We're not going anywhere unless we a couple more capable ball handlers...
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread
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If it's one, and that's Sarr, I don't think that's really eclipsing this prior year.
The counterpoint here is we had 2 top 15 draft picks and the same guy you're giving all conference to last year. Were we a top 25 team?
not the only one, I would like to see him return as well, as long as he's cheap and OK with him sitting on the bench/practice player/emergency 5 unless his play gets a lot better than last season.
That's perfectly reasonable, no argument. Others might reasonably have some doubt.
We need the two stud option.
True...Until a guy or two gets banged up for a couple games and we hope the 9th or 10th guy is good enough to slide into the 7th or 8th role for a while. Depth is never a bad thing.
No exactly. Adam was an outstanding defender for a freshman, but Damonte -- who went to the bench -- was significantly better. Adam could shoot, sort of. Damonte seemed unable to make shots. And so Adam started on a tremendous Illinois team. With the thought that he'd be back as a key component in the future. That didn't happen.
Come on, sure there is room for additional D improvement with a new coach.
But Ben, Kj, Riley, and Morez were young or athletically limited or both on defense.
Miller, Sarr, and Big Z will be much better. And our next stud addition probably will be too.
I heard we are working on a trade deal with Iowa for a couple of used jock straps and some stinky socks. The hold up is none of the jock straps are big enough to fit our fighting Illini players. /s
Is Hamer still running the show?
Don't forget to take into account the Hamer factor.
Yeah, cause injuries never happen.
OTOH we coulda been Rutgers....
He is definately known for defense.
Two studs - no more role players ala Carey Booth taking up space on the bench please
Do we really want Brad to even have the option to start him and potentially play him over more deserving guys? You know, like he did with a projected 1st round draft choice?
This was exaclty my grip last portal season. We went out and got like 5-6 mid tier players? Why not just uses those resources for 2-3 solid starters.
I think people really underestimate the continuity that will be on display next year compared to this year. Not a huge Ben fan, but he has size and IF (big if) he can get his confidence back he could be a huge wildcard, b/c Jake and if we land Miller and he continues to stroke from 3 (we could have three guys that can stroke). But back to continuity, having Boz, Tomi, Jake, and Ty all coming back (and possibly Ben). Tomi's brother should get some assistance from Tomi since he knows the system/expectations, and while things have changed, what a comeback story if Miller comes back and has already played for Underwood in the past. Everyone gets really excited and impatient this time of year, but if we can land Sarr and another stud, I think we're a top 10 team. We've added height, we could land 3-pt. shooting with Miller, and Boz, Miller, and Ty should be excellent defenders. Two studs for me and we'll make a deep run. 1 stud and 2 solid role players and I still think we're a top 20-25 team and could get to a Sweet 16 and possibly further if we (and this is one thing we were missing all last year that makes a huge difference) have a player leader step up. Frazier, Ayo, Kofi to an extent, TSJ - all leaders! Would love to see Boz take on that role - just not sure if it's his personality. Leader and Continuity and this team will be fun to watch. Either way, I'd be willing to bet we end up with another good team next season. ILL
I think Boz is a level 1 lock down defender. The others are all in the next tier compared to him.
Sarr is deciding whether to play college at all. Did you watch the Nike Summit game? He may have played himself into the first round after that and starting on the 2nd best basketball league in the world. While I too hope we add Sarr and another player but there isn't anyone currently available I want more than Sarr if he doesn't just go to the NBA. If we are lucky enough to get him he is likely a one n done too in 2026
I like Will and his longterm potential and how he played down the stretch this year and would prefer him to sarr next year. However. I'd expect an experienced pro Sarr to be more consistent as a freshman and out perform what Will did here if we can land Sarr. He was killing it is Spain lately and is better prepared for the B10 out if the gate than 18 year old Will.
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Hate to agree. Why even risk it when there is been a tendency for him to make one big rotation mistake that takes about 25 games for him to fix. I've think damonte played too much his senior year (I get this one), Dain 2 years ago not playing much until the tourney, humrichous most of last year starting and playing 30+ minutes when he should be playing 10-15.
In advance, a sincere thank you to whomever can answer this question with credibility. Do players, such as Ty and JJ who both redshirted, along with the two incoming frosh who may or may not see the floor next season, typically get a small NIL contract, like 10-20 grand? Or whatever?
It would be good to have a second point guard on the roster next year, behind Kylan. Is that role expected to be filled by Ty Rogers? Adam Miller?
lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
You mean the way he started Ben over the first round draft pick while the first round draft pick had a 14 game stretch where he shot 29% from the field and 18% from 3 while providing nothing on D?
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