Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

[thefalcon5]

Was this really that weak of a 2026 class in Illinois if the #1 player in the state was barely top 200?

Sadly, it’s the (no pun intended) state of HS basketball in Illinois. Top guys are leaving for prep schools and by top guys I mean something like 75% of 4/5 stars. Maybe higher.

It’s a real shame, the CPS has produce some of the world’s finest basketball players. Heck even downstate had its heyday.

UIUC finally being good yet not having good players to recruit in state is the kind of irony I live for. The good news is it doesn’t matter a lick in today’s NCAA.

 

[EmeraldCityIllini]

Also, implode might be a strong work especially compared to 2024 Arkansas but 2 of the last 4 Illini seasons had incredibly disappointing finished down the stretch when you compare how they were playing in November and December.

One of those “incredibly disappointing results” was a 6 seed and ncaa tournament win - which would be musselmans best result at USC.

I’m not picking on anyone, it’s just hoops opinions. But the defense for musselman compared to what the knives come out for underwood on is exactly the point of some passionate underwood defenses during the season

 

[Combo]

One of those “incredibly disappointing results” was a 6 seed and ncaa tournament win - which would be musselmans best result at USC.

I’m not picking on anyone, it’s just hoops opinions. But the defense for musselman compared to what the knives come out for underwood on is exactly the point of some passionate underwood defenses during the season

Fans are usually that way about their team's own coach. They notice instances where the coach makes wrongs decision because they are so focused on their team. And they don't notice nearly as much when other teams' coaches screw up.

And that's the thing - there is no perfect coach out there. They all screw up now and then.

 

[EmeraldCityIllini]

Fans are usually that way about their team's own coach. They notice instances where the coach makes wrongs decision because they are so focused on their team. And they don't notice nearly as much when other teams' coaches screw up.

And that's the thing - there is no perfect coach out there. They all screw up now and then.

I agree with that - no doubt. And no coach is above criticism.

My point, is more related to when the board throws out a ton of “unacceptables” or “hot seat” or “move on” talk, and then conversely we hear a bunch of excuses for mussellman, miller, etc.

 

[NarrowJ]

Fans are usually that way about their team's own coach. They notice instances where the coach makes wrongs decision because they are so focused on their team. And they don't notice nearly as much when other teams' coaches screw up.

And that's the thing - there is no perfect coach out there. They all screw up now and then.

I think we know why, just discussing how it doesn't make any sense

The level of cognitive dissonance it takes to go "Yeah Brad really hasn't accomplished much here, we need to bring in a Musselman/Wade/Beard" is both interesting and hilarious

 

[blackdog]

I didn’t expect so many Illinois fans and Mussleman Stan’s

Im going to defend us regular people and point out its really just one guy posting a lot

 

[EmeraldCityIllini]

Im going to defend us regular people and point out its really just one guy posting a lot

Agreed. Although, there were many posters wanting musselman a few years ago. Including a prominent one or two.

 

[SescIllini]

Lincoln William's reminds me of Latrell Sprewell, haven't researched it. But tatis what comes to mind.

 

[PleaseMakeABowlGame]

Seems like a real possibility. If he's a dominant erupt I hope he sticks around and we get to see it

Yes, he wasn't qualified to commit at a D1 program until the last minute. Quite possible the hole he dug himself tainted him as a prospect.

I mean, if you aren't eligible to enroll at a program (outside of JUCO), can't imagine the rankings will be in your favor.

Hopefully he's learned his lesson. The basketball aspect could be better than people think.

 

[PepeSilvia]

Sadly, it’s the (no pun intended) state of HS basketball in Illinois. Top guys are leaving for prep schools and by top guys I mean something like 75% of 4/5 stars. Maybe higher.

It’s a real shame, the CPS has produce some of the world’s finest basketball players. Heck even downstate had its heyday.

UIUC finally being good yet not having good players to recruit in state is the kind of irony I live for. The good news is it doesn’t matter a lick in today’s NCAA.

I guess its up to you if you consider a lot of the guys that transfer away to prep schools as still being Illinois kids.

For 2027, you have Davion Thompson(Bolingbrook) ranked in the 20s now at a prep school in MO and Howard Williams(Simeon) at school in Texas. Alex Costanza is a 26 and I believe is from Olney.

I still would consider them being basically in state guys since they're growing up in the area and likely were watching Ayo growing up.

 

[PepeSilvia]

Im going to defend us regular people and point out its really just one guy posting a lot

I will die on the hill defending any of Muss, Altman, Schertz, or Hoiberg barring any of them doing something crazy.

In the future, I expect that to include Alan Huss and Luke Murray.

I can't help it that I liked watching how chaotically Muss's teams play at Arkansas(both good and bad it was like the Jameis Winston 30-30 season).

 

[Captain 14]

I was on the train had plenty of time.

I get that a lot of sports is "what have you done lately" but it seems insane to me to act like Muss is a Jake Diebler or mid major coach that needs to prove he can win at the power conference level.

Real quick, no so fun thought experiment. How would people here view the state of the program and Brad over the last 4 years if the following 2 things happened:

1. 2024 - Terrence Shannon's injunction was denied and he is suspended for the entirety of the season.

