Looking ahead to 2021-2022
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I agree with much of this. As I mentioned, BU has to be mindful of getting the newcomers and Hawkins time (if Hutch is all everything like many believe, he’ll get his time). It will likely be a balancing act and I expect at least some on here to not be happy with the distribution. And there may be a young player or two that isn’t happy and ends up transferring.
As much as we like to talk about depth and going 9 or 10 deep on here, how many teams really have rotations that deep? More likely is 7 or 8 for difficult games. Considering that Lieb is likely the only player that some people won’t be advocating for to get more minutes, even without Trent and DaMonte there will be players not getting the minutes they want. Will those players transfer? I don’t know but given what we’ve been seeing over the last several years, it is likely some will. I think the number is lowered if you build a culture that stresses working, practicing and playing hard — and playing those that have done those things and help win games.
BU seems to be gaining the reputation that he will play newcomers, but he also shows loyalty to those who do it right. Look at Grandy. He went from very few minutes to starter to key contributor in multiple games. And Curbelo and AM saw plenty of minutes as freshmen. Also, you have to trust that BU will play the right guys — especially when it comes to newcomers/young players. People were always advocating for more minutes for Tev and AG. They both ended up transferring. I don’t remember seeing too many comments during the season about not having them causing a loss despite the fact that both guys had pretty good seasons elsewhere this year. Seems like BU had a good idea about how much to play these guys and how much impact them transferring would have. Trust BU to dole the minutes out so as to win, develop players, and reward the players that are buying into the culture. There will be transfers, just want to make sure those that transfer are also those that he feels add the least and will be the easiest to replace. Of course this all goes out the window when moms get involved.
lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
The secret to building a strong program is stacking great seasons on top of one another. We’ll be much better next year with Trent & Damonte, than we would without them. Beyond that, sitting proven seniors to play unproven freshman for the hope that we’ll be better in the future is a losing proposition. Especially today. As there’s no guarantee the current income class of freshman will be around past their first year, even with starter minutes (like Adam Miller).
Torvik’s site has a pretty cool sausage maker feature, where you can add & subtract players & see your projected ranking heading into next year, given the current class of freshman you have arriving on campus. It’s certainly not perfect. But it’s a data point.
Our projected ranking next year, as our roster stands now:
Without Trent & Damonte: 74
With Trent but no Damonte: 46
With Trent & Damonte: 35
With Trent, Damonte, & Kofi: 10
Torvik’s site has a pretty cool sausage maker feature, where you can add & subtract players & see your projected ranking heading into next year, given the current class of freshman you have arriving on campus. It’s certainly not perfect. But it’s a data point.
Our projected ranking next year, as our roster stands now:
Without Trent & Damonte: 74
With Trent but no Damonte: 46
With Trent & Damonte: 35
With Trent, Damonte, & Kofi: 10
The depth is huge for both practice and lineup flexibility. Practices will be like real games. If Kofi is back, there isn't one team we couldn't gameplan against effectively. On top of that, I think our second string could beat a handful of B1G teams alone, so there will be sufficient minutes in those situations for everyone to see the court. Also, fortunately, I don't feel RJ, Podz, or Goode are coming in with the "Adam Miller mindset".
I have full faith in the staff that every underclassmen will improve over next year, regardless of how much PT they get. If a player doesn't see the value in that and transfers, they probably aren't someone you want to build around anyway.
I have full faith in the staff that every underclassmen will improve over next year, regardless of how much PT they get. If a player doesn't see the value in that and transfers, they probably aren't someone you want to build around anyway.
Totally agree with EyeOfTheIllini here: trust BU to get the minutes mix right. I am just interested in how the starting lineup changes throughout the season. Just like last year when we saw the emergence of Grandi-man into the line-up, I could see Plummer or Hutch or Goode starting as the 6th man, but then replacing a starter in the middle of the season.
Thus, you'd have something like a 1st game lineup of:
1. Belo
2. Trent
3. Damonte
4. Grandi
5. Kofi
Then a 21st game lineup of:
1. Belo
2. Plummer
3. Goode
4. Hutch
5. Kofi
Seems like lots of options!
