Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (February 2021)

[sharpshot16]

Goode
Melendez
Burnett
TBD Big

Don't write off Pod. Picking up a lot of traction in that battle.

Getting Melendez this weekend wouldn't mean we aren't still pushing for Pod. Staff thinks Goode, Melendez and Pod are all different enough to bring something unique to next year's team.

Goode
Melendez
Burnett
Pod
Big IF Kofi is gone. Talk that another year might do the same for him as it has for Ayo development wise. Move from second round to top 20. (Up in the air, of course, since a good BIG tourny/March could do that for him this year)

 

[Oldskoolkoach]

Any legit chance with Jaden Hardy? I keep hearing he "likes what we are doing."

Did TyTy Washington sign with Creighton, or not. He is up to #30 Nationally

 

[JFGsCoffeeMug]

Don't write off Pod. Picking up a lot of traction in that battle.

Getting Melendez this weekend wouldn't mean we aren't still pushing for Pod. Staff thinks Goode, Melendez and Pod are all different enough to bring something unique to next year's team.

Goode
Melendez
Burnett
Pod
Big IF Kofi is gone. Talk that another year might do the same for him as it has for Ayo development wise. Move from second round to top 20. (Up in the air, of course, since a good BIG tourny/March could do that for him this year)

If I were BU, I would do a soft sell on Kofi coming back for one final year and being the face of the program. A boatload of positive PR, a potential down year for centers in the B1G, and another year of development under OA could be the perfect recipe for shooting up draft boards. Of course, Ayo going in the lottery this year is crucial for this pitch to work.

 

[O&B4Ever]

Don't write off Pod. Picking up a lot of traction in that battle.

Getting Melendez this weekend wouldn't mean we aren't still pushing for Pod. Staff thinks Goode, Melendez and Pod are all different enough to bring something unique to next year's team.

Goode
Melendez
Burnett
Pod
Big IF Kofi is gone. Talk that another year might do the same for him as it has for Ayo development wise. Move from second round to top 20. (Up in the air, of course, since a good BIG tourny/March could do that for him this year)

I love Kofi, but unless he adds an outside shot to his game, I don't see him going Top 20. 2nd round? Yes.

 

[GloryDays]

Any legit chance with Jaden Hardy? I keep hearing he "likes what we are doing."

Did TyTy Washington sign with Creighton, or not. He is up to #30 Nationally

Have to imagine Hardy is going pro. Think that will become much more common now.

We won't be getting TyTy and Burnett

 

[the juiceman cometh]

If I were BU, I would do a soft sell on Kofi coming back for one final year and being the face of the program. A boatload of positive PR, a potential down year for centers in the B1G, and another year of development under OA could be the perfect recipe for shooting up draft boards. Of course, Ayo going in the lottery this year is crucial for this pitch to work.

Would love for this to happen, but lately have been seeing him early 2nd to late 1st round in mocks. Tbh it is an uphill battle for any junior or senior to go in the lottery.

 

[RockfordIllini]

Have to imagine Hardy is going pro. Think that will become much more common now.

We won't be getting TyTy and Burnett

We won’t be getting TyTy AND Burnett or we won’t be getting TyTy OR Burnett?

 

[CentralILLini]

You guys keep burning me but im basing my prognostication off Kofi returning for another year at UIUC. Kofi/Giorgi and Miller/Curbelo (plus Goode and the others we already have) is top 25 easily right there imo. Im very bullish on this staff and their ability to make moves with game changing players; add the momentum we’ll have going from this (hopefully) great season to next and there yuh go.

I stand by what I’ve said 100%.

 

[Kofiisforclosing]

We won’t be getting TyTy AND Burnett or we won’t be getting TyTy OR Burnett?

I was wondering this as well. From what I'm told we lead for Burnett, Podz and his dad like Illinois a lot, RJ is imminent (let's hope here), and if Kofi is gone we will land a transfer or a physical type big from the class (think the Reyes kid). I'd love to add Reyes personally. He is an above the rim big that's going to get you at least 4-6 points per game off dunks alone. His floor would be a role player but who's to say he couldn't develop other parts of his game and be even better. And we just don't have a piece like him.

