Looking ahead to 2021-2022

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#101      
I understand they can sign with agent,....and if they dont get an NBA draft #...they can come back to school as long as they cancel their agent contract.
I don't see either in the NBA, but both will make a nice living overseas in the country of their choice.
Really pleasant way to make a living if you ask me.
 
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#103      
With all the roster turnover, just wanted to lay it all out together:

Ayo leaving and entering the NBA draft for sure.
Giorgi leaving to play professionally in Europe for sure.

Adam Miller in the transfer portal and probably not coming back.
Trent and Damonte probably not using their extra covid year to come back.

Kofi leaving for the draft honestly feels like a toss-up to me personally.

Bottom line: That’s a ton of minutes and production to replace. I’m not doom and gloom but we need to hit the transfer market hard.

Trent signed with an agent. He for sure isn't coming back.

I think this will be Underwood's best coaching job of his career if he makes the NCAA tourney, assuming the only guys coming back off last year's team are Curbelo, Grandison, and Hawkins.

It's basically an entirely new team, built with late adds/transfers or 3 star freshman recruits. I think it'll be one of the worst teams talent wise Illinois has ever had, which will require the best coaching we've ever had.
 
#104      
Trent signed with an agent. He for sure isn't coming back.

I think this will be Underwood's best coaching job of his career if he makes the NCAA tourney, assuming the only guys coming back off last year's team are Curbelo, Grandison, and Hawkins.

It's basically an entirely new team, built with late adds/transfers or 3 star freshman recruits. I think it'll be one of the worst teams talent wise Illinois has ever had, which will require the best coaching we've ever had.
BBV and Hamlin gone?
 
#107      
Kofi is the key. His and Williams return will attract alot of transfer interest. Curbelo and Grandison is comforting. One quality transfer with those four starters are extremely solid! 🤞
 
#108      
Trent signed with an agent. He for sure isn't coming back.

I think this will be Underwood's best coaching job of his career if he makes the NCAA tourney, assuming the only guys coming back off last year's team are Curbelo, Grandison, and Hawkins.

It's basically an entirely new team, built with late adds/transfers or 3 star freshman recruits. I think it'll be one of the worst teams talent wise Illinois has ever had, which will require the best coaching we've ever had.
Seriously,,, we have had great, good team's in the past. Worst team ever talent wise? Pretty big statement. With Belo coming back I just can't believe that. I realize that is only 1 player,, but a pretty darn good one. Would I feel talent wise if it was Ace or Belo. I would take Belo talent wise at this point. Still players in the portal who are "pretty" decent talent wise. We Have had some pretty lean talent wise team's,,, unfortunately, don't see that at this point.
 
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#109      
Food for thought: If the season wouldn't have ended the way it did and we made a final four run would we be in the same situation? Obviously Ayo was gone either way. Would AM transfer? Would Georgi leave? Would we at least feel better about next year as a fanbase...?!
 
#110      
What we really need now is a statement from Kofi on his intentions either way. If he is staying we are fine, if is going to leave then our chances of getting (I know most don’t want him but he is the best example I can think of as type of transfer) a Nate Reuvers type of transfer or two goes up a bunch. The longer it takes Kofi to say either way the less options Underwood will have in the portal.

Maybe Underwood can sell that Kofi is gone now? But would any top big man transfer believe it?

I wish GB nothing but the best he for sure is doing the best thing for his future, but I don’t much like the way college basketball is moving these days. It used to be only the blue bloods had to reload every year now it is every team. It is way past time for the baseball rule (you can go pro out of college but if you go to college 3 year minimum) and there is no way that this transfer once with no penalty is good for the game. It just is not the same having to rebuild your team every year :(
 
#112      

Illwinsagain

Cary, IL
What we really need now is a statement from Kofi on his intentions either way. If he is staying we are fine, if is going to leave then our chances of getting (I know most don’t want him but he is the best example I can think of as type of transfer) a Nate Reuvers type of transfer or two goes up a bunch. The longer it takes Kofi to say either way the less options Underwood will have in the portal.

Maybe Underwood can sell that Kofi is gone now? But would any top big man transfer believe it?

I wish GB nothing but the best he for sure is doing the best thing for his future, but I don’t much like the way college basketball is moving these days. It used to be only the blue bloods had to reload every year now it is every team. It is way past time for the baseball rule (you can go pro out of college but if you go to college 3 year minimum) and there is no way that this transfer once with no penalty is good for the game. It just is not the same having to rebuild your team every year :(
I really don't think he knows yet. Can't push him. He deserves the right to get input and figure it out.
 
#113      
Seriously,,, we have had great, good team's in the past. Worst team ever talent wise? Pretty big statement. With Belo coming back I just can't believe that. I realize that is only 1 player,, but a pretty darn good one. Would I feel talent wise if it was Ace or Belo. I would take Belo talent wise at this point. Still players in the portal who are "pretty" decent talent wise. We Have had some pretty lean talent wise team's,,, unfortunately, don't see that at this point.

Underwood went 14-18 with this roster below, and I don't think next year's team will have more talent. Probably about the same. Leron Black and freshman Trent Frazier were pretty good players, but it takes a roster of good players to be a good. Not just 1 guy.

