Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

#251      
ImGonnaBeILL
Heisenbobble said:
Duke has offered Pettigrew now. Should get interesting.
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Im amazed at the depth of talent Duke is getting. Their 2nd 5 this season IMO is an easy top 25 team.

Blackwell has another year of eligibility I believe as well. Not to mention the other talent they're bringing back and in. The Australian PG Paul they're bringing in next season is a likely lotto pick and JBB is the likely 2028 #1 pick (or close to it)
 
#256      
Det_Illini_fan
New Creation said:
Was getting ready to post this. That Duke game is going to be massive. I have a feeling he will be on an official visit there when the beloved are in town.
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Great.

TBH, if they did that and were still without Mirk, it’ll be a pretty targeted message/action
 
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#259      
Ga65
hoopsfan47 said:
The only thing that concerns me at all with recruiting these days is the lack of closing on any players over 6'9". Reminds me of the 63 Hoosier team when the VanArsdales were the big guys for them at 6'5". They went with 6'4" Bolyard and McGlocklin and 6'2" Jimmy Rayl for the starters. They were smart, tough, and could get hot from time to time, but they were doomed for middle of the pack. One of the best memories of my life was sitting at half court with my elbows on the floor and watching them beat OSU and their AA Gary Bradds, a Hoosier victory that gave the Illini the Big Ten title that year when Downey and crew won in the real Assembly Hall on the same day in won of the first games played there.

I am hoping, without any anxiety, that BU and OO have something up their sleeves that will surprise us with an elite big that will fit nicely in to complete the puzzle for the 27-28 season. A Euro, portal tranfer, or high schooler? It is hard to imagine that such a player would pass up an opportunity to be spotlighted alongside such an elite and deep group of young, skilled, and unselfish players who just want to win.
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Also wondering if type of big will change. New style of play requires speed up and down the court. Priority shooting or rim protection and dunker position?
 
#262      
RandyfromTuscola
Fly Illini Fly! said:
https://twitter.com/x/status/2115908626854363372
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GIF by Giphy QA
 
#266      
Mobi
hoopsfan47 said:
The only thing that concerns me at all with recruiting these days is the lack of closing on any players over 6'9". Reminds me of the 63 Hoosier team when the VanArsdales were the big guys for them at 6'5". They went with 6'4" Bolyard and McGlocklin and 6'2" Jimmy Rayl for the starters. They were smart, tough, and could get hot from time to time, but they were doomed for middle of the pack. One of the best memories of my life was sitting at half court with my elbows on the floor and watching them beat OSU and their AA Gary Bradds, a Hoosier victory that gave the Illini the Big Ten title that year when Downey and crew won in the real Assembly Hall on the same day in won of the first games played there.

I am hoping, without any anxiety, that BU and OO have something up their sleeves that will surprise us with an elite big that will fit nicely in to complete the puzzle for the 27-28 season. A Euro, portal tranfer, or high schooler? It is hard to imagine that such a player would pass up an opportunity to be spotlighted alongside such an elite and deep group of young, skilled, and unselfish players who just want to win.
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Even with OO, we are not known in developing traditional bigs. Morez didn't help our case. I really hope we can boost Big Z's stock to a late 1st rounder. I think he plays in NBA if he proves he can shoot.
 
#267      
BBlock24
Haven't been in the thread as much lately, so excuse me if this has been asked at nauseum, but what are our chances in landing Pettigreww or Kelly or both?
 
#268      
March2TheArch
BBlock24 said:
Haven't been in the thread as much lately, so excuse me if this has been asked at nauseum, but what are our chances in landing Pettigreww or Kelly or both?
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Lville posted on UIC gameday that buzz is growing with Pettigrew in our favor. I think the staff is projecting Quinton goes NBA. And that’s Brady’s spot.

At some point recruits are going to see there are 15 lottery picks per year. You can’t just go ride the pine at Duke and expect to nab one of those spots.

Folks like Isaiah Evans are an example of how one doesn’t always develop at Duke. Cam Williams could’ve been featured on Arizona. And will now instead fight for time with JBB.
 
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#271      
Fly Illini Fly!
I think what might help us with Brady, is just how insanely crowded Duke’s backcourt is.

There’s only 2 guard spots. Somebody out of Blackwell / Boozer / Foster / Rippey / Howard is going to have to be the 4th and 5th GUARD option. (and yes, all of them have the opportunity to come back)

It floors me how highly touted guys continue to want to go there, despite the risk of getting completely shelved.

Maybe it is part of the calculus for Brady (I remember him talking about how he views Illinois, depends on whether QC stays or goes).
 
#273      
Fly Illini Fly!
March2TheArch said:
Lville posted on UIC gameday that buzz is growing with Pettigrew in our favor. I think the staff is projecting Quinton goes NBA. And that’s Brady’s spot.
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Barring injury, Coleman is our most likely player to get drafted.

There’s so many “outs” for him to have a great year, even if it’s not Keaton levels of on-ball usage.

He’ll be an ELITE rebounder, he’ll be a solid defender, he’ll probably shoot 35-40% from 3 on decent volume, he’ll probably average 3-5 assists, he’s a pretty good athlete who can get to the rim and finish.

How hard he plays will appeal to scouts.

Some guys need the ball to be successful; QC feels like the opposite. He didn’t even shoot it well in the FIBA Americup, and was still the best player there.
 
#275      
Combo
Fly Illini Fly! said:
I think what might help us with Brady, is just how insanely crowded Duke’s backcourt is.

There’s only 2 guard spots. Somebody out of Blackwell / Boozer / Foster / Rippey / Howard is going to have to be the 4th and 5th GUARD option. (and yes, all of them have the opportunity to come back)

It floors me how highly touted guys continue to want to go there, despite the risk of getting completely shelved.

Maybe it is part of the calculus for Brady (I remember him talking about how he views Illinois, depends on whether QC stays or goes).
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It floored me 30 years ago. That's how long it's been happening. I pretty much expect it now.
 
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