Illini Basketball 2021-2022

Illini_1979 · Feb 16, 2022

Fighter of the Nightman said:
Just a little shoutout to our fans comin' up! While Illini basketball fans had the reputation as being some of the best and most rabid in the nation circa 2007 or so, our dark days from 2014 to 2019 really brought enthusiasm to a never-before-seen low, IMO. Now, we are somewhat underrated in the national mindset. However, when you listen to broadcasts now, we are regaining the reputation of Champaign being a house of horrors for visiting teams! Here are the Big Ten teams so far by average attendance as a percent capacity of their arena:

Nebraska: 15,262 (100.8%) ... must have sold those tickets EARLY!
Purdue: 14,804 (100%)
Michigan State: 14,797 (100%)
Rutgers: 7,977 (99.7%)
Wisconsin: 16,412 (95.2%)
Michigan: 11,893 (93.6%)
Illinois: 14,493 (93.2%)
Indiana: 15,673 (91.0%)
Iowa: 11,557 (74.6%)
Maryland: 12,726 (70.9%)
Minnesota: 10,008 (68.4%)
Ohio State: 12,433 (66.1%)
Penn State: 8,450 (55.4%)
Northwestern: 3,880 (55.1%)

Michigan BARELY has a higher percent than us, and we draw almost 3,000 more fans per game, and we draw almost twice what Rutgers draws. So, props to our fans! I have always said that attendance lags two years behind success, which is why our average attendance was better in our 16-19 2008 season than it was in 2004 when we were outright Big Ten champions. It just takes time to build up the season ticket infrastructure necessary to make your attendance artificially high, even when there aren't that many bodies in the seats (which is exactly what we see here with Wisconsin...).

It really was awesome to see Illini fans turn the BTT into a home game last year, reminding me of the good old days when every arena anywhere was going to be filled with orange! After IU and PU, I expect there to be BY FAR more Illini fans in Indy this year than any other program, and that makes me proud!

I think we should get to count the Krush road trip to PU and the one-half+ Illini crowd at the NU game in our stats.

Fighter of the Nightman · Feb 16, 2022

Illini_1979 said:
I think we should get to count the Krush road trip to PU and the one-half+ Illini crowd at the NU game in our stats.

I posted this in the NU postgame thread a while back, but I slowly realized just how many Illini fans there actually were in Evanston as the game went on. At first, my fiance, her friend and I were guestimating about 50%.

We then realized that we were too focused on trying to look for orange t-shirts after we all took turns going to the bathroom and realized that (1) none of us saw a single NU fan, lol, and (2) most of the Illini fans were actually in blue. Finally, we started to realize that about half of the purple we were seeing was empty seats paid for by NU season ticket holders, which is what a lot of people would have seen on TV. In the end, I honestly think about 65-70% of human beings in the arena were Illini fans.

All one has to do is listen to the crowd reaction to Williams' put-back dunk to know I'm right!

Joel Goodson · Feb 16, 2022

goillini316 said:
Not too sure he won't be a difference maker in at least a few games this year. Seems all 3 freshman have had their moments at various points this season.

Just to be clear, when I said "in the mix" I meant in the rotation, not a spot minutes guy.

DMWSuperFan · Feb 16, 2022

Does anyone have insight on the BBV accusation?

DICKnaggie · Feb 16, 2022

DMWSuperFan said:
Does anyone have insight on the BBV accusation?

HailtotheChief · Feb 16, 2022

For us to be ok with DMW on the floor he needs to hit open looks. Last year he did that but he has struggled this year. I hope to see more RJ at the 3 and either Jacob or someone else at the four if things don't improve.
Outside of Kofi when your guys that get the most time or are a threat to score are under 6 '1" that is a problem when shots are falling.

DMWSuperFan · Feb 16, 2022

HailtotheChief said:
For us to be ok with DMW on the floor he needs to hit open looks. Last year he did that but he has struggled this year. I hope to see more RJ at the 3 and either Jacob or someone else at the four if things don't improve.

I mean DMW is hitting 3s at about the same rate as Frazier…so I think you could apply similar logic to Frazier right?

HailtotheChief · Feb 16, 2022

DMWSuperFan said:
I mean DMW is hitting 3s at about the same rate as Frazier…so I think you could apply similar logic to Frazier right?

