Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

[wncillini]

Where does he slot in on Florida? On Duke? Why are programs like Michigan, Kentucky, UNC, Louisville able to build Avenger level teams of collegiate all-stars while we grandstand “doing more with less?”

We’ve got the money. We’ve got the returning roster. When are we supposed to be trying to win a championship? If it’s the year after next year when Drej, Davis, the Ivisicii, Mirk, and Coleman all leave for the NBA or eligibility, then fine. Save the money.

But if it’s next year when we have a golden opportunity with one of the best front courts (plus depth), and one of the best pair of forwards then why would we not double down to grab a star proven Guard instead of convincing ourselves that a couple freshman who haven’t played a Div 1 game are better than Blackwell, Anderson, or Harris.

I just scratch my head at why we’re convincing ourselves we can’t add a huge guard to a stacked team, when Florida will just go do that very thing. 2-4 teams will do it this year while we accept that fate. Why them but not us?

I've only been an illinois fan for 5 decades, so some of yall are more seasoned than i. For as long as I can remember good is good enough has seemed to be the way we approach things. I know 15 million is a lot, but it doesn't even get us into the top 10 from last year and things are a lot more this year.

Ill cheer for illinois every year. Trying to win like indiana did in football with solid money but not top money and undervalued recruits but not top recruits and catching lightening in a bottle seems unlikely, though not impossible.

Would be nice to improve our odds a bit with improving on both fronts. A bit frustrating watching from the sidelines as the top teams stack talent in a year like this.

 

[From the cheap seats]

Coming off a Final Four run, some fans actually believe they know more about roster construction than the high-major coaches who have led the Illini to one of the best multi-year runs in their history. The coaches who have spent countless hours scouting, studying film and talking to their recruits’ coaches and others they trust.
Just got home from hearing former Pirates and Rockies manager Clint Hurdle talking about how some GMs who have bought completely into analytics think of players as pieces on a chessboard and disregard the character side of the equation. Hurdle took the Pirates to 3 playoffs and the Rockies to their only World Series appearance.
I think Brad and his staff have done a great job of blending new-school analytics with the old-school eyeball test and finding people who fit into the team on the floor and in the locker room. Players who are willing to sacrifice some of their own stats for team wins. I trust that’s how this roster has been built to date.

 

[LvilleILL1]

Idk man, I’ll screenshot this then, because we were elated that all but Coleman (a now 5-Star CG) announced they were coming back this year, because there was a good chance they weren’t. Now toss in an extra year on that when the majority of this list will be seniors next year, or Coleman “pans out” like KJ, Riley, or even like Wagler. I think the odds are far more likely each one of those guys is gone next year. Mirk being the least because he’s just an awesome likable dude, but we’re also assuming he’s the best one.

Next year will almost certainly be a rebuild with a few sophomores, so it feels a little now or never for a program that’s never won it all

There is no more rebuilding under Underwood. I expect the money will be even higher next offseason, and I think there's a good chance Mirkovic, Vaaks, Morillo, and Coleman all are at least a decent shot to be back. Sure, one or two may go to the league, but that will only help us further with recruiting and sell along with our success for this upcoming season.

 

[EmeraldCityIllini]

Idk man, I’ll screenshot this then, because we were elated that all but Coleman (a now 5-Star CG) announced they were coming back this year, because there was a good chance they weren’t. Now toss in an extra year on that when the majority of this list will be seniors next year, or Coleman “pans out” like KJ, Riley, or even like Wagler. I think the odds are far more likely each one of those guys is gone next year. Mirk being the least because he’s just an awesome likable dude, but we’re also assuming he’s the best one.

Next year will almost certainly be a rebuild with a few sophomores, so it feels a little now or never for a program that’s never won it all

Coleman, Mirk, Morillo, and Vaaks all gone? If you screenshot, let’s make a friendly wager atleast one returns.

Even if there is a rebuild totally from the ground up calling this now or never is super disrespectful to the word never. I heard just a few weeks ago Brad would never make a final four.

 

[wncillini]

Coming off a Final Four run, some fans actually believe they know more about roster construction than the high-major coaches who have led the Illini to one of the best multi-year runs in their history. The coaches who have spent countless hours scouting, studying film and talking to their recruits’ coaches and others they trust.
Just got home from hearing former Pirates and Rockies manager Clint Hurdle talking about how some GMs who have bought completely into analytics think of players as pieces on a chessboard and disregard the character side of the equation. Hurdle took the Pirates to 3 playoffs and the Rockies to their only World Series appearance.
I think Brad and his staff have done a great job of blending new-school analytics with the old-school eyeball test and finding people who fit into the team on the floor and in the locker room. Players who are willing to sacrifice some of their own stats for team wins. I trust that’s how this roster has been built to date.

Making things a bit simpler. 3 of the teams that finished above us, and 2 beat us directly. Duke, Michigan, uconn (put aside Florida and zona).

With the players they have likely returning and the players we have coming in...what have we done in your mind to pass them?

