Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

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#1,051      
therealmiket86
LvilleILL1 said:
Okay, here we go. Things are going to heat up very quickly here. The expected budget has varied from what information I have, my most informed guess is in the 14-15 million range (4-5 more than last year).

Let's start with the returners that are possible-staff meetings start tomorrow and should be done soon:
1) David Mirkovic: This one is pretty simple. I could see an outside chance that he goes through the draft process, but it would be pretty shocking if he ends up anywhere but in Champaign. Will be a pillar of the team next year.
2) Tomislav and Zvonomir: Both these guys have decisions to make, but the staff will push to retain both. I think we can.
3) Jake Davis: I expect him back. Won't cost too much and is a good role player.
4) Andrej Stojakovic: This one is interesting. It's tough, because a month ago he would have been gone most likely. This closing stretch has helped a lot, and I probably lean towards him being back next year. Will have more information in the coming days, my best guess is he's back. If not, they have a couple of guys in mind, but the staff will push for him being back.

Brandon Lee, M Petrovic, Bilcic, Ty, and JJ: I expect at least three of those guys to be heading out. Out of this list, Ty and JJ would be my guess as to who stays, but could go any way.

Quentin Coleman and Lucas Morillo are going to be factors next year. Coleman is one of the most talented high school recruits that Underwood has signed, he will be a major factor next year. Morillo is going to be a fan favorite as well.

I expect us to add at least one European player. Working on names.

Portal adds:
1) Big time guard, likely in the three million range. Will be a main priority.
2) Ben Humrichous replacement. They will pay up, just need to find the right piece for the role.
3) I expect them to possibly add a backup guard. This is where a mid major add would make sense.

That is 3-4 adds. Andrej is the swing piece, they will spend for a starting level three if he goes, but if he's back will just be the focuses above.

Specific names for the portal adds will start to go public soon.

Lots to play out in the next 14 or so days. Buckle up.
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how does Ty fit with this team and what role do you see him playing.
 
#1,052      
Altuve27
BWA said:
1. If you don’t bring him back, you probably don’t keep Tomi.

2. I’d take him year 2 in the system over a LOT of options for backup 5.

3. Retention. Retention. Retention.
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Your first point is the biggest reason you bring him back. If Zvonimir returning pretty much guarantees you get Tomislav to return, you almost have to do it.

Just pointing out that you may be paying a lot of money for minimal production. He played 6 minutes more than me against Connecticut. That says a lot.

Hopefully there is improvement in year 2 if it happens. Certainly possible.
 
#1,054      
spillini
LvilleILL1 said:
Okay, here we go. Things are going to heat up very quickly here. The expected budget has varied from what information I have, my most informed guess is in the 14-15 million range (4-5 more than last year).

Let's start with the returners that are possible-staff meetings start tomorrow and should be done soon:
1) David Mirkovic: This one is pretty simple. I could see an outside chance that he goes through the draft process, but it would be pretty shocking if he ends up anywhere but in Champaign. Will be a pillar of the team next year.
2) Tomislav and Zvonomir: Both these guys have decisions to make, but the staff will push to retain both. I think we can.
3) Jake Davis: I expect him back. Won't cost too much and is a good role player.
4) Andrej Stojakovic: This one is interesting. It's tough, because a month ago he would have been gone most likely. This closing stretch has helped a lot, and I probably lean towards him being back next year. Will have more information in the coming days, my best guess is he's back. If not, they have a couple of guys in mind, but the staff will push for him being back.

Brandon Lee, M Petrovic, Bilcic, Ty, and JJ: I expect at least three of those guys to be heading out. Out of this list, Ty and JJ would be my guess as to who stays, but could go any way.

Quentin Coleman and Lucas Morillo are going to be factors next year. Coleman is one of the most talented high school recruits that Underwood has signed, he will be a major factor next year. Morillo is going to be a fan favorite as well.

I expect us to add at least one European player. Working on names.

Portal adds:
1) Big time guard, likely in the three million range. Will be a main priority.
2) Ben Humrichous replacement. They will pay up, just need to find the right piece for the role.
3) I expect them to possibly add a backup guard. This is where a mid major add would make sense.

That is 3-4 adds. Andrej is the swing piece, they will spend for a starting level three if he goes, but if he's back will just be the focuses above.

Specific names for the portal adds will start to go public soon.

Lots to play out in the next 14 or so days. Buckle up.
Click to expand...
RIP my F5 key
 
#1,056      
the juiceman cometh
Okay, here we go. Things are going to heat up very quickly here. The expected budget has varied from what information I have, my most informed guess is in the 14-15 million range (4-5 more than last year).
Click to expand...
If our budget was $10 million last season, this seams...underwhelming?

Keep in mind that next season revenue sharing kicks in. Most power conference programs are expected to allot about 25% of the revenue share cap to basketball, which comes out to...$5 million. That's a separate pool from NIL. So if everybody is increasing their roster budget by $5 million, and we are increasing our roster budget by $5 million, that seems like a lot less of a big deal than what insiders had been saying about the impact of this Final Four run.

Unless of course the budget you're talking about is NIL only and so we're really talking about $20 million once revenue share gets added in.
 
#1,058      
wncillini
From the cheap seats said:
I know it’s hard to change your shot, and I know Z has been good from three. But sure seems like he’s got a lot of extra arc on his threes the past couple of months. I might be misremembering. It happens.
Anyway, I’d be thrilled to have him back. I think he has some untapped potential.
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He seemed to shoot well the first so many games with his mask then just kepy getting worse......then fell off a cliff when her took it off. Always wondered if he accidently changed his shot because of the mask.
 
