfer portal as well.
 
#81      

bluemountain

B
bluemountain
danbor said:
It is really hard to argue the Big Ten was as strong as everyone was saying when there is only on team left after the first weekend!
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Just for kicks, I looked at the NBA DraftNet drafts for 2021 and 2022 to see the breakdown of projected draft picks by conference. I may be off by one here or there, but here are the results....

SEC - 22
Big 12 - 19
Pact 12 - 8
ACC - 7
big 10 - 6 (Ayo, kofi, Wiggins, Wagner, Livers, Henry)
Big East - 6
Gonzaga - 6

Assuming this is reasonably accurate, it's pretty clear the Big 10 was really overrated this year talent-wise. You watch these games, and it's clear that athletically no team in the Big 10 matches up with the likes of Houston, Alabama, Fla State, Baylor, etc.
 
#82      

bbpeoria

B
bbpeoria
CHEEF said:
Current (barring unusual circumstances) guaranteed pieces for next year:

- Curbelo
- Adam Miller
- Grandison
- Giorgi
- Hawkins
- Goode (new)
- Melendez (new)
- BBV
- Hamlin
- Lieb

Maybe:
- Hutch (hopeful)
- Kofi (doubtful)

considering how things can go on the transfer market and remaining recruiting targets, we have a decent foundation with the expectation Hawkins, Adam and Curbelo develop and Goode/Melendez prove Underwood and staff as excellent evaluators (as seen with previous freshman classes).
I think even without Kofi, we are 1 piece away from being big ten title contenders once again.
Thoughts?
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Good post...Personally, I think Kofi is better than doubtful to come back. The Illini are only two things away from relatively same level next year:
1)Kofi stays of top 20-30 big man replacement
2)Either Burnett or TyTy

If Podziemski comes as well, which appears to be the trend now, it will be interesting to see who of him, Goode or Melendez would be in the rotation. My guess is actually Melendez since I think he will play the best initial D of the those three. I also can't see Podz playing the four whereas RJ/Goode I can. First in line there is Grandison/Hawkins but I think there are minutes there with Damonte (Most likely) leaving.
 
#83      

ILLjuice

ILLjuice
ILLjuice
bluemountain said:
Just for kicks, I looked at the NBA DraftNet drafts for 2021 and 2022 to see the breakdown of projected draft picks by conference. I may be off by one here or there, but here are the results....

SEC - 22
Big 12 - 19
Pact 12 - 8
ACC - 7
big 10 - 6 (Ayo, kofi, Wiggins, Wagner, Livers, Henry)
Big East - 6
Gonzaga - 6

Assuming this is reasonably accurate, it's pretty clear the Big 10 was really overrated this year talent-wise. You watch these games, and it's clear that athletically no team in the Big 10 matches up with the likes of Houston, Alabama, Fla State, Baylor, etc.
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Kofi is getting drafted while Garza isn't?
 
#84      

danbor

D
danbor
bluemountain said:
Just for kicks, I looked at the NBA DraftNet drafts for 2021 and 2022 to see the breakdown of projected draft picks by conference. I may be off by one here or there, but here are the results....

SEC - 22
Big 12 - 19
Pact 12 - 8
ACC - 7
big 10 - 6 (Ayo, kofi, Wiggins, Wagner, Livers, Henry)
Big East - 6
Gonzaga - 6

Assuming this is reasonably accurate, it's pretty clear the Big 10 was really overrated this year talent-wise. You watch these games, and it's clear that athletically no team in the Big 10 matches up with the likes of Houston, Alabama, Fla State, Baylor, etc.
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I think the NCAA Tournament was a Santa Claus moment for all the big ten fans except Michigan. They still believe, which makes it hurt even more.
 
#85      

foby

foby
Bonnaroo Land
foby
charlie brown football pull GIF


I always thought that was funny, but never really empathized with Charlie Brown until after the Loyola game.....


Time to reset.......2021-2022 waiting for you.....

charlie brown GIF by Peanuts
 
#86      

Deleted member 746826

D
Guest
Deleted member 746826
IllinoisFan1967 said:
I love Curbelo. But if he is unable to extend his shooting range, he's not going to be the scoring threat the Illini need at that position. 5/31 on 3-point shots for the season isn't going to cut it. Need a true scorer. Miller might be that guy next season.
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Crazy talk
 
#88      

ChocolateThunder

C
ChocolateThunder
CHEEF said:
Current (barring unusual circumstances) guaranteed pieces for next year:

- Curbelo
- Adam Miller
- Grandison
- Giorgi
- Hawkins
- Goode (new)
- Melendez (new)
- BBV
- Hamlin
- Lieb

Maybe:
- Hutch (hopeful)
- Kofi (doubtful)

I think even without Kofi, we are 1 piece away from being big ten title contenders once again.
Thoughts?
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Very difficult to replace two routine double-doubles (AD and KC)
Obviously, one does not see the likes of KC all that often.
But unless one can put together a team of long lengthy leapers like the 1989 team, competing for the Big 10 title depends on having a power center.
AC and AM are not lengthy or "leapers" We need a power center.
Personally, also think we need an "enforcer" to replace DMW. :)
 
