This is really adversely impacting the number of projected lineup and minute distribution posts.
Extremely inconsiderate.
Looking ahead to 2021-2022
- Status
Extremely inconsiderate.
Question: is Coleman Hawkins a legit B1G starting PF next year? I like him. Not sure if he would be ready or not. But I think he’s a valuable guy off the bench for one more year and probably not yet a starter.
I like his game a lot but I think he’s be best off the bench next season, with a significant minutes increase of course
I think the difference is I’m not using the #2 team and arguably one of the most talented rosters the Illini have had in the last 30 years as my baseline.
The fact that the roster assuming Kofi returns will have an All American center in contention for player of the year, and a PG who also projects to be in the running for the top PG awards and some All American consideration alone is enough for me to look forward to next season. Grandison played great last year and I think has the potential to grow into a larger role. Hawkins has shown he’s capable of contributing.
On paper next year is still probably a top 5 Illini team talent wise in the last 30 years. Definitely top 10.
Considering the last two years' teams, plus 01-06 and the good teams Lon Kruger had in the 90s too that I'm too young to opine very confidently on, that means you think that roster would be a top 10 team. Top 20 if we're talking one of the 10 best Illini teams since 1991.
I could maybe see top 20 if Kofi comes back and things break our way with Hutch, Hawkins and the Freshmen. I can certainly see top 10 if Miller and Kofi come back. I think top 10 on the strength of Kofi and Belo, with no Miller, and a roster full of question marks is difficult. I can also see that roster miss the tourney, even with Kofi. There's just a lot of uncertainty in that roster.
Illwinsagain
- Cary, IL
I think that would take a regression from most of the contributors, and nothing from the new arrivals. I don't consider that very likely.
I watched a lot of this team in the Malcolm Hill era, and he was a very good player. Never made the tourney. Ben Simmons was a consensus first team All-American at LSU and failed to make the tourney. You need a good rotation, not just a good player or two. When you're talking about a rotation with multiple players who've never played D1 basketball, and you're competing in the Big 10, nothing is certain. I dont think that has anything to do with regression, especially if we'd be returning just 3 guys from last years 8 man rotation.
I think he is hungry and ready to go and will clean up his mistakes as the season goes.
Illinivek23
- Gurnee
Anxious to see how Hawkins does with a full-Fletched off season...maybe +20 lbs?
If you're asking me, no, I don't think so. I like his game too, but my sense of his game is about where you suggest --needs time to develop physically before he's a plus player as a starter. Hope he surprises me, but my guess is that he's a legit rotational player next year that makes good decisions. Not sure he has the tools to be a great defender, but we've been spoiled with some strong guys guarding the paint. We could be very average there next season.
blackdog
- Champaign
The biggest improvement needed from Hawkins is going to be consistency on the defensive end. He made some splash plays this past season but the effort was inconsistent and he got lost too often which is the reason he was stapled to the bench down the stretch. Hes got the offensive skills and talent to contribute right away but we all know that doesn't mean much to BU in the grand scheme of things.
alamocityillini
- San Antonio
Any reason we are sure that DaMonte doesn't want one more year?
Looks to be leaving the door open with his new tweet
“I will be hiring an NCAA approved agent to help me throughout this process and will maintain my eligibility for next season. I-L-L”
JFGsCoffeeMug
BU:1 Trash cans:0
- Chicago
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
I suspect that if Trent's agent gets him at least one good enough offer, he gone. And I think he will, FWIW.
Is DaMonte quick enough to play solid D against an NBA quality guard? If so, he should have good value as a role player in the NBA. The question is then can he go from a bench role player to a rotation player.
What would really up his value in my opinion is:
- Tempering the enforcer attitude. He gets way to many stupid technicals that can cost the team momentum and/or the game.
- Demonstrating that he can be a medium-high volume scorer from 3. He has the form and shot. Now he just needs the rest of his confidence to take more of the open / semi-open shots.
If DaMonte came back and took 3-4 times the number of shots/game @ 40%+ accuracy, I think he could get drafted. (Contingent on being able to guard an NBA quality guard.)
Opinions?
Damonte playing in the NBA is the definition of a “pipe dream.”
Can you please provide reasons versus just an assertion? Is this because of his lack of quickness? Some other reason? Does your opinion change if he had averaged 12+pts/game on 50% 3pt shooting?
If Damonte Williams plays professionally, it will be someplace overseas. Many players have made a nice living doing this.
He's a great shooter, but he has a slow release and he needs to be wide open because of it. He doesn't shoot off the dribble, or create his own shot on the perimeter. He isn't an effective slasher, driver, nor does he have good enough handles, and he doesn't finish well at the rim. I love DMW, but he hasn't even shown flashes of these skills, and he'd need to excel at most (or all) of them to stick in the NBA.
He's not on anyone's draft list. If none of the experts have you on the list, it ain't happening.
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
No chance. Zero, zip, nada. Absolutely nothing against DMW, I love the kid.
Not sure if Hawkins will start but with the exception of Grandison, he's had more time at the 3/4 spot while the other possible options of BBV or Hutcherson who've played very little. Seems the most likely starting lineup at this moment would be Corbello, Grandison, Hawkins, Payne and, depending on their health status, BBV or Hutcherson with Goode and Melendez getting a good deal of freshman time. Not a deep bench unless another we get a pleasant surprise. The other possibility is Goode/Melendez or both are good enough to start.
Last edited:
- Status