Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

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#226      
I really struggle with the whole Ramey thing ... I just don't think he's the missing piece ... Especially with him being so demanding about starting ...

I legitimately do not believe he provides us much more than Skyy & Epps can ... And I would rather let those two play through their mistakes and keep them around than throw Ramey out there for 1 year and risk losing one of those young guys 🤷‍♂️
We're then putting A LOT on neither of them flopping. We saw the B10 has no problem pressing teams with only 1 ball handler, IL struggled b.c of it at times.
 
#227      
When he entered the portal ... They shot down the St. John's talk right away, and said he was destined for "bigger things" ...

Anderson wouldn't have had a shot at him without Curbelo & Vetrone ... Good for them ... 🤷‍♂️
There’s no rules at St. John’s…..it’s going to be entertaining to watch…..do they have anyone who can shoot the 3?
 
#230      

chrisRunner7

Spokane, WA
I think the challenge is, how do you recruit a strong backup transfer?

You can bring in a high school kid and tell him Skyy won't be here 4 years, so you'll start out as a backup but have plenty of PT become available. With a transfer, if they've accomplished enough to make you want them, someone else is going to be willing to give them a starting role. I was very much against Jeremiah Williams, and while his shoulder surgery still greatly concerns me, he is the type of guy we need. We need someone willing to play 15-20 minutes, who can be a distribution first PG, that can play strong defense.

I don't think that guy is out there anymore. Kyle Lofton might fit the bill, but sub 30% 3 pt shooting is concerning. While you don't need a lot of points out of a backup, you don't want a guy the defense doesn't have to guard. Justin Powell is an interesting player. Why in the world did he transfer? Did Auburn bring someone in that stole his spot? His Fr. year was fantastic. Then he transfers and Soph year he is getting half the minutes and stats tank. So based on that, I'd guess he is looking to get back to that 30 mpg world. If he would be willing to play a backup role, he'd be my top choice.
Have been wondering the same thing as you on recruiting a strong PG who would be OK with being a backup. We essentially need the PG version of what Ryan Young is doing for Duke at the center position to back up the five stars they've got coming in.

Side note: We have come a long way as a program in a short period of time. I was going to make a joke that we should go after Khalid Lewis, but man, I cannot believe how bad his stats were and how he played 23 mpg for us under John Groce during the 2015-16 season. No offense to Khalid because I still appreciate that he represented the O&B... but in the previous season at LaSalle, in 27 mpg, he averaged 6.0 points, 2.2 assists, 1.6 turnovers, 37% FG and 32% 3-PT. It is almost unbelievable in hindsight when we look at our roster and who we are recruiting now.
 
#231      
I agree with everything you just said, but you have to wonder what veteran experience would do for us in postseason play. I like having a veteran guard in big games, but I understand the concern for the younger guys

I don't think the staff would mind taking an experienced guard ... But it's got to be the right fit ...

One name that I like ... Rondel Walker from OK State
 
#232      
I don't think the staff would mind taking an experienced guard ... But it's got to be the right fit ...

One name that I like ... Rondel Walker from OK State
numbers are far from eye-popping, but havent seen him play. i don't mind the guy who played in front of him... Isaac Likekele
 
#234      
Take a sophomore-junior pg. Clark and Epps may move on. If Clark goes pro, he’ll be a jr. splitting time with Epps. Otherwise, SR year at worst splitting time with Epps or Starting. Always could redshirt him also.
 
#235      

derrick6

Illini Dawg
Seattle
I really struggle with the whole Ramey thing ... I just don't think he's the missing piece ... Especially with him being so demanding about starting ...

I legitimately do not believe he provides us much more than Skyy & Epps can ... And I would rather let those two play through their mistakes and keep them around than throw Ramey out there for 1 year and risk losing one of those young guys 🤷‍♂️
We aren’t accustomed to possible one and done’s at Illinois but we will adapt and realize some freshman can compete at this level.
 
#237      
Iowa last year had 10 guys with double digit minutes. I know its rare but we saw first hand when you only have 7 guys with double digit minutes, They lose to Indiana then barely get by Chattanooga. I do not see an issue using 10 guys double digit minutes as much talent as we will have.
I like the idea of depth as long as we are leveraging it (go with speed and wear down opponents)

As pointed out previously, both NC and Kansas had 8 or less double digit minute players and made it to Nat Championship game. Kansas had several veterans though.

Aside from # of good players rotating on court, well desperately need chemistry quickly.
 
#238      
I really struggle with the whole Ramey thing ... I just don't think he's the missing piece ... Especially with him being so demanding about starting ...

