Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

[Get yourself a new map]

Shhhh! You aren't allowed to say that out loud. Party line: Our offense is a work of true genius, based on the latest NBA tends and analytics, featuring all sort of subtle advanced techniques. If don't see that you aren't qualified to post and certainly aren't a member of Brad's family.\s

It was the third most efficient in the B1G behind Purdue and Wisconsin; highest scoring offense in the B1G. It definitely stagnated at times when (purely my opinion):
- Tomi too tired to do anything other than pop.
- Tomi not able to take advantage of having a wing switched onto him (he’s not a great back to basket player at the moment).
- guards inability to drive when they get a big switched onto them. Includes KJ not able to go left and no longer hit his step-back against bigs (I believe his arm is still lacking strength/mobility).
- D able to go under screens with Kylan because his shooting was atrocious.
- Inability to hit very good looks from three.

Too many teams were able to keep weak side help planted in the paint, go under ball screens for Kylan, switch ball screens for KJ, neutralize 5-out because the corner spacer wasn’t a scary enough shooter. But we still scored a lot of points.

 

[HensonHall71]

Agree on Sarr. I think we need to have a Morez like role for him next year. That is, very limited and focused only on what he does well. For Morez that was rebound, protect the rim, guard like crazy. For Sarr that’s probably guard your tail off, get out in transition, and maybe have some Tre White like cuts to the basket. Keep it super simple and I think it increases the odds of him excelling.

I think a lot of us are under selling Sarr, which is understandable given we haven’t seen him play extensively and he has limited role for Barca A this year. But last year in the FIFA tourney that many of us followed KJ every game- Sarr was really good
He averaged 14 pts 6 rbds and 4 assts compared to KJ at 19 4 and 5

Elhadji Dame Sarr - Italy - Player Profile - FIBA U18 EuroBasket 2024 | FIBA Basketball

All detailed statistics, points, assists and rebounds of Sarr - Italy from FIBA U18 EuroBasket 2024

www.fiba.basketball

We know what KJ was able to come over and do right away, while the ups and downs were an issue - he had one of the best freshman seasons in Illinois history.

I’m not saying Sarr will do that, but he’s had one more full year of development playing with men in a professional league/and during practice. Sarr is ready to contribute now- we don’t need to limit his role.

 

[MikeTisdale]

If we're smart we abandon the hockey line change rosters. We have a core of returning and developing players. Then supplement with transfers. It looks like Underwood has finally gotten that message and we're going to return a strong core for next year.

I doubt it was Underwoods plan to have to get a whole new roster for 2024-2025, that's just the way it shook out.

It was really the first big year for NIL, that market has not settled and won't be settled this year (hence the record number of guys hitting the portal). The numbers being thrown around will eventually get more structured and consistent, which should in theory cull some of the transfer numbers (because the existing teams and players will know the money it takes to keep their roster around).

 

[chrisRunner7]

Thanks for posting. Great highlights. Is this Barca’s A team or something else?

It's from Barcelona's A-team.

He played sparingly for a big chunk of the season, but in the last few weeks, his minutes and points production have started to pick up.

Dame Sarr Game Logs, Duke - RealGM

Get the latest news, stats and more about Dame Sarr on RealGM.com

basketball.realgm.com

 

[NarrowJ]

It's from Barcelona's A-team.

He played sparingly for a big chunk of the season, but in the last few weeks, his minutes and points production have started to pick up.

Dame Sarr Game Logs, Duke - RealGM

Get the latest news, stats and more about Dame Sarr on RealGM.com

basketball.realgm.com

His outside shooting has been the knock on him... I see 8-15 from 3 from his last few games there... nice

 

[jjv0004]

He's not transferring to be anyone's backup. And word is he's strongly considering Bradley.

As someone who grew up going to Bradley games in the 80's and 90's when they were pretty good I would love to see that for their program. Pretty solid add for them.

 

[phats22]

I've typed comments before saying if Ty can't cut it here, then good luck somewhere else. To be honest, I now realize that great teams need a player like Ty, or should I type: Charlie Hustle.

Playing solid defense, rebounding on both sides of the court, diving for loose balls, and jacking up his teammates with his attitude would all rule the day.

 

[illiniguy24]

Just a reminder that the transfer portal player rankings should be taken with a very large grain of salt

Lots of high rated players who didn’t pan out and lots of low rated players who were absolute studs this year

 

[ugottabjoshinme]

Just a reminder that the transfer portal player rankings should be taken with a very large grain of salt

Lots of high rated players who didn’t pan out and lots of low rated players who were absolute studs this year

Plus a ton of people who aren't in yet.

 

[PepeSilvia]

Hey insiders: Is a Hansberry return possible?

Id bet on him following Frazier depending on where he ends up but Hansberry isnt really a roster fit here with Morez and Tomi.

The 3rd big needs to be a rim protector imo to provide what Morez and Tomi don't. Big Z would be a great fit and his minutes have been sporadic at Arkansas.

