I don't see it as Vaaks replacing Ben, more like Vaaks and Blackwell replacing Wagler and Kylan. But to your overall point yes, that roster would be a grandslam F4, natty contender. Insane to think about! I could be wrong and coleman will end up starting over Vaaks but I'm not sure about that right now.
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread
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Vaaks and Blackwell side by side? Or Vaaks off the bench?
Or is Vaaks the Ben replacement?
Or is Vaaks the Ben replacement?
The Vaaks talk made me look at the Providence team- Jaylin Sellers balled out this year- 18 pts on 42.8% from Three on over 5 per game! Throw in 4 boards
For all the talk about Sellers as a potential transfer last year that some were skeptical on, he way outperformed Dix and Sarr
RabidDawgClassic
- Los Angeles, CA
Providence fan forum comments on Vaak:
“Agreed I just think when you jump in quickly it’s already a done deal. If you are a mid player it benefits you to wait it out and at least see who the new coach is. Vaaks will get paid but not sweating him leaving. Would be nice to have him but he’s replaceable. He can shoot for sure but for a 22 year old who played professionally in Europe still plays selfish and little to no defense. Now is that just a reflection of no accountability and the way the season played out maybe, maybe not. I’m counting on basically a blank slate for the new coach. I’m sure he will bring a couple of his top current players with him.
From a style of play perspective, I could see him ending up at Illinois. Underwood will get him right. He doesn't seem to take any s**t.
I did notice shakng hands very warmly with Vaaks post our game last week...and Vaaks saying in interview how he likes MSG rims.
Wouldn't shock me to see Vaaks at St John's. I kinda want that -- stir up the rivalry some more.
Vaaks is a ME player. NO D. No hustle. They can have him.
Vaaks can’t defend at all. Doesn’t seem like a Pitino type player….
Well compared to our past freshman, he and Jones were heads above most we've ever seen... We usually have freshman that get redshirted, don't play a lot (developing) or get worn out (injured) by the halfway point of the season and don't have an impact on our program - jones and Vaaks are certainly the exception and together accounted for 28 ish points per game as freshman, so yeah they are set up to have strong Sophomore years with the right coach and system! I was hoping it was here with a better coach but it appears Vaaks will definitely be departing... Hope Jones stays!
All things considered I’d like to retain him. I think he’ll become a more consistent offensive player. But I don’t know how much he’ll improve on defense. Lateral quickness is a problem for him. If Vaaks and the new Coach like each other and PC offers enough money , maybe he stays. But announcing that he’s going portal before it opens, is probably not a good sign that he’ll be back.”
“Agreed I just think when you jump in quickly it’s already a done deal. If you are a mid player it benefits you to wait it out and at least see who the new coach is. Vaaks will get paid but not sweating him leaving. Would be nice to have him but he’s replaceable. He can shoot for sure but for a 22 year old who played professionally in Europe still plays selfish and little to no defense. Now is that just a reflection of no accountability and the way the season played out maybe, maybe not. I’m counting on basically a blank slate for the new coach. I’m sure he will bring a couple of his top current players with him.
From a style of play perspective, I could see him ending up at Illinois. Underwood will get him right. He doesn't seem to take any s**t.
I did notice shakng hands very warmly with Vaaks post our game last week...and Vaaks saying in interview how he likes MSG rims.
Wouldn't shock me to see Vaaks at St John's. I kinda want that -- stir up the rivalry some more.
Vaaks is a ME player. NO D. No hustle. They can have him.
Vaaks can’t defend at all. Doesn’t seem like a Pitino type player….
Well compared to our past freshman, he and Jones were heads above most we've ever seen... We usually have freshman that get redshirted, don't play a lot (developing) or get worn out (injured) by the halfway point of the season and don't have an impact on our program - jones and Vaaks are certainly the exception and together accounted for 28 ish points per game as freshman, so yeah they are set up to have strong Sophomore years with the right coach and system! I was hoping it was here with a better coach but it appears Vaaks will definitely be departing... Hope Jones stays!
All things considered I’d like to retain him. I think he’ll become a more consistent offensive player. But I don’t know how much he’ll improve on defense. Lateral quickness is a problem for him. If Vaaks and the new Coach like each other and PC offers enough money , maybe he stays. But announcing that he’s going portal before it opens, is probably not a good sign that he’ll be back.”
Calling Vaaks a Ben replacement is genuinely ignorant. He’s a lead guard.
Vaaks and Blackwell will be replacing Keaton and Kylan (throw Coleman in there if he outperforms somebody).
And now a steal!
And showed some D too.
This right here. Vaaks is a primary ball handler that is good in pick and rolls. He would be replacing Keaton.
I'm pleasantly surprised by his handle. He's brought it up against pressure and a trap a couple times so far, and he's looked confident w/the ball.
We're not hiring Nick Irvin, right...? /s.
soupy17
- MI
Pause
Assuming Vaaks will be our lead guard. If we keep him in the Keaton role, he has the ability to be an All-American. Then getting a certified bucket in Blackwell as the Kylan replacement… that’s just impossible to stop. I hate to say it, but Kylan was the one that didn’t fit with last years team. He became sort of a black hole offensively due to poor finishing at the rim and the inability to hit those floaters and middies. Remember he got one early in the UConn game and it looked so flat- feel like he hadn’t hit one of those in months… he shot 1-13 in the sweet 16 & beyond in the tournament. Assuming Drej is the starter at the 3 day 1.. how do you guard that? I think all of our presumed starters are All-Big Ten level player… I mean jeez. QC, Jake, Z & maybe a 9th guy who’s TBD or Morillo… that’s probably a national title favorite.
I think it's frankly because it can be perceived that Coleman would be Keaton's replacement while Blackwell would be Kylan's. I'd rather think of it your way though!
Still a little disappointed that we never got to see him play
Watched a few Providence games begrudgingly this year. Awful team but you could tell Vaaks was a legit player in a terrible situation. I told myself I'd like to see that kid hit the portal and for us to have a shot at him. He brings great positional size and pretty solid feel for the game. I think we'd be thrilled to have him part of the lineup. I heard the asking price was rather high from people.
Is Jalen Cox out of the equation? He is so athletic and fast. I just feel like he could help us.
Unless something changes with our top 2 targets yes.
Vaaks = Booty Ball? If so, there's another option to score. Wasn't Domask 6'7?
Vaaks is a lot like Keaton.
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