Pregame: Illinois vs Cincinnati, Monday, November 22nd, 5:30pm CT, ESPNews

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#128      
Sounds like we really needed the week off re: Belo actually getting some practice in and Hutch getting healthy. The sour taste of Marquette is starting to go away as the Golden Eagles look surprisingly solid and after remembering Belo’s rustiness was in part due to concussion protocols. I hope we come out sharp tomorrow.
 
#129      
Sounds like we really needed the week off re: Belo actually getting some practice in and Hutch getting healthy. The sour taste of Marquette is starting to go away as the Golden Eagles look surprisingly solid and after remembering Belo’s rustiness was in part due to concussion protocols. I hope we come out sharp tomorrow.
My problem with Belo has nothing to do with his turnovers. My problem was his insistence on being that guy that takes the big shots.
 
#130      

GallopingGhost

Denver, CO
Sounds like we really needed the week off re: Belo actually getting some practice in and Hutch getting healthy. The sour taste of Marquette is starting to go away as the Golden Eagles look surprisingly solid and after remembering Belo’s rustiness was in part due to concussion protocols. I hope we come out sharp tomorrow.
I mean… close your eyes as Marquette is getting blown out by St bonaventure right now.

but… if that means we are at least a top 22 team with Kofi. Plus that’s a neutral floor vs we played them in Milwaukee.

I’m convinced that if we had Kofi, we wouldn’t have lost that game.
 
#131      

Tacomallini

Washington State
I mean… close your eyes as Marquette is getting blown out by St bonaventure right now.

but… if that means we are at least a top 22 team with Kofi. Plus that’s a neutral floor vs we played them in Milwaukee.

I’m convinced that if we had Kofi, we wouldn’t have lost that game.
I thought Fiserv is the new home arena for Marquette. ?
 
#132      
Can't wait to see King Kofi dunk all over Cincy
 
#133      

IlliniRon

Illini Basketball Fan Forever
Ft Worth, Texas
I think in general Underwood is a great coach, but he must realize Curbelo is not the team's best shooter and he needs him to play point guard instead of taking every shot down the stretch of a close game. The interview comments might not reflect what he saw in the last game.
 
#134      
Last year, Curbelo had the team’s third-best percentage on two-point shots (Kofi, Granderson) while taking the third most such shots (Ayo, Kofi, and 4.5x more than Granderson). It obviously wasn’t working on Monday but it’s ludicrous to say he’s not capable of scoring at decent volume and high efficiency.

I’m seeing a lot of people say they want him to be a “point guard” but am genuinely curious as to what that means. How does a point guard create offense in today’s game without breaking down defenses and disrupting rotations? And can he do that without being a credible threat to score himself? Defenses are way more sophisticated than they were even 10-15 years ago, and you can’t just pass the ball around the perimeter and back cut anymore.

I just don’t know what folks envision him doing when they say stuff like that. Not what he did on Monday, sure. But he’s got 30-plus games under his belt, most of which showed him to be effective at both scoring and creating. If he just stays on the perimeter and makes simple one-station passes, he’s literally taking his game away from the things that allow him to be valuable to this team.
 
#135      
Last year, Curbelo had the team’s third-best percentage on two-point shots (Kofi, Granderson) while taking the third most such shots (Ayo, Kofi, and 4.5x more than Granderson). It obviously wasn’t working on Monday but it’s ludicrous to say he’s not capable of scoring at decent volume and high efficiency.

I’m seeing a lot of people say they want him to be a “point guard” but am genuinely curious as to what that means. How does a point guard create offense in today’s game without breaking down defenses and disrupting rotations? And can he do that without being a credible threat to score himself? Defenses are way more sophisticated than they were even 10-15 years ago, and you can’t just pass the ball around the perimeter and back cut anymore.

I just don’t know what folks envision him doing when they say stuff like that. Not what he did on Monday, sure. But he’s got 30-plus games under his belt, most of which showed him to be effective at both scoring and creating. If he just stays on the perimeter and makes simple one-station passes, he’s literally taking his game away from the things that allow him to be valuable to this team.
He needs to recognize when he is dribbling into a double team or triple team and adjust accordingly.
 
