Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

[EyeoftheIllini]

Good point about tempo. I feel like this team is prime for high tempo and high energy. That will require a deeper bench.

True, but it would not surprise me at all if outside of cupcake games and blowouts, Skyy, RJ, TSJ and Mayer average 25-30 mpg. That leaves about 90 minutes a game for Epps, Harris, Rodgers, Goode, Hawk and Dainja. All those guys aren’t going to receive an equal amount of tick. And that doesn’t include the player they bring in with the last schollie, though I’d guess that player will play much fewer minutes.

I will be very interested to see how up tempo the offense and defense end up being, and how that impacts minutes.

 

[ElGran]

I get why everyone is excited by the depth we appear to have for next year, and the posts about a “hockey line” approach to rotations. I though have my doubts. BU seems to rely on a core group for a big chunk of minutes, and I think it will be interesting to see if the depth is utilized as much as people think at this point. Granted BU likely hasn’t had this kind of talent here before and it sounds like he plans to increase the tempo on both offense and defense, but I think it is unlikely he’ll be employing a 9 or 10 player rotation. More likely is we see a plethora of posts during the season asking why players X, Y and maybe even Z aren’t seeing more minutes. My best guesses for who might be the subject of those posts are Harris, Goode, Rodgers and Hawk (not all of them but some of them). Going to be an interesting and hopefully fun and successful season.

I agree. Most coaches don’t go beyond an 8- or possibly 9-man rotation. Fans, and not just ours, are frequently enamored of it for some reason.

FWIW I don’t think we’re that deep. We’ve got 11 scholarship players and some aren’t going to be as good as everyone expects, especially the FR playing college ball for the first time.

But I think Hawk will play a lot. Out of necessity if nothing else as we only have two legitimate Bigs right now.

 

[Big Jack]

 

[EyeoftheIllini]

I agree. Most coaches don’t go beyond an 8- or possibly 9-man rotation. Fans, and not just ours, are frequently enamored of it for some reason.

FWIW I don’t think we’re that deep. We’ve got 11 scholarship players and some aren’t going to be as good as everyone expects, especially the FR playing college ball for the first time.

But I think Hawk will play a lot. Out of necessity if nothing else as we only have two legitimate Bigs right now.

I agree on Hawk, but I included him because thus far he has kind of fallen in and out of favor with BU. Hopefully he doesn’t give a reason for that to happen again. But if it isn’t just all off-season coach speak and Dainja is as good as reported, might not be surprising at all if he ends up seeing more minutes than Hawk given his size.

If Skyy is healthy and as good as we believe he will be, Epps might be one of those guys who is the subject of those “why isn’t he getting more minutes” posts. Given all the positivity surrounding Epps and Rodgers, it seems crazy to think that they might struggle at times for minutes, but seems like something has to give.

 

[ptgrd23]

Deep bench years

1980 Illini - starters Derek Harper, Eddie Johnson , Mark Smith, Derek Holcomb, Perry Range
Bench - Tucker JC AA, Griffin (HS AA) Mitch Arnold

1985 Illini - starters Bruce Douglas, Altenberger, George Montgomery, Efrem Winters Anthony Welch
Bench - Scott Meents (did time in NBA), Ken Norman (long NBA career), Tom Schafer

1989 Flying Illini - starters Bardo Gill Hamilton Anderson and Battle
Bench - Marcus Liberty #1 rated HS player in country, Larry Smith Street and Smith AA, Andy Kaufman

2001 Illini -starters Frank Williams, Marcus Griffin, Corey Bradford, Brian Cook, Sergio McLain
bench - Robert Archibald, Damir Krupilija, Lucas Johnson and Sean Harrington

I think we could have excellent depth next season

starters - Clark 6'3", Melendez 6'7", Hawkins 6'10" , Shannon 6'6" and Mayer 6'9"
bench - Dainja, Goode, Epps, Rogers

I see Brad giving Shannon and Mayer more ball handling responsibilty due to their NBA aspirations

 

[trtl]

Does anyone have thoughts on Emoni Bates? I think he is still in the portal.

 

[illini0440]

Does anyone have thoughts on Emoni Bates? I think he is still in the portal.

Is this sarcasm? Please tell me this is sarcasm

 

[illini0440]

Deep bench years

1980 Illini - starters Derek Harper, Eddie Johnson , Mark Smith, Derek Holcomb, Perry Range
Bench - Tucker JC AA, Griffin (HS AA) Mitch Arnold

1985 Illini - starters Bruce Douglas, Altenberger, George Montgomery, Efrem Winters Anthony Welch
Bench - Scott Meents (did time in NBA), Ken Norman (long NBA career), Tom Schafer

1989 Flying Illini - starters Bardo Gill Hamilton Anderson and Battle
Bench - Marcus Liberty #1 rated HS player in country, Larry Smith Street and Smith AA, Andy Kaufman

2001 Illini -starters Frank Williams, Marcus Griffin, Corey Bradford, Brian Cook, Sergio McLain
bench - Robert Archibald, Damir Krupilija, Lucas Johnson and Sean Harrington

I think we could have excellent depth next season

starters - Clark 6'3", Melendez 6'7", Hawkins 6'10" , Shannon 6'6" and Mayer 6'9"
bench - Dainja, Goode, Epps, Rogers

I see Brad giving Shannon and Mayer more ball handling responsibilty due to their NBA aspirations

Dainja is the starting 5

 

[trtl]

Is this sarcasm? Please tell me this is sarcasm

I must have missed his commitment to the beloved. So one ride left. Got it.

