Pregame: Illinois vs Saint Francis (Pa.), Saturday, December 18th, 12:00pm CT, BTN

altgeld88 · Dec 17, 2021

signILLINIman said:
Something very very strange going on with Curbelo! Will we ever know?

I don't know whether it's that strange. These young men have been through a lot the past 22 months. We won't likely ever know, and don't need to. I just want him to take care of himself, get well, and then get back into the game on his terms, as I'm sure we all do. Love the kid and wish him the best. He's a big part of the Illini family and brought such joy to the fans in a short time. IMO we're completely blessed that he chose us. :illinois:

[EDIT: Posted just after CV Illini. Agreed. It's very concerning; I worry about him. This is yet another reason why I'm thankful we have BU. He's not only a great coach, he's obviously a good man who cares deeply about his boys, and surrounds himself with staff who do the same. Am confident AC is getting the support he needs.]

Chad Fleck · Dec 17, 2021

Is there any precedent for hiding a student/athlete's academic status?

Just wondering.

2qtslow · Dec 17, 2021

Chad Fleck said:
Is there any precedent for hiding a student/athlete's academic status?

Just wondering.

Strictly confidential according to a 30 second Google search. Sometimes they leak regardless, but my limited memory is that they are described as suspended for unnamed violation of team rules.

My complete guess in this case is that Belo is not suspended for any reason at all. I think something is wrong with him that affects his ability to play, and see no point in guessing further than that.

Oldskoolkoach · Dec 17, 2021

2qtslow said:
Strictly confidential according to a 30 second Google search. Sometimes they leak regardless, but my limited memory is that they are described as suspended for unnamed violation of team rules.

My complete guess in this case is that Belo is not suspended for any reason at all. I think something is wrong with him that affects his ability to play, and see no point in guessing further than that.

That is correct.

Punesguy · Dec 17, 2021

Dan said:
https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1471909250716901382

What a fantastic young man and a really solid addition to our team. If you haven't watched the video, you should because it will make you proud that he's an Illini! :shield:

illini80 · Dec 17, 2021

What I hope for in these next 3 games, is that we can identify who will be our main point guard. Belo may be back eventually, but it certainly doesn’t look like it will be soon. (Acccording to twitter reports, he didn’t attend today’s practice at all.) Hope for the best and plan for the worst. Frazier and Plummer can both help, but for us to be our best, I think we need someone else to step into that primary role. The question is do we have someone (Podz) that can be ready? That’s what we have to find out and this is the stretch to do it.

BRucks · Dec 17, 2021

It seems odd that Belo attends games - home and away - but not practices. Perhaps he is getting some type of treatment while practice is going on?

ElGran · Dec 17, 2021

illini80 said:
What I hope for in these next 3 games, is that we can identify who will be our main point guard. Belo may be back eventually, but it certainly doesn’t look like it will be soon. (Acccording to twitter reports, he didn’t attend today’s practice at all.) Hope for the best and plan for the worst. Frazier and Plummer can both help, but for us to be our best, I think we need someone else to step into that primary role. The question is do we have someone (Podz) that can be ready? That’s what we have to find out and this is the stretch to do it.

I don't think we have anyone with those skills (at least at a high level). It would be nice if we could just "plug" someone into that position. But PG is the hardest position to just plug someone in. One doesn't just develop PG skills at 20 or so years of age.

GBIllini · Dec 17, 2021

Does anyone else think that Underwood should give Lieb some time on the floor and not just the last few minutes. I feel that the backups for Kofi haven't shown much consistency or reliability so far. They have contributed at times but not in a way that says this is the guy to give us solid minutes when Kofi's out. Lieb might surprise us. I know BU is a big practice guy and he may not be seeing what he wants out of Lieb but how many times have we seen players that look awesome in practice and then fall on their face in the games. I wouldn't think it would hurt to put him out there in real game situations. If it doesn't work out just put him back on the bench.

illinitiger · Dec 17, 2021

Haha said:
Is there a worse passer who is a senior in the big10 then DMW

I dont know but I would expect the answer should be "absolutely"

Stats show pretty well for DMW passing effectively.......

--DMW has 2d best per 40 assist rate on team at 3.4 (behind Belo)

-- DMW has 2d lowest per 40 TO rate among team starters at 1.4 (behind Grandison)

Bigtex · Dec 17, 2021

Why would underwood go to the end of the bench? Underwood sees these kids everyday and highly doubt liebs and podz are the immediate answer for to fill holes and contribute.

ElGran · Dec 17, 2021

GBIllini said:
Does anyone else think that Underwood should give Lieb some time on the floor and not just the last few minutes. I feel that the backups for Kofi haven't shown much consistency or reliability so far. They have contributed at times but not in a way that says this is the guy to give us solid minutes when Kofi's out. Lieb might surprise us. I know BU is a big practice guy and he may not be seeing what he wants out of Lieb but how many times have we seen players that look awesome in practice and then fall on their face in the games. I wouldn't think it would hurt to put him out there in real game situations. If it doesn't work out just put him back on the bench.

Backup Center is the least of our concerns right now.

spillini · Dec 17, 2021

Haha said:
Is there a worse passer who is a senior in the big10 then DMW

Alright, you made me look it up.

