It's only one game. But when I see a game played like that, I can't help but question BU's in game strategy and adjustments. It makes me wonder if he is an offensive strategist. Defense seems ok but offensive playmaking and attacking to me are a big question mark. Surely we miss Kofi but a coach is supposed to make proper adjustments with the cards he is dealt. Just my opinion.
Marquette 67, Illinois 66 Postgame
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Wait . . . I thought it was a requirement to be not smart and be on this board . . . ?
After watching the presser and postgame interviews last night (granted, it was late), something stuck out: CoHawk said they 'haven't practiced much end-of-game scenarios.' Coach said in his 'they practice it everyday and know exactly what to do' in the context of why he hates calling late timeouts. I'm not trying to pile on, but either someone is not being forthright or everyone needs to get on the same page.
It was an awful loss, but it was the third game of the season on the road against a pretty good basketball school. Underwood's teams get better as the season progresses so I'm not going to lose any sleep over this. Got a week to prepare for Cincy and I expect them to come out hot.
It’s only one bad game. The key is how they bounce back. I expect nothing but the best from all of them and a turnaround game from Belo next time out.
Forgot to note, the color guy on FS1 broadcast was bad.
Particularly cringey was the monologue about TF coming into college as a defensive stopper but becoming an elite scorer. Pretty much not what happened in any fashion.
Particularly cringey was the monologue about TF coming into college as a defensive stopper but becoming an elite scorer. Pretty much not what happened in any fashion.
Curbelo had a very bad game, but starting had nothing to do with it. He only played 26 minutes last night. He played 26 minutes or more 11 times last year. And unless he was in foul trouble, I’d guess he was on the floor in the final minutes of at least 80% of games decided by 10 points or less.
He had a bad game. I have issues with his game (out of control too often, needs to value possessions more among them), but him starting had nothing to do with loss and even if he had come off the bench he would have been in at end of game just like he was last year.
The issue is that last year with Ayo, Belo was more a luxury than a need. Not that he didn’t play an important role or wasn’t a key part of team’s success, but when he struggled Ayo (and Trent to some extent) were there to steady the ship. Now there is no Ayo and Belo is assuredly a need. He struggled last night and it hurt the team. Not having Kofi hurt, and maybe Belo felt like he had to be Ayo. Hopefully staff gets him to realize that team doesn’t need him to be Ayo down the stretch for to win. He just needs to be the floor general, keep the offense moving, and take care of the ball. I think he’ll get there. If he doesn’t then team will struggle in close games and against pressure D all year.
There are tons of Illini fans saying Curbelo needs to be benched for 1 or multiple games, or even permanantly.
I'm guessing Curbelo has got the picture by now
Where is Melendez ?
Agreed. We don't need to keep beating a dead horse. He will get better and learn from this. We don't need to pile on and possibly see aportal transfer where someone else reaps what would have been our benefits.
Illini win this game easy with Kofi. Thanks NCAA.
In the pregame thread I posted that I wanted to see how the 3 bigs did to see what we have.
Hawk — he has taken a step forward, but not convinced about the huge step forward some people are convinced of. His point and rebound totals were on par with first two games, but the assists, blocks and steals weren’t there against better competition. Five turnovers were also not good, and I’m not convinced I want him shooting 3s. He’s active and looks like he will be a solid contributor, but I think talk of him leaving after this year should be put to rest.
Payne — Seems to be getting a lot of criticism, but he seems to be what I thought he’d be. He can protect the rim, rebound, and dunk. His hands aren’t great, but several of his muffs and TOs were more the fault of the passer. He’ll be fine as a backup — probably as good as Giorgi at least.
BBV — Exhibit A for why shouldn’t get to caught up with performances against cupcakes. I will say that I feel more at ease if we need him for a few minutes due to foul trouble, but not expecting much beyond some D and rebounding.
Hawk — he has taken a step forward, but not convinced about the huge step forward some people are convinced of. His point and rebound totals were on par with first two games, but the assists, blocks and steals weren’t there against better competition. Five turnovers were also not good, and I’m not convinced I want him shooting 3s. He’s active and looks like he will be a solid contributor, but I think talk of him leaving after this year should be put to rest.
Payne — Seems to be getting a lot of criticism, but he seems to be what I thought he’d be. He can protect the rim, rebound, and dunk. His hands aren’t great, but several of his muffs and TOs were more the fault of the passer. He’ll be fine as a backup — probably as good as Giorgi at least.
BBV — Exhibit A for why shouldn’t get to caught up with performances against cupcakes. I will say that I feel more at ease if we need him for a few minutes due to foul trouble, but not expecting much beyond some D and rebounding.
