Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (February 2021)

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#654      
Well, we will need another point guard, will only have 1 next year.
I'm still holding out hope Trent will sign up for one more ride.

Speaking of which, I wonder how that would work with Illinois' record books. During the NW game the announcers mentioned he moved into third (I think?) in 3 pointers made. Could he keep racking up stats to add to his count during a 5th year? I would love to have that as a little carrot enticing him back but also think that's a pretty unfair to every other player (not on the team during this covid year) that is gunning (or has) for the record books.
 
#655      
Calm down.



Yeah I mean let's be honest, if we lose Ayo, Kofi, DMW and Trent, we could potentially be right back into the Big Ten cellar next year. Just losing Ayo is going to be a colossal challenge, it is difficult to overstate how much he has meant to this team in his three years here.
Maybe I'm taking cellar a bit too literal... but is there somewhere on the internet where I can bet a whole heap of money on the Illini not finishing in the B1G cellar? I could see things breaking wrong and being on the wrong side of the bubble, but I think RS Freshman Ace + Belo with RS Junior Giorgi + Granderson is enough of a start to give me hope that Underwood will figure out the rest to be competitive.

Can one of the obsessive realists tell me the last time we finished last in the Big Ten. I don't think Groce even managed that, but its entirely possible that I've suppressed that memory.
 
#656      

IlliniwekKDR

Colorado Springs, CO
Maybe I'm taking cellar a bit too literal... but is there somewhere on the internet where I can bet a whole heap of money on the Illini not finishing in the B1G cellar? I could see things breaking wrong and being on the wrong side of the bubble, but I think RS Freshman Ace + Belo with RS Junior Giorgi + Granderson is enough of a start to give me hope that Underwood will figure out the rest to be competitive.

Can one of the obsessive realists tell me the last time we finished last in the Big Ten. I don't think Groce even managed that, but its entirely possible that I've suppressed that memory.
Without doing any research, I would guess '99
 
#657      
Maybe I'm taking cellar a bit too literal... but is there somewhere on the internet where I can bet a whole heap of money on the Illini not finishing in the B1G cellar? I could see things breaking wrong and being on the wrong side of the bubble, but I think RS Freshman Ace + Belo with RS Junior Giorgi + Granderson is enough of a start to give me hope that Underwood will figure out the rest to be competitive.

Can one of the obsessive realists tell me the last time we finished last in the Big Ten. I don't think Groce even managed that, but its entirely possible that I've suppressed that memory.
In 98 and 08 they were 2nd to last.

It could also could be a product of a lot of other teams are going to get better...
 
#658      
Cardet a PG at 6’5”. Looks like Ayo lite. Would be a nice change up to Belo. Could be a very interesting future team with guys like Hutch, Goode, Melendez, Hawk, Grandy, BBV, Giorgi, etc. No rim protectors but a lot of length and speed. Seems like the direction BU going.

Full disclosure, I don't fully get the offense we're using. I see a lot of reads, but not enough to feel like it's intuitive to me. Especially with Ayo, who can create things you wouldn't teach, and Curbelo with his slight of hand. That said, I read that BU really worked on changing spacing more towards 4-out 1-in around the time of the Missouri loss, and it certainly shows when you look at the floor --we have much better spacing and therefore more options. Makes me wonder if he's changing his recruiting to head in that direction. We're never going to find another Kofi, but a less meaty guy or someone without post moves can always kick it back out, especially if you have guys that can threaten to score at all 3 levels.
 
#660      
I think BU will look for a 5 that can hit from the outside to pull the opposing 5 away from the basket and open up the lane for penetration from our guards and wings. JMO
 
#663      
Once Kofi goes.. we will see the full court pressure come back, at least for a good portion of the game
 
#664      

BBIQ

Texas
Not Curbelo I hope! With the free transfer year worried about poaching. Believe during the Duke game it was mentioned that was his dream school.
Yep, I remember that but he's no in HS anymore. He has a year with us and hopefully a deep tourney run. I would think he would stay now that he has bonded with players and staff.
 
#665      
Yep, I remember that but he's no in HS anymore. He has a year with us and hopefully a deep tourney run. I would think he would stay now that he has bonded with players and staff.
I mean, every kid has a "dream school" "dream destination". Things change as you build relationships and figure out what's actually important to you.

Imagine if every freshmen that had a good year transferred to their "dream" school.
 
