Would be shocked if he attends unless a commitment to his teammates and coaches has been made with an over the top, I'm sorry speech
He won't be there.
Would be shocked if he attends unless a commitment to his teammates and coaches has been made with an over the top, I'm sorry speech
Even if he was, I would imagine this would be a team thing and players wouldn't be individually acknowledged, with the exception of maybe Ayo and Kofi for their All-American status.He won't be there.
He won't be there.
Not an insider, but the longer he's in the portal, the less likely he is to return, IMO.I wouldn't think that is that much of a sign either way, given the circumstances, but I am at the mercy of the Insiders ... does that mean anything?? Lol.
Huh. I had been thinking it was a good sign that he hadn't committed elsewhere yet... as in, he must not be floored by any of the offers he's getting elsewhere.Not an insider, but the longer he's in the portal, the less likely he is to return, IMO.
We will be better, on paper next year, if Miller comes back. We've added length on the perimeter. We have another big who will add depth there. And, Andre will be another year stronger and more experienced. Not dissing our best player ever (Ayo), just saying our incoming parts outweigh our losses, overall.It's always nice to have a Peoria guy repping my birthplace on the Illini, let alone two if Da'Monte comes back! I definitely hope Adam comes back. Plus, do you remember how excited we all were about the hype this team had going into last season? We were preseason #8 or something, and if Adam came back and Kofi stayed ... we could honestly be near that mark again. Personally, knowing that we could actually attend some games this year at SFC, I am REALLY hoping Ace Wolf returns!
I feel pretty confident from his teammates reactions they weren't pleased or expecting. If he had grown man conversation with them, that'd probably went a long way. In addition, Peoria insiders were a dime a dozen saying the same thing happened when he moved to MPHS. No informing or discussion, just poof, gone one day.It's unreal how spurned some of you feel by Miller entering the transfer portal and how you think it's going to destroy team chemistry if he does come back. I can only imagine how close these guys got this season with no chance to go see family and likely not much contact with friends outside of the basketball program. As others have mentioned, other players were surprised by him putting his name in so it seems there wasn't outward dissatisfaction from him with his role this season.
If I was a teammate and friend of his and he said, "Sorry guys, my mom/parents/camp/etc wanted me to see what other opportunities were out there. I felt obligated to at least see what out there because of the time/money/etc they've invested in me, but I'm back because I still feel like this is where I belong and gives me the best chance to get where I want to be." then I would accept him back without issue. Other players are going to understand pressure from outside sources. I hop on Instagram and check players profiles from time to time and he's in the comments on about every players page commenting on their posts and staying in contact with them. It's not like he went dark and ghosted them.
I think this is all contingent on if he says it like that. Who's to say he feels he owes anyone an explanation? In the end, we also don't know his reason so it's all speculation either way. I agree us as fans shouldn't feel spurned by it, but I don't think it's crazy to say there'd be chemistry issues because of this.As others have mentioned, other players were surprised by him putting his name in so it seems there wasn't outward dissatisfaction from him with his role this season.
If I was a teammate and friend of his and he said, "Sorry guys, my mom/parents/camp/etc wanted me to see what other opportunities were out there. I felt obligated to at least see what out there because of the time/money/etc they've invested in me, but I'm back because I still feel like this is where I belong and gives me the best chance to get where I want to be." then I would accept him back without issue. Other players are going to understand pressure from outside sources. I hop on Instagram and check players profiles from time to time and he's in the comments on about every players page commenting on their posts and staying in contact with them. It's not like he went dark and ghosted them.
I think they all understand its a business and people are going to look out for number 1.I think this is all contingent on if he says it like that. Who's to say he feels he owes anyone an explanation? In the end, we also don't know his reason so it's all speculation either way. I agree us as fans shouldn't feel spurned by it, but I don't think it's crazy to say there'd be chemistry issues because of this.
You mention them being so close and being in the bubble together. Someone I thought I was close with suddenly leaving without advanced notice would be a slap in the face for me personally. It's less of the act itself and more of how easy of a decision it comes off as. I'd move on, but it would definitely linger in my mind as to where I stand with said person.
NBA players feel disrespected all the time when guys leave randomly and they're paid to play. You think college is different?I think they all understand its a business and people are going to look out for number 1.