 

[JFGsCoffeeMug]

I was wondering this as well. From what I'm told we lead for Burnett, Podz and his dad like Illinois a lot, RJ is imminent (let's hope here), and if Kofi is gone we will land a transfer or a physical type big from the class (think the Reyes kid). I'd love to add Reyes personally. He is an above the rim big that's going to get you at least 4-6 points per game off dunks alone. His floor would be a role player but who's to say he couldn't develop other parts of his game and be even better. And we just don't have a piece like him.

That's only half a Kofi.

 

[GloryDays]

We won’t be getting TyTy AND Burnett or we won’t be getting TyTy OR Burnett?

Won't be getting both. I think we're in good shape with Burnett.

 

[Illinimobile]

Feed is backwards

 

[Ga65]

I think that is what you'll see. Senior Giorgi will be smarter and the B10 centers will be down next year too

Michigan will have a very good big.

 

[TheFameProtector]

Feed is backwards
View attachment 7410

I was going to post the same thing lol. Hopefully the reload brings in guys that shoot at the correct basket.

 

[Hopingfor500]

I'd say we're still 2 tremendous players away from Top 10 next year. Kofi could theoretically be one of those (with 3 years of eligibility remaining after this season), but I'm thinking his recent burst probably indicates he'll be gone --- with 90%+ certainty.

Melendez won't make an immediate impact. Transfers will be required to immediately elevate the talent level.

Aren't most, if not all, teams two tremendous players away from being in the top 10?

 

[doowink]

I hear he's a real Larry Bird type, only quicker and his growth plates are still open!

There you go....see how easy it is to talk about nothing for several pages on this board....I think you could be pretty good at it with a little practice!!

 

[Ga65]

Michigan will have a very good big.

Then there is Jackson-Davis, Nunge, Robbins, Young, Liddell, Eddy, and Johnson but no Garza unless he chooses to come back as he still has a year of eligibility.

 

[sacraig]

There you go....see how easy it is to talk about nothing for several pages on this board....I think you could be pretty good at it with a little practice!!

I don't know what you are talking about, but I am a regular participant in talking about nothing for several pages. Those conversations just get frequently Danleted. (And usually even deserve it!)

 

[OldYeller]

Then there is Jackson-Davis, Nunge, Robbins, Young, Liddell, Eddy, and Johnson but no Garza unless he chooses to come back as he still has a year of eligibility.

Don’t forget Zed Key, he’ll be good. And Chol Marial from Maryland. Purdue and Michigan also have some big time recruits coming in to bolster their front line.

 

[doowink]

I don't know what you are talking about, but I am a regular participant in talking about nothing for several pages. Those conversations just get frequently Danleted. (And usually even deserve it!)

Everyone has the right to be wrong.....I exercise that right frequently!

 

[LostinNebraska]

Feed is backwards
View attachment 7410

I'mma print that out and frame it for my kids bathroom.

 

[Emerson Bigguns]

If I were BU, I would do a soft sell on Kofi coming back for one final year and being the face of the program. A boatload of positive PR, a potential down year for centers in the B1G, and another year of development under OA could be the perfect recipe for shooting up draft boards. Of course, Ayo going in the lottery this year is crucial for this pitch to work.

I’m sure he will try, but I think the big man is likely gone, even if he’s a 2nd rounder.
If he were a “normal” sophomore, I think it would be more likely.
The fact that he is 22 years old can’t be under stated. You only have a precious few years to make NBA money.

 

[Rockhound]

We need to plan in Kofi moving on. He nearly did last year. It really doesn't matter how we think he will do in the NBA. It matters what he thinks and what people are telling him.

 

[Kofiisforclosing]

We need to plan in Kofi moving on. He nearly did last year. It really doesn't matter how we think he will do in the NBA. It matters what he thinks and what people are telling him.

If being paid for his likeness somehow goes through and he earns to make some money for that I think it would help immensely. A lot of Kofi jerseys would most certainly be sold..

 

[O&B4Ever]

We need to plan in Kofi moving on. He nearly did last year. It really doesn't matter how we think he will do in the NBA. It matters what he thinks and what people are telling him.

Yeah, he gone.