𝑰𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒐𝒊𝒔 ‘𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒌’-𝒅𝒐𝒘𝒏:

Watching Iowa play today, I had an interesting thought: are too many of our starters ‘limited’ scores? Let’s take a dive.

We will assign a number to each level of scoring: 1. 3PT 2. Mid-range 3. Slasher 4. Finisher 5. Back-to-basket

Let’s start with Ayo as an example of what I’m talking about.

Ayo would be a 4-dimensional scorer:
1, 2, 3, & 4

Now, let’s do this for all of our starters and key-bench players.

Trent - 1, 2
Ayo - 1, 2, 3, & 4
Miller - 1, 2, 4(ish)
Williams - 1
Kofi - 4, 5

Now the bench:
Curbelo - 2, 3, & 4
Giorgi - 5
Grandi- 1, 2, & 4 (ish)
Hawkins - 1 & 2 (shown flashes of 4)

For comparisons, let’s do this with Iowa.

Bohannon - 1, 2, & 3
Fredrick - 1, 2
McCaffrey - 1, 2
Wieskamp - 1, 2, 3, &4
Garza - 1, 2, 4, & 5

Initially the comparison doesn’t look that alarming, but the problem becomes that Ayo is our only 4-level scorer, and our 1 or 2 level scores can be defended per their strengths.

Defenses dare Trent & Williams to drive, they smother Kofi or make him play mid-range, they guard our perimeter tightly, because beyond Ayo no one is slashing to the basket (or even capable - although Miller will get there).

Now, let’s look at a team like Gonzaga.

Suggs - 1, 2, 3, & 4
Ayayi - 1, 2, 3, & 4
Kispert - 1, 2, 3, & 4
Watson - 3 & 4
Timme - 2, 4 & 5

Wow. This just shows the offensive discrepancy between Gonzaga and Illinois. Even though Illinois is ranked high in ‘offensive efficiency’, we do not have this flexibility.

So what’s the solution? Some have said start Giorgi over Williams, but that does not solve this issue. Start Curbelo? Too short a lineup. I would try:

Trent - 1, 2
Ayo - 1, 2, 3, & 4
Miller - 1, 2, 4(ish)
Grandison - 1, 2, & 4 (ish)
Kofi - 4, 5

Some will say, “that’s nice, but Grandison isn’t good enough on D”, I would respond - our defense has been so bad during stretches already, what does it hurt to try?

He has also been our energy & ‘junk-yard dog’ in several games, so give him a shot. He’s also 3” taller.

This isn’t meant to be a knock on any of our players, but rather a ‘scouting-report’ type breakdown you’d see from opposing teams. Grandi started the season slow, but has looked good. We need to find a way to be more flexible & capable on offense, and this *might* help.

#Illini