How did Calapari win his only NC at Kentucky. He had a loaded class of Freshmen (illini Check) He had one or two veterans (Illini Check) He had incredible talent (Illini Check). This should be Brad's best team at Illinois by FAR. P.S. Hawkins is being tauted as a First Round NBA Pick. Hmmmm. Who knows more the NBA Mock Drafts or you ?
I agree that this should be BU’s best team, but not sure what your point is with the rest of your post. What does KY’s NC team have to do with this Illini team. By the way, UK’s loaded class consisted of recruits number 1, 3, 6 and 20. Skyy at 32 is the highest of the Illini class. I love this class and excited to see what they can do, but I don’t see any of them being drafted #1 next year like Davis nor #2 as MKG was. Not to mention that I believe KY the year before lost in F4 game, so their veterans had tournament success under their belt.
I am more bullish on Hawk than the original poster is, but not anywhere near so as much as the mock draft you cite. I’d guess in the range he’s being listed in these way too early mock drafts, the historic successful prediction rate is probably about 10%. With a quick search, one 2022 WTE mock I found included Shannon at I think 15 and the other had Mayer about 20. I think we know neither was drafted in first round this year.