"All the time"? I think that's a bit of hyperbole. How does one "leave randomly"? Free agency is a collectively bargained right of all players. I don't think its common for players in the NBA to get mad when a free agents take the best offer.NBA players feel disrespected all the time when guys leave randomly and they're paid to play. You think college is different?
No disrespect, but this is your experience with one player. When it comes to people and emotions, not every story ends this way. I'd love to have this fairy tale happy ending. I think people have a right to suggest there could be issues. I'm not sure why people are so quick to shut that down and say, "No everything's good! No one will care". In the end, both sides don't know. It's all speculation. These "players" are just human... and as history has shown, people have mixed reactions that you can't predict.Here's my parallel based on a true story from this past basketball season.
We had a player whose people made him quit after our second game this year. He was a 20ppg scorer, our best defender, and one of our primary handlers. When there were rumblings he could return, every player to a man said they would take him back. They even said they would take him back if he only came back for the playoffs.
We made a run to the state semi-finals, and every single person in our program thinks the semi-final game could have been different if he was there. They also all still talk to him every day, he is still in the group chat, they still show each other love on social media, and they hang out in person when they can.
Moral: Players wont hold it against the dude when the people in his camp are the problem.
I was offered my first job in Champaign and stayed in it for 30 years, then retired. Having made the point that there is still Loyalty (pun intended) in the world, I don’t think AM should be castigated for exploring his options. I also hope he leaves earlier than 30 years from now—- you tend to lose your “hops” in your late 40’s, not to mention those pesky eligibility issues.I have no idea what the answers are, so I thought I would ask the group at Loyalty. If someone puts their name in the transfer portal is there any real cost for them? Do they have to voluntarily give up their scholarship in order to be in the portal? Can they enter the portal at no cost, other than fans moaning and groaning, and return to their original school without any issues. Since Ace is now in the portal, would he need the blessing of the U of I and BU to return?
If there is no cost, then entering the portal is just a way to check other options. Perhaps that is all that Ace is doing, and I don't think that checking your options
in a "no cost" situation is such a bad thing. If there is a cost, giving up your scholarship, then putting your name in the portal becomes a much more serious
decision on the part of the player. Think about it from your own perspective. When you graduated, did you go into the job market, and hopefully have more than one job offer? You selected the offer that looked best at the moment, but after a year or two, perhaps you decided to look around, then you try to find a
new position. Checking your options to find the best fit for you is something that we have all done. I think that it is a pretty safe guess that very few Illini
grads have stayed in their first job for their entire life. If Ace gave up his scholarship with no guarantees, then that does provide some evidence that he was less
than happy at the the U of I. If Ace is just checking out his options that is different. Like I said, I don't know the "portal rules" so I just thought that I would ask you guys. I appreciate the information if you know the answers.
The transfer process in a nutshell:If someone puts their name in the transfer portal is there any real cost for them? Do they have to voluntarily give up their scholarship in order to be in the portal?
OK thanks, what you said is that ACE is no longer on scholarship for next year unless the U of I wants toThe transfer process in a nutshell:
1) The athlete notifies the compliance office of their intent to transfer.
2) The compliance office registers the athlete in the portal within 2 business days.
<Coaches can see/contact the athlete.>
3) If an athlete withdraws from the portal, the school decides whether to restore their scholarship.
We will be better, on paper next year, if Miller comes back. We've added length on the perimeter. We have another big who will add depth there. And, Andre will be another year stronger and more experienced. Not dissing our best player ever (Ayo), just saying our incoming parts outweigh our losses, overall.
But if you feel that God is leading you to another Big 10 team or Missouri, you can always pray with us that he leads you back home to Illinois.My note to Adam Miller, or anyone who cares for him. (if they read this forum)
You are a talented young man, who has proven you have NBA potential in the future. From what I've read from the Illini basketball program and you, there is mutual respect and there is no ill will from either side. I still think your future is bright, and IMO it is brightest with the Illini. Fans, players, and coaches all are still there for you in whatever you choose. Because your play (especially how you played defense), showed your character.
May God lead your steps
The thing is - there will always be another version of 'this'.I think I will be glad when this is over.