I legitimately do not believe he provides us much more than Skyy & Epps can ... And I would rather let those two play through their mistakes and keep them around than throw Ramey out there for 1 year and risk losing one of those young guys 🤷‍♂️
We finally signed a 5 star PG, and have another talented freshman PG to go along with him. I agree with you 100%. I think between the two of them you let them carry the load.

If we happen to find a vet who is ok with a role player position then sure.
 
#239      
We aren’t accustomed to possible one and done’s at Illinois but we will adapt and realize some freshman can compete at this level.
Like Loren Tate has always said, if one and dones are never a problem for you then you'll never be an elite program.
 
#240      
Take a sophomore-junior pg. Clark and Epps may move on. If Clark goes pro, he’ll be a jr. splitting time with Epps. Otherwise, SR year at worst splitting time with Epps or Starting. Always could redshirt him also.
If Skyy really wants to play with his brother, he won’t be one and done. Even if he is, they have Zz coming in at some point. And not sure you’ll find a sophomore-junior pg worth much who is looking to redshirt (and when was the last time you’ve seen a healthy redshirt). Plus how does redshirting him help with experience/depth on next year’s team.

All that said, not a huge fan of adding Ramey. But would like to see them add someone. Hopefully BU and company can figure it out.
 
#242      
I don't think the staff would mind taking an experienced guard ... But it's got to be the right fit ...

One name that I like ... Rondel Walker from OK State
Love that name.

Honestly - the vet guard transfer is just to increase their floor/ability to win some close games at the start of the big ten schedule.

I would run with our freshman PGs come March over any in the portal. They have the highest ceiling and can explode in games.
 
#243      
I really struggle with the whole Ramey thing ... I just don't think he's the missing piece ... Especially with him being so demanding about starting ...

I legitimately do not believe he provides us much more than Skyy & Epps can ... And I would rather let those two play through their mistakes and keep them around than throw Ramey out there for 1 year and risk losing one of those young guys 🤷‍♂️
I don’t want Ramey because he spent 4 years at Texas in a losing, yet somehow arrogant and entitled athletics culture. I just don’t trust a guy who has been in a place like UT in a culture like that to be all in for the team for one year.

And from a basketball standpoint, idk if it was the culture around the program or what, but every time I watched UT he was making a lot of bonehead plays. You can see that we at least have a plan, exceedingly simple or not, every time we step on the court. I don’t know that you can trust him to execute that after watching him play down here.
 
#244      
If Skyy really wants to play with his brother, he won’t be one and done. Even if he is, they have Zz coming in at some point. And not sure you’ll find a sophomore-junior pg worth much who is looking to redshirt (and when was the last time you’ve seen a healthy redshirt). Plus how does redshirting him help with experience/depth on next year’s team.

All that said, not a huge fan of adding Ramey. But would like to see them add someone. Hopefully BU and company can figure it out.
So you think skyy is staying 3 years? Also - Lieb was a healthy redshirt….
 
#246      
We're then putting A LOT on neither of them flopping. We saw the B10 has no problem pressing teams with only 1 ball handler, IL struggled b.c of it at times.
Think we have a lot of ball handlers that aren’t PG’s. Sencire, Ty, RJ, Shannon, and Hawk can all handle the ball and pass so if there is a problem it will be defense IMO. By March Skyy and Jay will have had a lot of experience. Dec and Jan may have some problems.
More worried about depth at center even if we get Nance. Is Lieb even serviceable for 5-10 in emergency situation? Don’t want us to be playing 6’7” at center in the BIG.
 
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#247      
Were there any "soft" promises made to Skyy's camp (not necessarily you "you are 100% but the starter" but "you would have the inside track and as long as you show out, we expect you to start") as part of his recruitment? Prospective playing time was the Number 1 reason that he de-committed from Kentucky.
 
#248      
Were there any "soft" promises made to Skyy's camp (not necessarily you "you are 100% but the starter" but "you would have the inside track and as long as you show out, we expect you to start") as part of his recruitment? Prospective playing time was the Number 1 reason that he de-committed from Kentucky.
The number 1 reason he de committed was that the coach that recruited him left….also yes he’s gonna start….you think Ayo wasn’t promised he was gonna start from day one? Same thing here
 
#250      
The number 1 reason he de committed was that the coach that recruited him left….also yes he’s gonna start….you think Ayo wasn’t promised he was gonna start from day one? Same thing here
Well Ayo and Kofi starting were locks, even if they were bad. There was no free transfer (without waivers) and not much talent ahead of them. It's a different game with how open the transfer portal is now.
 
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