No because Frazier stresses the defense drives the ball, hits lay ups evey game and makes others looks. DMW doesn't do the same things Opponents don't wanna leave Trent open over DMW. Frazier does on either end and that pretty obvious.

DMWSuperFan · Feb 16, 2022

HailtotheChief said:
No because Frazier stresses the defense, hits lay ups evey game and makes others looks. DMW doesn't do the same things Frazier does on either end and that pretty obvious.

DMW is an incredible defender - are you really suggesting DMW doesn’t stress defense? Frazier is shooting 40.9% from the floor. He has struggled immensely. Just because he shoots more so has more points and hits some key shots does not mean he is playing well offensively or that he’s a better defensive piece than DMW.

HailtotheChief · Feb 16, 2022

DMWSuperFan said:
DMW is an incredible defender - are you really suggesting DMW doesn’t stress defense? Frazier is shooting 40.9% from the floor. He has struggled immensely. Just because he shoots more so has more points and hits some key shots does not mean he is playing well offensively or that he’s a better defensive piece than DMW.

I am not hating on DMW or his effort. These are in fact the numbers so far and pretty much have always been except for a hot steak last season along side Ayo. He has played an average of over 30 minutes a game this season. Is shooting 28.9 percent from the field and 50 percent from the line. He has made 33 fgs this season. As a team we need not just DMW but anyone playing that much to do better if we are to reach out goals. I am more excited about RJ and others ability to give our beloved what we need from the three or four spot and I hope he is given that opportunity. I don't see any reason to expect more production from that spot in the line up going otherwise. Most playing in that role have had plenty of time to bust out.

DMWSuperFan · Feb 16, 2022

HailtotheChief said:
I am not hating on DMW or his effort. These are in fact the numbers so far and pretty much have always been except for a hot steak last season along side Ayo. He has played an average of over 30 minutes a game this season. Is shooting 28.9 percent from the field and 50 percent from the line. He has made 33 fgs this season. As a team we need not just DMW but anyone playing that much to do better if we are to reach out goals. I am more excited about RJ and others ability to give our beloved what we need from the three or four spot and I hope he is given that opportunity. I don't see any reason to expect more production from that spot in the line up going otherwise. Most playing in that role have had plenty of time to bust out.

I mean you take out 100 of RJs shots and he’s proven nothing either.

If you put RJ in the starting lineup it’s going to pull the ball away from Kofi Plummer Frazier. Those 3 NEED the ball and shots. That’s why DMW fits in that unit.

HailtotheChief · Feb 16, 2022

DMWSuperFan said:
I mean you take out 100 of RJs shots and he’s proven nothing either.

If you put RJ in the starting lineup it’s going to pull the ball away from Kofi Plummer Frazier. Those 3 NEED the ball and shots. That’s why DMW fits in that unit.

RJ hasn't had the opportunity yet. He can likely can o a lot besides just score. We don't know what to expect. That's kind of the point. We disagree that what we are getting from 3 and 4 right now is good enough to be the best we can be.

DMWSuperFan · Feb 16, 2022

HailtotheChief said:
RJ hasn't had the opportunity yet. We don't know what to expect. That's kind of the point

Do you honestly think that this team can compete for a championship by throwing an unknown into the mix for 30 minutes? Because he might have some offense?

Bigtex · Feb 16, 2022

DMWSuperFan said:
Do you honestly think that this team can compete for a championship by throwing an unknown into the mix for 30 minutes? Because he might have some offense?

Dmw effort and defense last couple of games has been bad. We know he isn’t a scorer
If you replace willams with a threat other guys can’t be doubled and get more open looks. RJ has proven in limited minutes he can score and spark the team Would like to see this group get some minutes together. Trent, Plummer, RJ, hawk, and kofi.

DMWSuperFan · Feb 16, 2022

Bigtex said:
Dmw effort and defense last couple of games has been bad. We know he isn’t a scorer
If you replace willams with a threat other guys can’t be doubled and get more open looks. RJ has proven in limited minutes he can score and spark the team Would like to see this group get some minutes together. Trent, Plummer, RJ, hawk, and kofi.

There are not enough shots in the game for that group. Trent and Plummer will never break out of their slump if you run that group. BU is a better coach than all of us - he is playing DMW and grandison for a reason. Trust in BU.

Ken · Feb 16, 2022

DMWSuperFan said:
I mean you take out 100 of RJs shots and he’s proven nothing either.

