Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

[DieHard0320]

I get being disappointed on not getting Blackwell. We had the money and laid out a plan but if he didn’t want it so be it.

The biggest thing that is being underestimated is a full summer as a team. We aren’t dealing with visas and NCAA clearance this year. We aren’t starting from the bottom. That alone gives us such a head start against majority of the teams.

The closest we’ve seen to this type of retention in the portal era was the Elite 8 year and that was nothing compared to this type of retention.

 

[From the cheap seats]

If Brad and the staff think they need another guard now that Blackwell is out of the picture, I’m confident they’ll go get one. May well be they think the other options are not as good a fit as Coleman and Morillo. The staff has proved their assessments are way better than my fan perspective.

 

[Bacon Butkus Swanson]

Misko is about to negotiate another banger for the Illini..

YESH!!

Banger is all this team needs now

 

[goillini30]

Where did you get the impression they backed off Blackwell? He is choosing a different path. He was definitely Plan A, but as far as Plan B’s go, it’s pretty dang spectacular.

What team has a decidedly better roster right now? We’ve relied on freshmen just about every year, as do most teams.

Coleman and Morillo are the kind of prospects we used to pray for. They don’t have to be Keaton. If they can play like freshman Ayo, Adam Miller, Curbelo, Jacucionis, Riley, that kid who went to Michigan…I forget his name… they can fit in just fine.

Never said they backed off, just sounds like he's not coming. Literally said I was being greedy

 

[ColSLU69]

If we miss on Blackwell I would want to pivot to Alex Wilkins.

Good size and quickness. Think a backcourt of him, Vaaks, and Coleman would be incredibly good.

I obviously would love to have Blackwell but Wilkins has a pretty absurd combo of size and quickness.

So much to like about Alex Wilkins! But he might be out of our price range. Kentucky is after him big time. And they've missed on several other transfers already. I'd expect UK to spend whatever it takes to sign Wilkins. And Wilkins would start for Illinois with Vaaks. Some people seem to think that Coleman might be upset if he's NOT starting. And how's Wilkins' defense? Can he stay with shorter, quicker point guards? In any case, I also like Alex Wilkins a LOT!

 

[Big Jack]

Been a great season and i for one think we have a great team now for next season anyone thinking this team isn't loaded is nuts. Enjoy the summer in will show myself out for the time being see you all in October. To all of the insiders thanks again for all of the info. If you are going to be in Decatur holler I have golf connections.

 

[Illini90]

Once again….money and PT not the issue with Blackwell. His agent is in his ear about usage here. @LvilleILL1 god bless you lol

Usage…Kylan and Keaton both averaged 30 plus minutes a game. That logic doesn’t even make sense

 

[Iloveorangekoolaid]

Some of you need a nap or a shot or both. The amount of negativity after #theretention is absolutely off the charts.

 

[fatboyslim]

These are the same players that needed Keaton on the court for 40 minutes a game for things to run well. I’m not saying the new players can’t fill that role I’m just saying it’s a giant unknown.

And Keaton needed those same players on the court too. Contrary to popular belief I’m almost positive Keaton wasn’t out there playing 1 against 5. You act like he held every other player on the team’s hand.

 

[illiniguy24]

The board yearns for misery

 

[FI_890526]

Man, there are some insane posts in this thread.

Illinois fans should be dancing in the streets.

If you’re worried about point guard, they plan to put the ball in the hands of Vaaks.

 

[Fly Illini Fly!]

Once again….money and PT not the issue with Blackwell. His agent is in his ear about usage here. @LvilleILL1 god bless you lol

It's always a parent or agent with these kids. Hope he finds his spot, but that sucks.

 

[DrunkWastedHammeredIllini]

Okay. Maybe I’m inslopsicated. But isn’t it just a great place to be when the top portal target becomes a luxury?

 

[Emerson Bigguns]

There are question marks w/o a doubt. The optimistic predictions are assuming that guys will make a big jump. What that's possible, it's far from a guarantee. Heck, I'd be happy if Tomi just "reverted" to how he was his first season.

That said, I think we have a legit shot to get back to the FF.

I simply trust we have the right guys in the room. Guys who have bought in here under Brad have gotten better, many of them significantly better.
Nothing is guaranteed, Blackwell or not.
I think optimism is justified. We haven’t had this many good answers to questions about our roster in the offseason, in over 20 years.

 

[skyIdub]

It's like you've just been served one of the finest steak dinners you will ever eat, but you lose your mind because you find a hair in your baked potato.

