Trent Frazier returns for fifth season at Illinois

#51      
Dont sleep on Curbelo...
No one is sleeping on Curbelo, but if you’re counting on Curbelo to replace Ayo and his impact then who replaces Curbelo’s “impact from 2020-2021?” An improved Curbelo is not enough to essentially equal two players. Still a lot of questions, but we have some pieces that might be the answers. But I’m not buying predictions that next year’s team will be better than this year’s. I don’t think a short stretch of games without Ayo late in the season AFTER the identity and character of the team had already been created necessarily equates to success over a full season without Ayo. And that’s if Kofi comes back, and I am still skeptical that happens.

I will say that having Trent back is a big step, especially since it seems like AM is gone. Need that experience to keep the culture going and show the newcomers the Illini way.
 
#60      
No. Plummer will be off the bench
If Belo's season last year is helping us sell guys in the idea they'd be better off coming off the bench here than starting elsewhere, the staff deserves a tip of the cap
Derek Jeter Sport GIF by YES Network
 
#62      

201154JC

Rockford, IL
If Belo's season last year is helping us sell guys in the idea they'd be better off coming off the bench here than starting elsewhere, the staff deserves a tip of the cap
Derek Jeter Sport GIF by YES Network
Interesting gif. That's Derek Jeter's Mom and Dad and probably his nephew.
 
#63      
No. Plummer will be off the bench

I really doubt Plummer transferred here to come off the bench as an upperclassmen. He played 28 minutes a game last season at Utah. Frazier played 33 minutes a game. Curbelo played 21.5 minutes. You gotta think Curbelo is going to get 30 minutes a game. So I see all 3 of these guys playing 30 minutes a game, which will be a tiny backcourt but we'll see if it works. I like one of Plummer/Frazier. Having both on the court at the same time won't be beneficial IMO.
 
#64      

DB11Headband

Chicago Burbs
I really doubt Plummer transferred here to come off the bench as an upperclassmen. He played 28 minutes a game last season at Utah. Frazier played 33 minutes a game. Curbelo played 21.5 minutes. You gotta think Curbelo is going to get 30 minutes a game. So I see all 3 of these guys playing 30 minutes a game, which will be a tiny backcourt but we'll see if it works. I like one of Plummer/Frazier. Having both on the court at the same time won't be beneficial IMO.
He came here to win and get ~25 minutes as the sixth man
 
#65      

Ken

chitown
No. Plummer will be off the bench

I wouldn't count on that . He instantly has become the best shooter on the roster and one of the best in the conference. Anyone who thinks we are essentially gonna do the same thing we did last year is gonna be in for a real surprise.
 
#67      

DB11Headband

Chicago Burbs
I really doubt Plummer transferred here to come off the bench as an upperclassmen. He played 28 minutes a game last season at Utah. Frazier played 33 minutes a game. Curbelo played 21.5 minutes. You gotta think Curbelo is going to get 30 minutes a game. So I see all 3 of these guys playing 30 minutes a game, which will be a tiny backcourt but we'll see if it works. I like one of Plummer/Frazier. Having both on the court at the same time won't be beneficial IMO.
Curbelo and Trent are starting 100%-they will not be starting AP with them. But he will be off the bench within the first 5 minutes of the game
 
#68      

DB11Headband

Chicago Burbs
I wouldn't count on that . He instantly has become the best shooter on the roster and one of the best in the conference. Anyone who thinks we are essentially gonna do the same thing we did last year is gonna be in for a real surprise.
If Plummer is a starter, I’ll buy you a beach house
 
#72      
I wouldn't count on that . He instantly has become the best shooter on the roster and one of the best in the conference. Anyone who thinks we are essentially gonna do the same thing we did last year is gonna be in for a real surprise.
I don’t know if he’ll be starting or not, but he came off the bench for 7 or 8 games this past year in the middle of the season — and was only moved back in starting lineup when Rylan Jones got hurt. He also has spent last two seasons on teams that were sub .500 in conference and this year’s Utah team was sub .500 on the season. So the idea that he would come off the bench to be a key part of a winning team and go to the NCAA tournament (and hopefully be a national title contender) isn’t far fetched at all IMO. Especially when he’s still likely looking at getting around 25 minutes a game or more.
 
#74      
Ayo was a generational player for us. And Miller transferring was disappointing. But is it me or do we all of a sudden have sick depth with great vets and developmental talent. I can also see a lineup of:
Belo, Trent, Plummer, Omar and Kofi. Grandison and Hutch are capable starters. Hawk can emerge as a quintessential stretch 4. I love our freshmen. We have GREAT shooters. Let’s go!
 
#75      
Ayo was a generational player for us. And Miller transferring was disappointing. But is it me or do we all of a sudden have sick depth with great vets and developmental talent. I can also see a lineup of:
Belo, Trent, Plummer, Omar and Kofi. Grandison and Hutch are capable starters. Hawk can emerge as a quintessential stretch 4. I love our freshmen. We have GREAT shooters. Let’s go!
Payne won’t be starting if Kofi renturns.

Don’t see him as a 4 at all either. JMHO