Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

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#801      
I'm not criticizing you personally, but anyone that doesn't like the way things are going needs to embrace a few things:

1) We're a capitalist society, which is what makes the country great. These players are doing nothing more than following the rules that the courts paved for them and are maximizing profits.

2)If that were your kid or you(any of us), we're hypocritical and liars if we said that we wouldn't be doing the same thing.

3)You may not like it, but in most industries, you spend money to make money. A winning team makes the schools a lot of money.

4) Understand that these coaches and their agents do the exact same things for themselves.

5)If it really bothers you, quit your job as a head coach and find an office job that's nice, quiet and steady.
 
#803      
Having two 7'1" dudes that could shoot would be sweet. Has that ever happened on any roster like....ever? Neither are the most physical guys in the world, but having two would be a bit of a different story.

That would actually be pretty fun to watch.
It fits what we want to do PERFECTLY. Defensively having a bonafide rim protector would REALLY help our defense.

Well, that and wishing Mr. Hamer the best in his future endeavors…
 
#804      
I didn’t say he was gone … But I’ve talked to someone close to the brothers and came away with those thoughts …

It benefits them to enter the portal … See what else is out there … Even if it’s nothing but a leverage play to get Illinois to cough up more $$$ …

It’s smart business …

Many will remember Kofi did the exact same thing …
I mean I get that but from a UofI standpoint you give Tomi the right number so he doesn't feel the need to do that. Trying to get him for the smallest amount possible just doesn't make sense. For a fringe player sure but not for a centerpiece of your offense.
 
#806      
At a minimum, Big Z would be a massive upgrade over Ben (who admittedly was playing out of position) at backup 5. At the very least a solid 3 pt shooter and almost 2 blocks a game in only about 20 minutes is really impressive.

We get Fletch to put 20-25 lbs on him and he can be a very effective player and my guess is get himself back on the NBA radar.
 
#807      
Big Z is very very likely going to be an Illini and I don't expect it'll take too long.
College Football Running GIF by Fighting Illini Athletics

It worked out pretty well for the last set of twins to play a revenue sport here.
 
#809      
Don't get me wrong...I like Tomi. Seems like a really good guy. But he's SOFT around the basket both offensively and defensively. Unless he gets a lot tougher and more aggressive, he's not a difference maker. I can't see his brother being any better.

Can you imagine either one of them taking on any of this year's Final Four teams' big men? And isn't that the point?
 
#811      
Sounds like a productive meeting…..somewhere. I mean it only took how many days for us to work out this problem? Lol
 
#814      
At a minimum, Big Z would be a massive upgrade over Ben (who admittedly was playing out of position) at backup 5. At the very least a solid 3 pt shooter and almost 2 blocks a game in only about 20 minutes is really impressive.

We get Fletch to put 20-25 lbs on him and he can be a very effective player and my guess is get himself back on the NBA radar.
I'm pretty sure that he wouldn't be coming here to be coming off the bench.
 
#815      
If Brad Underwood is checked out like you’ve reported Brad HAS TO GO. I don’t care About Brad Underwood, John Groce. Bruce Weber , Bill Self, Lon Kruger etc. Coaches come and go . I care about the University of Illinois . Josh Whitman has to step in and do something. All the problems with Illinois basketball have a common denominator Brad Underwood. If Brad has checked out then he needs to step down
 
#816      
There was some serious competition for minutes in the front court on Arkansas. No shame in playing behind Brazile, Thiero, and Aidoo. (all upperclassmen, all 55% or better from the field, all with over 45 games started in the SEC)

If you pass on Z, you are passing on Tomi too. One of the great draws for Tomi to return to college has to be to play with his brother. Someone is going to put them on the floor together. I'd be thrilled if it's the Illini.
That's a fair assessment of the situation for sure. I'm not a big fan, but if it means getting Tomi back & the price is right, it would seem to make sense.

Having said that, I know everybody's talking about blocks & that's great & all, but if you watched any of their games, he was not a good defender in general. I guess it all kind of depends on what role he's agreeable to.
 
#817      
They’re still working on wrapping things up with Tomi’s return and from my understanding he wants to play with his brother … He would like that to be part of the deal and is not afraid to enter the portal to make it happen …

This shouldn’t be difficult from the Illinois side … You take them both … Get the freaking deal done Brad …
So while plan A was obviously that Morez would be back, it would seem that him leaving would at least make it that much easier for both sides (ILL and BigZ) to figure something out that works now. Less friction in the front court now.
 
#819      
If you’ve been following me on here … It’s old news …

They’re still working on wrapping things up with Tomi’s return and from my understanding he wants to play with his brother … He would like that to be part of the deal and is not afraid to enter the portal to make it happen …

This shouldn’t be difficult from the Illinois side … You take them both … Get the freaking deal done Brad …

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I mean it does not get better stylistically than having literal twins that can sub for each other. The whole playing differently when Rez was in instead of Tomi would be gone. You just need to coach Z up to get him to where his brother is.
 
#821      
You hit the critical point. There is absolutely zero disincentive for EVERY player not to enter the portal and see what the market brings. You can always return to your previous school, a la Kofi.

Regarding Tomi, he would be silly not to get draft feedback AND enter the portal. See what’s out there and get Illinois to increase their offer.

That’s just smart business.
That's not true that you can always return to your previous school. Once you enter the portal a school is not obligated to hold your spot or scholarship open. It's a pretty high risk move for marginal players
 
#823      
So while plan A was obviously that Morez would be back, it would seem that him leaving would at least make it that much easier for both sides (ILL and BigZ) to figure something out that works now. Less friction in the front court now.
Rimpressure and friction need to be talked about more often in the basketball world. (Insert Dix pun here)
 
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