Thus, you'd have something like a 1st game lineup of:
1. Belo
2. Trent
3. Damonte
4. Grandi
5. Kofi
Then a 21st game lineup of:
1. Belo
2. Plummer
3. Goode
4. Hutch
5. Kofi
Seems like lots of options!
Trent will be starting all year barring injury. Not even a question.
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
If Hutch is healthy, those rankings are significantly low. He's a difference maker.
Correct. I don't see any scenario where Plummer starts over Frazier. One, Plummer will better serve as a spark off the bench. Two, Frazier is a leader, i.e. Michigan game.
DB11Headband
- Chicago Burbs
^ the majority of this board is in for quite a pleasant surprise. Love what Jake brings to the table, but for context Hutch ran laps around him in practice when he was on campus.
TF and DMW coming back is and could be AWESOME...biggest impact these guys will have is leadership and instilling the work ethic and culture for the new guys.
They will be like Mike Markkula was to Steve Jobs, or like Jimmy Butler and Andre Iguodala is to Kendrick Nunn or like Udonis Haslem for Bam Adebayo.
TF and DMW return is likely the biggest victory we have in this "recruiting" cycle, IMO...and the Freshman coming in should be extremely pumped to be mentored by them
!
They will be like Mike Markkula was to Steve Jobs, or like Jimmy Butler and Andre Iguodala is to Kendrick Nunn or like Udonis Haslem for Bam Adebayo.
TF and DMW return is likely the biggest victory we have in this "recruiting" cycle, IMO...and the Freshman coming in should be extremely pumped to be mentored by them
!
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
Hutch ran laps around a lot of guys, if reports were accurate.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
I had some "self reflection" as a fan, and I am not sure I ever shook my impression of Da'Monte as an underclassman. I went to the Illinois/Maryland game at SFC in 2020 (pretty hyped Friday night matchup for first place in the Big Ten at the time), and I remember the crowd going nuts when he hit TWO three-pointers. It really was such a shock, as his shot used to be awful, and I am not sure I ever shook the feeling that 'Monte would revert "back to normal" when it came to shooting. However, he remained a solid three-point shooter all year last year, he's obviously a great defender and I'm sure his leadership/example-setting is extremely valued by the team and staff. Having him back would be extremely underrated for our floor AND ceiling next year, IMO, especially given he could step into the 4 if needed. I would be ecstatic if he actually does come back!
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
Underwood has a balancing act ahead with minutes allocation, no doubt about it. Really doubt he hasn't discussed pt with Trent and DMW. Those two are team first guys. Not worried that Underwood's gonna mess up here. Super stoked about the intangibles they bring: mentoring and culture. Priceless.
So you are saying we will be better than #2 in the AP poll and the #3 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament? Interesting.....
With Dre and maybe Coleman taking a sophomore leap, plus if Hutch is any kind of difference maker we certainly have the chance to be! Again, assuming Kofi returns.
DaMonte next season > every single freshman coming in @ ILL and better than 95% of the freshman in the NCAA next season. He and Trent coming back saves next season from relying on unproven players. ILL
Govoner Vaugn Fan
- New Orleans
Hutch>Bill Brasky
Illini_1979
- Oregon
Sorry, nobody > Bill Brasky.
This was the last real game I was at, we were going crazy when Monte hit the 3’s.
Jake and Hutch both will be super valuable to next years team.
illini.culture IG
- Grand Rapids, Michigan
This was a comment in a bpodz highlight video. Some kid at his school said that brandin is trying to be a 1 and done...
DB11Headband
- Chicago Burbs
Yeah, that ain’t happening. Most kids nowadays think they’re one and done.
That is part of the problem tho... In recent years, there have been more kids leaving college early to enter the draft than the total number of players drafted.
What people are saying is that we hope BU does not sit more talented but less proven freshmen for less talented but more trusted super seniors to win early season games that may not mean much.
I absolutely think Trent and Damonte add value on the court. But we haven’t had a player with the offensive skill set of Podz in a long time. He could be a game changer with his shooting range, quick release, and ability to shoot off the dribble. I’d hate to see him riding the bench during the business end of the season because BU didn’t play him in close games in December.
I’m not necessarily expecting this to happen. I was very happy with the leash that BU gave to Curbelo this past season. But we will have a very crowded backcourt next season and BU will have some tough decisions to make with regard to playing time.
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