Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (February 2021)

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#426      

ChiefGritty

Chicago, IL
Stop it. Trent is a much better player. Ace probably is as well. Damonte is a solid player, but he’s not the third best player on the fifth best team in America.

Miller and Frazier both have their moments, and being a scorer is super valuable, I don't want to denigrate that, but DaMonte's versatility and instincts and critically this season the floor-stretching ability of his jump shot are at the center of everything we do, he's the piece that makes all the other pieces work.

We have a guy that can handle and shoot like a guard who can also rebound and guard like a 4 and occupy regular minutes as a 4. That's a crazy asset.

If Nimari Burnett comes to Illinois and is a monster talent that demands big minutes (which is totally speculative), it would be Frazier and especially Miller losing out, not DMW. Though truly nobody needs to lose out if indeed Ayo is gone.
 
#427      
As is clear from the many comments he has made, Underwood highly values defense, meaning Frazier and DMW will start next season if they return. If Kofi comes back as he should if he wants to be a first-round pick, I foresee Trent, Miller and Burnett starting in the backcourt with DMW at the four and Kofi at the 5. Curbelo getting good minutes as the backup guard and Hawkins and Georgi as the top subs at 4 and 5. Grandison could get more playing time than Hawk, but he will have to up his game substantially. He's been a disappointment (perhaps because he was overbilled by BU, who often described him as an "elite shooter").
Also, just because were ranked #5 now, does not mean we're the 5th best team in the nation. We need more balanced scoring, can't rely on Ayo to come to the rescue every game. We have two great players, but no reliable third scorer and maddeningly inconsistent play from Curbelo, Grandison and Giorgi. At least two of them must play much better and Trent or Miller have to be better scoring threats if we are to reach the Elite 8 and beyond.
And our remaining schedule is not easy, with a good chance of losing at Michigan and OSU and possibly at Wisconsin.
 
#429      
As is clear from the many comments he has made, Underwood highly values defense, meaning Frazier and DMW will start next season if they return. If Kofi comes back as he should if he wants to be a first-round pick, I foresee Trent, Miller and Burnett starting in the backcourt with DMW at the four and Kofi at the 5. Curbelo getting good minutes as the backup guard and Hawkins and Georgi as the top subs at 4 and 5. Grandison could get more playing time than Hawk, but he will have to up his game substantially. He's been a disappointment (perhaps because he was overbilled by BU, who often described him as an "elite shooter").
Also, just because were ranked #5 now, does not mean we're the 5th best team in the nation. We need more balanced scoring, can't rely on Ayo to come to the rescue every game. We have two great players, but no reliable third scorer and maddeningly inconsistent play from Curbelo, Grandison and Giorgi. At least two of them must play much better and Trent or Miller have to be better scoring threats if we are to reach the Elite 8 and beyond.
And our remaining schedule is not easy, with a good chance of losing at Michigan and OSU and possibly at Wisconsin.
Disagree that Grandison is a disappointment. He has provided valuable minutes..
 
#433      
6-10, 240. Good size. Isn’t that about how big Augustine was?
What do we know about this Jalen Washington from Gary, IN? Top 20 kid.
 
#434      

POWURR

From Downtown
So about our recruits...
Recruiting ballers - growth plates are open for business

ocean map GIF by UVic Campus Life
 
#437      
Look out DePaul... again!.. hope my Chicago boys are just effing with me!
 
#444      
Great get by the staff. hopefully helps with Burnett as it shores up our team for the future. Nice to have another good piece in place.
 
#449      

Nappy I_L_L

Northern Indiana
If I had a choice, it would be to tell Monte that next year is not an option. I would keep Trent but as an 6th man if we get Burnett, Podz/Melendez, and another PG to add with Goode, we will be set. I would go with Belo, Miller, Burnett, Hawk and Kofi/Giorgi/5th year transfer if Kofi leaves. We need to move on from Monte. If Hutch is heathy and Grandy stays, there will be no minutes for Monte. It is really hard to tell what is going to happen as there will be free movement by hundreds of players after this season. We may lose a player or two along with Kofi? and Ayo. It the complete unknown. When the championship game is over, it could be like baseball free agency. Put your seat belts on as this could be a wild ride this spring/summer
I love the idea but BU raves on Monte 24/7 about him being a glue guy for the 🧡and💙. RJ is gonna come and fill his role. TF will stay and Monte will want to leave bc his times will diminish, not bc of him being asked to leave. Jaylen Blakes is who I'm betting on to come and/or NB makes the decision to come to the Illini. Kof is gonna stay bc of his lack of NBA stock currently and we come back and go to the final four for the second year in a row next year
 
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