Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

[PepeSilvia]

I see the continued commentary that he pushes us up the ladder. When I see a guy that removes his interest because he's not going to shine enough, visions of Matt Mayer comes into my head. We were so excited to get him, but ultimately, it was a terrible marriage because he wanted to get shots up. He wanted his and if he didn't get it, he wouldn't get back on defense. Anyone else remember that?

Matt Mayer was good. It's not his fault that he was forced to operate in a role and take tough shots because he they had no guards on the roster.

Skyy Clark quit in December, Jayden Epps got progressively worse and then basically quit on the team towards the end, Sincere Harris was atrocious on offense.

That team was basically entirely Shannon and Mayer. Coleman was not good that year, Melendez sucked, Ty was a freshman, and so on.

Mayer would have been a monster if you put him in the Guerrier role the next year or if he got to play with as the 4 next to Kofi.

 

[WxIllini]

imo, would much rather watch Andrej/Mirk/QC handle the ball than Blackwell…

Call me biased but this years team was incredibly fun to watch and I can’t wait to watch em do it again next year

 

[wncillini]

He’d be THE high use guy there? Is their talent down next year?

If usage is the issue at Illinois because there are so many scoring options I wouldn’t have guessed Duke is the destination.

They have some studs, as usual, coming in.

 

[AssemblyHallForever]

UM, Duke, and UConn all played 9 this year. Last year, Florida had a clear top 7 but 3 more with >13% of minutes, while Duke had 10 with over 20%, and Auburn had 8 with >20% but 3 more with 9-13%.

Not saying we're doomed with 8, but I think 9 gives us a better chance (even if just to weather some mid-season injuries or to keep the top 8 fresher without sacrificing our seed). And to end up with 9 we probably have to go into the season thinking we have 10 in case not everything works out the way we hope.

Agreed. We should play 9-10 guys double digit minutes especially in the non conference. Having only 8 guys who played, we got hurt when Bam and Andrej went down to injury. I would love us to play deep rotations and wear teams down with multiple looks. Plus getting clock for Brown and Morillo will pay off in 27/28.

 

[gville90]

You left out

5. Chemistry: does this guy who seems to want to maximize himself for the NBA as well as get the alpha worthy bag after 3 years of not being an alpha on an ok team alter the balance in the locker room?

Fair pushback. Reason I left that out, it was reported (I think by @Indy Illini Fan ) that Brad & co really wanted Blackwell. So I assumed if they made him a priority, they were good with the chemistry fit. And I trust them!

 

[pruman91]

I usually put pepper on my cottage cheese. Am I the only one?

I put sugar on my cottage cheese......Am I the only one ?..............asking for a friend...............

 

[IlliniMilkMan]

I think my life is about to change for the better. Elite suggestion.

Blend in a little French onion dip. Very tasty.

 

[March2TheArch]

We have a ton of promising freshmen coming in. Hope one of them breaks out. Mirk and Wagler will forever be remembered as one of our best frosh classes. I know some others came in more heralded. But in terms of output, maybe have to go back to Dee and Deron? But they didn’t drive the team to a Final Four in 2003 with a senior Brian Cook.

Mirk and Wagler GOAT’ed.

 

[March2TheArch]

Mullins returns for UConn. Would love to beat them in Chicago in 7 months time. Would be a sweet, sweet win. But Hurley is a beast. You know his team will be ready to game. But I hope Mirk 2.0 is ready for revenge.

 

[IlliniFaninHoosierLand]

I preferred the first one.

Yeah but my dad says you don't work hard enough on defense. And there's lots of times, you don't even run don't court. And that you don't really try, except for the playoffs.

 

[SVSTORM]

Is Jacob Furphy portaling? I know we were in on him first time around

 

[DICKnaggie]

Vaaks
Boswell
Andrej
Mirk
Tomi

Coleman
Z
Davis
Morillo

https://twitter.com/x/status/1973842215446429985

I know this is hypothetical, but another year of Bam with increased cottage cheese consumption would make us a superpower in college basketball, even if he adds pinnaple to it.

 

[Noblesville Illini]

We are in the dawg days of cottage cheese discussions. Whooo boy!

My all time favorite with the cottage cheese…

 

[FI_890526]

Could they just be waiting to add Blackwell until the portal closes?

I think Blackwell and his agent are setting his timetable.

 

[hoopsfan47]

Quite a different vibe these days in Tucson than Champaign/Urbana. Cats could possibly lose their entire rotation.

I certainly appreciate the culture and team play that this Illini team and staff developed over the past two years. It has proven to be very special. No guarantees that it will continue, but it is a diamond in the rough at the elite level.

 

[Knee brace]

You cottage cheese guys should try some
Mrs. Dash next time

 

[OrangeBlue98]

They have some studs, as usual, coming in.

And still have Jon Scheyer there to mess something up at a big time.

 

[joeybcrazy13]

I usually put pepper on my cottage cheese. Am I the only one?

I add pineapple with it... the pepper and cottage cheese!!!

 

[Rad]

I have waited long enough and can’t believe that no one from central Illinois has given the correct answer………pork and beans.

 

[wc_illini]

Lmfao...anyone here that actually.....really.......honestly, believes that a Final Four team returning 65-70% of it's production from the most efficient offense in CBB history....THAT ALSO ADDED a Top 5 portal guard AND 2 top 10 (position) freshman SG's AND Wisconsin Mr. Basketball AND a top 25 (position) combo guard....isn't competing for a NC......needs to take the weekend off of this board.

Sure, I get it's your "opinion", but it's really dumb.

I'll bet all of my Loyalty Beach houses and a gallon of your favorite cottage cheese we will receive pre season #1 votes.

Yeah, our current roster definitely seems good enough to compete for a NC, though that's a subjective term. We're currently somewhere between #4 and #7 in odds, so the consensus there is that it would take more to put us ahead of or equal to the top teams (UM and Duke). It sounds like we are still considering an addition, so I'll hold off on saying much until we see what that is.

 

[CentralILLini]

Mullins back for a second year at Uconn.

Big get for the huskies.

 

[mysterio2525]

seems like nobody feels they are the leader for Blackwell

 

[CentralILLini]

Alex Wilkins to Kentucky. Not sure if posted yet.

 

[thefalcon5]

seems like nobody feels they are the leader for Blackwell

Kinda feels like UCLA but that’s my opinion.

 

[ColSLU69]

Id much rather add a true back up power 4. I know people are saying Morrilo can back up the 4 some but i dont see a 6'7" at best 180lb frame doing that well in the B10. Im not drinking that Kool Aid.
I would love someone besides just Z to back up Tomi and Mirk effectively. He is really the only experienced other big we have. It us especailly concerning iven both Ivisic's leg, ankle and other health issues. For me thats a larger concern than guard play. We have some guys that can fill in to help handle the ball after Vaaks. True size down low its more limited. Only Z has much experience backing up the 4/5. Ben filled that role and now we could use someone beside Jakstys with a frame 6'9" or taller and 250 lbs.

I note some possible transfer big men that are still available. 6'9", 230-pound, sophomore forward Drew Scharnowski (Belmont). He was born in Burlington, IL and went to Camp Point Central HS in rural Adams County. Drew averaged 10.7/6.0//2.6 while shooting 68.1/20.0/43.6 this past season. There's also 6'10", 210-pound, senior forward Kyle Evans (UC Irvine). He averaged 12.1/8.7/0.9 and shot 62.0/20.0/78.8 this past season.