If he can be halfway good enough to payback Wisconsin for Michael Finley and Frank Kaminsky then I’ll be happy!Definitely some potential to grow into a versatile guy that can impact winning basketball.
If he can be halfway good enough to payback Wisconsin for Michael Finley and Frank Kaminsky then I’ll be happy!Definitely some potential to grow into a versatile guy that can impact winning basketball.
We'll be really good. If we get Blackwell plus a veteran point guard we'll be great. But let's not get carried away.We’re still a natty favorite without Blackwell..
Maybe not #1 preseason but I don’t know if there’s a group with such retention that is for sure better. We’re going to have a season where the final four & a national championship will be the bar for success.
we rode with these guys last year, Zen’s dad is right.. we are the premier development program. Morillo & Coleman are fantastic additions as freshmen & Vaaks will be a first round pick….
Nothing to be upset about- especially if the kid isn’t focused on winning. Everyone that’s coming back is sacrificing to win. Andrej could go anywhere he wants.. he could
Be averaging 25ppg at Cal right now but instead he’s locked in on bringing a national title to Champaign.
You got to remember that the agent usually wants his player to go to the highest bidder. That way the agent also makes the most money. That's just like most agents work in the Free Agency market.If I’m Blackwell I’d be pissed being advised to go to a team that’ll finish 7th (if they are lucky) just to average 2 points more a game. Could go to a team with damn near national title or bust expectations, an elite roster, and an alpha role. I can’t fathom him seeing mick “little man syndrome” Cronin as the way to go. Im going to be sick.
Blackwell has the chance to set his family up for with economic security with a big payday. Why blame him for looking to take advantage of that opportunity? Who knows whether he'll have that opportunity again?if Blackwell is concerned about too many mouths to feed and not being successful, then he's not, as BU says, "playing for the name on the front of the jersey". like when he saw Keaton score 2 points in high school and came away still ecstatic about him because he got his teammates involved and didn't care that he only got 2 points.
You conveniently forgot to mention Vaaks and Mirk who will likely be our highest usage players. I agree the minutes would be there for Blackwell, though maybe not the shot volume he + his agent are looking for.Where is he thinking of going? The other schools he seems to be looking at have very good players and many mouths to feed.
Look at the retention. Stojakovic is a scorers. Who else would he be afraid he is going to lose shots too. Davis, Big Z, Tomi? Come on. The freshman? I think Blackwell has a better opinion of himself than that.
Good coaches, and I believe we have them, when someone tells a recruit he would have a smaller role at a certain school, the certain school should stroke his ego. "I guess we just know you are a better player than they think you are. You are going to be the man here."
If Blackwell came here I would lay good money he would lead this team in scoring. And it would be on a top national title contender.
This. Whenever I hear that parents, agents, or anyone in a player's "camp" has told their son/client/nephew/friend to not go to a certain school because they'll be surrounded by other great players who could take the spotlight off of them, all I hear is, "Don't go there because you might end up not being as special and therefore won't make more of that money to share with me."Man if I had a quarter for every time a parent or agent or camp gave kids bad advice
three unknowns at this level might be the issuePutting 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 …
well that's a problem ..... or the problemHis agent went to UCLA …
Just something to note …
The goal is $$ AND usage. He and his camp are hunting both; not necessarily winning though.Blackwell left Wisconsin stating he wanted to compete for a championship. Well, Blackwell’s camp, you have to play with really high-usage, good players to do that. If that’s not the goal, stay at Wisconsin, Gard can make a guard pop.
Keaton did not overshadow Lee; he couldn't even get on the court.View attachment 49928
Lee can absolutely contribute this year. I think he’s slept on. Keaton overshadowed him this year. Another year in the system, it’s not unreasonable to think he can take a sophmore leap.
So did UConn (Stephon Castle) and Michigan got elite guard play down the stretch.Florida and Virginia both had multiple pro guards
Exactly. After this past year, we know that injuries happen and depth at the guard spot is never a bad thing.Oh I have. Nothing wrong with having more than 1 quicker guard with more experience to boot
Agreed. Do you think that Brad and staff will now pursue a transfer from Wilkins? If not, why not? In your opinion, of course.I don't think you're going to find many guards that are quicker that Wilkins even if they are smaller.
Would love to see him work with Fletch. Has all the tools to be a plus perimeter defender.
I used that word. As a kid I saw Sammy Sosa whiff at curveballs and revamp his focus and chomp down hard on his lip o’ tobacco and bang out a home run, toss that bat and hop and Wrigley on their feet. Ain’t worried lolPutting 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 …
I’d feel comfortable with Lee getting tick if he had to. Good defender & can score.Keaton did not overshadow Lee; he couldn't even get on the court.
The guys that got overshadowed by Keaton were Mirkovic and Stojakovic.
Calling Pru.....give us the button brotha
Morillo will be our Swiss Army Knife, able to play the 1 through 4 positions on the court. It’s understandable Ty entered the portal to see if there are opportunities elsewhere for playing time with Moreno on board.See the Q Coleman comparison to Wagler, but Morillo was very impressive in the Nike Hoop Summit. Made some nice shot and good plays, but what most impressive is that he is a solid 6-7, handles the ball very well, has poise, and seems to like the moment. He didn't start but was in to close the game and often had the ball in his hand. He looked like he belonged against the top 10 USA players. Can possibly see him and Dreg, Davis, and Coleman, and Morillo splitting time at the SG/WF. With Coleman getting some backup PG minutes as well.
I think you fall into the generation of all or bust. I would rather you enjoy the success that has mounted and become what it is despite all the criticism from so many. But that’s our world we live in today and it’s sad. Just enjoy. Enjoy what is happening right now and hopefully for years to come at the U of I. I for one am so excited that we’ve retained so many!!! We’re not long removed from the days when our team came back for another year. The landscape has changed in college basketball but this offseason Illinois didn’t and we’re bringing the crew back to make another run. Enjoy this! Who knows how long it will last. ILLI think most of us are disappointed because with how spread out our success as a program has been, next year is a once in a lifetime chance with what we have returning. We were hoping for proven pieces to complete the team, instead of hopes and prayers to get lucky with another late blooming star other programs missed on. Most of the time, the proven pieces will win out.
Two years from now I'll be thrilled to keep our 20 wins and tournament run going with all the turnover. Was hoping all the chips were on the table and no stone left unturned this year. Tired of being in the 2nd tier when we have the ability to be in the first.
We will be cheering them on. Hope we won't be found wanting at the end of the year.