IlliniwekKDR
- Colorado Springs, CO
I'm sold
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread
- Status
My assumption is that it's because this would be his 7th year playing his fifth (he sat out a year when he transferred the first time and then had a medical RS year)- so I think he would need NCAA approval for the 7th year of eligibility in this case. I don't know where that stands, but he did enter the portal at the deadline.
I think if he had been granted his 7th year and he was in the portal early, you would have seen a Maddox like frenzy for his services. We are fortunate he has been under the radar to date
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
Oh crap you're right I totally missed that. (That's why he's so old, duh)
He's played 4 full non-Covid years. He's done. That's why he's not on the 247 list.
Whoops!
Insiders, better alert Brad
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Tacomallini
- Washington State
Heard Piper mention this the other day too, but I don't get it. Bonus NIL bucks to players that are already here for this year? Save up NIL bucks to entice players to return to UIUC next year?
I have no feel for how strong our defense might be next year. Or how mentally tough the new guys are, in terms of taking pride in defending.
It's really hard to envision when defense is always a team thing at bottom and this team is likely missing a starting perimeter player. But if anyone has focused on game videos that (may or may not) reveal defensive ability and attitude, or maybe read coaching evals of such, I for one would welcome hearing your views.
It's really hard to envision when defense is always a team thing at bottom and this team is likely missing a starting perimeter player. But if anyone has focused on game videos that (may or may not) reveal defensive ability and attitude, or maybe read coaching evals of such, I for one would welcome hearing your views.
Onc we lost out on Storr and Maddoz the writing was on the wall. Illinois has a specific mind budget wise and failed to see the market move. To not go out and get a first or second team all American is just apprehensible. Hopefully Daddy Brad can work his magic to get us to the 2nd weekend but coming off of elite 8 momentum I expected aggressiveness to get to the Final 4.
Tacomallini
- Washington State
Speaking of eligibility, doesn't Watkins technically have 2 years left?
20-21 VCU Covid year
21-22 Injured
22-23 VCU
23-24 FSU
No guarantees he's even back this year, but I was under the impression this was the last year with COVID eligibility impacts. Seems like it could still be a factor, in theory, next year too.
20-21 VCU Covid year
21-22 Injured
22-23 VCU
23-24 FSU
No guarantees he's even back this year, but I was under the impression this was the last year with COVID eligibility impacts. Seems like it could still be a factor, in theory, next year too.
robertgoulet
IL Board Resident Crooner
- Austin, TX
Less bodies to split that National Championship bonus between!
Why does Lathon still have eligibility? He played 4 years that wasn't 20-21, which is the year you were allowed to miss for Covid.
He still has his bonus year. NCAA granted him a 7th yearOh crap you're right I totally missed that. (That's why he's so old, duh)
He's played 4 full non-Covid years. He's done. That's why he's not on the 247 list.
Whoops!
Insiders, better alert Brad
I loved his play for us. He was greatly limited by a badly broken nose. Tried to play through it. Had a couple good games for us despite that.
I don't remember anyone expecting him to be a "big time transfer" just a good to very good player as a depth piece. Maybe I'm remembering that wrong?
Tacomallini
- Washington State
Jordan Lathon back in the transfer portal.
It looks like the NCAA granted him that COVID bonus year and he wants to make the most of it.
utep.forums.rivals.com
The math is still not quite mathing for me, but if it all works out for us, then I-L-L baby. Getting COVID year under the former rules requiring a sit-out transfer year (that happened to land during the COVID year), I guess?
NCAA, bastions of consistency
I hear you- but in this portal era it seems guys coming from mid majors that are really talented don’t miss a beat transferring up- Knecht, MD for us, etc
Mark Sears, Grant Nelson, Latrell Wrightsell and Aaron Estrada say hello from Alabama's Final Four team last year.
A few days ago on this board, there was some talk about the possibility of Fears enrolling mid-year and playing this upcoming season.
How much steam does that have? Is that something we're working on and pursuing...
Or is it something like...door still open but slim chance and not likely?
How much steam does that have? Is that something we're working on and pursuing...
Or is it something like...door still open but slim chance and not likely?
And how many did miss a beat? I mean, the success stories are great and all but there are hundreds of transfers and not nearly that many success stories.
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
Chris Ledlum entered the transfer portal too, but he's not eligible either.View attachment 34849Jordan Lathon back in the transfer portal.
It looks like the NCAA granted him that COVID bonus year and he wants to make the most of it.
The math is still not quite mathing for me, but if it all works out for us, then I-L-L baby. Getting COVID year under the former rules requiring a sit-out transfer year (that happened to land during the COVID year), I guess?
NCAA, bastions of consistency
Besides the aggregator accounts mentioning him entering there is like zero chatter about Lathon's recruitment on Twitter.
This is not a college basketball player anymore unless someone can show me clear evidence to the contrary.
As shown in those stats, the worst part of Lathon's game is driving and making tough 2s and getting to the line -- but that would not be his role here.
He would be a 3 and D spacer where he should be excellent. That is why people are saying he is the best fit here, and at a much cheaper price that lets us improve elsewhere.
I believe the thinking is saving cash on a cheaper NIL player allows us to increase the NIL for the other players for boosting morale reasons vs
the "this guy's great defense will get us to the elite 8 again and a rising tide lifts all boats" argument.
Not that we "need" a guy who drives and gets to the line, but who else would do that? Watkins took 12 FTs per 100 possessions. The highest among our current roster is White at 6.3. For reference, this past year, TSJ had 14.5, Dainja had 9, Guerrier had 7.2, and Domask had 6.5. Seems like we could really use some more of that.
And Watkins' steals/blocks suggest he plays good/better defense, but scouting is much more important there, so I'll defer.
Illini in Indiana
- Indiana
IDK, I like seeing all the insiders post. They are appreciated and valued a lot more than us other " nothing better to do Illini loving hacks".
With that said as an Illini loving hack! Let's ink Lathon today and get another key add. I've been watching a lot of "swing and a miss" chasing the shiniest portal players. There are 20+ if not up to 50 rabid fan bases screaming just throw $$ at it.
I like our team so far for 2024/5, let's add a nice starter to 6-7th option while we still can.
With that said as an Illini loving hack! Let's ink Lathon today and get another key add. I've been watching a lot of "swing and a miss" chasing the shiniest portal players. There are 20+ if not up to 50 rabid fan bases screaming just throw $$ at it.
I like our team so far for 2024/5, let's add a nice starter to 6-7th option while we still can.
robertgoulet
IL Board Resident Crooner
- Austin, TX
Believe they have to make their decision by May 31.
Ok and do some make that decision early or do they typically wait until the last minute? I guess maybe it makes sense to wait as long as possible to keep options open.
I’d guess in the next few days. I believe they all had exit meetings yesterday. Probably taking some time to digest/discuss the feedback with their respective teams before making a decision. It will be a lot easier for some than others.
Plus the specter of staying in the draft creates great bargaining leverage for NIL.
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