I think some of the concern is that he won't learn from this. We saw a lot of this last year and anytime I or anyone else would mention it people acted like I was attacking Mother Teresa. The hope is that his Basketball IQ would take a leap this year. If this was "just one game" I wouldn't be concerned but this is just a continuance of a pattern we saw last year. A great PG has to make great decisions. Its not about some highlight reel passes. I get you don't want to coach all the "flash" out of him, its part of why he could be special but it has to be under control. He's like the Javy Baez of college BB. All the ability in the world but can't play smart and get out of his own way sometimes.
the people on Twitter that want him benched and whatnot are obviously reactionary meatballs but pretending this isn't concerning is just as silly.
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GallopingGhost
- Denver, CO
My bad. But doesn’t make it any less dumb of a foul.
In CoHawk's defense, his last 3 fouls were questionable at best...and they all seemed to come at pretty crucial moments momentum-wise.
I was critical of Payne in the first two, and thought last night was actually a bit of improvement from him. His game has flaws that will probably never be fixed, but he is very good at some things and I think will ultimately be a useful piece. Not sure I ever want him as the #1 option at the 5 though.
I told my son towards the middle of the first half that AC was forcing way to many situations and not letting the lanes and angles open up and then performing his high level basketball vision. He needs to learn to dial it back and play good fundamental basketball then react to the situation and see the things that he and few other players see as opposed to trying to create something spectacular every time down the court. He's seems to be trying to expand his game in a very forced and self imposed pressurized climate. Like BU said he needs to keep in mind that he has teammates that can perform at a high level if given the chance. He will learn but the question is how long it takes.
I have not had an opportunity to read every post in the thread, but since you pointed these examples out, I agree with you. Considering benching a potential all B10 point guard for one tough game is ridiculous. I'm hopeful that a good film session should serve as plenty of teachable moments and opportunities for improvement to take place going forward. AC is way too talented to not learn from this experience.
You can't bench Curbelo for a game and you have to continue to start him, every game, all season.
You CAN however make his playing time on the court dependent on ball control and good decisions. It's really the only impactful lever a coach has.
You CAN however make his playing time on the court dependent on ball control and good decisions. It's really the only impactful lever a coach has.
I've come full circle on my angst about this game. If Kofi is in the game it's never even close. He's our floor raiser of how bad we can be. Our post presence was pretty much non-existent. With him in the game we could have easily settled into some solid half court possessions and got him looks.
There was a lot that bothered me about this game but it's the third game of a long season without our best player and what should be a major contributor. Take it out on the next team.
There was a lot that bothered me about this game but it's the third game of a long season without our best player and what should be a major contributor. Take it out on the next team.
Curbelo is a special talent. We’ve seen that. BUT...
Talent without control is useless. Talent needs to be channeled in the right direction and in the larger context of team play.
The larger issue: This Illini team needs to learn how to play in big games and pressure situations. They are badly wanting in these areas and have been now for years. Yes, Ayo was great but overall this team hasn't handled this like a Top Ten team is supposed to.
Even with the ‘big’ lead the Illini had against Marquette, you had the sense that they were shaky and beatable. Marquette sensed this and exploited it. AND STILL, the lllini could have pulled this thing out at the end when they really had no business still having a chance to win at that point.
Someone is going to have to step forward and be the Alpha at crunch time. It might just be one of the younger dudes because the older players don’t seem to want that role. They've had years to prove they could do it and they just haven't except for Trent a few times.
This Illini team can still be good. But they have to become much more basketball savvy and much more ice in the veins.
And please... can someone learn how to handle the ball and the floor better? Sort of a basic skill for this game. And Kofi won’t help with this.
Again... more floor time for the young dudes and NOW. Coach wants to reward the older guys, but how about not if they aren’t getting the job done.
Talent without control is useless. Talent needs to be channeled in the right direction and in the larger context of team play.
The larger issue: This Illini team needs to learn how to play in big games and pressure situations. They are badly wanting in these areas and have been now for years. Yes, Ayo was great but overall this team hasn't handled this like a Top Ten team is supposed to.
Even with the ‘big’ lead the Illini had against Marquette, you had the sense that they were shaky and beatable. Marquette sensed this and exploited it. AND STILL, the lllini could have pulled this thing out at the end when they really had no business still having a chance to win at that point.
Someone is going to have to step forward and be the Alpha at crunch time. It might just be one of the younger dudes because the older players don’t seem to want that role. They've had years to prove they could do it and they just haven't except for Trent a few times.
This Illini team can still be good. But they have to become much more basketball savvy and much more ice in the veins.
And please... can someone learn how to handle the ball and the floor better? Sort of a basic skill for this game. And Kofi won’t help with this.
Again... more floor time for the young dudes and NOW. Coach wants to reward the older guys, but how about not if they aren’t getting the job done.
TheFameProtector
- Champaign
Honestly this is exactly what I would expect/hope for in Milwaukee.
TheFameProtector
- Champaign
Something tells me everybody on that bench knew it but that BU is playing the long game here. I trust coach to know the best way to press his players buttons and get them performing their best at the end rather than the start of the season. He makes some pretty good coin b/c he's shown he can do just that.
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