You need to excuse yourself for the afternoon.
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (March 2021)
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What is the link everyone is looking at for transfer portal? I was looking at 247 and some of the guys mentioned in this thread are not listed on theirs.
Was watts the guy izzo grabbed walking off the floor in the tourney?
No he grabbed Gabe Brown.
Deleted member 747903
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Seemed like Izzo was up in his grill every play. Definitely did not look like he enjoyed playing (and neither did most MSU players). He needs a fresh start at a program that will let him be a scoring wing.
chrisRunner7
- Spokane, WA
Wow. Really surprised by Rocket Watts. This board would be in meltdown mode if we were losing some of our top players (to transfer, not to the draft) like these others schools.
You have to figure Watts thinks he should be the PG (nope) but MSU just brought in Tyson Walker to be their Mike Smith.
You have to figure Watts thinks he should be the PG (nope) but MSU just brought in Tyson Walker to be their Mike Smith.
Deleted member 747903
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I don't think Watts wants to play PG. He's a scorer, not a facilitator. I actually quite like him as a scorer. Can get a bucket from all three levels.
I would prefer either Ty Ty and/or Burnett. One thing for sure with both Ayo and Trent gone, the Illini could sure use another lead guard and another big man, particularly if Kofi leaves which I think he will.
Man, I wouldn’t hate getting Watts. He’s not unlike Brandon Paul.
Deleted member 747903
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He's a good player but sort of redundant with Adam Miller. We need more 3 and D guys.
DICKnaggie
- Champaign
East Carolina F Jayden Gardner has entered the portal. He was good for 18.3 PPG/8.3 RPG and has two years eligibility left. Could be a nice addition at the 4.
TheFameProtector
- Champaign
Perhaps I'm way off, but I view TyTy as a lead guard, yet what I've seen of Burnett (which isn't tons) does not strike me as a guy who can consistently initiate offense. He seems to be best on the wing, kind of like what we've seen of AM so far, shooting and attacking off closeouts. TyTy on the other hand -- he looks built to be a lead guard but also has the skills to play off Belo. He seems tailor-made to step into Ayo's role. I'd be ecstatic if we can land him. (I'd also be very pumped to land Burnett, I'm just not sure he fills that particular role)
Didn’t realize he’s only 6’2. Thought he was closer to 6’4/6’5.
I will say that next season, assuming Kofi is gone, will have very balanced scoring from 15PPG to 10 PPG from the top 5 scorers and having 3 with 8 PPG. This way, defenses will have to work harder as we will not have 2 guys on the floor constantly so defenses can drop off of. If Kofi is back, then we will have a 18-20 a game guy and it will open the floor more for shooters. I believe we will be more dangerous next March than this March as we wont have the glaring weakness of 3 point shooting.
I don't think our 3 point shooting is as much of a glaring issue as some would think.
We were 37% for the season on 524 attempts.
Michigan was 38.7% on 400 attempts.
Baylor - the best 3 point shooting team is 41.8% on 409 attempts.
There's definitely room to improve, but I wouldn't call it a glaring issue.
Disclaimer: I think we have the opportunity to be more dangerous next year. We could even be the best 3 point shooting team
We are losing Ayo (38.6%), Trent (36.2%), Damonte (54.7%).
So yes, as a full team we went 197-524 (37.6%). If you remove those 3 players, however, the rest of our team was 75-225 for exactly 33.33%.
I agree with you that our 3-point shooting was definitely not a glaring issue this year. It was last year and it could be next year, depending on growth and what our roster actually ends up being.
Illinivek23
- Gurnee
JG was 41.5% from 3 - wish we used him as a weapon more than we did and look forward to what he can do next year.
We have more shooters on the team this year! Miller, Goode, Hawkins, Grandison, Hutch... and hopefully some more committing soon! Options are a great thing to have in that regard. And Goode made SportsCenter for his game winner! I-L-L
illini80
- Forgottonia
He can certainly hit the open 3. I’m not sure about a contested 3. I’m not sure what he was physically when he walked in the door, but I hope he can add a little more strength. He’s a great energy guy and teammate. I question how much more he can do for us than what we’ve seen, but I’m rooting for him and would love to be wrong. In fact, I’m quite good at it.
We need some bigs!
This is critical. Our 3 pt shooting was very selective this year, and that led to the high percentages. Unlike a team like Baylor, we didn't have anyone that could simply rise over tough D and nail a 3. The combination of Ayo and the threat to get downhill to his right (primarily) and Kofi in the pick and roll was the power in our offense. Next year will be different. Likely more of a Curbelo breaking down the D and hitting open shooters. We will need more shooters who can rise and make a more contested 3. This is the difference between having Kofi in the middle and Georgi.He can certainly hit the open 3. I’m not sure about a contested 3. I’m not sure what he was physically when he walked in the door, but I hope he can add a little more strength. He’s a great energy guy and teammate. I question how much more he can do for us than what we’ve seen, but I’m rooting for him and would love to be wrong. In fact, I’m quite good at it.
Central IL Illini
- Springfield, IL
Adam Miller was a 3 and D guy this year. Hope I’m wrong, but I’m not sure I see him making this big leap to elite scorer/shot creator that some are predicting. He sort of reminds me a bit of Rich McBride if we go back some. Just a little stiff, and not super fluid like most of the elite wing scorers are.
I agree we need more guys who can create their own shot. But to refer to an earlier stat - we actually shot a lot of 3s.
Source: ESPN
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AM is going to be asked to do much more than shoot threes next year. If 75% of his shots next year are still threes then I'd be concerned he has not improved.
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