Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (Week of April 12th, 2021)

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#751      
I would. Miller can go elsewhere. He has proven that he is not 100% in. Rather have Plummer or Mitchell. He can ride pine somewhere else like Griffin has.
I have seen nothing on the court to suggest he isn’t “all in.” These situations are complicated and multiple decision makers are involved. I commend him for the role he assumed this year and his buy in on the defensive end speaks to his work ethic. Hope he comes back.
 
#753      
Might want to do a little research... Griffin started 27/28 games and average 30 minutes per. That's hardly "riding pine."
Recency bias perhaps. Something happened in acc tournament as Griffin had a sharp minutes downturn. He averaged 13 mins per game in the last 4 games including ncaa and acc. Before that he averaged nearly 30.
 
#754      
I have seen nothing on the court to suggest he isn’t “all in.” These situations are complicated and multiple decision makers are involved. I commend him for the role he assumed this year and his buy in on the defensive end speaks to his work ethic. Hope he comes back.
Agreed!

I think the only I saw was he was upset looking on the bench in the second half of games where he wasn't getting run, and that is more of a competitor thing to me. Frankly, down the stretch Monte kinda regained his form and stole minutes from Miller. Not blaming Underwood really because I saw what he was doing but Ace was left out for long stretches. Longer then I would have left him because I thought his effort was always there on the defensive side.
 
#755      
Lucky guy you are! You got to witness and/or partake in:

* Eddie Johnson's last second shot in the home victory vs. #1 MSU and Magic Johnson
* home sellouts (~70,000) in the fall for Dad's Day, regardless of whom the opponent happened to be
* 14 cent beers at Dooley's/Kam's because the Illini football team was ranked #14 in the AP poll, and
* broken noses in Intramural football because punts were live plays and rushing the kicker was allowed

"And yes, I walked to class --- 32 block round trip, uphill both ways --- in record cold and snow. That's the way it was back then, and I liked it!"
Graduating in '79 would put him smack dab in the middle of the black hole that was the Gary Moeller era ('80 grad myself). I'm pretty sure there were no 70,000 sell outs when "moleface" was coach.

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#756      

Champaign Toast

Fan since Kiwane Garris
I can't speculate about any off the court / "all in" / "everyday guy" stuff involving Griffin or Miller, but they're good players! Griffin proved his mettle with a very nice 2020-21 at Syracuse. Miller is a baller. Should we be surprised if he ends up in the league? I won't be after seeing Kendrick Nunn get hot with the Heat. I'm rooting for both guys.

Personally, I'd have preferred Miller staying to Podziemski committing (if I had to choose one scenario--not even sure Podz was dependant on Miller leaving) because I feel good when Chicago kids succeed in Champaign; but, I'll take what I get. Let's go, Podz!
 
#757      
Miller should stay. He is going to be important for this team to go far next season. We have great players coming in but come on Ace! We need you!!
 
#758      

DICKnaggie

Champaign
Recency bias perhaps. Something happened in acc tournament as Griffin had a sharp minutes downturn. He averaged 13 mins per game in the last 4 games including ncaa and acc. Before that he averaged nearly 30.
Saw a conversation on Reddit where Syracuse fans stated that he never really learned the intricacies of their zone to Boheim's liking. This combined with some poor decision making apparently cost him minutes.
 
#759      

Retro62

North Bethesda, Maryland
I graduated in 79
84 from UI and, of course, 80 from MHS...I've just been gone too long. Loved the old Wharton Field House...a great place to see games. One of my friends was Steve Kuberski's little brother.
 
#760      

Deleted member 8896

D
Guest
Graduating in '79 would put him smack dab in the middle of the black hole that was the Gary Moeller era ('80 grad myself). I'm pretty sure there were no 70,000 sell outs when "moleface" was coach.

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6-24-3 coaching record- think I went to 2 games maybe- he was so bad.
 
#762      

BBIQ

Texas
Might want to do a little research... Griffin started 27/28 games and average 30 minutes per. That's hardly "riding pine."
Does anyone know what happened toward the end of the season? He was benched for the most part during the conference tourney and the NCAA tourney correct? And now he declared for the draft. very odd
 
#763      

JFGsCoffeeMug

BU:1 Trash cans:0
Chicago
Does anyone know what happened toward the end of the season? He was benched for the most part during the conference tourney and the NCAA tourney correct? And now he declared for the draft. very odd
General consensus is that he never learned how to play the 2-3 zone properly and as a result caused major defensive lapses.
 
