Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

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#403      
Combo
Trueblue777 said:
Most of the mock drafts I have seen have Will Riley going late 1st round or early 2nd. If this is the case there is no doubt that it makes more sense for him financially and professionally to return to Illinois where he can get stronger and bigger with the best strength and conditioning coach in the country and have another year to improve his game in the areas the NBA scouts are saying. Get a $3 million bag along the way and be a lottery pick in 2026. I disagree with the pundits who say there is a 0 or 1% chance he returns. There is a reason Brad is saying he’s most likely done right now and that reason is very much the same as it was last season when he held a big bag back until late May for WR.
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Okay - 2% chance.
 
#404      
adogster
Combo said:
Okay - 2% chance.
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I think he comes back, and if Brad isn’t able to put together an extra large bag, they will come to an agreement. This is the right situation for him.
 
#409      
Appleknockersaluki
ColSLU69 said:
Thanks so much for your comments. It's nice to hear from someone who has actually seen Ali Dibba play on multiple occasions, versus someone (like me!) who has only watched his highlight videos.

I felt like Dibba was/is decent to good on catch-and-shoot 3-pointers, but like you I also noticed that he needed some time and space to get those shots off. I didn't see very many 3s off the dribble for Dibba, so they're probably not a major part of his arsenal. (I don't think the Illini would need 3s off the dribble from Dibba, but I do think he might also have more open looks from 3 playing on a loaded team like Illinois. And, if the defender closed out on Dibba, it looks like you and I agree that Dibba could drive by his defender for either a mid-range jumper or a finish at the hoop.)

Do you have any idea how much NIL money SIU paid to Dibba this past season? (Or can you find out?) I ask because there are reports that Illinois is a bit limited on the amount of remaining money available for a potential transfer player. If $200,000 to $300,000 is more than SIU paid him, I think that Illinois would have a chance to add Dibba as a transfer.

The bottom line for me is that I think that the Illini need to add an experienced combo guard/wing with length to its roster for an affordable price. They need a reserve/substitute bench piece, not a star, not even a starter. I just think that Ali Dibba would check a lot of those boxes for the Illini.
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I don't really know the NIL situation at SIU. The discussions I see of it, I assume is just internet speculation, so I don't pay much attention to it.

Given how similar Kennard Davis's numbers are to Dibba's, I have to assume Dibba would be asking for a similar "bag" to Davis. Davis is a couple years younger and is stronger and a better defender than Dibba. Some Saluki fans felt Davis's play was a bit selfish. He also was held out of a game last year, I assume for disciplinary reasons, but it was never disclosed why, so that raises a red flag. Unless coaches are thinking Dibba is too soft for higher level programs, I would think he would cost not much less than Davis.
 
#410      
Fly Illini Fly!
Regular season for Mega Basketball and Petrovic wraps up today. Their quarter-final matches set to take place next week.

Mirkovic and SC Derby set to play their final match tomorrow (did not qualify for quarters).
 
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#411      
Bbuck21
BretMyBeachHouse said:
Good luck with that plan.
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I have adapted to not even thinking beyond the upcoming season. Even though I liked watching a team mature/jell and anticipate where it could end up in a year or 2, I now look forward to the unexpected. I actually watch the Illini now from the start of the season without any preconceived expectations. It actaully isa differecnt kind of fun. Last year, for example, I ended up going to the first game against Eastern Illinois due to an unepected event (car trouble on the way to the MN football game). I watched 9 of 10 guys play that I have never seen before. I walked away saying "Holy Shith!"
 
#412      
PleaseMakeABowlGame
Fly Illini Fly! said:
Regular season for Mega Basketball and Petrovic wraps up today. Their quarter-final matches set to take place next week.

Mirkovic and SC Derby set to play their final match tomorrow (did not qualify for quarters).
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wonder if this - as well as the fact we could have an in with mirkovic - could provide time and opportunity to gain traction with Luka Bogavac? imo would be a perfect snag if we can't get Will back or a similar top caliber piece.

would also love for staff to take a deep dive into monsanto. just seems like the type of player that would thrive here.
 
