Illini Basketball 2021-2022

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#151      
bbpeoria
BigMuddyMonster said:
Will be a rebuilding/reloading year. I would like them to be a team you do not want to play in March as the youngsters develop.
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Not so sure yet on this....well maybe the reloading part.

IF (note Caps) you have a lineup of Curbelo, RJ, Hawkins and Kofi AND (Caps again) we see the fruition of the transfer 2-guard like Javon Freeman-Liberty this team is easily top 10-15 to start the year. I feel the Illini will get a starter quality 2-guard (too much smoke/need there) so the biggest question is does Kofi stay? If he does not stay you could still do much worse than a twosome of Dainja/Payne.

A bench of Epps/Harris/Podz/Goode and the aforementioned center combo is not bad at all. And that is assuming Grandison/Hutch are both gone.
 
#152      
CubsIlliniFan
ChiefIllinois said:
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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His FT shooting is better as he is shooting more FTs this year than he did his first 2 years. He averaged 9 FTs a game in his first year. Last year almost 11 and this year over 12 a game. But what he has improved the most is making more front ends. He missed more front ends his first 2 years. I agree his percentage is a roller coaster but I feel more confident about him making FTs this year over his first 2.
 
#153      
CubsIlliniFan
bbpeoria said:
Not so sure yet on this....well maybe the reloading part.

IF (note Caps) you have a lineup of Curbelo, RJ, Hawkins and Kofi AND (Caps again) we see the fruition of the transfer 2-guard like Javon Freeman-Liberty this team is easily top 10-15 to start the year. I feel the Illini will get a starter quality 2-guard (too much smoke/need there) so the biggest question is does Kofi stay? If he does not stay you could still do much worse than a twosome of Dainja/Payne.

A bench of Epps/Harris/Podz/Goode and the aforementioned center combo is not bad at all. And that is assuming Grandison/Hutch are both gone.
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If Kofi does not come back, we will be more versatile in the guard/small forward slots. We will be longer and more athletic. We will finally have guys who will be able to get to the rim and line. We will be more like the OSU team he had that scored at will. We might take a slight step back defensively until we get more experienced. Its definitely a reload and not a rebuild
 
#154      
logjam
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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Rodgers?
 
#156      
jumpingjack
Illini B-Ball Fan said:
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.
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It was, and it looked not bad in practice videos...I could've sworn he took one this year but evidently not. 0-0 for the season.
I would love to see him take one if we were up by 20. Hard to justify most games in the meat grinder that is the B1G schedule when he's able to score inside against triple teams instead
 
#158      
logjam
Illini B-Ball Fan said:
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.
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Are you sure Tournament time is the right time to start?
 
#159      
DMWSuperFan
IlliniKat91 said:
Honestly, consider subscribing. It's like $2-3 bucks a month with the promo going right now and the coverage is fantastic.
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Maybe one day.

Today I still circumvent it. Half the glue team is big ten, not sure if that means anything or not but found it interesting.
 
#160      
logjam
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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I don't get your 1st paragraph....he's came back to school twice when he could have went international.
 
#161      
BigMuddyMonster
bbpeoria said:
Not so sure yet on this....well maybe the reloading part.

IF (note Caps) you have a lineup of Curbelo, RJ, Hawkins and Kofi AND (Caps again) we see the fruition of the transfer 2-guard like Javon Freeman-Liberty this team is easily top 10-15 to start the year. I feel the Illini will get a starter quality 2-guard (too much smoke/need there) so the biggest question is does Kofi stay? If he does not stay you could still do much worse than a twosome of Dainja/Payne.

A bench of Epps/Harris/Podz/Goode and the aforementioned center combo is not bad at all. And that is assuming Grandison/Hutch are both gone.
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Wishful thinking IMO
 
#162      
Bigtex
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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Paging Trent, kofi, ayo and Adam miller
 
#163      
Bigtex
CubsIlliniFan said:
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.
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Never bought into hutch hype. Feels like the next cubs 3rd baseman (before Bryant claimed the job) over the years.
 
#164      
Illini B-Ball Fan
logjam said:
Are you sure Tournament time is the right time to start?
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Of course Kofi's best skills are displayed on the inside, yet he's gotta break the ice sometime soon with a trey since he may not be back next year. Both will probably not happen though - a trey or returning.
 
#165      
BRucks
logjam said:
I don't get your 1st paragraph....he's came back to school twice when he could have went international.
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And possibly made more money this year by coming back than by going overseas.
 
#166      
skyIdub
Kofi sure looks like he is happy and having fun. Without knowing how well NIL is taking care of him....coming back and dominating the B1G and college BB again isn't such a bad place to be!

Illini Nation will lose their orange and blue marbles if/when he announces that.
 
#168      
STL Illini
My thought is that similar to last year, and likely every year for most teams, there will be a couple or few surprise portal entrants from the beloved. I’m also guessing that BU may have some knowledge as to which players may perceive greener grass. I think the roster will be different from the predictions we are seeing.
Finally, TR is a STUD. He appears to have the heart of a lion and skills to match. But for the love of it all, please stop with the thought that a 6’ 5” freshman is going to play the 5….I’m not even sure he’s a good fit for a 4. Tough kid. Great handles and vision…and on and on. Let’s not hype the guy as the savior at all positions on day one. Freshman can impact teams and games….but they’re still freshman.
Side note: I love Rogers, Epps, and Harris. Great additions.
 
#169      
BWA
Bigtex said:
Paging Trent, kofi, ayo and Adam miller
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The fresh are gonna play, and could def start by the end of the year. I just expect to have someone more experienced starting the season.
 
#170      
Ga65
skyIdub said:
Kofi sure looks like he is happy and having fun. Without knowing how well NIL is taking care of him....coming back and dominating the B1G and college BB again isn't such a bad place to be!

Illini Nation will lose their orange and blue marbles if/when he announces that.
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The announcers said Page Bueckers (UConn women) was making $1m/yr. Know that is a big fan base but would think Kofi would be competitive with that. Have just assumed Kofi was gone but loyalty is raising my hopes. Have to get more realistic or get that bulletproof jock.
 
#172      
madillini4
Ga65 said:
The announcers said Page Bueckers (UConn women) was making $1m/yr. Know that is a big fan base but would think Kofi would be competitive with that. Have just assumed Kofi was gone but loyalty is raising my hopes. Have to get more realistic or get that bulletproof jock.
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There is an interview he did with Barstool Carl after the Iowa game where Kofi said it was a great send off for him and the seniors but who knows what he will decide after the season.
 
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