#137      
Last year, Curbelo had the team’s third-best percentage on two-point shots (Kofi, Granderson) while taking the third most such shots (Ayo, Kofi, and 4.5x more than Granderson). It obviously wasn’t working on Monday but it’s ludicrous to say he’s not capable of scoring at decent volume and high efficiency.

I’m seeing a lot of people say they want him to be a “point guard” but am genuinely curious as to what that means. How does a point guard create offense in today’s game without breaking down defenses and disrupting rotations? And can he do that without being a credible threat to score himself? Defenses are way more sophisticated than they were even 10-15 years ago, and you can’t just pass the ball around the perimeter and back cut anymore.

I just don’t know what folks envision him doing when they say stuff like that. Not what he did on Monday, sure. But he’s got 30-plus games under his belt, most of which showed him to be effective at both scoring and creating. If he just stays on the perimeter and makes simple one-station passes, he’s literally taking his game away from the things that allow him to be valuable to this team.
For the most part, this is not what was being said. It was about him taking most (all) of the "big" shots in a game. Ayo took quite a few of the big shots in the past. Even then, Belo tried to take a few. He did not need to be forcing the big shots at the end. I have no problem with him taking shots during the game. I don't think that he should be taking make or break shots and definitely not all of them.
 
#138      

derrick6

Illini Dawg
Seattle
For the most part, this is not what was being said. It was about him taking most (all) of the "big" shots in a game. Ayo took quite a few of the big shots in the past. Even then, Belo tried to take a few. He did not need to be forcing the big shots at the end. I have no problem with him taking shots during the game. I don't think that he should be taking make or break shots and definitely not all of them.
I’m sure coach wishes he called timeout to draw up a play rather than leave it. Belo will learn from it as well. Really his first time in that situation.
 
#139      

Dbell1981

Decatur, IL
I’m sure coach wishes he called timeout to draw up a play rather than leave it. Belo will learn from it as well. Really his first time in that situation.
Coach actually hates using a timeout in that situation. He said they practice it extensively. A timeout allows them to draw up a defense. His philosophy on it right from the horses mouth in the post game interview(one of them).
 
#140      

pruman91

Paducah, Ky
I can't stomach to watch a replay of that game and I deleted my recording , but I kinda remember Belo or Trent going towards the sideline and BU just waved him forward , like go do it...........

I think I'm right , I think ?
 
#142      
For the most part, this is not what was being said. It was about him taking most (all) of the "big" shots in a game. Ayo took quite a few of the big shots in the past. Even then, Belo tried to take a few. He did not need to be forcing the big shots at the end. I have no problem with him taking shots during the game. I don't think that he should be taking make or break shots and definitely not all of them.
Belo’s clutch shots last year were due to penetrating and the defense sagging to respect Kofi. Not >15 foot shots.
 
#143      
Coach actually hates using a timeout in that situation. He said they practice it extensively. A timeout allows them to draw up a defense. His philosophy on it right from the horses mouth in the post game interview(one of them).
Bingo. Ill also say BU loves putting his guys through stuff like this earlier in the season. Loves for then to experience it now so they can learn and grow through it for the end of the year. Now he wants to win every game (and he knows we would have with Kofi) but he also knows that the likelihood of going undefeated is slim and values this teaching/coaching moments that come from games like this immensely.
 
#144      
Bingo. Ill also say BU loves putting his guys through stuff like this earlier in the season. Loves for then to experience it now so they can learn and grow through it for the end of the year. Now he wants to win every game (and he knows we would have with Kofi) but he also knows that the likelihood of going undefeated is slim and values this teaching/coaching moments that come from games like this immensely.
Bingo. Guys need to be battle tested as much as possible.
 