#1,059      
Altuve27
LvilleILL1 said:
Okay, here we go. Things are going to heat up very quickly here. The expected budget has varied from what information I have, my most informed guess is in the 14-15 million range (4-5 more than last year).

Let's start with the returners that are possible-staff meetings start tomorrow and should be done soon:
1) David Mirkovic: This one is pretty simple. I could see an outside chance that he goes through the draft process, but it would be pretty shocking if he ends up anywhere but in Champaign. Will be a pillar of the team next year.
2) Tomislav and Zvonomir: Both these guys have decisions to make, but the staff will push to retain both. I think we can.
3) Jake Davis: I expect him back. Won't cost too much and is a good role player.
4) Andrej Stojakovic: This one is interesting. It's tough, because a month ago he would have been gone most likely. This closing stretch has helped a lot, and I probably lean towards him being back next year. Will have more information in the coming days, my best guess is he's back. If not, they have a couple of guys in mind, but the staff will push for him being back.

Brandon Lee, M Petrovic, Bilcic, Ty, and JJ: I expect at least three of those guys to be heading out. Out of this list, Ty and JJ would be my guess as to who stays, but could go any way.

Quentin Coleman and Lucas Morillo are going to be factors next year. Coleman is one of the most talented high school recruits that Underwood has signed, he will be a major factor next year. Morillo is going to be a fan favorite as well.

I expect us to add at least one European player. Working on names.

Portal adds:
1) Big time guard, likely in the three million range. Will be a main priority.
2) Ben Humrichous replacement. They will pay up, just need to find the right piece for the role.
3) I expect them to possibly add a backup guard. This is where a mid major add would make sense.

That is 3-4 adds. Andrej is the swing piece, they will spend for a starting level three if he goes, but if he's back will just be the focuses above.

Specific names for the portal adds will start to go public soon.

Lots to play out in the next 14 or so days. Buckle up.
Click to expand...
Man, point #4 is SO important. He finished the year really strong and I expect him to make a jump next year.

Look, I’m not saying fold the program or anything if he portals, but
that would be disappointing. Starting your team with Mirk, Andrej, Tomi, Coleman, etc… is pretty damn good.

I’m not going to hold you to it or anything, but any thoughts on how long a decision from Andrej may take?
 
#1,062      
Rebounding Dog
LvilleILL1 said:
Will have an update on roster outlook and a bunch of other information later tonight or tomorrow.

Illinois Basketball is in an amazing spot and has a ton of money to work with. Retention, add a couple of high level transfers, and we are looking at a top 5 team next year.
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Fu$k yeah! The FY girl does it better but you get the point🙂
 
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#1,063      
Rebounding Dog
If Jake leaves, its to Eastern Europe to live with the new wife that Tomi and Z find for him
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Jake has a new wife? Ben does… sure about Jake? Never heard that until now! I think wiggy boy will be back! We love that kid! He bleeds blue and orange!
 
#1,066      
LvilleILL1
Illinifan533 said:
I didn't follow much outside the fact that he was joining the team this year when Bilic committed, but why would he leave? I thought the point of him sitting was for "strength training and development." Why bring him over if the staff didn't think he had a shot at the rotation next year, Final Four or not?
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It was a favor with Misko. One that will be beneficial down the line.
 
#1,067      
PizzaHutParkingLot
STLflyinIllini said:
As weird as this would have sounded a year ago, I am going to miss having a Ben Humrichous coming off the bench for us. Hopefully we can find a versatile bench player that is as good a defender as Ben was this season. Still feels weird to say.
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Imagine saying this 1 year ago lol. Great in his role and as a leader in the locker room.
 
#1,069      
EmeraldCityIllini
jamarvelous31 said:
Dude is about to be a Sr, I don't see it. He was at his best as a 6th man curveball in a 3 pt centric O.

Its not my money, but I'd struggle to have him back if he's looking to be a top 3 paid player.
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I get the sentiment here is around the point of "ROI".

But, he was a lot more than a 6th man curveball in the offense - that's wildly selling short what he meant to us in this final four run. He played starters minutes (3rd most in Iowa game, 3rd most in the UCONN game, tied for 4th-most with Tomi in Houston game, 3rd most in VCU game). And just placing his value in the offense, is ignoring the run he had defensively.

And, as was pointed out before the tournament even began. It truly depends on the style of play we roll with. We shot a lot less threes this tournament, and (huge GASP!), he was flippin' awesome. When he was 6th man this tournament, and as you said, "at his best" - we actually weren't a 3-point centric offense.
 
#1,071      
Rebounding Dog
One thing I love about this group of players is how they came across in post game interviews! Class act all the way! After not advancing to the final game we saw tears from players… not because of a game loss but because of losing teammates or leaving a great home! Culture is a contagious thing and we are building it!
Off the court we are number one! What a great group of young men we are seeing!
 
#1,074      
joeybcrazy13
Benefit being Misko tells the Balkans what to do if they want to Jokic
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You guys realize not every place is America right?? I've always wanted to be a gangster... I damn sure know one when I see one!!! 😂 INI??
 
#1,075      
Fly Illini Fly!
Altuve27 said:
Just pointing out that you may be paying a lot of money for minimal production. He played 6 minutes more than me against Connecticut. That says a lot.

Hopefully there is improvement in year 2 if it happens. Certainly possible.
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How many better backup bigs are there in college basketball? He might be the best shot blocker in Illinois history.

My ONLY thing with him is the shot. May have been the single weirdest thing of the whole season:

Last year he shot 38% from 3. This year he finished 2 of his last 31 ... shot 28% for the whole season.

Median of 38 and 28 is 33. If the staff can get him up to 33% ... I have no concerns with what he'll provide.
 
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