#413      
Joel Goodson
BWA said:
This really seems like a silly system. Like what’s the point then?
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the point is that we're far more interested than casual interest. as Omar would say, "it's all in the game, yo"
 
#414      
Combo
Govoner Vaugn Fan said:
I think, Boswell aside, nearly the entire team has at least two years of eligibility left. Barring NBA opportunities, 26/27 could be an even stronger team than this coming year without any additions. All five of the 'Balkan's' could come back along with Jake, Ty, and this year's Freshmen. Ben? Who knows. But despite the annual portal exit trend, I would think the 'Balkan' players would prefer to stay together and Ty seems committed to the program. Am I wrong? This could be the oldest, most experienced team in the country.
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Rip Van Winkle?
 
#415      
PleaseMakeABowlGame
the thing about riley is that about 75% (if not more) of what his stock will depend on is still TBD - the combine. **this is not me saying he's for sure back or wtvr** but that's what makes some of these narrative false.

plus, it's not like the guys a projected no doubt, top 15 pick. very few have him top 20. mostly 22-30 or so from what i've seen.
 
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#417      
BretMyBeachHouse
PleaseMakeABowlGame said:
the thing about riley is that about 75% (if not more) of what his stock will depend on is still TBD - the combine. **this is not me saying he's for sure back or wtvr** but that's what makes some of these narrative false.

plus, it's not like the guys a projected no doubt, top 15 pick. very few have him top 20. mostly 22-30 or so from what i've seen.
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I do agree on this. Measurable can change things a lot in this range.

But I feel that if he had much of a chance of returning we'd get more of a hint of it.
 
#420      
IlliniFan42
#422      
Aillini32
Fly Illini Fly! said:
Not true. Seriously comical how 99% of these "no chance" or "next to no chance" posts are so factually incorrect (and ignorant). Very possible - rather likely - Petrovic will be a SOPH or JR (likely JR).
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Creighton’s Fedor Zugic is even younger than Petrovic and as of now was only granted a half season of college play. He played near the same amount of seasons of pro ball. It’s possible he’s a sophomore or Junior but unless Zugic has other circumstances I’d be surprised if Petrovic is able to play more than one season. Gtfo with the factually correct and ignorant bs when you don’t know
 
#423      
IlliniFan42
IlliniFan42 said:
While trying to see what Mac Irvin Fire alumni were currently in the NCAA, came across this story-

www.hpherald.com

17 Kenwood basketball players were fraudulently enrolled in school, inspector general reports

At least 17 players on Kenwood Academy's varsity basketball team were fraudulently enrolled in the school, according to an annual report released Wednesday by Chicago Public Schools’ (CPS) watchdog agency.
www.hpherald.com www.hpherald.com
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Good news is Devin Cleveland was not one of the ineligible players, so at least he legitimately plays for the school. If he was ruled ineligible I'd say 100% end any recruitment now, because that's too much connection between him and Irvin.
 
#424      
grue2
Aillini32 said:
Creighton’s Fedor Zugic is even younger than Petrovic and as of now was only granted a half season of college play. He played near the same amount of seasons of pro ball. It’s possible he’s a sophomore or Junior but unless Zugic has other circumstances I’d be surprised if Petrovic is able to play more than one season. Gtfo with the factually correct and ignorant bs when you don’t know
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Thanks for the data comparison. One of the things I like about this forum is the general civility, even when there is serious disagreement. The last sentence above really seemed out of place. Your point was already made with the data.
 
#425      
PepeSilvia
Aillini32 said:
Creighton’s Fedor Zugic is even younger than Petrovic and as of now was only granted a half season of college play. He played near the same amount of seasons of pro ball. It’s possible he’s a sophomore or Junior but unless Zugic has other circumstances I’d be surprised if Petrovic is able to play more than one season. Gtfo with the factually correct and ignorant bs when you don’t know
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What? Zugic is on Creighton's roster for this upcoming year. He didn't only get half a season.
 
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