Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

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#126      
CoalCity
Not sure what happened to Z's shot. On February 4th, he was 25 for 69 on the season from 3. Good for 36.2%. That's pretty good. After February 4th? 3 for 31, 9.7% on extremelyhigh quality looks! He made 1 single 3 in the past month and a half! He could probably knock down turnaround jumpers at a better rate. Truly a bizarre falloff. Especially because his first 2 seasons he was a career 37.5% shooter on decent volume. Just makes very little sense.

I would be surprised if Z doesn't return to shooting the 3 at a high 30% clip on medium volume next year. His shot and mechanics looked good, just seemed to be in the coldest stretch of his life. Very weird.
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Needs to put the mask back on
 
#127      
sulli
AJ Storr went to Kansas and sucked. I'd be very nervous about paying big time money for Blackwell.

Illinois could REALLY use a super-elite two way player. Like lendenborg (or TSJ). I don't follow closely enough to know who that might be, or if it is realistic. But I think Blackwell would be really nice if he was alongside Andrej as a 2nd/3rd option. We don't necessarily need a high usage guy if he is really good defensively and can shoot. Blackwell to me seems like a similar player to stojakovic, better shooter, less good slasher, and similar defender (slightly shorter, and I think andrej's defense is underrated). Wagler is significantly BETTER than stojakovic. Replacing him will be tough. I think blackwell is likely more of a Boswell replacement (maybe slight upgrade especially given his shooting) than a wagler replacement. I'd rather have Mirk retain his current role but just get better at it and expand it around the edges than try to force him to touch the ball a ton. He is very good at weaving himself into the offense rather than owning the offense (maybe, or maybe he gets a lot better and just takes over).
 
#131      
CoalCity
Have to think Morez is gone to the draft. Hes projected a late first round pick.
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And if he doesnt go to the draft, I'd say 50-50 he plays at a different school, although scUM can probably put a hell of deal in place for him
 
#132      
ptgrd23
I was trying to recall a "what to expect" in terms of portal timing for a roster turnover. Obviously things are different going to the final four instead of exiting in the R32, but I would imagine things are about to start happening fast. Here is last year's timeline for reference (correct me if I have any dates wrong):
View attachment 49412
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wow - did you use AI to create this?
 
#133      
EmeraldCityIllini
You are entitled to your opinion on fit. My take is that if the staff sees a fit here (and Blackwell does as well), then there is a fit here. You are making a bunch of assumptions about what Blackwell needs for playing. At Wisconsin, he was needed to take a whole bunch of shots (and the ball in his hands) because they lacked the talent that we possess.

Considering virtually all of our Insiders are indicating we are in contention for picking him up, that would indicate that there is heavy interest on the part of the staff. I can't imagine the staff simply getting involved to drive up his costs to a competitor (though that would be a fine alternative too).

I simply find it weird questioning why we should be interested in signing a player who averaged nearly 20 points and 5 rebounds per game last season while playing in the B1G.

Even if we happen to maintain all of our talent, we are still probably one or two key signings from the portal from being where we want to be.
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Ha. For sure the most important truth. Spot on.
 
#135      
ptgrd23
I dont see it. Who are you benching for Ty at the 3 or 4? Ty cant shoot to play the 1 or 2. Who are you benching or taking chunks of minutes from? Are you taking minutes from Andre at the 3 or Mirk and plugging in Ty as an undersized 4? Ty will be a role player off the bench at the 3 imo if he stays behind Dre and maybe Jake. If we want spacing Ty cant play the 1 or 2 plus we added 2 high end freshman guards and are high end guys for that role too.
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I love Ty but unless he has developed a good 3 point shot he does not work in this 5 out offense.
He lacks post scoring of Marcus Domask, or shot blocking and alley oop threat of big Z.
He was paid well for past 2 years. He wants to play. He is good rebounder, OK defender, OK ball handler at 6'6 just too small. Tre White without the outside shot. Transfer to mid major and dominate the paint.
 
#136      
Vinegarben
I wouldn't write Blackwell off. He is the type of guy that can get you a critical basket in the crunch. We don't have that. Hell we didn't have anyone who could guard him.
 
#137      
Rebounding Dog
Hard for me to understand how anyone would not think Blackwell is not a fit. In our system? Dude has the greenlight to fire 3's at a 39% clip, averages 5+ boards and finishes at the rim. Not an elite defender but is very good defensively. (keeps improving each year). Unless the $ amount gets past the value, we want this guy!
 
#138      
WxIllini
I know it’s hard during Portal Kombat, but…

IMG_4082.gif
 
#140      
RIP_Chief_2003
aaeismacgychel said:
Not sure what happened to Z's shot. On February 4th, he was 25 for 69 on the season from 3. Good for 36.2%. That's pretty good. After February 4th? 3 for 31, 9.7% on extremelyhigh quality looks! He made 1 single 3 in the past month and a half! He could probably knock down turnaround jumpers at a better rate. Truly a bizarre falloff. Especially because his first 2 seasons he was a career 37.5% shooter on decent volume. Just makes very little sense.

I would be surprised if Z doesn't return to shooting the 3 at a high 30% clip on medium volume next year. His shot and mechanics looked good, just seemed to be in the coldest stretch of his life. Very weird.
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they need to check his eyesight!!
charlie sheen film GIF
 
#143      
OB positive
A BOOM this week on us getting 1 or 2 big names in the transfer portal would be awesome. Especially when we have had to wait so long the last couple of years. Hopefully we can cash in on our final four and entice some top players to join our loaded returning squad.
 
#145      
Retro62
Do I?

of course with literally every other roster in flux an Illini team of returners and Blackwell is going to look the best when compared to others who have maybe 6 guys committed.

If you really want an answer it’s probably Michigan as boring as that sounds. But I’ll play the game for you. Let’s assume you return Cadeau/Morez/Mara/McKinney/Cason and add the 3rd ranked class coming in. That alone gets them close to Illinois. They’ll add a transfer or two and with Yaxels money off the books I’d wager it’ll be pretty darn good ones.

Or let’s look at MSU. They basically return everyone except Kohler and Cooper. They’ll add also add the 5th overall class. Or maybe Duke tickles are fancy. Or inevitably Houston/Florida/literally any team with deep pockets.

I’m putting it in perspective. I think it’s ridiculous to criticize my take of potentially next years team just because everyone else’s roster isn’t set. I personally don’t think Blackwell elevates us to be the absolute best team in the country. Top 10 sure but top overall is a tough mantle to claim.
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I didn't read the response as a challenge to your statement, but one of curiosity. But, appreciate the answer nonetheless.
 
#148      
Heisenbobble
I got told to expect some subtraction before any addition …
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Petro, Lee, Ty, and maybe Jakstys. If Zens commits, I'd expect either Landon D or Ethan B to decommit (numbers game).
 
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