Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

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#351      
WyattEarp
Illini92and96 said:
Yeah, but the metric conversion thing will throw the board into further chaos.
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I probably dreamt this…BUT…
Didn’t the United States, ever so briefly, attempt/ at least toy with the idea of going metric ? and collectively everyone just sorta said screw that…that’s just too hard. 😂 Then it was never to be spoke of again…lol

* I apologize for the tangent.
 
#352      
The Galloping Ghost
jsmoke2215 said:
I feel that with our remaining 4 slots, we should just see if Jamaica has a bobsled team full of failed track stars. Those guys would be very athletic. We can teach them the rest.
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We're gonna need a bigger bathtub...
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#360      
Se Il Illini
azillini1 said:
Houston, Duke, Auburn, and Florida clearly had better athletes on their teams that the 2024 - 2025 Illini. Houston and Florida both had players on the floor (maybe not starters) at times that could not shoot, but could back people down and rebound. Check their player statistics on free throw shooting. Also, you did not see a lot of Houston big men (defined as 6 foot 8 inches and smaller) jacking up 3's. Sampson won't allow them to do that if they can't shoot. However, Houston "big men" were certainly capable defenders and rebounders.
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The final 4 teams with the exception of Duke had men on the floor who were athletes and physically mature. Auburn, I believe, fielded the oldest average team in America. I believe their average age was 23.1. Duke had, in my opinion. the best player in America. And had other players, who could start for any team in America.
 
#362      
OrangeKrush1981
PepeSilvia said:
This won't be a popular take but i would rather see the Illini get a guy like Jamir Watkins than Riley come back.

I think a big wing like Watkins(or someone else) that can play on the perimeter but has the size and strength to play and guard inside(think how Duke used Flagg basically as their 4, Watkins isn't flag but think role wise) would be the best fit for the roster.

Add Watkins, Sarr, and Storr to the current group and I'd start Boswell, Sarr, Ty, Watkins, and Tomi while bringing Storr, Big Z, and Mirkovic off the bench.
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I think bringing Storr, Z and Mirk off the bench sounds a bit like a Marvel Super Heroes movie. Nice, but fantasy.
 
#364      
Heisenbobble
People on the St. John's Trilly Discord channel think Ian Jackson has no interest in going back to New York.

So who would be Illinois' actual competition for him? Arkansas, Ole Miss, maybe Bama or Kentucky?
 
#367      
DICKnaggie
sacraig said:
Can I ask, honestly, how we quantify athleticism? There's a lot of discussion of who is more athletic than whom and team athleticism, but what does that even mean?

How many centibirds of athleticism were TSJ? Jakucionis? Dee Brown?

How many birds of athleticism did our team last year have? What about Houston? Duke?
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If you can beat me in a potato sack race, while sucking a piano through a straw, you have elite athleticism. I'll challenge anyone on this board to meet me at the Putt Putt course off Prospect in Champaign to try your hand!
 
#368      
NarrowJ
SoILLini1 said:
By all means, that is great for them. I'm hoping more for team success.
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What does that have to do with the recruiting timeline that you initially responded to then? I was really following either
 
#369      
hoopsfan47
I like the Mirkovic signing. He is the kind of kid Henson might sign and put on a 4 year plan as a likely a starter in year 3. There is much concern about him being ready to guard and score against Cooper Flagg or the like, but likely he has advanced skills rather than elite athleticism. Good stroke but not good at connecting at 40% from the arc....and that fact leads me to believe a 6th year BH might have several advantages due to experience that DM needs on court time to learn. For the "I demand to win now" crowd, I am not convinced he can offer much to that mantra, but he likely will be able to reach Giorgi level given time and strong coaching. Meanwhile, the expectation will be that BU is still cooking in the "athleticism" oven to bring in a shooter who can defend. Good luck with that coach!!! By the way, how do we stand with Bryce Hopkins?
 
#370      
Oracle21
I would take Malik Moore. His stats look nice. But a 3 colleges in 4 years guy and only have him for 1 season
 
#371      
RabidDawgClassic
SoILLini1 said:
By all means, that is great for them. I'm hoping more for team success.
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I mean, we all want more success, but by all accounts, last year’s recruiting class was one of the best — if not THE best in Illinois history. The problem is, we are in a much different era where you have to capitalize on that success immediately. Imagine if players like Nick Anderson, Kenny Battle, Dee Brown, Deron Williams and Luther Head all left after one year. Battle and Anderson had a royal flameout in the NCAA their first year against Villanova and Dee and Deron didn’t fare much better against Notre Dame their first time out.

We’ll know more about that last recruiting class next year, despite losing KJ and Morez. The team success may come next year when Tomi, Kylan and perhaps even Hummer mesh with a new batch of recruits. And if Riley returns… watch out!
 
#373      
LuckyIllini
LvilleILL1 said:
They are about to land 2 of the 4 best euro prospects in the class and will likely add a big ticket transfer along with some nice rotation pieces. Oh, and 2 of their 3 best players the second half of the season are back along with some depth.
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On the contrary, Starr & Mirković are still freshman. Have never played D1 B1G basketball. Tons of potential but if they’re relying on them to bring home a championship.
Kylan and Tomi stepped up big time throughout the season but I still have my doubts KB can run an offense. Not trying to be a Debbie downer and I appreciate your insight Lville. Just seems like we’re headed towards a middle of the pack B1G seed. Not what BU was brought in to do.
 
#374      
Oracle21
The Galloping Ghost said:
Okay, how about the 2023-24 season? TSJ and Coleman didn't declare they were back until May 31st. It's April 8th. The college basketball season ended yesterday. Every off-season people freak out prematurely. Give it some time.
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Both of those guys were far more likely to come back than KJ/Riley given their draft spots.

If IL’s plan is done and they are just hoping to get one of those guys back, I don’t think that’s a good plan
 
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