Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

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#151      
PepeSilvia
GrayGhost77 said:
Morillo, Mirk, Jake will be nice core to build around. That's one tough, scoring center and a shooting guard away from being a legit contender if you can hit on enough backup/role player pieces.
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I like Jake but on a legitimate contender he should be a backup/role player.

I know we have gotten great results from recent freshman but you also want to set it up so you're not reliant on Morillo and give him time to grow into his game.

Also, Morillo is a big guard but not overly explosive. You would need to surround him and Mirk with some guys that can actually slide their feet on the perimeter.
 
#152      
PepeSilvia
EmeraldCityIllini said:
Specific on programs or names? Impossible to know who will be in the portal for sure - so let's go off the great work Indy shares (much appreciated, Indy). IF illinois pulled in Haggerty and retained Mirk. A guy like Stefan Vaaks or Paulius Murauskas has been thrown out there - I'm 99% sure we couldn't also get either of them.

Similar to Sarr last year, once the price went up. We were out. Sure didnt stop Duke from bringing in the Boozer boys, and bringing back Isaiah Evans with Nnongba. Duke has the luxury of Sarr being a multimillionare "specialist" who can focus solely on defense and transition - Sarr for us would have needed to be a premier scorer. And i'm not saying the bar should be duke lol. But i also dont know if i wanna hear about our resources being elite, when its not a top 10 paid roster.
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Sarr would have been counted on being a premier focus preseason but with Waglers emergence he could have played the same role here that he is at Duke albeit in more minutes.
 
#153      
EmeraldCityIllini
PepeSilvia said:
Sarr would have been counted on being a premier focus preseason but with Waglers emergence he could have played the same role here that he is at Duke albeit in more minutes.
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Even with Wagler being arguably the biggest recruiting "hit" in modern history, i STILL think duke has more around sarr offenseivly than Illinois would have. Because it would be either Sarr or Andrej, and as much as everyone dislikes Andrej at the moment hes been far more productive and efficient scorer than Sarr this year. Elite resource programs could have gotten both.

And if we went into the season banking on Keaton being a 2nd team all american, you're 1000% right, i think different choices would have been made. But come on. Thats just not remotely realistic
 
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#154      
WyattEarp
EmeraldCityIllini said:
Specific on programs or names? Impossible to know who will be in the portal for sure - so let's go off the great work Indy shares (much appreciated, Indy). IF illinois pulled in Haggerty and retained Mirk. A guy like Stefan Vaaks or Paulius Murauskas has been thrown out there - I'm 99% sure we couldn't also get either of them.

Similar to Sarr last year, once the price went up. We were out. Sure didnt stop Duke from bringing in the Boozer boys, and bringing back Isaiah Evans with Nnongba. Duke has the luxury of Sarr being a multimillionare "specialist" who can focus solely on defense and transition - Sarr for us would have needed to be a premier scorer. And i'm not saying the bar should be duke lol. But i also dont know if i wanna hear about our resources being elite, when it’s not a top 10 paid roster.
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Yeah…I meant programs.

What other program have such amazing resources that we supposedly don’t have/can’t get?( That aren’t Duke…)(I honestly know nothing about that…and I imagine you don’t either.)

What do the other teams that finished ahead of us in the B1G10 have for NIL?
How bout Wisconsin?

I’m guessing Nebraska doesn’t have a lot. Alabama is consistently good…how much do they have? What did Purdue have a year ago?

Then you’ve got BYU that has more money than god apparently…and they’ve kinda underachieved technically.

Obviously what you’re saying certainly cuts both ways. I don’t wanna start hearing complaints about our NIL. I just don’t don’t. We’ve got an assistant coach that makes a cool million to be a recruiter.
(And that’s just one dude.)

Compare our coaching salaries with other programs and see what you find.
 
#155      
Rap47
EmeraldCityIllini said:
I agree on the turnover, i'd like a little less. Mirk, Jake, Ty, Lee, and Z are all guys id like back. Also agree on older players - which Ty, Z, and Jake would be. I also like the idea of bringing a "illinois guy" back as a senior every year, someone who this opportunity and spot means the world too instead of an international handshake deal. Tons of guys from Illinois go tear it up at mid-majors and lower levels, someone like Harmon every year is amazing.