2. 2026 - Illinois gets a tougher draw in the tournament. Say they get in the region with #2 seeded UConn and get bounced in the sweet 16 or even a round earlier to 11 seeded Texas.

Like you said a lot of people including me were plenty critical of Brad at the end of the the big10 tourney when Illinois looked like they were on the verge of being a other talented roster that fell apart at the end of the season.

I get it Muss hasn't been good the last 3 years but I'll pretty much always give the coach the benefit of the doubt in year 1 at a new school and then year 2 was derailed by injuries. I had the exact same defense about Fred Hoiberg a year ago when there was a lot of talk about him being on the hot seat.

But they didn't.

 

[RollChief]

Yes, he wasn't qualified to commit at a D1 program until the last minute. Quite possible the hole he dug himself tainted him as a prospect.

I mean, if you aren't eligible to enroll at a program (outside of JUCO), can't imagine the rankings will be in your favor.

Hopefully he's learned his lesson. The basketball aspect could be better than people think.

For us who are ignorant, what exactly was the deal with Lincoln Williams? His grades slipped past the point of college eligibility because he had so much early hype, and they didn't recover until his final semester of HS?

 

[Boricua Illini]

I guess its up to you if you consider a lot of the guys that transfer away to prep schools as still being Illinois kids.

For 2027, you have Davion Thompson(Bolingbrook) ranked in the 20s now at a prep school in MO and Howard Williams(Simeon) at school in Texas. Alex Costanza is a 26 and I believe is from Olney.

I still would consider them being basically in state guys since they're growing up in the area and likely were watching Ayo growing up.

That’s an interesting perspective. I (and most people I know) treat my fellow countrymen as being players from Puerto Rico, even though many of them moved to the mainland US for high school to continue developing their basketball skills. If they grew up playing on the island, they are Puerto Rican players through and through, no matter where they finish their high school development. Some examples:

• Andre Curbelo: Long Island Lutheran High School (LuHi) – New York
• RJ Melendez: Central Pointe Christian Academy – Florida
• Rafael Pinzon: Long Island Lutheran High School (LuHi) – New York
• Brandon Lee: The Patrick School – New Jersey
• Edgar Padilla Sr: Springfield Central High School – Massachusetts
• Carmelo Travieso: Thayer Academy – Massachusetts

 

[PleaseMakeABowlGame]

For us who are ignorant, what exactly was the deal with Lincoln Williams? His grades slipped past the point of college eligibility because he had so much early hype, and they didn't recover until his final semester of HS?

He basically stopped going to class by soph year and skipped assignments. So his grades suffered.

Senior year, he need to do better, a lot better, to become NCAA eligible. He was able to get through at the last minute (few weeks ago). Obviously chose Illinois after that.

 

[IlliniShelt]

Lincoln William's reminds me of Latrell Sprewell, haven't researched it. But tatis what comes to mind.

I always thought Williams looked clutch. He doesn't seem like a choker

 

[IlliniCaboose]

 

[RockfordIllini]

The thing I like most about Williams is he is a piece we don’t have and haven’t had the last couple of years, namely a long rangy athletic wing. If he can learn how to play team defense and turn into a reliable 3 pt shooter he could be very valuable. Sencire Harris flipped at least 2-3 games for us as a frosh. If Williams is a better version of Sencire, sign me up.

 

[ImGonnaBeILL]

Nice late add with Lincoln Williams

#14thguy

 

[Joel Goodson]

Lincoln William's reminds me of Latrell Sprewell, haven't researched it. But tatis what comes to mind.

woo, doggy! mebbe a Sprewell starter kit, but full Spree? nope, no way

in no way is that a knock on Williams. I'm borderline thrilled that he's on board (and thrilled is pretty rare for this fogey)

 

[ChiTown]

George will be very disappointed….

https://twitter.com/x/status/2064454654298075598

 

[GatorMcKlusky]

Lincoln William's reminds me of Latrell Sprewell, haven't researched it. But tatis what comes to mind.

I was thinking Avery Storey

 

[Rap47]

I guess its up to you if you consider a lot of the guys that transfer away to prep schools as still being Illinois kids.

For 2027, you have Davion Thompson(Bolingbrook) ranked in the 20s now at a prep school in MO and Howard Williams(Simeon) at school in Texas. Alex Costanza is a 26 and I believe is from Olney.

I still would consider them being basically in state guys since they're growing up in the area and likely were watching Ayo growing up.

Costanzoa is not from olney

 

[Poe's Law]

George will be very disappointed….

https://twitter.com/x/status/2064454654298075598

I believe he’s enrolling in the marine biology program.

 

[blackdog]

The thing I like most about Williams is he is a piece we don’t have and haven’t had the last couple of years, namely a long rangy athletic wing. If he can learn how to play team defense and turn into a reliable 3 pt shooter he could be very valuable. Sencire Harris flipped at least 2-3 games for us as a frosh. If Williams is a better version of Sencire, sign me up.

TSJ and Andrej are very disappointed by your comment