 

[Illinois_in_MD]

I don't eat cottage cheese but because it's a long time till next season starts I will ask. After seeing so many people mention tomatoes and pepper or what not, has anyone tried it on pizza ? If so was it thin crust or thick crust? I feel if we can combine our usual pizza debate, with the cottage cheese debate we could easily get through the rest of April

Haven't tried it on pizza, and haven't eaten it on its own since about 1987 ,but I mix it with mozzarella and ricotta when I make lasagna.

 

[WeWillWhen]

The Illini don’t need Christian Anderson.

They need the guy who can shut down Anderson and elite guards like him.

 

[orange100]

I use it in lasagna, sometimes.

 

[March2TheArch]

If this is the case, you have literally nothing to worry about.

Touché.

 

[wncillini]

The Illini don’t need Christian Anderson.

They need the guy who can shut down Anderson and elite guards like him.

Well we lost that guy to duke last year

 

[Combo]

People keep mentioning Jake Davis as a guard. He barely dribbles. He either catches and shoots or passes directly back to the guy who passed to him. He isn't a facilitator or a guy who can get his own shot. He is what they meant when they coined the term, 3 and D. If he brings the ball up the court this season, it will be his first time.
I love Jake, but he is what he is.

Agreed - he's not a guard and was never considered one. I've rarely seen him dribble the ball. Which is fine for what we needed from him last year.

 

[wc_illini]

So two of their starting 5 have a combined 5 starts with Hines never starting a game but somehow their starting 5 'appears to be better than ours'

Of the four sportsbooks I checked, UConn is ahead of us in three and tied with us in the last. Maybe that's banking on another addition for UConn though, or just bias (justifiably so) towards Hurley.

Not too speak for the staff, but do you think in order to be a final four team again we need Coleman to be a star?

Depends what you mean by a "final four team" since 2 and 3 seeds have a legitimate shot if they catch a break in the bracket and/or win a game or two as a slight underdog (that was us this past year). But when looking ahead, my personal definition is to be a tier above the #5 team in the country, and preferably in the same tier as the #1. Since betting markets
currently put us somewhere around #4-7, my best guess is that we need something- either another meaningful addition or the sum of our current roster to exceed "expectations" (whatever those are). The idea that we have the $ for Blackwell (even if spent elsewhere) stirred up hope that we could push closer to #1 without relying on exceeding expectations.

 

[EmeraldCityIllini]

Agreed - he's not a guard and was never considered one. I've rarely seen him dribble the ball. Which is fine for what we needed from him last year.

Think we’re way too caught up in naming positions here.

Dribbling isn’t the only thing that goes into being a guard. Mirk isn’t a guard but can dribble. Ivisic isn’t a guard but can pass. Andrej can dribble, but we don’t consider him a guard.

There’s zero reason Davis can’t play in lineups where he’s technically “the other guard” if he’s surrounded by players that make sense in that particular 5-man combination.

 

[NarrowJ]

- Returning more quality than just about any team in the nation
- Adds the #4 guard in the portal
- Adds our 2nd highest ranked HS recruit ever

Fox Sports picked us #1 overall in their way-too-early top 25... I need an ice bath after reading some of these takes

 

[Combo]

Where does he slot in on Florida? On Duke? Why are programs like Michigan, Kentucky, UNC, Louisville able to build Avenger level teams of collegiate all-stars while we grandstand “doing more with less?”

We’ve got the money. We’ve got the returning roster. When are we supposed to be trying to win a championship? If it’s the year after next year when Drej, Davis, the Ivisicii, Mirk, and Coleman all leave for the NBA or eligibility, then fine. Save the money.

But if it’s next year when we have a golden opportunity with one of the best front courts (plus depth), and one of the best pair of forwards then why would we not double down to grab a star proven Guard instead of convincing ourselves that a couple freshman who haven’t played a Div 1 game are better than Blackwell, Anderson, or Harris.

I just scratch my head at why we’re convincing ourselves we can’t add a huge guard to a stacked team, when Florida will just go do that very thing. 2-4 teams will do it this year while we accept that fate. Why them but not us?

That's where I am. Duke, Florida, Michigan, UConn have no problem recruiting multiple studs at different spots. I see our team as it's composed now being about an Elite Eight team (which admittedly is great). But if we have the money to add another guy that can push us farther, we should do it (if it doesn't ruin team chemistry).

Right now, I see us with 7 players you can win big with. That's too close for comfort - injuries happen.

 

[HereSoIDontGetFined]

Christian Anderson is a top-20 pick in the draft. No CBB team is gonna be willing to pay the slot money he would get.

He's putting his name in the portal on the off chance people think he will fall to the second round.

 

[Combo]

- Returning more quality than just about any team in the nation
- Adds the #4 guard in the portal
- Adds our 2nd highest ranked HS recruit ever

Fox Sports picked us #1 overall in their way-too-early top 25... I need an ice bath after reading some of these takes

When other teams add people, those rankings will change. Duke, UConn, Florida, Michigan, et al are still going after the big names. While we appear to be done.