Only thing id push back on, in the bolded atleast. Is @Second place is 1st loser right? Underwood looks to be a top 15 paid coach, and we are what? a Top 15-20 NIL program? To me, the "resources we have" are much like what you're saying with underwood and regular season wins - it's good, but are resources "great"?

Take the Haggerty example. Indy brought him up as us having interest and indicated he would come here and not necessarily be the guy. Candidly, I've just been around the block enough too many times here to know that won't be the case - if we get Haggerty and Mirk (also been around the block enough to know im not just locking in Mirk to come back), bring back those role guys, and pull in Morillo - That's gonna be our budget. We're not gonna have enough to go get someone else, and I do think the schools with "great" resources right now, have that ability.
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Tell me what Lee has done to bring him back.
 
#156      
NarrowJ
WyattEarp said:
Yeah…I meant programs.

What other program have such amazing resources that we supposedly don’t have/can’t get?( That aren’t Duke…)(I honestly know nothing about that…and I imagine you don’t either.)

What do the other teams that finished ahead of us in the B1G10 have for NIL?
How bout Wisconsin?

I’m guessing Nebraska doesn’t have a lot. Alabama is consistently good…how much do they have? What did Purdue have a year ago?

Then you’ve got BYU that has more money than god apparently…and they’ve kinda underachieved technically.

Obviously what you’re saying certainly cuts both ways. I don’t wanna start hearing complaints about our NIL. I just don’t don’t. We’ve got an assistant coach that makes a cool million to be a recruiter.
(And that’s just one dude.)

Compare our coaching salaries with other programs and see what you find.
Click to expand...

I can compare the salaries and NIL to the product this season

Top 15-20 NIL
Top 10-15 coaching salaries

Top 10-15 ranking, 3 seed

Doesn’t seem too crazy of a difference there to me, but I’m no mathematician
 
#158      
Illinicpa14
Indy Illini Fan said:
Maybe a hot take … Maybe not …

They’re the only two guys I want back that played this season … 🤷🏻‍♂️

Obviously if Ty wants to be here … He’s earned his spot …
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What in your opinion happened to Tomi absolutely regressing and just tplaying lethargic now.

I looked back to that road MSU game last year he played sick/injured and was also willing to fight half the MSU team…where’d that guy go?
 
#160      
EmeraldCityIllini
Yeah…I meant programs.

What other program have such amazing resources that we supposedly don’t have/can’t get?( That aren’t Duke…)(I honestly know nothing about that…and I imagine you don’t either.)

What do the other teams that finished ahead of us in the B1G10 have for NIL?
How bout Wisconsin?

I’m guessing Nebraska doesn’t have a lot. Alabama is consistently good…how much do they have? What did Purdue have a year ago?

Then you’ve got BYU that has more money than god apparently…and they’ve kinda underachieved technically.

Obviously what you’re saying certainly cuts both ways. I don’t wanna start hearing complaints about our NIL. I just don’t don’t. We’ve got an assistant coach that makes a cool million to be a recruiter.
(And that’s just one dude.)

Compare our coaching salaries with other programs and see what you find.
Click to expand...

Not ironclad - but good starting point for ya. https://www.cbssports.com/college-b...g-hits-unthinkable-levels-of-financial-chaos/

Also, have you been living under a rock when it comes to the commentary around the cost of Kentucky's roster?
 
#161      
AirTran
I can compare the salaries and NIL to the product this season

Top 15-20 NIL
Top 10-15 coaching salaries

Top 10-15 ranking, 3 seed

Doesn’t seem too crazy of a difference there to me, but I’m no mathematician
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Top 20 Estimated for Men's Basketball Player Compensation (2025-26)​

