Looking ahead to 2021-2022
- Status
Illini in Indiana
- Indiana
Carnac (old school Johnny Carson), says BU will take what we have and be in the top 1/2 of the Big 10 at the worst. and if Kofi stays we will be in the top third. We are in good hand with BU, and getting coaches poached by Kentucky is a great sign of respect. We will be OK, but we need to be there during the reload (not rebuild)
If Kofi stays, that's a massive understatement.
Meanwhile, in Iowa-land....
How it started -
How it's going -
How it started -
How it's going -
Question. Coaches, players etc have to have a pretty good idea whether Kofi is back next year, right?
I understand Kofi going through the draft process and getting the feedback and I think he should definitely do that. But it’s no secret who he is as a player, and I think we can all more or less say what the feedback is going to be: improve pick and roll defense, get better passing out of double teams, improve free throws, and, maybe, develop perimeter shot.
So NBA teams must have at least an idea of what he is at this point including all of the weaknesses above, and he is not even sniffing draft boards right now. It would be pretty surprising I think for a guy not to show up on many top 100 lists to all of a sudden hear from a team they want to develop him and will grab him in the second round.
So if NBA is an unlikely destination, that leaves overseas. And Kofi should know whether he wants to make money no matter what or if his ultimate goal is the NBA, and should be able to tell coaches/players that.
Which to me means he is 100% gone (make $$ no matter what, likely wind up overseas) or 90/10 he’s coming back (Wants to play in NBA but still slim chance NBA team takes a chance on him now).
Also, didn’t Podz say in an interview staff expects Kofi back? Am I misremembering or was that another slip a la Trent? Thoughts?
I understand Kofi going through the draft process and getting the feedback and I think he should definitely do that. But it’s no secret who he is as a player, and I think we can all more or less say what the feedback is going to be: improve pick and roll defense, get better passing out of double teams, improve free throws, and, maybe, develop perimeter shot.
So NBA teams must have at least an idea of what he is at this point including all of the weaknesses above, and he is not even sniffing draft boards right now. It would be pretty surprising I think for a guy not to show up on many top 100 lists to all of a sudden hear from a team they want to develop him and will grab him in the second round.
So if NBA is an unlikely destination, that leaves overseas. And Kofi should know whether he wants to make money no matter what or if his ultimate goal is the NBA, and should be able to tell coaches/players that.
Which to me means he is 100% gone (make $$ no matter what, likely wind up overseas) or 90/10 he’s coming back (Wants to play in NBA but still slim chance NBA team takes a chance on him now).
Also, didn’t Podz say in an interview staff expects Kofi back? Am I misremembering or was that another slip a la Trent? Thoughts?
JFGsCoffeeMug
BU:1 Trash cans:0
- Chicago
You aren't misremembering. Podz referenced playing alongside Kofi.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
I just want to somewhat randomly throw out there that I really hope we reignite the United Center tradition again. People seem so irrationally scarred by that, but we are coming off being a 1-seed, finishing #2 in the last regular season AP Poll and winning the Big Ten Tournament. The hope was always to get it back once the program was in the shape to sell the tickets, and we are. We all used to (rightfully) see it as a nice recruiting pitch and something unique to Illinois - our "home away from home." It's time to bring that back, and I'm not just saying that because I now live in Chicago and could attend. 
Besides, these were the crowds we pulled in a season following a year where we finished in the AP top 15:
2006-07: 16,424 vs. Illinois-Chicago
2005-06: 19,833 vs. Xavier
2004-05: 21,224 vs. Oregon
2003-04: 15,415 vs. Illinois-Chicago
2003-04: 15,398 vs. Arkansas
2002-03: 13,361 vs. Temple
2001-02: 18,671 vs. Arkansas
2000-01: 21,885 vs. #7 Arizona
We have also drawn great crowds in years where we had a lot less to be excited about than we do now!
2012-13: 18,136 vs. Auburn
2009-10: 20,917 vs. Gonzaga
2007-08: 19,573 vs. #24 Arizona
The real stinker crowds didn't start until the 2015-16 game vs. Illinois-Chicago (5,151), and that was at a true low point for Illini Basketball against a weak draw. It seems pretty obvious that an Illini team that the fans are behind can draw 14-15k for a "meh" draw and anywhere from 16-20k for a good draw or an especially exciting Illini team. You only need to get about 13k in there to have it look full on TV and not embarrass yourself, haha.
Besides, these were the crowds we pulled in a season following a year where we finished in the AP top 15:2006-07: 16,424 vs. Illinois-Chicago
2005-06: 19,833 vs. Xavier
2004-05: 21,224 vs. Oregon
2003-04: 15,415 vs. Illinois-Chicago
2003-04: 15,398 vs. Arkansas
2002-03: 13,361 vs. Temple
2001-02: 18,671 vs. Arkansas
2000-01: 21,885 vs. #7 Arizona
We have also drawn great crowds in years where we had a lot less to be excited about than we do now!