 

[Indy Illini Fan]

Putting this as nicely as possible …

Blackwell has some certain people in his ear telling him how the role for him isn’t what he needs here … Too many mouths to feed … He wouldn’t be successful …

It has nothing to do with us “whiffing” or not having the money … He’d start … He’d get 30+ minutes a night and he’d get an absolute BAG …

But some people who in my opinion don’t know ball think somehow he wouldn’t have the role he needs … Just what it is …

Vaaks will be the primary handler … Morillo and Coleman are going to play big roles …

 

[fatboyslim]

So much to like about Alex Wilkins! But he might be out of our price range. Kentucky is after him big time. And they've missed on several other transfers already. I'd expect UK to spend whatever it takes to sign Wilkins. And Wilkins would start for Illinois with Vaaks. Some people seem to think that Coleman might be upset if he's NOT starting. And how's Wilkins' defense? Can he stay with shorter, quicker point guards? In any case, I also like Alex Wilkins a LOT!

Another team missed out on transfers? No way.

 

[OB positive]

There is no Yaxel-like piece in the portal this year. There is a reason ‘26 Michigan and ‘24 UConn are often quotes. They’re rare.

Duke’s teams the last couple years were Natty teams that couldn’t get it done. Duke even beat Michigan this year.

I think we’re ahead of where Florida 2025, Baylor 2021, and Virginia 2019 were in the buildups to their season. That said, we’ve seen what preseason #1 did to Purdue.

There is no dominant team this upcoming year. It’ll be a roller coaster of a season. And we have to hope we peak at the right time like a Florida 2025 or UVA 2019.

Really, we are in a better position than we have been in for 20+ years. I don't expect to have a roller coaster year with what we have returning. Which is pretty much the consensus of most of the polls.

 

[EmeraldCityIllini]

If this agent is truly in his ear enough to overrule him and his dad.

I mean.

Btw - I’m thrilled with our team. Wish we could play tomorrow

 

[OB positive]

i can get hate for this, but I get wary of Preseason no. 1 if we don’t pull in a Blackwell or strong guard in that spot. Purdue last year touted preseason no. 1 because it was essentially everyone coming back, and they were decent but struggled a lot and far from no. 1

I know the freshman coming in can be good, and we’ll be net positive from last year off development, but I think we need that “Yaxel” type piece to be head and shoulders above like ‘26 Michigan or ‘24 UCONN.

Just my two cents

Would you rather be a preseason bubble team?

 

[Umit9]

I for one love the complaining and downplaying of the current team from some of the posters. Always have. It’s a great source of laughter for me in a sometimes difficult world.

I cannot wait for summer workouts to begin. Having the guys together will be a massive opportunity. Stojakovic even missed a significant portion of the Fall in ‘25.

Two things are true here. I appreciate the information shared by a few of our posters here. I also appreciate the entertainment from our internal complainers. Thank you all!

Go Illini

 

[Iroquois County Illini]

Putting this as nicely as possible …

Blackwell has some certain people in his ear telling him how the role for him isn’t what he needs here … Too many mouths to feed … He wouldn’t be successful …

It has nothing to do with us “whiffing” or not having the money … He’d start … He’d get 30+ minutes a night and he’d get an absolute BAG …

But some people who in my opinion don’t know ball think somehow he wouldn’t have the role he needs … Just what it is …

Sounds like the young man needs to maybe make a decision if his agent is actually interested in what’s best for him or is capable of representing him properly. Kids from a basketball family, let them take the reins and not be dictated to by a suit

 

[Chillinini]

You would think MJ could put some money into this game. Poor lighting and multiple players wearing the same # on the same team. Couldn’t afford more jerseys?

 

[Fly Illini Fly!]

I mean it's possible. I keep saying this but no one saw what Wagler did coming. It's not some farfetched take that he comes in and really takes off. Look I love Keaton and what he did last year but we got stop acting like no one will ever eclipse his productivity from last year. Is it likely to happen? I would say no but I don't know that for sure and neither do you. No one does. Did you think anyone at this time last year would eclipse Riley or KJ? No you didn't.

Look I love Keaton and what he did last year but we got stop acting like no one will ever eclipse his productivity from last year. Is it likely to happen?

Actually, I think it's very much possible, but the guy I'd pick would be Mirkovic. That's the guy who's clearly the head of the snake.

 

[CrazedUIFan]

Putting this as nicely as possible …

Blackwell has some certain people in his ear telling him how the role for him isn’t what he needs here … Too many mouths to feed … He wouldn’t be successful …

It has nothing to do with us “whiffing” or not having the money … He’d start … He’d get 30+ minutes a night and he’d get an absolute BAG …

But some people who in my opinion don’t know ball think somehow he wouldn’t have the role he needs … Just what it is …

Vaaks will be the primary handler … Morillo and Coleman are going to play big roles …

Just crazy to look at this team and not see how he would fit in and still showcase his skillset and be contending for the championship. We are sitting in a great position regardless.