Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

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#178      
Is it still just speculation or do we think he is an Illini? People seem to be just putting him in the mix already.
Zagoria reported we were in the mix with Bama, Memphis, Ole Miss and Texas.

As far as I know, we don’t have any reason to believe we’re ahead of those other teams.

He also reported A&M, Miami and Oklahoma have reached out to Johnson.
 
#181      
Unless we have some unique connection and can promise him significant role as a lead guard I doubt we have any chance. We are not going to do that with an unproven 4 star.
No, we can't promise him playing time, but given the dearth of asterisk-free lead guards who are ready to play on our team, he'd have to conclude that he'd have as good a chance at starting here as anywhere.
 
#182      
If this is our lineup, we will scuffle mightily against any team that presses us. Even without a press the number of turnovers we're going to cough up would be ridiculous.
Williams will be fine if healthy. Plus Harris and Ty have a year of experience to assist. Most of the issue with our turnovers last season was due to Hawkins and TSJ forcing things at times. We have options and experience that we didn't have last season. DGL should help too but as a third or fourth option.
 
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#183      
No, we can't promise him playing time, but given the dearth of asterisk-free lead guards who are ready to play on our team, he'd have to conclude that he'd have as good a chance at starting here as anywhere.
Yeah, if he prefers to pay PG, we should be an attractive spot for him. Though it sounds like our chances of getting him aren't great.
 
#184      
O
Just to inject a little positivity, the draft notes on TSJ indicate he has 3 main things he needs to improve:

1. Ballhandling
2. Perimeter shooting
3. Finishing with his right hand

I expect to see marked improvement in these areas, given that is what he needs to work on in order to get drafted. If he can improve the ballhandling even just a smidge, he could help out a ton in this one area that a lot of us feel we're sorely lacking. They did have him bring the ball up plenty last year and he wasn't dreadful at it. As much as he had the ball in his hands (which was a ton, probably nearly EVERY possession I would guess), he only had a 14% turnover rate. For comparison's sake, turnover rates for last season's Bob Cousy award finalists:

Markquis Nowell 19%
Tyler Kolek 18%
Boo Buie 13%
Jalen Pickett 13%
Yuri Collins 25%
One thing Bardo brought up which I totally agree with is TSJ at times attacks at times head down a bit out if control n hopes of being fouled when doubled up on. He gets those calls often but when he didn't it was often a turnover. He must improve his passing on the move when doubled now and to play in the NBA. As Bardo pointed out. He won't get that call in the NBA when he forces things. He must improve passing on the move.
 
#185      
O

One thing Bardo brought up which I totally agree with is TSJ at times attacks in hopes of being fouled when doubled up on. He gets those calls often but when he didn't it was often a turnover. He must improve his passing on the move when doubled now and to play in the NBA. As Bardo pointed out. He won't get that call in the NBA when he forces things. He must improve passing on the move.
Goode on the floor will certainly free him up some, too.
 
#186      
Williams will be fine if healthy.
That's a really big if. Furthermore, this is his second transfer. There are huge doubts about whether he'll even be eligible to play.

"Plus Harris and Ty have a year of experience to assist."
I don't understand why people feel Ty Rodgers has any chance at all of playing point guard successfully for us. Has he ever played backcourt? To me, he's a front court player with a bit of handles. Concluding that we might be able to make a lead guard out of him seems a huge stretch to put it mildly.

"DGL and Harmon we help too."
That'd be great if DGL turned out to be good enough to contribute right away. But given that he averaged nearly 3 turnovers per game and only 4 assists per game last season at OTE, my guess is that he'll likely need more time.
I'm excited about the shooting that Harmon might bright to our team, but he averaged fewer assists last season for Utah Valley (2.9) than turnovers (3). Who knows? Maybe he'll play completely differently for us this coming season, but those numbers aren't a promising indicator that he'll be any help at lead guard, particularly given that he'll be competing against better athletes in the B1G.
 
#189      
That's a really big if. Furthermore, this is his second transfer. There are huge doubts about whether he'll even be eligible to play.

"Plus Harris and Ty have a year of experience to assist."
I don't understand why people feel Ty Rodgers has any chance at all of playing point guard successfully for us. Has he ever played backcourt? To me, he's a front court player with a bit of handles. Concluding that we might be able to make a lead guard out of him seems a huge stretch to put it mildly.

"DGL and Harmon we help too."
That'd be great if DGL turned out to be good enough to contribute right away. But given that he averaged nearly 3 turnovers per game and only 4 assists per game last season at OTE, my guess is that he'll likely need more time.
I'm excited about the shooting that Harmon might bright to our team, but he averaged fewer assists last season for Utah Valley (2.9) than turnovers (3). Who knows? Maybe he'll play completely differently for us this coming season, but those numbers aren't a promising indicator that he'll be any help at lead guard, particularly given that he'll be competing against better athletes in the B1G.

Agree with the vast majority of your post. Agree that Rodgers isn't a PG, but you're selling him short. I agree with "bit of handles". What isn't mentioned is his passing and decision making are borderline superb. Yeah, his handles aren't near PG level, but he's a really good facilitator. I'd give him enough rope and see what he can (and can't) do.
 
#192      
O

One thing Bardo brought up which I totally agree with is TSJ at times attacks at times head down a bit out if control n hopes of being fouled when doubled up on. He gets those calls often but when he didn't it was often a turnover. He must improve his passing on the move when doubled now and to play in the NBA. As Bardo pointed out. He won't get that call in the NBA when he forces things. He must improve passing on the move.
You should know better than to post positively about Bardo on these forums where everyone knows he hates us.

/s
 
#193      
That's a bold statement, my friend, given the competition. ;)
Cedric The Entertainer GIF by CBS
 
#197      
That's a bold statement, my friend, given the competition. ;)
ha - it's a hot take for sure, but I agree w/you. Given the historical context of what I have seen on this board (in my 7 years or so of observing w/periodic participation), the take is more like porch brewed iced tea hot. More absurd things are not hard to find pretty regularly.
 
#200      
That's a really big if. Furthermore, this is his second transfer. There are huge doubts about whether he'll even be eligible to play.

"Plus Harris and Ty have a year of experience to assist."
I don't understand why people feel Ty Rodgers has any chance at all of playing point guard successfully for us. Has he ever played backcourt? To me, he's a front court player with a bit of handles. Concluding that we might be able to make a lead guard out of him seems a huge stretch to put it mildly.

"DGL and Harmon we help too."
That'd be great if DGL turned out to be good enough to contribute right away. But given that he averaged nearly 3 turnovers per game and only 4 assists per game last season at OTE, my guess is that he'll likely need more time.
I'm excited about the shooting that Harmon might bright to our team, but he averaged fewer assists last season for Utah Valley (2.9) than turnovers (3). Who knows? Maybe he'll play completely differently for us this coming season, but those numbers aren't a promising indicator that he'll be any help at lead guard, particularly given that he'll be competing against better athletes in the B1G.
Well, I said assist Williams plus still another addition at PG along with Harmon, Harris, and Ty. It seems likely in that order with more experience fir each of the.. It also seems likely we add another guard. I would also think the staff is very in tune with Williams health and likelihood of getting waivers having not played one second at Iowa State.But. I tend to agree that I'm not crazy about Ty playing extensive minutes at PG. However, as to why do I think he will or could play some? Because BU and others said he can. I know I mentioned Bardo and he hopes Ty handles point quite a bit and handles the ball more than Hawkins. Ty clearly can handle the ball well and initiate some offense. I just don't like his lack of shooting. Regardless we are in a better spot than last season with our improved shooters , experience in both new plus returning players, and the likelihood we add yet another guard.
 
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