2012-13: 18,136 vs. Auburn
2009-10: 20,917 vs. Gonzaga
2007-08: 19,573 vs. #24 Arizona
The real stinker crowds didn't start until the 2015-16 game vs. Illinois-Chicago (5,151), and that was at a true low point for Illini Basketball against a weak draw. It seems pretty obvious that an Illini team that the fans are behind can draw 14-15k for a "meh" draw and anywhere from 16-20k for a good draw or an especially exciting Illini team. You only need to get about 13k in there to have it look full on TV and not embarrass yourself, haha.
Curbelo and Melendez have both confirmed they are staying with Illinois via social media in the last hour
Great news. If we get Kofi back, this team could go to the FF.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
Absolutely. I’m shocked at how low our hype is from other sources, honestly, but maybe it will be good to make us hungry. I think WITHOUT Kofi, we belong around #20-25 on our guards alone. If he returns?? We could be just as good as last year and possibly even more well-rounded.
We have added some great shooting for this upcoming season. Sky is the limit.
I just want to somewhat randomly throw out there that I really hope we reignite the United Center tradition again. People seem so irrationally scarred by that, but we are coming off being a 1-seed, finishing #2 in the last regular season AP Poll and winning the Big Ten Tournament. The hope was always to get it back once the program was in the shape to sell the tickets, and we are. We all used to (rightfully) see it as a nice recruiting pitch and something unique to Illinois - our "home away from home." It's time to bring that back, and I'm not just saying that because I now live in Chicago and could attend.
2006-07: 16,424 vs. Illinois-Chicago
2005-06: 19,833 vs. Xavier
2004-05: 21,224 vs. Oregon
2003-04: 15,415 vs. Illinois-Chicago
2003-04: 15,398 vs. Arkansas
2002-03: 13,361 vs. Temple
2001-02: 18,671 vs. Arkansas
2000-01: 21,885 vs. #7 Arizona
We have also drawn great crowds in years where we had a lot less to be excited about than we do now!
2012-13: 18,136 vs. Auburn
2009-10: 20,917 vs. Gonzaga
2007-08: 19,573 vs. #24 Arizona
The real stinker crowds didn't start until the 2015-16 game vs. Illinois-Chicago (5,151), and that was at a true low point for Illini Basketball against a weak draw. It seems pretty obvious that an Illini team that the fans are behind can draw 14-15k for a "meh" draw and anywhere from 16-20k for a good draw or an especially exciting Illini team. You only need to get about 13k in there to have it look full on TV and not embarrass yourself, haha.
Think your last paragraph is key. If we’re gonna do it we gotta do it right. Big name opponent, marquee matchup, prime time slot. If we can’t check all the boxes it’s a waste of a what we could get as a home game.
GallopingGhost
- Denver, CO
I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if Podz transferred. Not necessarily to UK but as he was recruited by those guys and they won’t be there, and now with Trent and Monte back, our guard position will be loaded and slim playing time for guy #5-6
I saw that 247 and NCAA.com had Illinois 14, and several had them in the 22-30 range. Think someone (SI I believe) had them 12 if Kofi comes back. So I think the “hype” is pretty good given losing 3 starters, including arguably your two best. Honestly, without Kofi I wouldn’t be inclined to put them at 14. With him, preseason I’d go 10-12. By the end of the season this year’s team could be as good as last’s, but wouldn’t place them there now heading into the season. I do think it is going to be fun to see how this year’s team develops with Kofi or without — though hoping for the former.
chiefini
- Rockford, Illinois
I’m pretty sure the DIA does not retire numbers. They put an honored player’s jersey in the rafters of the Assembly Hall, but the number is not actually retired. Multiple honored players have the same numbers. Since Ayo (and Kofi) met the criteria last season, both their jerseys will be honored.View attachment 9036
Well, since the DIA will retire #11 someday soon anyway, why not force them to retire #5 several years after that? You made it your own last season.
If he's good (& deserving) he'll get minutes. If he's smart (& realistic) he'll understand that he's playing on a whole new level now & it won't be as easy to see the floor... no matter where he plays his college ball.
GallopingGhost
- Denver, CO
Some kids have different priorities. Seems like he really always wanted to go to Illinois and stay close-ish to home. Some guys want the maximum playing time, so they play in mid majors. And some guys can get all the playing time in the world and start every seasons game but still be miffed they’re not the “star”. Wouldnt know any players like that though
Epsilon
M tipping over
- Pdx
Hopefully all our ‘21 guys stay but it looks like they all jumped in the final 247 rankings.
He'd only be behind Trent, DaMonte and a couple others for one year.
JFGsCoffeeMug
BU:1 Trash cans:0
- Chicago
CJ Fredrick officially out of the B1G after transferring to UK.
- Status