  1. Kentucky — Frequently cited as one of the highest spenders (~$22M roster estimates in some reports; heavy collectives + rev share).
  2. Arkansas — In the $10M+ NIL club; aggressive portal/NIL use.
  3. Duke — Strong brand + high individual valuations (e.g., Cameron Boozer ~$2.2M); $10M+ tier.
  4. BYU — Tops individual NIL (AJ Dybantsa ~$4.2-4.4M); competitive Big 12 spending, $10M+ range.
  5. Texas Tech — High earners (JT Toppin ~$2.8-4M); $10M+ NIL/collective support.
  6. Michigan — Big Ten revenue + transfers (e.g., Yaxel Lendeborg ~$2.3M); $10M+ tier.
  7. Indiana — Listed in $10M+ NIL funds.
  8. Louisville — $10M+ club member.
  9. North Carolina — Traditional power with strong NIL/rev share.
  10. St. John's — Basketball-focused (no football dilution); high rev share potential (~$5-7M+ to hoops).
  11. Texas — Massive athletics revenue; benefits basketball despite football priority.
  12. Auburn — ~$8M NIL tier; strong SEC allocation.
  13. Florida — Recent champs; competitive SEC spending.
  14. UConn — Big East edge (higher proportional rev share to basketball; ~$5-7M+ possible).
  15. Kansas — Consistent elite; Big 12 rev share + NIL.
  16. Michigan State — Big Ten power; solid allocation.
  17. Purdue — Strong support in Big Ten.
  18. Alabama — SEC revenue drives high rev share (~14% to hoops in some reports).
  19. Tennessee — SEC contender with booster backing.
  20. Houston — Aggressive in Big 12; rev share opt-in.

Top 15 Estimated for Total Men's Basketball Coaching Staff Compensation (2025-26)​


These estimates prioritize programs with the highest head coach pay (from USA TODAY data) plus known high assistant budgets (e.g., from contract reports, 247Sports, On3, and program announcements). Full totals are approximate, as exact assistant aggregates aren't public for most.


  1. Kansas — Head: Bill Self ~$8.80M. Full staff often estimated ~$11-13M+ (assistants ~$2-3M+ total; strong support roles).
  2. Arkansas — Head: John Calipari ~$8.00M. Full staff ~$10-12M+ (high-profile assistants push totals high).
  3. UConn — Head: Dan Hurley ~$7.78M. Full staff ~$10M+ (assistants like top ones at ~$1M+; Big East revenue supports).
  4. Florida — Head: Todd Golden ~$6.75M+ (post-2025 extension). Full staff rising to ~$9-11M with recent success.
  5. Michigan State — Head: Tom Izzo ~$6.20M. Full staff ~$9-10M+ (long-tenured, well-paid assistants).
  6. UCLA — Head: Mick Cronin ~$6.10M. Full staff ~$9M+ (Big Ten move boosts resources).
  7. Auburn — Head: Bruce Pearl ~$5.96M. Full staff ~$8-10M (SEC revenue).
  8. Tennessee — Head: Rick Barnes ~$5.80M. Full staff ~$8-10M.
  9. Baylor — Head: Scott Drew ~$5.41M. Full staff ~$8M+.
  10. Arizona — Head: Tommy Lloyd ~$5.25M (recent extension). Full staff ~$8M+.
  11. Alabama — Head: Nate Oats ~$5.02M+. Full staff ~$8M+ (SEC push).
  12. Kentucky — Head (post-Calipari adjustments) ~$5M+. Full staff ~$8-10M (historically high).
  13. Illinois — Head: Brad Underwood ~$4.8M+. Full staff ~$7-9M (Big Ten).
  14. Texas — Head ~$4.5-5M range. Full staff ~$7-9M (SEC move).
  15. Purdue — Head: Matt Painter ~$4.9M+. Full staff ~$7-9M.
 
#162      
Altgeld's Bells
EmeraldCityIllini said:
Hes a freshman, hes had a year in the program, and by all accounts looks like an awesome teammate.

A little patience might be warranted
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Agree. And why be so quick to get rid of young players that want to be here? He seems to play hard and who knows, may turn into a younger Trent! If he wants to go to a different program with guaranteed playing time or constant green light (a la DGL), go for it. If he wants to play here is whatever role he earns (similar to Jakstys), why discourage it?

Speaking of Jakstys, do we know how he is doing? Looked like he was on the bench in Chicago, so assuming he is ok? Will he be back?
 
#163      
BatteredWifeSchwartz
kyillinifan said:
I hope Andrej returns for the 26-27 season.
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I would like him back as well but I get the feeling the stern looking dude that shares his name is calling the shots. He wants Drej to be “the guy” night in night out. Plenty of mid-teams will let him be that.

