Illini Basketball 2021-2022

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#126      
ChiTownIllini23
Since there is no 22-23 thread yet I’m curious to see what everyone thinks the starting 5 would look like next season.

Assuming everyone comes back I think Kofi and Curbelo are locks, Hawk should should get the nod to start the season, Melendez played well enough and I want to see what he could do as a starter. Last spot is really up for toss between Epps, Harris, Podz and Goode. I think there is a strong chance we get another guard through the TP but let’s focus on who we have right now.
 
#127      
BWA
ChiTownIllini23 said:
Since there is no 22-23 thread yet I’m curious to see what everyone thinks the starting 5 would look like next season.

Assuming everyone comes back I think Kofi and Curbelo are locks, Hawk should should get the nod to start the season, Melendez played well enough and I want to see what he could do as a starter. Last spot is really up for toss between Epps, Harris, Podz and Goode. I think there is a strong chance we get another guard through the TP but let’s focus on who we have right now.
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I think you nailed it.

Curbelo, Transfer, Melendez, Hawkins, Kofi/Dainja is my guess. I don't see underwood giving any freshman the starting gig right away unless they just blow us away preseason.
 
#128      
Emerson Bigguns
ChiTownIllini23 said:
Since there is no 22-23 thread yet I’m curious to see what everyone thinks the starting 5 would look like next season.

Assuming everyone comes back I think Kofi and Curbelo are locks, Hawk should should get the nod to start the season, Melendez played well enough and I want to see what he could do as a starter. Last spot is really up for toss between Epps, Harris, Podz and Goode. I think there is a strong chance we get another guard through the TP but let’s focus on who we have right now.
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Have to believe Goode would have the edge, since he has played meaningful minutes this season.
 
#129      
ChiTownIllini23
BWA said:
I think you nailed it.

Curbelo, Transfer, Melendez, Hawkins, Kofi/Dainja is my guess. I don't see underwood giving any freshman the starting gig right away unless they just blow us away preseason.
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Yep, I think the transfer option is likely because getting another experienced guard who could handle the ball and shoot would take a lot of pressure off Curbelo and help the offense run more smoothly. Failing to do that, I was having a hard time deciding who gets the last spot from those 4 names.
 
#130      
illiniguy
ChiTownIllini23 said:
Since there is no 22-23 thread yet I’m curious to see what everyone thinks the starting 5 would look like next season.

Assuming everyone comes back I think Kofi and Curbelo are locks, Hawk should should get the nod to start the season, Melendez played well enough and I want to see what he could do as a starter. Last spot is really up for toss between Epps, Harris, Podz and Goode. I think there is a strong chance we get another guard through the TP but let’s focus on who we have right now.
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Wouldn't "assuming everyone comes back" include Grandison and/or Hutch???
 
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#134      
DMWSuperFan
ChiTownIllini23 said:
I am forgetting Grandison, he’s definitely eligible to return. Not sure about Hutch. Would you think Grandison round out the starting 5 or would he replace Hawk or Melendez?
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Both have one more year. Hutch might be able to get two if he petitions for a medical redshirt for this year (done after the end of the season I believe)
 
#135      
CubsIlliniFan
illini55 said:
I'm not absolutely sure, but I don't think WDWS has the rights to air any NCAA owned broadcast. They may very well have the rights to the BTT, however.
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The B1G Tourney, yes, they will be able to broadcast but Westwood One has exclusive audio rights. WDWS might be able to air but only the national feed and not our local broadcast team.
 
#136      
CubsIlliniFan
DMWSuperFan said:
Both have one more year. Hutch might be able to get two if he petitions for a medical redshirt for this year (done after the end of the season I believe)
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I doubt Grandy stays as he will be 24 and might want to head to the pros especially if we make a great run this year. Hutch, I truly doubt he can stay healthy. But if he wants to play another year, he will be a role player as we have seen, he just cannot stay healthy. I was on the Hutch bandwagon last fall but hoping he becomes a 25 minute a game player may be asking too much at this point. RJ is the future at the 3 and Rogers will be a 3/4 guy as a backup. I bet Brad and Hutch has talked through all this
 
