Or Fears' camp adjusted their asks after being spurned by Illinois.
Or Fears' camp adjusted their asks after being spurned by Illinois.
Hard to come back to Ill after you said this is it take it or leave it If you pull the demands doesn't a smart coach like Brad know you are going to be trouble down the road and pass.But if he really wanted to be at IL (debatable) was it not possible to back track with Brad rather than concede at MSU? I'm guessing Jr. and Sr. went at Brad with a "take it or leave it" offer and Brad left it, which may/may not have a bearing on the recruitment of Jeremiah.
I guess I'm just confused by "we need guarantees" at IL, but "we'll take our chances" at MSU
Belo is a starter he's just not healthy and Coleman is going to be a stud next year. Grandison and Kofi could very possibly be back next year. There also may be an upgrade or two thanks to the portal.......Don’t think it is unrealistic or even pessimistic to think we will lose our entire starting five next year. Three absolutely, and two likely. Like our roster but that is a tough adjustment. Belo and Hawk could progress enough to be equivalents but don’t see other three positions at the same level as this year although good players.
Belo is a starter he's just not healthy and Coleman is going to be a stud next year. Grandison and Kofi could very possibly be back next year. There also may be an upgrade or two thanks to the portal.......
You also have to remember we will be getting bigger as a team. Trent and Plummer at 6'2" and 6'1" respectively could be replaced by RJ and Goode both at 6'7". Damonte at 6'3" will, in some way, be replaced by 6'6" Ty Rodgers.Don’t think it is unrealistic or even pessimistic to think we will lose our entire starting five next year. Three absolutely, and two likely. Like our roster but that is a tough adjustment. Belo and Hawk could progress enough to be equivalents but don’t see other three positions at the same level as this year although good players.
Next year will tell us if what Underwood is building is working. We can't expect to be a Final Four contender every year, but if we can stay as a top 5 team in the big 10 after losing most of our starters, then we know that the recruiting/coaching/philosophy is truly working.You also have to remember we will be getting bigger as a team. Trent and Plummer at 6'2" and 6'1" respectively could be replaced by RJ and Goode both at 6'7". Damonte at 6'3" will, in some way, be replaced by 6'6" Ty Rodgers.
We could have a killer Jim Boeheim zone defense, but as is, we will be a challenge for teams defensively with our length.
Any clues you can share? Current conference affiliation? What region of the country do they play in? Their favorite color, perhaps?Belo is a starter he's just not healthy and Coleman is going to be a stud next year. Grandison and Kofi could very possibly be back next year. There also may be an upgrade or two thanks to the portal.......
I'm pretty sure it is Jaden Ivey, he's tired of Purdue and orange has always been his favorite color.Any clues you can share? Current conference affiliation? What region of the country do they play in? Their favorite color, perhaps?
I've got to tell you as a diehard Illini fan whose moods rise and fall an entirely unhealthy amount based on Illinois wins/losses, your posts have a way of cheering me up that very few things can. Here's hoping, as I often do, that you are spot on and ahead of the curve in your Illini analysis.Belo is a starter he's just not healthy and Coleman is going to be a stud next year. Grandison and Kofi could very possibly be back next year. There also may be an upgrade or two thanks to the portal.......
Doubt very much these size fantasies will be realized. I'm guessing Belo will start alongside possibly Epps or Podz in the backcourt, with Goode, RJ, or Podz at the three. Rodgers will get time at the 3 and 4 spots. Hawkins at PF and either Payne or Dainja at C.You also have to remember we will be getting bigger as a team. Trent and Plummer at 6'2" and 6'1" respectively could be replaced by RJ and Goode both at 6'7". Damonte at 6'3" will, in some way, be replaced by 6'6" Ty Rodgers.
We could have a killer Jim Boeheim zone defense, but as is, we will be a challenge for teams defensively with our length.
I think Podz has a chance to be pretty good if he becomes more aggressive (probably just finding a niche right now), Goode will be solid, but if Ramses works on his d, I think he has a chance to be the best of the 3. Ramses seems to have handles, scoring ability, above average athlete, and good iq.I think the freshmen will surprise some as to just how good they may be.... given a full year in the system and a year with Fletch to gain strength and conditioning.....I will be disappointed if one or two don't become major contributors next year
I'd highly doubt Epps starts over all 3 Fr and any transfers.Doubt very much these size fantasies will be realized. I'm guessing Belo will start alongside possibly Epps or Podz in the backcourt, with Goode, RJ, or Podz at the three. Rodgers will get time at the 3 and 4 spots. Hawkins at PF and either Payne or Dainja at C.
Depending on if we land any transfers, I do think one of Rodgers/Epps has a chance to start. Rodgers is the big wing with toughness and Epps being a scorer that we are going to need. Either way, we are building a nice roster.I'd highly doubt Epps starts over all 3 Fr and any transfers.
I could have sworn that RJ was considered more polished at defense than offense as a recruitI think Podz has a chance to be pretty good if he becomes more aggressive (probably just finding a niche right now), Goode will be solid, but if Ramses works on his d, I think he has a chance to be the best of the 3. Ramses seems to have handles, scoring ability, above average athlete, and good iq.
Kofi off the bench?Doubt very much these size fantasies will be realized. I'm guessing Belo will start alongside possibly Epps or Podz in the backcourt, with Goode, RJ, or Podz at the three. Rodgers will get time at the 3 and 4 spots. Hawkins at PF and either Payne or Dainja at C.
Final four each year?Next year will tell us if what Underwood is building is working. We can't expect to be a Final Four contender every year, but if we can stay as a top 5 team in the big 10 after losing most of our starters, then we know that the recruiting/coaching/philosophy is truly working.
RJ and Podz were known as scorers too. Goode maybe a bit more of a shooter, but still got 17.4 ppg with another Big Ten player on his team.Depending on if we land any transfers, I do think one of Rodgers/Epps has a chance to start. Rodgers is the big wing with toughness and Epps being a scorer that we are going to need. Either way, we are building a nice roster.
He's bringing one other one with as I'm hearing it.I'm pretty sure it is Jaden Ivey, he's tired of Purdue and orange has always been his favorite color.
HS defense << College defense. Offense translates easier from level to level than defensive schemesI could have sworn that RJ was considered more polished at defense than offense as a recruit
To be fair, it's hard to project how a player would have developed in a different system with different coaches. Maybe Ayo goes to Wake Forest instead and doesn't end up in the NBA (or ends up there a year sooner). Maybe Ramey comes here and ends up killing it. Maybe Jawun Evans chooses Illinois and Groce is still our co... sorry, that was uncalled for.I had a major man crush on Courtney Ramey. I really, really wanted him (sounds gross, I know). He's a senior at UT. Good player, but nowhere close to what I expected. Not a good shooter (better this year, but still). Thinking Fears' college career will be similar. FWLIW, I'm good with staff's decision.
While perusing Ramey's stats, checked out Tre Mitchell's stats too. Not having nearly the impact I expected. Impossible to know if it would be different here, but we may have actually dodged a bullet (Hawk transferring out).
LOL. If he is wearing orange, it will be for Oklahoma City.I'm pretty sure it is Jaden Ivey, he's tired of Purdue and orange has always been his favorite color.