#765      
Fair points.

I hate to beat up on him, but Weber is a great coach at a program like Southern Illinois or Dayton or Marquette or Dayton or possibly Kansas State, but not at Illinois. We are a demanding fan base and I feel the Chicagoland media market has always been out to get us (they certainly enjoyed that Loyola game), and the CLP, which has lost importance, was never friendly to us.

We were lucky to have Self. He was never going to stay, and I don't recall who was available in 2003. Weber was on the rise and I will never take that 2005 season away from him. I've been pontificating on "what could have been for Illinois" but even if Weber had recruited better in 2004-2006, and even if he hadn't had some of the player issues that unfortunately occurred, I don't think he was the coach our fans would accept. Whether it was 2012 or 2020, he wasn't going to be Lou Henson.

As for Groce, I do specifically recall that when it became apparent that Weber had to go, nobody wanted the job. Shaka Smart and Brad Stevens both declined, as did several other potential coaches. Groce was a nice guy but he belongs at a place like Akron. And even if Kendrick Nunn hadn't punched his girlfriend in the head, potentially Groce would have a few better seasons, but likely in the long run the same result. But who knows? Maybe Nunn has a senior season like Ayo had his junior season and we go in a different direction.

This is why are so lucky to have Underwood. He recruits and develops players and he wins. He was insulted by Oklahoma State's offer and so far seems very satisfied with us. I think he can take Illinois basketball to a consistent contender in the Big Ten and competitive in the big dance. And I think he stays, which can't be said Lon Krueger nor Bill Self.

That's sort of how why we hired Weber. After Lon Krueger for 4 years then dumping us for the NBA, and Bill Self for 3 years then jumping ship for Kansas, I think there was a realization that we are not UNC or Kentucky. If we land a UNC or Kentucky (or Kansas!) calibre coach, we may quickly find ourselves on the market when he leaves us.
Matta was available and interested but Guenther would not interview him
 
#766      
You are 100% correct. I don’t proclaim to be a great business mind but in my experience the process people have better long-term success. Underwood is definitely one of these types.
Underwood has done an especially good job in improving the culture of the program. There seems to be a real sense of purpose and direction in both the players and staff, whereas the Groce and later Weber years gave a sense of hapless flailing.

If Underwood adds some NCAAT success to his resume (and if Kofi returns it could happen soon), we may have to worry about losing him. There are some top programs fronted by very old HCs.
 
#767      

JFGsCoffeeMug

BU:1 Trash cans:0
Chicago
Anyone know where to watch Melendez's signing? Was supposed to be at 11a on Facebook Live. Don't know the time zone.

Same question for Podz. Will it be online? Supposed to be at 2:30p. Don't know anything else beyond that.
 
#768      
“The new age of college sports free agency is here. The Division I Council is expected to approve new uniform NCAA transfer legislation this week, which will allow undergraduate athletes in all sports to move freely one time without having to sit out...”

This is a good thing. Let athletes be where they want to be. Let them try something out without penalizing them if they want to move on and find a fresh start. This is also good for athletic programs. Yes, it does create a level of uncertainly that didn’t exist before but it also opens up opportunities for the program. The players’ door swings both ways. Out... and in. A program can benefit from new blood just as an athlete can benefit (or not) from a change of address.

As fans, we ‘Root For Laundry’ anyway. Our favorite team logo and what it means to us. We just want to win (the ‘right’ way). This puts an even greater premium on having a great coach with a vision for his/her program and having great Assistants and recruiters to find the right guys to make the magic happen.

Raising the stakes for everyone and having more fun while doing it. And lots of added drama and opportunities for Insiders to be prophetic.
 
#770      
Underwood has done an especially good job in improving the culture of the program. There seems to be a real sense of purpose and direction in both the players and staff, whereas the Groce and later Weber years gave a sense of hapless flailing.