If you put RJ in the starting lineup it’s going to pull the ball away from Kofi Plummer Frazier. Those 3 NEED the ball and shots. That’s why DMW fits in that unit.

but he doesn't fit with that unit

Plummer is being face guarded

Kofi is being nearly faced guarded in the paint

Trent is running the team .

What does Damonte bring offensively that enhances any of the offensive abilities of those 3 players you say need the ball. ? Now does that mean we don't NEED Damonte ? Of course not but I am certain that in lot of these matchups what he is bringing is not worth 30 minutes of what he is taking away.

Damonte is a defensive stopper and he should be uses as such the bigger issues with team right now is that all of the older guys are great ROLE players being stretched outside of their roles .

DMWSuperFan · Feb 16, 2022

Ken said:
but he doesn't fit with that unit

Plummer is being face guarded

Kofi is being nearly faced guarded in the paint

Trent is running the team .

What does Damonte bring offensively that enhances any of the offensive abilities of those 3 players you say need the ball. ? Now does that mean we don't NEED Damonte ? Of course not but I am certain that in lot of these matchups what he is bringing is not worth 30 minutes of what he is taking away.

Damonte is a defensive stopper and he should be uses as such the bigger issues with team right now is that all of the older guys are great ROLE players being stretched outside of their roles .

I think you saying Trent is being stretched outside of his role is a bit of an exaggeration.

Same with Plummer and Kofi.

Plummer and Trent are in cold stretches. You aren’t getting them out of those slumps for March by giving RJ his run of shots. Shooters shoot. This team is a championship caliber team when Frazier and Plummer are hitting shots. To have Plummer in the game you NEED Damonte to balance out with his lack of defense.

I’m not sure if you’ve just given up on aspirations of a championship this year, but in my opinion, saying RJ or Hawkins need more minutes is akin to playing for the future instead of for this year. BU knows what he has and he knows what this team is capable of. I fully believe that if he though RJ could play 20+ minutes on a championship team, he’d play him more. A championship team rarely goes without a loss. Sometimes they go through rough patches. The only way we can truly expect to win is with Plummer and Frazier putting up a lot of points, and then we need Damonte there to balance out Plummer

Baskins Tiger · Feb 17, 2022

DICKnaggie said:

Its ridiculous, he met some girl on the internet, she came here, he dissed her for whatever reason, she got real mad he had to practice 4 hours, she left, they argued over text, he said some childish !!!! about people showing up at her house, she decided it was somehow a threat to her safety, she accused him of abuse and threatening her(most likely for her tic toc views) then she tried to get the police involved and the university, they saw what this for what tit was.. childish bs, how could someone injure you over the internet for real.. this tic toc generation is doomed

DMWSuperFan · Feb 17, 2022

Baskins Tiger said:
Its ridiculous, he met some girl on the internet, she came here, he dissed her for whatever reason, she got real mad he had to practice 4 hours, she left, they argued over text, he said some childish !!!! about people showing up at her house, she decided it was somehow a threat to her safety, she accused him of abuse and threatening her(most likely for her tic toc views) then she tried to get the police involved and the university, they saw what this for what tit was.. childish bs, how could someone injure you over the internet for real.. this tic toc generation is doomed

Okay that’s what I got from it. Wasn’t sure if it was something that was going to grow into a serious issue.

IllinoisssssssVarsity · Feb 17, 2022

ElGran said:
I like J Grand, but he doesn't drive with authority, not even close. And if he doesn't do it at the college level, he certainly wouldn't do it in the NBA.

Not beefing with anything you’re saying here, but nba defensive rules and philosophies probably help him become a better driver.

Rules: tight on hand checks, defensive 3 seconds taking away traditional help

Philosophy: extremely aggressive close outs on good 3 point shooters that encourage drives

IllinoisssssssVarsity · Feb 17, 2022

Baskins Tiger said:
Its ridiculous, he met some girl on the internet, she came here, he dissed her for whatever reason, she got real mad he had to practice 4 hours, she left, they argued over text, he said some childish !!!! about people showing up at her house, she decided it was somehow a threat to her safety, she accused him of abuse and threatening her(most likely for her tic toc views) then she tried to get the police involved and the university, they saw what this for what tit was.. childish bs, how could someone injure you over the internet for real.. this tic toc generation is doomed

I was just talking to one of my players dads Tuesday about how he’s trying to get his son to leave girls alone right now to eliminate distractions. But as many here know, young men don’t always see clearly in this arena. The ease of immediate worldwide communication makes it that much harder. I don’t know anything about Bens situation, but from what was posted it looks like he wasn’t willing to let this relationship interfere with his commitment to the team. I can appreciate that part. Hope none of the other safety concerns she voiced are true.

