Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

[OrangeKrush1981]

Did I hear that he had signed an agreement previously to play here next year? Did we make promises that were not kept? I have no idea and would like to put this in perspective for myself. He was my favorite player to watch because of his energy and willingness to leave it all out there. I hate to see him go but not willing to place blame with so few facts.

Smart. A word to the wise though: coaches almost always control the narrative. The media tend to be fans (e.g., in the Channel 17 viewing area, aka, East Central Illinois; fans of the team, and coaching staff in other words). Kids can be villified quite easily under these circumstances. It is just hard to know if (a) coach ran the kid off, or (b) the kid bolted for greener pasturers.

 

[FrankNitty30]

Let me get this straight…..

So not only is Hamer still around after two of the worst defensive years in recent memory, but Tyler, still in the role his Dad gave him, and despite having an offensive plan for the year that was very much flawed, is apparently causing problems for players staying?! And Brad is wanting to bring back our most overpaid Portal mistake from this year?

What in the actual F is going on?

We’re losing our best players and keeping our worst coaches. Sounds like Brad has checked out…collecting a paycheck and handing over control of the team to family.

Also where I land.

 

[Chukwuwumba]

lol ok man, whatever you say.

I tend to agree with you here.
We are to believe Morez left because of NIL Also, we need to believe Tomi is looking for more NIL and reaching out to boosters. Could’ve done that for Morez, but that’s not the story right now. So appears it’s not NiL.

 

[Sedino]

The worst thing about this offseason is that Tyler and Hamer are STILL coaches.

 

[Champaign88]

Not going to fret too much about one player, but the continuing inability to retain players is a concern. It’s expected to have higher turnover now, but retaining one player each year is a culture problem.

Now… if Ben is back… that is inexcusable and maybe enough to make me completely apathetic to this program until BU is gone. GTFO with that nonsense.

 

[OrangeKrush1981]

We need to retain players. Every day guys -- Underwood's mantra not so long ago -- is real.

 

[DeeIL89]

The parents are full on the real agent of these kids in this NIL era. So much invovlement now from them than ever before. We saw this with Adam Miller and now Morez. Damn....

 

[HailtotheChief]

He was always going to dominate a smaller conference. His biggest issue was playing against defenders with more size and length since he is only 6'8ish.

Dain had no problem scoring the ball in the B10. He actually shot it better at 67% from the field 2 years ago than this year! He avg 6pt in 11 minutes a game. His per 40 numbers were solid. Dain was smart to leave. His issue was our defensive scheme. Dain could really score and was exactly the type of guy we couldn't stop this season down low.

 

[Trueblue777]

We recruit a different type of player. There is NO ONE on Purdues roster that I want on our roster. Frankly, they can keep their guys because that is the best offer they can get. 4 star guys have more options then 3 star guys. John Groce's players would not have joined the portal, either.

Just like Humrichous would love to come back...

Not going to happen but I’d take a year of Trey Kaufman-Renn after Morez jumped ship today. No loyalty is what this forum should be called because there is none on the basketball side of things. Brad needs to talk to Bret and listen to every word he says

 

[Chukwuwumba]

I’d keep an eye on Memphis

I think fedex has an agreement for significant NIL funds over the next 5 years

 

[SkyysNotFalling]

Does Orlando have a relationship with Luis??

 

[jamie13197]

And a GOLF school!

Post of the day.

 

[Grandpa]

Someone should tell Morez Paul Silas made a career playing defense, grabbing rebounds, especially offensive rebonds, and shooting nothing but close in shots and put backs.

You need a name from this century

 

[HailtotheChief]

There are players similar to rez with more offensive skill. The Payne kid for Texas AM who transfered from the gophers is very similar but can really score. There are players out there. I mean who had heard of Tomi or KJ this time last year? I didn't want him to go but Tomi and Bam Trey are a good start
We will be ok.

 

[OrangeKrush1981]

Michigan State had a TON of trouble with unhappy parents this year. It is a big issue there, and NCAA-wide. I totally agree with you. But still, the MSU coach has found a way to accomplish much more than did our coach this year. Finding a way is the mission.

 

[DeeIL89]

I'll be shock if we lose Tomi. We shouldn't though. We should have the money to pay him, we have the assistant coach that not only recruited him but his twin brother as well for Kentucky, and speaking of his twin brother if the rumors are true that there is interest on Big Z's part of wanting to come here to play with Tomi then that is another thing in our favor. God, the transfer portal is a real life reality show. Lol.

 

[csd]

Multiple conf championships and one game away from final four is pretty good

That’s what I thought.

 

[OrangeBlue98]

I think BU has been pretty good at adjusting to the new world of college basketball. The list of incoming transfers far outweighs the list of outgoing transfers.

At what point does Whitman sit Underwood down and ask him why he can’t retain talent?

In the corporate world, a manager with this type of retention issue would be receiving pretty direct feedback and coaching about this issue.

 

[DrMac210]

I wish we had the riches of talent to support this Imperial statement.

Or at least a “dislike” button

 

[Noblesville Illini]

Dain had no problem scoring the ball in the B10. He actually shot it better at 67% from the field 2 years ago than this year! He avg 6pt in 11 minutes a game. His per 40 numbers were insane. Dain was smart to leave. His issue was our defensive scheme. Dain could really score and was exactly the type of guy we couldn't stop this season down low.

We couldn’t stop……this season

 

[BfosterL]

Absolutely agree. I never wanted to dog Morez with all the love on this board, but bottom line, he was a beast, but other than a dunk his offense was limited.

And could never figure out after all season what jumping straight up and down with his arms vertical was on defense. I will miss him, but we will be fine.

 

[Second place is 1st loser]

The parents are full on the real agent of these kids in this NIL era. So much invovlement now from them than ever before. We saw this with Adam Miller and now Morez. Damn....

Nobody discusses the parents enough. Ultimately, they're the voice in the room. They've got their kid in a bind now. He went from a situation where he was celebrated and loved to an unknown because Mom and Dad feel like they know more than the coaches.

They should ask Adam Miller's mom how that went. He went from getting the keys to the car here to complete obscurity.

Let's see how this goes. I wish the best for the kid, but I fear dad is cashing a big check, while son has to feel the heat.

 

[Grandpa]

Playing overseas because Underwood never let him shoot. NBA wants shooters. If I was that big and wanted to play in the NBA I would leave.

 

[PepeSilvia]

I don't think Underwood is a good enough coach to win a National Championship. The last non probable Hall of Fame Coach to win a NC was Kevin Ollie with UConn in 2014. He has already maxed out with his current achievements. Which is pretty darn good by the way.

I'm leaning towards agreeing but he's also good enough where it's difficult to upgrade and if you did move on then you better upgrade.

Either way I think he's earned at least 2 more years unless next year is somehow catastrophic.

 

[Noblesville Illini]

You need a name from this century