#90      

Illinifan533

Illinifan533
Normal, Illinois
Illinifan533
One recruitment I'm following closely is 5-star center Enoch Boakye. For the uninformed, he decommitted from Michigan State because he wants to go to a school in need of bigs. Illinois is going after him hard. Great athlete and unlike Kofi seems like he has a decent jumper. Won't be the pure physical force that Kofi is (but then again, very few players in the country who will be), but if the staff can get him I think he'll slide into the 5 role, allowing to Giorgi to continue being a valuable bench player. I'm not surprised about the angst about what will happen next year considering the team's recent history, but this staff has shown that they can build a good all-around roster. Next year, there will probably be some growing pains as guys adjust to new roles with Ayo, Trent, DMW, and likely Kofi gone. I believe Curbelo and Miller will be huge in filling the leadership void. The team's record will probably be about 20-10 at the end of the regular season again, but we'll be back in the tournament.
 
#91      

Joel Goodson

Joel Goodson
respect my decision™
Joel Goodson
Illinifan533 said:
One recruitment I'm following closely is 5-star center Enoch Boakye. For the uninformed, he decommitted from Michigan State because he wants to go to a school in need of bigs. Illinois is going after him hard. Great athlete and unlike Kofi seems like he has a decent jumper. Won't be the pure physical force that Kofi is (but then again, very few players in the country who will be), but if the staff can get him I think he'll slide into the 5 role, allowing to Giorgi to continue being a valuable bench player. I'm not surprised about the angst about what will happen next year considering the team's recent history, but this staff has shown that they can build a good all-around roster. Next year, there will probably be some growing pains as guys adjust to new roles with Ayo, Trent, DMW, and likely Kofi gone. I believe Curbelo and Miller will be huge in filling the leadership void. The team's record will probably be about 20-10 at the end of the regular season again, but we'll be back in the tournament.
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If Curbelo gets his outside shot up to a reasonable percentage, I think we'll surpass your projection. FWIW, I think he will.
 
#92      

orange100

orange100
time to hop on the wife
orange100
ChocolateThunder said:
Very difficult to replace two routine double-doubles (AD and KC)
Obviously, one does not see the likes of KC all that often.
But unless one can put together a team of long lengthy leapers like the 1989 team, competing for the Big 10 title depends on having a power center.
AC and AM are not lengthy or "leapers" We need a power center.
Personally, also think we need an "enforcer" to replace DMW. :)
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that's actually a good point. DMW was our junkyard dog whose impact on the game wasn't always obvious. Who can do that next year? I can't think of anyone on the current roster.
 
#93      

ginabackes00

G
CrazedUIFan
ginabackes00
I realize I have stated this in another thread a few weeks ago, but to me, Curbelo doesn’t have a bad outside shot. He doesn’t usually set himself to receive the ball in a triple threat position. he naturally looks to pass or drive. He’s going to be a star here.
 
#94      

logjam

logjam
logjam
Joel Goodson said:
If Curbelo gets his outside shot up to a reasonable percentage, I think we'll surpass your projection. FWIW, I think he will.
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He would be hard to stop if he had the 3 in his toolbox, he's so quick with the ball.
 
#95      

grue2

G
grue2
ILLjuice said:
Kofi is getting drafted while Garza isn't?
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Absolutely. Garza has peaked. He has slow feet which is a defensive liability. He is slow running the court which is a liability both directions. I do not expect him to even make an NBA deep bench. Kofi is still improving. He has great footspeed, can run the court, and surprisingly good hands. He is a much better defender.
 
#96      

ChiefKingfisher

C
ChiefKingfisher
Imagine if Ayo shocked everyone again and returned for his senior season (with Kofi as well). Theres probably a <1% chance of it happening, but a guy can dream right??
 
#98      

IllinoisssssssVarsity

I
IllinoisssssssVarsity
ginabackes00 said:
I realize I have stated this in another thread a few weeks ago, but to me, Curbelo doesn’t have a bad outside shot. He doesn’t usually set himself to receive the ball in a triple threat position. he naturally looks to pass or drive. He’s going to be a star here.
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As the primary ball handler Curbelo also needs to get comfortable pulling off the dribble when his defender goes under screens.
 
#99      

OrangeNTude

O
OrangeNTude
orange100 said:
that's actually a good point. DMW was our junkyard dog whose impact on the game wasn't always obvious. Who can do that next year? I can't think of anyone on the current roster.
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Agree no one seems to be quite like DMW, but maybe Grandison can grow in a similar role?

DMW had some key late game takeaways this season, that essentially helped stop the other teams from making a comeback.
 
#100      

alexander58

A
alexander58
OrangeNTude said:
Agree no one seems to be quite like DMW, but maybe Grandison can grow in a similar role?

DMW had some key late game takeaways this season, that essentially helped stop the other teams from making a comeback.
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Damonte’s contributions went far beyond scoring, but his value skyrocketed when he became money on hitting open 3s. He was the ideal glue guy. I hope someone can fill that role next year.
 
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