Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (March 2021)

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#2,076      

Joel Goodson

respect my decision™
Adam Miller gets the last shot. Without Ayo around, it is his time to shine.
I certainly hope so. But he has to be able to get open/create his shot. He had difficulties this season with athletic/lanky defenders. Also, got snuffed on drives far too often. Spot shooting, I think, yeah, he's the guy. But when a top defender is on him? Jury's out. Hopefully, he's learned a lot from this season and puts in the necessary work to advance his game.

[ belongs in the looking ahead thread ]
 
#2,078      

blackdog

Champaign
I certainly hope so. But he has to be able to get open/create his shot. He had difficulties this season with athletic/lanky defenders. Also, got snuffed on drives far too often. Spot shooting, I think, yeah, he's the guy. But when a top defender is on him? Jury's out. Hopefully, he's learned a lot from this season and puts in the necessary work to advance his game.

[ belongs in the looking ahead thread ]

Ayo also got blocked a lot as a freshman. He started to get more aggressive at the end of the year which is good. I would rather him be attacking and learning what moves do/don't work against D1 comp vs standing at the arc all day.
 
#2,080      

Joel Goodson

respect my decision™
Ayo also got blocked a lot as a freshman. He started to get more aggressive at the end of the year which is good. I would rather him be attacking and learning what moves do/don't work against D1 comp vs standing at the arc all day.
Yeah, definitely. It's a process. My points still hold though.
 
#2,082      
With what is on the transfer list and what is in our recruiting pipeline. I am rooting for no more Sr. in high school's getting scholarships (certain exceptions of course) and getting Underwood and Co all over this transfer list. After the season we had, we may mop up in the transfers.
Transfers is sort of how Hoiberg built Iowa State and now trying the same at Nebraska. Risking way of building a program.
 
#2,083      
Looking at the BIG transfer list, one thing is clear - we’ve got a great culture, regardless of what Wally Sczerbiak or Charmin Cankles and his dad say.

We may lose transfers still as the roster takes shape and someone sees no place for minutes - but it’s very encouraging that no one hit the eject button at the end of the season like has happened at so many other places.
 
#2,087      

uofi7477

Silver & Gold Vandals
Nice breakdown of RJ Melendez below. Feel his skills complement our team very well. Seems to be strong as a catch and shoot weapon, as well as an intelligent cutter who can finish at (and above) the rim. X-Factor is if he can develop as a shot creator, but at a minimum should have a niche role in the rotation down the line.

Melendez Breakdown
Sweet. We already know where this fellow will get to under our Coaching Staff = Big Time indeed.
 
#2,088      
Doubtful
Grandison averaged 4.5 ppg
Hawkins averaged 1.4 ppg
Going to need a little help from the transfer portal to compete for B10 titles.
Using previous years stats as a predictor of next season success assumes neither gets better given 1) another year of experience and 2) presumedly expanded roles
 
#2,089      
Transfers is sort of how Hoiberg built Iowa State and now trying the same at Nebraska. Risking way of building a program.
Agreed but I think we have to take advantage of the uniqueness of the transfer market this year. We can’t rely on transfers as a long term strategy though for program development.
 
#2,090      
Using previous years stats as a predictor of next season success assumes neither gets better given 1) another year of experience and 2) presumedly expanded roles
Agreed, but i did not see much to indicate they are on the verge of breakout years, and double-double kind of players. I think we need someone at the 4 who can shoot and jump to be competitive for a B10 championship
 
#2,092      
Transfers is sort of how Hoiberg built Iowa State and now trying the same at Nebraska. Risking way of building a program.
But when you have a solid base, it can be the catalyst that takes you to the next level, i.e., the Baylors. That's what we want to shoot for, imo, given the amount of transfers in college bball these days. Have a multiple high-level recruits/players on board, solid role players, a couple end-of-bench guys with long-term upside, and then plug any holes with high-level transfers that see opportunity to play and win. I think we have a solid foundation -- now the question is whether we can that impact player(s).
 
#2,094      

blackdog

Champaign
Nice breakdown of RJ Melendez below. Feel his skills complement our team very well. Seems to be strong as a catch and shoot weapon, as well as an intelligent cutter who can finish at (and above) the rim. X-Factor is if he can develop as a shot creator, but at a minimum should have a niche role in the rotation down the line.

Melendez Breakdown

I especially loved the part about how good a cutter he is because I hadn't seen that anywhere else. Takes good instincts, IQ, and work ethic to be a good cutter especially when he is as good a shooter as he is and could camp out at the 3 point line.
 
#2,095      
I especially loved the part about how good a cutter he is because I hadn't seen that anywhere else. Takes good instincts, IQ, and work ethic to be a good cutter especially when he is as good a shooter as he is and could camp out at the 3 point line.
So satisfying to see our recruiting now at such a different level than it was prior to BU and his staff. Good looking player.
 
#2,096      

SactownIllini

Coleman Hawkinsland
Franklin would be a nice replacement for Trent. Has good size and shoots great from the 3. Still feel we need someone to take the last shot. Obviously Ayo may have been the best in program history. Right now you put the ball in Curbs hands, he just needs to develop his outside shot. If Kofi returns, obviously you make him a treat to score in close games.
End of the games = Miller Time. I thought he was really good at the end of the year despite being a 5th or 6th scoring option. His defense is outstanding for a freshman.

Franklin would be nice, but hoping we can get a stretch 4 (if Austin can't be that). Seemed like the one piece we were missing this year to be unstoppable. Though I have to say Monte and Jacob did a great job despite it not being their natural position.
 
#2,097      
I especially loved the part about how good a cutter he is because I hadn't seen that anywhere else. Takes good instincts, IQ, and work ethic to be a good cutter especially when he is as good a shooter as he is and could camp out at the 3 point line.
Lovely to have a PG on our roster who will reward all those cuts too.
 
#2,098      

illini80

Forgottonia
Tough job for the staff, any staff really, trying to build a roster when you don’t know who’s coming back and who’s not. I see a big time 4 as our most critical need to fill. If kofi is back it’s a perfect fit and if he’s not it becomes the most important open slot. Tough to recruit a top level 5 without knowing kofi’s plans and we likely won’t know that until late in the process again. No reason a 4 should hesitate regardless. JMO.
 
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