#145      

DeonThomas

South Carolina
Anyone yet recommended an Illini bar near the arena for pre-game/post-game festivities? I-L-L

Thx
 
#146      

derrick6

Illini Dawg
Seattle
Coach actually hates using a timeout in that situation. He said they practice it extensively. A timeout allows them to draw up a defense. His philosophy on it right from the horses mouth in the post game interview(one of them).
I meant due to the fact that Belo had not practiced. His words
 
#147      
Last year, Curbelo had the team’s third-best percentage on two-point shots (Kofi, Granderson) while taking the third most such shots (Ayo, Kofi, and 4.5x more than Granderson). It obviously wasn’t working on Monday but it’s ludicrous to say he’s not capable of scoring at decent volume and high efficiency.

I’m seeing a lot of people say they want him to be a “point guard” but am genuinely curious as to what that means. How does a point guard create offense in today’s game without breaking down defenses and disrupting rotations? And can he do that without being a credible threat to score himself? Defenses are way more sophisticated than they were even 10-15 years ago, and you can’t just pass the ball around the perimeter and back cut anymore.

I just don’t know what folks envision him doing when they say stuff like that. Not what he did on Monday, sure. But he’s got 30-plus games under his belt, most of which showed him to be effective at both scoring and creating. If he just stays on the perimeter and makes simple one-station passes, he’s literally taking his game away from the things that allow him to be valuable to this team.
The issue Monday was it CLEARLY wasn’t his night, it clearly WAS Trent’s night and yet we played/coached like the opposite was true. Seriously ONE fewer bewildering turnover, and we win. One.

With that said, it’s way past time to move on, and I don’t want ‘Belo to stop being ‘Belo. We need him. Let’s go out and beat Cincinnati handily before beating a ranked Arkansas. Do both those things, and the Marquette loss is more than made up for (4-1 with a neutral court win vs. a ranked team and a 1-point loss without our best player? I’ll take it!).
 
#150      
Last year, Curbelo had the team’s third-best percentage on two-point shots (Kofi, Granderson) while taking the third most such shots (Ayo, Kofi, and 4.5x more than Granderson). It obviously wasn’t working on Monday but it’s ludicrous to say he’s not capable of scoring at decent volume and high efficiency.

I’m seeing a lot of people say they want him to be a “point guard” but am genuinely curious as to what that means. How does a point guard create offense in today’s game without breaking down defenses and disrupting rotations? And can he do that without being a credible threat to score himself? Defenses are way more sophisticated than they were even 10-15 years ago, and you can’t just pass the ball around the perimeter and back cut anymore.

I just don’t know what folks envision him doing when they say stuff like that. Not what he did on Monday, sure. But he’s got 30-plus games under his belt, most of which showed him to be effective at both scoring and creating. If he just stays on the perimeter and makes simple one-station passes, he’s literally taking his game away from the things that allow him to be valuable to this team.
You know full well people are not saying Curbelo should not shoot or that he should stay on the perimeter and make simple one-station passes. I do feel he should dial it back some and not always go for the highlight reel pass. I also think he can over penetrate too often, which has led to some bad shots and bad passes. To his credit though, it has also led to some great baskets. Obviously the number of turnovers on Monday was bad, but the main issue I and I think many others had was the amount he shot late. In the last 5 minutes I believe Belo took 5 shots (making none). Frazier on the other hand got 2 shots. And it isn’t like AC had been hot earlier. He was 4 for 13. And Frazier had been shooting well. In that situation being more a point guard means understanding the game is starting to get away from the Illini, you’re not having a good night, identifying who is and helping them win the game rather than trying to do it all yourself.

The verbal attacks AC received — and I say attacks because many went beyond simple criticism — were not warranted. He’s just starting his sophomore year and likely had rust from not practicing (something I’ll admit I didn’t really take into consideration at the time), so he’ll get better. Having Kofi back will undoubtedly help AC’s game too. I expect AC to have other bad games (hopefully not this bad and they don’t lead to a loss), but they will be far out numbered by the good ones with at least a few incredible ones sprinkled in.
 
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