#137      
illiniguy
CubsIlliniFan said:
I doubt Grandy stays as he will be 24 and might want to head to the pros especially if we make a great run this year. Hutch, I truly doubt he can stay healthy. But if he wants to play another year, he will be a role player as we have seen, he just cannot stay healthy. I was on the Hutch bandwagon last fall but hoping he becomes a 25 minute a game player may be asking too much at this point. RJ is the future at the 3 and Rogers will be a 3/4 guy as a backup. I bet Brad and Hutch has talked through all this
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Not an insider, and haven't been talking to barbershop black shirt guy, but I would think it's more likely Grandy or Hutch comes back than Kofi. I think the big problem next year will be who is going to replace Kofi.
 
#138      
ChiTownIllini23
CubsIlliniFan said:
I doubt Grandy stays as he will be 24 and might want to head to the pros especially if we make a great run this year. Hutch, I truly doubt he can stay healthy. But if he wants to play another year, he will be a role player as we have seen, he just cannot stay healthy. I was on the Hutch bandwagon last fall but hoping he becomes a 25 minute a game player may be asking too much at this point. RJ is the future at the 3 and Rogers will be a 3/4 guy as a backup. I bet Brad and Hutch has talked through all this
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Yea I agree on Hutch. If he’s healthy and returns next year, good for him, but I wouldn’t count on him to have significant minutes let alone start next season. He basically went 3 years without competitive action so he will have to work his way into the rotation, will be hard to count on him for anything else beyond that.
 
#139      
CubsIlliniFan
BWA said:
I think you nailed it.

Curbelo, Transfer, Melendez, Hawkins, Kofi/Dainja is my guess. I don't see underwood giving any freshman the starting gig right away unless they just blow us away preseason.
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I agree. If Clark comes in to play, he is the 2. Goode, Podz, Harris, and Epps will fight for time between the 1, 2 and 3's. Rogers will back up Hawk along with Ben. If Kofi stays, I cannot see a place for Payne if Dainja is the backup. I believe Kofi leaves as there isnt much more to prove here but the NIL money might lure him back. Really hard to speculate as you never know who might leave or stay. We were caught off guard with Miller leaving and Giorgi as well. Regardless, we will be loaded as these kids will be ready to play.
 
#140      
GrayGhost77
illiniguy said:
Not an insider, and haven't been talking to barbershop black shirt guy, but I would think it's more likely Grandy or Hutch comes back than Kofi. I think the big problem next year will be who is going to replace Kofi.
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Walter White Danger GIF by Breaking Bad
 
#141      
DMWSuperFan
CubsIlliniFan said:
I doubt Grandy stays as he will be 24 and might want to head to the pros especially if we make a great run this year. Hutch, I truly doubt he can stay healthy. But if he wants to play another year, he will be a role player as we have seen, he just cannot stay healthy. I was on the Hutch bandwagon last fall but hoping he becomes a 25 minute a game player may be asking too much at this point. RJ is the future at the 3 and Rogers will be a 3/4 guy as a backup. I bet Brad and Hutch has talked through all this
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I was speaking purely to eligibility, not to what I think anyone would do or if they will play or what minutes.
 
#142      
ChiefIllinois
illiniguy said:
Not an insider, and haven't been talking to barbershop black shirt guy, but I would think it's more likely Grandy or Hutch comes back than Kofi. I think the big problem next year will be who is going to replace Kofi.
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It feels like the majority of Kofis career has centered around how he can make the most money.

The type of player Kofi is just doesn't fit in the NBA. If he can continue to extend his range he will have a place but he isnt consistent from beyond 5 ft to the basket.

Given how NIL has been working, how much he apparently enjoy college, and the above, I think there's a pretty good (50/50?) shot he comes back. Not sure he's had markable improvement in his game in other areas, not sure what changes between this year and next in terms of nba stock.
 
#143      
Emerson Bigguns
ChiefIllinois said:
It feels like the majority of Kofis career has centered around how he can make the most money.

The type of player Kofi is just doesn't fit in the NBA. If he can continue to extend his range he will have a place but he isnt consistent from beyond 5 ft to the basket.

