Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

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#1      

Dan

Dan
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Dan
Welcome to the Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread :illinois:


2025 Recruiting
1) Keaton Wagler (2025 G) committed on September 18th, 2024, signed on November 14th, 2024.
2) Brandon Lee (2025 G) committed on September 25th, 2024, signed on November 19th, 2024.
 
#2      
Big Jack
Tom Hanks Hello GIF
 
#14      
WyattEarp
Combo said:
Probably right, but Underwood is not against changing his offense.
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…or changing back again…or changing his defense…or changing back…lol

He’s definitely a pragmatist in most ways; and I’m not saying he wouldn’t go back to a more dominant, post-play BIG style of play…But it sure does seem like he’s fallen in love with the shot more than ever before. Like really really in love with the 5-out thing.
 
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#15      
the juiceman cometh
Hingle McCringleberry said:
The style of our offense has evolved and I don't see how Ponder's skill set would match.
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Our style has evolved based on personnel. And while it does appear that BU likes the current style more, perhaps he shouldn't be too wedded to it. In Kofi's sophomore year our ORtg on Kenpom was 118, good for 8th in the country. It did drop a bit after Ayo left.

As a selfish fan, I think Kofi was incredibly fun to watch and would love to see something like that again at some point. Could you just imagine if Kofi were on this team? The KJ-Kofi connection would be incredible. We've already seen a glimpse of that with KJ-Morez (they do play really well together) but Kofi had much better hands and was a much stronger finisher.
 
#16      
1m4tr
Hingle McCringleberry said:
The style of our offense has evolved and I don't see how Ponder's skill set would match
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NC State got to the final four basically because of a mini version of this dude. Burns was amazing. This style still works.
 
#18      
IlliniwekKDR
the juiceman cometh said:
Our style has evolved based on personnel. And while it does appear that BU likes the current style more, perhaps he shouldn't be too wedded to it. In Kofi's sophomore year our ORtg on Kenpom was 118, good for 8th in the country. It did drop a bit after Ayo left.

As a selfish fan, I think Kofi was incredibly fun to watch and would love to see something like that again at some point. Could you just imagine if Kofi were on this team? The KJ-Kofi connection would be incredible. We've already seen a glimpse of that with KJ-Morez (they do play really well together) but Kofi had much better hands and was a much stronger finisher.
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With the kind of depth our teams have had recently, could you imagine having a quality #2 center with a completely different skillset? You beat the hell out of them inside for awhile with someone like Kofi, then you switch it up and have a rim-protecting center that can drain 3's like Ivisic. It could make game planning a nightmare for opposing coaches.
 
#19      
the juiceman cometh
NickBardoGill said:
Kofi's hands were good by the time he left. But as a freshman, it was like he soaked his hands in grease.
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True and his finishing also got a lot stronger in his time here. I remember his freshman year there was a lot of consternation that he'd lay the ball up and miss when he could have just slammed it home.
 
#21      
logjam
IlliniwekKDR said:
With the kind of depth our teams have had recently, could you imagine having a quality #2 center with a completely different skillset? You beat the hell out of them inside for awhile with someone like Kofi, then you switch it up and have a rim-protecting center that can drain 3's like Ivisic. It could make game planning a nightmare for opposing coaches.
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Sounds kinda like Hawkins and Dainja...
 
#22      
CoalCity
the juiceman cometh said:
Our style has evolved based on personnel. And while it does appear that BU likes the current style more, perhaps he shouldn't be too wedded to it. In Kofi's sophomore year our ORtg on Kenpom was 118, good for 8th in the country. It did drop a bit after Ayo left.

As a selfish fan, I think Kofi was incredibly fun to watch and would love to see something like that again at some point. Could you just imagine if Kofi were on this team? The KJ-Kofi connection would be incredible. We've already seen a glimpse of that with KJ-Morez (they do play really well together) but Kofi had much better hands and was a much stronger finisher.
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Kofis hands as a freshman were like cast iron skillets. He really worked hard and improved that part of his game big time.
 
#23      
PasadenaIllini
Speaking of inside players, are our coaches looking at Chase Walker of Illinois State at all as a potential transfer portal target? Watched him play this evening. Looks like a really talented, strong, skilled old school frontcourt player.
 
#25      
thefalcon5
GrayGhost77 said:
His hands weren't great as a Frosh but not terrible. Still better than Egwu's ever were (and I loved Egwu).
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So off topic I’m sorry, but I watched a highlight video randomly the other day of a Maui game and Egwu hit an 18 ft jumper… never remember that being a part of his game.

Also had an awful turnover off a fumbled catch, which was very reminiscent of his game. Also was a huge Egwu fan.
 
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