Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread
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This is going to be an idiotic question, but I'll ask it anyway because I'm sure there are a bunch that want to ask, but won't. Is he talented enough to come in and immediately play and be a significant contributor on our roster this year or is he a project that is a year or two of development away from being a starting caliber center?
Morez Johnson might have something to say about that.
Bigtex
- DFW
wait a second - Morez is constantly overlooked. He will get his minutes at 4/5
and explanation why Ivisic was still playing in Croatia and his brother was playing college ball?
This lineup is indeed very formidable! Much, much potential here. I like this team better than the 2022-2023 team but with the right piece, we could climb much further up the pecking order. Underwood knows what he wants and understands how to manage a portal. Bad news for the rest of the league. Although this year could lead to some great things, next year could be a very special year!
Just looking a bit at highlights and how he moves I would expect him to be a multi year guy since he isn't really the bouncy rim protector type the NBA loves.
Though that being said if he comes out and absolutely lights it up then could definitely be one and done.
Also, if you're looking at it like a two year window then everyone outside of Humrichous could return for a following year at the moment though a few will likely transfer out. Just saying you could see a very different off-season next year where you're just trying to plus a few holes vs build an entire roster.
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
It's definitely something to keep an eye on.
His brother having made it through the process and OA's firsthand knowledge of how it all worked will be helpful, but what's exciting about Ivisic is also what makes the potential eligibility questions a bit vexing: this is just a professional basketball player.
It's sort of absurd to nickel and dime Ivisic about this given that pay-to-play is now the reality in college basketball, but it's also true that if this line can't be policed, elite college basketball will be nothing but 28 year old European pros and American high schoolers will have nowhere to go before you know it. This line has to exist somewhere and be enforced by someone.
And academically speaking who the heck knows.
No wonder he struggled at the free throw line.He was shooting with the wrong hand.
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
Welcome , Illini Nation , to the world of " Big Boy " recruiting and all the in's and out's that is needed to perform at the ELITE level that BU & staff are doing.............the year's and year's of wishing for better result's in recruiting is and are happening right before our eyes and I LOVE IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.....................
Gone are the days of being the bridesmaid in recruiting battles and now we are a force to be reckoned with on the recruiting battlegrounds..................Gone are the days of getting a commitment and then losing a recruit at the last minute ( RayJ aside )...
I have no problem with BU & staff getting raises or extensions as it shows they are earning them based on the daily recruiting they do to hopefully finally bringing a NATTY to the Illini shores and basking in the love that will be heaped on them for the rest of their lives.............................
This news of another commitment has made my day..........It really really has...............................JMHO.............
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
He was a frequent starter last season on a team that would win the Big Ten.
Translation to the American game might be a problem, but development will not be. Morez Johnson, for instance, has never seen anything even close to the level of basketball Ivisic has been permanently part of for 2+ years.
(For reference, Egor Demin is different and has basically zero experience against adults. The Real Madrid youth team is more like an Oak Hill Academy situation)
- Purdue and IU are going to get the preseason hype (Still not convinced by IU, but they did add a ton of talent)
- A bit shocked that MSU didn't add anyone at the 5. Can't see them as contenders because of that
- USC is a wild card
- Not really worried about UM, OSU, and Maryland despite their offseason overhauls
These European pros need to retain "amateur status" by not receiving compensation in excess of expenses and possibly continuing class work. I'd imagine your example is a bit of hyperbole.
Yep. I can't image them going to classes more than a year or two (max). Still kind of rental at this point.
Illini in OC
In. The. Alley.
Too bad we lost Goode. Has was always an option at the 2. /s
This is getting pretty, pretty exciting ...
Xavier Booker is REALLY good
Agreed, and even this might be an understatement.....I'd say the Adriatic League is several, several levels higher than the B1G. This is the league where Dante Exum went to get his NBA mojo back, Jokic was league MVP before coming over stateside. I think there are several veterans in the Adriatic who played B1G ball too.
Ivisic was competing against grown a** men and looks like he was holding his own at minimum. Lets ride.
Updated with Ivisic commitment.
He has the handles. Has the shot. Poor man KD. He has never been big scorer like TSJ. Does not draw fouls or create fast break. Nice complementary player - see Scotty Pippin. I would make him fair offer but if he goes somewhere else we will survive. Marcus coming back would have made us top 3 in B10. Coleman though I love him as an Illini is not the missing piece on this team. Some people say we need a scorer. I would not be surprised if Hamrichous and Boswell becomes our 17 ppg leading scorer.
He would be a matchup monster at 2. I think he could really shut down the Cam Christies of the league with his height and agility.
We definitely need to get a guard or wing who can put pressure on the rim. That said, with Ivisic, the talent we’ve brought in is better than a 9 seed.
How does Ivisic pair with Morez?
Yeh. I don't think he likes playing the 5 but he's only there for one more. Draft projections for him are really looking good for next year.
Idk, I see him more as a bigger/more explosive Coleman. Also needs a ton of work on the defensive end if they want him to play the 5 on defense. Was talking more about them not upgrading from Kohler/Cooper
Boswell
Denim
Richmond
Hunrichous
Ivisic
Top 10 team?
Denim
Richmond
Hunrichous
Ivisic
Top 10 team?
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