Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

#876      
This. It's no secret that our #9thMan spot would be available for some Mercer-Jake-Davis level mid major guy.... but the staff sees either Brown / Zens being able to fill that void.

If both are unplayable and give us nothing, hard to think we won't recruit over them.

the paradigm is that all current players will be recruited over. sink or swim

promising players who don't play much their first year (e.g. Lee) are going to weigh the risk of not breaking into the rotation, and, more often than not, bolt to a program that affords much more tick
 
#877      
the paradigm is that all current players will be recruited over. sink or swim

promising players who don't play much their first year (e.g. Lee) are going to weigh the risk of not breaking into the rotation, and, more often than not, bolt to a program that affords much more tick
I'll also add that the strategy is working.
Tom Hanks Dipshit GIF
 
#878      
In regard to ZZ, the Illini will, in all probability, lose the Ivisic brothers, Mirk, and, of course, AS. ZZ will be practicing against players on a top 5 team, and he may be playing some minutes in Big Ten games, so he will get good experience. If he shows promise and plays well against those guys, maybe the staff will sell him on being able to fill in for one of the departing players (although, I admit, at 6’7”, maybe not the Ivisics).
 
#879      
Yup. I've seen him listed at both PF and SF. Watch his tape - he could help in both places and maybe even some 2. He's a pretty strong kid.

But hopefully we don't need him too much this season (i.e. all the guys ahead of him stay healthy and avoid foul trouble).
Zens is a bit slow with my eye test. Don't know if he can guard 4 but doubt he can guard 3.
 
#880      
His offensive stats don't tell the full story, his defensive impact was huge.

QC will be more efficient and get more assists, but it remains to be seen what his overall impact will be and his volume may be more limited with the other mouths to feed.
Sure hope QC's 3pt% is north of 0.34.
 
#881      
In regard to ZZ, the Illini will, in all probability, lose the Ivisic brothers, Mirk, and, of course, AS. ZZ will be practicing against players on a top 5 team, and he may be playing some minutes in Big Ten games, so he will get good experience. If he shows promise and plays well against those guys, maybe the staff will sell him on being able to fill in for one of the departing players (although, I admit, at 6’7”, maybe not the Ivisics).
In the NIL age, that's just so far from the forgone conclusion people think it is.

The 5 for 5 wouldn't apply to the Ivisic twins, so they're gone.

Between Mirk and AS, very much a possibility one comes back.

If we're being honest, Mirkovic is basically the perfect candidate to make 20 million playing 4-5 years of CBB. His athletic limitations will hinder his NBA potential (in contrast to a guy like Morez), but could be the NPOY someday if he stays the course.
 
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#884      
Are you saying he can't guard anyone? Mirk also looked slow 9 months ago.
I think he might be able to guard some 4s and maybe slower 3s. Just don't want to put him on fast players
 
#885      
I think he might be able to guard some 4s and maybe slower 3s. Just don't want to put him on fast players
That's why is is a "Combo Forward." A lot depends on who the opponent's 3 and 4 are. But he's very versatile on offense and that can put pressure on the opponents's defense.

Overall we weren't a very quick or athletic team last year, but we still managed to play good defense.
 
#886      
the paradigm is that all current players will be recruited over. sink or swim

promising players who don't play much their first year (e.g. Lee) are going to weigh the risk of not breaking into the rotation, and, more often than not, bolt to a program that affords much more tick
The “nomadic era” of college basketball. It’s a new term I’m trying out.
 
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