Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

#351      
March2TheArch
Joel Goodson said:
https://twitter.com/x/status/2048597155133136925
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Cole Kelly would be a tremendous get for 2028.

I really hope we have a great season and Duke stutters to entice Kelly and Pettigrew to stay in-state.

I hope these guys are educated on how Illini players are celebrated decades after they leave the program. That has to count for something. Versus being another forgotten burger boy at Duke/Kansas.
 
#353      
Altuve27
The number 1 thing I want to see next year is significantly more post-ups for Tomislav. It isn’t always pretty or fluid looking, but he gets the ball in the basket. What did he shoot, like a ridiculous 72% from 2? And it’s not like he’s inflating that percentage with a slew of dunks.

You can still do the pick and pop stuff, but I want him around the bucket much more frequently.
 
#356      
goillini30
Altuve27 said:
The number 1 thing I want to see next year is significantly more post-ups for Tomislav. It isn’t always pretty or fluid looking, but he gets the ball in the basket. What did he shoot, like a ridiculous 72% from 2? And it’s not like he’s inflating that percentage with a slew of dunks.

You can still do the pick and pop stuff, but I want him around the bucket much more frequently.
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Yeah, we should try that newfangled booty ball, but with a tall player...😂
 
#357      
goillini30
Illiniguy13 said:
Analytics FTW
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Guess I could've done even better:

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#358      
Combo
Username said:
I think we have the better team and will end the year with better results. We've got better cohesiveness, culture, work ethic and a list of other attributes. I absolutely love the makeup of our roster for next year, but we dont have 5 top 20 recruits.
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I haven't kept up with it - didn't realize they had 5 top 20 guys. That's not quite Duke-level, but impressive nonetheless.

That said, I agree with you - they might have more talent "on paper," but I think we'll have better results due to the factors you mention.
 
#360      
ChiefGritty
Illiniforlife said:
Question for insiders, we all know that Andrej is going to get feedback on his jump shot and that it needs to improve. Does that mean he is going to come back and just jack 3's next year? That would be the worst-case scenario, in my opinion.
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The nice thing about playing an NBA style is that you don't get into a Juice Williams situation where a player becomes determined to play in a way that doesn't suit his talents and isn't what brings his college team success in vain hope of a pro career.

What the NBA wants to see from Andrej is all the things that will make our KenPom go up. The worst thing he could do for his stock is start taking inefficient shots.
 
#365      
CleverHandle1
Altuve27 said:
The number 1 thing I want to see next year is significantly more post-ups for Tomislav. It isn’t always pretty or fluid looking, but he gets the ball in the basket. What did he shoot, like a ridiculous 72% from 2? And it’s not like he’s inflating that percentage with a slew of dunks.

You can still do the pick and pop stuff, but I want him around the bucket much more frequently.
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I wholeheartedly agree with this and have been typing this POV during the season.

Huge baskets inside the paint to finish off Iowa in the E8 as I recall.

I'd like to see his brother develop the baby hook as well.
 
#366      
CleverHandle1
Illiniforlife said:
Question for insiders, we all know that Andrej is going to get feedback on his jump shot and that it needs to improve. Does that mean he is going to come back and just jack 3's next year? That would be the worst-case scenario, in my opinion.
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AS needs to keep his driving game as I am sure he will. He also showed some flashes of hitting those mid-range jumpers while driving.

If he can improves his 3-point shooting and scores 3/4 per game within the offense, this team is going to the damn Final Four again.

It's a big ask, but who knows?
 
#368      
ColSLU69
Troop44 said:
I really hope they lock up Kelly. Seems like a perfect fit!
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Cole Kelly looks like he would be the perfect fit for the Illini at Small Forward. The position that Andrej Stojakovic will be playing this season. Sounds like Duke will be competing in this recruiting battle.
 
#370      
Emerson Bigguns
ChiefGritty said:
The nice thing about playing an NBA style is that you don't get into a Juice Williams situation where a player becomes determined to play in a way that doesn't suit his talents and isn't what brings his college team success in vain hope of a pro career.

What the NBA wants to see from Andrej is all the things that will make our KenPom go up. The worst thing he could do for his stock is start taking inefficient shots.
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Yeah, in this offense he will have plenty of opportunities to knock down 3's without forcing them. His real value is getting to the rack and getting to the foul line. I don't think any scout is going to get excited about him being less aggressive. When he finds himself alone in the corner, he just has to make the other team pay for it a bit more often.
A little more drive and dish won't hurt his stock either. Tunnel vision on the rim doesn't work in the NBA as often as it does in college. He has to make the defense pay when they send help on his drives.

I just think playing at the combine is amazing for guys' confidence. The level of talent he will be working against the next couple of weeks is better than anything he's competed against before. It will help make the college game feel a little slower.
 
#373      
illini0440
Illiniforlife said:
Question for insiders, we all know that Andrej is going to get feedback on his jump shot and that it needs to improve. Does that mean he is going to come back and just jack 3's next year? That would be the worst-case scenario, in my opinion.
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Exactly what it means! Just like Ayo and Kofi did!
 
#374      
Get yourself a new map
Lucas Morillo is a multi-read offensive player. He might have an opportunity to be a guy who is allowed to go 1:1 at some point this season. At the very least, he will be encouraged to attack close outs.
Ben, on the other hand - seems he was asked to either shoot the basketball or reset.
Positionally, Morillo can be put in the same actions as Ben (assuming he commands enough attention as a shooter) but the surrounding personnel would/could be different; gotta have x number of multi-read guys on the floor.
I’d put offensive responsibilities into like 4 tiers. Ben and Jake are tier 1 (and great at it). You know what they do. Z is also tier 1.
Tier 2 is you can space and pick/pop and also put the ball on the deck after you catch it if they start running you off the line.
Tier 3 is bad matchups are identified for you. We purposely get it to you in a high post or clear out with an iverson cut. Mirk, Tomi, Andrej all get this.
Tier 4 is you get ball screens and are also allowed to shoot jumpers off the dribble. Mirk will get this on a good day or when lead guard needs a break. Otherwise this is Vaaks and hopefully QC.
Tier 5 is like you are allowed a heat-check and it’s okay if nobody else touches the ball for multiple consecutive possessions. Happens in only 25% of games.
 
#375      
March2TheArch
ColSLU69 said:
Illinois should increase their recruiting efforts with Pettigrew. Get him on a visit to Champaign.
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He said he’s visited Duke once. And wants to go back soon. Decision seems likely during his junior year similar timeline to Quinton Kitt and Mason Martin.

We need to get these guys (Pettigrew and Kelly) on campus next season and LOCK them up. If we can time it with an Ayo or TSJ or Wagler cameo… that would be $$$.
 
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