Griffin. Alan Griffin.
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Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread
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I wouldn't go that far as I think that this team should still be able to make the tourney, even if it's at a lower seed, but I do believe 2024-25 will be a make or break one for Brad. The reason I say that is next year we lose CoHawk, TSJ, Domask, Guerrier, and Harmon, along with probably 1-2 others to transfer based on percentages, with only Morez coming in. Now Morez has all the makings of an Illini legend, but that still will be 5-6 spots that need to be filled by the portal. And if it winds up Williams just doesn't come back from injury the same player he was, we're again back in the same situation of trying to win a high caliber PG on top of that. It makes for an incredibly high risk portal experience that likely will have the fanbase and donors alike gnashing their teeth if Brad isn't able to win the critical battles. Right now Brad is going all-in on the portal, and we're going to live or die by that. Obviously hoping Brad strikes back in a huge way next year, but if he just isn't able to, I wouldn't be surprised if Whitman moved on.
Our problem with the offense last year was players wanting to hold the ball and do things by themselves and most often lead to a bad 3. That was with Skyy or Epps as PG and that doesn’t mention their lack of interest knowing the scouting report and playing defense
When they weren’t on the floor I thought the ball moved better. We would be a match up nightmare. However I am most concerned with how the team would handle a press. I remember the PU game and TSJ struggled getting it past their guard.
When they weren’t on the floor I thought the ball moved better. We would be a match up nightmare. However I am most concerned with how the team would handle a press. I remember the PU game and TSJ struggled getting it past their guard.
Can he play point? Get him on campus asap!
So I have a theory to try and explain the staff’s approach to PG that frankly, hasn’t made any sense. What if we are planning to go 5 out again next year? Maybe Underwood likes that style but felt we lacked the pieces/IQ to run it correctly? You need good cutting and crisp, timely passing to run 5 out effectively, really you need a team with high BBIQ. We…didn’t have that last year. But all of the transfers we’ve brought in are high IQ guys, and 3 of 4 should help us with our outside shooting.
If we’d gotten RayJ, I imagine we would be looking at a more ball screen heavy offense. But if we go to 5 out, maybe staff feels good between Ty and our other secondary handlers we’ve got enough to bring the ball up and initiate offense.
To be clear I’m skeptical of the approach and would prefer they bring in a healthy, experienced PG. But maybe that’s what they are thinking. Just spitballing.
If we’d gotten RayJ, I imagine we would be looking at a more ball screen heavy offense. But if we go to 5 out, maybe staff feels good between Ty and our other secondary handlers we’ve got enough to bring the ball up and initiate offense.
To be clear I’m skeptical of the approach and would prefer they bring in a healthy, experienced PG. But maybe that’s what they are thinking. Just spitballing.
Joel Goodson
- ties will be resolved
I'm well aware that this is mostly in jest, but Gill's not ready yet. Kid's on a good trajectory though and his dad might be in our corner.
Apologies on the Griffith/Griffin confusion, and Felix being JUCO. Also, @Mojoman, I didn’t ignore Ayo, I conceded him when I mentioned the Ayo luster wearing off in a previous post.
My position isn’t we haven’t had good players, or there has been zero improvement. I’m looking at it from a relative standpoint which I think helps emulate a recruits perspective.
All these players have options, and they’ll choose the option they feel is best for them. The players we’re recruiting have some of the best options available to them.
If you’re RayJ, or Tyger, or Mulcahy and Illinois is an option what can the Illini offer for 1 year that other schools who are recruiting you can’t?
1. The biggest bag (maybe)
2. A better strength program
What else? Tyger chose to go pro implying Illini wouldn’t meaningfully contribute to his pro prospects if he really did consider transferring. RayJ chose Baylor who I think have had 5 guards drafted in the last 2 years. And, I’ll bet my beach house Reeves hits the portal and goes elsewhere too.
