I think Antigua has done a fabulous job with Kofi. Damonte has progressed nicely and improved. Ayo has improved. Trent and Gorgi have been asked to take lesser roles it appears. I wouldn’t say this staff hasn’t developed players. I mean if you’re gonna knock the staff for some, shouldn’t they get credit for others. As Custard said, how can you determine that exactly. I mean does the staff get credit when Curbelo or Miller figure it all out? Or any coach for that matter.
Antigua has gotten players here. He and the assistant's recruiting are the biggest reason we are in Top 20.
Big men are the place where one often sees the most improvement in college. People here were pretty much unanimously thinking Kofi had been struggling or regressed until the last couple games. His D footwork on ball screens and in space is terrible.
He improved his post offense last year over time for sure, but he is still pretty limited to 3-4 feet. Guy gets stuffed a lot for being the strongest guy on the floor. I like him, he works hard, but he is kind of mostly what he was last year at best.
Georgi is not better. Period. He has to develop some range.
Ayo is just a hard worker. He is an everyday guy more than talented IMO.
Ayo has improved his midrange and the kid no doubt works very hard. Staff have given him the ball and total freedom. I think that is what they contributed. Is very very good college player.
They, nor he, have fixed his threeball, however. (7-23 since the scrimmage vs NC School for the Blind where we played horse).
Whoever worked with Damonte to fix his shot (great form now) needs to work with Ayo on his threeball. It is simply not good form from ground up. People worried about it coming out of HS. Has what looks like almost a two hand release, and his body angle and feet are inconsistently at the needed positions. Does better with time.
His jumper inside the line is much better and improved.
His drives in open court have always been electric. Mostly right hand still.
Not a half court break down guy or distributor. TO's are high rate. 18 in last 4 games. Trying to do too much (he wants to lead I give him credit for that) but he just does not have the handle to carry the load so much.
Staff getting him off the ball last year helped him takeoff as a wing and the team was better without him handling it so much. Feliz was a baller.
DaMonte obviously worked his ass off. Pretty rare to see a kid change and improve his stroke midway through junior year like that.
Ayo almost has two different forms - one inside 17 feet and one on the three line.
Trent is not really better. Period. Kid is an Illini through and through, decent player, but still can't finish and his D is over rated.
Needs 15 shots a game which will never happen again here.
Its no secret I think this staff is not the greatest in terms of game prep, in game adjustments, and teaching a working system overall.
We do not have an identity right now. We developed one in second half last year and I think were poised to surprise people.
I think we have the talent to make an impact in BIG and a run. It's a work in progress but I do not see consistent improvement and we are nearing halfway mark.
The defense is really struggling and it is basic stuff.
I hope it starts to come together.
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