GrayGhost77 · Feb 17, 2022

Baskins Tiger said:
Its ridiculous, he met some girl on the internet, she came here, he dissed her for whatever reason, she got real mad he had to practice 4 hours, she left, they argued over text, he said some childish !!!! about people showing up at her house, she decided it was somehow a threat to her safety, she accused him of abuse and threatening her(most likely for her tic toc views) then she tried to get the police involved and the university, they saw what this for what tit was.. childish bs, how could someone injure you over the internet for real.. this tic toc generation is doomed

What's a tic toc? Something about clocks?

21ChampaignSt · Feb 17, 2022

DMWSuperFan said:
I’m not sure if you’ve just given up on aspirations of a championship this year, but in my opinion, saying RJ or Hawkins need more minutes is akin to playing for the future instead of for this year. BU knows what he has and he knows what this team is capable of. I fully believe that if he though RJ could play 20+ minutes on a championship team, he’d play him more. A championship team rarely goes without a loss. Sometimes they go through rough patches. The only way we can truly expect to win is with Plummer and Frazier putting up a lot of points, and then we need Damonte there to balance out Plummer

I've posted this before, but it's very rare for championship teams to have a player on their roster with a similar statistical profile to DMW. Note "rare" does not equate to "impossible". But if you're talking about "championship aspirations" as a reason for playing DMW more, you should know that DMW does not fit the mold of a starter on a championship caliber team. Statistically.

His role is to play defense, bring energy, and make open shots. He's not doing any of those things well right now and honestly, there have been a few sequences lately where he either looks injured, sick, or just lacking in effort.

He's an important piece to this team. But he's struggling right now. Give some other guys his minutes right now. A player like DMW will find a way to earn them back.

WyattEarp · Feb 17, 2022

DMWSuperFan said:
DMW is an incredible defender - are you really suggesting DMW doesn’t stress defense? Frazier is shooting 40.9% from the floor. He has struggled immensely. Just because he shoots more so has more points and hits some key shots does not mean he is playing well offensively or that he’s a better defensive piece than DMW.

I dig your enthusiasm for Monte. I really really do. His versatility has been a thing of legend for us. But holy/holy geez, so has Trent’s…in some of the same but also different ways..,

Monte may be more versatile in
giving up a lot of inches to a guy and still doing a yeoman’s job on him. (Nothing short of amazing many many times-truly.)

But when you absolutely have to lock-down, shut-down, get up in a guys grill…and make him cry for momma…there is no substitute for Trent Frazier. There’s no one consistently that effective on his defensive assignment in the B1G. It’s nothing against Monte…he’s exceptional at what he does 96-98 % of the time. BUT When we needed to absolutely shut someone down they looked to Trent first…not Ayo…not Monte. That’s from Underwood.

On offense Monte remains predominately a spot up shooter…he is not a scorer. Trent is a scorer that has an arsenal of various shots at his disposal. He makes knifing, slashing to the rack moves Monte probably never would. Trent takes a lot of shots because he’s a scorer. Scorer’s have to take their shots. Monte is clearly just not the playmaker Trent is…few are.

But I love Monte…I really do. It’s like Peanut Butter and Bubble Gum. Ya know?
Both great things…just a little different.

Fanview · Feb 17, 2022

It's interesting how BU has had a reputation in his tenure at Illinois of playing freshmen. And the year we have 4 players on the roster (Da'Monte, Trent, Grandison, and Plummer) taking advantage of a bonus year, people clamor he doesn't play freshmen enough.

I get it. I want to see the freshmen play too. They are something new and exciting. But the goal of the game is to win. Most coaches in the country are going to lean on their vets. Underwood plays the freshmen and when they don't execute the way he wants them to, he pulls them out. Veterans have likely showed him over a much larger sample size that even when they are messing up, they can figure it out. The Northwestern game where Da'Monte had that monster put back, people were complaining in the game thread about him for a while. Then he had some huge plays and silence.

I would imagine coach is far more willing to keep the vets out there to "figure it out" than freshmen.