 

[foby]

So just for my personal amusement.......

As soon as I scrolled down to this post, "Town Called Malice" by The Jam started playing. The drum beat was in perfect time with the horse hitting. I had to laugh. Yes, I am easily amused.

 

[FAR Penthouse]

This isn't hard to figure out.

He wants to get to the league. He has enough talent that the location likely doesn't matter much.

He doesn't have red flats. He has sirens.

Just like with Dior Johnson, programs who see themselves on a good trajectory looking at a good season are likely to pass. The nuttiness in Louisville had me wondering if they'd take a chance.

 

[pruman91]

This is the most pruman thing I can possibly imagine

This is what my dreams look like......They really really do ..................That and a NATTY for the beloved.................

 

[sacraig]

Does anyone have thoughts on Emoni Bates? I think he is still in the portal.

 

[foby]

View attachment 18600

This is what my dreams look like......They really really do ..................That and a NATTY for the beloved.................

 

[Nohops 73]

Good point about tempo. I feel like this team is prime for high tempo and high energy. That will require a deeper bench.

Let me preface this by saying we don’t know what we have yet; it will be fascinating to see who emerges from this deep pool of good players. Someone may emerge as a dominant player (or two) but I wouldn’t be surprised if we end up with a lot of skilled players with no clear Alpha. This may change during the season, too.

Not having a true Alpha should lean Brad towards using the team’s greatest strength, which is its depth. If there is not a clear drop-off in talent when the reserves are playing, they will be in the game more often to keep everyone fresh with the pace and defensive intensity high. I’ve been following the Illini since the ‘60’s and don’t ever remember a roster having this much average length and athleticism. As long as they learn to play together, they are going to be a lot of fun to watch.

 

[TheGMan]

Dainja is the starting 5

Starting 5:

1) Dainja
2) Dainja
3) Dainja
4) Dainja
5) Dainja

 

[ILLINIShox24]

Starting 5:

1) Dainja
2) Dainja
3) Dainja
4) Dainja
5) Dainja

He spits hot fire!

 

[Noblesville Illini]

Starting 5:

1) Dainja
2) Dainja
3) Dainja
4) Dainja
5) Dainja

Sorry, too easy......................

 

[foby]

Starting 5:

1) Dainja
2) Goode

3) Dainja
4) Dainja
5) Dainja

FIFY

 

[PassingBy]

It makes perfect sense for him to end up at EMU. It's the same reason many don't want him here. He is all about him. Well I've never met the kid, maybe it is his entourage that creates that and he's just a victim of the adults around him, but regardless the end product is the same. There is a reason Memphis was substantially better without him.

So if he can get some good money at EMU and he is the 100% focus of the team, that sounds exactly like what he wants. College is just an unwanted step between him and the NBA. Though I think the NBA would like to see him add, oh about 60 lbs to his frame.

In which case he should have accepted the offer from Illinois, worked with Fletch for a year, sat on the bench, and gone to the NBA

 

[NJJ871]

View attachment 18600

This is what my dreams look like......They really really do ..................That and a NATTY for the beloved.................

 

[NJJ871]

Starting 5:

1) Dainja
2) Dainja
3) Dainja
4) Dainja
5) Dainja

 

[EyeoftheIllini]

In which case he should have accepted the offer from Illinois, worked with Fletch for a year, sat on the bench, and gone to the NBA

Oh, did Illinois offer?

 

[bluemountain]

Deep bench years

1980 Illini - starters Derek Harper, Eddie Johnson , Mark Smith, Derek Holcomb, Perry Range
Bench - Tucker JC AA, Griffin (HS AA) Mitch Arnold

1985 Illini - starters Bruce Douglas, Altenberger, George Montgomery, Efrem Winters Anthony Welch
Bench - Scott Meents (did time in NBA), Ken Norman (long NBA career), Tom Schafer

1989 Flying Illini - starters Bardo Gill Hamilton Anderson and Battle
Bench - Marcus Liberty #1 rated HS player in country, Larry Smith Street and Smith AA, Andy Kaufman

2001 Illini -starters Frank Williams, Marcus Griffin, Corey Bradford, Brian Cook, Sergio McLain
bench - Robert Archibald, Damir Krupilija, Lucas Johnson and Sean Harrington

I think we could have excellent depth next season

starters - Clark 6'3", Melendez 6'7", Hawkins 6'10" , Shannon 6'6" and Mayer 6'9"
bench - Dainja, Goode, Epps, Rogers

I see Brad giving Shannon and Mayer more ball handling responsibilty due to their NBA aspirations

Arnold xfer'd out after a couple games, so the '81 team really wasn't that deep. Latka missed most of '89 due to a blood clot issue. The '85 team was insanely deep; in addition to the guys on your list you can add Tony Wysinger and Scott Haffner. Jens Kujawa rs'd that year and Glynn Blackwell saw mop up duty.

 

[pruman91]

I've learned to live with and enjoy them....................I really really do...........................