Given how NIL has been working, how much he apparently enjoy college, and the above, I think there's a pretty good (50/50?) shot he comes back. Not sure he's had markable improvement in his game in other areas, not sure what changes between this year and next in terms of nba stock.
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The catch 22 for a guy like Kofi is that he is so dominant inside at this level we would never ask him to take 12 foot jumpers. Do we know he isn't consistent beyond 5 feet, or is there just a lack of evidence because that's not where we want him to be? I don't really know. Scouts probably don't either.

I've seen him take a handful and make a couple... It's just such a small sample.
 
#144      
CubsIlliniFan
ChiefIllinois said:
It feels like the majority of Kofis career has centered around how he can make the most money.

The type of player Kofi is just doesn't fit in the NBA. If he can continue to extend his range he will have a place but he isnt consistent from beyond 5 ft to the basket.

Given how NIL has been working, how much he apparently enjoy college, and the above, I think there's a pretty good (50/50?) shot he comes back. Not sure he's had markable improvement in his game in other areas, not sure what changes between this year and next in terms of nba stock.
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He has improved his FT shooting. His hands are the biggest issue and hopefully he can get better at holding onto the ball and passing out of the post
 
#145      
Ga65
ChiTownIllini23 said:
Since there is no 22-23 thread yet I’m curious to see what everyone thinks the starting 5 would look like next season.

Assuming everyone comes back I think Kofi and Curbelo are locks, Hawk should should get the nod to start the season, Melendez played well enough and I want to see what he could do as a starter. Last spot is really up for toss between Epps, Harris, Podz and Goode. I think there is a strong chance we get another guard through the TP but let’s focus on who we have right now.
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Agree with Belo, Kofi, Hawk, and RJ. Think Epps is Belo’s backup so he will come off the bench. Goode will play the 3 so he backs up RJ. That leaves Podz at the start but Harris could challenge later in the year. Hoping Hawk will be +38% 3 pt shooter. If so this team could challenge for title again. Possibility of very strong defense despite losing Trent and DMW as more size at the 2-4. Of course all of this assumes Kofi back and not sure that is in the cards.
(assuming Grandy and Hutch gone)
5-Kofi, Dain, Omar, Lieb
4- Hawk, BBV, Ty
3- RJ, Luke
2- Podz, Sincere
1- Belo, Epps
That equals 13 scholies so any additional will be trades for above.
 
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#146      
Illini B-Ball Fan
Emerson Bigguns said:
The catch 22 for a guy like Kofi is that he is so dominant inside at this level we would never ask him to take 12 foot jumpers. Do we know he isn't consistent beyond 5 feet, or is there just a lack of evidence because that's not where we want him to be? I don't really know. Scouts probably don't either.

I've seen him take a handful and make a couple... It's just such a small sample.
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It's about time Kofi started taking 3-pointers occasionally. Wasn't that one of the things he was being prepped for before the season began to determine if he would be able to be a higher draft pick at the NBA level? I don't believe he's taken a 3-pointer all season and I don't believe the coaching staff drew a line in the sand for him to just work in the paint each game.
 
#147      
727ill
Emerson Bigguns said:
The catch 22 for a guy like Kofi is that he is so dominant inside at this level we would never ask him to take 12 foot jumpers. Do we know he isn't consistent beyond 5 feet, or is there just a lack of evidence because that's not where we want him to be? I don't really know. Scouts probably don't either.

I've seen him take a handful and make a couple... It's just such a small sample.
Click to expand...

Kofi's outside shot needs to be as automatic as it was for Luka Garza. That's the only way this staff would allow him to take those shots consistently (and for teams to actually respect it).
 
#150      
ChiefIllinois
CubsIlliniFan said:
He has improved his FT shooting. His hands are the biggest issue and hopefully he can get better at holding onto the ball and passing out of the post
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Has he really though? 67% freshman year 55% soph 64% junior. Has it improved or has it regressed to his mean from freshman year?

I think even if he was a solid 70% from the line this year you say that's marked improvement but that's not the case.

In fact, his shooting percentage is down (albeit on more shots), turnovers up, and fouls up. I really don't know if I could say he's improved as a player this year more than a marginal amount.

I take the player he is 7 times a week and twice on Sunday, but if he wasn't cut out for the nba last season he sure isn't this season. He didn't take a leap like ayo from soph to junior.
 
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