Just don’t see him staying. Only way Drej stays is if he REALLY wants to be here bc it will be for a smaller paycheck and likely a similar role.
 
#165      
Emerson Bigguns
EmeraldCityIllini said:
Hes a freshman, hes had a year in the program, and by all accounts looks like an awesome teammate.

A little patience might be warranted
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The question of Lee’s Illini future probably has more to do with NIL and playing time than attitude or the staff wanting him back. I assume the kid will get opportunities elsewhere to play a lot and earn some money.
The question is has he shown enough to the staff to justify paying him and/or planning on him playing big minutes.
DGL was a hard worker and a great teammate at Illinois, but he was never going to get the role he wanted here. He got a starring role a level down & probably made himself a lot of money moving forward.
I could easily see I guy like Lee wanting the same thing.
 
#166      
BatteredWifeSchwartz
Illinicpa14 said:
What in your opinion happened to Tomi absolutely regressing and just tplaying lethargic now.

I looked back to that road MSU game last year he played sick/injured and was also willing to fight half the MSU team…where’d that guy go?
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Just another guys take but I don’t think his playing style fits well with Keaton. He plays better with KJ. Just think back to the Xavier game last year. He and KJ were absolutely eating them alive on the 2 ma game. Keaton just doesn’t do that at the same level as KJ.

Tomi was playing totally fine before the Purdue game when the offense was basically whatever is working. Post that game, the focus became on Keaton facilitating and getting what he wanted. Tomi just does not get much feed in the post like Z (bc that’s also not his game) so his entire offense is shooting a 3 which in a rhythm he’s fine with but just stand and shoot? Nah. Then that confidence just snowballs.

Is it coaching? Keaton? Tomi? I’m not sure. I think it’s a bad combo of all of the above.

That player that was elite last year is still there. I really want both twins back bc I think the can be guys we remember fondly.
 
#167      
hoopsfan47
I-L-L said:
I really like Z. He doesn't get stats for the altered shots on defense. He's good for 2-3 dunks and 2-3 rebounds a game in limited minutes. He doesn't turn the ball over. He rebounds. Maybe most importantly he's the only mean dude on the team! Tomi has lost all confidence. I remember seeing a metric a few weeks back that Mirk, Wagler, and Z were the 3rd best trio in all college basketball. Big Z and Mirk would be my priorities to bring back for sure (I also like Jake and welcome Ty). But we need another inside presence/enforcer to rotate in and out with Z instead of Tomi. This way we always have a paint/rim protector. When Z isn't in the game we give up points like that's what we want to be doing. I'm cool with guys that all shoot 3s, but we need more dogs/rim protectors/and honestly just mean tough SOBs.
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I want them all back with a determined goal to learn to do what the need to do to win it all...Tomi included.
 
#168      
WyattEarp
NarrowJ said:
I can compare the salaries and NIL to the product this season

Top 15-20 NIL
Top 10-15 coaching salaries

Top 10-15 ranking, 3 seed

Doesn’t seem too crazy of a difference there to me, but I’m no mathematician
Click to expand...
I was actually taking about assistant coaches salaries. Without doing extensive research and going over it with fine tooth comb I think we’re pretty well positioned.

If “seeds” and “rankings”
do it for ya…great!
 
#169      
Pekinfan
Morillo, Mirk, Jake will be nice core to build around. That's one tough, scoring center and a shooting guard away from being a legit contender if you can hit on enough backup/role player pieces.
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We are always a player or two away. What we really are is a coach or two away.
 
#170      
NarrowJ
WyattEarp said:
I was actually taking about assistant coaches salaries. Without doing extensive research and going over it with fine tooth comb I think we’re pretty well positioned.

If “seeds” and “rankings”
do it for ya…great!
Click to expand...

i agree we are well positioned from a funding standpoint, both head or assistant salaries considered

I should’ve added S16 tourney expectation along with the ranking/seed
 
#171      
UIUCx10
Recent News Gazette article noted that Mirk came here because he had played with Tomi, and wanted to to be his teammate again. I suspect if you lose Tomi you will lose Mirk. Hope not.
 
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