 

[EmeraldCityIllini]

Where does he slot in on Florida? On Duke? Why are programs like Michigan, Kentucky, UNC, Louisville able to build Avenger level teams of collegiate all-stars while we grandstand “doing more with less?”

We’ve got the money. We’ve got the returning roster. When are we supposed to be trying to win a championship? If it’s the year after next year when Drej, Davis, the Ivisicii, Mirk, and Coleman all leave for the NBA or eligibility, then fine. Save the money.

But if it’s next year when we have a golden opportunity with one of the best front courts (plus depth), and one of the best pair of forwards then why would we not double down to grab a star proven Guard instead of convincing ourselves that a couple freshman who haven’t played a Div 1 game are better than Blackwell, Anderson, or Harris.

I just scratch my head at why we’re convincing ourselves we can’t add a huge guard to a stacked team, when Florida will just go do that very thing. 2-4 teams will do it this year while we accept that fate. Why them but not us?

We gotta stop with this Louisville madness.

Jackson Sheldstad and Flory Bidunga do not make an avengers super team.

And do we grandstand about doing more with less? Feel like all I’ve heard from here is how Brad wildy underachieves with our resources.

 

[OB positive]

It would be a European add, so they probably wouldn't get here until August. Again I am not expecting it to be a massive piece, but just for some more depth.

If the money is there it is a mistake not to use it to go after another top gaurd in the portal. Its gonna bite us in the !!! if we don't. Pretty much how it usually goes and next year the donors who ponied up the money may not be so willing to do so again. Why would you even risk it???

 

[NarrowJ]

When other teams add people, those rankings will change. Duke, UConn, Florida, Michigan, et al are still going after the big names. While we appear to be done.

Not many big names to be had, have to see… the #1 way-to-early ranking from Fox Sports was 5 days prior to Vaaks committing so they have quite a bit of catching up to do.

 

[wc_illini]

Where does he slot in? Do you think ANYONE on our roster signed up to buy buried in a depth chart? Coleman is the second best recruit that we've EVER had. Yes, like....EVER. Better than Ayo, better than Kofi....all of them, but Riley. How are you going to assure that kid major, game changing PT if you add a guy who demands the ball? How do you know that Anderson and Drej can share the ball. Drej didn't come back to be a second option. This isn't a flipping video game, where locker rooms and cohesion don't matter. They do.

Mark me down for the 5 star that could be here for multiple years. Heck, he could be a 1 and done and off to the NBA.

We have a LOT of highly paid players, with two of the preps amongst them, Coleman being the biggest nut.

Last year, we thought Petrovic was the PG that was the go to.....until he got here. Then, a pretty good freshman showed up. We can't fill the roster with 100% transfers. It's an awful move. We need guys who can step up in 2027, when we will lose a TOOON.

Edit: Ultimately, as we know, whoever plays defense and rebounds the ball at a high rate will get the minutes. Therefore.....let it play out.

Assuming we have $ to spend, do you think there's anything we could do to improve our odds of a natty next year? It seems like any idea being floated here is laughed at, yet there have been some pretty stacked teams in recent years that evidently figured out how to convince that many talented guys to come play together. Why not us?

 

[wncillini]

- Returning more quality than just about any team in the nation
- Adds the #4 guard in the portal
- Adds our 2nd highest ranked HS recruit ever

Fox Sports picked us #1 overall in their way-too-early top 25... I need an ice bath after reading some of these takes

Lost what would have been #1 guard in portal and replaced with #5 (now that Anderson is in).
Our big non conference game who has had our number picked up a "bum" from duke that was a higher recruit than our #2 ever recruit just last year.
Espn has us 8th, which seems just about right.

The problem isnt that we won't have a solid team. It is we are static and done while the teams around and above us are dynamic and aggressive.

 

[OB positive]

BREAKING NEWS: 2026/2027 men's basketball team just posted the teams roster.

T.Ivisic G
Z.Ivisic G
J.Davis G
D.Mirkovic G
A.Stojakovic G
Q.Coleman G
S. Vaaks G
L.Morillo G
E.Brown G

No need to worry about how many Guards we have. We are loaded. Now we can get excited about next years team, instead of saying we might be lucky to be top four in our league. That lineup is capable of top four in the NCAA.

Too many freshman gaurds in that mix. We need a veteran point gaurd for stability in case the gamble on the freshman doesn't work out.

 

[Fan Since '70]

I'm trying to not to put too much pressure on the kid, but Brown has the potential to shock a lot of people in here next year. All I will say for now.

Well I hope he has improved tons since this game a few months back.

 

[OB positive]

really even with stojakavic, Jake, and morillo already here? I'm not sure where morillo really fits between the 1-3 spots when he gets to college... that's the real variable.

either way it's just hard to understand going from Blackwell to nothing. he's not a nice to have player. he's a game changer. I'm never going to assume a freshman can come in and be a star unless they are top 10 recruit. can it happen sure... but counting on that is too big a risk for a team in this enviable position. momentum swings quickly and before you know it can be gone.

I agree we need a veteran point gaurd for stability and backup even if the freshman work out again.