Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

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#329      
Derek Piper. Book it 😀😀😀😀 hopefully can be rim protector as a stretch 5 or 4. Brad is killing it in the portal. KY may have made major mistake not going after him. Thank goodness they are stuck w Pope for at least 3 years.
But is 6-8 really big enough to be a rim protector and guard the other taller, more physical 5's?
 
#335      
But is 6-8 really big enough to be a rim protector and guard the other taller, more physical 5's?
I believe it was said by an insider that the plan was for Booth to be a 4. It sounded like he doesn't want to play as a 5 but would rather play more on the perimeter. Almost seems like he wants to be a Michael Porter Jr. type player. Would obviously assume he's a nuggets fan.
 
#338      
Booth is going to be really good.

Amani is going to be heading out soon, Chester leaving was pretty much the final straw. The staff really likes Amani, but it came down to not being able to add a 5 if Amani stayed. Also was a clunky fit with all 3 of those guys
So Nico is staying then, I take it? For some reason I kind of just always assumed he would want to look for more playing time somewhere else.
 
#340      
The system, as it is, is a mess. It's great that kids are getting paid for their performance, but that is the only thing that is great about it. Outside of that, is the NIL/portal process REALLY in the best interest of the players? It doesn't encourage developing talent, and most players just transfer at the first sign of adversity. Unless you're getting a true blue chip freshman, there is no reason whatsoever for a top tier program to even fish in those waters. Leave all the green freshmen for the mid-majors, then steal them in a year or two when they are ready to contribute. I don't know what the long term solution is, but I sure hope this isn't it.
Ok, first, let’s call it what it is, a set of professional basketball leagues, like baseball, e.g., major league with AAA, AA, A, etc leagues.
Unlike baseball, currently free agency rules are non existent; anyone can declare free agency at any time. The whole concept of student athletes and using the value of a college degree as a recruiting tool is dead.
Seems to me, the solution is to have these newly minted professionals sign contracts.
Currently, the NIL funding organizations are the only ones with any, albeit limited leverage; NCAA is dead.

It will get worse until the insanity isn’t tolerable.

The king is dead, long live the king
 
#342      
illini0440 said he wasn't seeing the offensive improvement. That said his practice cutting room floor edits were straight fire.
Not hating here but if those clips were from the mid season then I’m confused by everyone’s reaction by SH play in practice. Everybody and their brother was doing that to the Illini defense so why wouldn’t he in practice.
 
#343      
The staff really likes Amani, but it came down to not being able to add a 5 if Amani stayed. Also was a clunky fit with all 3 of those guys
is this just because Amani isn't projected as a "floor stretcher" 4? Gonna miss him but I also understand the situation has changed and everyone needs to do what's in their best interest.
 
#344      
I know Booth isn't official but the crystal ball pick up and multiple insiders have said it is more than likely going to happen... with that being said, I am super excited.

I really like Booth's game. Good Athlete. Pretty good shooter, especially for his size.

What I love most is that he has 3 years of eligibility to go along side Boswell who has 2 years. I loved this year's team but I think staff knew with Coleman and TSJ being seniors that this was a year where we had a chance to go on a run and they went with a bunch of older role players to fit alongside our current pieces, and it worked great! This year it seems like they realize the next 2-3 years are going to be huge with next year probably being the worst of the three (not bad, but the worst) and they will have another chance to really make a run in 2 or 3 years with Fears/Boswell/Morezz/Booth all being there. They can add star power from the portal to go along with a core who has played together for multiple seasons. It is an exciting time to be an Illinois fan.
 
#345      
I get needing to put the best roster together possible and that this means recruiting over your own players at times, unpleasant as that can be. I’m not 100% convinced Booth is a clear upgrade over Amani to the point it’s worth recruiting over Amani to get booth. Maybe they figured Amani is headed out anyway now that Chester’s gone and this is more of a replacement than recruiting over. Will trust the staff I guess. They seem to be pretty good at this.
 
#346      
He is now 6'10" - 11"
I Dont Believe You Will Ferrell GIF
 
#350      
I get needing to put the best roster together possible and that this means recruiting over your own players at times, unpleasant as that can be. I’m not 100% convinced Booth is a clear upgrade over Amani to the point it’s worth recruiting over Amani to get booth. Maybe they figured Amani is headed out anyway now that Chester’s gone and this is more of a replacement than recruiting over. Will trust the staff I guess. They seem to be pretty good at this.
I like Amani, but Booth is very easily a better shooter than Amani was ever going to be. Booth has a quicker release, and a better catch and shoot game. I would also say he's bouncier than Amani was. Besides that, athletically, they're about the same. Amani has more strength but Fletch can work on that with Booth. Think Booth just has more of a ceiling too.
 
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