 
#114      
Underwood went 14-18 with this roster below, and I don't think next year's team will have more talent. Probably about the same. Leron Black and freshman Trent Frazier were pretty good players, but it takes a roster of good players to be a good. Not just 1 guy.

The roster isn't even complete. I'd hold off on comparing the two. We'll have a much clearer picture come July... which is 3 months away.

I also disagree in terms of talent/potential level between the two as we stand right now. I agree with the sense of urgency though.
 
#115      

blackdog

Champaign
Underwood went 14-18 with this roster below, and I don't think next year's team will have more talent. Probably about the same. Leron Black and freshman Trent Frazier were pretty good players, but it takes a roster of good players to be a good. Not just 1 guy.


This team is definitely better talent wise. I love Trent but Curbelo is going to be a star once he gets the keys. Hutcherson is probably already better than anybody else on that roster as long as he is healthy. I would take Grandison over Kipper any day. Hawkins > Finke. There was no big on that team that can defend or protect the rim like Payne too. Plus like has already been said the roster is not done and I'm sure they will be adding more players.
 
#116      

illini80

Forgottonia
We are no where near that team and we are playing a much different system that is geared to the talent on the team vs trying to fit a square peg in the round hole that happened that season. I have faith this staff will put together a good team. I’m expecting good to be the floor and we still have a change to be very good.
 
#117      
This team is definitely better talent wise. I love Trent but Curbelo is going to be a star once he gets the keys. Hutcherson is probably already better than anybody else on that roster as long as he is healthy. I would take Grandison over Kipper any day. Hawkins > Finke. There was no big on that team that can defend or protect the rim like Payne too. Plus like has already been said the roster is not done and I'm sure they will be adding more players.
A D3 player, that's never played a minute of D1 basketball, is better than anyone on the 2018 roster? Really?
 
#118      
Food for thought: If the season wouldn't have ended the way it did and we made a final four run would we be in the same situation? Obviously Ayo was gone either way. Would AM transfer? Would Georgi leave? Would we at least feel better about next year as a fanbase...?!
after the FF in 2005 we would have lost the entire starting lineup if Dee hadn't broken his foot, except for Auggie.
 
#119      
I think it'll be one of the worst teams talent wise Illinois has ever had, which will require the best coaching we've ever had.

That seems pessimistic. I agree there are too many question marks now to think we'll be anywhere near as good as this year, though.

Curbelo is an all-conference freshman.
Payne is a proven productive big man
There are a pair of top-100 freshman coming in.
Coleman Hawkins played efficiently in limited minutes.
Grandison was becoming a viable guy in the rotation.
It assumes that none of the guys down the rotation or that were injured will be able to be BIG level players.

I expect Kofi to go pro, but if he comes back, having Kofi and Curbelo will make a lot of coaches envious of our talent.
 
#121      
Underwood went 14-18 with this roster below, and I don't think next year's team will have more talent. Probably about the same. Leron Black and freshman Trent Frazier were pretty good players, but it takes a roster of good players to be a good. Not just 1 guy.

I guess I thought I said worst team talent wise EVER is a pretty big statement. Thanks for the link on Illinois basketball though. Brought back good memories and some bad. Started following Illinois in the 70s. 73-75 weren't very pretty but they had 1 player,,Rick Schmidt who was very talented, not much else. If before season starts and we DON'T add any one else maybe close but not EVER worst team talent wise. Stats and history go back a long time at Illinois,I guess I have a hard time with the word "ever".
 
#122      

blackdog

Champaign
A D3 player, that's never played a minute of D1 basketball, is better than anyone on the 2018 roster? Really?

Better than Aaron Jordan, Mark Alstork, Kipper Nichols, Lucas, etc.? Not to hate on any of them but yes. Jordan was the best of the bunch and he was never more than a role player (again no hate because I was a huge fan). While there are a lot of unknowns with Hutcherson its pretty easy to see he is a different level of athlete from those guys.
 
#123      

Deleted member 8896

D
Guest
Giorgi averaged 14.5 minutes a game with 5.1 points & 2.7 rebounds. I wish him the best of luck overseas and will never forget his contributions to our program, but someone will be able to replace these numbers next year. The sky is not falling. We will have better ball movement, better shooters, & more athleticism. This will be a fun team to watch.
 
#124      
Well, I was only including contributors so I didn't consider them. But Derek Piper said on the last podcast with Werner that Hamlin wouldn't be back
And if you had phrased your post that way I would have let it be. I thought it was very intereseting BU used BBV at 5 for a few very important minutes. I can easily see him in Giorgi role.
 
#125      
That seems pessimistic. I agree there are too many question marks now to think we'll be anywhere near as good as this year, though.

Curbelo is an all-conference freshman.
Payne is a proven productive big man
There are a pair of top-100 freshman coming in.
Coleman Hawkins played efficiently in limited minutes.
Grandison was becoming a viable guy in the rotation.
It assumes that none of the guys down the rotation or that were injured will be able to be BIG level players.

I expect Kofi to go pro, but if he comes back, having Kofi and Curbelo will make a lot of coaches envious of our talent.
Payne is a proven and productive big man? What had he proved and what was his production?

3.8 PPG
3.2 RPG
15 Minutes per Game

Trying to understand your take in him.
 
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