Illini Basketball 2025-2026

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#76      
PepeSilvia
IlliniFan42 said:
The best-case scenario sounds like he could return sometime in January. He redshirted last year because he didn't want to take a bench role while he was improving his game. Why would he use up a year of eligibility this season to play less games while coming back from injury?
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Maybe he thinks this team could be special? Maybe he doesn't want to go 2 years not playing? Who knows?

Mitch Handlogten just burned his redshirt to come back in February because he thought Florida needed help and he wanted to be a part of it.
 
#84      
21ChampaignSt
Scoregasm said:
Mike Latulip raves about Keaton Wagler here:
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Couple interesting takeaways:

- MLT thinks BH could be the starting 4 with Z primarily backing up T and playing about 20 minutes a game. A smart, funny, and dare I say, very handsome and humble poster on this board has said the same.

- Said KW could be a one and done level player. That sentiment was shared on here within the last couple weeks and I was kind of skeptical but multiple sources are now saying the same thing so it may be legit.
 
#85      
STLflyinIllini
21ChampaignSt said:
Couple interesting takeaways:

- MLT thinks BH could be the starting 4 with Z primarily backing up T and playing about 20 minutes a game. A smart, funny, and dare I say, very handsome and humble poster on this board has said the same.

- Said KW could be a one and done level player. That sentiment was shared on here within the last couple weeks and I was kind of skeptical but multiple sources are now saying the same thing so it may be legit.
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color me skeptical of some off the offseason exaggeration. Would be wonderful if true, but I still am waiting for Austin Hutcherson to go pro and Mark Smith to be playing like Jason Kidd.
 
#86      
RollChief
21ChampaignSt said:
Couple interesting takeaways:

- MLT thinks BH could be the starting 4 with Z primarily backing up T and playing about 20 minutes a game. A smart, funny, and dare I say, very handsome and humble poster on this board has said the same.

- Said KW could be a one and done level player. That sentiment was shared on here within the last couple weeks and I was kind of skeptical but multiple sources are now saying the same thing so it may be legit.
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BH played the third most minutes out of any player on our roster last year, I would be highly shocked if we saw him start the season sitting on the bench behind a 19-year-old Mirk or a 7'1" Z.
 
#87      
BatteredWifeSchwartz
RollChief said:
BH played the third most minutes out of any player on our roster last year, I would be highly shocked if we saw him start the season sitting on the bench behind a 19-year-old Mirk or a 7'1" Z.
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I think the consensus is Mirk has more upside but is very raw and will need time to adjust to the college game. Definitely think BH starts the year but could also see Mirk taking over the spot in the new year.
 
#90      
Guest
21ChampaignSt said:
Couple interesting takeaways:

- MLT thinks BH could be the starting 4 with Z primarily backing up T and playing about 20 minutes a game. A smart, funny, and dare I say, very handsome and humble poster on this board has said the same.

- Said KW could be a one and done level player. That sentiment was shared on here within the last couple weeks and I was kind of skeptical but multiple sources are now saying the same thing so it may be legit.
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Yeah, and Isaac Trotter on the Illini Inquirer podcast said that he does not see Big Z and Tomi playing together much, like maybe 5 minutes.
 
#94      
alaskaillini
I made this observation back in March and April and, though it seemed like common sense to me, it was not well-taken. Ben had the misfortune of being the act that followed Marcus Domask, a first team all-B1G level player. But Ben was in year 2 of D1 basketball. Marcus was a coach's son and in year 5 of D1 basketball. The expectations for Ben were not realistic. Some players need the experience to be comfortable and perform - I am old but I can still remember the huge difference between being a freshman follower and a junior leader on my college football team. Glad that Latulip now seems to agree and that you think I am smart, funny and handsome, lol.

March 18, 2025
"I like Ben for next year. He started the year soft on defense, but by the end he had learned. He took on TKR and held his own for the most part. For all practical purposes he is a freshman in high major D1 basketball. With an offseason to digest the lessons learned, and given his knowledge of the system, I think he could be a serious contributor next year - basically what they were hoping for from him this year."
https://www.illinoisloyalty.com/post/illinois-hoops-recruiting-thread.37954/post-2228205

April 28, 2025
"This will probably make some people's head explode, but I think at the beginning of the season, Ben will start at the 4 if he is on the team. Ben knows the system. BU is also loyal to his returning players. Mirkovic (or Big Z or TY) will have to take the job from Ben. Ben is still working with Fletch and on his game. With an offseason to absorb all the lessons he learned, I think we would see an improved and more consistent player, so taking the job from him would be no small task."
https://www.illinoisloyalty.com/post/illini-basketball.38115/post-2263900

Now Ben, I hope you don't let me down, but I would rather be wrong believing in someone than right in dissing them.
 
#95      
RollChief
alaskaillini said:
Now Ben, I hope you don't let me down, but I would rather be wrong believing in someone than right in dissing them.
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Very profound, A-1 fan mindset. Haters take notes
Proud Of You Yes GIF
 
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