#666      
Maybe I'm taking cellar a bit too literal... but is there somewhere on the internet where I can bet a whole heap of money on the Illini not finishing in the B1G cellar? I could see things breaking wrong and being on the wrong side of the bubble, but I think RS Freshman Ace + Belo with RS Junior Giorgi + Granderson is enough of a start to give me hope that Underwood will figure out the rest to be competitive.

Can one of the obsessive realists tell me the last time we finished last in the Big Ten. I don't think Groce even managed that, but its entirely possible that I've suppressed that memory.
I'm with you. Obviously, we would stink this year without Ayo and Kofi. However, sustaining success has as much to do with player development as it does with high level recruiting.
Guys grow up and step up in their own time. Sometimes being forced into a bigger role speeds up that process. There is a lot of talent on this team. A lot of it is in early stages of development.
I would not expect us to be a top 10 team, but we should at least be able to get back to the tournament.
I think Maryland this year would be a decent comp to what we might experience. They lost a pair of all-conference type performers to the next level. They may not be title contenders, but they are not easy to beat. If the season ended today, you have to believe they would be selected by the committee to participate in the tournament.
Michigan would be another example of a team that was SUPPOSED to take a step back, though they are experiencing the absolute best case scenario for their season outlook.
We probably won't be Final Four good next year, but it doesn't mean we will fall back to doormat status either.
 
#668      

Nappy I_L_L

Northern Indiana
I'm with you. Obviously, we would stink this year without Ayo and Kofi. However, sustaining success has as much to do with player development as it does with high level recruiting.
Guys grow up and step up in their own time. Sometimes being forced into a bigger role speeds up that process. There is a lot of talent on this team. A lot of it is in early stages of development.
I would not expect us to be a top 10 team, but we should at least be able to get back to the tournament.
I think Maryland this year would be a decent comp to what we might experience. They lost a pair of all-conference type performers to the next level. They may not be title contenders, but they are not easy to beat. If the season ended today, you have to believe they would be selected by the committee to participate in the tournament.
Michigan would be another example of a team that was SUPPOSED to take a step back, though they are experiencing the absolute best case scenario for their season outlook.
We probably won't be Final Four good next year, but it doesn't mean we will fall back to doormat status either.
Truth,

BU has created a culture in the House of Paign. Whether we recruit for 2021 with Cardet/Blakes, or we rope in Nimari/other transfer, this team is in it for the long haul. This isn't just some fluke year for the program, BU changed the program, no matter who we build the franchise around.
 
#669      

skyIdub

Winged Warrior
Maybe I'm taking cellar a bit too literal... but is there somewhere on the internet where I can bet a whole heap of money on the Illini not finishing in the B1G cellar? I could see things breaking wrong and being on the wrong side of the bubble, but I think RS Freshman Ace + Belo with RS Junior Giorgi + Granderson is enough of a start to give me hope that Underwood will figure out the rest to be competitive.

Can one of the obsessive realists tell me the last time we finished last in the Big Ten. I don't think Groce even managed that, but its entirely possible that I've suppressed that memory.

Here we accept only the finest beach houses with only the most amazing seaside views.

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#670      

altenberger22

South Carolina
They play in the same league. Believe Menendez's team beat cardets team for the state title last year.
Thinking that should therefore mean a little something........combined with the Coach O connection that WC has.

Come onboard Wesley!
 
#671      
Maybe I'm taking cellar a bit too literal... but is there somewhere on the internet where I can bet a whole heap of money on the Illini not finishing in the B1G cellar? I could see things breaking wrong and being on the wrong side of the bubble, but I think RS Freshman Ace + Belo with RS Junior Giorgi + Granderson is enough of a start to give me hope that Underwood will figure out the rest to be competitive.

Can one of the obsessive realists tell me the last time we finished last in the Big Ten. I don't think Groce even managed that, but its entirely possible that I've suppressed that memory.
Gritty is off his rocker.
 
#674      

whatahack

St. Peters MO
Once Kofi goes.. we will see the full court pressure come back, at least for a good portion of the game
gee...I hope not. I don't think that style of play is sustainable come tournament time when you play two games in three days and four in eight.
 
#675      
Once Kofi goes.. we will see the full court pressure come back, at least for a good portion of the game
Really don’t think so. Kofi physical type not very common and first at Illinois but you can have the Williams type center and still be effective. Look at OSU with Liddell. Defense will be tweaked but not all the way back to 18-19. Maybe pressure similar to 88-89 at times. Seems to me our biggest problem is with teams with big guards.
 
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