I’d go with more of a Heisenbrad look, myself.
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread
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I see post after post stating that we do not need more bigs as AH, DD, and Morez have the frontcourt locked down at an elite level. But nothing could be more wrong. DD is a huge talent and seems to be coming into his own as the light has lit up on defense. But as good as they may prove to be, Morez and AH are still young guys with much to learn...and can't play 40 minutes every game. We need two more bigs at least to compete in the B1G, and two with talent, experience, and skills are paramount. Then let those 5, or 6 if JJ does not redshirt, become dedicated to winning and playing with each other. But trying to fill the frontcourt without a couple more guys of a similar ilk to DD, AH, and MJ leaves a big hole IMHO. And I would like to see Amani dedicate a summer to getting "Fletched" the way DD embraced the same. I expect at least one really good big to be added, and two would be ideal.
One slight wrinkle in all of this. Clark and Epps were not portal products. They were freshman recruits. Mayer was the one big portal flaw so far, in my opinion.I'm as old-school as old-school gets and this is how I feel as well. Couple of years ago I'm sure I was railing about the death of development, these portal mercenaries were not true Illini, etc. And if we were losing I'd probably still be doing the same.
But winning cures all I guess, because I love the guys this season just the same whether they arrived this year or came out of high school. Turns out a 30+ game season is long enough to build an emotional bond. And my brain can rationalize that the Southern Illinois-es and Utah Valleys are indeed farm systems, so these guys are not mercenaries, just September call-ups.
QG's story may be my favorite. Declined the Illini not once but twice, yet we still brought him in to arguably his most successful personal season. Just look what we can do in the portal.
I will say I'm not ready to say we have permanently turned the corner, the scars of Clark and Epps are still fresh. There is no guarantee of success in a free agent world. But Brad and the coaches have certainly demonstrated an ability to navigate here and are due both respect and latitude.
Exactly, how many players are sticking around to get playing time in year 4. Guys that don’t play will transfer down a level.
Illinicpa14
- Chicago
I’m the same - the last 2 years have really taught me it’s the players not the years. The exception is I will forever be thankful to Trent and D’monte who to me built this culture for 5 years.
I didn’t feel a connection with Mayer, Skyy and given the chemistry/winning issues that probably makes sense.
I do feel the connection to QG and Domask wanting them to win for them because it means more to them even though it’s year one in the O&B. Throw Harmon in there for that matter who accepts his dog house games
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
If we bring everybody eligible back except Hawkins and are adding Jake Davis that would leave two open spots.
One of them needs to be a high scoring experienced lead guard type. The second should be a big, a big that can shoot perhaps preferable.
If we lose Moretti then maybe that lead guard need morphs into a true PG and scoring SG combo need.
I feel like Dante Maddox is a guy we should be aggressively pursuing right now, that's a fit under any circumstances and a floor-raiser.
I agree with you and I image we will get a big through portal. Somebody has to leave to make that happen though.
Yes but I image we will add two scoring guard/wing. Always good to have a one-two punch. Out of all the current eligible players (except Hawkins), Dain is the only sure firer good scorer and he is a big.
I get it. More of an NIL-world argument than a portal-world one I suppose.
And the insiders know better than me, but I've felt that Mayer was more goofball than poison. If we're going to admonish him for the Monster stuff (and we should) then the same applies to those attending the birthday bacchanal the night before a game.
Epps was a level worse and Skyy the ultimate evil on that team. Money-grubbing dishonorable quitter. Again JMO.
My gut feeling is that within the next few years, maybe even as soon as a year or two, the 4 year eligibility requirement is going to be legally challenged and that whoever challenges it will win their case. And when that goes, the portal will become the de facto most important part of recruiting (as if it isn't already).
And that doesn’t even account for the possible pro/amateur college enrollment eligibility discussions down the line where you might get the courts to decide players who choose to go pro can't be denied eligibility if they choose to reenroll in college as they deserve equal opportunity to play basketball as much as any other college student.
The winds of change are here, and it's only going to gusting more powerfully. Going after 22-25 year olds closer to their prime over 17-18 year olds is similarly just going to get more frequent
He did go off vs us last season.
Why stop at 25-year old players? 30 is the new 20!
Transfer by itself was not our problem last season. It's about the personalities/expectations/skills of individual players and NIL adds to the problem. When you have one trouble maker, you might be able to contain it but it's hard when you have two or three of them in the rotation. Freshmen like Amani and DGL don't cause issues because they barely touch the floor. It's those who are good enough to play but do not play up to the expectation.
Mayer was not the problem last year. He just hit a terrible shooting slump the last few games. That team would not have won many games without him.
Maddox seems similar to Boswell physique and playing style.Maybe a PG to hand Fears the reigns in 2025.Personally I think Maddox might be the better fit,what do people think? I realize Boswell is not in the portal yet.
It was a short drive.
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
Not sure what to think about Boswell in the portal, but he's a definite take with or without Maddox. They do have similar games, you're right. Maddox might be 5 years older though, Boswell is still just 18 as a soph.
DGL, Boswell and Maddox in our guard rotation and Dainja and Morez as bigs would be the end of positionless basketball which imho would be a good thing for us.
Probably only get one,both will need the ball to show their skills to next level.I would add Sincere Harris to list of 2024 guards.
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
he's gonna be good:
theNewGuy
- Dallas, TX
I think one of the insiders said that Maddox would play the Harmon role. So shouldn't be too much overlap.
Is Indy okay - usually he is all over providing updates but radio silence lately.
Think we would be thrilled if he accepted that role,except his aspirations might be a tad higher,don't know for sure.
skyIdub
Winged Warrior
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
We're replacing a TON of scoring, I don't think Boswell and Maddox get in each other's way at all, those guys should be eager to play together.
And Boswell's NBA prospects are dependent on his ability as a facilitator, he needs scorers around him.
Boswell is a situation a little like Kalkbrenner or Tyger Campbell where staying at the great program he's already at, going pro, or transferring to an even bigger NIL fish than us all seem like more realistic outcomes. But as a Champaign native at least there's some answer to the "why us?" question. If he enters the portal we should go all out.
AJ Storr would also be a big deal. I have my skepticism of him as a player, but that's a guy who might well be the Big Ten preseason POY.
There are some similarities in size and shooting but Maddox is an absolute freakazoid of an athlete. I was at their last home game and in warmups he put on a dunk display that would’ve won a lot of dunk contests. The dude can jump out of the gym. Might struggle a little in B1G getting his own shot but definitely think he could be a better-shooting version of Harmon.
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