 

[Illini 993]

Does anyone remember watching Morez play in High School? I seem to remember that he was a good shooter, and occasionally shot the 3 with decent results. But, I can't find his high school stats to see if I remember correctly. Anyone have a site that would have his complete stats at Thornton 2023-24?

 

[DonFlan]

 

[ugottabjoshinme]

Does anyone remember watching Morez play in High School? I seem to remember that he was a good shooter, and occasionally shot the 3 with decent results. But, I can't find his high school stats to see if I remember correctly. Anyone have a site that would have his complete stats at Thornton 2023-24?

This says he was 17/50 his senior year

Morez Johnson Jr.'s Thornton High School Basketball Stats

Check out Morez Johnson Jr.'s high school sports stats, including updates while playing basketball at Thornton High School (Harvey, IL).

www.maxpreps.com

 

[DonFlan]

Everyone keeps saying Carey Booth is in the transfer portal but he is not listed there.

 

[Heisenbobble]

Hey insiders, what's the scoop on Sarr? Rumors he's not solid with Illinois at the moment. Did he kinda reopen his recruitment (not that he was committed, I guess)?

 

[Illini2010-11]

Everyone keeps saying Carey Booth is in the transfer portal but he is not listed there.

 

[Illini 993]

This says he was 17/50 his senior year

Morez Johnson Jr.'s Thornton High School Basketball Stats

Check out Morez Johnson Jr.'s high school sports stats, including updates while playing basketball at Thornton High School (Harvey, IL).

www.maxpreps.com

Thank You. I have always thought that Morez has more game than his role this year allowed. I don't think he is similar to Ty Rodgers' struggles with shooting - his shot looks pretty good to me. I'd like to see the cupcake games used to give guys like Morez a chance to see whether they can become a good shooter at this level. If he adds a 15 foot jump shot, and an occasional 3 to his tool box, it would take him to a whole new level, IMO.

 

[Chukwuwumba]

Id bet on him following Frazier depending on where he ends up but Hansberry isnt really a roster fit here with Morez and Tomi.

The 3rd big needs to be a rim protector imo to provide what Morez and Tomi don't. Big Z would be a great fit and his minutes have been sporadic at Arkansas.

He is a great roster fit…play the 4. Can shoot the three, rebound. Can defend the 4. What the team was missing this year…didn’t have a true 4

 

[3nDGuy]

Gonna need minutes and position, and team ORtg and DRtg. These all influence this greatly.

Player A - 34 min / 2 guard / team ORtg of 110.6 / DRtg 105.6
Player B - 32 min / 2-3 / ORtg 120 / DRtg 106.7
Player C - 26 min / 2-4 / ORtg 114.1 / DRtg 97.4
Player D - 9 min / 2-3 / ORtg 121.9 / DRtg 97.8

All from P4 schools. Player D only one to make the tourney and ironically the least talked about of the four on this site.

 

[3nDGuy]

I like these-
I’m guessing player B is Dix, I know his defensive stats are not good as well as the eye test
Player A McKneely given he’s the other sought after one were discussing?
Is player D Jacari white or someone like that
Player C - I have no idea but probably a small conference guy given his stats are so good but he’s cheap- these stats don’t adjust for competition but we should definitely look at this guy

I also had no idea how efficient of an offensive player Tre was this year - we should definitely want him back

A and B are correct! Good on ya.

Player C is a P4 guy and was our starting 2 for an entire offseason.
Player D plays for the beloved.

All look like they could be seen at the same family reunion.

 

[sacraig]

Good morning loyalty!

Here is a fun game using #advancedstats.. Here are four basketball players and their Offensive Ratings and Defensive Ratings based on 100 possessions - from this season.. All bringing a similar skill set to the table (similar size and position as well).. Let's see if we can guess whos' who shall we??

Player A - ORtg 115.5 / DRtg 113.6 (+1.9) / NIL Price - $$$ (guessing)

Player B - ORtg 124.0 / DRtg 115.0 (+9.0) / NIL Price - $$$

Player C - ORtg 128.2 / DRtg 107.8 (+20.4) / NIL Price - $

Player D - ORtg 119.0 / DRtg 109.2 (+9.8) / NIL Price - $

If you need a reference point - Here are the numbers for Tre White last season..
ORtg 127.3 / DRtg 104.2 (+22.9) / NIL Price - $$

What about their ExplRtg?

 

[djkirkpatrick22]

I saw on 247 that Gabe Cupps committed to Ohio State... Is that any indication that Thornton is portaling and are we still interested?

 

[madillini4]

Hey insiders, what's the scoop on Sarr? Rumors he's not solid with Illinois at the moment. Did he kinda reopen his recruitment (not that he was committed, I guess)?

Sources? Articles? All the info I’ve seen on Sarr has Illinois in the driver’s seat, including some pretty confident messages from one of our insiders.

 

[NarrowJ]

Sources? Articles? All the info I’ve seen on Sarr has Illinois in the driver’s seat, including some pretty confident messages from one of our insiders.

His hold up was waiting for Riley to enter the draft... maybe WR is being told 2nd round and considering a return?

 

[CoalCity]

OP must subscribe to 247