If Underwood adds some NCAAT success to his resume (and if Kofi returns it could happen soon), we may have to worry about losing him. There are some top programs fronted by very old HCs.
Nothing has actually happened yet (don't worry, I just knocked on wood), but the fact that TF, DMW, and even Kofi may come back says a lot about the culture imo, just like Gillespie and Samuels returning to Nova says a lot about theirs. We'll get a glimpse at how much of that is player driven vs. top-down with guys like Giorgi and Ayo leaving.

Also, I may be naive here, but I believe BU when he says this is a destination program for him. I would be surprised if he left. The admin has provided resources comparable to other top programs to execute his vision and outside of Duke, not sure what other top program(s) has a HC that is that much older than BU.
 
#771      
“The new age of college sports free agency is here. The Division I Council is expected to approve new uniform NCAA transfer legislation this week, which will allow undergraduate athletes in all sports to move freely one time without having to sit out...”

This is a good thing. Let athletes be where they want to be. Let them try something out without penalizing them if they want to move on and find a fresh start. This is also good for athletic programs. Yes, it does create a level of uncertainly that didn’t exist before but it also opens up opportunities for the program. The players’ door swings both ways. Out... and in. A program can benefit from new blood just as an athlete can benefit (or not) from a change of address.

As fans, we ‘Root For Laundry’ anyway. Our favorite team logo and what it means to us. We just want to win (the ‘right’ way). This puts an even greater premium on having a great coach with a vision for his/her program and having great Assistants and recruiters to find the right guys to make the magic happen.

Raising the stakes for everyone and having more fun while doing it. And lots of added drama and opportunities for Insiders to be prophetic.
I would say it also opens the door for more opportunities for some programs to funnel funds in a players direction....not totally satisfied at this University....well let me show you what you can achieve (earn $$$$) at our University
 
#772      
Recent events should serve as a reminder that board murmurs + fan reactions on social media doesn't reflect the actual state of the program. Don't be quick to overreact until you see how things play out.

A week ago, the meltdown reactions would have you think everyone was transferring away/eager to move on. Now, we have the "best culture".
 
#773      

Deleted member 747671

D
Guest
Why are insiders continuing to push that Kofi is more likely to return than to leave? That just seems opposite of common sense. He hasn't even officially declared yet. I'm sure that will happen shortly. He declared last year as an extremely raw player, and was probably 50/50 or worse on returning. This year he showed polish and flashed a big man game rarely seen at the college level. I think its like 90/10 he's gone. That doesn't mean 1st round NBA grade, just means he'd go play professionally somewhere if he goes undrafted. He turns 22 this year, is a powerful inside force that isn't miraculously going to change into a stretch 5, and his best friend, roommate, fellow international player is not returning.
 
#774      

kcib8130

Parts Unknown
Why are insiders continuing to push that Kofi is more likely to return than to leave? That just seems opposite of common sense. He hasn't even officially declared yet. I'm sure that will happen shortly. He declared last year as an extremely raw player, and was probably 50/50 or worse on returning. This year he showed polish and flashed a big man game rarely seen at the college level. I think its like 90/10 he's gone. That doesn't mean 1st round NBA grade, just means he'd go play professionally somewhere if he goes undrafted. He turns 22 this year, is a powerful inside force that isn't miraculously going to change into a stretch 5, and his best friend, roommate, fellow international player is not returning.
Because the traditional center is no longer traditional in the NBA.
 
#775      

JFGsCoffeeMug

BU:1 Trash cans:0
Chicago
Why are insiders continuing to push that Kofi is more likely to return than to leave? That just seems opposite of common sense. He hasn't even officially declared yet. I'm sure that will happen shortly. He declared last year as an extremely raw player, and was probably 50/50 or worse on returning. This year he showed polish and flashed a big man game rarely seen at the college level. I think its like 90/10 he's gone. That doesn't mean 1st round NBA grade, just means he'd go play professionally somewhere if he goes undrafted. He turns 22 this year, is a powerful inside force that isn't miraculously going to change into a stretch 5, and his best friend, roommate, fellow international player is not returning.
I'm no insider, but one possibility is that Kofi saw what one more year did for Ayo's stock. And if Kofi has a similar opportunity to be the face of our program and pick up some serious accolades along the way, he might think the extra year is worth it. Also, he clearly trusts the staff to help him to develop his game. I get the impression that trust and relationships are really important to Kofi.
 
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