Here's the top 6 AST/TO in the conference for players getting over 25 MPG. Buie is a junior and the rest are seniors The ratio isn't perfect as a measure of passing ability but it's the best proxy from the major stats. The answer is "Yes, most of them".

Jamari Wheeler, G	OSU	3.14
Sasha Stefanovic, G	PUR	2.86
Luke Loewe, G	MINN	2.82
Boo Buie, G	NU	2.5
Pete Nance, F	NU	2.45
Da'Monte Williams, G	ILL	2.43

GBIllini · Dec 17, 2021

ElGran said:
Backup Center is the least of our concerns right now.

NEVER SAID IT WAS A MAIN CONCERN.

Fanview · Dec 17, 2021

GBIllini said:
Does anyone else think that Underwood should give Lieb some time on the floor and not just the last few minutes. I feel that the backups for Kofi haven't shown much consistency or reliability so far. They have contributed at times but not in a way that says this is the guy to give us solid minutes when Kofi's out. Lieb might surprise us. I know BU is a big practice guy and he may not be seeing what he wants out of Lieb but how many times have we seen players that look awesome in practice and then fall on their face in the games. I wouldn't think it would hurt to put him out there in real game situations. If it doesn't work out just put him back on the bench.

I feel like him playing will do nothing but remind fans why he's not playing. I think theres a huge dropoff from Kofi to our backups to Lieb. Brad sees the guy practice everyday. Brad has shown a willingness to play guys that show flashes from practice, Grandison being the first feel good story I think of. If a guy isn't even showing any flashes from practice worthy of game tick, id rather stick with the 3 guys in front of him. I appreciate the unique suggestion though.

This is like having 3 horses you usually bet on and they show you fair returns, but nothing amazing. So you decide to gamble on a raw horse that has not showed you much of anything just to "see what happens".

NJJ871 · Dec 18, 2021

GBIllini said:
NEVER SAID IT WAS A MAIN CONCERN.

Driving Season 8 GIF by Curb Your Enthusiasm

illini80 · Dec 18, 2021

ElGran said:
I don't think we have anyone with those skills (at least at a high level). It would be nice if we could just "plug" someone into that position. But PG is the hardest position to just plug someone in. One doesn't just develop PG skills at 20 or so years of age.

Idk that we have anyone either, but we have games we should easily win so it makes sense to me to try some things. I threw Podz name out just because Underwood has talked about him practicing really well. If he’s not an option at pg, we need to be getting someone else some time. Hopefully its not the case, but it sure seems like AC will not be back anytime soon. I just don’t think Plummer and Frazier can handle pg duties full time, be our main scoring threats, and (Frazier) be expected to be our best defender. Plus, if/when one of them gets in foul trouble or, god forbid gets injured, we have to have a backup. If DMW or Grandy is it, then give them some extra reps there now.

pruman91 · Dec 18, 2021

Illini set to return to action after taking a break

Academics took priority during final exams week.

www.stltoday.com

“We’ve had a lot of sickness and injury and so many games in a quick amount of time,” Underwood said. “That didn’t allow us to get better and get tougher and do the things you normally do in November. This was the first week in a long time I felt like we could stack days on top of each other and we did that. I was excited to see us grow in those ways.”

That does not, however, include point guard Andre Curbelo. A concussion and neck issues have been given as reasons Curbelo hasn’t played since Nov. 23.

illini80 · Dec 18, 2021

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1471980614396043269

illinitiger · Dec 18, 2021

ElGran said:
Backup Center is the least of our concerns right now.

Luckily we dont have too many concerns, IMO.

Lieb getting tick on balance or slightly less than balance with Payne is not a huge ask.

ElGran · Dec 18, 2021

illinitiger said:
Luckily we dont have too many concerns, IMO.

Lieb getting tick on balance or slightly less than balance with Payne is not a huge ask.

We've got a gigantic conern at PG.

blackdog · Dec 18, 2021

illinitiger said:
Luckily we dont have too many concerns, IMO.

Lieb getting tick on balance or slightly less than balance with Payne is not a huge ask.

Yes it is because Payne averages 8 minutes and BBV almost 9 while Kofi gets 31. Payne is barely getting minutes as it is which means you would be either wouldn't be playing him or BBV if you want Lieb in there. The other option is taking minutes from Kofi...

BretMyBeachHouse · Dec 18, 2021

blackdog said:
Yes it is because Payne averages 8 minutes and BBV almost 9 while Kofi gets 31. Payne is barely getting minutes as it is which means you would be either wouldn't be playing him or BBV if you want Lieb in there. The other option is taking minutes from Kofi...

I think as a staff you pretty much have to focus extra minutes on no more than 2 guys.

Hopefully it will finally pay off this year for Payne in a perfect world he comes around and plays 15 a game.

illinitiger · Dec 18, 2021

ElGran said:
We've got a gigantic conern at PG.

Gigantic....well may be hyperbole... I want Belo back when he is ready. He is special.

Trent is awesome at whatever he is asked...extremely blessed to have him this year!

ElGran · Dec 18, 2021

illinitiger said:
Gigantic....well may be hyperbole... I want Belo back when he is ready. He is special.

Trent is awesome at whatever he is asked...extremely blessed to have him this year!

Maybe "significant" is a better word. If Belo comes back and gradually gets back to where he was late last year, IMO we are a top 10-15 team. If not, we are a middle of the pack Big Ten team.