9:00 pm
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread
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I hope Lee stays. I'd feel pretty good about the incoming freshmen (Quentin Coleman, Lucas Morillo, and Ethan Brown), plus rising sophomore Brandon Lee, and (hopefully) John Blackwell competing for minutes at the guard position for the Illini next season. [As I've mentioned previously, I'd also be happy with Tulane's Rowan Brumbaugh in place of, or in addition to, Blackwell.]
As a guard
DeonThomas
- South Carolina
That roster would fall significantly short of our lofty 2026-27 expectations. Desperately needs some athleticism, as has been mentioned here previously. (Hopefully Blackwell is one of 2-3 we can pick up over the next month.)
Shoe size 28
... or someone with Butch Lee's genes (who was a VERY tough player at Marquette) might not be scared of staying at Illinois and competing/fighting for playing time. I guess we'll find out soon enough.
Tacomallini
- Washington State
With or without stilts?
Your list is 100% correct. Normally, the coaches leave 1 roster spot open. That is the Brad Underwood way (Some of the mid year additions have worked out (Dain Dainja), some not so much (Zach Perrine, Toni Bilic)
14 = is where they are right now with Keaton and Ty still on the roster.
We won't see any additions (transfer portal) until more players leave one of those roster spots officially available.
If you know what the announcements are relating to Ty and Keaton, you are the only one. But officially they haven't been made. I am trying to minimize, not add to the speculation.
I am reading alot of speculation of NIL guarantee = $5mm + NIL incentives that would put Keaton within 20% of guaranteed of the number 5 pick in this year's draft. The numbers are correct, but I don't see Brad being able to write that check, even with the war chest he has which if I calculate correctly is right around $14mm - $15mm before incentives from collectables etc.
So I am not going to speculate. The coaching staff and administration are timing these announcements to gain negotiating leverage. There are also Illinois writers claiming they have spoken to coaches about preference. That is simply not true. Illinois is not about to negotiate against themselves and has never been willing to do so in the past. But please remember, no one had heard of Keaton Wagler last year, Marcus Domask three years ago or Ben Humrichous 2 years ago. Let's just wait an see. The only thing I can assure you is this coaching staff has multiple back - up plans.
If I were in their shoes I would do exactly what they are doing (i.e. waiting as long as they can). I'm certain that isn't popular with this crew, but it is what will optimize the roster for next year.
MDchicago
- Lake Norman NC
Gotta say, he picked a great 4 months to parachute in for the Final 4 experience!
Epsilon
M tipping over
- Pdx
And yet also be able to fit in a small car with 20 others.
Morillo & QC
Nasir Rankin
Free high major development.
Ehhhh
skeptical? It’s tough to play two sports.
5-10". He wouldn't sniff much, IMO.
Loyalillini10
- Urbana, IL
Brandon Lee is good. I don't know where all this nay saying is coming from. He was on an extremely talented roster and minutes were hard to come by. I hope he stays.
Everyone loves to forget him.... Even this boards official list....
He won't count for a roster spot.
He has upside, but going to be impossible to find the role he wants on next years team. He can come back, but he isn't going to get much tick.
Who's he playing in front of this year? How is this year going to look ANY different with my minutes allocation?
We should qualify that we're assuming a significant retention.
I could see Purdue's defense making a big step up. Braden, Loyer, TKR, and Cluff was never going to get it done defensively. Jacobsen is going to provide better room protection and throw guards should play much tougher.
Now offensively, no idea. It's going to be really weird not seeing the ball in Braden's hands all game.
Now offensively, no idea. It's going to be really weird not seeing the ball in Braden's hands all game.
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