The level we’re at and trying to rise to requires more selling points than Ayo. These teams have all had multiple Ayo’s they can use as selling points. This isn’t SFA anymore where BU can say hey I had Thomas Walkup (and Ayo), and that impress the recruits we’re trying to sway.
My position isn’t we haven’t had good players, or there has been zero improvement. I’m looking at it from a relative standpoint which I think helps emulate a recruits perspective.
All these players have options, and they’ll choose the option they feel is best for them. The players we’re recruiting have some of the best options available to them.
If you’re RayJ, or Tyger, or Mulcahy and Illinois is an option what can the Illini offer for 1 year that other schools who are recruiting you can’t?
1. The biggest bag (maybe)
2. A better strength program
What else? Tyger chose to go pro implying Illini wouldn’t meaningfully contribute to his pro prospects if he really did consider transferring. RayJ chose Baylor who I think have had 5 guards drafted in the last 2 years. And, I’ll bet my beach house Reeves hits the portal and goes elsewhere too.
The level we’re at and trying to rise to requires more selling points than Ayo. These teams have all had multiple Ayo’s they can use as selling points. This isn’t SFA anymore where BU can say hey I had Thomas Walkup (and Ayo), and that impress the recruits we’re trying to sway.
If TJ could Pickett shouldn't have dropped 40 last year. TJ is built perfectly to shut a thick guard like Pickett down. Harmon sounds like he may never suit up and his replacement Reeves isn't thought of as a defensive stud. Williams is a huge question mark. If he is eligible and recovered he is absolutely the answer but that is a huge if. Ty is a great defender but I don't know that he is going to be quick enough at his size. I would actually like to see Ty on TJ in practice.
I don't think anyone here could with a straight face they would want anyone but Sencire on the opposing PG with 30 seconds on the game clock.
Joel Goodson
- ties will be resolved
'25 Canuck we've offered. Nice stroke:
JJB
- Chicago, IL
I've been of a similar mindset this week. It's the only POV that makes even the slightest bit of sense (and even then it is questionable, at best).
Agree that other programs have gotten more guys to the NBA.
None of RayJ, Tyger, Mulcahy,Collins, etc will ever see an NBA court so I think there are other reasons none of these guys are interested.
Since PG was such an obvious need - any of the top 50 PGs would’ve been a good start, and then go up from there?
Maybe those players don’t see it that way, or maybe they’re trying to give themselves the best opportunity for their shot at their dream. I have no idea, I have just seen a lot of talented players wash out of the program, and the ones coming in to take their place faultering.
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
A day in the life of a Loyalty "Realist"
You wake up......
Get out of bed.....
Eat breakfast.....
Go to work.......
Do some Loyalty......
Of course your life is not like this. It's just what I imagine when I read some of those negative takes and posts.
Top of my head… any of the 8 PGs in the portal ranked ahead of RayJ, or 11 of the 12 below RayJ but in the top 100. So of the 20 PGs in the Top 100… anyone but Skyy Clark.
Bronny James
I'm know Bu hater.but unless pm from Rutgers is completely unresponsive.i don't get why the staff wouldn't go after him.hes a pass first point guard with plus size and length and did I mention before pass first but can also hit the outside shot when need be.but seriously I don't get why we won't go after him he would seem to fit are needs perfectly just my take.ps sorry I'm know English major lbvs. I apologize for my grammar
Lol believing there should be a healthy pg on the roster of a program with high aspirations does not make anyone an Underwood hater or a “man-baby” who whines their way through life. It’s a reasonable expectation, which makes for discussion on a message board.
My guess is they did go after him but were already told no, and now the story is they aren’t going after him. I agree he would be a perfect fit though.
I suspect the same thing.truthfully for a lot of the flack he's received it sounds like he's not going to transfer within conference which is admirable in a way.but tbch I truly do feel like he could of been the best fit for our needs
I'm almost certain that that is the first Dickinson quote that I've seen on this board. Bravo.
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